Item 3A: Approval of City Council Minutes

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Regarding Consent Calendar Item E, Councilor Solomon said she had been convinced to support the project, but would like more information. She understood that the total cost of the project was $892,000. Landscape Architect for the Parks and Open Space Division, Emily Proudfoot, responded that the cost had come down to $820,000 since the original estimate. Councilor Solomon ascertained from Ms. Proudfoot that the division was applying for $210,000 which the City was intended to match with a sum of money. Ms. Proudfoot clarified that the City was expected to match the funding with $292,000. Councilor Solomon understood that the skate group had committed to raising $250,000, but there was still a gap. Ms. Proudfoot stated that since the memorandum had been written, the Eugene Rotary Club had committed to bringing in another $50,000. Councilor Solomon asked who would own the park upon completion. Ms. Proudfoot replied that the City of Eugene would be the owner. Councilor Solomon surmised that the City would then be responsible for maintenance and upkeep. Ms. Proudfoot responded that there was a lot of good feeling in the community about this project. She anticipated that the City would have help in that regard. Councilor Poling asked if the project would displace the horseshoe pits. Ms. Proudfoot replied that at this point, the horseshoe pits would remain where they were. Councilor Poling recalled skateboarding as a youth, before skateboards had become modernized. He said he had originally voted against the project because he felt they lacked information. He stated that the City’s match would come from parks Systems Development Charges (SDCs) specifically collected for parks development; the money could not be used to fill potholes or hire employees. He now felt that for the investment the City would make, it was getting more than its “money’s worth.” He thought the proposed park project would enhance things for the skaters and would bring in some additional revenues to the community. He supported the application for the grant. Councilor Ortiz observed that the grant was due by April 3. Ms. Proudfoot confirmed this. She said staff had applied for the grant during the council break. She had talked with the Oregon Parks and Recreation Department (OPRD) and staff there indicated that they were willing to accept the grant application with an unsigned resolution. Councilor Ortiz asked what the City’s chances were for receiving the money. Ms. Proudfoot replied that it was difficult to predict. She thought it was the kind of project the department was interested in, noting that three or four skate parks had been funded in the previous year. Councilor Ortiz thanked everyone for their work on this project. She shared the website for the project: www.skateeugene.org. She stressed that she wanted to support youth and if there was this much energy around the project, it should be supported. Councilor Zelenka, seconded by Councilor Clark, moved to approve Resolution 4960, a resolution supporting application for State of Oregon Parks and Recreation Department Lo- cal Government Grant matching funds for parks. Roll call vote; the motion passed unanim- ously, 8:0. Regarding Consent Calendar Item F, Councilor Zelenka asked staff to explain why the code amendments were being initiated at this point. Senior Planner Terri Harding replied that the request to have the council initiate the land use code amendments was a function required by the Eugene City Code. Councilor Zelenka asked what would happen next. Ms. Harding responded that the community members on the task teams would take their recommendations before the Planning Commission at the end of April and, MINUTES—Eugene City Council April 13, 2009 Page 11 Regular Meeting