CC Minutes - 07/18/05 WS - Laserfiche WebLink

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opportunity to purchase the site, which was ~in play." He noted that several portions of the property were identified by staff as a natural resource priority. The motion passed, 4:3; Mr. Pap6, Mr. Poling, and Mr. Pryor voting no (Ms. Solomon did not participate in the vote because she had not yet arrived). Mr. Kelly reported that a public safety task force which included representatives of the County, Eugene and Springfield, and all other incorporated cities in Lane County was meeting to discuss everyone's perceptions of the County's public safety needs, identify shortcomings, and work on a strategy to overcome those shortcomings with the goal of developing a ballot measure. Two meetings had been held to this point to share background and discuss the various jurisdictions' public safety needs. A total of six meetings were anticipated; the next was scheduled for July 28 at the John Serbu Center. Mr. Pap6 noted Eugene's recent mention as a wonderful fishery in an article in Northwest Fly Fishers magazine because of the local steelhead run. He said he could verify the facts in the article because he recently caught a 12-1/2 pound steelhead. Ms. Ortiz indicated she was working on a report to the council regarding her recent visit to Puerto Rico. Ms. Ortiz reported that she had attended a McKenzie Watershed tour and had found it interesting and eye- opening to learn about projects in the watershed. Ms. Ortiz said she went to the River Road community organization to discuss the proposed River Avenue project. She said that the community needed options from which to choose, such as the project Mr. Poling discussed. She did not think anyone would be happy with the ultimate solution given that taxation was involved, but it appeared from her observations that the improvements were needed. Ms. Bettman asked Mr. Kelly to let the council know when the working group meeting to discuss public safety had identified a funding amount. Ms. Bettman said she was contacted by a constituent who objected to the fact that access north of the tracks had been cut off. The constituent maintained the access had been in place for more than 100 years and it was one of the few access points in the area. She requested a memorandum with more information. Ms. Bettman spoke of large sites in the city, such as school and stadium sites, that were in transition. Rather than wait for a proposal to be made on those sites, she suggested the City be proactive about identifying the highest and best use for those sites so it could consider what she thought was in the best interest of the city, which was more housing. Mr. Pryor discussed the Forest Service tour he and Ms. Ortiz attended, which had started at H. J. Andrews Experimental Forest. He said the tour was very interesting with regard to what happened in the forest, and those conducting the tour had a lot of pride and passion for the work they did. Mr. Pryor noted that he and Ms. Ortiz also attended the Human Services Commission meeting earlier that day for a post-budget review. He said that contrary to some reports, funding for several agencies, such as Whitebird Clinic, had been maintained. MINUTES--Eugene City Council July 18, 2005 Page 3 Work Session