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people about why there was no place for them to live. Mr. Riddle did not believe economics was truly a part of the equation as his clients used “incredible amounts” of emergency room time and money, police department time and money, and jail space. He said both Portland and Seattle had realized that it was cheaper to open a shelter. He urged the council to consider the prudence of this idea. It was hoped that a forum of homeless people could be held in January or February to have them share their experiences and information. He stated that a National Homeless Person’s Memorial Day observance would be held on December 21 as part of the national effort to provide healthcare to homeless people at which the names of people who had died on the streets in the past year would be read. He said candles would be lit for them. Russ Brink , 132 East Broadway, speaking on behalf of Downtown Eugene, Incorporated (DEI), said the council would hear from several downtown business and property owners at this meeting and then more after the break. He predicted that 2006 would be a critical year for the downtown area. He averred that the City and private sector and non-profit organizations in the downtown area needed to come together and make some of the development projects happen. He said perceptions needed to be changed among community residents about the present and future downtown and public safety needed to be improved. He recommended that the City elevate the development of the safety and cleanliness in the downtown area as well its effectiveness and viability back onto the council’s list of priorities. Thomas Emmons , 859 Willamette Street, Suite 500, Vice President of Lunar Logic Finance Administration, stated that Lunar Logic was a software company headquartered in the Park Place building and employing 150 people in the area at several locations. He related that Lunar Logic had looked forward to relocating its headquarters to the downtown area, but during that time some employees brought up concerns about security and parking. He said most of the concern revolved around the increased cost of parking and parking in garages located two blocks away. He stated that the company helped alleviate concerns by continuing to support alternative modes of transportation, such as bus passes and subsidized parking, as well as a secured bicycle room. Mr. Emmons reported that employees had experienced, since the move, several vehicle crimes ranging from property damage to vehicle theft. Additionally, he related that some employees questioned their personal safety especially in leaving the building after dark. He wanted to be able to let employees know that the City of Eugene was doing something about these safety problems. He stated that Lunar Logic wished to continue to expand its business in the downtown area. He believed that public safety played a critical role in developing the economic health and sustainability of all downtown Eugene businesses. He looked forward to increased security measures in the area. Roxie Cuellar , 2053 Laura Street, Springfield, representing the Lane County Home Builders Association, said she had testified in support of the recommendation on the Chambers Area special area zone and she had failed to do so in front of council. She wanted to make the council aware of the association’s support for it and urged the council to support it as well. She applauded the process by which the Chambers Area Families for Healthy Neighborhoods (CAFHN) worked with the City. Charles Biggs , 540 Antelope Way, commented that the River Avenue improvements may not need to be built to regular standards for a multi-use path. He thought significant savings could be realized if asphalt was used instead of concrete. He suggested that this money could be redirected to build parking access for the Willamette Greenway bicycle system. He also expressed concern about the pedestrian crossing by the post office on River Avenue. He said significant efforts should be made to provide for greater awareness of pedestrians in the form of better signage and possibly rumble strips and different colored pavement. MINUTES—Eugene City Council December 12, 2005 Page 3 Regular Session