CC Minutes - 10/23/00 Work Session

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Mr. Kelly suggested that, given the fact the other studies and stream-related planning efforts were in process, he believed it would be useful for the open space element of the work plan for the City to take a more tactical approach to the issues. He recommended that staff get a sense of the background environment, identify three or four high-priority acquisition sites, purchase them, and wait for the Endangered Species Act issues to be resolved. While he appreciated Mr. Rayor's remarks about interim buffers, he believed that it was speculative at this time to discuss the ultimate buffer or setback that might result from the Endangered Species Act. Mr. Kelly supported the use of consultants given the existing work load, but wanted the "net cast wider" than the Lane Council of Governments for those individuals. He said that there were other people in the community with similar expertise. Mr. Farr emphasized the importance of water quality but said there was only so much public money to spend, and the public must be made aware of the tradeoffs involved in the choices it made. He noted that the plan would also have an impact on the cost of housing. Mr. Farr asked staff to let the council and the public know what the plan was costing the public and what was not being purchased so the plan could be funded. Ms. Bettman said she was also interested in knowing the total amount available in the Stormwater Fund for land acquisition. She asked what the properties in question would be zoned after acquired, and if that zoning would be related to the purpose of acquisition. Ms. Bettman did not want to see the City spend $250,000 before any land was acquired. Regarding the time line, she pointed out that given the current rate of development in the community, the City could lose opportunities to purchase open space that benefitted the community, and she wondered if there was an approach that would give the City the ability to make some more immediate purchases. Mr. Meisner wanted to find an approach that cost less, suggesting that the City did not have to do such high-quality planning for every step in the work plan with the result that it could not implement the plan without a new tax or increase in the user fee. He did not support the work plan proposal as submitted and called for a more simple approach that accomplished something. Mr. Meisner was uncomfortable that there was no concept of how the lands to be acquired could be used. Mr. Meisner suggested that the cost to residents could also be framed in terms of cost per 1,000 square feet of impervious surface as the stormwater fee was based on a graduated square foot basis. Ms. Taylor stressed the importance of acquiring stream corridors and open space. She believed that plan sounded good but it should cost less and acquisition should begin sooner. Ms. Taylor also wanted earlier public participation, and endorsed Mr. Meisner's suggestion that occur first. She believed that part of the purpose of the Stormwater Fund was to underwrite the costs of land acquisitions that helped to protect the water quality. She liked Mr. Kelly's suggestion that staff initially identify a few high-priority sites. Ms. Taylor said the council should keep in mind the future residents of the community and provide for open space for them. Responding to a question from Mayor Torrey, Mr. Lyle confirmed that the Comprehensive Stormwater Management Plan called for stream corridor acquisition, which has generally been focused on providing maintenance access to stream corridors. Mayor Torrey said that if the City went beyond what was intended in that plan, it needed to seek the input of the citizens. MINUTES--Eugene City Council October 23, 2000 Page 5 Work Session