CCMinutes - 08/09/04 Mtg - Laserfiche WebLink

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the Oregon Administrative Rules (OARs) called for communities to inventory substantially under-utilized land, that term was not defined in the OARs. He believed that Mr. Duncan, the author of the Eugene Area Chamber of Commerce's study, had implicitly defined %ubstantially underutilized" in a way that precluded the examination of much redevelopment potential. Councilor Kelly wanted a study that gave the council the facts about that issue. Councilor Kelly suggested that, as recommended by the mayor's committee, the study look at the potential of parcel assembly. Mayor Torrey said he hoped the motion was not tabled, and suggested alternatively it be amended to call for the establishment of an RFP to be reviewed by the Metro Partnership's Board of Directors. He noted that all jurisdictions were represented on the board and that Councilor Kelly was his alternate on the board and would ensure a thorough evaluation of the RFP. He asked the council to avoid micromanaging the study. He believed the community knew how such a study could be done. Councilor Taylor favored tabling the motion to give the council the opportunity to develop criteria to guide the consultant. Councilor Poling pointed out that Eugene was only one of three jurisdictions participating in the study, and suggested that the council's motion regarding the issue be simple. He did not want to overcomplicate the issue and suggested the scope of the study be left to the Metro Partnership and the consultant ultimately hired. He wanted to proceed with the study following the State guidelines that govern the issue. Councilor Poling said Eugene's funding was crucial to completing the study. He believed the study was one small step to the road to the community's economic recovery; while no one thing would accomplish that alone. In addition, the study would assist the City in planning for the future for all land types. Councilor Poling, seconded by Councilor Pap~, moved to amend the motion as follows: ~To provide $15,000 in contingency funds for the commercial/industrial lands study pend- ing an RPF approval by the Lane Metro Partnership Board." Mayor Torrey called for comments on the amendment. Councilor Kelly did not support the amendment. He said the dynamics of the board meetings he had attended did not lend themselves to the appropriate review of such a document. While he did not think the council should review the RFP, he did want to review the proposed scope of work in September. Councilor Bettman also opposed the amendment. She agreed with Councilor Kelly that it would be micromanaging to review an RFP, she believed the council could establish some guiding principles for the components of the study. Councilor Bettman was concerned about the fact a contractor had already been named as well as the expedited six-month process called for in the scope of work. She feared an expedited process would lead to an inadequate study. Councilor Bettman said there was no emergency or need for an expedited timeline, and there was time to inculcate the City's needs and requirements into the process. Councilor Bettman expressed hope the amendment was voted down and a work session held to review the scope of work that allowed the council to provide criteria to guide the study process. Councilor Solomon indicated support for the motion and thanked the mayor for his suggestion. She was concerned about attempts to discredit the Metro Partnership's Board of Directors or Mr. Roberts. She MINUTES--Eugene City Council August 9, 2004 Page 11 Regular Session