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Councilor Zelenka asked if the cost had been estimated for the fund. Ms. Wilson replied that there was no <br />discussion of cost. She noted that there was some concern expressed that one community could come in and <br />take it all. <br /> <br />Councilor Zelenka asked if there was a provision that would prohibit this. Ms. Wilson responded that it was <br />not in the current version, but if the bill started to move it would have to include such a provision. <br /> <br />Councilor Zelenka indicated he would oppose the motion. He did not believe it was the appropriate way to <br />fund infrastructure and he did not like that there was no provision preventing one jurisdiction from taking it <br />all. <br /> <br />Roll call vote; the motion failed, 5:3; councilors Pryor, Poling, and Ortiz voting in favor. <br /> <br />Ms. Wilson pointed out that the City had indicated that it had adopted a Priority 2 Support position on the <br />former version of the bill. <br /> <br />Councilor Zelenka, seconded by Councilor Clark, moved to adopt a Priority 2 Oppose <br />position on SB719A. Roll call vote; the vote was a tie, 4:4; councilors Brown, Zelenka, <br />Clark, and Solomon voting in favor and councilors Taylor, Ortiz, Poling, and Pryor voting <br />in opposition. Mayor Piercy voted in favor of adopting a Priority 2 Oppose position on <br />SB719A and the motion passed. <br /> <br />Councilor Zelenka, seconded by Councilor Clark, moved to adopt a Priority 2 Oppose <br />position on House Bill (HB) 2699A. <br /> <br />Ms. Wilson explained that the bill would modify the definition of “public works” and would classify <br />exemptions from ad valorem property taxation for the purpose of imposing prevailing wage requirements <br />and extend the exemption to projects that were at least $5 million and were sited in Enterprise Zones. She <br />underscored that prevailing wage was not the same as living wage. <br /> <br />Councilor Zelenka noted that the bill had been sponsored by Eugene Representative Paul Holvey. He asked <br />what the amendments to the bill had been. Ms. Wilson replied that the newest version had removed the <br />requirement that the payment of prevailing wages be in connection with public works for which funds of a <br />public agency were used including funds received in the form of tax credits. She said it also removed the <br />provision that would exempt projects that were privately owned and that used private funds and instead <br />clarified the exemption from ad valorem property tax. She listed some of the other stipulations in the bill. <br /> <br />In response to a question from Councilor Zelenka, Ms. Wilson read the definitions of ‘public works’ from <br />the language in Section 1(H)(6)(a) of HB2699A. <br /> <br />Councilor Zelenka surmised that by removing the prevailing wage requirement, any public infrastructure <br />program or project would not have to pay that wage. Ms. Wilson replied that it would apply as long as a <br />project met the other requirement of being in an Enterprise Zone. <br /> <br />Mr. Ruiz asked that the item be tabled so that Legal Counsel could caucus with Ms. Wilson. <br /> <br />Councilor Clark asked Ms. Wilson to state the difference between prevailing wage and living wage. He also <br />requested that she bring back the financial impact the bill could have. <br /> <br />MINUTES—Eugene City Council June 8, 2009 Page 5 <br /> Regular Meeting <br /> <br />