CC Minutes - 03/11/02 Work Session

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were anxious to get the site cleared. He hoped that the council did not leave the unsightly structures on the site, and requested that the council give the manager more specific direction. Mr. Kelly suggested that the Planning Commission could examine the issue of buildings to preserve on the site. Mr. Meisner suggested that all councilors should be present for the discussion of any historic preservation because the council previously agreed that the portion of the site not sold to the GSA would be sold for profit. Mr. Pap~ concurred. He recalled that the City's agreement with Chiquita addressed the issues of site clean-up and demolition. Ms. Bettman thought the City had taken on the task of clean-up. She suggested that the historic buildings might actually spur some redevelopment ideas for private sector developers. Mr. Kelly said no decision could be made without more staff work, but "demolition is forever." He asked for more staff exploration and a report to the council. He acknowledged that the City was contractually obliged to clear the courthouse site by a certain date. He believed that there could be value to the historic facades. Mr. Meisner said that it was not his experience that preserving such amenities saved costs; rather, it added costs. He found it ironic that the historic barn in the vicinity of the site was not being discussed for preservation. B. Work Session: Joint Meeting with Citizen Involvement Committee The council was joined by members of the Citizen Involvement Committee (CIC): Chair David Hinkley, Ann Marie Levis, Christine Donahue, Sara Rich, and Nadia Sindi. Ms. Bettman also serves as a member of the CIC. Beth Bridges of the Planning and Development Department, and staff to the committee, was also present for the item. Members of the committee introduced themselves. Mr. Hinkley called the council's attention to the committee's annual report. He noted a change in staff assignments for the committees. Mr. Hinkley said that since the last time the CIC came to the council, the CIC had reviewed 17 staff proposals, including five advisory committees, ten citizen involvement plans, one land use plan, and a special project plan. He reviewed the committee's recommendations for its 2002 work plan: 1) continue department advisory committee and citizen involvement plan reviews; 2) evaluate and improve the effectiveness of CIC tools and processes; 3) reinforce committee role with the City Council and City departments; 4) improve linkages to the sponsoring committees; and 5) prepare CIC service level change options and recommendation. Mr. Hinkley invited council questions. Mr. Kelly said that the lack of staff support did not diminish the role of the committee, which helped to improve the quality of citizen involvement in everything the City did. He acknowledged MINUTES--Eugene City Council March 11, 2002 Page 3 Work Session