CC Minutes - 07/09/03 WS - Laserfiche WebLink

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with Riverfront Research Park Urban Renewal Funds and/or other funds, the City's share of the cost to underground the utility lines on Franklin Boulevard from Agate Street to Onyx Street. Ms. Bettman asked how staff interpreted the motion. Mr. Taylor said that he would confer with City staff about other funding sources and with LTD about the potential of private participation. He noted the City's limited budget and indicated he was not optimistic that other funds would be found. He did not recommend using the council's contingency fund to underwrite the cost. Ms. Bettman expressed concern that given that the motion suggested a backup funding source, the City was unlikely to be able to find other willing contributors. She advocated for defeat of the motion so that staff could pursue other funding sources and return to the council with a proposal. Ms. Taylor said that she preferred the original motion because she wanted to use urban renewal money to fund the project. She did not approve of the urban renewal in general. However, the funds had already been diverted and could not be used for many other purposes. She considered their use appropriate in this case. Ms. Taylor indicated she would support the motion. Mr. Meisner determined from Mr. Taylor that the motion did not obligate the City to the project. Mr. Meisner agreed with Ms. Bettman's conclusion that Eugene would be unable to find other participants. He did not support the motion. He said urban renewal had done great things, but he did not know yet what the purpose of the district was and he did not know if the expenditure was a priority for the district. Ms. Nathanson suggested that the incentive for others to participate would be the legislative history of the issue and the no votes that could occur. The threat existed that Eugene would not participate, and the potential was that there could be no support from the City of Eugene. Mayor Torrey indicated support for the motion. He also believed that the City was unlikely to find other sources of funding, but thought the City should take advantage of the opportunity. The motion passed, 5:2; Mr. Meisner and Ms. Bettman voting no. B.EXECUTIVE SESSION Pursuant to Oregon Revised Statute 192.660(1)(h), the council entered into executive session. Mayor Torrey adjourned the meeting at 1:30 p.m. Respectfully submitted, Dennis Taylor City Manager (Recorded by Kimberly Young) MINUTES - Eugene City Council July 9, 2003 Page 4 Work Session