CC Minutes - 02/28/00 Meeting - Laserfiche WebLink

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Norman Eigner, 2516 Tandy Turn, testified in favor of allowing the classic car event at Rasor Park. He said that there were few places in Eugene where one could go to display a car. Mike White, 2897 Chad Drive, General Manager of AT&T Cable Services, asked the council to give the community more time to understand EWEB's plans to develop a telecommunications network. He asked that the council postpone putting the measure on the ballot until November. He noted that EWEB did not plan to do a business plan outlining the costs of the system until it had charter authority, and he questioned how citizens could decide to extend EWEB's authority without that information. Mr. White said that AT&T is spending millions of dollars to upgrade its system to serve Eugene residents and businesses, and viewed Eugene as a critical market. Elise Brown, 1600 Southwest 4th Avenue, Portland, Director of Local Government Relations for AT&T, asserted that the City was moving too fast on EWEB's proposal. She said that there had not been enough time for people to get the information they need. She asked the council to give the citizens the time to make an informed decision. Ms. Brown said that the council should have oversight over EWEB in this area. She said that the City did not receive assurances from EWEB that water and electric services would not be subsidizing telecommunications service. Ms. Brown informed the council that telecommunications was best left to the private sector. David Pacheco, 885 Dundelife Drive, agreed with those speaking in support of the use of Rasor Park for the classic car event. He said that young people needed to learn what older people have to teach them, and the event was a good place for that to occur. He did not think the park could be used by all if it was overgrown with native plants. Gary Marlatt, 2627 Hasting Street, spoke in favor of allowing the classic car event in Rasor Park. He emphasized the importance of the event to families. Regarding the riparian zone, Mr. Marlot said that the zone was to protect the salmon as they were coming up the river, and they required cover. He did not think a larger buffer near the bike path was appropriate for that reason. Dan Mart, 3905 North Clarey Street, spoke in favor of allowing the classic car event to be held in Rasor Park. He said that there were few such family events around. Mr. Mark said that the automobiles were in the park for only one day a year. He noted his concurrence with the remarks made by other speakers in support of the event. Nicolas Antone, Jr. stated that he was homeless and on the street. He criticized the City's handling of the ten-year problem at 512 Honeysuckle Lane. He expressed his outrage at the City Police Department. Mr. Antone said he had mental problems and the situation had exacerbated his problems. Bill Goldsmith, 390 East 30th Avenue, general manager of Saturday Market, provided the council with a brief update of the efforts of Eugene in Common. He provided councilors with copies of his report. John Miser, 1150 West 15th Avenue, # 101, spoke of the digital divide between the rural and urban areas of the state. He said that a new technology, media fusion, was on the horizon. He felt that EWEB should pursue the idea to allow it to serve those who could not otherwise afford the cost of broad band width. He offered a caveat in that he supported AT&T's remarks about the need for the City to investigate the impact of the system on private companies. MINUTES--Eugene City Council February 28, 2000 Page 3 Regular Meeting