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Ms. Solomon responded to Ms. Ortiz’s previous comment and noted that her own support of the urban <br />renewal district had waned because the two most notable recent example of urban renewal development, the <br />Eugene Public Library and the Hult Center for the Performing Arts, did not generate any tax revenue for <br />the City. She maintained that urban renewal strategies had not worked to facilitate the development of <br />private sector businesses and investments in the downtown area. <br />Mr. Zelenka reminded the Council that local taxation policies related to urban renewal were essentially <br />irrelevant with respect to School District 4J since school funding processes had been removed from local <br />jurisdictions to be funded primarily at the state level. <br />Mr. Pryor noted that he was not wedded to any funding strategy that did not work effectively for the City, <br />but noted that any effective partner strategy for the City with respect to downtown development would need <br />to come with some sort of financial benefit to all partners involved. <br />Mr. Clark, seconded by Ms. Taylor, moved to direct staff to pursue the next <br />steps, as outlined, to implement the “sale of surplus City real estate for identi- <br />fied development projects.” The motion passed unanimously, 8:0. <br />Mr. Clark, seconded by Ms. Taylor, moved to initiate code amendments to <br />consider extensions, submittal requirements, and processing timelines related <br />to land use applications. <br />Ms. Muir, responding to a question from Ms. Taylor, confirmed that the motion directed staff only to <br />research the code amendments and that no formal action would be taken in that regard without Council <br />approval. <br />Ms. Taylor offered a friendly amendment to the previously stated motion to include a sunset provision <br />whereby any amendments to the limited land use code would have a two year time limit. Ms. Muir <br />reminded Ms. Taylor that the motion currently on the table was to direct staff to return with further <br />information regarding the limited land use code amendments. Ms. Taylor subsequently withdrew her <br />friendly amendment. <br />Mr. Zelenka called for a vote on Mr. Clark’s previously stated motion. The <br />motion passed unanimously, 8:0. <br />Mr. Clark, seconded by Ms. Taylor, moved to direct staff to pursue next <br />steps, as outlined, to implement “Urban Renewal Plan amendment.” <br /> <br />Mr. Poling noted that the discussions surrounding the urban renewal plan during the work session did not <br />constitute any formal changes to the plan. Mr. Clark agreed with Mr. Poling’s assessment. <br />Mr. Zelenka noted that he supported certain urban renewal projects described in the earlier presentation <br />such as the Farmers Market and the downtown arts and cultural center. He reiterated his previous request <br />to have a list of all development tools beyond urban renewal tax increment financing that were available to <br />the City and felt that such a list might help the City’s efforts to research and consider more effective means <br />of encouraging responsible downtown development. <br /> <br /> <br />MINUTES—Eugene City Council May 27, 2009 Page 6 <br /> Work Session <br /> <br />