Item 3A: Approval of City Council Minutes

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Stevens at the Eugene Airport for receiving the Excellence Award from the Northwest Chapter of the Association of Airport Executives. Mayor Piercy reported there would be a block party downtown on Friday with games, food, entertainment, and vendors. The event was a fundraiser for the Lane Community College downtown project. Mayor Piercy said the opening for the Maude Kerns Teen Art Show was scheduled for September 10. Mayor Piercy noted the upcoming anniversary of the events of September 11, 2010, and said the Veterans Memorial at Skinner Butte Park had been enhanced and a rededication ceremony would occur on September 12 at 10 a.m. The dedication of the Delta Ponds Bridge would occur the same day at 11 a.m. Mr. Poling noted the ribbon cutting ceremony for the new fire station at the Eugene Airport scheduled for September 10 at 10:30 a.m. Mayor Piercy recognized Mr. Poling. Mr. Poling reported that the Veterans Administration was still considering a Eugene property and he recalled the council’s willingness to invest in such a project downtown. He said the council now had the opportunity to voice support for locating the project in Eugene in Crescent Village. He supported the project because it would put 200 people to work immediately. He also believed local veterans would need and deserved the support provided by such a facility. Mr. Poling, seconded by Mr. Clark, moved to direct the City Manager to work with Arlie & Company in support of bringing the Veterans Administration Clinic to north Eugene. Responding to a question from Mr. Brown about how he interpreted the motion, City Manager Ruiz envisioned that City staff would meet with Arlie & Company to learn more about the project. Any financial decisions would have to be made by the council. Ms. Ortiz supported the motion and was glad to hear the City was still under consideration as a location for the clinic. Ms. Taylor asked why the developer needed the City to do the project. City Manager Ruiz did not know if the developer needed the City. He suggested that a statement of support from the council sent a message of encouragement to the Veterans Administration. Mr. Pryor supported the motion. He said the Veterans Administration wanted to locate someplace that was supportive of such a facility and he thought the council’s vote of support was needed to demonstrate community support. He suggested the council would do the same for any other desirable development. Mr. Clark said that the project would provide both construction jobs as well as support for local veterans. He thought it was critically important the council help people who had helped defend the country. Mayor Piercy said the motion allowed the council to do its part to help returning veterans and also reflected the council’s desire to have the Veterans Administration facility in the community. MINUTES—City Council September 8, 2010 Page 4 Work Session