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

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Evert Slyper, 2272 McLean Boulevard, co-president of Whittier Wood Products, said that his firm employed about 500 people. His company had a minor use permit for its furniture finishing process. He was opposed to the amendment. He said that the right-to-know amendment was a divisive issue, and the fee basis problematic. While Mr. Slyper believed that the "polluter pays" principle was the proper principle, he also believed a statewide solution was preferable to a local solution. Moshe Immerman, 1290 McLean Boulevard, supported the ordinance. He asked the council to return to the intent of the voters, noting the majority support shown for the charter amendment by citizens. He called the ordinance the cost of doing businesses. He supported cost-sharing to some degree but felt it was problematic in this case. Mayor Torrey closed the public hearing. Mr. Wong said that the council will consider Council Bill 4724, an ordinance concerning a hazardous substance user fee; adding sections 3.690, 3.692, and 3.694 to the Eugene Code, 1971; and declaring an emergency. Councilor Lee moved, seconded by Councilor Taylor, that the bill, with the unanimous consent of the council, be read the second time by council bill number only, and that enactment be considered at this time. Roll call vote; the motion passed unanimously. Mr. Wong said that the council would consider Council Bill 4724 by council bill number only. Councilor Lee moved, seconded by Councilor Taylor, that the bill be approved and given final passage. Councilor Rayor expressed appreciation to the business representatives who spoke. He acknowledged their arguments and said it was difficult to satisfy the wishes of those who paid and those who passed the charter amendment. He thought, however, that he understood the intent of the amendment. Councilor Kelly said the Court of Appeals decision had indicated the council was free to implement a fee structure consistent with the court ruling. He said the ordinance did that. Councilor Kelly expressed appreciation to Mr. Moshofsky for his firm's efforts to reduce its use of toxics. He disagreed that the program was redundant because it was an input and output reporting program. He called on businesses to work with the City to persuade the legislature to remove the quantity-based fee restriction. Regarding Mr. Slyper's suggestion for a statewide program, he concurred, and invited business to work with the City toward that end. However, in the last legislative session organizations such as the American Electronics Association were not there to work for a good statewide program, but to work in opposition to such a program and to dismantle Eugene's program. In the meantime, he felt the council needed to go with the option it had. Councilor Meisner said the Court of Appeals made the council's task more difficult. He thought it difficult to determine the voters' intent. He said the measure stated the program was to be financially supported by the manufacturers rather than the General Fund, and to do otherwise was truly at odds with the voters' intent. He MINUTES--Eugene City Council February 28, 2000 Page 9 Regular Meeting