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HomeMy WebLinkAboutResolution No. 4568 RESOLUTION NO. 4568 A RESOLUTION CALLING A CITY ELECTION ON NOVEMBER 3, 1998, FOR THE PURPOSE OF REFERRING TO THE LEGAL ELECTORS OF THE CITY OF EUGENE A MEASURE AUTHORIZING THE ISSUANCE OF $25,305,000, 20-YEAR GENERAL OBLIGATION BONDS FOR PURCHASE OF LAND, BUILDING OF PARKS AND REPLACEMENT OF AMAZON POOL. The City Council of the City of Eugene finds as follows: A. Parks and open space provide a place for citizens to enjoy time with family and friends and to meet other community members. Parks provide opportunities for youth and adult recreation that have a positive relationship to community health and public safety. The preservation of natural areas in and around Eugene provides needed habitat for wildlife and places for citizens to contemplate nature and find tranquillity in their daily lives. B. Eugene's current parks, natural areas and athletic fields were built in great part through the generosity of past voters. It has been over 20 years since Eugene citizens have had a chance to vote on a tax measure to rehabilitate or build new parks and buy park lands. C. When compared to other Oregon communities, Eugene's park system has fallen behind. On a per-person basis, Eugene is next to last among 12 Oregon communities for the provision of neighborhood parks and ballfields. There will not be enough athletic fields to serve the growing youth sports activities provided by non-profit recreation programs in Eugene (such as Kidsports, A YSO, YMCA and others). The Amazon Pool was built nearly 40 years ago and must be replaced soon before the existing pools and plumbing become impractical to maintain. One of Eugene's key natural features, the forested ridge line, is subject to additional development. Providing more parks and open space was a very high priority for the many citizens who participated in Eugene's Growth Management Study. D. Eugene has been the fortunate recipient of numerous donations of land, park facilities, park development and park maintenance by its citizens. The City, the Bethel and Eugene School Districts, and non-profit recreation programs have a long tradition of cooperating to provide maintenance and public recreation programs. Donations and cooperation will grow in the future but cannot provide for all of the needs for adequate parks and natural areas. E. This bond measure is intended to address the most critical needs in Eugene's parks and natural areas. With the funds from this bond measure, donations and other revenues, Eugene would be able to increase the size of its system of parks, athletic fields and natural areas to be about average among Oregon's 12 largest communities. This would double the number of neighborhood park acres and athletic fields for youth sports programs. These and other additions to Eugene's parks Resolution - 1 system would permanently improve Eugene's quality of life and services for all of the City's citizens. F. Several of Eugene's newer neighborhoods have far fewer parks than the older parts of the community. This proposal helps remedy the current inequities among neighborhoods in the distribution of parks. G. This park and open space proposal meets primary goals of the City Council and community in the areas of crime prevention, commitment to youth and growth management by responding to the recreation needs of youth and adults, improving the quality of life in Eugene, and protecting additional portions of the natural environment. H. With the passage of this bond measure, specific planning for park and natural area acquisition and park construction will begin. Park neighbors and Eugene citizens will be involved in the development of specific construction plans prior to the approval of final designs for a new park. Parks will be designed to allow for multiple use. If possible and appropriate, final park designs will incorporate and retain pre-existing natural areas as an element of the completed park. I. The City Council has determined that a measure authorizing 20 year General Obligation Bonds to finance the purchase of park and open space land, the construction of parks and athletic fields, and the replacement of the Amazon Pool should be referred to the electors of the City. The total estimated costs for these improvements and bond issuance costs is approximately $25,305,000. The tax rate is expected to be $0.386 per $1,000 of assessed value in the first year of the levy. A typical Eugene taxpayer will pay an average of $47.30 the first year of the levy. NOW, THEREFORE, based upon the above findings, BE IT RESOLVED BY THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF EUGENE, a Municipal Corporation of the State of Oregon, as follows: Section 1. A city election is called for the purpose of submitting to the qualified voters of the City a measure authorizing the issuance of $25,305,000, 20-year General Obligation bonds to be used for the purchase of land for parks, building of parks and replacement of the Amazon Pool. Section 2. The City Council orders this city election to be held in the City of Eugene, Oregon, concurrently with the general election on the 3rd day of November, 1998, in accordance with the provisions of Chapter 254 of the Oregon Revised Statutes, and the ballots shall be counted and tabulated and the results certified as provided by law. Section 3. The City Recorder is directed to give not less than ten (10) days' notice of the city election by publication of one (1) notice in the Register Guard, a newspaper published in the City and of general circulation within the City. Resolution - 2 Section 4. If approved by the electors, the proceeds from the sale of the bonds will be used only for costs related to purchase of land for parks and open space, the construction of parks and athletic fields on public land, and the replacement of Amazon Pool. More specifically, the funds can be used for costs associated with the construction of neighborhood and community parks, and youth sports parks; replacement of Amazon Pool; upgrading existing athletic fields and parks on public land; acquisition of land for neighborhood and community parks and open space; and payment of bond issuance costs. The foregoing Resolution adopted the 22nd day of July, 1998. /J' c- ~ fly r City Recorder Resolution - 3 CITY OF EUGENE INTER-DEPARTMENTAL MEMORANDUM CITY ATTORNEY - CIVIL DEPARTMENT To: Warren Wong Administrative Services Director Date: July 28, 1998 Subject: "Eugene Parks General Obligation Bonds" Ballot Title Enclosed please find a ballot title for the proposed initiative concerning general obligations bonds for parks. This ballot title is prepared pursuant to Eugene Code Section 2.977 and ORS 250.035. Please call if you have questions. HARRANG LONG GARY RUDNICK P.C. - CITY ATTORNEYS Glenn ~l<;;J :. GK/gb Enclosure gb \gkcity\ballots \parksbonds-cm Iv() - p ::r TITLE: "EUGENE PARKS GENERAL OBLIGATION BONDS" Question: Shall City issue $25,305,000 general obligation bonds to purchase parkland, build parks and youth sports fields and replace Amazon Pool? If the bonds are approved, they will be payable from taxes on property or property ownership that are not subject to the limits of Sections 11 and lIb, Article XI of the Oregon Constitution. Summary: If approved by the electors, the proceeds from the sale of the bonds will be used for costs related to the purchase of land for parks and open space, the construction of parks and athletic fields on public land, and the replacement of Amazon Pool. Proj ects will include the construction of neighborhood and community parks; construction of youth sports parks; replacement of Amazon Pool; upgrading existing athletic fields and parks on public land; acquisition of land for neighborhood and community parks; acquisition of open space; and payment of bond issuance costs.