CCMinutes - 02/25/04 WS - Laserfiche WebLink

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make it easier to conduct City business. He agreed that the police department should be separate for security reasons. He opined that, unlikely as it seemed, should someone decide to attack the Eugene City government it would be good to have safety services in a separate facility. Mr. Poling approved of making the Civic Center a mixed-use area, adding a coffee shop and other amenities. He called it a ;;great vision." Mr. Meisner agreed with everything that had been said thus far. He concurred with concerns expressed by Ms. Nathanson on financing and sequencing. He supported the development of a Civic Center that could consolidate City services. He said this would free some downtown properties which could then be sold and placed back on tax rolls. Mr. Meisner was not interested in developing the ;;IHOP block," as it ;;presented more questions than answers." Mr. Meisner supported the idea of the center being a mixed-use area. He noted that the coffee and book shops in the library had been more successful than had been predicted. He thought the Police Department should be part of the complex. Mr. Meisner asked if there had been discussion on how the transition would be conducted. Mr. Taylor responded that the transition presented ;;intriguing issues." He thought vacated courtrooms could provide temporary housing. In response to a question from Mr. Meisner, Mr. Svendsen explained that it was planned that the police facility would be built first and the police would remain in the City Hall complex until it was completed. Mr. Meisner reiterated that, as the process unfolded, he hoped costs would be identified and transitions costs would be included. Ms. Bettman commended the charette, calling it a successful and inclusive process. She wanted the inclusive process to continue. She expressed disappointment that the committee had been formed and she had no knowledge of it prior to seeing the information in the council packet. She requested a list of committee members. She said she hoped it was an inclusive list and, if not, she hoped the council would have the opportunity to make it more inclusive of a broader range of the public. Ms. Bettman favored a combined facility, or if this was not possible, an associated facility. She supported the horseshoe design for the building, as it would help people and departments to mix and would create a central courtyard. Ms. Bettman recommended that staff bring a rough sense of costs before the council as it becomes known. She concurred with Mr. Meisner that transitional costs should be included. Ms. Bettman expressed apprehension at the inclusion of commercial space that would compete with other downtown businesses. She liked the traditional idea of having the Civic Center be the seat of government. Mr. Pap~ conveyed his appreciation for the process. He supported holding a work session to educate the council on financing potentialities. MINUTES--Eugene City Council February 25, 2004 Page 3 Work Session