Item 2A: Approval of City Council Minutes

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requirements and extend the tax exemption period for a maximum of two years under very severe economic conditions. She said the bill was proposed by a representative from Albany at the request of a local business unable to meet the minimum enterprise zone employment requirements due to the poor economy. The State statute did not currently permit enterprise zone sponsors to relax requirements or extend the time period. Ms. Wilson said staff had recommended a Support position on the bill to the IGR Committee because it met one of the City’s adopted legislative priorities to support efforts to allow additional local flexibility in enterprise zone criteria. She emphasized that HB 3609 did not mandate that flexibility; it merely provided additional tools for local sponsors should they choose to adopt them. During the IGR Committee meeting Councilor Taylor wanted to take an Oppose position on the bill but instead moved to either a Neutral or Monitor position; Councilor Poling voted against that motion. Ms. Wilson said the bill passed the House unanimously and after being passed by the Senate was scheduled to return to the House for concurrence. She said there was wide support for the bill from local government. Councilor Clark, seconded by Councilor Taylor, moved to adopt a Monitor position on HB 3609. Councilor Clark said he had moved the IGR Committee’s majority motion as was the practice, but would offer an amendment if one was not forthcoming from another councilor. Councilor Ortiz said she supported enterprise zones and was trying to meet Councilor Taylor halfway by voting for a neutral position because at the time of the IGR Committee’s discussion the bill’s status was uncertain. She said the council’s previous discussions of enterprise zones had explored the need for more local flexibility with regard to establishing community standards. Councilor Ortiz, seconded by Councilor Poling, moved to amend the motion and adopt the staff recommendation of a Priority 3 Support for HB 3609. Councilor Zelenka said he was opposed to enterprise zones because they did not accomplish what they were intended to. He favored more local ownership and community standards, but would oppose the motion. Councilor Poling thanked Councilor Ortiz for her motion. He pointed out that the bill did not change any of the requirements specified in the City’s enterprise zone; it merely granted the City more flexibility to act in the event of another downturn in the economy. The amendment passed, 5:3; councilors Brown, Taylor and Zelenka voting no. The motion as amended passed, 5:3; councilors Brown, Taylor and Zelenka voting no. 4. ACTION: Approval of Minutes, Findings and Recommendations from the Hearings Official and Adoption of an Ordinance Levying Assessments for Paving, and Constructing Curbs, Gutters, Sidewalks, Street Lights, Stormwater Drainage, and Water quality Facilities on Elmira Road from Bertelsen Road to Maple Street and on Maple Street from Elmira Road to Roosevelt Boulevard; and Providing an Immediate Effective Date (Contract 2009-18)(Job #4275) Mayor Piercy announced that a public hearing on the assessment ordinance was held by the Hearings Official and therefore it was the first time the ordinance had been presented to the council. She said action MINUTES—Eugene City Council February 22, 2010 Page 4