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regarding the taser policy. <br /> <br /> <br />City Manager Ruiz reported that boards and commissions training would be held the following day. He <br />planned to attend the next meeting of the Friendly Area Neighbors, and invited councilors to attend the <br />upcoming Fire and Emergency Medical Services awards the following week. He also reminded councilors <br />of the January 23 goals setting session. <br /> <br />Mayor Piercy thanked Mr. Zelenka for his service as council president and Mr. Clark for his service as <br />council vice president. <br /> <br />Mayor Piercy reported that she had three constituent contacts in regards to the new meters and heard <br />complaints that the meters were too tall and the meter required that one be tall enough to be able to look <br /> <br />down at it. <br /> <br />2. WORK SESSION: Downtown Projects <br /> <br />The council was joined by Development Analyst Amanda Nobel Flannery, who provided a PowerPoint <br />presentation on Downtown Projects. Copies of the presentation were provided to the councilors. The <br />presentation touched on strategies for downtown and included funding options and timelines for several <br />downtown projects. The projects included a new Lane Community College downtown center; an arts and <br />entertainment district; a new Veterans Affairs clinic; business assistance and housing; rebranding, easy <br />payments, and free parking; green infrastructure; the Beam project; and illegal behavior consequences, <br />physical spaces, and coordination. The funding options included a general obligation bond; self-supporting <br />bond; local option levies; grants, donations, and tax credits; adjustments to the downtown service district; <br />adjustments to Human Services Commission funding; Urban Renewal Agency (URA) loans and grants; cost <br />shifts to the Urban Renewal District; the General Fund; and redirection of other funds, including the Parking <br />and Facility Reserve funds. Ms. Nobel Flannery invited questions at the conclusion of the presentation. <br /> <br />Responding to a question from Ms. Taylor on how much a tax on unoccupied properties in downtown would <br />realize, Planning and Development Director Susan Muir said such a tax would produce $20,000 to $30,000 <br />annually. She noted that such a fee was recommended by the downtown safety task force convened by <br />Police Chief Kerns and herself. Ms. Taylor indicated her support for such a tax. <br /> <br />Ms. Taylor acknowledged her personal opposition to expanding the urban renewal district or increasing the <br />debt limit. Whatever the City did downtown, she wanted the public to be able to vote on it. <br /> <br />Ms. Ortiz asked questions of Finance Director Sue Cutsogeorge clarifying the amount left in the Downtown <br />District loan program ($1.8 million) and the possible cost shifts from the URA. <br /> <br />In response to a question from Mr. Clark, Ms. Nobel Flannery confirmed that the boundaries of the <br />th <br />Downtown District would have to be adjusted to accommodate a VA Clinic at 12 Avenue and Willamette <br />Street. That would require a plan amendment. <br /> <br />Mr. Poling did not object to adjusting the Downtown District boundaries on a case-by-case basis. He <br />questioned why the General Fund was listed as a funding source given it lacked sufficient funds. Ms. Muir <br />indicated that staff was attempting to be exhaustive in the options it offered to the council but it could be <br /> <br /> <br />MINUTES—City Council January 11, 2010 Page 3 <br /> Work Session <br /> <br />