Item 3A: Approval of City Council Minutes

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Councilor Clark averred that it would never be less expensive to do the project. He wanted to state “loudly and clearly” that no one would be losing a house to fix the road. He said he would be more comfortable if the council could send the project back to a work session to discuss some of the principles the decision would be based upon. He did not want to endanger the deadline either and asked if there was room for the council to work on the assessments further. Mr. Schoening responded that the options, according to City code, were to move forward, to substantially modify it, to delay approval for 15 days, or to abandon the improvements. Councilor Solomon requested that a work session be scheduled as soon as possible to “take another run” at the assessment policy. She wanted to do this before the assessments for the project were to be finalized. She was particularly concerned about the people who could only access their cul-de-sacs via Elmira Road, but were not being asked to participate in the paving project. Mr. Schoening noted that the mobile home park was being assessed for the project. Councilor Pryor said he could support the LID because he could make the “leap of faith” that the City could find a way to have an impact on the level of assessments. He agreed that the council should have a conversation regarding the assessments, going forward. In response to a question from Councilor Ortiz, Mr. Klein clarified that the council had the authority to make the changes in the code regarding assessments. Councilor Clark understood that the formula for assessments was in the code regarding which costs were assessable to the adjacent properties. He thought one way to change it would be to change what costs could be assessed, rather than the whole policy. Mayor Piercy ascertained from Mr. Schoening that the project was past the point of being potentially modified in terms of sidewalks and other amenities. In response to a question from Councilor Solomon, Mr. Schoening stated that the City provided financing at 8 percent, which was an interim rate until the City sold bonds. He said when the bonds were sold, the rate would be based on the bond rates and would include administrative costs. Councilor Solomon remarked that a loan could be obtained from a bank for less. Mr. Schoening responded that there was no requirement for property owners to finance through the City. Councilor Solomon asked if the project would qualify for stimulus money. Mr. Schoening replied that it met the criteria, but all of the transportation dollars that had come to Oregon were already allocated. Roll call vote; the motion passed, 7:1; Councilor Clark voting in opposition. The meeting adjourned at 10:31 p.m. Respectfully submitted, Jon Ruiz City Manager (Recorded by Ruth Atcherson) MINUTES—Eugene City Council April 13, 2009 Page 18 Regular Meeting