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HomeMy WebLinkAbout03/19/1986 Meeting (2) . e e M I NUT E S Eugene City Council City Council Chamber March 19, 1986 Noon COUNCILORS PRESENT: Freeman Holmer, Emily Schue, Cynthia Wooten, Ruth Bascom, Debra Ehrman, Jeff Miller. COUNCILORS ABSENT: Richard Hansen, Roger Rutan. The adjourned meeting from March 17, 1986, of the City Council of the 'City of Eugene, Oregon, was called to order by His Honor Mayor Brian B. Obie. I. ITEMS FROM MAYOR, COUNCIL, AND CITY MANAGER; APPOINTMENTS; ANNOUNCEMENTS; AGENDA ADJUSTMENTS A. Luncheon in Honor of Ruby Brenne Mayor Obie announced that Council President Hansen is representing the council at the luncheon in honor of Ruby Brenne, who is retiring as a staff member of the Eugene Area Chamber of Commerce. B. Celebration of Arbor Week Councilor Bascom said Arbor Week begins April 7 and Wednesday, April 9, has been designated Arbor Day in Eugene. She invited the other councilors to celebrate Arbor Day by planting trees during a ceremony on April 9 at the Blue Heron Bike Bridge. Mayor Obie asked the staff to reserve a City van for the councilors on April 9. C. Widening of 6th and 7th Avenues Councilor Miller asked about arrangements for through traffic, as well as local traffic, when 6th and 7th avenues are improved this summer. City Manager Micheal Gleason said the project will probably take two years and only one street will be improved at a time. He said specific traffic arrangements cannot be made until the bids are let. Mr. Miller asked the staff to schedule a council discussion of the traffic design. MINUTES--Eugene City Council March 19, 1986 Page 1 e e e D. Advisory Committee to Encourage Crime Prevention Mr. Miller said he learned several ways to include citizens in crime preven- tion at the National League of Cities meetings recently. He would like to work with the committee on crime prevention that Ms. Wooten has suggested creating. E. Oregon Highway Commission Responding to a request from Mayor Obie, Mr. Gleason discussed a meeting of the Oregon Highway Commission yesterday at Tillamook. He said he intends to get more complete information. He said Public Works Director Christine Andersen was told by the Oregon Department of Transportation (ODOT) staff that the meeting would begin at 9 a.m., but, when she arrived, she learned it had begun at 8 a.m. and a decision on the 6th/7th widening project had been made. She was told by the chair of the commission that no decision should be made about the Eugene 6th/7th avenues widening project until all the public hear- ings on the Six-Year Plan have been held. Because no other commissioner objected to the statement, the money for the project was not allocated from the Modernization Fund. Mr. Gleason understood that the money from the Modernization Fund will be allocated at the next meeting when the Six-Year Plan will also be discussed. Mr. Gleason said the Eugene staff will attend the next meeting of the Highway Commission and it would be helpful if someone would argue on the City's behest that the Modernization Funds money should be allocated promptly. Mayor Obie asked Mr. Gleason to request time on the Highway Commissionls next agenda. F. Fund Raiser for Eugene Celebration Councilor Ehrman said the recent community event to raise funds for the Eugene Celebration was very successful. G. March 4 Meeting of Historic Review Board Councilor Holmer said the Historic Review Board met in the Council Chamber on March 4 to consider a Historic Landmark designation for the Mayflower Theater. He said the reports of the meeting were disparaging and inappropriate with respect to Sacred Heart General Hospital. He said the hospital staff docu- mented for the hearing a record of its participation in the development of plans it intended to pursue. Mr. Holmer said he supports the role of the hospital in the neighborhood and the action it took with respect to the Mayflower Theater. H. Lottery Funds for Airport Expansion Councilor Wooten congratulated Mayor Obie, the City staff, and the City Attorney's staff for overcoming many obstacles and obtaining State lottery funds for the airport expansion. Mayor Obie congratulated City Manager Gleason for the successful effort. MINUTES--Eugene City Council March 19, 1986 Page 2 e e e I. Civic Emergency Fund Ms. Wooten said she does not think a proposal to dissolve the Boxing Commis- sion which would eliminate the Civic Emergency Fund is appropriate. She would like to discuss it with the staff and other councilors. Later in the meeting, she suggested the council also discuss a process for using an emergency fund. Councilor Schue said the council needs a small amount of money for emergencies. J. Advisory Committee to Encourage Crime Prevention Ms. Wooten said she has attended neighborhood association meetings recently and learned the problem with transients is growing in the Whiteaker community. She asked the staff to investigate a Portland ordinance which bans the sale of fortified (20 percent) wine in certain areas of the city because it is some- times bought by transients. She would like the investigation completed before the Advisory Committee on Crime Prevention begins work. K. Trip to Sister City Mayor Obie introduced State Representative Larry Campbell, who led a group of 18 people to Kakegawa, Eugene's Sister City, last December. The group was in Japan for the Mirage Bowl and spent two days in Kakegawa. Mr. Campbell said the people in the group said they would have liked to spend eight days in Kakegawa. Mr. Campbell said the training given the group by the Eugene Friendship Association was very appropriate. He said the Japanese people are gracious and hospitable. The Kakegawans honor their relationship with the people of Eugene. He said it is important for Eugeneans to foster the rela- tionship. He suggested the City send information about what is happening in Eugene to the Kakegawa quarterly. Mr. Campbell was wearing a Happy Coat. He said it typified the trip to Kakegawa. Mayor Obie said a delegation from Kakegawa will be in Eugene August 17, 18, and 19. He will lead a delegation from Eugene to Kakegawa in October. He invited citizens who would like to go to contact him. He said he and the other delegates must pay their own expenses. L. Presentation of Girl Scout Cookies Stacey Halpern presented a box of Girl Scout cookies to Mayor Obie. She represented the Western Rivers Girl Scout Council. She said the sale of cookies provides about 50 percent of the Girl Scout revenues. She encouraged people to buy the cookies. MINUTES--Eugene City Council March 19, 1986 Page 3 II. ROUTINE ITEMS FOR COUNCIL APPROVAL e A. City Council Minutes of: January 13, 1986, January 27, 1986, Dinner/Work Session of February 10, 1986; meeting of February 10, 1986; February 12, 1986; and February 19, 1986 (minutes distributed) Ms. Ehrman moved, seconded by Ms. Schue, to approve the City Council minutes of January 13, January 21, February 10, February 12, and February 19, 1986. Roll call vote; the motion carried unanimously, 6:0. B. Segregation of Assessment for Property Located on the Southeast Corner of Royal Avenue and Danebo Street (applicant: Robert G. Nielsen) (SE 86-1) Ms. Ehrman moved, seconded by Ms. Schue, to approve the segrega- tion of assessment as noted. Roll call vote; the motion carried unanimously, 6:0. C. Call for Public Hearing Concerning Abatement of Unsafe Structures and Equipment at 717 Highway 99 North (memo, background information distributed) e City Manager Micheal Gleason introduced the item. Ms. Wooten said she was contacted by the owner of the property. Responding to her questions, Larry Reed of the Public Works Department said the water ser- vice to the property is a health hazard because it is not safe and not sani- tary. He said the sanitary sewer allows waste to leak out onto the ground through open sewer connections. He did not know why the owner is not willing to upgrade the utilities. He said some of the problems could be solved by putting caps on some sewer connections. Ms. Ehrman moved, seconded by Ms. Schue, to call a public hear- ing for April 14, 1986, to consider an appeal of a dangerous building posting at 711 Highway 99 North. Roll call vote; the motion carried unanimously, 6:0. III. POSTPONEMENT OF PUBLIC HEARING FOR PROPOSED VACATION OF PORTION OF EAST 15TH AVENUE (William Trotter) (SV 86-l) (memo, map distributed) City Manager Micheal Gleason said the applicant and the Planning Department staff support the postponement of the public hearing. Ms. Ehrman moved, seconded by Ms. Schue, to postpone considera- tion of vacation of a portion of East 15th Avenue east of Fair- mount Boulevard until May 12, 1986. Roll call vote; the motion carried unanimously 6:0. e MINUTES--Eugene City Council March 19, 1986 Page 4 - e IV. PUBLIC HEARING: REQUEST FOR STREET NAME CHANGE (Meltebeke, et al) (SC 86-1) (memo, map, background information distributed) City Manager Micheal Gleason introduced the item. He said every-one affected by the change agreed to it. Mayor Obie opened the public hearing. There being no requests to testify, he closed the public hearing. CB 2878--An ordinance concerning the change in street name from Regent Avenue to Boardwalk Avenue and declaring an emergency. Ms. Ehrman moved, seconded by Ms. Schue, that the bill be read the second time by council bill number only, with unanimous consent of the council, and that enactment be considered at this time. Mr. Holmer expressed a concern about including the phrase "declaring an emer- gency" when there is no real emergency. Answering his question, Mr. Gleason said "declaring an emergency" means the bill is effective today. Otherwise, it does not become effective for 30 days. City Attorney Tim Sercombe said he understood Mr. Holmerls concern. Roll call vote; the motion carried unanimously, 6:0. e Council Bill 2878 was read the second time by council bill number only. Ms. Ehrman moved, seconded by Ms. Schue, that the bill be approved and given final passage. Roll call vote; all council- ors present voting aye, the bill was declared passed (and became Ordinance #19379). V. RESOLUTION/ORDINANCE CALLING AN ELECTION FOR THE DOWNTOWN DEVELOPMENT DISTRICT FREE PARKING (memo, resolution/ordinance distributed) Res. No. 3963--A resolution referring Ballot Measure 51 to the legal voters of the city of Eugene, authorizing the City to tax voters of property within the Downtown Development District $194,142 outside the constitutional limitation for 1986-87. Ms. Ehrman moved, seconded by Ms. Schue, to adopt the resolution. Roll call vote; the motion carried unanimously, 6:0. e MINUTES--Eugene City Council Ma rch 19, 1986 Page 5 e CB 2876--An ordinance ordering a special City election to be conducted by the Lane County Elections Department on May 20, 1986, for the purpose of referring to the legal voters of the City of Eugene a measure authorizing a $194,142 tax on ownership of real property in the Downtown Development District; adopting polling places and providing for all acts necessary for the carrying on of said election; and declaring an emergency. Ms. Ehrman moved, seconded by Ms. Schue, that the bill be read the second time by council bill number only, with unanimous consent of the council, and that enactment be considered at this time. Roll call vote; the motion carried unanimously, 6:0. Council Bill 2876 was read the second time by council bill number only. Ms. Ehrman moved, seconded by Ms. Schue, that the bill be approved and given final passage. Roll call vote; all council- ors present voting aye, the bill was declared passed (and became Ordinance #19380). e VI. RESOLUTION ADJUSTING BUILDING PERMIT FEES AND PLANS EXAMINATION FEES (memo, resolution, background information distributed) City Manager Micheal Gleason said the council held a publi"c hearing on the adjustment of building permit and plans examination fees in February and directed the staff to prepare the proposed resolution which will authorize the City Manager to adjust bUilding permit and plans examination fees. Res. No. 3968--A resolution concerning construction fees; repealing Resolution Nos. 3320, 3321, 3322, 3324, and 3457; and providing an effective date. Ms. Ehrman moved, seconded by Ms. Schue, to adopt the resolu- tion. Roll call vote; the motion carried unanimously, 6:0. VII. RESOLUTION AMENDING SLUDGE DISPOSAL AGREEMENT (memo, resolution distributed) City Manager Micheal Gleason introduced the discussion. Public Works Director Christine Andersen gave the staff report. She said the 1983 sludge disposal package for the Department of Environmental Quality (DEQ) review included an intergovernmental agreement to allow disposal of sludge at the Short Mountain Landfill subject to provision of a policy insuring Lane County against envi- ronmental impairment claims caused by the sludge and an agreement to hold Lane County harmless from any environmental impairment caused by the sludge. She said the City has not deposited any sludge and does not anticipate depositing any sludge at the Short Mountain Landfill. Lane County has agreed to delete the two conditions from the intergovernmental agreement. e MINUTES--Eugene City Council March 19, 1986 Page 6 e Res. No. 3969--A resolution authorizing execution of amendment to intergovernmental agreement for sludge dis- posal at the Short Mountain Landfill. Ms. Ehrman moved, seconded by Ms. Schue, to adopt the resolu- tion. Roll call vote; the motion carried unanimously, 6:0. Mayor Obie recessed the meeting of the Eugene City Council and called to order a meeting of the Eugene Urban Renewal Agency. VIII. 11TH AND WILLAMETTE LAND OFFERING (memo, resolution, background informa- tion distributed) City Manager Micheal Gleason introduced the discussion of the 11th Avenue and Willamette land offering. Greg Byrne of the Development Department gave the staff report. He said the property at 11th and Willamette (parcel 134B) was purchased early in the Federal Urban Renewal Project and has been used as a surface parking lot. e Mr. Byrne reviewed recent changes in the downtown and said development of 11th and Wi11amette will be a successful step in the revitalization of the southern end of the central business district. He said private developers have expressed interest in the property. He said the proposed resolution will put the property on the market. It will also establish a process for selecting a developer and accepting a design in accordance with guidelines recommended by the Downtown Commission. Answering questions from Ms. Wooten, Mr. Byrne said five stories are not required in the guidelines because the Urban Renewal Plan contains a 4:1 ratio of development to land. The lot is 24,000 square feet and four stories seems to be the limit. However, it is hoped a five-story design with visual interest will be submitted. He said the council, acting as the Urban Renewal Agency, will approve the design. Mr. Holmer said the guidelines for development seem very specific. He also noted that the list of ineligible developers includes "an employee of the Agency or City of Eugene who exercises responsibility concerning the pro- ject." He suggested the statement be changed to indicate that no employee of the City would be eligible. Mr. Byrne responded that the guidelines are a basis for negotiation and will alert developers to concerns. Mr. Gleason recommended against the suggested change because a blanket prohibition of City employees has caused problems in the past. He said it is better to require statements of conflicts of interest and assess each case. e Replying to questions from Ms. Ehrman, Mr. Byrne said qualifications must be submitted within the 30-day period indicated in the offering. If there is no response within 30 days, the offering will be withdrawn. He reviewed the process the Downtown Commission will use to recommend a developer to the council. He said some people think this is not a good time to submit an offering, but people have indicated an interest in the property and it will be two or three years before space in a building developed on the site would be MINUTES--Eugene City Council March 19, 1986 Page 7 e available. Representatives of Lane Community College and the new owners of the McDonald Theatre have indicated they are pleased with the offering. He said the Overpark will provide some parking and the development is to provide parking for its tenants and the public. Answering other questions from Mr. Holmer, Mr. Byrne said a reuse appraisal takes into account restrictions and guidelines imposed on the development by the Renewal Agency. The reuse appraisal for the offering was made this month. The $10,000 finderls fee is paid from the $64,000 price for the land. Replying to questions from Mr. Miller and Ms. Schue, Mr. Byrne said the coun- cil could change the offering to indicate the highest bid would be accepted. He said selling the property for a fixed price will permit the City to empha- size the qualifications of the development team. The Downtown Commission will review the qualifications of developers with criteria in the offering and make a recommendation to the council, which will make the final selection. Several councilors commented on the proposal. Referring to Section 2-F in the offering, Ms. Wooten said she does not want money from the Business Develop- ment Fund included in the package offered a developer. She said cuts in Community Block Grants may reduce the fund. She would not object to using the Business Development Fund to help new retail tenants. She would like to require a building on the property to have at least five stories. e Mr. Holmer agreed with Ms. Wooten about the height of the building. He hoped the solar access protection provisions will not preclude a five-story building. Ms. Schue agreed with Ms. Wooten about the use of the Business Development Fund. Responding to a question from Mayor Obie, Mr. Byrne said the City staff does not intend to use the Business Development Fund for a long-term real estate mortgage. The fund is more suited to loans for working capital, but the fund has been used in the past for long-term loans that could be called in. He was comfortable with the limitations expressed by the council, although the Development Department had not intended to limit the use of the Business Development Fund to helping tenants. He said Tax Increment funds and other Urban Renewal Agency tools can help a developer. Ms. Wooten complimented the staff on the preparation of the offering. She said she is excited about the possibilities. Mayor Obie said he is comfortable with the explanation about the height of the building. He encouraged the council to approve the proposal as presented. e Res. No. 920 --A resolution of the Urban Renewal Agency of the City of Eugene approving the method of selecting a redeveloper for the redevelopment sale of Parcel 134B of the Central Eugene Project. Ms. Ehrman moved, seconded by Ms. Schue, to adopt the resolution subject to a prohibition on the use of the Business Development Fund in the developer's package. Roll call vote; the motion carried unanimously, 6:0. MINUTES--Eugene City Council March 19, 1986 Page 8 e Mayor Obie adjourned the meeting of the Eugene Urban Renewal Agency and reconvened the meeting of the Eugene City Council. e IX. URBAN TRANSITION: PLANNING AND BUILDING SERVICES (memo, background information distributed) Mayor Obie said two people had asked to speak during the council IS considera- tion of the transition of planning and building services. He said the City had not advertised a public hearing on the matter and might incur legal liability if people on only one side of a controversy spoke. City Manager Micheal Gleason introduced Planning Director Susan Brody. She said the Urban Services Policy Committee is working on the transition of urban services from Lane County to the cities. The committee has approved several concept papers and an intergovernmental agreement for transferring planning and building services for the area between the Eugene city limits and the urban growth boundary. A similar transfer of services is being planned for Springfield. She recommended the council approve the agreement. Ms. Brody said the Lane County Planning Department processes all land use applications for the area between the Eugene city limits and the urban growth boundary, and the Eugene Planning Department reviews the applications. The process is cumbersome and the new process will be simpler. She said the Metro Plan indicates that land use development in the unincorporated areas within the urban growth area should conform to City standards when possible. After Lane County adopts the City code for property between the Eugene city limits and the urban growth boundary, the Eugene Planning and BUilding staffs, Hear- ings Official, and Planning Commission will consider land use applications for the area. e Ms. Brody said the transition will mean a 10- to 15-percent increase in work for the City staff. She said the intergovernmental agreement indicates that the transfer of resources will be resolved before the agreement is implemented in January 1987. Mr. Holmer asked Ms. Brody or Ms. Schue, who are on the Urban Services Policy Committee, to indicate what the people who wanted to testify would have said. Ms. Brody said the people probably would have indicated reservations about the need to conform to City standards and to sign annexation agreements to develop their properties. She said they may testify before the Lane County Commis- sioners when the commissioners consider adopting the City Code for property between the Eugene city limits and the urban growth boundary. She said the agreement will not affect development in the area very much, and it will streamline the development process because property owners will not have to consult both the County and the City. She said development in the area is very restricted until the properties are annexed to the city. Responding to Mr. Holmer's request, Ms. Schue said the Urban Services Policy Committee has considered the transfer of urban services to be a staff issue because it concerns which jurisdiction the public will contact. The committee has not requested public comment. She said the council may want to schedule a public hearing. MINUTES--Eugene City Council March 19, 1986 Page 9 e Mr. Miller said the intergovernmental agreement will affect future citizens of Eugene. It indicates that the City will expand to the urban growth boundary and development within it should conform to City standards. Responding to questions from Ms. Wooten, Mr. Gleason said the regulations governing development in the area between the city limits and the urban growth boundary will be adopted by the Lane County Commissioners after they hold a pUblic hearing. The City will only administer the regulations adopted by the Lane County Commissioners. He said it would be difficult for the City to hold a hearing on the impact of Lane County regulations. Ms. Wooten said the council should provide some way for public participation in the process. Mr. Gleason emphasized that the council will have nothing to do with the adoption of planning or building regulations for property between the city limits and the urban growth boundary. He suggested the councilors ask the Lane County Commissioners to transmit the minutes of their hearing to the councilors. The councilors can then comment on issues raised in the hearing. Replying to a question from Ms. Ehrman, Ms. Brody said the intergovernmental agreement only authorizes the staff to work on the transition. The hearing before the County Commissioners may not be held until November 1986. Ms. Schue said approval of the agreement will indicate that the council is willing to let the transition process proceed. ~ Mr. Holmer said the proposed action is administrative and reasonable. Ms. Ehrman moved, seconded by Ms. Schue, to approve the Agreement Regarding the Transfer of Building and Land Use Responsibilities Within the Urbanizable Portion of the Eugene Urban Growth Boundary. Roll call vote; the motion carried unanimously, 6:0. Mayor Obie adjourned the meeting at 1:18 p.m. to April 9,1986. Respectfully submitted, ~~~ Micheal D. Gleason Ci ty Manager e (Recorded by Betty Lou Rarick) BLR:db/EA84 MINUTES--Eugene City Council March 19, 1986 Page 10