CC Minutes - 12/06/99 WS - Laserfiche WebLink

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why the GSA's plans would detract from 5th Street Market District, and pointed out the market would additionally benefit from the business of federal employees. He said that the market built over existing parking to accommodate the Nike store, and now market representatives were "crying foul" over the anticipated loss of parking. Mr. Rayor said that the current City Hall was a classic, traditional City Hall. He agreed that the police and fire functions should be relocated, but not until after the passage of a successful bond measure. He said that the calls he received were in opposition to a bond measure. He also pointed out that the bond measure would be competing with other measures regarding to public safety. Mr. Rayor disagreed with Mr. Torrey regarding the published cost estimates, saying he believed that the cost figures reported in The Register-Cmard and Eugene Weekly were accurate. He said that the issue before the council was the most difficult he had faced, and he fell back on his personal experience in resolving it: he waited until he had money before he spent it. Mr. Kelly said the challenge to the council was that a temporary solution, such as trailers for the police, often become permanent or semi-permanent. He said that independent of the discussion, he wanted to ensure the police had adequate quarters. Regarding the level of service, Mr. Kelly asked for confirmation that moving the fire station from downtown would result in a increase in response times. Mr. Johnson said yes, but pointed out that the answer also depended on the time of the response. He said he had asked the acting fire chiefs to locate alternative space for the hook and ladder truck in downtown. Mr. Kelly moved, seconded by Ms. Taylor, to amend the motion by adding a sentence that read "such sale of city hall shall be contingent on the passage of a bond measure for replacement public safety facilities at the May 2000 election." Responding to a question from Mr. Lee, Mr. Johnson indicated he did not think the GSA would want to wait six months, but that wait might happen anyway, given the length of time federal processes took. Mr. Torrey said that Mr. Pearson of the GSA strongly indicated he wanted the council's decision by December 7. Mr. Kelly believed it was impossible to predict in advance how the GSA would respond. He also pointed out that Mr. Pearson was not the head of the GSA, and that the GSA was strongly influenced by the wishes of the Oregon congressional delegation. Mr. Pap6 said that the safety and security of the federal courthouse was also a concern of his. He did not want to lose the federal courthouse functions to another community because the council attempted to impose conditions on the GSA. Mr. Fart did not think the GSA would negotiate under the terms suggested by Mr. Kelly and indicated his intent to oppose the amendment. Ms. Nathanson questioned whether the amendment achieved the objectives of the council, and suggested that such a delay raised a different set of "what ifs." MINUTES--Eugene City Council December 6, 1999 Page 8 5:30 p.m.