CC Minutes - 03/08/99 WS - Laserfiche WebLink

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Mr. Lee said he would support the motion, calling it a good compromise. Addressing a question from Mr. Farr, Mr. Johnson said the committee would conduct its business with staff present to answer questions and add to the discussion. Mr. Meisner said he would also support the motion, reminding the council that the fund raising campaign would be conducted entirely by members of the public. In response to a question from Ms. Taylor, Ms. Dellenback said she supported the amendment to the motion. The motion to amend passed unanimously, 7:0. Mr. Rayor clarified that while he remained uncomfortable with fund raising, he believed that the citizens would appreciate the opportunity to contribute. The main motion passed unanimously, 7:0. IV. WORK SESSION: NEW LIBRARY EXPANSION/LEASE SPACE Mr. Johnson introduced the topic and referred to information at the councilors' places. He reminded the council that at its January 20 meeting staff had suggested using lease dollars from the Administrative Service Department, Information Service Division, and the Library, Recreation and Cultural Services Department to generate the cash flow for bonds. He said that a staff analysis reviewed is contained in the table in question. Mr. Johnson reviewed the table and said staff's recommendation is to use the proceeds from the sale of the Sears building and the old library to help cover the cost of the expansion. He said that by allocating the assets for this particular purpose, the council will forego any other uses for the building and also foregoing a revenue stream that could be used for a future City Hall or for City office space. Addressing a question from Ms. Taylor, Mr. Johnson said the bond would be for 20 years. She expressed concern about selling the old Sears building, calling it a valuable property downtown that the City could use for many things. Ms. Nathanson said she agreed with the staff recommendation except with selling the Sears building, specifically because of its location. She urged a broader discussion including the building's potential future uses and asked for more options. Mr. Meisner reminded the council that the Sears building was owned by the Urban Renewal Agency, and was part of the assets that the agency can only use for the specific purposes identified in the Downtown Urban Renewal District Plan. At Mr. Lee's request, City Attorney Glenn Klein explained that a year ago the council adopted an ordinance identifying the library as the "one new project," although the agency's assets would be used for other downtown projects it adopted earlier. He added that the council could revise that ordinance, subject to limitations on "maximum indebtedness." Such a revision, he explained, would involve a long process that could lead to referendum. If there were another resource, the City could buy the building from the Urban Renewal Agency and use it however it saw fit. Minutes-Eugene City Council March 8, 1999 Page 4 5:30 p.m.