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

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Judy Iugram, 450 West 8th Avenue, # 1, noted that she worked as a receptionist in a veterinary clinic. She said she had become aware in recent weeks of an explosion in the population of unwanted cats and kittens. She related that the clinic received several calls per day from people who have had kittens placed on their doorstep or otherwise abandoned. She expressed concern for the cats and also for the wildlife that will suffer as a result of the increase in the population of feral cats. Bruce Miller, PO 50968, noted he had provided the council with copies of several articles from the University of Oregon student newspaper, The Daily Emerald. He registered his opposition to the placement of the new basketball arena at the Howe Field location. He expressed displeasure at University President David Frohnmayer's support for the site. He felt the location presented transportation issues. He commented that the Catholic student leader also opposed siting the arena there. John Brown, 1260 Charnelton Street, stated for the record that he was speaking on his own behalf and not as a member of a board, commission, or other organization. He said he had participated in an anti-war march in Eugene with a group that was organized and had resources and that the march had been organized in a way that made the City aware of what had been planned. He remarked that veterans, on the other hand, had to pay for a parade permit in order to march. He felt the treatment of the two groups was not equitable, calling it inappropriate for one group to convey a message accompanied by police protection while the other one could not do so freely. He questioned whether freedom of speech could be exercised had no war veterans fought for it. He noted his support for police protection for the anti-war march, but asked the council to look at it from the perspective of veterans who also have a message to convey and also need police protection, but are required to pay for it. Arthur Farley, 1669 Fairmount Boulevard, indicated he was before the council to comment on the decision to not adopt an increase in stormwater fees. He expressed disappointment in this decision. He said he scrutinized the minutes of the City Council meetings held on July 16 and August 11 in order to understand the perceived problems with the program. He disagreed with the arguments made against the adoption of the following and raised the following points: while other programs had been cut for funding reasons, the stormwater program provided a service and could be funded with revenue from fees; the program was not over-funded now and, he opined, this argument was irrelevant to the discussion; no real data was provided to support the assertion that the program was inefficiently run, noting the Stream Team volunteers who help to keep costs down; and no fee increase had been implemented in years. Mr. Farley stressed the effectiveness of the program and its popularity with the people in the community. He asserted it was consistent with the adopted growth management policies, the adopted sustainability goals, the adopted annual council goals, and with the adopted Rivers to Ridges program. In closing, Mr. Farley underscored that the fee would increase by 50 cents to members of the community. He urged the council to reconsider its decision, stating that a little money would go a long way, when looking to the future. Zachary ¥ishanoff, Villard Street, expressed concern regarding the development of nanotechnology at the Riverfront Research Park in the City of Eugene. He asserted that Urban Renewal Agency funding could be used for such development. He urged councilors to read the information he provided them. He felt the technology could be directed toward developing enhanced athletes and soldiers. He alleged that University of Oregon students were opposed to these sorts of developments and highly recommended a forum be held to provide students the opportunity to speak to this. MINUTES--Eugene City Council October 27, 2003 Page 2 Regular Meeting