CC Minutes - 07/23/01 Meeting - Laserfiche WebLink

Home Browse Search

proposed, but he wanted to be deliberate about the issue so that people understood he was trying to do the best job possible. Councilor Nathanson asked City Manager Jim Johnson for information about the process that was used to develop the Owens Rose Garden project, and if there was time to slow the project to ensure no permanent damage was done. She thanked the citizens offering testimony on the subject for speaking, adding she had not been aware of the significance of the old rose collection. Councilor Nathanson noted the remarks offered by Mr. Lewis and said she understood that the development community had requested the more flexible approach he mentioned. She asked the manager if that approach exposed the City to additional legal risks. Councilor Taylor concurred with Councilor Nathanson's remarks about the rose garden and said she hoped that experts would be consulted about the changes being made. Councilor Taylor was concerned if there had been a change in the boundaries of the prostitution- free zone and questioned how the expansion occurred. She did not want to make it difficult for women to reach crucial services. Speaking to Mr. Lewis, Councilor Taylor disagreed that the council had changed its position by first offering and then retracting six blocks west of the hospital. Councilor Kelly expressed appreciation for the citizen input. He thanked Mr. English for his presentation to the mayor and the sacrifices the veterans made for the country. He thanked Ms. Telew for calling for reasoned dialogue. Regarding the prostitution-free zone, he expressed surprise that the zone was expanded by a factor of four. While he acknowledged that the ordinance allowed the zone to be expanded administratively, he thought the expansion was working against the council's goals by preventing women from reaching critical services. He agreed the variance process was not very satisfactory, and asked staff to consider approaches to help women access the services they need. Councilor Kelly agreed with those calling for comparative information about the costs of the Crescent site and downtown site for the purpose of PeaceHealth's expansion. He said it was vital the council had that information if it was to take final action on the PeaceHealth issue in August. Councilor Kelly expressed appreciation to Mr. Herberg for the resolution adopted by the Green Party, noting that the Democratic Party had adopted a similar resolution. Speaking to Mr. Lewis, Councilor Kelly disagreed that the City operations leading to the settlement he referred to were a result of council decisions. He also disagreed with Mr. Lewis' assertion that the council changed its position in negotiations with PeaceHealth and noted his interest in pursuing a downtown site that facilitated hospital expansion two blocks at a time. MINUTES--Eugene City Council July 23, 2001 Page 5 Regular Meeting