CC Minutes - 09/14/98 Work Session

Home Browse Search

of service," and in the fourth line--strike "annually, generally"; paragraph 6.1.2. and 6.2.2--add "or more" after "10,000." Mr. Farr moved, seconded by Mr. Tollenaar, that the employment agreement with James R. Johnson as City Manager be approved, with the following changes: Section 4.2--delete the first sentence and substitute August 1 for July 29; Section 5--delete "after six months of service" and replace them with "January or February of 1999" and delete "annually, generally", adding "or August of each year" after the word "July"; Sections 6.1.2. and 6.2.2.--add the words "or more" after $10,000. Ms. Taylor moved to amend the motion by making the beginning salary that of the previous City Manager. The motion died for lack of a second. Mr. Lee explained that he did not second the motion because he firmly believed that Mr. Johnson was a superior candidate and the salary figure in the contract was justified. The main motion passed unanimously, 8:0. IV. WORK SESSION: ZONING AND NUISANCE LIENS Mayor Torrey indicated that he had raised the issue given the City's recent experience and he asked the council to reaffirm the policy on zoning and nuisance liens. Dick Gassman, Planning and Development Department, provided the staff presentation, which reviewed the usual process for normal complaints and those that are "abnormal." He described the latter as those instances where liens against property are imposed and ultimately the City forecloses on the property. These situations occur when all other efforts have failed to gain compliance. Mr. Johnson said the intent tonight was not to discuss specific cases but rather to confirm what the code already says. He noted that the City had foreclosed on 713 properties, primarily in the 1980s when Bancroft bond payments were not being made. Addressing a question from Mr. Lee, Mr. Johnson said the City wants to make it clear to the community that it has the ability to do this. Mayor Torrey said it was an opportunity for the council to decide if this was something it really wanted to do and to ensure public awareness, a public hearing be held. Mr. Johnson provided a worst case scenario demonstrating how it is possible that the City could be placed in the position of creating homelessness. Mr. Meisner said the code addressed conduct, i.e., repeated violations, and said he wished to retain this enforcement tool when there is a pattern of noncompliance. MINUTES--Eugene City Council September 14, 1998 Page 5 5:30 p.m.