CC Minutes - 06/08/05 WS - Laserfiche WebLink

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property for the appraised amount, but the offer was declined. Mr. Medlin said the City had indicated to the property owner it was still interested in purchasing the property. The owner wanted to examine the development potential of the property before further discussions with the City. Mayor Piercy called on the council for questions and comments. Responding to a question from Ms. Taylor, Mr. Medlin said City staff believed it had authorization to proceed with the acquisition given the council's past actions related to the Stream Corridor Acquisition program and the ridgeline trail acquisition program. Ms. Taylor said people continued to say south Eugene had too many parks; but the reports from Mr. Medlin and consultant Eben Fodor, who was commissioned by area residents, indicated that Ms. Ortiz's ward, Ward 1, had the most parks of any ward. She acknowledged that south Eugene had more community-type parks and large open spaces. Ms. Taylor believed significant natural resources needed to be preserved where they existed. She maintained those areas belonged to everyone in the city, not just those who live near them. They contribute to the community's beauty and health. Ms. Taylor said there were residents willing to help the City find the money to purchase the property and she thought the City should work with them. She said the area in question was pristine but unprotected, as noted by Mr. Medlin himself in a grant application. The property had never been logged and it contained two stream channels, wetlands, old growth maple trees, and Douglas fir trees. It was important for water quality and storm water retention. Mr. Kelly thanked staff and the residents of the area for providing the council with additional information. He observed that the acquisition would also support the metropolitan Rivers to Ridges Plan and was supported for that reason by the Lane Council of Governments and Lane County Parks Department. Mr. Kelly said information provided to the council suggested that long-term maintenance costs for the stream corridors on the site were likely to be less than if the parcel was developed, due to the change in impervious areas and modifications to the vegetation. Mr. Kelly wanted staff to keep talking to the property owner and neighbors and to develop a public-private partnership that would lead to protection of the area in question. Ms. Bettman expressed appreciation for the information provided by staff and the residents, which she believed established that the property in question was valuable. She said the only gap in the materials she perceived was a lack of discussion about best management practices and green infrastructure approaches. She saw the acquisition as an asset in that regard. She wanted City staff to pursue the property acquisition with renewed vigor. Ms. Bettman determined from Mr. Medlin that the State grant funding the City sought for the purchase was an annual grant, depending on funding available from the federal government. Ms. Bettman asked if the City could reapply for the grant funding from the State this year. Mr. Medlin said he would if he believed the City had a willing seller. The grant did not require a willing seller, but it did require the City to expend the grant award within a certain time period, which usually required the cooperation of the property owner. MINUTES--Eugene City Council June 8, 2005 Page 2 Work Session