CC Minutes - 12/01/03 Mtg - Laserfiche WebLink

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Councilor Nathanson reiterated the council's intent to spend money to aid in the siting of the hospital. She noted the motion did not spend all of the money, but rather made it available up to that amount, to spend on this project. Councilor Papd felt that the council needed to be proactive in order to encourage placement of the hospital south of the river and close to the downtown area. Councilor Meisner clarified that the funding was to help provide the incentives listed in the resolution the council had approved. Councilor Bettman cited the courthouse project, noting that it had incurred unforeseen expenses. She felt the amendment offered a level of preparedness and indicated to the hospital a willingness to work toward a common good. Roll call vote; the amendment passed, 7:1; Councilor Solomon voting in opposition. City Manager Taylor commented that the item would take the budget for the next year down approximately $200,000, should all of the incentive money be spent. Mr. Noble stated, in response to a question from Councilor Taylor, that his experience with the airlines had only been since 1995 and he was not aware of any incentive packages used to attract airlines or retain them prior to his tenure. He related his experience in using the Air Service Development Fund on two previous occasions, which made three times that it had been used, twice with official marketing initiatives matched with travel bank commitments from the business community. Councilor Solomon rescinded her vote in opposition to the prior amendment regard- ing the hospital siting reserve, thus changing the vote to unanimous approval, 8:0. Councilor Solomon remarked that the guarantee offered to Delta Airlines was on the low end of what was considered in other cities across the United States. She reminded the council that Mr. Noble's job was to seek out these sorts of opportunities and that he had spent much time on this. She conveyed her trust in his management abilities. Additionally, Councilor Solomon stated that the goal was not only to sway passengers to utilize the local airport rather than traveling to Portland, but also to make the community of Eugene more attractive and accessible for conventions and recreational events. Mayor Torrey called for the vote on Resolution 4781. Roll call vote; the motion passed unanimously, 8:0. Mayor Torrey adjourned the City Council at 10:02 p.m. Mayor Torrey convened a meeting of the Eugene Urban Renewal Agency at 10:03 p.m. MINUTES--Eugene City Council December 1, 2003 Page 16 Regular Meeting