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HomeMy WebLinkAbout12/10/1986 Meeting .. M I NUT E S e Eugene City Council-Work Session . McNutt Room--City Hall December 10, 1986 11 : 44 a. m . COUNCILORS PRESENT: Richard Hansen (11:45-12:15 p.m.), Emily Schue, Freeman Holmer, Ruth Bascom, Roger Rutan, Jeff Miller (Noon-12:15 p.m.) COUNCILORS ABSENT: Debra Ehrman, Cynthia Wooten. Mayor Brian B. Obie called the work session to order. 1. LEGISLATIVE PRIORITIES Ms. Schue, Chairperson of the Legislative Subcommittee, said the council reviewed and approved the City of Eugene Legislative Policies. At that time, the councilors suggested the Legislative Subcommittee work with other Lane County governments to prepare metropolitan legislative priorities and coordinate efforts to inform legislators of the priorities. Consequently, the Eugene-Springfield Metropolitan Area United Front 1987 State Legislative Priorities were developed. The priorities are: Mah 1 on Sweet Airport, Riverfront Research Park, University of Oregon, street financing, and e regional State office building. Jody Miller of the Intergovernmental Relations Division said all the projects in the United Front Legislative Priorities are large. She said information about the projects is being developed and City representatives are discussing strategies with officials of other local jurisdictions. Staff members discussed each of the projects. Discussing the Mahlon Sweet Airport expansion and a regional State office building, Ms. Miller said the City staff continues to research ways to obtain funds for the airport expansion. She said a State office building in the Eugene/Springfield area has been discussed in previous legislative sessions and it will be brought up again. Terry Smith of the Public Works Department said the 1986 Roads Needs and Finance Study i nc 1 udes State, County, and municipal roads. The study indicates that about $36 billion will be needed in the next 20 years and only about $12 million in revenues is expected. Mr. Smith said the roads in the state can be brought to tolerable levels if the Legislature approves several proposals. He said increases in the gas tax and the vehicle registration fee and a new vehicle title fee will be proposed. Answering questions from Mr. Hansen and Mr. Holmer, Mr. Smith said a two cent annual increase in the gas tax for five years will be proposed. A county e MINUTES--Eugene City Council Work Session December 10, 1986 Page 1 option for vehicle registration fees also will be p ropo sed. Options for cities to enact vehicle registrations will not be proposed because they would e be easy to avoid. Ms. Bascom said she would like the council to have a work session on street financing. Mayor Obie said he is concerned about some of the proposals in the street financing program and he would like the council to review it before a lobbying effort with other jurisdictions is developed. Ms. Schue said the street financing program is very important to the League of Oregon Cities and the Association of Oregon Counties. Responding to questions from Ms. Bascom, Mr. Smith said it would be difficult for Eugene to take an independent position to drastically modify the 1986 Roads Needs and Finance Study now. He said there will be much bargaining about the proposals, however, and Eugene's concerns could be raised then. Mayor Obie said the proposals may not be acceptable. Mr. Holmer said Governor-Elect Goldschmidt has not accepted the 1986 Roads Needs and Finance Study. Mr. Rutan said regional pursuit of some of the things in the Roads Needs and Finance Study is valid and it is important for Eugene to work with other jurisdictions in a timely fashion. e Mayor Obie directed the staff to schedule a council work session on the street financing priority. Discussing the University of Oregon and the Riverfront Research Park, Mr. Gleason said the lobbying efforts of the institutions of higher education wi 11 focus on the need for compet it i ve faculty salaries. He said City officials are discussing the Riverfront Research Park and its relationship with the University of Oregon with Governor-Elect Goldschmidt's transition team. He said the project would be an asset for the state. Answering questions from Mayor Obi e, Mr. Gleason said the City could incorporate support for University of Oregon ath 1 et i c events into its proposals for the Riverfront Research Park. However, Governor-Elect Goldschmidt wants a short list of priorities. Mayor Obie said he is concerned about a domed stadium in Portland and a united front involving the City and the University of Oregon is important. Mr. Rutan said perhaps the City can anticipate ways to work with University of Oregon officials. He said the renovation of Hayward Field is very important and the City supported it financially. Mr. Gleason responded that the City cooperates well with many offices at the University of Oregon but the University of Oregon community is not monolithic and the athletic office works somewhat independently. e MINUTES--Eugene City Council Work Session December 10, 1986 Page 2 , . Mr. Rutan said links between the City BATeam or other City departments and the University of Oregon might be developed. - Ms. Bascom ~aid the Riverfront Research Park is critical and she is concerned about the City getting involved in the dispute over a domed stadium. Ms. Schue said the renovation of Hayward Field is more important now to Eugene than a domed stadium. II. MEETINGS WITH LEGISLATORS Linda Lynch of the Intergovernmental Division reviewed a schedule for lunches with legislators. She sa i d the lunches will provide an opportunity for councilors to discuss issues and give information to legislators. She said the possibility of having a dinner for Eugene and Springfield city councilors, Lane County commissioners, and legislators in Salem is being discussed. Mr. Gleason emphasized the importance of the councilors' involvement in the City's legislative efforts. Mayor Obie said he favors a dinner or luncheon in Salem for metropolitan officials and legislators. III. CITY'S LEGISLATIVE PROCESS Ms. Miller said-the Council Legislative Subcommittee will meet very often when the Legislature convenes and the City's positions will be confirmed when the e council approves the minutes of the subcommittee. She said Linda Lynch and Beth Bridges will represent the City in Salem. She said no decision has been made about contracting with a lobbyist. She discussed the City's computer system links with Salem. Mayor Obie adjourned the work session at 12:15 p.m. R~~ Micheal Gleason City Manager (Recorded by Betty Lou Rarick) mncc1210 e MINUTES--Eugene City Council Work Session December 10, 1986 Page 3