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HomeMy WebLinkAbout04/16/1986 Meeting M I NUT E S e Eugene City Council McNutt Room--City Hall Apri 1 16, 1 986 11 : 30 a. m. COUNCILORS PRESENT: Richard Hansen (11:30 a.m.-l:15 p.m.), Debra Ehrman, Emily Schue, Cynthia Wooten, Ruth Bascom, Roger Rutan, Jeff Miller, Freeman Holmer. The adjourned meeting from April 14, 1986, of the City Council 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 e A. Oregon Transportation Commission Mayor Obie announced that the Oregon Transportation Commission authorized the funds for the 6th/7th widening project in Eugene. He congratulated City staff and the councilors on their efforts on behalf of the projects. Mr. Holmer also congratulated City staff, other councilors, and people in the community who, he said, have worked hard. He said their efforts influenced the commissionls decision. He said much work remains to be done because the City has only one construction project in the Six-Year Plan. He said $200,000 will be an investment in the design of future projects. Mr. Holmer said some State highways near residential developments create much noise. The Beltline Road in his ward is an example of such a highway. He said the Transportation Commission announced a policy change about funding sound barriers on such highways. He said the commission indicated it will consider providing funds for sound barriers if a local jurisdiction or neighbors also provide funds. B. Cal Young Middle School Mr. Holmer welcomed four students from Cal Young Middle School. He said several councilors have visited the school to discuss City government. C. Construction on Interstate 5 Ms. Wooten initiated a discussion of the construction on Interstate 5 this summer and its effect on business in the metropolitan area. Mr. Holmer said Public Works Director Christine Andersen has talked to people who have businesses near the construction site. She told them the State Highway Department staff assured her that two lanes of traffic each way and access to the businesses will be maintained. Mr. Hansen said the State Transportation - MINUTES--Eugene City Council Apri 1 16, 1986 Page 1 . e - Department staff realizes there is a problem and will try to mitigate it. He said a staff member told him access to the Gateway area will be maintained. He suggested highway signs should indicate there is easy access both to and from the metropolitan area. Mayor Obie asked City Manager Micheal Gleason to direct staff to take an active role in getting people off the freeway and into the metropolitan area this summer. He pointed out there are several freeway exits to the metro- politan area. He said the construction project will provide 300 jobs that are also important to the area. D. Crime Prevention Efforts Ms. Wooten said she had discussed the creation of a crime prevention advisory committee with the council previously. She said a community forum will be held on May 14, 1986, to discuss crime prevention issues and the organization of a committee. E. League of Oregon Cities Regional Meeting Ms. Schue said the League of Oregon Cities will meet in Eugene on April 16, 1986. She is a member of the Executive Board and will attend the meeting. She invited other councilors to attend the meeting also. F. Downtown Program to Provide Awnings Mr. Rutan said newspaper articles and material from the Development Depart- ment indicated that tax allocation funds will be used to encourage downtown businesses to provide awnings for their buildings. He was surprised the council was not asked to approve the expenditure. Mr. Gleason responded that the Downtown Commission implements the budget which the council approves. He said the budget included funds for the awnings. He suggested the council discuss the implementation process for downtown improvements at another time. Answering a question from Ms. Ehrman, Mr. Rutan said he wondered why the City is underwriting leasehold improvements in the downtown area only. Mayor Obie responded that the Downtown Commission is an advocate for the downtown and implements the budget for the downtown. Mr. Hansen said processes have been adopted that allow other people to make decisions that are the council's responsibility. For example, the revisions to the Sign Code indicate that the councilors will no longer approve Sign Code variances. He would like the council to discuss the matter in a quarterly process session. G. Arbor Day Celebration Ms. Bascom said the Arbor Day Celebration was very successful. Represen- tatives of the Lutheran Brotherhood and many school children participated in planting trees. MINUTES--Eugene City Council Page 2 April 16, 1986 . H. Lane County Jail Mayor Obie said Lane County has provided jail service for the City, but now Lane County officials are releasing prisoners because the old County jail has been closed. He said the problem is critical to the community, and perhaps the City should be involved in the solution. City Manager Micheal Gleason responded that the County Administrator will report to the council soon about the jail. Mr. Gleason discussed the need to limit the number of prisoners in the jail. He said Lane County probably would have incurred tremendous costs if the old jail had not been closed. He said additional jail space and sophisticated alternatives to imprisoning people are needed. Mr. Holmer said it might be appropriate for the council to take a position on Ballot Measure 5 which is a constitutional amendment for $96 million bonds for State/County prison buildings. Mr. Gleason said such measures have not usually passed. Ms. Schue suggested the Legislative Subcommittee review the ballot measure. Mr. Gleason said he will expedite a report from the Police Department about prisoners who have been released. Mr. Rutan said the report should include all options for providing jail service. He would like it to include private construction of jail quarters. Ms. Wooten said the City has an obligation in the matter, but she did not want to spend general fund moneys for a jail. She would like to discuss half-way houses, job counseling, and other alternatives. e Answering a question from Mr. Hansen, Mr. Gleason said State and Federal regulations govern how people are treated when they are incarcerated. He said all methods are expensive. In addition, staff resources, jurisdictional understanding, and prosecution are important and expensive. I. Introduction of Keli Osborn City Manager Micheal Gleason introduced Keli Osborn, who is the new Public Information Specialist in the City Manager's Office. II. PUBLIC HEARING: SUPPLEMENTAL BUDGET #3 (memo distributed) City Manager Micheal Gleason introduced consideration of Supplemental Budget #3. Mayor Obie opened the public hearing. There being no requests to testify, he closed the public hearing. CB 2879--An ordinance adopting a supplemental budget; making appropriations for the City of Eugene for the fiscal year beginning July 1, 1985, and ending June 30, 1986; and declaring an emergency. e MINUTES--Eugene City Council April 16, 1986 Page 3 - e e Mr. Hansen moved, seconded by Ms. Ehrman, 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, 8:0. Ms. Wooten said she appreciated Mr. Hansen's request at a Budget Committee meeting for more detail about supplemental budgets. Mr. Holmer suggested the information be printed in elite type. Council Bill 2879 was read the second time by council bill number only. Mr. Hansen moved, seconded by Ms. Ehrman, that the bill be approved and given final passage. Roll call vote; all councilors present voting aye, the bill was declared passed (and became Ordinance No. 19381). III. DRAFT EUGENE CAPITAL IMPROVEMENT PROGRAM (CIP) FY86/87 THROUGH FY95/96 (memo distributed) City Manager Micheal Gleason introduced the discussion of the draft Capital Improvement Program (CIP). Kirk McKinley of the Planning Department gave the staff report. He said the CIP is a framework for planning capital improve- ments and the first year will be considered by the Budget Committee when it is approved by the council. A. Response to Council Questions Mr. McKinley said questions about the CIP which councilors asked at the public hearing on March 17, 1986, were in a memo dated April 8, 1986, entitled "Response to Questions on the Draft Capital Improvement Program" and attached to the council's agenda. He reviewed each of the questions. 1. Why does the CIP indicate a cost of $1.1 million and the TransPlan indicate a cost of $330,000 for the Roosevelt, Highway 99 to Maple project? Mr. McKinley said the TransPlan estimate includes only the cost of the roadway between Highway 99 and Maple. The CIP estimate includes costs for right-of-way acquisition and construction between Highway 99 to Maple Street and the cost of an off-street bike path from Highway 99 to Beltline Road. Mr. Miller said the intersection of Roosevelt and Seneca Road will be extremely dangerous after the construction. He asked if the cost of traffic signals at Roosevelt and Seneca Road is included in the estimate. Later in the meeting, Mr. Teitzel said signals are included in the project. 2. Is it possible to move Bethel Drive improvements up in the CIP scheduling? Mr. McKinley said most of the east side of Bethel Drive is outside the city limits; therefore, the City cannot assess road improvements to the owner. Also, Systems Development funds are not adequate for the improvement in the first three years of the CIP. MINUTES--Eugene City Council April 16, 1986 Page 4 e Ms. Wooten said Bethel Drive is a major thoroughfare for many people in the Bethel Triangle area. She visited the area and is embarrassed by the poor condition of the area. She said people in the area are united in their effort to expedite the street improvement. She said many people in the area rely on bus transportation, but the Lane Transit District will not put a bus route on Bethel Drive because the street is in such poor condition. She said the street is dangerous because there are no lights and no sidewalks. She suggested planning for the expansion and the annexation of the east side of Bethel Drive owned by the Southern Pacific Transportation Company be moved into the first year of the CIP. e Answering a question from Ms. Ehrman, Mr. McKinley said the Southern Pacific property could involve more than 100 acres along Bethel Drive. Mayor Obie suggested the City ask Lane County to improve Bethel Drive if the Southern Pacific property cannot be annexed. The project was discussed for some time. Ms. Wooten said Bethel Drive is a city road. Mr. Hansen suggested that the assessment plus interest for the improvement of Bethel Drive be deferred until the Southern Pacific property is annexed, but Mr. Gleason said assessments cannot be assessed and deferred before property is annexed. Mr. Sercombe said the council could initiate the annexation by forwarding a petition to the Boundary Commission. Mr. McKinley said the improvement of Bethel Drive is not in the Lane County CIP, but the project could be included in discussions about the transition of urban services. Ms. Schue said Bethel Drive is different from other streets because the City will have to pay the assessment for the east side if the Southern Pacific property is not annexed. Mr. Miller said he agreed with Ms. Wooten about the need Drive, but there are other roads that need improvement. needs a policy to address the issue. He wondered if the Railroad could be required to pay for the improvement if annexed. to improve Bethel He said the City Southern Pacific the property is not Mr. Hansen would like to consider a policy for all unimproved roads. He suggested the council consider eliminating sidewalks and narrowing street widths in order to improve more streets. e Ms. Wooten moved, seconded by Ms. Bascom, to move the improve- ment of Bethel Drive from Roosevelt to Highway 99N (page 83 of the CIP) into the first three years of the CIP and direct the staff to present a report about how the improvement can be accomplished. Commenting on the motion, Ms. Ehrman wondered what projects would have to be eliminated from the first three years of the CIP if Bethel Drive is inserted. Ms. Bascom said she will support the motion. She did not think the improvement of Bethel Drive should have to wait until the council develops a policy for all streets that need improvement. Mr. Hansen suggested the council direct the staff to present ways to assess property which is outside the city before the next CIP is considered. He said the Bethel Drive project could then be moved up in the CIP. MINUTES--Eugene City Council April 16, 1986 Page 5 e Mr. Holmer said the CIP has been presented to the Budget Committee and will be considered by a subcommittee. He said he will vote for the motion because he approves improving Bethel Drive, but he did not think the staff presenta- tion should be changed before it is reviewed by the Budget Subcommittee. The motion carried 7:1 with Councilors Ehrman, Schue, Wooten, Bascom, Rutan, Miller, and Holmer voting aye and Councilor Hansen voting nay. 3. What is the extent of the 5th Avenue project? Mayor Obie said he will facilitate the discussion, but he will not enter into the discussion or vote on the 5th Avenue project because he has a conflict of interest. Ms. Wooten said she had discussed expediting improvements on 5th Avenue with other councilors previously. She said she asked the other councilors for permission to organize a subcommittee to consider optional designs and to initiate a plan for the entire area when the project to install curbs and sidewalks along the north side of 5th Avenue was presented to the council. She said she would like Willamette Street from the train depot to the Hult Center and 5th Avenue from Willamette Street to High Street to be unique in Eugene. She suggested the $40,000 designated in the CIP for FY90-96 be moved to the first three years (FY86-87) of the CIP. e Ms. Wooten moved, seconded by Ms. Ehrman, to move the 5th Avenue improvement project (page 111 of the CIP) to the first three years of the CIP. Responding to a comment from Ms. Bascom, Ms. Wooten said the Downtown Commission wants to create a unique ambience in the Fifth Avenue District. To do that, a plan that creates continuity is needed. The plan might call for wide, brick sidewalks, lots of trees, or special lighting. She said the plan will probably be accomplished by a local improvement district or some- thing similar. She said moving the expenditure of $40,000 up in the CIP will expedite the planning. Replying to a question from Ms. Schue, Mr. McKinley and Mr. Teitzel said about $20,000 is available for the installation of curbs and sidewalks along the north side of 5th Avenue from the Electric Station to Pearl Street this summer. Ms. Wooten said improvements may not harmonize if a plan for the district is not completed. She said the Development Department is organizing a committee which will review a plan and ensure that the improvements made this summer harmonize. She said that project was approved by the council, and she did not want to delay it. Responding to a comment from Mr. Hansen, she said property owners in the area have expressed interest in making improvements. Answering a question from Ms. Bascom, Mr. McKinley suggested the council delay this yearls improvements until a design for the district is completed. e MINUTES--Eugene City Council April 16, 1986 Page 6 . Answering a question from Mr. Miller, Mr. Gleason said the $40,000 would be from the General Fund. The motion failed 3:5 with Councilors Hansen, Ehrman, and Wooten voting aye and Councilors Schue, Holmer, Bascom, Miller, and Rutan voting nay. 4. Why are funds for signal and street light programs less than last year and does it reflect a declining need? Mr. McKinley said the traffic signal and street light programs reflect the council IS direction to include urgent, non-postponable projects in this year's CIP. Answering a question from Mr. Holmer, Mr. Gleason said the CIP is a planning document. The first year of the CIP represents the projects which the staff recommends be approved. If the council changes the projects in the first year of the CIP, he said the Budget Committee probably should approve the council's recommendation. Replying to a question from Mr. Miller, Mr. Teitzel said traffic signals will be installed at the Roosevelt and Seneca and the Bertelsen and Roosevelt intersections. 5. Can "Exxon" funds be used for bi cycl e proj ects? - Mr. McKinley said the Exxon funds probably cannot be used for bicycle projects, but staff will try to obtain them for the carpooling program. Ms. Bascom urged staff to continue to seek Exxon funds for bicycle projects. Mayor Obie asked the City Attorney to investigate the regulations. 6. Why is the Hendricks Park Road project listed under the Parks Department? . Mr. McKinley recommended the Hendricks Park Road remain under Parks Depart- ment projects because the road is within the park and is a park road and the project includes improvements to the parking lot. Answering a question from Mr. Holmer, Mr. McKinley said no consideration was given to moving the realignment of Cheshire Street in Skinner Butte Park from the Parks Department to the Public Works Department. 7. Why isn't the Library Asbestos Removal project in the first year of the CIP? Mr. McKinley said air samples at the library do not indicate that there are loose airborne asbestos particles. He said removing the asbestos from the library is a complex, expensive project that will take three to five months. It probably could not be done this year. In addition, the expansion and/or relocation of the library is being studied. 8. Are the projects in the CIP and TransPlan consistent? MINUTES--Eugene City Council April 16, 1986 Page 7 e - e Mr. McKinley said the projects are generally consistent. 9. Why are Riverfront projects not in the CIP? Mr. McKinley recommended that the council include the Riverfront Research Park Infrastructure in the CIP at a cost estimate of $6,774,000 with a caveat that the cost may change. Ms. Wooten said the infrastructure improvements in the Riverfront Research Park will be financed by a tax increment district. They will not be financed by the General Fund. She said the City probably will borrow about $850,000 against the tax increment district to construct the first access. Mayor Obie asked the City Manager to present a written update of the Riverfront Research Park project to the council. 10. Additional Projects Mr. McKinley recommended that the council approve the addition of the Glenwood Sewer System to the CIP, change the funding of the River Road/Santa Clara Lateral Sewer project, clarify the third paragraph of the Introduction to the CIP, add an emphasis on the lack of adequate funding to the Introduction and other parts of the CIP as recommended by the Planning Commission. He also suggested adding infrastructure improvements in the Riverfront Research Park to the CIP. Ms. Ehrman discussed several other projects. Referring to the proposed Willamette Pedestrian Improvements North of 8th Avenue (page 41 of the CIP), she said the Downtown Commission wanted Willamette Street opened so that people do not "hang around." She said the proposed installation of benches seems to conflict with that idea. She also is concerned about the $165,000 for Central Plaza Development/Landscaping (page 41 of the CIP), and she wondered if the Surface Parking Lot Improvements project (page 42 of the CIP') includes the lots that the City hopes to sell. Referring to the Police Public Reception/Polygraph Space (page 80 of the CIP), she said polygraph information is not admissible in court. She suggested the use of polygraphs could be contracted. Mayor Obie asked staff for more information about the projects Ms. Ehrman questioned. Mr. Gleason said it is helpful for councilors to question projects in FY87-88 and FY88-89 and to indicate preferences because staff starts work on them before they appear as first year projects. B. CIP Process Mr. Holmer said council action on the CIP is out of order. He said the placement of projects in the CIP should be considered by the appropriate Budget Subcommittee and the full Budget Committee. He said he would oppose motions about moving specific projects because, in his opinion, the process is not appropriate. He is not necessarily against moving the projects. MINUTES--Eugene City Council April 16, 1986 Page 8 e - e Mr. Rutan said the Budget Committee had questioned its role if the council makes decisions before the issues get to the Budget Committee. He is on the capital subcommittee of the Budget Committee and intends to discuss projects in the subcommittee meetings. Mr. Gleason said the Budget Subcommittee must approve the one-year budget presented by the executive department, but the Budget Subcommittee may modify the budget before approving it. He said the Budget Committee must also approve the budget, and then the council must approve it. He said the council IS action on the ten-year CIP does not negate the Budget Committee's action on it. Ms. Schue said the council needs to discuss and make a decision about the roles of the council and the Budget Committee. Mr. Miller said the CIP is a planning tool that department heads use. He agreed with Ms. Wooten that projects need to be compared. He understood that the first year of the CIP will be discussed in detail during the budget process. He wondered if adoption of the CIP by the council means projects in other years will be funded. He wondered if the council should really wrestle with projects in the second and third years. 1. Hult Center Projects Ms. Ehrman and Ms. Wooten discussed the Hult Center Projects (page 68 of the CIP). Ms. Ehrman said the additional information requested by the council was not in the staff notes. Ms. Wooten said street lights are more important than some of the improvements to the Hult Center. She suggested the storage area under the parking structure, the lobby tile replacement, the awning system for the loading dock, the construction of permanent concession stands, an electronic marquee, an exterior building sign, and the HVAC for the Silva Theater Stage could be postponed. She hoped the council would discuss each project. Ms. Wooten agreed with Ms. Schue's previous comments about the roles of the Budget Committee and the council. Responding to Mr. Holmer, she said the council has the right to inform the Budget Committee and subcommittee of preferences. Ms. Ehrman moved, seconded by Ms. Wooten, to move the electronic marquee display and the exterior building sign (page 68 of the CIP) to FY90-96. Ms. Wooten suggested the HVAC for Silva Theater Stage (page 68 of the CIP) be included in the motion, but Ms. Ehrman did not accept the suggestion. Ms. Schue said the process is difficult because the Budget Committee does not function as other advisory groups function. For example, the Planning Committee reviews proposals and makes recommendations to the council, and then the council makes a decision. She said the Budget Committee does not have a chance to advise the council. She did not want to make decisions about projects such as the marquee and exterior sign in the second year of the CIP now, although she might want to remove them next year. MINUTES--Eugene City Council April 16, 1986 Page 9 e Mr. Gleason said the CIP and the executive budget are later than usual this year. He suggested the council discussion of the CIP be referred to the Budget Committee and subcommittee. The motion carried 4:3 with Councilors Wooten, Ehrman, Miller, and Schue voting aye and Councilors Holmer, Rutan, and Bascom voti ng nay. Mr. Holmer said he favored the motion, but he opposed the process. Mayor Obie asked if the councilors wanted to continue consideration of the CIP. Ms. Wooten responded that additional consideration is needed. Ms. Bascom wondered why the council should act on the CIP. She pointed out all the councilors are on the Budget Committee, and the council acts on the budget after the Budget Committee approves it. Ms. Wooten said the Budget Committee only deals with one year of the CIP. She said the ten-year CIP symbolizes the vision of the council. Mr. Miller said the council needs to carefully consider the first three years of the CIP so that staff time is not wasted on projects that are eliminated later. He suggested that council consideration of the CIP be scheduled in the fall. Ms. Schue said the council must "muddle through" this year. She suggested the Budget Committee meet next fall and take action on the CIP before the council considers it. Mr. Obie suggested the council discuss the role of the Budget Committee at ~ the council IS next process session. 2. Airport Reserve Mayor Obie suggested the General Fund part of the Street and Alley Rehabili- tation project (page 80 of the CIP) be removed from that project and desi gnated lIai rport reserve. II He sai d the CIP shoul d refl ect the council commitment to the expansion of the airport. Responding to a comment from Mr. Miller, Mayor Obie said the Budget Subcommittee might not change the Street and Alley Rehabilitation allocation if the council does not recommend it. He said gas tax funds designated for street and alley rehabilitation are new funds, and, if his suggestion is not approved, the funds for street and alley rehabilitation will be doubled this year. He said it is important to make policy decisions that direct staff. Mr. Holmer questioned the advisability of dictating to the Budget Subcommittee. Ms. Ehrman said Tier II of the budget contains $500,000 for the airport. Answering a question from Mayor Obie, Mr. Gleason said Tier I of the budget includes projects which are funded now. Tier II includes projects totaling $1.5 million which could be funded with increased user fees. Mr. Holmer said approval of Mayor Obiels suggestion will increase the City's costs in three years. e MINUTES--Eugene City Council Apr; 1 16, 1986 Page 10 e e . Mr. Gleason said the choice between allocating funds for street and alley rehabilitation and for the airport reserve is a policy decision. Mr. Miller said a decision now might be premature because more information will be available when negotiations with the airlines are completed. He said street rehabilitation is important. Ms. Wooten moved, seconded by Ms. Bascom, to request the Budget Subcommittee to consider designating the general fund portion of the Street and Alley Rehabilitation project ($400,000 in FY86-87, $500,000 in FY87-88, and $600,000 in FY88-89) for airport reserve. The motion carried unanimously, 8:0. Mr. Holmer moved, seconded by Mr. Rutan, to refer the CIP with the changes made by the council to the Budget Committee for a recommendation concerning the first year projects. The motion carried unanimously, 8:0. The councilors agreed to consider the second through ninth years of the CIP at a work session. Mayor adjourned the meeting at 1 :35 p.m. to April 23, 1986. submitted, Micheal Gleason City Manager (Recorded by Betty Lou Rarick) BLR:db/ST1595 MINUTES--Eugene City Council April 16, 1986 Page 11