CC Minutes - 04/15/98 Work Session

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amount of money to build a library while retaining funding for a list of targeted projects focused on safety and aesthetics in downtown that would benefit citizens using the area. Mr. Meisner said his interests were somewhat different from those of Ms. Nathanson but comparable. He was interested in retaining an option that would fund construction of a new the library but wished to ensure the funds were adequate to do build a library that adequately met the community's needs. Mr. Meisner reiterated his concern about the need for safe and convenient access to the library, which would require further amenities. He said that projects such as street reopenings could be funded from other sources. Mr. Meisner discussed what would represent adequate funding for a new 100,000 square-foot library that could be expanded in the future to accommodate population growth, saying that a minimum of $25 million would be needed. Responding to a question from Mr. Meisner, Sue Cutsogeorge of Administrative Services Department indicated that the maximum amount that could be realized from bonding was approximately $18 million. Mr. Meisner indicated that his previous understanding was that $25 million was available. Ms. Cutsogeorge recollected that staff and the councilors had discussed achieving the entire $25 million would require other means. Mr. Meisner said that was not his recollection. He said that the proposal before the council was different from the proposal he had seen. Ms. Nathanson said it was her understanding from the discussion with staff that other funds would be needed, and some specific sources were cited, such as the proceeds from the sale of the Sears building. Mr. Meisner disavowed the proposal. Ms. Nathanson noted public support as expressed in the survey conducted by the Chamber of Commerce for public improvements that directly benefit citizens while implementing City Council goals and Growth Management Study policies and enhancing livability and safety. She was seeking projects that supplemented the public investment in downtown and stimulated, rather than subsidized, private investment. Ms. Swanson Gribskov said that the issue for her was how to get to "yes" for the library and "yes" for a safe downtown. She summarized what Ms. Nathanson and Mr. Meisner were attempting to achieve, adding that she also wanted a new library and safe downtown, and applauded the creative thinking on the part of Mr. Meisner and Ms. Nathanson. Mr. Tollenaar pointed out that the council was not developing a library financing plan, but was considering how to preserve an option for funding the library through urban renewal in the future. He said that the council should select an option that would represent the best use of urban renewal funds. Mr. Tollenaar said that he would want to hear the Mayor's Library Committee's final report before acting on any proposal to fund the library. Ms. Taylor reiterated that urban renewal had not succeeded in improving downtown, which had lost many retail stores and public spaces. She maintained that library measures had failed in the past because of the way the proposals were packaged. People wanted to vote on a library alone. Ms. Taylor said that the council should defease both urban renewal districts and ask the voters how they wished to spend the tax money they got back. She urged the council not to package a library proposal with other projects or in a manner that would allow the use of the funds for other purposes not directly related to the library. Mr. Lee said that urban renewal was a tool and the council needed to know where it was going to use it appropriately. He said that he was not willing to simply defease the district and lose MINUTES--Eugene City Council April 15, 1998 Page 4 11:30 a.m.