Item 2A - Approval of Minutes - Laserfiche WebLink

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Mr. Coyle responded that looped access to the EWEB property would assist in opening access to the downtown property. He said the improvement would ;;cure" the access problems created by the railroad tracks. Ms. Nathanson commented that she was always interested in opportunities to achieve multiple objectives. Ms. Taylor was concerned about the expense to taxpayers. She also opposed any further degradation of the river front. She reiterated her unhappiness with work done to the bike path by the Riverfront Research Park and the underpass that had been built there. Mr. Meisner asked to what degree transportation improvements for the hospital would undo transportation improvements to the courthouse area. He commented that he had heard some willingness on the part of the council to do so. Mark Schoening, City Engineer, stated that the improvements aligned with the two projects would be complementary. He said the courthouse improvements would change a little in the Patterson Street underpass. Mayor Torrey hoped the motion would include the two streets the hospital had asked for as well as an alternative for the Agate Street access if that would help the City Council toward affirming the improve- ments. He stressed that he did not want the City Council to risk its top policy objective of the year, that of siting a hospital, and that he did not want the hospital to relocate in Glenwood or Springfield. He was anxious to give staff the opportunity to continue the negotiations and anxious to hear how McKenzie- Willamette/Triad Hospital responded. Ms. Bettman, seconded by Mr. Poling, moved to authorize the City Man- ager to inform McKenzie-Willamette Medical Center that the City is will- ing to undertake construction of two transportation projects if Triad con- structs at the EWEB site a hospital with a value not less than $85 million. The exact new route from Agate Street to provide access to the property from the east will be determined through further discussions between the City, Triad, and the University of Oregon and brought back to the City Council for approval and a financing plan will be prepared and brought back to the City Council for approval. Mr. Kelly voiced his support for the motion. He recognized that the access would likely need a component north of the railroad tracks. He commented that there was no perfect solution when siting something like this in the middle of a City. Ms. Bettman clarified that the motion assumed agreement on the Patterson Street overpass. She advocated for expeditious planning for the financial component. Ms. Nathanson expressed concern that the motion did not fully encapsulate the proposed access improve- ments. Mr. Klein said the council could indicate its support for the Patterson Street overpass with nods of the head, adding that the motion meant to inform the hospital of the intent of the City and did not specifically initiate any projects. The councilors indicated their agreement that the Patterson Street overpass be included in the motion. MINUTES--Eugene City Council June 16, 2004 Page 7 Work Session