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2. Should staff continue to work with other interested parties to develop a list of other projects in <br /> preparation for the council's April 6 work session? <br /> <br /> 3. Is there any other information the council needs to make a decision? <br /> <br /> 4. Does the council want to refer the issue of the Riverfront district to the Riverfront Commission for <br /> a recommendation? <br /> <br />Mr. Bowers indicated that the council may also treat each district differently. <br /> <br />Addressing a question from Mayor Torrey, Mr. Bowers said that the recommended option had no net benefits <br />to schools. <br /> <br />Mr. Tollenaar reported that the Council Committee on Finance voted to recommend enhanced <br />option 2, subject to referral of the ordinance to a public vote in September and to refer the other <br />district to the Riverfront Research Park Commission for its recommendation. <br /> <br />Mr. Meisner expressed concern with proposals in which proceeds must be used within the <br />district. If enhanced option #2 were chosen, it may not be enough support for a new library <br />downtown, much less operations. He said that, at this point, he was reluctant to support any of <br />the options presented. Mr. Meisner said it was his impression that the Riverfront Research Park <br />Commission wished no changes to its plan. He asked staff to provide analysis on <br />intergovernmental agreements and explain to him "wherein we agree, independent of the <br />renewal district, to pay for the infrastructure in the research park." <br /> <br />Mr. Fart said he was hesitant to refer any increases in property taxes, regardless of the windfall <br />to the General Fund. He clarified that no decision about the library has been made and that <br />should be made clear. <br /> <br />Mr. Laue argued that most goals for the downtown district have been accomplished and he could <br />not support continuing it. He asked the council to consider another option: Defease the district <br />and refer to voters in September the question of authorization for using those funds for other <br />projects such as the library. <br /> <br />Ms. Elmer reminded the council that if it chose a project requiring operating funds, those needed <br />to be provided for. Mr. Bowers reiterated that if any of the grandfathered options were chosen, <br />the projects must be specified. If the base option were chosen, the council needed to be no <br />more specific than the existing plan. <br /> <br />Ms. Nathanson said she was not prepared to make a decision. She referred to the downtown as <br />"everybody's neighborhood" and said it was very important to the entire community. She said <br />that downtown was much better now than ever before due to planning, public and private <br />investment. Ms. Nathanson said she was interested in ensuring that the downtown continued to <br />improve and thrive and if the council decided to defease the district, some of the funds accrued <br />to the General Fund should be used toward that purpose. At the same time, she added, it was <br />important to pay attention to administration costs. <br /> <br />Minutes--Eugene City Council February 23, 1998 Page 4 <br /> 5:30 p.m. <br /> <br /> <br />