CC Minutes - 6/23/1997 Meeting - Laserfiche WebLink

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Ms. Nathanson stated that she would confer with staff before proposing changes to the minutes of the April 30, 1997, Lunch Work Session of the council. Mr. Farr observed that purchase of a housing landbank site by action taken through the Consent Calendar was a good example of the continuing support for development of affordable housing provided by the City. III. PUBLIC HEARING: ORDINANCE CONCERNING DOWNTOWN SERVICES DISTRICT City Manager Vicki Elmer announced that the council was scheduled to hold a public hearing on Council Bill 4616, an ordinance renewing the Downtown Services District (DSD) with changes proposed by Downtown Eugene, Inc. (DEI). She reminded councilors that six affirmative votes of the council were necessary to enact the emergency clause of the proposed motion. Mayor Torrey opened the public hearing. Greg Zobel, 1430 Willameette #23, stated that he was co-owner of Das Romaine Booksellers and Gallery located on West Broadway. He reviewed problems that his business had experienced with youth whom he said regularly loitered on the Downtown Mall. He said that his experience working with the Downtown Mall Guides to correct such problems had been positive and that he believed the guides should be given limited police powers in the performance of their duties. Russ Brink, 160 East Broadway, stated that he was Executive Director of DEI. He described the operation and purpose of the self-assessment district. He said the proposal for renewal of the DSD under consideration was changed from the one the council had reviewed at its April 28, 1997, work session, as follows:  Starting in the second year, the assessed fee would increase by $.005 per square foot in the district.  Occupied basement space would be assessed a $.04 per square foot annual fee. In addition, Mr. Brink said that other alterations of the current ordinance under consideration were not included, as follows:  Assessment of surface parking lots.  Public sector assessments. Mr. Brink circulated two letters of endorsement of the DSD among councilors. Gene Swan, 99 East Broadway, stated that he was president of the DEI Board of Directors. He reviewed the experience of the DSD and the increase in public satisfaction with the downtown area which it had generated. He said members supported renewing the ordinance. Bill Goldsmith, 390 East 30th Avenue, stated that he was manager of the Eugene Saturday Market. He said the market’s board of directors and participating merchants supported re-authorization of the DSD ordinance. He said DEI made the Eugene city center an area of which to be proud. He reviewed community events added to the area calendar of celebrations through its efforts. Minutes--Eugene City Council June 23, 1997 Page 5 7:30 p.m.