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

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underground waterline pipe that is located in a public utility easement that is to be created with the vacation action. He said that the value of construction and improvement costs for the streets would be difficult to determine, but that they could be used as a basis for assessments. He explained that assessments were usually determined by a market appraisal of a street. He said that assessment charges were placed in the General Fund of the City. Ms. Nathanson pointed out that maps submitted with the applications for vacation showed the streets in question were "stumps" less than a block long. She said she supported establishment of nominal assessments (Option 4) for the property because it was entirely within the campus of the university and the vacations eliminated City maintenance and operating expenses. Ms. Taylor rhetorically asked if the City could afford to not set a significant assessment for the vacated streets under consideration. She said she believed a 50 percent reduction in the proposed assessments was generous and supported recommending they be established (Option 1). Mr. Tollenaar stated that he appreciated the attempt of staff to seek a significant assessment for the vacated streets under consideration. He said he supported Option 4, and he hoped the council recommendation to establish a nominal value for the streets would not be considered a precedent. He expressed recognition of the benefits provided to the City by the university but also stated that the City provided many benefits to the university even though the University was not required to pay property taxes. Mr. Meisner suggested that establishment of nominal assessments for the street vacation could be considered a basis for a land trade in the future of benefit to the City. Mayor Torrey asked the City Attorney if council action recommending nominal assessment could be considered a precedent. Mr. Klein replied that all actions of the council created precedent, but that not all actions were binding on future council decisions. Mayor Torrey requested that staff investigate the potential for the university to transfer property to the City in lieu of payment of street vacation assessments. He suggested that contributions made to City affordable housing programs made by the university be identified as justification for providing nominal assessments. Mr. Wong stated that he shared the concern about setting precedent regarding setting nominal assessments for street vacations. He said the seemingly favorable inclination of the council toward such nominal assessments for the university could set no precedent on similar assessments for vacations requested by private and business property owners. Mr. Lee left the meeting at approximately 9:15 p.m. Ms. Taylor stated that she was concerned that setting a nominal assessment for the proposed vacations would reduce City revenue which could be used to support programs such as Tree Ordinance enforcement which had been eliminated by Measure 50 cutbacks. Ms. Nathanson said she believed the record of council discussion of issues related to the vacation applications should become part of its legislative history. Minutes--Eugene City Council April 6, 1998 Page 8 7:30 p.m.