CC Minutes - 01/24/11 Meeting - Laserfiche WebLink

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Kate McCarthy, 2243 Kincaid Street, expressed support for the proposed income tax for education and emphasized the importance of a strong educational system to recruiting new employees to Eugene health providers and supportive businesses. Eugene Drix, 307 -1/2 High Street, spoke of his attendance at a series of recent community events and expressed his pride in Eugene. He then went on to speak in, support of the proposed income tax and suggested that another nickel be assessed for returnable beverage containers to support schools. Michael Carrigan, 1439 West 4th Avenue, supported a local income tax to support education. He said every student was entitled to a quality education. He favored a progressive tax and said it was essential that it exempt the poor. He believed the measure should be on the May 2011 ballot to help the districts avoid the draconian cuts being considered. Carole Grappo, 551 River Loop 2, supported quality education but could not support what she considered an unjust income tax. She suggested the council instead consider a two- percent restaurant tax collected by the State for all schools as well as a three- percent tax placed on luxury items. Oregon already had a high income tax rate and she believed the proposed tax would hurt small business owners and earners making a marginal wage. She said no matter what instrument the council chose, it should include a sunset. She also objected that PERS retirees were exempted from the proposed tax. Pauline Hutson, 1025 Taylor Street, expressed concern about the loss of trees if the West Eugene EmX route was built down West 13 and West 11 avenues. She feared the impact that system buildout would have on area wildlife and "all to save six minutes." Ms. Hutson expressed concern that LTD was going to negatively affect the businesses that paid the majority of its costs, and called that taxation without representation because LTD board members were not elected by the people. Ms. Hutson asked if any members of the Community Resource Group or West Eugene Collaborative had visited any of the business owners in West Eugene and then acknowledged that it might be hard to face someone "when you were planning to ruin their lives." She supported public transportation in the right place and did not think EmX was the right system. She asked for a return of neighborhood bus service. Tara Sloan, 140 East 9 "' Avenue, spoke in support of the proposed City income tax measure to support schools. She asked the council to give the voters the opportunity to vote. She worried about the impact of additional reductions on the school system. She spoke of the importance of a strong educational system to the community. Craig Smith, 2611 Suncrest Avenue, Chair of the 4J School District Board of Directors, indicated that the district anticipated between $22 million and $28 million shortfall for the next year. He said it would be useful for the board to know when any tax revenues would be made available for budgeting purposes so it could discuss potential bridging strategies. He invited additional consultation. Dana Mitchell, 2815 Coburg Road, president of the Eugene Education Association and a 4J teacher, urged the council to refer a progressive income tax measure dedicated to local schools to the ballot. She emphasized the importance of a strong education system to a strong economy. Ms. Mitchell noted growing class sizes and the stress that placed on school facilities, the quality of instruction, and students' ability to learn. Class size impacted a teacher's ability to reach individual students. She emphasized the importance of providing students with a safe environment that prepared them for the future. Randy Bernstein, 4038 Alder Street, Principal of South Eugene High School, spoke in support of the proposed income tax and asked the council to give the community an opportunity to declare what it MINUTES— Eugene City Council January 24, 2011 Page 4 Regular Meeting