CC Minutes - 06/09/03 WS - Laserfiche WebLink

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Ms. Nathanson noted that there were times when she could not cross the sidewalks in the neighborhoods, particularly near the fraternities and sororities, because they were blocked by cars. It was not enjoyable to walk in the streets because they flooded at certain corners when it rained. Walking in the planting strip was not possible because the planting strips were full of mud and they were blocked by cars as well. Ms. Nathanson referred to the League of Cities University Community Caucus, which discussed common problems and solutions shared by university communities. She wanted to ensure that the City took advantage of the work that organization had done. Ms. Nathanson was pleased to hear that the churches were involved and questioned whether they would join in to fit into the priorities or creating additional ideas to work on. Ms. Nathanson questioned whether the neighborhood association could be sponsored by the City as well as the Associated Students of the University of Oregon and the University administration. Mr. Pap8 thanked task force members and staff as well as other participants in the process. He agreed about the task force's recommendation related to the improvement of alleys and asked if there was funding to improve alleys. Mr. Carlson said that alley improvements were done through assessments to abutting property owners. There was no remonstrance provision for alley improvements. Mr. Pap8 endorsed alley improvements in the neighborhood, suggesting that improvements in the neighborhood could lead to alley improvements in other areas. Mr. Pap8 hoped the University of Oregon could turn around the trend of riots as entertainment for students. Mr. Pap8 requested an update on the City's alley inventory. Kurt Corey, Public Works Director, indicated that if such an inventory existed, it predated his employment, and he would follow up on the question. Mr. Meisner hoped that the current effort to improve neighborhood conditions was more successful than past efforts. Speaking to the need for alley improvements, he said that this was not the only area needing alley improvements, and he did not want to isolate the solution or restrict the council's options. He called for further work on the assessments system, pointing out that its current basis on footage meant that a single-family house paid the same as a multi-family development next door. He endorsed the goal of long-term residency, but noted the opposition voiced by Walnut Street neighborhoods about additional densification and more student housing in their neighborhood. He did not know the solution to what appeared to be a conflict. He was also uncertain about the impact of housing standards on existing housing. Mr. Meisner liked Ms. Nathanson's suggestion of a neighborhood association in partnership with the student association and University administration. Mr. Meisner expressed interest in more information about a housing code. He noted his long-term interest in improvements in the City's nuisance response process but given budget conditions, he questioned how that could occur. He asked how Corvallis paid for the position that enforced its ordinance. Ms. Bettman also thanked the task force and indicated general support for the recommendations. She expressed appreciation for the Eugene Police Department and the creative approaches MINUTES--Eugene City Council June 9, 2003 Page 8 Work Session