CC Minutes - 07/14/03 WS - Laserfiche WebLink

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ramifications to the topic that would inform the discussion. Mr. Coyle reiterated that staff had been advised by legal counsel that there were legal issues related to the commission's participation, and it was not solely an issue of ownership. Responding to a question from Mr. Kelly, Mr. Taylor recalled that the Police Commission had provided input into the police chief search through the outreach sessions held with the public and was not involved in the recruitment process itself. Mr. Kelly suggested that the Planning Commission could provide similar input regarding attributes, competencies, etc. City Manager Taylor concurred. He encouraged the commission to find the time to provide similar input to the Planning and Development Department director. Mr. Pap8 recognized the effort of former Planning Commissioner Art Farley and that of Commissioner John Lawless, who was unable to be present tonight. The motion passed unanimously, 7:0. Mr. Pap8 called a brief meeting recess. C.WORK SESSION: Lane Metro Partnership Presentation on Industrial, Commercial, and Residential Lands Inventory The council was joined for the item by Lane Metro Partnership Board President John Arnold and Executive Director Jack Roberts. Mr. Arnold thanked the council for the opportunity to speak to the issues raised in Mr. Roberts' letter to the council dated May 30, 2003. He also thanked the council for its contribution to the Metro Partnership and expressed appreciation for Mr. Kelly's input and hard work as a member of the board. Mr. Arnold presented background information on the partnership's goals and mission, which was to bring business investment to the community with the goal of diversifying and fostering the economy and increasing the local tax base. He said that the partnership assisted both local businesses wishing to expand, and businesses from outside the community wishing to relocate in Eugene. Mr. Arnold noted the existing poor economic conditions that existed throughout the country, and said that the partnership wished to be in a position to assist the community when conditions improved. Mr. Arnold said that the board held several sessions on the issue of the community's buildable lands. He shared some information that the board learned at those sessions regarding the community's supply of buildable commercial and industrial lands. He noted that the information was based on information provided to the partnership from consultants Dick Sheehy and Richard Duncan of Duncan and Brown. Mr. Arnold emphasized that those communities that were exceeding in economic development were those with "ready-to-go sites" available when a business was ready to expand or come to the community. He said that Mr. Sheehy recommended that the community plan ahead for such sites using existing State land use law because "time was of the essence." Continuing, Mr. Arnold said that Richard Duncan of Duncan and Brown provided information to the partnership's board regarding the adequacy of commercial and industrial lands in Eugene. Mr. Duncan had determined that the existing supply of such lands was not adequate at the current time, and had attributed that to the fact that some lands designated as available may have other MINUTES--Eugene City Council July 14, 2003 Page 7 Work Session