CC Minutes - 02/27/06 Work Session

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Mr. Papé? then reported on a suggestion which came out of the LCOG Board meeting that there may be some overlap within standing committees, including the Lane Metro Partnership, the Lane Economic Committee, and the Lane Economic Advisory Committee. He said that consolidation of one or more of these committees may occur. Ms. Taylor reported that the Lane Regional Air Protection Agency Board continued to struggle with the issue of odors filtering out of industries into the community. She then referred to a previous set of minutes which noted that the council was to discuss “stormwater” in relationship to development in February or March. City Manager Dennis Taylor reported that that item was an assignment to staff at this point and would be brought to the council on March 13. Ms. Taylor reminded staff that the council requested a discussion on the implementation of a “naming” policy. She asked that the City Manager arrange for a way in which such a discussion can be held. Mr. Pryor reported that on recent activities of the Lane County Metro Partnership, noting the openings of the Royal Caribbean and Williams offices scheduled to occur in April. He shared that there was a discussion around the decrease in “leads” throughout the state, as the type of land and property requests being received were not currently available. Mr. Pryor explained that these requests were very specific with regard to needs, properties, and infrastructures. He moved on to agenda items which included new member orientation and the 2006 Work Plan. Mr. Pryor reminded the council that the five targeted industries for the Lane County Metro Partnership were recreational vehicles and equipment, natural resources and specialties, life technology, customer service “back-office,” and software. Mr. Pryor proceeded to report on the February Human Services Commission meeting, which included a report on the budget and the fact that community need was increasing whereas the funds were not adequate for that need. Mr. Pryor said that discussions to stabilize funding have begun. In conclusion, Mr. Pryor said that the Enterprise Zone Committee conducted its last meeting and adopted its final set of standards. He spoke highly of the process and complimented the members of the committee for their exemplary efforts. Mr. Poling reported that the Metropolitan Wastewater Management Group distributed Requests for Proposals (RFPs) and purchased equipment for the 20-year facility upgrade at a cost of $144 million. He said the majority of the work would be completed at the front end of the project as many of the upgrades were the result of more rigid standards. Mr. Poling concluded that an authorization of expenditure for a computer program to monitor the entire project has been approved. Mr. Pape? took the floor once again to explain the inter-relationship between the Metropolitan Planning Organization (MPO) and the Metropolitan Policy Committee (MPC). He said that the MPC was established by Eugene, Springfield, and Lane County as a problem-solving body; the MPO was an organization designated by the governor, which subsequently delegated most of its authority in regard to transportation planning to the MPC. However, members of the LCOG Board had recently expressed concerns that responsibilities with regard to planning for roads and streets have become muddled and have discussed reassuming that responsibility. Mr. Kelly pointed out that MPO, while appointed by the governor, exists mainly because of fact the Eugene-Springfield area was a Transportation Management Area (TMA) and must adhere to federal law requirements; additionally, some of its statutes dictate that both Lane Transit District (LTD) and the Oregon Department of Transportation (ODOT) be “at the table” which was problematic for the LCOG Board unless it was somehow restructured. MINUTES—Eugene City Council February 27, 2006 Page 2 Work Session