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<br />Councilor Zelenka said it clear to him that nothing would happen downtown unless the City stepped up and <br />made it happen. The City had stepped up. All three of the projects in downtown had City participation in <br />common. Councilor Zelenka suggested a certain amount of critical mass was needed to change things <br />downtown. He believed that filling the pits was an important psychological step forward. He believed the <br />City’s risk had gone down with its lesser square footage commitment. Councilor Zelenka had no objection <br />to seeing all the employees now working in City Hall temporarily relocate to the building. <br /> <br />Councilor Zelenka was pleased to hear that Bennett Management had stepped up its equity contribution and <br />that a local bank supported the project. He determined from Mr. Braud that construction could begin in <br />2012. Councilor Zelenka favored moving forward. <br /> <br />Councilor Taylor also supported filling in the Aster Pit but was convinced by Councilor Brown’s argu- <br />ments. She asked what departments would move into the space. City Manager Ruiz did not know at this <br />time. Councilor Taylor hoped the manager considered not renewing existing leases. City Manager Ruiz <br />said that was the plan. The City hoped to maximize its financial and operational efficiencies to the degree <br />possible. <br /> <br />Mayor Piercy appreciated the effort made to bring the project to fruition. She considered the project <br />important to the downtown and appreciated the work that kept it going. She thought it was less of a <br />commitment for the organization than the Beam project. She supported the project. <br /> <br />Councilor Poling believed the proposed lease was positive for the organization. He said the project gave the <br />City an opportunity to step back and study more carefully what to do with City Hall. He suggested that the <br />lease also gave the City an opportunity to consolidate more services in a central location. He perceived the <br />project as a very positive step that would help “kick-start” activity in downtown. <br /> <br />Councilor Pryor appreciated the flexibility the lease provided the organization as it regarded the future of <br />City Hall. The lease did not tie the organization down. Speaking to the issue of risk, Councilor Pryor <br />suggested that the City could not be an effective partner if it was too risk-adverse. <br /> <br />Mayor Piercy determined that no councilor objected to the council taking action. <br /> <br />Councilor Clark, seconded by Councilor Taylor, moved that the City Council adopt Council <br />Bill 5041, establishing a process and standards for issuing Economic Development Project <br />Revenue Bonds as Recovery Zone Facility Bonds. Roll call vote: The motion passed, 7:1; <br />Councilor Brown voting no. <br /> <br /> <br />6. ACTION: <br />Adoption of Resolution 5014 Authorizing Economic Development Project Revenue Bonds as <br />Recovery Zone Facility Bonds to Finance Improvements on the Vacant Parcel Located at <br />Broadway and Willamette Street and Adjacent to the Centre Court Building <br /> <br />Councilor Clark, seconded by Councilor Taylor, moved to approve the Revised Outline of <br />Terms included in Attachment A. Roll call vote: The motion passed, 7:1; Councilor Brown <br />voting no. <br /> <br /> <br /> <br />MINUTES—Eugene City Council December 13, 2010 Page 7 <br /> Regular Meeting <br /> <br />