Item 2A: Approval of City Council Minutes

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Brad Malsin , 1001 Southeast Water Avenue, Portland, stated that Beam Development remained committed to try to energize and bring activity to the downtown area. He underscored that they were in “incredibly challenging times.” He said they realized that the City was helping them to get the project started. He noted that the project was shovel- ready. He related their belief that the redevelopment would bring jobs and would help incubate businesses and that their experiences in Portland portended what they would hopefully accomplish in Eugene. Hugh Prichard , 2671 Emerald Street, Councilor Zelenka’s ward, testified in favor of approval of using the Brownfield Economic Development Initiative (BEDI) funds. He said he had not testified on any of the previous proposals for the site or the other downtown site because he believed that each of them had insurmountable problems. He felt that this project had surmountable problems, with the City’s financial help. He had gone to Portland and toured some of the Beam Development projects there. He had found the tour to be very informative and that Beam was a conscientious and good landlord. Everyone he had spoken with had good things to say, including one person who had “lived through” the reconstruction of one of their projects “for years.” He liked their concept of an open plan with “no frills” and that it would be much cheaper to build than something new. He recalled his experience with the Lincoln School apartments and the difficulties he and his partner had experienced in gaining financing. He encouraged the council to go forward in using these funds to help construction begin. He acknowledged that there were risks involved, adding that he “liked the level of fear in the room.” He said there would be no guarantees, but if he were a councilor he would vote for it. Mayor Piercy closed the public hearing. She appreciated that Mr. Malsin had come from Portland to speak to the council. She had toured some of the Beam projects, along with Councilor Zelenka, and she agreed with Mr. Prichard. Councilor Zelenka recalled touring the projects in Portland. He said what they were able to do there was to take old decaying buildings and turn them into vibrant buildings that flourished. Councilor Zelenka, seconded by Councilor Clark, moved to place the resolution authorizing the use of the Department of Housing and Urban Development Section 108 Loan Guarantee Program and Brownfield Economic Development Initiative funds for the Beam Development rehabilitation of the Centre Court building on the Consent Calendar for January 11, 2010. Roll call vote; the motion passed unanimously, 8:0. 6. PUBLIC HEARING and POSSIBLE ACTION: An Ordinance Concerning Offenses and State Traffic Laws: Amending Sections 4.822, 4.874, 4.906, 4.930, 4.990, and 5.005 of the Eugene Code, 1971; Repealing Sections 4.820 and 4.825 of that Code; and Provid- ing an Effective Date Mr. Ruiz stated that this action would change local codes so that they would be in accordance with recent changes to state criminal and traffic codes made during the 2009 legislative session. Mayor Piercy opened the public hearing. She ascertained that no one was present who wished to speak on the matter and closed the public hearing. In response to a question from Councilor Ortiz, City Prosecutor Dan Barkovic stated that the penalties for theft were located in a specific number as to what the maximum penalties would be. He said the penalties would remain the same, but the legislative changes to the body of the theft statutes had raised those threshold levels for the value of property taken as related to what someone would be charged with for engaging in an act of theft. Councilor Clark asked if it was a fair statement to say that they were adjusting the dollar figure triggers on what was a municipal offense as opposed to a circuit court offense so that the City would have a greater capacity to prosecute a MINUTES—Eugene City Council December 14, 2009 Page 5 Regular Meeting