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not be coupled, she said she would be interested in seeing what projects could be accomplished <br />downtown with a "scaled back" fund. Mayor Torrey summarized her remarks by saying she <br />wanted to hear public testimony on the option. <br /> <br />Mr. Meisner was opposed to tying the library to urban renewal and said that downtown projects <br />should compete with other demands on the general fund. Ms. Taylor agreed. <br /> <br />Several councilors agreed the option should not be deleted before the public hearing. Mr. Farr <br />expressed concern with split votes. <br /> <br />Mr. Tollenaar said the district had accomplished its mission and isolating resources for the <br />downtown was inappropriate and it may be responsible for the negative reaction to the fund. He <br />also was opposed to limiting the public hearing. <br /> <br />Mayor Torrey emphasized that the Library Committee would not be driven by the council's <br />decision, noting that the library could very well be built on the existing site. <br /> <br /> The motion failed, 3:5; with councilors Laue, Meisner, and Taylor, voting in <br /> favor. <br /> <br /> Mr. Farr moved, seconded by Mr. Tollenaar, to delete Option G, continue <br /> maximum City participation in the Riverfront District. <br /> <br />Councilors noted the motion was consistent with the Riverfront Commission's recommendation. <br /> <br /> The motion passed unanimously, 8:0. <br /> <br />Mr. Tollenaar asked those opposed to tying the library to urban renewal to contact him and <br />explain their opposition to further his understanding. <br /> <br />Ms. Nathanson cautioned against promoting a library system given the cuts in other City services. <br />Mr. Meisner reminded the council that the staff presentation was a sample package and reiterated <br />his intention not to support any expansion of urban renewal without a public vote. <br /> <br />Mr. Lee said that returning $520,000 to the State was a disincentive for terminating the district, <br />but he would reserve judgement until after the public hearing. <br /> <br />Ms. Swanson Gribskov expressed concern about "an opportunity lost" so she would remain open <br />to the possibility of building a library with urban renewal funds and seek the Library Committee's <br />input. <br /> <br />Minutes--Eugene City Council April 6, 1998 Page 4 <br /> 5:30 p.m. <br /> <br /> <br />