Item 3: Ratification of Intergovernmental Relations Committee Actions

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into the city. He said given the discontent, particularly in the River Road/Santa Clara areas, and the fragmented development patterns, it would be good if there was a funding source available for the City to pursue in order to provide a means of bringing people together such as facilitation or mediation. Ms. Bettman asked if the bill applied to a situation in which an unincorporated area, such as Santa Clara, wanted to become a city. Mr. Yeiter replied that it potentially could apply in that situation. Ms. Bettman questioned why funding would be provided for something she averred was inconsistent with Eugene’s legislative policies. Mr. Yeiter responded that the Metro Plan allowed for the River Road area and Santa Clara to become their own cities, but potential attempts to do so had failed thus far. Ms. Bettman, seconded by Ms. Taylor, moved to change the position on the bill to Priority 2 Monitor. The motion passed unanimously, 3:0. HB 3304 Ms. Wilson stated that this was one of the bills to be taken up by the aforementioned work group. Mr. Yeiter said the bill would allow a vote to be taken if a city wanted to annex an island of unincorporated properties. He related that the current law was not stated clearly and different cities had interpreted it differently. He explained that staff recommended opposition to it because it ran against council policy by precluding methods of consolidating areas inside the UGB. Ms. Wilson noted that representatives of Eugene were on the work group that was addressing all of the annexation bills. Ms. Taylor, seconded by Mayor Piercy, moved to change the recommended stance on the bill to Monitor. The motion passed unanimously, 3:0. HB 3343 Ms. Bettman, seconded by Ms. Taylor, moved to change the recommended stance on the bill from Priority 1 Monitor to Priority 1 Oppose. The motion passed unanimously, 3:0. Mr. Yeiter related that the Bethel School District owned property outside of the UGB and taking a position to oppose the bill could place the City of Eugene in opposition to one of its school districts. Ms. Bettman responded that there was a process that the school district could utilize to get an exception in order to build a school on the property. Mayor Piercy said it was important that the City’s opposition not be construed as being in opposition to the Bethel School District. She averred that the process that was in place was adequate and would address the school district’s need to build a school on that property. Ms. Wilson noted that there was a hearing on the bill on the following day and asked if the CCIGR would like her to speak on behalf of the City. Ms. Bettman said it would be good if Ms. Wilson would speak to the bill and also emphasize that Eugene had supported funding for the Bethel School district. HB 3371 Ms. Wilson stated that this bill was not one of the bills being taken up by the work group. MINUTES—Council Committee on Intergovernmental Relations April 5, 2007 Page 7