Item 2A - Approval of Minutes - Laserfiche WebLink

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City Attorney Glenn Klein stated that the process had not passed the point at which it could not be revised. He said the council was merely initiating a planning process, a process in which Mr. Dafoe could partici- pate, and the process would include public hearings. He added that if, after the process, all concerns had not been addressed the council could vote it down. Councilor Bettman, seconded by Councilor Kelly, moved to amend with a substitute motion to direct the City Manager to return to the council with a resolution to purchase the 77 acres, identified for a community park in Santa Clara, at fair market value and to include the provision of exercising eminent domain if necessary. Speaking to the motion, Councilor Bettman said the one major criterion for purchasing the property was that there was a willing seller. She asserted the process had moved far from having a willing seller. She felt %ver-more resources" were being committed to the negotiation of an %xtraordinary, unprecedented deal with one developer." She asserted that this move had not been a part of the initial directive to the Parks and Open Space Division. Councilor Kelly commented that he was aware of the imbalance in park facilities in the community. He strongly wanted to see a community park developed in Santa Clara. He thought the situation had become more complex. He expressed concern that the City was negotiating from a position of a disadvantage. He supported the amendment and recommended that the City make a straight offer for acquisition of the 77 acres. He added that, given that it would benefit the community and that no one would lose their home, he was not entirely opposed to exercising eminent domain. Councilor Solomon disagreed that the issue was complex or that the City was disadvantaged in any way. She could not imagine a better deal for the City as it was proposed that the City would swap land that was not viable for housing for land that was viable and was also getting 77 acres for a park. She commented that whatever profit was gained and who gained it had nothing to do with the council's decision. Councilor Meisner earnestly supported development of a park in Santa Clara. He felt the current incarna- tion of the deal had become much more complicated as the City was adding to the UGB substantially in return for 77 acres of park land and the opportunity to purchase Moon Mountain property. He asked if there were other parcels in the Santa Clara area that might have willing sellers. Andrea Riner, Planning Manager for the Parks and Open Spaces Division, stated that the parcel in question was the ideal site for a park of this proposed size. Councilor Meisner liked the concept, but wanted to look at all of the options. He asked how the acreage fit into the work of the Region 2050 effort. He asked how the council could look at such things in a compre- hensive way, adding that he did not expect the response at the present meeting. Councilor Pap~ agreed that the park was needed, but recalled that the transaction was to trade some property and change the UGB. He asked how it had become more complex. Ms. Riner responded that one complexity was the council's requirement that more protections be added to the Laurel Hill Valley site. She said the division moved forward on negotiations to acquire the property. She clarified that 100 acres were MINUTES--Eugene City Council June 14, 2004 Page 8 Regular Meeting