CC Minutes - 08/12/02 Meeting - Laserfiche WebLink

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In response to a question from Councilor Meisner regarding an analysis of the amended motion, Public Works Director Kurt Corey said the ordinance, as initially proposed, did provide the council more latitude but said he had no disagreement with Councilor Kelly's observations. Councilor Meisner said he would support the amendment. Councilor Bettman offered a friendly amendment to the amendment, which was accepted, to delete the terms "ways and lanes" and "related facilities" from the language of the amendment. Roll call vote; the amendment, as amended, passed unanimously. In response to a question from Councilor Farr regarding Springfield's action, Mr. Corey said the City of Springfield was moving ahead on a similar track in terms of transportation funding. He noted that its first order of business would be consideration of a local option gas tax. He said Springfield would schedule its discussions on the tax for around the first part of October. He said the current direction from the Springfield City Council was for its staff to develop the monthly fee component strategy over the next year. Councilor Farr raised concern over creating an imbalance for Eugene businesses by putting in additional regulations that were not occurring in nearby areas. He expressed a hope to come up with a county or statewide alternative. He said he would vote against the motion. Councilor Taylor said the fee was a regressive tax and she would vote against it. She said it should be a combination of gas tax and vehicle registration fee. She said a gas tax could be coordinated with Springfield and both cities could urge the County to pass a similar fee. Councilor Bettman, seconded by Councilor Taylor, moved to amend the motion by changing the caption to read: "An ordinance concerning transportation system maintenance fees and adding Section 7.750 through 7.795 to the Eugene Code, 1971 and providing an effective date"; and add a new Section 3 to read: "Section 3: Not withstanding the effective date of ordinances provided in the Eugene Charter of 1976, this ordinance shall not become effective until it is approved by the electors of the City. If this ordinance is not approved by June 30, 2003, it is automatically repealed on that date." Councilor Bettman noted that the item would not have to be on the November ballot and would have some extra time to be well established before the May ballot. She opined that the fee was a tax and would be viewed by citizens as a service that the City should provide under existing taxes. She stressed the importance of putting the item in front of the voters of the City. Councilor Meisner said he would not support the amendment as it was proposed. He said the council had to have the courage of its convictions and pass the motion if it desired to. He said everything the council did was subject to referendum and noted that if the voters disagreed with the decision they could pass a referendum petition. Councilor Kelly reiterated Councilor Meisner. He added that the process had started 18 months ago. He said it was not a complete solution but it was the best that could be done and stressed that the council needed to take leadership responsibility. MINUTES--Eugene City Council August 12, 2002 Page 12 Regular Meeting