01.29.20 City Council Work Session Minutes

Home Browse Search

2. WORK SESSION: 1059 Willamette Street Acquisition and Disposition Community Development Director Michael Kinnison, Grants Manager Stephanie Jennings, and Development Investment Liaison Allison Camp provided information about the 1059 Willamette Building, the former LCC building. The staff explained the need for affordable housing including plans, policies, initiatives, environmental review, financial feasibility analysis, community outreach. Council Discussion: • Councilor Taylor - asked whether CDBG funds can be used for housing or a shelter; expressed reluctancy to vote in favor; spoke about the need for a downtown shelter and wanted clarification that the purchase of the building would only be for housing. • Councilor Syrett - supported the proposed use of the building and the use of CDBG funds; preferred housing over shelter at this location; asked about the 80 percent AMI and the ability for people to move from other lower -income housing; spoke about the need for affordable grocery stores and places to have a prescription filled for the downtown residents. • Councilor Clark - asked about requirements for the RFP; said he felt the City should not be in the development business but acknowledged the need for involvement to achieve affordable housing; asked what would happen if the building is sold. • Councilor Zelenka - clarified the use of CDGB funds and the 80 percent AMI requirement; asked how many units were being planned, about interest in the RFP, and whether the construction excise tax could help the project; expressed concern about the age of the building; agreed with Councilor Syrett about the building's use for housing instead of a shelter and that downtown lacks grocery options; expressed support for both motions. • Councilor Pryor - expressed support for plans for the building and the use of the CDBG funds. • Councilor Clark - asked about the ability to amend the RFP so a local development company can be a respondent; asked about the RFP criteria already built into motion two. • Councilor Semple - expressed support for doing something with the site; spoke about having a shelter at that location but hoped a small shelter near the downtown core would be created. MOTION AND VOTE: Councilor Yeh, seconded by Councilor Taylor, moved to authorize the City Manager to acquire the property at 1059 Willamette (formerly the LCC Downtown Center) using $500,000 of Community Development Block Grant funds. PASSED 8:0. MOTION AND VOTE: Councilor Yeh, seconded by Councilor Taylor, moved to direct City Manager to dispose of the property at 1059 Willamette (formerly the LCC Downtown Center) with the Land Acquisition for Affordable Housing property disposition process outlined in Attachment A. PASSED 8:0. The meeting adjourned at 1:28 p.m. Respectfully submitted, Atu "t Beth Forrest City Recorder (Recorded by Carolyn Dimick-Kronberger) Link to the webcast of this City Council meeting here. MINUTES - Eugene City Council January 29, 2020 Page 2 Work Session