CC MInutes - 04/13/98 Work Session

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Mr. Meisner said the council should pursue the TUF, but it should be considered regionally. In response to a question from Mr. Laue, Mr. Klein said the City could impose a TUF without the County's consent, but only for the area within the city limits. Mr. Tollenaar reminded the council that the County payments to cities were not entitlements. Regarding the personal income tax, he said, the options included levying the tax on city residents or on income earned within the city limits. Ms. Swanson Gribskov noted council interest in the TUF, probably with an interjurisdictional committee to make recommendations. She asked for the election time line. Mr. Wong said the filing deadline for a March election is in January but the council would need to decide by fall. Ms. Swanson Gribskov asked if the time line worked for the Parks Committee and the Library Committee. Both Councilors Nathanson and Meisner said the time line worked for the committees Mr. Meisner expressed interest in a March election, noting that the public was familiar with everything on the list, including potential taxes to fund services. He supported the idea of a land bank for affordable housing in addition to using income taxes. Mayor Torrey noted the importance of the May election, saying that if the double majority is voted down, the sense of urgency disappears. Ms. Taylor spoke in favor of some form of business tax and land banking. She reiterated her interest in holding the Finance Committee discussion with the entire council. She said she opposed the TUF as unfair to Iow-income people. Ms. Taylor asked the council to consider restoring recreation services for seniors and children as part of the budget process. Mr. Lee reminded councilors that all committee meetings are public meetings. Mr. Fart moved, seconded by Mr. Laue, to amend the committee's recom- mendation by placing affordable housing in the PIT/BIT for 1999. Mr. Farr spoke in support of his motion, adding that a well-phrased measure may gain public support. Ms. Taylor cautioned against placing too many items within a measure. The motion to amend passed unanimously, 8:0. Ms. Nathanson urged the jurisdictions to find areas of common interest as a place to look for solutions together. Responding to her question about whether the user fee charged to Library patrons who live outside the city limits is sufficient to cover operations and maintenance, Mr. Johnson said that since 1959, the fee has been applied to operations. Ms. Nathanson said the issue was raised by a citizen and the council should think about that whenever something is constructed that will be used by more than Eugene residents. Mr. Laue noted that most of the proposed taxes can be implemented without a vote and suggested the council consider doing just that, particularly spending urban renewal funds for Library capital expenditures-with bonding for operations. He did not recommend postponing a Minutes--Eugene City Council April 13, 1998 Page 3 5:30 p.m.