Item 3A: Approval of City Council Minutes

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Councilor Kelly ascertained from Mr. Corey that the CCIGR forwarded a grant application for submittal for Amtrak Depot improvements. In response to a question from Councilor Kelly, Mr. Corey said the process suggested by the Lane Council of Governments (LCOG) was that the Metropolitan Policy Committee (MPC) would have an understanding of all of the projects that were going to be submitted. He understood that the projects would collectively be on the MPC agenda on February 9. Councilor Kelly wondered how this would mesh with the project submittal deadline. Intergovernmental Relations Manager Jason Heuser responded that the City did apply directly for the ConnectOregon grants and the MPC hearing was intended to provide a “blessing” from the MPC so that the projects would be looked upon favorably by the Oregon Transportation Commission. Councilor Pryor said upon reviewing the letters of support and the actual criteria for the grants he surmised that it looked very positive. He averred the impact on air and cargo service would be positive. As it was time-sensitive, he favored moving forward with the project at this meeting. Councilor Bettman asserted that policy required that this grant come before the council. She maintained that a good portion of the project was not contained in the Capital Improvement Program (CIP) and therefore had not been approved by the council, though it could be found in the Airport Master Plan. She felt the project was not a City Council priority. She declared that no other projects had been put forward to compete with it. Councilor Bettman asked where the funding was for schools. She likened using lottery funds for roads to borrowing on future earnings from gambling. She did not approve of spending economic development money on this project. Councilor Papé concurred with comments from Councilor Pryor. He felt Councilor Bettman’s comments were well-taken. He remarked that the cost of the warehouse seemed expensive. Mr. Corey responded that $148 per square foot was a realistic planning estimate at this time. Councilor Papé asked if the warehouse space would be rented out. Mr. Corey replied that renting parts of it was a possibility. Councilor Papé noted that the Springfield Area Chamber of Commerce endorsed the project. He opined that the City of Springfield, as a jurisdictional partner in the Willamette Valley, should join the City of Eugene in the management and support of this airport. Councilor Solomon agreed with the latter comment. She perceived the grant application as a way to get tax dollars already paid to the State to potentially come back to the community. She averred that not pursuing this grant would “cheat the citizens.” Councilor Kelly recalled that the council approved the Airport Master Plan. He asked if the project as described in the application was essentially identical to what had been described in the plan. Airport Manager Bob Noble responded that the plan did identify the project, but did not identify a funding source. He added, in response to Councilor Papé, that renting some of the space to other entities was in the plan. He clarified that $148 per square foot was not just for a warehouse, as the structure would include restrooms and offices. MINUTES—Eugene City Council January 23, 2006 Page 8 Regular Session