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electricity, and space for more farmers. She said supporting the market was the intent of the Budget <br />Committee and she did not agree with the direction staff was taking. She pointed out that the City <br />financially supported Downtown Eugene, Inc. (DEI) and that was also not a permanent investment. She <br />noted that smaller markets had sprung up around the community but the City chose to support the Farmers <br />Market because of the tremendous economic vitality it brought to downtown Eugene. She recommended <br />looking for short-term fixes that would provide electricity and water and capacity for more vendors. She <br />identified items 1, 2, 3, 7, 8, 12, 13, and 15 on the project list as likely to accomplish that objective. <br /> <br />Ms. Taylor stated her dismay that the decision to do whatever the City could, up to $300,000, to help the <br />Farmers Market was being revisited. She said there was nothing better or livelier downtown than the <br />Farmers Market, especially in combination with the Saturday Market. She said it was a community asset <br />admired by people from other places and in line with the Mayor’s sustainable business initiative. <br /> <br />Ms. Ortiz asked if any City funds had been spent previously on improvements for the Farmers Market. Mr. <br />Svendsen said no other funds had been spent, primarily because it was the County’s property. <br /> <br />Ms. Ortiz commended staff for being fiscally prudent and checking in with the council. She felt the council <br />had already made the commitment and the project should move forward. She wondered if there might be <br />opportunities for Farmers Market vendors to volunteer on the project and help the City save some money <br />while investing in their future. She hoped to see a similar market in Trainsong Park in the future. <br /> <br />Ms. Solomon, seconded by Ms. Ortiz, moved to adopt the recommendation to place the <br />Farmers Market capital improvement project on hold until a final decision is made on the <br />siting of a new City Hall complex. <br /> <br />Mr. Kelly, seconded by Ms. Bettman, moved to amend the motion by substituting the <br />phrase “use currently budgeted authority to implement short-term improvements as rec- <br />ommended in the Parks Blocks Master Plan” to benefit the Farmers Market for their 2007 <br />season in the areas of improved electric, improved water and improved space.” <br /> <br />Mr. Kelly said his intent was not to direct the entire $300,000 be spent if the improvements could be done <br />with less money. He said even if the site was selected for the new City Hall complex the market would <br />remain undisturbed for at least three to four years and investing in improvements was well worth it. <br /> <br />Ms. Solomon asked if the County was contributing to the project. Mr. Svendsen said the County’s <br />contribution was the property. <br /> <br />Ms. Bettman commented that not only had the City not invested in the market, vendors were charged for the <br />space and that revenue funneled into DEI. She said the Farmers and Saturday markets were great business <br />incubators and contributed much to the community. She supported the City’s investment in the market. <br /> <br />In response to a question from Mr. Papé, Mr. Kelly clarified that his intent was to proceed with those <br />improvements that addressed space, electric and water and could be done for the 2007 season. <br /> <br />Mr. Papé remarked that if the City selected the “butterfly” lot site, it would be increasing the value and <br />consequently the price that would be paid to the County with the City’s own funds. <br /> <br />Mayor Piercy added that her discussions with market vendors suggested a need for storage space as well. <br /> <br /> <br />MINUTES—Eugene City Council November 13, 2006 Page 8 <br /> Work Session <br /> <br />