CCMinutes - 01/12/04 WS - Laserfiche WebLink

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of having trains pass over City streets in residential neighborhoods without signals, and suggested that careful analysis was required. Ms. Solomon wished the council a Happy New Year and indicated she had no items. Mr. Kelly noted the move of Fiesta Latina from Eugene to Springfield and the rationale behind the move, which seemed reasonable given the limitations of the existing Eugene venues. He said Eugene had many tremendous outdoor assets such as those mentioned by City Manager Taylor. He suggested that the City take the opportunity presented by the move of Fiesta Latina to consider how it could better support such events. He suggested that the manager examine the work done by the Parks Blocks Placemaking Commit- tee. He said that it was in the community's interest that such events prospered. Mr. Kelly said he did not have the opportunity to review the administrative rules associated with the downtown ordinance, and requested a memorandum explaining what the rules do and do not do. A quick perusal had raised more questions than answers for him. Mr. Kelly reported he attended the Citizens State of the City and thanked the organizers for bringing together diverse points of view. He had been disappointed that, unlike the prior two years, he had seen no City staff in attendance, which he found unfortunate. Mr. Kelly endorsed Ballot Measure 30 and said it was a bipartisan bill that the voters should support. Ms. Taylor also supported Ballot Measure 30. Mr. Meisner said he would be unable to attend the regular meeting later in the evening and indicated he had asked City Manager Taylor to seek counsel from the City Attorney and the incoming police chief about the new administrative rules associated with the downtown ordinance. City Manager Taylor indicated his belief that the concerns that had been raised about the ordinance could be addressed, and said staff had been working on the issue since the ordinance's passage. He stressed the interim nature of the administrative rules. He asked the council to give staff some time to work through the issues. City Manager Taylor indicated he received a letter from Roy Orr of McKenzie-Willamette/Triad indicating that the site at 2nd Avenue and Chambers Street was not of interest to the hospital, and thanking the City for its offer of assistance. City Manager Taylor expressed appreciation to City employees for their effort during the recent bad weather. He shared a story about an employee who had walked two miles to reach work at 5 a.m. each morning in order to clear the sidewalks for his fellow employees and facility patrons. Mayor Torrey commended the recent anniversary celebration at the library, held January 10. Mayor Torrey endorsed Ballot Measure 30, saying it was essential to give the legislature time to deal with the State funding picture. Mayor Torrey reported he had asked City Manager Taylor to come up with a proposal for his economic development committee to present to the council. He asked Ms. Taylor to consider the proposed make-up of MINUTES--Eugene City Council January 12, 2004 Page 3 Work Session