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that staff had identified some high-priority sites at risk and that could be acquired in the short- <br />term, at a cost of about $1.3 million. Staff had further identified about $6 million to $7 million in <br />acquisition needs over a five- to ten-year period. The council will review both elements in June. <br />He noted that funds had been budgeted annually for acquisition, but those funds (approximately <br />$150,000) were mainly focused on maintenance access. Those moneys had been fully expended <br />in the current fiscal year. <br /> <br />Mr. Meisner left the meeting. <br /> <br />Mr. Lyle said the focus of today's work session was on a specific acquisition of interest to the <br />council, the Beverly property. He called the council's attention to maps distributed before the <br />meeting showing the location of the Beverly property in the south hills of the community, and <br />pointed out the areas on the property that the City proposed to acquire under the auspices of the <br />Stream Corridor Acquisition Program. <br /> <br />Mr. Lyle reported that the property owners had met with staff to discuss their plans to remove <br />vegetation from the property; a memorandum summarizing that meeting was included in the <br />meeting packet. It appeared the Beverlys would, at minimum, have to secure an erosion control <br />permit. There were some urban forestry requirements pointed out to the Beverlys as well. <br /> <br />Mr. Lyle called the council's attention to three possible options for proceeding with the purchase, <br />outlined in the staff memorandum. Because funds for this year were exhausted, he would make a <br />contingency fund request to the council to underwrite the cost of acquisition if it agreed to go <br />forward with the purchase. <br /> <br />Mr. Rayor asked questions clarifying the location of the buffering proposed on the property. Mr. <br />Rayor asked if the "middle" branch on the property could be left open and not piped. Mr. Lyle said <br />it would depend on the land use regulations in effect at that time. He thought the City could <br />encourage that approach. Mr. Rayor encouraged staff to look at that stream in terms of <br />minimizing its piping. Mr. Lyle felt the open waterways ordinance would be adequate to protect <br />this particular stream. Mr. Rayor thought the staff recommendation for proceeding a great one, <br />and he supported it. <br /> <br />Mr. Kelly confirmed with Mr. Lyle that the budget figures presented to the council did not include <br />stormwater user fee increase proposed by the Stormwater Management Department Advisory <br />Committee to underwrite acquisitions. Mr. Lyle further confirmed that the supplemental budget <br />request would be specific to the Stormwater Fund. He added that staff would present various <br />funding options for the overall acquisition plan to the council in June. <br /> <br />Responding to a question from Mr. Kelly, Mr. Lyle confirmed that staff was in contact with the <br />majority of the property owners of the nine properties on the list of priority acquisitions. <br /> <br />Ms. Taylor wanted to purchase the entire Beverly property because it contained wetlands and <br />several streams. She believed the Beverlys' vegetation management control plan would have the <br />effect of encouraging the growth of invasive blackberries. Ms. Taylor said the property was <br />important because of the quality of habitat on the site and because of its location at the Amazon <br />Creek headwaters. She found it "ironic" the City sought federal funding for cleaning the creek <br />downstream but was contemplating letting the headwaters be developed. <br /> <br /> MINUTES--Eugene City Council May 14, 2001 Page 12 <br /> Work Session <br /> <br /> <br />