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Councilor Bettman accepted the friendly amendment. <br /> <br /> Councilor Bettman supported the acquisition of the property. She believed the acquisition of the park land <br /> was not inconsistent with the rural character of the surrounding area. She opined that the exchange <br /> proposal benefited the developers much more than the taxpayers. She felt the proposal disguised the fair <br /> market value and the benefit. Councilor Bettman thought the provision of this sort of benefit to all <br /> developers could have provided the City with more proposals to choose from. She termed it subsidization <br /> of high-density development. <br /> <br /> Councilor Pap~ respectfully disagreed with Councilor Bettman. He said that whether the McDougals <br /> were receiving something more beneficial than the public was open to discussion. He stressed that the <br /> City had heard for years that it had failed to provide the residents of the northern area of Eugene with <br /> adequate parks and open space. He felt the land exchange would benefit those residents greatly. <br /> <br />Councilor Pap~ asked for an explanation of the funding to purchase the property. Andrea Riner, Parks and <br />Open Space Planning Manager, responded that there were funds set aside from the Parks and Open Space <br />bond measure. Mr. Taylor added that $1 million had been designated for the exchange and would be used <br />for the purchase. <br /> <br />In response to another question from Councilor Pap~, Ms. Riner said systems development charges <br />(SDCs) would be used to develop the park site. Councilor Pap6 asked if the land exchange proposal <br />would save the City money. Ms. Riner replied that the exchange proposal would include spending the <br />designated bond funding on the purchase of the Laurel Hill site. City Manager Taylor added that one <br />proposal netted the City 40 acres while the other netted the City 270 acres, based on the best estimates of <br />the fair market values of the acquisition of the property from a willing seller. <br /> <br />Councilor Pap~ asked if it was a value to the public to conduct the exchange. City Manager Taylor <br />affirmed it was, adding that it was his recommendation. <br /> <br />Ms. Riner stated, in response to a further question from Councilor PapO, that without the exchange the <br />City did not have a willing seller. She said this would mean the City would have to engage in an eminent <br />domain process, which would prolong the wait and cost money. <br /> <br />Councilor Taylor felt Councilor Bettman had "done an excellent job" in arguing against the exchange. <br />She supported the amendment. She did not think it was necessary to have 77 acres for the park and would <br />support using the condemnation process to obtain land if it was necessary. <br /> <br />Councilor Poling asked the council not to forget Mr. Defoe's testimony. He emphasized the importance of <br />putting the park proposal together with clarity so Mr. Defoe's horse enterprise would continue to thrive. <br /> <br />Councilor Poling commended City staff members, stating they had "done their homework." He was <br />convinced that the exchange provided the greatest benefit to the City. He opposed the amendment. <br /> <br />Councilor Meisner thanked staff for the informative responses to questions. He also thanked the citizens <br />who worked on comprehensive parks planning. <br /> <br />In response to a question from Councilor Meisner, Ms. Riner stated that condemnation had been used for <br /> <br />MINUTES--Eugene City Council July 12, 2004 Page 10 <br /> Regular Meeting <br /> <br /> <br />