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Mr. Drix expressed concern about the University of Oregon's plans to construct a new building along the riverfront. Dennis Gabrielson, 300 South 10 Avenue, Creswell, expressed his opposition to the proposed City income tax for schools and to the extension of EmX in West Eugene. He called for more geographic diversity on the City's Budget Committee. He also objected to the deferred compensation package awarded to City Manager Jon Ruiz. Chris Clark, 338 Meadow Butte Loop, believed everyone supported education. However, he opposed the proposed tax because he believed the State was responsible for school funding and the expense side of the question had not been addressed. The City could do nothing about the second issue. He believed that the proposed tax would perpetuate the problem if the expense side was not addressed. Councilor Clark also suggested the proposed tax could divide the community on class basis. Citizens would vote for the tax because they would not have to pay for it, and he did not think that was equitable or represented what Eugene was about. Dave Hauser, 1401 Willamette Street, representing the Eugene Area Chamber of Commerce, expressed the chamber's support for education. He pointed out that there had been no opportunity for the public to offer meaningful public input about the form or structure of the tax. He said that more than half of all business income was reported on individual returns, so many businesses would not have the opportunity to respond to the structure of the measure if the council moved forward with'a May measure. He believed a November election date provided more time for collaboration, allowed the districts to move forward with their capital measures, gave the State legislature the opportunity to act, and gave the public time to comment on the structure of the tax. If the council did chose to move forward with a May ballot date, Mr. Hauser suggested that six years was a long time for a temporary tax, that the tax should be broad -based so more contributed to the solution, and that the simpler the tax, the better. Wendy Butler - Boyeson, 1265 City View Street, supported the proposed City income tax for schools. She then expressed support for the West Eugene EmX extension because in was in the community's future long -term interest and because she believed that the existing phases were successful and the system took cars off the road. Ms. Butler - Boyesen noted Eugene's recognition for having one of the best commutes in the country, which she attributed to past long -range transportation planning efforts. She said that most LTD riders had cars and could still use them -to drive to West l I Avenue. She believed that LTD riders would pass by businesses and want to spend money at them. Ms. Butler - Boyesen averred that "LTD is not in operation to waste money" and constantly watched its bottom line. She disagreed with those who contended that West Eugene EmX was a bus to nowhere; instead it was a way for LTD to move more people more cheaply. Rhiannon Springall, 1475 East 15"' Avenue, A University of Oregon, supported the West Eugene EmX extension. She came from Portland, where residents used public transit "for absolutely everything." She said that Eugene needed more efficient, reliable, and green transportation options to handle future growth. She said West Eugene buses were not adequate now. She termed EmX the obvious environmental choice because vehicles would be electric - hybrid vehicles that produced fewer carbon emissions. The few trees that would be removed to accommodate construction would be replanted, and their removal would be for a good cause. Ms. Springall doubted that construction of the system would harm local businesses because LTD had stated it would do its best to minimize construction impacts. LTD had further stated that construction would not close a single business. MINUTES— Eugene City Council February 14, 2010 Page 4 Regular Meeting