CC Minutes - 10/11/99 WS - Laserfiche WebLink

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Mr. Kelly noted that option 3 included the question of opening west Broadway as "a black and white issue"-- something he wanted to avoid, noting there are many shades in between. Mayor Torrey directed the council's attention to the message from the University of Oregon requesting urban renewal funding for the Riverfront Research Park refinement planning process ($50,000). The message indicated the University believed it was inappropriate for the City Council to appoint individuals to the planning committee. Mr. Meisner said he continued to wonder if the City's only role in this "partnership" was providing money. He asked if there had been any involvement in the project City staff. Mr. Farmer responded that the City had not had any input in the planning thus far. Mr. Pap6 wondered if there was a precedent for the University's request. Mr. Johnson said the City has never had such a request and, if it had, the answer would likely have been "no." Addressing a question from Mr. Lee, Mr. Johnson said the problem with the memo was that it was not clear what the City's role was. Mr. Lee said that if City money was being used, it was appropriate for the public to have some say in how it is used. Mr. Farmer said City staff had engaged in conversations with University staff and it had indicated that City staff would be involved with them as before. He added that his guess was that by "planning" they meant such things as hiring a consultant and other internal processes. Mr. Rayor said he believed, as a taxpayer, he was being taken advantage of and the City was being treated as a source of "free money." Mr. Kelly said he wanted very much to make this a partnership and was dismayed at the memo's comment about "trying to interpret the council's intent," adding that he and others representing the City had met with the University president and others to make the City's position clear. Mayor Torrey said the council first needed to identify the conditions under which the City would help fund the study. He cautioned that if the University removed itself from the partnership, the City would lose "total control" of the project. Mr. Lee said he was in complete agreement with the Mayor yet believed he was not being unreasonable in saying that when public funds are used, the public should have a voice in it. He said it was beyond belief that the University's relationship with the City could be fractured over this issue. Mr. Meisner noted that, in function if not legal fact, what the University was proposing was the City as a silent partner--who gets to invest but gets no return of any kinds. He added that the University was, in fact, profiting from the businesses developed by faculty in the district. He said he wanted an active partnership. Mr. Fart said the City often provided money to entities without any expectation of involvement in their decision making. He noted that, as a public body, the University has a right to spend public money. He said he did not oppose setting conditions, adding that he trusted the University to use the money judiciously. Ms. Taylor said the University had used the money to "pave riverfront land and to attract businesses away from the downtown" and the City should not provide any more money. In response to her question, Mr. Johnson said City staff involved thus far had been paid out of that district fund. Addressing a follow-up MINUTES--Eugene City Council October 11, 1999 Page 5 5:30 p.m.