CC Minutes - 11/25/02 Work Session

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Continuing, Ms. Bettman cited the financial incentives provided to gasoline stations to upgrade their tanks, as addressed on page 77 of the document. She remarked that gasoline sales was one of the more profitable industries in the country and wondered where the funding for the financial incentives would come from. Ms. Bettman voiced concern that the language regarding the initiative process recommending an increase in the requirements for signatures for constitutional amendments and limiting the fiscal impact of constitutional amendments belonged in a ballot issue. Ms. Bettman indicated that she would be making a motion regarding language on pages 32 and 51 regarding the Highway Trust Fund. She explained that most of the language in the recommendations reinforced Eugene's commitment to the desire to utilize as much funding as possible to address the shortfall in road operations, preservation, and maintenance. Ms. Nathanson asked who was promoting the change in the allowable uses for the room tax. Mr. Heuser responded that he thought the name of the organization was the Oregon Lodging Association. Ms. Nathanson related that she had heard at State meetings that there are objections to using the money for general purpose government. She noted that some cities had made the case for using such funding to increase safety or attractiveness of a downtown area. She supported the use of funding for anything that improved the infrastructure as that improved the attraction of the area to visitors. Continuing, Ms. Nathanson said that she would like to see language about general precepts that discuss further restricting the use of funds. She strongly recommended that this language be added. Mr. Heuser suggested that it could be couched in language that stressed local decision- making in how revenues are used. Mr. Meisner felt that it could be put in the precepts by adding that the City should be able to "raise and use revenue." He suggested that it be a friendly amendment. Ms. Taylor complimented the document, but wondered who had suggested streamlining the land- swap process in the UGB. Mr. Heuser responded that he thought it had come out of the Planning and Development Department. In response to a question from Ms. Taylor, Mr. Heuser opined that he did not think that a sales tax could pass. Mayor Torrey urged the council to keep the list of requests for changes to the legislative policies "tight" as a long list would mire staff and reduce their ability to be effective in this endeavor. He noted that there would be a proposal for the United Front lobbying submitted within the month. Mayor Torrey felt that it would be highly unlikely that a sales tax would get out of the State House of Representatives. MINUTES--Eugene City Council November 25, 2002 Page 8 Work Session