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HomeMy WebLinkAbout06/16/1986 Meeting (2) e M I NUT E S Eugene City Council City Council Chamber June 16, 1986 7:30 p.m. COUNCILORS PRESENT: Richard Hansen, Debra Ehrman (7:30-8:40 p.m.), Emily Schue, Cynthia Wooten, Ruth Bascom, Freeman Holmer, Roger Rutan, Jeff Miller. The adjourned meeting from June 11,1986, of the City Council of the City of Eugene, Oregon, was called to order by His Honor Mayor Brian B. Obie. I. PROPOSAL OF EUGENE ACTIVE 20-30 CLUB FOR FIREWORKS ON FOURTH OF JULY Councilor Wooten said members of the the Eugene Active 20-30 Club reported that they can provide fireworks for the Fourth of July if the City cooper- ates. Responding to her request to summarize the proposal, Assistant City Manager Dave Whitlow said 20-30 Club members asked the City to charge only $500 in advance for public safety services at a fireworks display on the e Fourth of July and to equally divide all receipts over $5,000. He said the City had told the 20-30 club the charge would be $3,500. He said acceptance of the proposal would probably make the City an event sponsor because the City would be accepting part of the risk. He said the 20-30 Club members need to know the council's decision tonight or tomorrow in order to plan the event. Ms. Wooten said 20-30 Club members had thought they could not put on the event because of liability problems, but, after receiving advice from the City's Risk Management Division, the members found that liability insurance can be obtained, although it will be expensive. She said the members cannot deposit $3,500 for police services in advance; therefore, they proposed the coopera- tive effort with the City. Answering questions from Mr. Holmer, City Manager Micheal Gleason said the City charged the 20-30 Club about $3,500 last year for police services for the fireworks display. Ms. Wooten said most of the charges are for parking direc- tion. Mr. Whitlow said club members indicated that probably $8,000 to $10,000 will be collected at the display. Consequently, the City will receive about $2,000 to $3,000 including the $500 deposit if it accepts the proposal. e MINUTES--Eugene City Council June 16, 1986 Page 1 - , Mr. Whitlow said over 200 events are held in the city annually and many . request City support. The council does not have a firm policy about public safety charges although the full amount has been charged in the past. Mr. Holmer said he will support cooperating with the 20-30 Club if the City receives a full report of the receipts before Labor Day. Ms. Ehrman said the council recently reviewed the cost of City services and decided that users should pay for them. She said the 20-30 Club proposal indicates the City might subsidize the fireworks display if the revenues are not sufficient. She said other groups might expect the City to subsidize their events. She said she will not support the proposal. Ms. Bascom said the City is encouraging destination point activities like the fireworks display and so she would like it to be presented. She wondered about liability costs. She said the council should develop a policy, and perhaps a contingency account, for dealing with such events. Ms. Schue said approving the proposal will establish a policy. She did not think it is appropriate for the City to provide police services at less than their cost. She said the real problem with the fireworks display is the cost of liability insurance, but she said it is not the City's responsibility to solve that problem. Mr. Miller was concerned about the precedent that approval of the proposal will set. He said other groups may request cooperation for worthy events. He a hoped another way could be found to finance the fireworks display. Answering a question from Mr. Miller, Mr. Sercombe said the City could reduce its liabi- lity by requiring the 20-30 Club to make the City co-insured on the policy. Mr. Hansen said 20,000 citizens usually go to Autzen Statium for the fireworks display and 20,000 other citizens watch it. He said he will gamble and vote for the proposal, and he will hope the receipts cover the expenses. Mr. Hansen moved, seconded by Ms. Wooten, to accept the proposal of the Eugene Active 20-30 Club for a Fourth of July Fireworks Display subject to the City being co-insured in the insurance policy. He included in the motion a recommendation that the City Council establish a policy concerning public safety services for such events in the future. Mayor Obie said he will support the motion this year only because the community has a right to a Fourth of July celebration. He said 20-30 Club members should get a local company to co-sponsor the event. The motion carried 5:3 with Councilors Wooten, Hansen, Bascom, Miller, and Rutan voting aye and Councilors Schue, Ehrman, and Miller voting nay. . ~ MINUTES--Eugene City Council June 16, 1986 Page 2 -~--- II. PUBLIC HEARINGS e Mayor Obie recessed the meeting of the Eugene City Council and convened a meeting of the Eugene Urban Renewal Agency. A. Downtown Commission1s Recommendation Concerning Broadway Improvement Project (memo, background information distributed) City Manager Micheal Gleason introduced the public hearing on the Broadway Improvement Project. Development Director Abe Farkas gave the staff report. He said the public hearing is on proposed improvements on Broadway from Charnel ton Street to the west side of Willamette Street. He said the improvements are part of a comprehensive downtown revitalization effort that ;s proposed in the Downtown Plan and that harmonizes with the Downtown Management Program and other planned improvements. He said no substantial improvements have been made to the mall since it was created in 1971, in spite of a national trend to update malls. He said the Tax Allocation Fund will finance the improvements, which will result in a better environment on the mall, private improvements on the mall that can be measured, new businesses on the mall, increased tax revenues, and increased sales on the mall. Jan Bohman of the Development Department referred to project designs that were on the wall. She said the improvements will result in two merchant zones of 18 feet, a central activity zone of 18 feet, and a delineation zone on each side of the central activity zone of six feet. She said ten feet of the merchant zone must be an open walkway, but eight feet of the merchant zone can e be used for merchandising. She said the central activity zone will include a play area and moveable seating. The area will be open so that people can see the rest of the mall. She said street lights and street trees will be in the delineation zone. Ms. Bohman said the Downtown Commission recommended that the council approve the entire project ($462,000) and that all the improvements except relocating the restrooms and postal station be completed this summer. She said alterna- tive sites for the restrooms will be sought, and they can be relocated next year. She said final council action on the proposal is scheduled for June 18, 1 986. If approval is granted, construction should be finished by mid-November. Ms. Bohman said the Centralized Retail Management (CRM) Program will advise staff on establishing fees for merchandising and other activities in the right-of-way and enforcement of regulations. CRM is also working on related issues, such as uniform business hours. She said the City will monitor the business activity on the mall after the improvements. Michael Schwartz represented the Downtown Commission. He said the retail community, the Eugene Downtown Association, professional people, Lane Community College, and the public support the Downtown Commission and the proposed improvements. He read several sections from the Downtown Plan which apply to the project. e MINUTES--Eugene City Council June 16, 1986 Page 3 ~ - Mr. Schwartz said the project will supply downtown Eugene with a modernized, e designated shopping area. He said the new street lights will be perceived as providing additional security. He said merchandising and shopping will be upgraded, and the mall will probably attract new businesses. He di scussed proposed changes to The Bon and the Johnson's Furniture and Eugene Athletic properties and leveraging public funds with private funds for street lights on Broadway. Mayor Obie opened the public hearing. Ellen Rubenstein, 2300 Parkside Lane, is a member of the Centralized Retail Management Committee. She said the proposed changes to the Broadway corridor should be made soon because they will change the look, the ambiance, and the feel of the downtown. She said many businesses are considering locating in the downtown and an improved "tenant mix" is needed. She emphasized that the obstacles and the restrooms in the center of the mall should be moved and said new lighting is critical. She said restrooms are available elsewhere. Roger Neustadter, 1690 McLean, is a member of the Downtown Commission and is a downtown retailer. He supports the proposed changes. He said the downtown has had a declining share of the retail market in Lane County recently. To reverse the trend, he said new customers and new businesses must be attracted. He said the retail area seems to be a park to many people and provides too many obstacles for retailing. He said bunker-type restrooms and playgrounds with deep indentations are not appropriate for a retail street. He said the improvements should be completed before the Eugene Celebration. e Bill Combs~ 500 Fair Oaks Drive, ;s a downtown retailer and property owner. He said the proposed changes will result in improved retailing in the down- town. He said other shopping centers have been improved and new ones have been opened while retailing in the downtown has not been competitive. He said the size of the playground should be reduced and the restrooms should be accessible but they should not be the focal point of the mall. He said the downtown should be an urban center. Navarre B. Davis, 2112 Brookhaven Way, said the proposed changes will improve the downtown business and pedestrian environment. He said the project is realistic and well-planned. Diane Hendricks, 44 West Broadway, owns Four Seasons, which is near the postal station and restrooms. She said the City should not wait until next year to relocate the postal station and restrooms. She said they should not be the focal point of the mall, and they should be supervised. She said they are not aesthetically pleasing and obstruct the view through the mall. She said the core of the mall should be well-lighted. She is pleased with the proposed changes. James Ivory~ 1329 Hammock, favored the proposed improvements. He said the restrooms on the mall should be relocated and the other improvements should be completed this year. He said the changes will result in a clean, well- lighted, and secure environment and will create a unified downtown community e MINUTES--Eugene City Council June 16, 1986 Page 4 -- - that can establish uniform operating hours and a well-funded advertising e concept. He discussed other changes such as increased security, expanded street and sidewalk cleaning services, employee training assistance, a continuous parking concept, leasing assistance, and a retail strategy for an improved tenant mix. He said property values need to be stabilized and the downtown needs to be a vital and dynamic area. He said the downtown could be enjoying an additional $30 million to $40 million in business. He urged the council to approve the proposed changes quickly. Bill Sweet, 65 West 26th, is a director of the Eugene Downtown Association. He submitted a petition with 30 signatures of downtown merchants and business people who support the proposed changes. He said no one refused to sign the petition. He said the restrooms in the center of the mall should be removed this year and, if necessary, they should be replaced with Buck toilets until a better location for the restrooms can be found. He said the project should be completed soon because competing sites, such as the Valley River Center, are being improved. He said new street lights are very important to the downtown. Alan Evans, 2826 Floral Hill Drive, is a commercia' real estate broker. He said the Broadway corridor is like a dark tunnel now. He favored the proposed improvements because they will make the area light and spacious. He said public investments create private investments. He said the opening of Willamette Street from 10th to 'lth streets resulted in the sale and renovation of the McDonald Theatre. Dave Dillman, 175 West Broadway, said many people think the downtown mall is a e park and very few public investments have been made in the mall since 1969. He said a downtown should have a strong retail core and a professional base, but many businesses have come and gone in the Eugene downtown recently. He said external changes in the mall should be made now. He said the basic issue is whether the changes will increase the volume of existing businesses and encourage new businesses to locate in the downtown. He said most of the community will approve the changes. He said 80 percent of the shoppers at The Bon do not enter the mall to use the restrooms or playground. He said The Bon, Centre Court, the Parcade, and the Overpark provide restrooms. He said all the proposed changes should be made this year, and the mall should be opened to new events and a new vitality. Linn Spaulding, 980 Lincoln, said he enjoys the mall as it is. He likes to walk in the mall and, sometimes, use the restrooms and the postal station on Broadway. He said he is a consumer. He said a special magic is needed in a mall. He would like more night activities on the mall. He misses the play- ground that was on Wi11amette Street between 10th and 11th avenues and he will miss the playground on Broadway. Gary Kutcher, 2638 Hawkins Lane, opposed the proposed changes. He asked the council to consider them carefully and to encourage public comment on them. He said business difficulties are not caused by the structures on the mall. He said the mall is an enjoyable place to spend time. He likes the large e MINUTES--Eugene City Council June 16, 1986 Page 5 trees, the restrooms, and the postal station. He said the council should e spend money to feed the hungry and house the homeless. Daniel Jones, 2638 Hawkins Lane, said public money was spent to create the mal' and public money should not be spent to destroy it. He said the mall is beautiful and is a nice place to relax and meet people. He said people do not need to see through the mall because they know where the stores are. He likes the large trees. There being no additional requests to testify, Mayor Obie closed the public hearing. Mr. Miller emphasized the need for handicapped accessible restrooms. He suggested the negotiations be expedited. Answering questions from Ms. Schue and Mr. Miller, Ms. Bohman said the cost of removing the restrooms is included in the $462,000 estimate for the proposed changes. She said relocating the restrooms will cost from $75,000 to $125,000 plus land costs. She said the possibility of having restrooms in the Atrium and Centre Court for public use could be discussed with the owners. She said negotiations for relocating the restrooms may be expedited, but the restrooms probably cannot be relocated this year. Ms. Ehrman said she is disappointed that improvement of the alleys is not included in the project. She said the alley to the Atrium should be improved. Ms. Bohman responded that the alleys in the downtown are not considered major entrances. She said some improvements can be made to them, but the e improvements have not been designed. Ms. Bascom said the playground on Broadway is too massive now. She would like to see the designs for the changes. She said the City's urban forester approved of the proposed changes to trees in the project and said the changes will enhance the remaining trees. She said the forester did suggest a change in the specific trees to be removed on Olive Street and she would like staff comment on the suggestion the next time the council considers the issue. She concurred with the testimony that the restrooms should be removed as soon as possible. Mr. Holmer said the councilors received a letter from Ruth Miller, former Neighborhood Liaison for the City. He asked the staff to comment on June 18 about Ms. Miller's suggestion that written commitments about the improvements they will make to their property be solicited from merchants before public funds are spent. He said Ms. Miller also suggested that a fee be charged for the use of the merchant zone for merchandising. Mayor Obie said he also would like staff comment on fees for using the merchant zone for merchandising. He said all the written testimony received by the council will be included in the record. e MINUTES--Eugene City Council June 16, 1986 Page 6 e Mayor Obie recessed the meeting of the Eugene Urban Renewal Agency and recon- vened the meeting of the Eugene City Council. B. Eugene Budget Committee's FY87 Budget Recommendation, including: l} City of Eugene FY87 Budget; 2) Use of Federal Revenue Sharing funds; 3} Use of State Revenue Sharing Funds (memo, ordinance distributed) City Manager Micheal Gleason introduced discussion of the Budget Committee's FY87 Budget recommendation. Finance Director Warren Wong gave the staff report. He said the public hearing will be on the Budget Committee's recom- mendation for the FY87 Budget and the use of Federal and State Revenue Sharing Funds. He said the FY87 Budget contains some administrative and management changes made after the Budget Committee recommended its approval. For example, a Reserve for Encumbrances for purchase orders that carryover from this fiscal year to the next fiscal year was included in each fund, an adjust- ment to the tax base for annexations processed this year was made, and the jail contract was moved from the Police, Fire, and Emergency Services budget to the Municipal Court budget. He said the budget totals $159 million and the General Fund budget is $64 million. Mr. Wong said the General Capital Projects Budget approved by the Budget Committee was for $1.758 million. He said $1.05 million can be funded with known sources and the rest must be funded by new sources of revenue, service reductions, or user fees. He said about $700,000 of capital projects will not be started until funding for them is identified. e Referring to his memo to the councilors dated May 30, 1986, titled "Water Rescue Program," Mr. Gleason said the issue of water rescue by the Police, Fire and Emergency Services Department was not clearly explained by those who presented it to the Budget Committee. He said the proposal presented to the Budget Committee included both training and new equipment for water rescue and the Budget Committee did not approve the expenditure. He said he suggested in his memo that only the training be included in the FY87 Budget. He said the training would cost $9,500 and the contingency fund could be reduced by that amount. He said City staff respond to calls in about four minutes and spe- cialized water rescue units usually do not arrive for at least an hour. Some- times they do not arrive for 24 hours. Mr. Holmer said Mr. Gleason's memo was fine and the issue should be addressed by the Budget Committee. Because the Budget Committee will meet tomorrow~ he suggested the council wait to make a decision. He said the Budget Committee had considered a different proposal than the one presented by Mr. Gleason. Mr. Hansen said equipment, as well as training, is necessary for water rescue and he favored approval of $20,000 for equipment and training. Mayor Obie opened the public hearing. e MINUTES--Eugene City Council June 16, 1986 Page 7 e John Martz, 1740 Graham Drive, said he operates a management consulting firm. He said he liked the mayor's vision of the city, the city manager's goals, and the attempts to make Eugene a destination point. He was pleased about attempts to maintain the infrastructure of the city. He is disappointed with the support in the budget for the expansion of Mahlon Sweet Airport. He said there are projects in the Capital Improvement Budget that could be reduced to provide $500,000 to $600,000 for the airport expansion. He said executives that come to Eugene remark adversely about the service and condition of the airport. There being no additional requests to testify, Mayor Obie closed the public hearing. Mr. Gleason said he realized his recommendation that the FY87 Budget be modified was unusual, but water rescue emergencies happen between now and September, so the training must begin immediately if it is to be effective this season. He said the Budget Committee is scheduled to consider an FY86 supplemental budget tomorrow night, but it could discuss the water rescue program for the FY87 Budget informally. Mr. Holmer was concerned about the council's relationship with the Budget Committee because the committee has wanted to be consulted about budget policies. He suggested the new water rescue program be discussed with the Budget Committee tomorrow night. He said the council could then take action on Wednesday, June 18. e Mr. Gleason suggested the council discuss adopting the FY87 Budget this eve- ning and then consider the water rescue program on Wednesday. He said the council could authorize the expenditure for the water rescue program from the contingency account on Wednesday. The councilors and Mayor Obie discussed the process for some time. Ms. Bascom said the new program would not include body recovery or rescues from white water and, therefore, is different from the one considered by the Budget Committee. Mayor Obie pointed out that the council makes the final decision about the budget and does not have to discuss small changes with the Budget Committee. Ms. Schue said the council does not usually change the budget recommended by the Budget Committee. She suggested the council follow the procedure suggested by Mr. Gleason, which would provide an opportunity for the committee to advise the council. Mr. Hansen said the Budget Committee had rejected a very similar proposal. He urged the councilors to approve both equipment and training for water rescue. Mr. Holmer said the procedure suggested by Mr. Gleason would meet his concerns. Answering questions from Ms. Schue and Ms. Bascom, Mr. Gleason said the council cannot refer the FY87 Budget to the Budget Committee. He said the project could be implemented immediately if the council authorizes the expenditure from the contingency fund. e MINUTES--Eugene City Council June 16~ 1986 Page 8 Mr. Miller noted that the FY87 Budget is short $700,000 for capital projects. e Answering his questions, Mr. Gleason said the council will review new sources of revenue and user fees to fund those projects soon. Mr. Whitlow said the Budget Subcommittee wanted to have $1.7 million in capital projects funded as soon as possible. He said it is understood that $700,000 of projects are frozen until additional revenue sources are approved by the council. He said the projects have not been given priorities. Replying to a request from Mayor Obie, Mr. Rutan said the Budget Subcommittee which considered funds for the airport expansion decided that taking funds from funded projects would cause tremendous degradation of existing capital assets and was more than the subcommittee was willing to accept for the $500,000 that might be gained for the airport. He said the City is spending $1.6 million in State and Federal Aviation Administration funds on the airport parking lots and landscaping this year. He said the amount for street over- lays was doubled this year because of gas tax revenues. Mr. Holmer commented that the City is eight years behind in street overlay projects. Mayor Obie said doubling the street overlay funds did not seem to be a degradation to him. CB 2885--An ordinance adopting the budget, making appropria- tions, determining and levying the annual ad valorem property tax for the City of Eugene for the fiscal year e beginning July 1, 1986, and ending June 30, 1987; and declaring an emergency. Mr. Hansen 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. The motion carried unanimously, 7:0. Councilor Ehrman had left the meeting. Council Bill 2885 was read the second time by council bill number only. Mr. Hansen moved, seconded by Ms. Schue~ that the bill be approved and given final passage. Roll call vote; all coun- cilors present voting aye, the bill was declared passed (and became Ordinance No. 19388). Mr. Hansen moved, seconded by Ms. Wooten, to increase the public safety budget by $20,000 for a water rescue program and to decrease the contingency fund by the same amount. Ms. Schue moved, seconded by Mr. Rutan, to postpone action on the motion until Wednesday, June 18, 1986. The motion carried 5:2 with Councilors Schue, Holmer, Bascom, Miller, and Rutan voting aye and Councilors Wooten and Hansen voting nay. e MINUTES--Eugene City Council June 16, 1986 Page 9 I Mayor Obie recessed the meeting of the Eugene City Council and reconvened the e meeting of the Eugene Urban Renewal Agency. C. Tax Allocation Budget (memo, resolution distributed) City Manager Micheal Gleason introduced discussion of the Tax Allocation Budget. Mayor Obie opened the pUblic hearing. There being no requests to testify, he closed the public hearing. Mr. Holmer said the figures under the headings Resources and Requirements Tax Allocation Funds, the ERA General Fund, the ERA Debt Service Fund, ERA Capital Projects Fund, ERA Capital Development Trust Fund, and Riverfront General Fund do not reconcile with the Manager1s recommendation. He said he will meet with Finance Director Warren Wong tomorrow to discuss the figures. Res. No. 921--A resolution of the Eugene Renewal Agency adopting the budget and making appropriations for the fiscal year beginning July 1,1986, and ending June 30, 1987. Mr. Hansen moved, seconded by Ms. Schue, to adopt the resolu- tion. Roll call vote; the motion carried unanimously, 7:0. e Mayor Obie adjourned the meeting of the Eugene Urban Renewal Agency and recon- vened the meeting of the Eugene City Council. D. Request for Street Name Change of Longfellow Way to Woodside Drive (SC 86-1 ) (memo, map, background information distributed) City Manager Micheal Gleason said the request for a street name change from Longfellow Way to Woodside Drive was signed by all the residents on the street. Mayor Obie opened the public hearing. There being no requests to testify, he closed the public hearing. CB 2886--An ordinance concerning the change of name of Longfellow Way to Woodside Drive; and declaring an emergency. Mr. Hansen 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, 7:0. e MINUTES--Eugene City Council June 16, 1986 Page 10 Council Bill 2886 was read the second time by council bill number only. e Mr. Hansen moved, seconded by Ms. Schue, that the bill be approved and given final passage. Roll call vote; all coun- cilors present voting aye, the bill was declared passed (and became Ordinance No. 19389). II. POSTPONEMENT OF APPEALS OF DECISIONS OF SIGN CODE BOARD OF APPEALS (memo distributed) City Manager Michea1 Gleason introduced consideration of three appeals of decisions of the Sign Code Board of Appeals. He said the appeals were filed by three automobile dealers on Goodpasture Island Road. Jim Croteau of the Planning Department gave the staff report. He said the dealers now wish to withdraw the appeals because of previous council action on the revisions to the Sign Code. He recommended the council accept the withdrawals. Mr. Hansen moved, seconded by Ms. Schue, to accept the with- drawals of the appeals of three automobile dealers on Good- pasture Island Road to decisions of the Sign Code Board of Appeals. Roll call vote; the motion carried unanimously, 7:0. III. RESOLUTION CONCERNING STATE SHARED REVENUES (memo, resolution distributed) . e City Manager Micheal Gleason introduced discussion of State Shared Revenues. He said the proposed resolution certifies that the City provides four or more qualifying services and accepts State Shared Revenues. Res. No. 3983--A resolution certifying that the City of Eugene provides the specified municipal services in order to receive State shared revenues pursuant to Oregon Revised Statutes (221.760). Mr. Hansen moved, seconded by Ms. Schue, to adopt the resolu- tion. Roll call vote; the motion carried unanimously, 7:0. e MINUTES--Eugene City Council June 16, 1986 Page 11 IV. APPOINTMENTS: MAYOR'S NOTIFICATION OF SISTER CITY COMMITTEE e APPOINTMENTS (memo distributed) Mayor Obie announced the following appointments to the Sister City Committee: Edwin Baker, 2561 Lawrence...............Term to expire: 12/31/88 Karlyn Campbell, 2435 Willson............Term to expire: 12/31/88 James Dougher, 2840 Alta Vista...........Term to expire: 12/31/87 Anthony Lum, 3905 Donald.................Term to expire: 12/31/88 David Mortimore, 833 River Loop One......Term to expire: 12/31/87 Jean Paul, 4390 Pearl....................Term to expire: 12/31/87 Bruce Shaw, 2207 Brittany................Term to expire: 12/31/88 Hope Pressman, 1644 East 27th............Term to expire: 12/31/88 Mayor Obie adjourned the meeting at 9:25 p.m. to June 18~ 1986. 7?4~ - Mi chea 1 Gl eason City Manager e (Recorded by Betty Lou Rarick) BLR:ss/MINS24 e MINUTES--Eugene City Council June 16, 1986 Page 12