CC Minutes - 02/22/99 Mtg - Laserfiche WebLink

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achieved by the actions of other jurisdictions. Ms. Nathanson said the federal courthouse was not a City concern one year ago; the City was now reacting to something that was already decided at another level of government that would be imposed on Eugene. She said she was very interested in working with the federal government to persuade it to acknowledge its role in adding to Eugene's community livability. Given that Vice President Al Gore had identified community livability as a goal for the federal government, she did not think there was a better place for the government to demonstrate that interest than by working with Eugene on the many impacts the courthouse would have, regardless of its location. Ms. Nathanson said that the City would discuss all those impacts with the federal government, including pedestrian and automobile access and street-level amenities. Mike Redding of the City Manager's Office noted that the document Mr. Rayor referred to was the 1998 federal priorities document, and Bus Rapid Transit was part of the community's agenda during the last session of Congress. During the current session, Lane Transit District was not asking for more federal money but was seeking money for new buses. Mr. Rayor said that he did not interpret the document in the same way as did Ms. Nathanson. He interpreted the document as placing a priority on asking the federal government to mitigate lost parking that would result from the location of the courthouse in downtown. He believed that would be a mistake. He thought the City could ask the federal government for many enhancements downtown outside of parking. Mr. Rayor said his only reason for pulling the item was his concern that the City's focus was on parking. Mr. Lee suggested that staff draft a letter reflecting Ms. Nathanson's comments that all councilors could sign. City Manager Jim Johnson said that many other issues are involved in the courthouse's location in downtown, and the description could be changed to mention all the impacts cited by Ms. Nathanson. The motion to amend failed, 2:4; Mr. Rayor and Ms. Taylor voting yes. Mr. Kelly referred to House Bill 2181 and noted his opposition to the committee's recommendation. Mr. Kelly moved, seconded by Mr. Lee, to amend the motion by returning HB 2181 for reconsideration to the Council Committee on Intergovernmental Relations. The motion passed, 6:0. Ms. Taylor asked why the committee opposed Senate Bill 0219. Mr. Redding responded that staff found the bill would create an unequal enforcement of building codes statewide, and may also result in later regulations requiring local jurisdictions to perform inspection services in a manufacturer's plant outside the jurisdiction, resulting in multiple jurisdiction staff doing inspections in plants or multiple contracts. Ms. Taylor was concerned that the City was opposing a homestead exemption for people over 65. She acknowledged that it was an unfunded mandate, but thought the committee previously agreed to approve a homestead exemption for everyone. Ms. Nathanson said the committee discussed Ms. Taylor's suggestion in November 1998. She suggested that the committee be MINUTES--Eugene City Council February 22, 1999 Page 3 7:30 p.m.