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HomeMy WebLinkAbout10/15/1986 Meeting , . M I NUT E S e Eugene City Council . Council Chamber--City Hall October 15, 1986 Noon COUNCILORS PRESENT: Richard Hansen, Debra Ehrman, Emily Schue, Cynthia Wooten, Freeman Holmer, Ruth Bascom, Roger Rutan, Jeff Mi 11 er The adjourned meeting of October 13, 1986, of the City Council of the City of Eugene, Oregon, was called to order by His Honor Mayor Brian B. Obie. 1. ITEMS FROM CITY COUNCIL, MAYOR, AND CITY MANAGER A. Martin Luther King, Jr. Birthday Celebration Mr. Miller said the City staff is exploring mechanisms for fundi ng the celebration of the birthday of Martin Luther King, Jr. B. Hazardous Materials \. Ms. Wooten asked the staff to prepare a report about the proposed ordinance e concerning hazardous materials. Mr. Gleason said he serves on a statewide committee which is considering hazardous materials and the staff is working on the ordinance. C. Vietnam War Memorial Ms. Wooten sa i d the 1 oca 1 chapter of Vi etnam Veterans is interested in locating a small, simple Vietnam War Memorial in Skinner Butte Park. She asked the council for permission to sugg~st that representatives of the Vietnam Veterans meet with the Joint Parks Committee or Parks and Recreation Director Ernie Drapela to discuss a process for considering the memorial. No councilors objected to her suggestion. D. Mailboxes Near the Overpark Ms. Ehrman said the mailboxes near the Overpark have been moved to a more convenient location. E. Be A Brick Campaign Ms. Bascom said the IIBe a Brickll campaign is going well and has resulted in the sale of 2,200 bricks. Profits from the campaign will benefit the Hult Center. . MINUTES--Eugene City Council October 15, 1986 Page 1 , F. Tree and Beautification Commission . Ms. Bascom said a landscape architecture class at the University of Oregon is - planting ten trees in the Southeast Firs Neighborhood. Class members will care for the trees for at least a year. G. Council Goals Session Mr. Rutan suggested that the process for planning the Council Goals Session begin as soon as possible. He said he would like to meet with the City Manager to plan the session. H. Laurelwood Golf Course Mr. Rutan said a public hearing was held about the proposed expansion of Laurelwood Golf Course. The council will consider the matter before a final decision is made. 1. Destination Point Activities Mr. Rutan said he and Ms. Wooten are co-chairing a subcommittee of the Council Committee on Economic Diversification which is considering destination point activities. J. Council Airport Subcommittee Mr. Rutan announced that the Council Airport Subcommittee will meet Thursday, October 16, to discuss ways to fund the City's share of the expansion of Mahlon Sweet Airport. . Answering a question from Mayor Obie, Mr. Rutan said a press conference was held this morning to announce that American Airlines, United Airlines, and Pacific Southwest Airlines officials support the size and scope of the expansion proposal, that they believe the estimated price is appropriate, and that they will negotiate leases with the City. He said Horizon Airlines is interested in doing business here and is considering the cost of operating at Mahlon Sweet Airport. He said the press conference was an opportunity to keep the community informed about the airport expansion which is the council's first priority. K. Improvements to Fifth Avenue Special District Ms. Wooten asked the staff to prepare a report on the status of improvements in the Fifth Avenue Special District. 11. APPOINTMENTS: COMMISSION ON THE RIGHTS OF THE AGING AND COMMISSION ON THE RIGHTS OF WOMEN Mr. Hanson moved, seconded by Ms. Ehrman, to approve the following appointments: MINUTES--Eugene C'ity Counci 1 October 15, 1986 Page 2 . , Commission on the Rights of the Aging e David Campbell, 3434 Onyx......... ... ....term to expire 1/1/89 . (replacing Kathryn Zuckerman) Vivian Wearne, 1510 Emray Drive.........term to expire 1/1/88 (replacing Theresa Taylor) Commission on the Rights of Women Julie Collis, 85145 South Willamette... .term to expire 1/1/88 (replacing Ellen Bezona) Roll call vote; the motion carried unanimously, 8:0. III. CALL FOR PUBLIC HEARING CONCERNING STREET VACATION REQUEST (SV 86-3) CB 2914--An ordinance calling a public hearing on November 17 1986, to consider a street vacation request east of the relocated Spring Boulevard, southeast of the First Addition to South Ridge. 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. e Council Bill 2914 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. 19416). IV. PUBLIC HEARING: CITY OF EUGENE SUPPLEMENTAL BUDGET NO.1 FY87 City Manager Micheal Gleason introduced consideration of the first supplemental budget of FY87. Mayor Obie opened the public hearing. There being no request to testify, Mayor Obie closed the public hearing. CB 2910--An ordinance adopting a supplemental budget; making appropriations for the City of Eugene for the fiscal year beginning July 1, 1986, and ending June 30, 1987; and declaring an emergency. e MINUTES--Eugene City Council October 15, 1986 Page 3 . Mr. Hansen moved, seconded by Ms. Ehrman, that the bi 11 be read t the second time by council bill number only, with unanimous consent of the council, and that enactment be considered at this e time" Answering questions from Mr. Rutan, Tony Mounts of the Finance Division said Supplemental BudgE~t No. 1 was presented to the Budget Committee on September 23, 1986. At that time, the Budget Committee deleted the Celebration Rodeo and the Future of Our Library Study from the budget. Everything else in the budget is the same. Because of the deletions, the supplemental budget was published again before council consideration. Roll call vote; the motion carried unanimously, 8:0. Counci 1 Bi 11 2910 was read the second time by counci 1 bi 11 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. 19417). V. ENTRANCE BEAUTIFICATION STUDY City Manager Micheal Gleason introduced consideration of the Entrance Beautification StlJdy. Pat Decker of the Planning Department gave the staff report. She distributed copies of an October 15, 1986, memo to the Mayor and City Council from the Planning Department. The memo is tit 1 ed, "Fo 11 ow-up to Public Testimony on Entrance Beautification." She sa i d the counc 11 he 1 d a e public hearing on the Entrance Beautification Study on October 13, 1986. Ms. Decker suggested the council review each item in an October 13, 1986, memo titled, IIpublic Hearing on the Draft Entrance Beautification Study. II The memo is to the Mayor and City Council from the Planning Department. 1. References to IIlp'referred Entrance Corri dors"-- Ms. Decker said the staff suggested eliminating the concept of IIpreferred entrance corridorsll in Policy #1 on page 3 of the draft study, revising the map on page 6 to 'indicate all entrances to the city and to indicate the most direct and attractive routes from the airport in some way, and to revise the reference to IIPreferred Entrance Corri dors" on page 5 of the draft study. Answering questions from Mayor Obie, Mr. Miller said he is comfortable with the changes sugge~sted by the staff. He said the changes will indicate attractive, through routes to the downtown and also indicate other routes that need beautification. Mayor Obie said Highway 99 North is a depressing entrance to the city. Replying to his question, Ms. Decker said the Planning Commission's recommendations increase the importance of Highway 99 North and indicate that it is the Eugene entrance corridor that needs improvement the most. MINUTES--Eugene City Council October 15, 1986 Page 4 e The councilors did not make any additional changes to the section. 2. Eliminate site review for development on entrance corridors and refer e to future code amendment-- Ms. Decker sa i d the Planning Commission recommended a code amendment be considered to accomplish beautification when property is developed on entrance corridors. She said the commission recognized the lack of public funds to finance beautification projects. Mr. Hansen said he is concerned about requiring special things from the owners of certain properties in the city just because the City does not have funds to beautify the city. He said owners of certain properties may be burdened for the benefit of the City. Answering his questions, Ms. Decker said the code amendment would require buffering and screening if it is approved. She discussed the process for considering a code amendment. Mayor Obie noted that the council may mitigate the policy in the draft study when it considers the code amendment. Mr. Holmer said he is concerned about approving the policy in the study without knowing exactly what the code amendment will require. Ms. Schue said the site review suffix is used to require special things from certain property owners and is the result of City policies that require special things from property owners in certain locations. She said she does nDt oppose using a code amendment to beautify entrances if it is better than the site review suffix. e 3. IICity Center" vs. 1I0owntownll on signs-- Ms. Ehrman said she was not at the council's public hearing but she listened to a recorded tape of the hearing. She said she was not convinced that the term II Downtownll is better than the term IICi ty Centerll and she opposes a change. She said the term "City Centerll is more sophisticated than the term IIDowntown." She said Scott Lieuallen, Executive Vice President of the Eugene Springfield Convention and Visitors Bureau, told her visitors do not have problems with the term "City Center.1I She said Portland uses the term "City Center" and Eugene should be consistent with other Oregon cities. Ms. Bascom said she supports the Downtown Commission1s recommendation to use the term "Downtownll for the core a rea and reta in the use of IIcenter" for Valley River Center. Ms. Decker said most signs are on State highways and a change would have to be negotiated with the Oregon Highway Division. 4. Text revisions concerning Highway 99-- The councilors did not comment on the revisions. e MINUTES--Eugene City Council October 15, 1986 Page 5 5. Revisions concerning Ferry Street Bridge-- The councilors did not comment on the revisions. e 6. Revisions to distinguish between business routes and direct routes-- The councilors did not comment on the revisions. 7. Revisions indicating that the incentive program may be delayed-- Answering questions from Mr. Hansen, Ms. Decker said the Draft Entrance Beautification Study indicates that the City would help property owners to landscape and buffer their properties during development. She said the City has had calls frOM property owners on the entrance corridors who want their neighbors to make properties more attractive. She said the Planning Department will work with the Parks Department and civic groups that might donate materi a 1 s to property owners. She said the revisions recognize that the City cannot accomplish the beautification alone. Ms. Bascom said some people in the private sector want the significant role they can play in beautification to be recognized. She said the Tree and Beautification COMmittee is investigating ways to finance beautification and may recommend that efforts begin with a small area on Highway 99 North. Replying to questions from Ms. Wooten, Ms. Decker said estimates for the Eugene Agenda indicated that the City would need $2 million to accomplish all the beautification projects. The $2 million estimate did not include Highway 99 North because it is a State highway. She said the cost of implementing the Beautification Study probably is $2 to $4 million and that does not include e the major street improvement projects. She said none of the projects are in the Capital Improvement Program (CIP) now. Replying to a question from Mr. Holmer, Ms. Decker said Bancroft loans, a gas tax, a tax on rented cars, or other means could be used to fund the beautification program. The staff has not recommended a specific mechanism. She said the pr;ol~ity projects in the draft study are the Franklin Boulevard Maintenance exchange, visitor signs, the Highway 99 North demonstration project, the private landscape incentive program, and street tree planting. Mayor Obie said the private sector shou 1 d be' i nc 1 uded in funding the beautification program. He said the council will have to decide whether the Entrance Beautific:ation Study should be implemented in the next five years or the next 20 years. He said some progress in beautification has been made. Mr. Hansen said a,dopting the Entrance Beautification Study will begin the implementation process and it would be helpful if a revenue plan accompanied the study. Ms. Schue said most people agree that beautification is needed and it will be helpful to have a plan. For example, 1 oca 1 officials can talk with local developers or State officials when projects are planned if the study is adopted. MINUTES--Eugene City Council October 15, 1986 Page 6 e Mayor Obie said the council had not agreed about issues #2 and #3. He said, in his opinion, the City should provide standards for how the city should look. He said people who own property on entrance corridors receive benefits from e the pub 1 i c location and have a respons i bil ity for making the property attractive. Although the draft study does not define that responsibility, the study does indicate the responsibility exists. He said such responsibility is indicated in other City policies. Mr. Hansen moved to retain the provisions for the site review suffix in Policy 7 on page 3 of the draft study (issue #2). The motion was not seconded. Mayor Obie asked the councilors to decide about the terms IICity Centerll and "Downtown. II Ms. Ehrman moved, seconded by Ms. Schue, to delete the recommendation to change the term IICity Centerll to "Downtown.1I Roll call vote; the motion failed 3:4:1 with Councilors Ehrman, Schue, and Rutan voting aye and Councilors Wooten, Bascom, Holmer, and Miller voting nay. Councilor Hansen abstained from the vote. CB 2915--An ordinance adopting the 1986 Entrance Beautification Study. Mayor Obi e sa i d the recommendations of the Planning Commission will be included in the study. 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. Answering questions from Ms. Wooten, Ms. Decker said financial information about implementing the study will be available in 1987. Mr. Holmer said the adoption of rough outlines li ke the Entrance Beaut ifi cat i on Study sets machinery in motion and the council finds it difficult to stop or change the projects in the study. He said entrance beautification is very desirable and he would like to see it implemented. However, there are many uncertainties in the study and he is not eager to approve it a few days before voters consider Ballot Measure 9. He said approval of the study will commit City funds and recommend consideration of a code amendment which the council has not seen and which will take away private property ri ghts. He said entrance beautification could be accomplished without adopting the study. Therefore, he will oppose the motion. Mr. Miller said he appreciates the Planning Commission1s and the staff's work on the study because the process changed several things. He said the draft study is a vision. It indicates goals. Details can be addressed later. He said he will support the motion. e MINUTES--Eugene City Council October 15, 1986 Page 7 , Ms. Bascom said she appreciates the work on the study and will work for its implementation. Mr. Hansen said Mr. Holmer's comments are valid because the council will be e adopting a policy if it adopts the Beautification Study. He said he will support the mot i on because the City needs a plan. Answering his question, Mr. Gleason sa i d adopted plans guide the preparation of the CIP and discussions with State agencies. He said the staff will act on the study if it is adopted. Resources will be directed as indicated in the study. Replying to a question from Mr. Rutan, Ms. Decker said the policies in the study wi 11 be adopted City policies if the study is adopted. The implementation pr'iorities will not be adopted City policies. Roll call vote; the motion carried 7:1 with Councilors Ehrman, Hansen, Schue, Wooten, Bascom, Miller, and Rutan voting aye and Councilor Holmer voting nay. Mayor Obie said the council action is significant and will create an awareness in the community. He said the council action indicates leadership. V!. RESOLUTIONS CONCERNING STATE BALLOT MEASURES City Manager MichE!al Gleason introduced the item. Res. No. 4005--A resolution opposing Ballot Measure 7. Mr. Hanson moved, seconded by Ms. Ehrman, to adopt the e resolution. Roll call vote; the motion carried unanimously, 8:0. Res. No. 4010--A resolution opposing Ballot Measure 14. Mr. Han son moved, seconded by Ms. Ehrman, to adopt the resolution. Ms. Wooten moved to table the motion. The motion died for 1 ack of a second. Mr. Miller said passage of Ballot Measure 14 will cost the City money. He wondered about the effectiveness of the ballot measure in accomplishing the desired outcome because the state of Washington would still have nuclear power. He said he will oppose Measure 14 because people would have to suffer an enormous economic loss and they would have to suffer air pollution caused by coal plants if the measure passed. Ms. Wooten said it is difficult for her to support a measure which may have an adverse economic impact on the City. She said, however, that the proliferation of nuclear wastes stored in tin buildings near the Columbia River should not continue and irradiating the Columbia River should not be risked when other options are available. She said the power from the Trojan plant is not needed. She urged people to support Measure 14. MINUTES--Eugene City Council October 15, 1986 Page 8 e , Ms. Ehrman said closing the Trojan plant may raise the electric rates in Eugene. She said many people support safe disposal of nuclear wastes but e they do not realize that passage of Measure 14 would close the Trojan plant. She said she will oppose Measure 14 because its passage would have a negative fiscal impact on the community. Roll call vote; the motion carried 7:1 with Councilors Hansen, Ehrman, Schue, Holmer, Bascom, Rutan, and Miller voting aye and Councilor Wooten voting nay. VI!. REPORT ON MILL AND ELEVATOR TASK TEAM City Manager Micheal Gleason introduced the item. Planning Director Susan Brody gave the staff report. She said the council authorized formation of a task team to explore the possibility of moving the historic Mill and Elevator Building after the Planning Commission overturned a decision of the Historic Review Board and approved demolition of the Mill and Elevator Building. She said another task team had considered the historic Mill and Eleavator Building earlier. Ms. Brody said the second task team met for several months. Task team members decided it would not be rea sonab 1 e to solicit proposals for moving the building. They recommended that the the building be commemorated with a marker placed at the intersection of High Street and Fifth Avenue, with a pictorial display in the pocket park in the Eugene Water and Electric Board ( EWEB ) development, and with a plaque in the public plaza beside the Willamette River. She said the task team members will review designs for the e commemorations if the council wishes. Ms. Brody said EWEB officials said they do not object to a display in the pocket park and they will arrange a fund 'for contributions to pay for the display. Mr. Mill er wondered about the hi stori c value of the Mill and El evator Building. Mr. Gleason responded that Eugene1s initial industrial development began in the area where the Mill and Elevator Building is located. The Mill and Elevator is the only building remaining of that industrial development. He discussed the importance of the Millrace and what a display could illustrate. Mr. Rutan said he appreciates the work of the task team. He said only one commemoration is needed and he favors a display in the pocket park. Answeri ng questions from Ms. Schue, Ms. Brody said EWEB officials will facilitate setting up a fund to finance the display in the pocket park. EWEB officials do not have much interest in a marker at High Street and 5th Avenue or in the public plaza. Replying to a question from Ms. Wooten, Brad Perkins, a member of the task team, said the task team did not have enough time to advertise or to evaluate proposals for relocating the Mill and Elevator Building. He said moving the e MINUTES--Eugene City Council October 15, 1986 Page 9 ! building and finding an economical use for it would be very difficult. He said the commemorative markers would be a beautification project and would be an extension of the 5th Street Market area. He said a marker at the High e Street and 5th AVE!nue intersection is important because it would draw people to the old commercial area. He said EWES has not voluntarily accepted costs for commemorating the area. Mr. Holmer said one commemoration is sufficient. Mr. Hansen moved, seconded by Mr. Holmer, to accept the report of the Mill and Elevator Task Team and to direct the City Manager to work with EWEB officials to locate a commemoration of the historic Mill and Elevator Bui~~ing in one location. Mr. Hansen said the commemoration should be simple. Roll call vote; the motion carried 7:1 with Councilors Hansen, Schue, Wooten, Holmer, Bascom, Rutan, and Miller voting aye and Councilor Ehrman voting nay. VIII. SEMI-ANNUAL ZONING AND DEVELOPMENT ACTIVITY REPORT City Manager Michleal Gleason introduced consideration of the semi-annual zoning and development activity report. Jim Croteau of the Planning Department reviewed the report. Answering a question from Ms. Ehrman, Hearings Official Jim Spickerman said e his most difficult decisions are in areas for which refinement plans have not been adopted. He said interpreting the Metropolitan Area General Pl an is diffi.cult . Mr. Miller discussed some unreasonable sign code regulations and said he hoped the council would be able to change unreasonable regulations. Mr. Spickerman said regulations that resul t in inequities are usually appea 1 ed to the Planning Commission which recommends changes to the council. Ms. Bascom said she is interested in encouraging development in the 19th Avenue and Agate Street area. Mr. Croteau responded that the Planning Commission will consider including a special study of the 19th Avenue and Agate Street area in its 1987 work plan. The study will focus on parking problems. The Planning Commission may also consider uses permitted in the C-1 Limited Commercial District. Answering a question from Ms. Bascom, Larry Reed, Manager of the Building Safety Division, said the staff has inventoried sign code violations in the city. He said the City will undertake a public relations and education program before enforcing sign code regulations. Ms. Bascom said she would like to know about the protests to enforcement of the sign code. MINUTES--Eugene C'i ty Counci 1 October 15, 1986 Page 10 . . " Mr. Rutan said the zoning and development activity report indicates that the council does not need to be involved in every decision. He said the council e should continue to monitor zoning and development activity. Ms. Wooten said she would like information about the Condominium Conversion Ordi nance before the Pl anni n9 Commi ssi on makes its final recommendations concerning possible changes to the ordinance. Mayor Obie adjourned the meeting at 1:40 p.m. Respectfully submitted, '~ ;.,. '~, Micheal Gleason City Manager (Recorded by Betty Lou Rarick) mncc1015 e - MINUTES--Eugene City Council October 15, 1986 Page 11