CC Minutes - 04/09/07 Meeting - Laserfiche WebLink

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William Ivanoff , 1810 Harris Street, # 336, noted that he had read in The Register-Guard about the possible plan for City Hall. He requested that the City leave the Park Blocks whole if the City ended up th constructing the City Hall on 7 Avenue and taking down the butterfly lot. Mr. Ivanoff believed that the City of Eugene could do a lot to help out future development of the city by devolving the street network. He asserted that the streets in the area bound by Chambers Street on the west, th the river on the north, Interstate 5 on the east, and 29 Avenue on the south should be reduced to two-lane streets. He felt that anyone who wanted to be here would find a way to get there. He asserted that if the City continued to stay on its current track and to conduct transportation planning as it currently was conducted, the City would have to convert the population signs at the edge of the City so that it reported the number of automobiles. Zachary Vishanoff , Patterson Street, expressed appreciation to the councilors who attended the discussion on the Eugene Water & Electric Board (EWEB) riverfront property. He suggested that the City include a Historic Preservation State of the City address on an annual basis. He thought this would help people to find out what might be “hit with a wrecking ball” and what would not. He noted that the oldest known house in Eugene was being nominated for the State Historic Registry. He thought that was an event worthy of a party. Mr. Vishanoff closed by reiterating his opposition to the University of Oregon’s plans to build a basketball arena. th George V. Stathakis , 935 West 8 Avenue, chair of the board of directors for the Wayne Morse Youth Program, reported that the Free Speech Courtyard had a “good Saturday” with “all kinds of people” in attendance. He encouraged the council to help them out. He recommended that someone contact Police Chief Bob Lehner and the City Manager because the situation with the police and with homeless people needed improvement. He felt the situation could use an “Officer Friendly” who was a presence every week and who could come to know who the real problem makers were. John Porter , 471 Covey Lane, urged the council to ask the School District 4J to return Civic Stadium to the City of Eugene. He had been shocked by the legal opinion that the original language of the agreement was non-binding. He recalled that citizens and businesses collaborated to build the stadium in the first place. He thought there would be an even greater need for the stadium for recreational purposes in the future. He was especially unhappy that the decision could not be appealed. Mayor Piercy closed the public forum and invited comments and questions from councilors. Mr. Porter stated, in response to Councilor Pryor, that he had given his testimony to the School District 4J. Councilor Bettman stated that the City Council did not make the decision to eliminate the opportunity to appeal. She averred that the decision had been made by the City Manager and the City Attorney. She expressed her unhappiness with this action. Councilor Clark thanked Mr. Porter. He conveyed his appreciation for the historic Civic Stadium. He also expressed appreciation for Drix’s testimony. MINUTES—Eugene City Council April 9, 2007 Page 2 Regular Meeting