CC Minutes - 04/06/98 Meeting - Laserfiche WebLink

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representatives of the university regarding the assessments. He reported staff recommendations for the assessments. He reviewed alternative options which could be considered by the council. Mr. Tollenaar asked why the appraisal of the streets for which vacation was sought used the value of property zoned Multiple Family Residential (R-4) for comparison and not that of property zoned Public Land (PL) which abutted the streets. Mr. Kullby replied that doing so was common appraisal practice since no assessed value was established for property zoned PL. Mayor Torrey opened the public hearing. Chris Ramey, 1755 Fairmount, stated that he was the University of Oregon architect and Director of Facilities Planning. He thanked staff for its work on the vacation applications. He said the university agreed with the recommendation that the vacations were appropriate. Mr. Ramey discussed the staff recommendation for assessment of the streets proposed to be vacated. He stated that the mission of the university was to provide benefit to the State. He reviewed benefits provided to citizens of Eugene--use of libraries, summer camp programs, early childhood intervention and assessment programs, and cooperative transfer of properties. He urged councilors to consider the unique nature of the vacations and recommend that a nominal amount be assessed for their value. Mayor Torrey determined there was no one else present who wished to testify and closed the public hearing. Mr. Lee stated that he believed the vacation applications were an opportunity for the City and University of Oregon to work cooperatively on a major project. He said he supported Option 4 of the staff report, the establishment of nominal assessments for the value of the streets. Mr. Meisner said that he concurred with Mr. Lee on Option 4 and encouraged the council to approve the vacations and support establishment of nominal assessments because of the support provided by the university for accomplishing the council goal of increasing the availability of affordable housing. He said he did not believe the streets proposed for vacation were of use to the City and that the appraisals on which assessment recommendations were based represented a fair market value. Ms. Swanson Gribskov said she did not believe it was possible to calculate a reasonable value for the streets proposed for vacation. She said she favored Option 4 for establishing nominal assessments for the property; but if higher assessments were approved, she believed financing should be arranged. Ms. Swanson Gribskov asked who would be responsible for maintenance of the streets when they were vacated, if the value of construction and improvement of the street could be considered as a basis for assessments, and how funds for assessments were received by the City. Mr. Kullby replied that responsibility for normal maintenance of the streets would belong to the university, but that Eugene Water & Electric Board would be responsible for maintenance of Minutes--Eugene City Council April 6, 1998 Page 7 7:30 p.m.