Item 3A: Approval of City Council Minutes

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Councilor Poling, seconded by Councilor Clark, moved to amend the motion to change the position to Priority 3 Support. Councilor Poling said he supported the bill because it would extend the expiration date for residential developments for two years beyond the present expiration. He thought that given the current economic times, it would be prudent to be more lenient on projects that were not completed on time. He did not think this would create a financial impact on the City. He noted that other jurisdictions were doing this. Councilor Solomon concurred. Councilor Clark averred that it made sense to keep the plumbers, roofers, and framers working. He said if a project had already received its permit, it would be good to give the builders some extra time to get the financing. In response to a question from Councilor Zelenka, Ms. Wilson stated that while the bill did not include a specific sunset, it would only apply to those permits that would expire on or after the effective date of the act and before July 1, 2011. Roll call vote; the amendment passed, 6:2; councilors Taylor and Brown voting in opposi- tion. House Bill 3056 – Would require a 50 percent increment to be added to the total assessed value of property within urban renewal area whenever the increment equaled the total assessed value. Ms. Wilson stated that staff had recommended a Priority 2 Oppose position because this was in line with adopted legislative policies. She said Councilor Taylor had moved to change this to a Priority 2 Support and had not received a second. She noted that Councilor Taylor indicated that she wanted to support the bill because she believed it would provide more money for the General Fund. Councilor Zelenka, seconded by Councilor Clark, moved to adopt a Priority 2 Oppose posi- tion on House Bill 3056. Councilor Brown asked what financial effect the bill would have on the downtown area. Ms. Wilson replied that staff had reported that the bill would have an immediate impact on the downtown district and the impact on the riverfront district was unknown. She explained that it would require 50 percent of the increment to be added to the assessed value of a property. Councilor Brown observed that the purpose of the urban renewal program was to increase values of properties that were undervalued. He found it interesting that there were bills “popping up” that seemed to want to reexamine urban renewal and he thought it was a good idea to do so. Councilor Clark said he would support the motion, but he agreed that they should have a discussion on urban renewal. He noted his opposition to urban renewal. Roll call vote; the motion passed, 6:2; councilors Brown and Taylor voting in opposition. Councilor Zelenka, seconded by Councilor Clark, moved to ratify the Intergovernmental Committee’s unanimous actions on bills and approval of staff recommendations in the March 11, and April 1, 2009, Intergovernmental Relations Bill Reports for bills not pulled for discussion at those Intergovernmental Relations Committee meetings. Roll call vote; the motion passed unanimously, 8:0. MINUTES—Eugene City Council April 13, 2009 Page 16 Regular Meeting