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Beth Bonamici, 2769 Emerald Street, questioned how the City could acquire Civic Stadium when its budget included fee increases in the library, delays in the opening of Amazon pools, and delayed facility maintenance. All those activities contributed to the well -being of Eugene residents. She supported the YMCA's proposal for the Civic Stadium, which would not require public funding and would provided needed community services at a time when City- funded recreation services were being cut back. She urged the City to spend no money on proposals to renovate Civic Stadium. Richard Pettigrew, 4147 East Amazon Drive, Executive Director of the Archaeological Legacy Institute, advocated for the preservation of Civic Stadium. He believed the stadium would only become more valued and treasured with time, and people of the future would admire the community for saving it. W. Scott Bartlett, 1445 East 21" Avenue, reviewed the recent history surrounding Civic Stadium and acknowledged that 4J School District was selling the property because it needed money to educate the community's children. He opposed the Fred Meyer development proposal for the Civic Stadium property and expressed his support for either the YMCA or Save Civic Stadium (SCS) proposals. Bob Barber, 881 East 38` Avenue, spoke on behalf of his daughter Ramona Barber. He reported that she had written a letter to the Staples Learning Foundation asking it to support SCS in its effort to preserve Civic Stadium, and the foundation subsequently gave SCS $5,000. He read Ms. Barber's letter to the foundation. He conveyed to the council Ms. Barber's hope that the City could bring the YMCA and SCS proposals together. Derrick Johnson, 1665 Fairmount Boulevard, urged the City to buy Civic Stadium for a public - private partnership as proposed by SCS. He believed the stadium had the potential to serve the community into the future and spoke of the excitement that professional soccer could engender in the community. He also believed that the partnership would result in the creation of more sports fields, which were currently insufficient in number to meet demand. Mr. Johnson said the Civic Stadium site contained sufficient land for the YMCA as well as a field house. The stadium could be a cornerstone for community activities and an opportunity for economic development and community building. Scott McClary, 3366 Agate Street, Board of Directors of the YMCA, asked the council to recognize what the 4J process provided to the community and what a successful response by the YMCA would contribute to the site. He said YMCA was a remarkable place where children could recreate safely and develop social skills. It was an asset to the community at large and to 4J in particular. Mr. McClary said further delay would have a detrimental effect on the YMCA project. He asked the council to allow the 4J process to move forward. Erik Gunderson, 72 West Broadway, advocated for the YMCA project. He commended the YMCA for its work in the community and for its impact as a family gathering place. The YMCA had touched the lives of thousands of Eugene residents. He said YMCA had not been able to partner successfully with SCS but had been able to partner with the University of Oregon on a proposal that combined student housing and a new YMCA facility. The housing made the project work financially. He said the proposal supported the community's land use goals, would bring new customers to south Eugene businesses, would result in local transportation improvements, and would take advantage of the transit system. The YMCA could continue to provide existing services and would create a community of University students with a focus on fitness as Y membership would be included in the rent. Kathy Lynn, 2036 Willamette Street, suggested the City should buy or lease the Civic Stadium property and then determine the uses for the site. The City was best positioned to ensure the development achieved its goals for mixed -use development and integrated land use and transportation. The City could MINUTES— Eugene City Council April 25, 2011 Page 10 Regular Meeting