Item 2A: Approval of City Council Minutes

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being proposed, which had wide support throughout the community. He said the projects would spur growth downtown, create many jobs, fill vacant space, attract a large number of people to downtown, address public safety issues and provide necessary services. He said the Chamber would prefer to see more private projects in the proposal that would generate taxes and the sunset provision eliminated, but those were the tradeoffs that were necessary in order to move forward as a community. He said it was a balanced plan and hoped everyone would support it. Dave Hauser , Elkhorn Drive, Eugene, Ward 5, spoke on behalf of Downtown Eugene, Inc. (DEI). He said DEI was the voice of downtown business, promoting responsible development and improving public safety. He said downtown property owners voluntarily assessed themselves an additional tax that they invested in the downtown area in the amount of $4 million over the last 16 years. He said DEI stakeholders wanted to promote a vibrant, safe and diverse downtown. He said the plan addressed the future and its projects, and the LCC facility, especially, would create momentum downtown. DEI was opposed to sunsetting the urban renewal district earlier than planned as it was an important tool for enabling future projects, but now was the time to act and DEI was willing to accept that condition in order to move forward with the proposed projects, particularly the public safety improvements. He urged the council to approve the plan amendment and create positive momentum for downtown. Mayor Piercy closed the public hearing and thanked those who spoke. She recognized that the proposal would not fix all of the problems downtown, but it was a good start and would provide momentum to the other efforts that were already under way. Councilor Taylor thanked those who spoke. She was opposed to expanding and extending urban renewal. She pointed out that urban renewal opened the streets, but it also closed the streets and destroyed many historic buildings. She noted that many speakers were concerned about LCC, but felt its project could be accomplished without urban renewal. She said any extension of urban renewal should be by a vote of the people. She was willing to vote immediately to support LCC to remove any uncertainty about the project. Councilor Clark thanked those who spoke. He was pleased to see so many people in the community support the proposed plan amendment, which was different from previous urban renewal plan amendments. He was enthusiastic and optimistic about the proposal. Councilor Solomon left the meeting at 8:45 p.m. Councilor Ortiz appreciated the comments from a wide range of constituents. She agreed there was no single solution to downtown’s problems. She pointed out that there were other neighborhoods in the community that faced challenges and hoped future conversations could address those issues, but the current focus was on downtown and she supported the proposed urban plan amendment as the right thing to do. Councilor Brown also thanked those who spoke. He said councilors supported each of the projects, but in a different way. He felt they could be accomplished without urban renewal. He said urban renewal had destroyed downtown and wiped out the community’s architectural heritage and it was time to let it go. He said if the plan amendment was approved the City would lose $10 million from the General Fund in nine years. He preferred to explore the option of a revenue bond as a financing tool. He felt each of the projects had flaws, although they looked good from a distance, and could not support them in their current forms. He felt the City MINUTES—Eugene City Council April 19, 2010 Page 7 Public Hearing