CC Minutes - 01/20/99 WS - Laserfiche WebLink

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In response to a question from Mr. PapS, Mr. Robertson stated that the City Council had not yet given any direction regarding trees on the project site. Mr. Lee said that he preferred Scheme C design proposals and was excited about the possibilities of developing a new library downtown. He said it was important to have assurances about the cost and the schedule of the project. Mr. Meisner pointed out that although there was an indeterminate amount of funding available to the library project from the Urban Renewal District, it was also true that the current library and the Sears Building were resources which could be used to fund the project. Mr. Meisner said that he was pleased that it was planned to integrate public art into the design and function of the new library. He also said he preferred that local arts be given special consideration for the project. Mr. Meisner said that he believed the City Council was committed to proceed with the issue of trees on the property differently than in the past. He reported that the City of Salem had incorporated trees which had been removed for a public building project by having furniture for the building made from them. Mr Meisner said that he favored Scheme C design proposals. Ms. Taylor said that she favored Scheme C design proposals. Ms. Nathanson said that she favored Scheme C design proposals, subject to their being affordable. Mayor Torrey said that he favored Scheme C design proposals. Mayor Torrey read a note from Tom Wiper which described the efforts of the Library Foundation to begin its fund-raising campaign. D. UNDERGROUND UTILITY TASK FORCE PROPOSAL City Engineer Les Lyle stated that the City of Eugene/Eugene Water & Electric Board (EWEB) Joint Task Undergrounding Force studying issues related to placing existing overhead facilities underground had concluded its work, and staff was recommending council approval of the articles of agreement with EWEB. Ms. Nathanson stated that she had served as the chair of the Underground Utility Task Force. She said the group had taken a comprehensive approach and developed proposed criteria for the relocation of existing overhead facilities associated with proposed public improvements to a right of way and because of potential health and safety risk situations. She said livability and safety were the primary reasons for seeking relocation in a number of locations throughout the community. She circulated a photo record of overhead and underground facility installations. She referred to a document entitled "Underground Utility Task Force Proposal--Articles of Agreement between the City of Eugene and the Eugene Water and Electric Board--December 1998" distributed with the agenda of the meeting. MINUTES--Eugene City Council January 20, 1999 Page 9 11:30 a.m.