CC Minutes - 10/27/03 WS - Laserfiche WebLink

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Mr. Kelly remarked that the council had repeatedly expressed its support for the new federal courthouse and partnership with the GSA. He stated his confusion over the language of the motion and what it was and was not saying. He said the motion directed the City Manager to include language in the Urban Renewal Riverfront Plan, but noted that the City Manager could not include language in the plan, only the Urban Renewal Agency could. Mayor Torrey pointed out that the council was still sitting as the Urban Renewal Agency. Mr. Kelly asked what Mr. Taylor's title was in relation to the Urban Renewal Agency. Mr. Taylor replied his designation was agency director. From the perspective of the Urban Renewal Agency, Mr. Kelly asked if it would be more appropriate for the motion to direct the Urban Renewal Agency Director, rather than the City Manager. Mr. Taylor reiterated that the intent of the motion was to send a clear signal about the City's alternative plan for funding transportation infrastructure improvements. He said the language of the motion was acceptable to the GSA. Mayor Torrey asked why the GSA would have a preference as long as it was understood that the terminol- ogy was interchangeable. Mr. Klein said that the terms "director" and "City Manager" meant the same thing and concurred with Mr. Kelly's assessment that the motion would direct the director to include in the package of amendments for the agency's consideration, following a public hearing, the language relating to transportation infrastructure funding. Mr. Carlson said the purpose was to provide assurances to the GSA so it could take action to purchase the property. He said waiting for further action by the agency on actual adoption of the riverfront plan amendments would delay the signal until sometime in early 2004. Mr. Kelly argued that an immediate commitment would then require action on a motion for the agency to include backup funding for transportation infrastructure, rather than directing staff to include such language. Mr. Carlson said the key was a commitment from the Urban Renewal Agency to give the GSA some assurance that there was an option. Mr. Kelly moved to direct the Urban Renewal Agency Director to include in the next draft of the Urban Renewal Riverfront Plan the transportation infrastructure to support the development of the federal courthouse project and the redevelopment of the courthouse district, including the use of the urban renewal tax increment reve- nues and other revenues received by the district, such as State or County road funds, as well as the use of bonds, such sources of revenue to be used only in the event that federal funding through transportation reauthorization is insufficient. Mr. Pap~ and Ms. Nathanson accepted the motion as a friendly amendment. Ms. Bettman said the purpose of the letter from the GSA was to have a commitment from the City that if MINUTES--Eugene City Council October 27, 2003 Page 10 Work Session