CC Minutes - 02/13/06 Meeting - Laserfiche WebLink

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Mayor Piercy called for comments on the motion. Councilor Pryor said he reviewed the issue carefully and believed he could support the findings with the provision there were ways for the owner-occupied properties to address the costs of the assessment in some fashion. Councilor Bettman said the proposal was consistent with the City’s assessment policies, with which she did not agree, so she would vote against the motion. She questioned what other neighborhoods the City would identify to improve alley access after this, and said that such an assessment could be devastating to the average homeowner. Councilor Papé was supportive of efforts to improve City alleys and he was happy to start in west Eugene. He referred to the soft costs referred to in the minutes and asked if the 28.5 percentage for engineering fees cited was accurate. Mr. Klope did not know where that figure came from. The project was charged the actual costs of staff time. He believed that the concerns cited by residents with regard to costs were based on the fact that City engineering costs included overhead as well as benefit costs. Councilor Papé said he would like the City to do such a project using private companies and compare that to the City’s costs as he frequently heard complaints about the City’s higher costs. Councilor Papé said he was also concerned about the perception of “bait and switch” in the costs as evidenced by the minutes. He thought that created a breach in the public trust. Mr. Klope noted the earlier estimates were done prior to the design. Councilor Papé acknowledged that but thought it a poor practice. City Manager Taylor called Councilor Papé’s attention to a table comparing the City’s charge out rates with private rates, showing the City’s rates were lower. Councilor Taylor indicated she would vote against the motion because she did not think the City’s assessment system was fair and many did not want the proposed improvements. Even with ten years to pay, the assessments were a significant amount of money for many residents. City Manager Taylor noted the ordinance had an immediate effective date, requiring six affirmative votes to proceed. There would be additional costs associated with any delay. Councilor Pryor determined that it was City policy to assess for 100 percent of the costs of sidewalks. Councilor Kelly recalled the work done by a subcommittee of the City Council, which had developed the system after a great deal of study. That did not preclude future changes. He pointed out, however, that while the Garden Club was a nonprofit organization, so was PeaceHealth. Mayor Piercy suggested there may be communication issues as representatives of a church she spoke to believe the church was exempt from the assessment, which was not the case. Councilor Taylor responded to Councilor Kelly, saying that said the Garden Club did not make money and PeaceHealth did. Roll call vote; the motion passed, 6:2; councilors Taylor and Bettman voting no. MINUTES—Eugene City Council February 13, 2006 Page 11 Regular Meeting