CC Minutes - 04/13/98 Meeting - Laserfiche WebLink

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University licensed the use of such inventions to existing and newly formed companies. Mr. Hoyt said that such companies needed to be in close proximity to the inventors, a reason for the research park. He said that Eugene benefitted from the addition of clean local businesses, and the residents benefit from the new technology-based jobs. The University benefitted because royalties earned at the park fund future research. Tom Slocum, 1950 Graham Drive, said that he had traditionally supported urban renewal but did not think it was appropriately applied in Eugene. He said that the base had not kept pace with the Consumer Price Index. Mr. Slocum supported the continuation of urban renewal, but asked that the council avoid spending money on administrative overhead or unnecessary staff. He also asked the council not to commit to a library in the downtown at this point in time as he believed there was no certainty that was where it should be. Don Tucker, 4738 Brookwood Street, supported Option F for the riverfront district. He said that he worked in the park and had believed that a controlled, Iow-impact development could be compatible with the ecology of the riverfront. He said that an integration between industry and the University was important as it gave businesses a chance to build on the excellent research occurring at the University. The result was jobs for Eugeneans and clean high-tech industry. Robin Carol, 2440 Charnelton Street, identified herself as a fourth grader who frequently used the library and believed Eugene could use a better library. She said that she liked to read and often found that books she wanted were not available. Sometimes she needed facts for school but could not find enough information because of a lack of selection. Ms. Carol said that Eugene could use a new place for events and studying. There was little space for studying now, and it was always in use, often for activities. Leo Airman, 1627 Lawrence Street, said that often when he tried to find a particular book on a particular subject, the library did not have the book or its selection on a subject was small. He said that many of the library's books were in storage, and if a new library was built most of those books could be put on the shelf, benefitting Eugene residents. Mr. Airman said that Eugene could really use a new library. Molly Stafford, 437 East 11th Avenue, supported Option B for the downtown district. She thanked the council for the steps it had taken to get the community a new library. Ms. Stafford noted her membership in ABLE, and said that her group was talking to local service and neighborhood groups about the current facility and some of the expansion alternatives used by other Oregon cities. Her group found much interest and enthusiasm for expanding library services. A new downtown library and branches were both popular options. Ms. Stafford asked the council to retain the possibility of funding a library downtown through urban renewal so the public could discuss the subject and make a decision. Tom Wiper, 3772 Pine Canyon Drive, supported Option B for the downtown district. He said that it was time for the community to make a decision about building a new library. Dan Carol, 2440 Charnelton Street, supported Option B. He said that a library was a winner for downtown and would give the community a place to have programs for at-risk youth. Regarding the riverfront district, Mr. Carol said that there was considerable space available in the research park, so perhaps it was not as high a priority. He asked the council to give residents a serious, single choice about the library, because he believed that Eugene would support a new library. MINUTES--Eugene City Council April 13, 1998 Page 4 7:30 p.m.