CC Minutes - 08/09/99 Mtg - Laserfiche WebLink

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Mayor Torrey adjourned the meeting of the Urban Renewal Agency and reconvened the meeting of the Eugene City Council. Councilor Meisner, seconded by Councilor Nathanson, moved to direct the City Manager to issue RFP's for the sale of the existing library and surface lot east of Olive Street utilizing the planning and design criteria recommended by the Planning Commission, with the goal of maximizing the value of the properties for the benefit of the new library, while at the same time assuring a future use of the property which furthers the City's growth downtown by encompassing a variety of different uses such as retail, office, housing and entertainment. The planning Commission shall review the responses to the RFP's, and make a recommendation to the City Council, with the final project selection approved by the council. Councilor Kelly, seconded by Councilor Nathanson, moved to amend the original motion using the same language of his previous amendment to be placed under the heading of "High Quality Pedestrian Environment". Councilor Nathanson suggested that the amendment be a "friendly" amendment. Councilor Kelly acknowledged that a friendly amendment was acceptable. Councilor Meisner noted that the friendly amendment would apply to pages 118 and 122 of the council packet. Regarding the unnecessary removal of existing vegetation or trees, Councilor Nathanson asked who defined the word "necessary." Ms. Laurence said it depended what the proposal looked like when it came in, and additional expertise would be sought if it was determined that a tree on the site was endangered. Councilor Pap~ commented that he would be voting against the motion. He said that the highest bidder for the property would not want to purchase the site under the motion's restrictions. The motion, as reworded, passed 5:1 with Councilor Pap~ voting against. VI. ACTION: ORDINANCE CONCERNING THE EMERGENCY CODE; ADDING SECTION 2.1055; AMENDING SECTION 2.1990 OF THE EUGENE CODE 197'1 City Manager Johnson stated his desire to answer any council questions and introduced Chuck Solin who was also present to answer questions. Councilor Taylor asked what the City Manager could do with the ordinance that could not be done without it. City Manager Johnson replied that the ordinance provided specific powers to the City Manager in the event of an emergency. He added that there would be no guesswork in addressing situations. He said that section 4 of the ordinance granted him powers, in a declared emergency, that were not specifically allowed currently. Mr. Solin added that the powers granted to the City Manager would only take effect in the event of a level three emergency. He used price gouging by stores during a declared emergency as an example of a situation when the City Manager would exercise power to keep prices at pre-emergency levels. MINUTES--Eugene City Council August 9, 1999 Page 7 7:30 p.m.