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HomeMy WebLinkAbout05/14/1986 Meeting e e e M I NUT E S Eugene City Council McNutt Room--City Hall May 1 4, 1 986 11:30 a.m. COUNCILORS PRESENT: Richard Hansen (noon-l:35 p.m.), Debra Ehrman, Emily Schue, Cynthia Wooten, Ruth Bascom, Roger Rutan, Jeff Mi 11 er. COUNCILORS ABSENT: Freeman Holmer. The adjourned meeting of May 12, 1986, of the City Council of Eugene, Oregon, was called to order by His Honor Mayor Brian B. Obie. I. ITEMS FROM MAYOR, COUNCIL, CITY MANAGER; ANNOUNCEMENTS; AGENDA ADJUSTMENTS A. Ground-Breaking for Chambers Connector Mayor Obie announced that Councilor Hansen was representing the City at the ground-breaking ceremony for the Chambers Connector. B. Crime Solutions in Action Symposium Councilor Wooten announced that the Crime Solutions in Action Symposium will be held this evening. C. Historic Mill and Elevator on EWEB Property Ms. Wooten said the Downtown Commission is interested in the preservation of the historic mill and elevator located west of the Ferry Street Bridge, but the mill and elevator are on Eugene Water & Electric Board (EWEB) property and the EWEB Master Plan does not include the mill and elevator. She said the deadline for proposals to move the mill and elevator is tomorrow (May 15, 1986). She asked the council to request a 30-day delay in which the Eugene Development Department, the Parks Department, and EWEB may seek another location for the mill and elevator. Responding to Ms. Wooten, Planning Director Susan Brody said the deadline for receiving proposals for moving the mill and elevator is May 15 because the Historic Review Board (HRB) will hold a public hearing on the demolition of the mill and elevator on May 22, 1986. She said EWEB officials are cooper- ating in efforts to relocate the mill and elevator, but no proposals for moving have been received. She said the Planning staff will contact the Parks Department to see if a solution can be found. City Manager Micheal Gleason said he will speak to EWEB General Manager Jean Reeder about opportunities to preserve the mill and elevator and report to the council on May 21, 1986. MINUTES--Eugene City Council May 14, 1986 Page 1 e Mayor Obie said the City should be mindful of the schedule for improvements in the EWEB Master Plan. He said the preservation of the mill and elevator is not a new issue. D. TransPlan e Councilor Bascom said she and Ms. Brody will meet with Sister Monica Heeran, Administrator of Sacred Heart Hospital, to discuss the wording of Policy Pk6 in the Parking Element of the TransPlan. Ms. Bascom said the council had tentatively approved the following policy: Pk6. Develop parking programs for congested, high-employment areas which promote transit and alternative modes. However, at the final Metropolitan Area Transportation Committee negotiating session the policy was changed to (underlined words were added): Pk6. Develop parking programs for congested, high-employment areas which promote transit and alternative modes by discouraging long-term employee parking. b. phasing in two-hour or less time limits for on-street parking. Ms. Bascom said she accepts responsibility for the problem because the change was not pointed out when the council gave final approval to the TransPlan. She said Sacred Heart Hospital officials fear the change in wording will cause trouble when they present plans for a parking facility. She said she will emphasize at the meeting the importance of the hospital to the community and the willingness of City officials to work with Sacred Heart Hospital officials to solve parking problems. Ms. Brody said the change in wording was made after the council's tentative approval of the TransPlan and the change was not indicated in the staff notes when the council gave final approval to the TransPlan. She said some councilors were aware of the change and some councilors were not aware of it. Councilor Miller asked if there is a clear understanding that the policy will not be used against future attempts to provide parking in the Sacred Heart Hospital area. Ms. Brody said the City will not use the policy against a parking facility planned by Sacred Heart officials. She said policies must be balanced when development proposals are evaluated and the City will not use one isolated policy against a proposal. She said the Planning, Public Works, and Development departments are working with Sacred Heart officials on plans for a parking facility. She said a zone change, a conditional use permit, and a permit from the Lane Regional Air Pollution Authority (LRAPA) will be needed for the facility. Mayor Obie suggested the council consider approving a Memorandum of Legislative Intent to explain the situation. Ms. Brody said such a memo will not bind LUBA, but it will be helpful and will assure Sacred Heart officials of the council.s intent. e MINUTES--Eugene City Council May 14, 1986 Page 2 e E. Expansion of Mahlon Sweet Airport Terminal Councilor Rutan said he expects the Council Subcommittee on the Airport to submit a proposal by the middle of June concerning the expansion of the Mahlon Sweet Airport terminal. F. Alton Baker Park Councilor Hansen asked for a report at another meeting about the maintenance of Alton Baker Park. II. ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT BRIEFING (memo distributed) e Eugene Economic Director Abe Farkas said his report will cover economic activity in the community and respond to direction given at the council goal-setting session. He said economic development involves a complex array of participants and functions. He said the community has built strong links among public and private participants and the links now enhance the City's ability to address economic development opportunities and issues. He said the council's policies and programs have yielded positive economic results. Mr. Farkas said the focus of Eugene's economy has been in flux for many years, but economic development has had the highest policy priority for some time. He said the City focused on urban renewal with Federal funds in the early 1970s. Later, neighborhood development financed by Federal funds became important and, in the late 1970's, economic diversification became important. He said economic diversification programs were further developed in the early 1980s. Mr. Farkas discussed milestones in the Economic Development Program such as the Community Goals Conference of 1974 which cited economic development as an important element, the formation of the Eugene Economic Development Committee which addressed development of industrial land, the 1980 council adoption of Four Economic Strategies, and the adoption of economic development as the highest priority of the council. He said the milestones were based on the Metropolitan Area General Plan, the 1984 Community Goals and Policies, and the Six-Point Economic Diversification Program. Discussing the Six-Point Program, Mr. Farkas said several City departments are involved in each part of the work program for the Six-Point Program adopted by the council. He said the Planning, Public Works, Development, Aviation, and Administrative Services departments are involved in site and infrastructure development; the Development, Public Safety, Public Works, and Planning departments are involved in business assistance; the Development Department and private entities are involved in marketing and recruitment; the Planning, Public Works, and Development departments are involved in downtown development; the Parks Department is involved in destination-point development; and the Development and Administrative Services departments are involved in establishing public and private partnerships. e MINUTES--Eugene City Council May 14, 1986 Page 3 e e e Mr. Farkas said the economic development in the community involves 31 entities. He said the entities contribute skills and the results of economic development should increase in value to the community. Mr. Farkas reviewed the City Departments and other organizations that con- tribute to the seven functions of economic development. The functions are marketing and recruitment, financial assistance, regulatory assistance, job training, business assistance, destination-point development, and site and infrastructure development. For example, the Development Department, the Eugene-Springfield Metropolitan Partnership, the Southern Wi11amette Research Corridor, and other public and private organizations contribute to marketing and recruitment; and the Development Department, private lenders and financial organizations, the Lane Council of Governments, the Oregon Economic Development Department, and the Small Business Administration participate in financial assistance. Answering questions from Ms. Ehrman, Mr. Farkas said the City has respons- ibility for marketing and recruitment for the downtown, and the Metropolitan Partnership has responsibility for area-wide industrial marketing and recruitment. He said the City provides about $6,000 to the Wi11amette Valley World Trade Center and the Center provides technical information about international trade to businesses. Mayor Obie added that the City has the responsibility of providing materials to the Metropolitan Partnership that will IIsellll the city. Answering a question from Ms. Schue, Mr. Farkas said the City does not have a business incubator now, but he anticipates creating an incubator in nine to twelve months. Replying to questions from Mr. Miller, Mr. Farkas said the Parks Department has responsibility for events sponsored by the City or events using City facilities, and the Eugene-Springfield Convention and Visitors Bureau has responsibility for the recruitment of conventions and other special events. Mr. Gleason said the Parks Department manages most of the facilities used for special events, and the Parks Department staff has experience in managing special events. He said the Performing Arts Department has responsibility for events at the Hu1t Center. He said destination-point events were orig- inally handled by the BATeam, but the Council Committee on Economic Diversification (CCED) recommended it be moved from the BATeam. Mayor Obie said parks and recreation activities have changed. He suggested the mission of the Parks and Recreation Department should be updated. Mr. Hansen asked for information about City funds for destination-point activities and the growth of the Parks Department since it took over destination-point activities. Mr. Gleason responded that very few additional positions have been created for destination point activities, but the focus of resources in the Parks Department has changed. He said the City contributes about $50,000 to the Eugene Celebration, which generates an additional $70,000. MINUTES--Eugene City Council May 14, 1986 Page 4 e e e Mr. Farkas said the CCED, the Economic Diversification Task Team, and the Joint Committee on Economic Development (JCED) coordinate and provide consensus for the economic development functions. The Business Assistance Networking Group (BANG) and the Southern Willamette Research Corridor also coordinate functions. Mr. Farkas cited 17 results of the City's Economic Development Program. They included the Oregon Small Business Development Center Network, the Eugene Business Development Fund, completion of the wastewater treatment plant and the widening of 6th and 7th avenues, the Buy Oregon Program, the expansion of Spectra Physics, and the development of the Riverfront Research Park. Mr. Farkas said the next step in the City's Economic Development Program should be a comprehensive economic development policy with an identified economic strategy for the next five years. He said the policy will give clear guidance about such things as destination-point marketing. He suggested that the process for developing the policy involve a community roundtable, organization of the data generated by the roundtable, formulation and adoption of the policy by the council, and release of the strategic document to the public. Mayor Obie said the councilors have different concerns and a consensus is needed to give the staff direction. Answering questions from Mayor Obie, Mr. Farkas said the community roundtable should be a Mayor's invitational luncheon attended by, at least, representatives of the 31 agencies active in economic development and the councilors. He suggested a nationally recog- nized speaker be invited to the roundtable. Ms. Wooten asked the staff for additional information about the Southern Willamette Research Corridor and the Advanced Science and Technology Institute (ASTI). She said the information should include the results of their actions and how the results are evaluated. She would also like information about the purpose and function of JCED and the City's relationship and the outcome of the relationship with other similar organizations. Mr. Hansen asked for information about overlap in the organizations involved in economic development. Mr. Gleason responded that the City withdrew from the Job Training Program and the Business Recruitment Program. Lane County and Lane Community College are now coordinating the Job Training Program and the Metropolitan Partnership is recruiting businesses. He said most of the City's funds are in the tax increment district. Deputy Development Director Cathy Briner said the City withdrew from two other programs and now contracts with Buy Oregon and the Willamette Valley World Trade Center for services. Mayor Obie, several councilors, and Mr. Farkas commented on the proposed community roundtable. Mayor Obie said the purpose of the roundtable would be to involve the community, as well as the council, in the City's Economic Development Policy. Mr. Farkas said many of the things mandated in the Six-Point program have been accomplished. New direction is needed. Ms. Wooten suggested representatives of all parts of the community be invited to the roundtable. She said the council should give direction to MINUTES--Eugene City Council May 14, 1986 Page 5 e e e participants in the roundtable. Ms. Schue agreed with Ms. Wooten. Ms. Schue said the council should decide what kind of information it would like from roundtable participants. She emphasized that the council should request positive suggestions. Mr. Hansen said participants in the roundtable should indicate roles they can play in economic development. Ms. Bascom said the council needs information about where the community is now in its economic development efforts. Mayor Obie said the council should consider the Fantus Report when giving direction to the roundtable. He said the council needs an assessment of the quantity and quality of the industrial sites. Mr. Rutan said he appreciated Mr. Farkas' report. Mr. Rutan said a review of the Six-Point Program is appropriate because the council needs to discuss economic development and the appropriate role of the City in it. He said a good foundation has been laid for economic diversification. He agreed that the council should develop a general format for the roundtable. He said the councilors should assess the community themselves and should not rely entirely on the Fantus Report. Several councilors commented on Mr. Farkas' suggestion that a national speaker be invited to the roundtable to generate enthusiasm. Ms. Bascom and Ms. Wooten liked the idea. Mr. Rutan did not favor it. Mr. Hansen and Ms. Schue said it is important to have speakers from cities similar in size to Eugene. Responding to comments from Mr. Rutan and Ms. Wooten, Mayor Obie said CCED will be discussed at the council's next quarterly process session. Mr. Miller said he sensed some tension between the Parks Department and the Convention and Visitors Bureau over destination-point activities. He suggested the activities should be coordinated by one agency. Jane Holloway of the Parks Department distributed to the councilors a progress report on the first year of the Destination-Point Program in the Parks Department. III. CONTINUED DISCUSSION OF JAIL FINANCING Mr. Gleason said the councilors indicated at their last discussion that the current jail situation is not acceptable. He said the City negotiates with Lane County each year for jail service and he is now negotiating with Jim Johnson, Lane County Administrator, about a solution to the crisis. The solution will be effective in late August or September. He emphasized that no agreement has yet been reached. Mr. Johnson said the Lane County Board of Commissioners indicated that it seemed to be technically and financially feasible to use City of Eugene money to construct a temporary jail. He said the Board of Commissioners directed him to negotiate with Mr. Gleason. MINUTES--Eugene City Council May 14, 1986 Page 6 e e e John Ball, Lane County Commissioner, joined the council at the table. He said the commissioners gave Mr. Johnson an agreement to negotiate. Mr. Ball suggested the Lane County Board of Commissioners, the Eugene City Council, and the Criminal Process Coordinating Committee (CPCC) meet together to discuss the jail crisis. Ms. Wooten said the council has not discussed the incarceration alternatives presented to the council by Mr. Johnson on April 30, 1986. She said she would like to do so. Ms. Ehrman agreed with Ms. Wooten. She said the Joint Social Services Committee has discussed integrating some social services with incarceration alternatives and she would like the council to undertake such discussions. Mr. Hansen said one of the owners of the Country Squire Motel called him to suggest that the facility be used for incarceration. He said such alternatives should be discussed by the council. Responding to a comment from Mayor Obie, Mr. Gleason said the jail crisis has resulted in the Municipal Court becoming unable to enforce its orders because jail services are not available. Ms. Ehrman said she asked Mr. Gleason for additional information about the people in the jail, people turned away from the jail, and the average sentence from Municipal Court. She distributed a one-page report titled "ACLU/CALC Courtwatch Project" to the councilors. She introduced Dave Fidanque of the American Civil Liberties Union. Answering a question from Ms. Wooten, Mr. Fidanque said the data in the report is preliminary. He said the data concerns people arraigned at the jail. He said 49 percent of the people were held on minor municipal charges and 79 percent of the people were held on municipal charges only. He said it costs the City $50 a day to hold people in the County Jail and the ACLU would like to present recommendations about less costly alternatives for people held on minor municipal charges. Mr. Gleason said his position for many years has been that a maximum security facility is not needed for people charged with minor municipal offenses. He said the city needs about 25 maximum security beds and other incarceration alternatives. He said most of the solutions to the crisis will take about two years to implement. Ms. Wooten said the council should be involved in determining a new jail policy. She said the council should provide direction because social values and urban life issues are involved in the change. Mr. Miller said a one-year solution is needed so that the council can address the social issues. He said he would approve the County's use of City funds budgeted for the jail to provide an immediate solution to the crisis. MINUTES--Eugene City Council May 14, 1986 Page 7 e Answering a question from Mayor Obie, Mr. Gleason said the long-term solution to the jail problem is being discussed by the Urban Services Policy Committee. He said the City/County contract obligates him to negotiate with the County about the immediate needs of the Municipal Court. He said he will consult the council about those negotiations. He said another issue is that the entire criminal justice system in Lane County needs to be evaluated and funding methods for it need to be determined. Ms. Wooten said she is not satisfied with the process Mr. Gleason outlined because temporary solutions sometimes become permanent. She said the councilors need to know about short-term alternatives to the jail crisis. Ms. Bascom said she would like information about alternatives to incarceration for minor City offenses. She said the council should discuss the issues before meeting with the Lane County Board of Commissioners. Mayor Obie said he is concerned about the construction of a temporary faci 1 i ty. Ms. Schue said she would like a report from the CPCC and other information about the criminal justice system. Summarizing, Mayor Obie said Mr. Gleason will report to the council about an immediate, an interim, and a long-term solution to the jail crisis. He said the councilors will comment on the solutions before commitments are made and before meeting with the Lane County Board of Commissioners and the CPCC. ~ Mr. Rutan and Mr. Hansen said the council should discuss the issue again as soon as possible. e Mayor Obie adjourned the meeting at 1 :35 p.m. to May 19, 1986. Respectfully submitted, ~~ Micheal Gleason Ci ty Manager (Recorded by Betty Lou Rarick) BLR:pv/Mins27 MINUTES--Eugene City Council May 14, 1986 Page 8