CCMinutes - 02/09/04 WS - Laserfiche WebLink

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Ms. Solomon said she had recently received several constituent contacts that the City Manager helped her dispose of satisfactorily. She found that exciting as it gave residents a good feeling about the City. Planning and Police staff had been very receptive. City Manager Taylor reminded the council of the joint elected officials meeting at the Library the following day. Mr. Meisner reported that neighbors in the vicinity of 5th Avenue and Lawrence Street recently learned that a residential facility for sex offenders was planned in the area. Neighbors were very concerned. Staff had indicated to him it was a legal use and nothing could be done. He asked how the council's siting policies and good neighbor agreement applied in this situation, noting that neighbors were told nothing about the project. He understood neighbors were to be notified. Mayor Torrey endorsed Mr. Meisner's comments, saying it was not fair to expect one area of the city to have responsibility for housing social services. Mayor Torrey expressed interest in monitoring the State budget picture between now and the special session in June 2004. He said the tax reform committee that had been established would be meeting before that time, and the co-chair had indicated it was highly unlikely the outcome of that process would be actual tax reform. He suggested the council assume that it would live with the budget that it had. It would have to prioritize expenditures as it did not have the dollars to pay for everything that everyone wanted. He anticipated the State legislature would be pressed to go after the revenues the State shared with the cities. B. WORK SESSION: Continued Discussion on Priorities for the Planning Division Work Program City Manager Taylor introduced Planning and Development Director Tom Coyle and Planning Director Susan Muir, who were present to continue a discussion on the Planning Division's work plan which commenced on December 1, 2003. Mr. Coyle said that the materials before the council had been revised for clarity. He said staff recommended the following as top priorities: 1) the nodal program; 2) minor amendments to the Land Use Code; 3) courthouse and downtown projects; 4) Goal 5 products; and 5) emerging issues. He invited questions and comments. Mr. Pap~ noted his interest in code changes related to the siting of medical clinics. Ms. Muir noted that the item was Item 42 in the list of priorities. Mr. Pap~ indicated his interest in raising the item higher in priority. Ms. Taylor expressed interest in having a higher priority assigned to work on the tree ordinance. Ms. Bettman, seconded by Mr. Poling, moved to affirm the Planning Divi- sion Work Program in Attachment A. Mayor Torrey called for discussion regarding and amendments to the motion. Ms. Taylor thought cell towers were also an urgent issue that needed to be addressed because they were MINUTES--Eugene City Council February 9, 2004 Page 3 Work Session