CCMinutes - 07/12/04 Mtg - Laserfiche WebLink

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benefited the developers much more than the taxpayers. She felt the proposal disguised the fair market value and the benefit. Councilor Bettman thought the provision of this sort of benefit to all developers could have provided the City with more proposals to choose from. She pointed out that the property would be developed with very high intensity uses. She termed that quintessential leapfrog development, and suggested that the council was working at cross-purposes when it subsidized downtown development for its cost effectiveness using urban renewal dollars as well as this kind of "costly sprawl." Councilor Pap6 respectfully disagreed with Councilor Bettman. He said that whether the McDougals were receiving something more beneficial than the public was open to discussion. He stressed that the City had heard for years that it had failed to provide the residents of the northern area of Eugene with adequate parks and open space. He felt the land exchange would benefit those residents greatly. Councilor Pap6 asked for an explanation of the funding to purchase the property. Andrea Riner, Parks and Open Space Planning Manager, responded that there were funds set aside from the Parks and Open Space bond measure. Mr. Taylor added that $1 million had been designated for the exchange and would be used for the purchase. In response to another question from Councilor Pap6, Ms. Riner said systems development charges (SDCs) would be used to develop the park site. Councilor Pap6 asked if the land exchange proposal would save the City money. Ms. Riner replied that the exchange proposal would include spending the designated bond funding on the purchase of the Laurel Hill site. City Manager Taylor added that one proposal netted the City 40 acres while the other netted the City 270 acres, based on the best estimates of the fair market values of the acquisition of the property from a willing seller. Councilor Pap6 asked if it was a value to the public to conduct the exchange. City Manager Taylor affirmed it was, adding that it was his recommendation. Ms. Riner stated, in response to a further question from Councilor Pap6, that without the exchange the City did not have a willing seller. She said this would mean the City would have to engage in an eminent domain process, which would prolong the wait and cost money. Councilor Taylor felt Councilor Bettman had "done an excellent job" in arguing against the exchange. She supported the amendment. She did not think it was necessary to have 77 acres for the park and would support using the condemnation process to obtain land if it was necessary. Councilor Poling asked the council not to forget Mr. Defoe's testimony. He emphasized the importance of putting the park proposal together with clarity so Mr. Defoe's horse enterprise would continue to thrive. Councilor Poling commended City staff members, stating they had "done their homework." He was convinced that the exchange provided the greatest benefit to the City. He opposed the amendment. Councilor Meisner thanked staff for the informative responses to questions. He also thanked the citizens who worked on comprehensive parks planning. In response to a question from Councilor Meisner, Ms. Riner stated that condemnation had been used for the Willamette Greenway acquisition. Councilor Nathanson believed that citizens were benefiting from a good deal. She felt that purchasing the land outright would make the City pay more for less and would not achieve the protection of and access to the natural area in the South Hills. She called the exchange a solution that would provide the City with two "major assets," would meet the wishes of many citizens who had testified over the years and would not