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

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Randi Golub, 88530 Greenhill Road, presented a story about a couple that had taken in a stray cat that had then posed a threat to the safety of their children. She explained that continued funding of the cattery program at LCARA would help prevent situations like the aforementioned one in which citizens were put at risk as well as help save the lives of the community's homeless animals. She asked the members of the audience who were present in support of the cattery program to stand. Approximately 35 people rose to their feet. Terry Connolly, 1401 Willamette Street, representing the Eugene Area Chamber of Commerce, related that the chamber was looking forward to the coming work session on the Stormwater Fund. He reported that the chamber opposed an increase in the stormwater user fees for fiscal year 2005. He expressed hope that the council would give direction to staff to scale the program back or to provide a model of how a scaled back program would look and still be in compliance with the National Pollutant Discharge Elimination System permit and other regulations. Mr. Connolly also spoke to the proposed fee increase to provide funding for the purchase of stream corridors. He was happy that the City Manager had delayed implementation of the fees until the council could review them in context with the overall Stormwater Program. He felt it was unfortunate that the council had initiated the fee increase without a public hearing, as the public had no opportunity to express whether the acquisition of stream corridors had risen to such a high level priority as opposed to funding other capital infrastructure or other needs in the community. He noted that the first opportunity for public input on this issue had been provided in June 2003, and that all testimony received had been in opposition to the fee increase, including compelling testimony from the 4J School District and testimony that alleged the land that was being purchased was over-priced. He related that the chamber's point of view was that neither the fee increase nor the purchase of stream corridors was necessary, but should the council strongly feel that the stream corridors should be purchased, it should look within the existing $12 million stormwater budget to do so. Jim Welsh, 950 Killian Lane, Elmira, spoke on behalf of the Eugene Association of Realtors. He stated that the realtors were initiating another process to stop the transportation maintenance fee and to begin a discussion on an alternative approach to this funding. He related that the realtors wished to suggest to the council that it repeal this fee, as had recently happened in the City of Springfield. He felt that this would better address the needs of citizens. He took issue with the timing of the consideration of the fee, noting that it had happened during the holiday season in December when the citizens of the community were otherwise engaged and unable to provide input. He said that the association would begin an initiation process for the repeal of the fee, but added that a repeal from the council would be more expeditious and less costly. Continuing, Mr. Welsh stated that the Eugene Association of Realtors agreed with the chamber on the stormwater increase. He reported that the association felt that the purchase of stream corridors was not necessary for stormwater management. MINUTES--Eugene City Council July 14, 2003 Page 2 Regular Meeting