CCMinutes - 07/21/04 WS - Laserfiche WebLink

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the value of Option A+ as a first step if Option D did not pass, as it would allow the City to maintain all of the rest of the options. He said the public support about the use of internal funds to build a new police facility was clear as public safety was essential. Ms. Taylor remarked that the need for a new City Hall was not a unanimous opinion and she was not convinced that the current building could not be retrofitted. She asked for an external, independent, expert opinion on whether the building could be retrofitted. She said it was as important to protect the people in City Hall from an earthquake as it was to protect police personnel. She reiterated her position that citizens should be able to vote on the use of internal funds. Mr. Pap6 stated, in response to Ms. Taylor's comments, that the issue of retrofitting City Hall had been investigated in 1999 and the estimated cost at that time was approximately $8 million for seismic retrofitting that did not include additional space. With respect to a vote on the use of internal funds, he said that councilors were elected to represent citizens and at some point needed to show leadership, as they did with the public library bond measure. Referring to Option B and providing space for agency partners in a public service building, Mr. Pap6 asked why those partners would not be charged rent or a rent equivalent. Mr. Carlson said the City's policy was to charge itself rent and the intent was the charge partners a rental rate that would cover the cost of facility operations and maintenance. Mr. Kelly asked if lease-to-own calculations had been conducted for any of the options. Mr. Carlson said that staff had examined lease-to-own issues extensively. He said his recollection was that between $3 million and $4 millions dollars per year from general funds would be required to make lease-to-own payments on a police facility. Mr. Kelly asked for a more extensive analysis of the issue. He acknowledged the validity of Mayor Torrey's comments regarding funding for a campaign, but said there was some value to a campaign for complete replacement of City Hall. He said that such a campaign would be a different discussion with voters from those held previously about police buildings. He shared Ms. Taylor's concerns about the negative perception of another measure for a police building and said that a broader conversation about the need to replace an inadequate facility could be helpful. He did not feel that Option A+ would pass because of current perceptions in the community about the Police Department. Mr. Carlson responded in support of Mayor Torrey's comments regarding reasons for constructing the police facility first. He said the Police Department was the largest user of space in City Hall and required a specialized facility that met enhanced seismic code standards. He said the other functions in City Hall were Municipal Court, the City Manager's Office, and Human Resource and Risk Services (HRRS). He said that all except Municipal Court could locate in generic office space. He said that Option A+ was a logical next step in the progression toward replacement of City Hall. Mr. Taylor commended the council and staff for their work since 2001 to begin the process with achievable goals, engaging the voters, identifying internal funding strategies, moving the Fire Station and some police functions, all while keeping the longer term goal of replacing City Hall as the vision. He hoped that the next logical step to bring City functions together and replace antiquated facilities could be taken. MINUTES--Eugene City Council July 21, 2004 Page 4 Work Session