CC Minutes - 07/25/05 WS - Laserfiche WebLink

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consider medical and public safety careers. She said that Fire Chief Tom Tallon was sending a representa- tive to the classes to follow up with interested students. Ms. Ortiz related that she would be competing in the Relay for Life at LCC over the coming weekend and invited everyone to attend the grand opening of the Santa Clara Fire Station on July 30, 2005. She also noted that the Lane Independent Living Alliance would present a play on July 26 and recognize Human Rights Commissioner Dwight Souers for his barrier-awareness efforts. She thanked the Eugene Library for conducting Spanish-language readings for youth. Mr. Papé asked when the City Council would address the issue of green buildings certification. City Manager Dennis Taylor replied that a work session was scheduled in the fall. Mr. Papé repeated Ms. Ortiz’s invitation to the fire station opening in Santa Clara. He reported that he had been attending meetings of the Oregon Passenger Rail Advisory Council (OPRAC) and the legislature was working behind the scenes to resolve budgetary issues that remained deadlocked. He said the critical issue for rail was the difference between the House and Senate funding levels. He encouraged members to communicate their support for funding for two trains. Mr. Kelly reported that he met with incoming Associated Students of the University of Oregon (ASUO) president Adam Walsh to discuss ways in which the City and University could work more closely together. He encouraged involvement of the University in the arts and outdoors initiative as it was an important player in both areas. He said that few members of the general public attended University events that were open to them and hoped that the public’s awareness of those events could be raised. Ms. Taylor commented that one of the reasons people did not go to University functions was the lack of parking. She said a rail line from downtown to the University would enable people to travel back and forth between downtown and the campus. Ms. Taylor said a recent phone call from a representative of the Obsidians raised the issue of the rigidity of some of the City’s regulations and classification of a group as a business when it was not a business. She said the Obsidians wanted to remodel and slightly expand its lodge but regulations required different fire prevention measures that might prevent the expansion. She said the group was told it would need sprinklers and a reservoir. She asked if there was any flexibility on such requirements when the planned expansion was minimal. She said she was reminded of the Garden Club which was also classified as a business and noted that neither the Obsidians nor the Garden Club existed to make money. Mr. Poling said he recently attended a meeting related to the Sorrel Way traffic calming project. He said that the meeting was well-attended and City staff did a good job of outlining options in its presentation and taking feedback. He said another meeting was planned in September 2005. He said he planned to attend a Cal Young Neighbors meeting on July 28, 2005, at the Sheldon Community Center and called attention to the third annual Multicultural Festival occurring at the center on August 2, 2005. City Manager Taylor agreed with Mr. Kelly’s comments regarding greater opportunities to involve the University, not only in the arts and outdoors effort but to build on the Mayor’s theme of a walkable community. He said that many people did not realize it was an easy walk from downtown to the campus and he frequently walked to the University for meetings, which also solved any parking problem he might encounter. MINUTES—Eugene City Council July 25, 2005 Page 2 Work Session