CC Minutes - 07/23/03 WS - Laserfiche WebLink

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Mr. Meisner declared his opposition to the amendment. Ms. Nathanson clarified that the discussion was on two separate and distinct sources of money. She expressed her opposition to the amendment. She felt that after the downtown became more vibrant, voters would be more amenable to support a source of revenue for a new City Hall or police station. Mr. Pap~ agreed with Mr. Kelly. He noted that there had been staff work regarding the funding for facilities. He asked Jim Carlson, Assistant City Manager, to speak to this. Mr. Carlson stated that the council had approved the long-term financial plan and the Downtown Space Plan and that the top two priorities on that list had been the new City Hall and police station. He explained that money was being set aside in the facility reserve under the current plan with an eye on potential bond measures to be put before the voters at a future date. He affirmed that accessing urban renewal funds for these improvements had not been considered. Mr. Taylor stated that, in addition to meeting public needs, the other theory behind tax increment financing and urban renewal was that the tax base would be increased. He asserted that the redevelopment would stimulate thriving businesses and would also support the increased land values that would allow the City to do other things in the financial plan. He noted that the loan program had a modest amount of money that could be used to leverage much more in funding and that the money would be repaid and could be, then, reinvested. Ms. Solomon called for the question. Mr. Pap~ provided the second. The motion carried, 6:2; Ms. Bettman and Ms. Taylor voting in opposition. Mayor Torrey called for the vote on the amendment. The motion was defeated, 6:2; Ms. Taylor and Ms. Bettman voting in favor. Mayor Torrey called for the vote on the main motion. The motion carried, 6:2; Ms. Bettman and Ms. Taylor voting in opposition. Mr. Pap~, seconded by Ms. Nathanson, moved to direct the Agency Director to initiate the process to amend the Downtown Urban Renewal District Plan to allow the use of tax increment funds for projects in addition to the new main library. In response to questions from Ms. Bettman, Ms. Cutsogeorge said that there were a variety of options, such as an option to extend the district or an option to increase the maximum indebtedness, and that these could be discussed during the next City Council work session on this item. Ms. Bettman declared that she would vote against the motion as she did not feel it wise to allow for an increase in the maximum indebtedness or to extend the district term. MINUTES--Eugene City Council July 23, 2003 Page 10 Work Session