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HomeMy WebLinkAbout12/17/1986 Meeting M I NUT E S e Eugene City Council McNutt Room--City Hall December 17, 1986 Noon COUNCILORS PRESENT: Debra Ehrman, Freeman Holmer, Emily Schue, Cynthia Wooten, Ruth Bascom, Jeff Miller, Roger Rutan, Robert Bennett. The adjourned meeting of December 15, 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 THE COUNCIL, MAYOR, AND CITY MANAGER A. 1986 City Population Estimates Jim Carlson of the Lane Council of Governments (L-COG) responded to a question from Mayor Obie about the population estimates distributed by the Center for Population Research and Census of Portland State University. Mr. Carlson distributed a December 16, 1986, memo to the Mayor and City Council titled, 111986 City Population Estimate.1I He said the Center for Population Research and Census distributed preliminary population estimates several weeks ago that indicated a 2,000 decrease in Eugene's population and an 8,000 decrease in Lane County's population. e Mr. Carlson said the most important indicators of population are Eugene Water & Electric Board (EWEB) and Springfield Utility Board (SUB) electric meter records. He said Eugene and Springfield contracted with the center in May 1985 to survey the local area. The survey provided excellent data, but the Center for Population Research ignored much of it in making the 1986 preliminary population estimates. He discussed the methodology used by the center. Mr. Carlson said the L-COG staff successfully challenged the preliminary population estimates for Eugene and, on December 15, the center certified a July 1, 1986, population of 106,480 which signifies an increase. He said his data indicate the rural Lane County population decreased between 1980 and 1986 but he does not think it decreased 8,000 in 1986. He is working with the center and Lane County officials to estimate the county population correctly. Mr. Gleason said center officials increased the 1985 Eugene population estimate after the survey in May 1985 but the increase was not as much as was indicated by the L-COG data. Consequently, the problem probably is compounded this year. Mr. Carlson added that the decreasing average household size is being overlooked in the estimates. He said housing construction is slow in Eugene because a backlog is being used. e MINUTES--Eugene City Council December 17, 1986 Page 1 --- Answering a question from Ms. Ehrman, Mr. Carlson said the survey in May 1985 cost the City $14,000. e B. Balloting for Planning Commissioners The councilors voted for two positions on the Planning Commission. Mr. Hanson announced that Nancy Nathanson received five votes, John Van Landingham received eight votes, and Alan Yordy received three votes. Mr. Hansen moved, seconded by Ms. Ehrman, that the council approve the following appointments: Nancy Nathanson, 2865 Taylor (replacing Randy Thwing)..........term to expire: 12/31/89 John Van Landingham, 1172 West 5th Avenue (replacing Rob Bennett)...........term to expire: 12/31/90 The motion carried unanimously, 8:0. Ms. Ehrman said she was impressed with all the people interviewed and felt all of them would have been good planning commissioners. Mayor Obie directed the staff to write the other applicants thanking them for applying. . C. Eugene-Springfield Metropolitan Partnership e Ms. Bascom said the City's current representatives to the Eugene-Springfield Metropolitan Board of Directors were not aware their terms will expire on December 31. In addition, two of the candidates the council interviewed for the positions are not eligible because they live outside the city limits. Ms. Bascom moved, seconded by Mr. Rutan, to defer action on appointments to the Metropolitan Partnership to January 14, 1987. The motion carried unanimously, 8:0. Ms. Bascom said the council recently adopted a policy to limit terms on advisory bodies to two terms. At the time, councilors assumed terms are for three or four years; however, terms on the Metropolitan Partnership are for one year only. Ms. Bascom suggested the Subcommittee on Committees consider permitting appointees to the Partnership to serve more than two terms. She also suggested the subcommittee address when people who live outside the city limits should be considered for appointment to advisory groups and if people should serve on more than one advisory group. Responding to Ms. Bascom's concern, City Attorney Tim Sercombe said an adopted ordinance requires members of advisory groups to live within the city limits unless no one qualified who lives within the city limits applies. Mayor Obi e poi nted out that the implementation of the urban transition policies might make it advisable for the City to appoint non-residents to some City advisory groups. e MINUTES--Eugene City Council December 17, 1986 Page 2 Ms. Bascom moved, seconded by Ms. Schue, to refer the following issues to the Council Subcommittee on Committees: e 1. May citizens serving on advisory groups be appointed for more than two terms if their term is for two years or 1 ess? 2. May citizens living outside the city limits be appointed to City advisory groups? 3. May citizens serve on more than one City advisory group at the same time? The motion carried unanimously, 8:0. The councilors discussed when the Council Subcommittee on Committees could meet and what its recommendations might be. Ms. Wooten said she assumed the positions on the Metropolitan Partnership would be advertised again for ten days. Ms. Schue pointed out that the council interviewed three people for the Partnership positions and the current appointees might re-apply. Mr. Holmer suggested the advertising for the partnership should conform to the subcommittee's recommendation and the other councilors agreed with him. D. Appointments to Budget Committee, Southern Willamette Private Industry Council, and Library Board of Trustees Mr. Hansen moved, seconded by Ms. Ehrman, that the council approve the following nominations: e Budget Committee Arden Munkres................ .term to expire 12/31/89 Kim Short.............. .......term to expire 12/31/89 Kay Robinhold........... ......term to expire 12/31/89 Southern Willamette Private Industry Council Debra J. Williams..............term to expire 12/31/89 Chris Pryor................ ....term to expire 12/31/89 Library Board of Trustees Charles Stephens............. ..term to expire 12/31/90 Steven Koester... ....... ...... .term to expire 12/31/90 Responding to a question from Ms. Ehrman, the other councilors decided that no current members of the Budget Committee have completed two full terms. The motion carried unanimously, 8:0. e MINUTES--Eugene City Council December 17, 1986 Page 3 E. Holiday Decorations e Ms. Ehrman said she hoped the City would be sensitive to the variety of religious beliefs in the community in its holiday decorations. F. Urban Services Policies Committee Mr. Rutan said the Urban Services Transition Committee (USPC) has accomplished a great deal and the council will consider its recommendations next year. He said the transition process will result in good, cost-effective, efficient government and the cooperation among the Eugene, Springfield, and lane County staffs and the elected officials has been excellent. Ms. Schue agreed with Mr. Rutan. She said people are adapting quickly to the transition of urban services. G. City Service levels Mr. Miller emphasized the need for the council to focus on acceptable levels for City services before the executive budget is prepared. H. Crime Action Task Force Ms. Wooten said the Crime Action Task Force adopted final recommendations to the council. She said task force members would like to continue meeting until June 30, 1987, when they assume new members wi 11 be appoi nted to meet . quarterly. She said task force members intend to meet January 14, 1987. e Answering questions from Ms. Ehrman, Ms. Wooten said task force members want to continue meeting so they can seek grants, explain the report to other jurisdictions, encourage coordination among jurisdictions, and discuss State practices with the Council Legislative Subcommittee. Mayor Obie suggested that Ms. Wooten formally request continuance of the task force at a future meeting of the council. Replying to questions from Mr. Holmer and Ms. Bascom, Ms. Wooten said task force members probably will not submit a request to the Budget Committee. She said several task force members expressed interest in working with the social services agencies in Lane County. I. Last Meeting for Mr. Hansen Mr. Hansen said he has enjoyed being on the council. Mayor Obie asked Mr. Hansen to preside at the Inauguration on January 7, 1987. Mayor Obie said Mr. Hansen has accepted a position on the Performing Arts Commission. Mayor Obie said Mr. Hansen will be missed on the council. e MINUTES--Eugene City Council December 17, 1986 Page 4 J. Fire at St. Vincent de Paul e Mayor Obie said the recent fire at the St. Vincent de Paul retail store affected the organization's social service program and the organization will need assistance in providing holiday food for families. He suggested the City consider a contract with St. Vincent de Paul for under $1,000 and directed the staff to investigate the matter. Ms. Ehrman suggested the staff of the Joint Social Services Committee be contacted because there is a fund balance that could be used to help St. Vincent de Paul. Ms. Wooten said St. Vincent de Paul officials would like to add 2,000 square feet to their facility on Seneca Road for retail operations. She asked the Planning staff to investigate the matter. K. Nuclear Free Zone Ordinance Mayor Obie said the council wi 11 meet January 14, 1987, to discuss implementation of the Nuclear Free Zone Ordinance. III. AIRPORT FINANCING Mr. Rutan, chairperson of the Airport Subcommittee, said the subcommittee's charge was to propose the most appropriate package for the community to consider. He said the committee responded to comments about the expansion of Mahlon Sweet Airport. He said the use of Federal, State, and Lane County e funds mean the airport expansion is being funded regionally. He said the share of the $18 million project which the City must provide is approximately $6 mill ion. Mr. Rutan reviewed the main points in the public testimony about the airport expansion on December 15, 1986. He said the council must decide whether it wants to refer a proposal to the voters to finance the airport expansion with a Revenue-Backer General Obligation Bond. The council must decide about the size, scope, and cost of the project; whether private funding should be sought for certain parts of the project; what up-front capital should be provided to implement the project and to reduce the debt; and how the debt service on the bonds should be paid. Mr. Rutan recommended the council authorize $300,000 to finance the project until the March 31, 1987, vote. He also recommended that a public information project be authorized if the council decides to refer the proposal to the voters in March. He said the airport expansion has been the City's first priority for some time and the City's Capital Improvement Program (CIP) has not been sacrificed to fund the expansion. Mayor Obie suggested each councilor discuss the issues. Answering a question from Ms. Ehrman, Mr. Sercombe said resolutions do not bind future councils because future councils can rescind resolutions or pass e MINUTES--Eugene City Council December 17, 1986 Page 5 different resolutions. However, resolutions can express the intent of the council and they can create policy. e Mr. Hansen said he supports letting the citizens vote on the proposal. He said paying the debt service with $550,000 from existing revenues probably will affect other City services to some degree but it will also create additional value which will result in additional revenues. He said the City's economy probably will not grow much if the airport is not improved. He said he does not support raising property taxes to pay the debt service. Mr. Hansen suggested the following addition to Section 1 of the proposed resolution (underlined material should be added): . . . Revenue-Backed General Obligation Bond measure passed by the voters be placed as a top priority in the capital improvement budget annually for at least five years and thereafter be paid from the following sources, in the following priority: Ms. Wooten said she supports the airport improvement but its financing has been vexing. She said she supports the airport expansion to improve the handling of freight and cargo, to assist manufacturers, to provide a service for new busi nesses, and to improve passenger service. She said she is committed to a customs station at the airport and a foreign trade zone. Ms. Wooten said she will support the funds to continue the airport expansion until the March 31, 1987, vote. She will also support the use of $1.1 up-front . money to reduce the amount borrowed. She said she does not understand how the City will pay $550,000 debt service from existing revenues without decreasing e city services. She said she regrets submitting to the voters a proposal for bonds that will be backed by property taxes that will add $13 annually to the taxes on a $60,000 home until the bonds are paid. However, she said the voters will decide the issue. Mr. Miller said he supports the airport expansion because it is the City's first priority. He said the voters should not be asked to approve additional property taxes. He said the airport expansion should be paid for from existing revenues but it will impact City services. He emphasized that the same prioritizing process should be used for other City services such as public safety and library services. He said the council should "live within our resources." Ms. Schue said good air transportation is very important for the future. She said she will support funds to continue the airport expansion until the March 31, 1987, vote. She said she will support providing $1.1 million up-front money to reduce the debt. She said she supports the use of General Obligation bonds for the project because the interest rate is lower than for other financing mechanisms. She said many people do not want existing City services reduced and, therefore, she prefers to pay the debt service on the bonds with additional property taxes. Mr. Holmer said the proposal will not have a major effect on other City services. He said the airport should be approved and it should be funded with e MINUTES--Eugene City Council December 17, 1986 Page 6 Revenue-Backed General Obligation bonds. He sa i d it probably will not be necessary to raise property taxes to pay the debt service on the bonds if the e other methods proposed are implemented. He sa i d he wi 11 support the subcommittee recommendations. Ms. Bascom said Eugene's economic well-being requires the airport expansion. She said she supports paying the debt service from existing resources. She said the airport improvement is a capital project and capital budget funds should be used for it. She said she does not expect to have to decrease vital City services to pay for the expansion. Ms. Ehrman said she supports the airport expansion. She said as many funds as possible were obtained from outside sources but other local jurisdictions did not agree to support the airport financially. She said she will support authorizing funds to continue the project until March 31. She also favors using $1.1 million up-front money because it will reduce the debt. She said General Obligation bonds are the most cost-effective method of financing the debt. She said she cannot support a resolution that states that property taxes will not be increased to retire the bonds. She said future councils may decide to increase property taxes to pay for the expansion and the proposal before the voters will permit property taxes to be raised. She said the airport expansion is a major project and. because City resources are decreasing, property taxes may have to be increased to pay for it. Mayor Obie said he will support the council's decision. He said he favors the subcommittee recommendation. He emphasized the importance of the airport expansion to the community's economy. He said there are lots of other needs in the community that can only be paid for by people with jobs. He said some e City services may have to be reduced to pay for the airport expansion but it is an important investment. Mayor Obie said he supports allowing the public to vote on the project. He said people will be given an opportunity to indicate that they are willing to invest and move ahead. He said he does not want the project to be controversial for the next five years. Mr. Hansen moved, seconded by Ms. Ehrman, to approve the expenditure of an amount not to exceed $300,000 for the purpose of design work and contract document preparation for the Airport project prior to March 31, 1987. Mr. Hansen said approval of the motion will maintain the schedule for the project. The landside and airside parts of the project will be advertised in February 1987 and construction will begin in June 1987. Construction on the terminal will begin in December 1987. Ms. Ehrman said $300,000 is the minimum needed to prepare the designs for bids. She said the contractors will know the result of the vote before bids are submitted. The motion carried unanimously, 8:0. e MINUTES--Eugene City Council December 17, 1986 Page 7 Mr. Hansen moved, seconded by Ms. Ehrman, to adopt an airport project budget of $18,341,000, with the project ~ scope to be the recommendation of the Council Airport ~ Subcommittee submitted on December 5, 1986. Answering questions from Ms. Bascom and Ms. Schue, Mr. Gleason said the $18,341,000 project cost includes $300,000 (the upfront money) which will finance the bid documents. He said $18,341,000 is the maximum cost for the project. It is possible the project may cost less. He said additions to the project that are financed from other sources will not be overruns. Mr. Hansen added that $18,341,000 is the best estimate of the project cost and includes all contingencies. The motion carried unanimously, 8:0. Mr. Hansen moved to adopt a financing approach for the City share which includes: 1. An election on March 31, 1987, for a Revenue-Backed General Obligation Bond, and 2. The appropriation of $1.1 million as recommended by the Council Airport Financing Committee. Mr. Hansen said the specific amount of the Revenue-Backed General Obligation Bond will be determined at the January 12, 1987, City Council meeting. He said the $1.1 million recommended by the subcommittee includes the $300,000 approved by the council for the preparation of bid documents. 4It Mr. Hansen first included a third item concerning the method of paying for the Revenue-Backed General Obligation Bond in his motion. Ms. Ehrman asked to have a separate vote on that item and the councilors agreed by consensus to do so. The motion carried unanimously, 8:0. Mr. Hansen moved, seconded by Ms. Ehrman, to pay part of the debt for the project with the $1.1 million (including $300,000 for bid documents) recommended by the Council Airport Subcommittee. Ms. Bascom said she is surprised that the $300,000 for bid documents is included in the $1.1 million. Mr. Hansen said the intent of the motion is that $800,000 of the $1.1 million up-front money will not be spent until the voters have approved the project on March 31, 1987. The motion carried unanimously, 8:0. ~ MINUTES--Eugene City Council December 17, 1986 Page 8 . Mr. Hansen moved, seconded by Ms. Ehrman, to pay back the City's share of the project by adopting Resolution No. 4016 e titled "A Resolution Concerning the Financing of the Public Share of the Airport Terminal Expansion Project" pr~sented to the council today. Replying to a question from Mr. Rutan, Mayor Obie said the resolution provides direction and may be followed by several ordinances. Mr. Gleason said passage of the resolution would have the same effect as passage of an ordinance. Ms. Bascom said some changes in the resolution might be appropriate later and Mayor Obie responded that the council could change the resolution later. Mr. Rutan sa i d he supports Mr. Hansen's suggestion that the annual debt service be a priority in the CIP for five years. Responding to a comment from Mr. Rutan, Mayor Obie said the council can change the resolution or ordinance after the March 31 vote. Mr. Holmer wondered if some councilors would like to add a phrase to section (e) of the resolution which would require a vote on additional property taxes and/or cuts in City services if other means of paying the debt service are not adequate. Ms. Schue pointed out that a vote is not required to raise property taxes to pay for Revenue-Backed General Obligation bonds. Mr. Hansen moved, seconded by Mr. Miller, to amend the motion as follows (underlined material should be added): e Sect ion 1. Based upon the above findings. . .the repayment of any Revenue-Backed General Obligation Bond measure passed by the voters be placed as a top priority in the Capital Improvement Budget annually for at least five years and thereafter be paid from the following sources,. . . Replying to a question from Ms. Bascom, Mr. Hansen said his amendment would establish the airport as a priority in the Capital Improvement Budget for five years. He said it will provide a guide for other councils. The amendment carried 6:2 with Councilors Schue, Miller, Holmer, Bascom, Hansen, and Rutan voting aye and Councilors Wooten and Ehrman voting nay. Answering a question from Mr. Gleason, Mr. Hansen said the amendment does not preclude using other funds to pay the debt service on the Revenue-Backed General Obligation bonds. Replying to a question from Mr. Miller, Mayor Obie said the council will be presented with ordinances later calling for an election on March 31, 1987, and adopting a ballot title. e MINUTES--Eugene City Council December 17, 1986 Page 9 --- , Mr. Miller said he would like the council to be presented with an ordinance that instructs the council about how to fund the debt service. Mayor Obi e and e other councilors agreed with his request. The motion carried 5:3 with Councilors Holmer, Rutan, Bascom, Miller, and Hansen voting aye and Councilors Schue, Wooten, and Ehrman voting nay. Ms. Ehrman said the content of the public information campaign will be very important. Answering her question, Mr. Gleason said the council will not be asked to authorize an expenditure for the campaign. Mr. Rutan said he will work to communicate the importance of the project to the voters. Mr. Hansen said he is pleased with the commitment of the council as expressed in the vote. Mayor Obie adjourned the meeting at 1:25 p.m. ~~ I Micheal Gleason City Manager . (Recorded by Betty Lou Rarick) e mncc1217 e MINUTES--Eugene City Council December 17, 1986 Page 10 --- -- - .' , . - e TAL l Y SHE E T Planning Commission NAME Nancy Nathanson ~ 5 NAME John Van Landingham ## /// J? , NAMEBarbara Keller NAMEA 1 an Yordy /// J NAME NAME NAME NAME NAME e NAME NAME NAME NAME NAME NAME NAME RECORDED BY: ., ~~ ~-/7~ Assistant City Manager Date eakrbcc2 e 'DeL'---GV~)L~ III Ic;Bi C.C5L-ChC~--O..,) ~LlQ.A) . e B ALL 0 T Board or Commission: Planning Commission Number of Openings: 2 openings Term(s) to Expire: 1 vacancy expires December 31, 1990 (Rob Bennett's vacancy) 1 vacancy expires December 31, 1989 (Complete R. Thwing's term) I wish to nominate the following: 1.~ ~V~ l~ e 2. ~ }~(7 Submitted by: ~~ I&(.{.ll ft Coun 1 r ate Please Note: This motion needs to specify which person's term expires December 31, 1990, and which expires December 31, 1989. e e B ALL 0 T Board or Commission: Planning Commission Number of Openings: 2 openings Term(s) to Expire: 1 vacancy expires December 31, 1990 (Rob Bennett's vacancy) 1 vacancy expires December 31, 1989 (Complete R. Thwing's term) I wish to nominate the following: 1. ~/t~~~~- c:/r/) / e 2. /1~( ~dA!/~/ Submitted by: OC;J.zf, ,-/ .(J?~..oU/L/ /1~{l)>(, Councilor - Please Note: This motion needs to specify which person's term expires December 31, 1990, and which expires December 31, 1989. e e B ALL 0 T Board or Commission: Planning Commission Number of Openings: 2 openings Term(s) to Expire: 1 vacancy expires December 31, 1990 (Rob Bennett's vacancy) 1 vacancy expires December 31, 1989 (Complete R. Thwing's term) I wi~to nominate the following: I. ().f.v LOhI tJ./HI~ e 2. N~~ Submitted by: e.~ 12 - 17 Councilor Date Please Note: This motion needs to specify which person's term expires December 31, 1990, and which expires December 31, 1989. e e B ALL 0 T Board or Commission: Planning Commission Number of Openings: 2 openings Term(s) to Expire: 1 vacancy expires December 31, 1990 (Rob Bennett's vacancy) 1 vacancy expires December 31, 1989 (Complete R. Thwing's term) following: e 2. Submitted by: fJ. flMAIl 1-z/l7h{.p Councilor I Date Please Note: This motion needs to specify which person's term expires December 31, 1990, and which expires December 31, 1989. e . e B ALL 0 T Board or Commission: Planning Commission Number of Openings: 2 openings Term(s) to Expire: 1 vacancy expires December 31, 1990 (Rob Bennett's vacancy) 1 vacancy expires December 31, 1989 (Complete R. Thwing's term) I wish to nominate the following: l. Jo l rJ VAt-! lANJ,~~jfh-- e 2. /U A-17 N A-.-J1 ~ ~.tr1 . Submitted by: Please Note: This motion needs to specify which person's term expires December 31, 1990, and which expires December 31, 1989. e , e BALLOT Board or Commission: Planning Commission Number of Openings: 2 openings Term(s) to Expire: 1 vacancy expires December 31, 1990 (Rob Bennett's vacancy) 1 vacancy expires December 31, 1989 (Complete R. Thwing's term) I wish to nomin~ng: e :: 7t-~ ~-- Submitted by: ~l, I~?~t Councilor ate Please Note: This motion needs to specify which person's term expires December 31, 1990, and which expires December 31, 1989. e -- . e B ALL 0 T Board or Commission: Planning Commission Number of Openings: 2 openings Term(s) to Expire: 1 vacancy expires December 31, 1990 (Rob Bennett's vacancy) 1 vacancy expires December 31, 1989 (Complete R. Thwing's term) I wish to nominate the following: 1. lJO /fN V /J.N- L /JYlI1J II1/i. 1f+YY'J e 2. 1}~1)y\I Y~{-'1 Submitted by: Ill! ~ / L - () -f;Cr Date cou:1i 1 0 Please Note: This motion needs to specify which person's term expires December 31, 1990, and which expires December 31, 1989. e - . . . < e B ALL 0 T Board or Commission: Planning Commission Number of Openings: 2 openings Term(s) to Expire: 1 vacancy expires December 31, 1990 (Rob Bennett's vacancy) 1 vacancy expires December 31, 1989 (Complete R. Thwing's term) I wish to nominate the following: 1. r~~~ . 2. I ' ., , . . ,. . . . YI" ",.- .f . .... .~ ., " , . - . Submitted by: <4/ /;/;7 Councilor Date Please Note: This motion needs to specify which person's term expires December 31, 1990, and which expires December 31, 1989. _.