CC Minutes - 03/11/02 Work Session

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Mr. Meisner noted that Springfield representatives on the United Front trip had indicated support for a regional gas tax, and did not perceive the tax as something the Springfield council needed to refer to the voters. He wished the council had the same courage in its convictions. The council did not trust itself enough to act in such instances. He hoped the council remembered that when it discussed other funding issues. Mayor Torrey indicated support for the remarks of Mr. Kelly. He wanted the legislative intent of the council regarding the flexibility of the funding to be clearly on the record. Ms. Bettman said that the council always had the purview to redirect the funding involved. The motion merely formalized the council's intent to address the preservation backlog. The intent of tying it to the SDC formula was to demonstrate to the citizens that the council had attempted to reduce the cost of any new revenue measure it must consider, such as a transportation utility fee. Ms. Bettman said that the council had earmarked money in the past for programs it considered important. Mr. Rayor determined from Mr. McVey that the funds could pay for street overlays as long as that work was included in the CIE The amendment to the motion passed, 4:1; Mr. Rayor voting no. Mr. Pap~ said he would vote for the motion but was undecided about the ordinance to be considered later. He would listen carefully to the public testimony offered to the council. The main motion passed, 5:0. D.Work Session: Discussion of Economic Development Activities Mayor Torrey asked the council if it wished to support the definition of "economic development" that the Lane County Economic Development Standing Committee had adopted. He said that while the council was on break, the County would be developing its final proposals for the distribution of approximately $650,000 it had for economic development, and the County was concerned that not occur as though it was the only entity with input; although in the end, the County would make the decision and issue an Request for Proposals (RFP) that would allow different organizations in the county to request those funds. The Metropolitan Partnership had concerns that the RFP would be insufficiently specific to allow the partnership to request the funding. Mr. Kelly said that before it, the council had a very broad definition of economic development and a specific Intergovernmental Agreement (IGA) intended to continue the operation of the Eugene- Springfield Metropolitan Partnership and define the relationship of the jurisdictions to it. He found the terms of the IGA to be consistent with council's discussion. Regarding the definition of MINUTES--Eugene City Council March 11, 2002 Page 10 Work Session