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HomeMy WebLinkAbout03/11/1987 Meeting M I NUT E S e Eugene City Council City Council Chamber March 11, 1987 Noon COUNCILORS PRESENT: Debra Ehrman, Freeman Holmer, Cynthia Wooten, Ruth Bascom, Roger Rutan, Jeff Miller, Rob Bennett. COUNCILORS ABSENT: Emily Schue. The adjourned meeting of March 9, 1987, of the City Council of Eugene, Oregon, was called to order by City Council President Debra Ehrman in the absence of His Honor Mayor Brian B. Obie. I. ITEMS FROM THE MAYOR, CITY COUNCIL, AND CITY MANAGER A. Community Development Committee Activities Mr. Miller said the Community Development Committee (CDC) members would like the councilors to personally experience how some of the Community Development Block Grant funds are used. Therefore, he invited the councilors to meet at e the nutrition site in Olive Plaza sometime in April. B. Council Relations with School District 4-J and Eugene Education Association Ms. Wooten said she is very concerned about the possibility of a strike against School District 4-J by members of the Eugene Education Association (EEA). She said a strike would be very divisive and would not be good for economic development, the morale in the community, or the local government. She said it usually takes a community about five years to recover from a strike. She suggested that the City Manager and two councilors visit with the superintendent and two School Board members so that the council can be assured that everything possible ;s being done to avoid a strike. Mr. Holmer said the School Board has accepted the report of the State Factfinder. The EEA is a party in the difficulty and has not accepted the State Factfinder's report. He said it would not be appropriate for the City Manager and council representatives to meet only with the superintendent and School Board members. He said the 4-J School Board and the City Council are separate units of government and the council should not take a position in the dispute. Ms. Wooten said perhaps the City Manager and council representatives should meet with all parties involved in the dispute because the council has an obligation to encourage members of the community to work together. - MINUTES--Eugene City Council March 11, 1987 Page 1 e Mr. Rutan said he is also concerned about the possibility of a teachers' strike. He said things might get worse if the council gets in the middle of the dispute. He said a community group chaired by Jean Tate is considering the issues. He suggested that two councilors "fact-find" to see if the council can assist in the negotiations. He said the council should not take a position on the issue. Ms. Wooten said she did not advocate a council position in the matter. She would like to be assured that everything possible is being done to avert a strike that would be devastating to the community. Mr. Miller said a community can be ripped apart by a teachers' strike. He hoped everyone recognizes the price the community must pay for a dispute. He hopes people realize the seriousness of the situation, do not play games, and work together toward a solution. Mr. Rutan suggested that a councilor or two and a representative of the City Manager's Office contact the 4-J School Board and the EEA and inquire whether the council can playa role in the negotiations. The councilors and representative of the City Manager's Office could then report to the council. Ms. Wooten and Mr. Rutan volunteered to act on Mr. Rutan's suggestion. Ms. Bascom encouraged them. C. Councilors' Trip to Washington, D.C. e Mr. Rutan said he and several other councilors were in Washington, D.C., recently. He said the delegation presented the City's positions intelligently and concisely. He said the group worked effectively as a team. He suggested the Mayor report to the community on the trip. D. Mr. Bennett's Trip to Texas Mr. Bennett said he recently went to Dallas, Texas, on a business trip. He said the Market Street area of Dallas is exciting. He said some older buildings were saved. There are both daytime and nighttime activities, some restaurants "spill out" into the streets, people ride in horse-drawn carriages, and there are sidewalks and bright lights. He hopes that kind of downtown revitalization happens here. E. Project Blitz Ms. Bascom said the Lane County Board of Commissioners waived $5,000 in dump fees for the City's Project Blitz this morning. The waiver was more than last year because the Santa Clara/River Road area will be included in Project Blitz this year. F. Street Trees Ms. Bascom said 30 street trees were planted on Willamette Street between 24th and 26th avenues with CDBG funds and the cooperation of property owners. She said Bill Sloat initiated the idea. e MINUTES--Eugene City Council March 11, 1987 Page 2 e e ~ G. Room Tax Funds Mr. Holmer said the councilors received notice of discussions about the possibility of using room tax revenues to pay for a bond issue to reconstruct Hayward Field at the University of Oregon. Mr. Holmer said he is concerned about the dedication of room tax funds for the renovation and about whether all the potential uses for room tax funds are being considered. Ms. Wooten said she is extremely interested in the renovation of Hayward Field and the impact of activities at Hayward Field on the economy of the community. She said she wants to be informed of negotiations with Lane County and Oregon Track Club representatives about ways to fund the renovation. She said she also wants to keep track of the State legislation concerning Hayward Field. She said she would like reports about the legality of using room tax funds for Hayward Field from the bond counsels for the City and the University of Oregon. Ms. Ehrman said she, also, is interested in the project. She said the council would have to act on any proposal to use room tax funds. H. Riverfront Research Park Community Forum Ms. Erhman said the public does not understand the roles of the participants in the development of the Riverfront Research Park or their authority. For example, many people do not understand that the council did not select the site for the development. Ms. Ehrman said some people yelled a~d interrupted the proceedings at the recent community forum concerning the Riverfront Research Park. As a result, the participants in the forum did not have sufficient time to comment at their tables. She hoped the next forum will be structured differently. Mr. Holmer said it is not easy to deal with people who want to disrupt a meeting to raise issues that have been settled because they are not happy with the decisions. He said such disruptions may be a part of citizen involvement but he encouraged the staff to consider ways to increase the effectiveness of the community forums. I. Joint Social Services Fund Committee Ms. Ehrman said a proposal has been made to merge several Lane County advisory groups and the Joint Social Services Fund Committee would be affected. She said the City contribution to the Joint Social Service Fund is quite large. She suggested that copies of a memo explaining the proposal be distributed to the councilors and that the matter be discussed at a council work session in April . Ms. Bascom, who is also a member of the Joint Social Services Fund Committee, said she will meet with several people to suggest that the process for approvi ng the proposal be slowed so that the council ors can di scuss the matter. MINUTES--Eugene City Council March 11, 1987 Page 3 e e e J. Intergovernmental Dinner Meeting City Manager Micheal Gleason and the councilors discussed April 8 as the date for a dinner meeting of local governmental officials. Answering a question from Ms. Wooten, Mr. Gleason said the existing intergovernmental commitments will be reviewed at the meeting. Also, the united front policy and lobbying links to the State and Federal legislative delegations will be discussed. II. APPOINTMENTS: COUNCIL SUBCOMMITTEE NOMINATIONS TO THE 5TH AVENUE BEAUTIFICATION COMMITTEE Answering a question from Mr. Rutan, Mr. Bennett said Emile Mortier is a business owner and a property owner in the 5th Avenue District. Ms. Ehrman said Mayor Obie requested a special recruitment of applicants for the committee and it has been completed. Mr. Holmer moved, seconded by Ms. Wooten, to approve the following Council Subcommittee's nominations to the 5th Avenue Beautification Committee: Property Owners Douglas Hickman, 3075 Firwood Avenue Liz Nielsen, 3569 Willamette Business Owner Emile Mortier, 474 Willamette Downtown Commissioners Dean Owens Stephanie Pearl City Councilor Debra Ehrman The motion carried 6:1 with Councilors Ehrman, Holmer, Bascom, Rutan, Miller, and Bennett voting aye and Councilor Wooten voting nay. III. CALL FOR PUBLIC HEARING: PEDESTRIAN WAY VACATION (GREGORY WHITE) (SV 87-1) City Manager Micheal Gleason introduced the item. AncwQ~;ft~ ~ 9uesi~o~ fr~m M~I ~a~com, Jlm C~otOHU ~, the Dlann~n~ ~~PQrtment ~dld th@ p~d~~trlJn w~y ;~ a ten-foot ~idewalK b~tw@@n two lot~. It is very steep and not usable. An alternate trail system is available. MINUTES--Eugene City Council March 11, 1987 Page 4 e CB 2950--An ordinance calling a public hearing on April 13, 1987, for vacation of a pedestrian right-of-way in Solar Heights PUD east of Solar Heights Street) west of Wi1lamette Street, and north of 52nd Avenue. Mr. Holmer moved, seconded by Ms. Wooten, 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. Council Bill 2950 was read the second time by council bill number only. Mr. Holmer moved, seconded by Ms. Wooten, 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. 19455). IV. CALL FOR PUBLIC HEARING: ANIMAL CONTROL ORDINANCE City Manager Michea1 Gleason introduced the item. Mr. Holmer moved, seconded by Ms. Wooten) to schedule a public hearing for April 13, 1987, on a revised animal control ordinance. Roll call vote) the motion carried unanimously, 7:0. e V. RESOLUTION AUTHORIZING KINGS WEST II IMPROVEMENT PROJECT City Manager Micheal Gleason introduced the item. Res. No. 4032--A resolution authorizing a 72-inch storm sewer in Kings West II Subdivision, from Willakenzie Road to 1,120 feet north. Mr. Holmer moved, seconded by Ms. Wooten, to adopt the resolution. Answering a question from Ms. Wooten about the incorporation of such projects into the Capital Improvement Program (CIP), Les Lyle of the Public Works Department said the proposed storm sewer project will serve a large area. He said owners of abutting properties are assessed for a 24-inch storm sewer and the City pays the difference in the cost of a 24-inch sewer and a 72-inch sewer. He said a decision to install storm sewers is based on development in an area. Replying to questions from Ms. Bascom, Mr. Lyle said property owners pay about 40 to 50 percent of the cost of i nsta 11 i ng storm sewers and some other improvements are included when storm sewers are constructed. The total cost of this project is about $201,000. e MINUTES--Eugene City Council March 11, 1987 Page 5 Mr. Gleason said the government pays for trunk storm sewers that carry water from several local systems. The property owners pay for local systems. e Roll call vote; the motion carried unanimously, 7:0. VI. CITY COUNCIL MINUTES OF DINNER/WORK SESSION OF JANUARY 14, 1987; MEET! NGS OF JANUARY 21. 1987, AND JANUARY 28, 1987; AND LUNCH/WORK SESSION OF FEBRUARY 11. 1987 Mr. Holmer moved, seconded by Ms. Wooten, to approve the City Council minutes of January 14, 1987. January 21. 1987, January 28) 1987, and February 11, 1987. Roll call vote; the motion carried unanimously, 7:0. VII. LEGISLATIVE SUBCOMMITTEE MINUTES OF FEBRUARY 25, 1987 Mr. Holmer moved, seconded by Ms. Wooten. to approve the February 25. 1987, Legislative Subcommittee minutes. Roll call vote; the motion carried unanimously. 7:0. VIII. FINANCING PUBLIC SHARE OF AIRPORT TERMINAL EXPANSION PROJECT e City Manager Micheal Gleason introduced the item. Finance Director Warren Wong gave the staff report. He said the proposed ordinance reflects the council1s intent to pay the debt serv~ce on General Obligation Bonds for the public share of the Mahlon Sweet Airport expansion from: 1) airport operations; 2) new airport-generated revenue; 3) the growth in the General Fund working capital; 4) reallocation of funds from the capital improvement budget; and 5) additional property taxes. Ms. Wooten thanked the staff for the ordinance. She said the public did not understand that the council intends to pay the debt service on the bonds from existing resources. She emphasized that the council does not intend to increase property taxes to pay the debt service. She said the ordinance makes it clear that the City's general operating funds cannot be used to pay the debt service on the bonds. Only capital funds can be used. Mr. Rutan said approval of the ordinance will indicate that the City Manager will prepare a budget that will use the first four items to pay the debt service on the bonds and that the City Manager and the council will have to prove that resources from the four items are not sufficient before property taxes can be raised to pay the debt service. He said the present council and future council s will have to provide written evi dence to anyone in the community that the process detailed in the ordinance has been followed. Mr. Wong said servicing the annual debt on the bonds will be an item in the balanced Executive Budget. Both the Budget Committee and the City Council will have to approve increased property taxes if existing resources are not sufficient. e MINUTES--Eugene City Council March 11, 1987 Page 6 e Answering a question from Ms. Ehrman, Mr. Wong said the airline leases that were being discussed in December indicated that revenue from the leases will probably start to be available in five or six years to help pay the debt service on the bonds. Mr. Gleason added that the estimate is conservative. Mr. Holmer said the ordinance is a firm declaration that the council does not intend to raise property taxes to pay the debt service on the bonds for the airport expansion. CB 2951--An ordinance concerning financing of the public share of the airport terminal expansion project. Mr. Holmer moved, seconded by Ms. Wooten, 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. Mr. Holmer moved, seconded by Ms. Wooten, 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. 19456). IX. ORDINANCE AMENDING THE EFFECTIVE DATE OF PORTIONS OF THE SOLAR ACCESS REGULATIONS e City Manager Micheal Gleason introduced the item. He said adoption of the ordinance will permit the City staff to train and work with people in the community on the solar access regulations. Answering questions from Mr. Bennett, Mr. Croteau said the solar access ordinance is complex and postponing the date for implementing the regulations that apply to new dwelling units will permit the Building Safety Division staff to be well trained in explaining the regulations. He said building activity has increased. Consequently, more people than anticipated need instruction in the regulations. He said he does not anticipate requesting amendments to the ordinance in the near future. Larry Reed, Building Safety Manager, said representatives of the Home Builders of Lane County will participate in training along with the Building Safety staff and housing design professionals. CB 2952--An ordinance regarding enforcement of solar access regulations; amending Ordinances Nos. 19400, 19401, 19402; and declaring an emergency. Mr. Holmer moved, seconded by Ms. Wooten, 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. - MINUTES--Eugene City Council March 11, 1987 Page 7 Council Bill 2952 was read the second time by council bill number only. e Mr. Holmer moved, seconded by Ms. Wooten, 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. 19457). X. RESOLUTION CONCERNING USER FEE AND CHARGE IMPLEMENTATION AND ADJUSTMENT City Manager Micheal Gleason introduced the item. Finance Director Warren Wong gave the staff report. He said approval of the proposed resolution will mean the Budget Committee will adjust user fees and charges during the budget process. He said the council will consider user fees when new fee categories are established, when State law or the City code requires the council to review fees, or when the council specifically requests information about fee categories. Referring to a list of user fee categories distributed to the councilors, Mr. Wong made three corrections. He said ambulance service fees and Fire Med subscriptions go into the Ambulance Fund. They are not General Fund fees. He also said the contract engineering and systems development charges are not General Fund fees. e Ms. Wooten said she is concerned about statements on the first and second pages of the resolution that indicate that levels of service will be determined in the budget process. She said she and Ms. Schue think that levels of service are policy matters and should be determined by the council. Mr. Wong responded that the council will establish policy when new categories of fees are established or when it wishes to review fee categories. The Budget Committee will consider annual revenues and expenditures. Mr. Bennett said he has the same concern as Ms. Wooten about the proposed resolution. Answering his question, Mr. Gleason said the proposed process indicates that the council will make policy decisions and the Budget Committee will implement the policies in conjunction with revenue forecasts during the budget process. He sa i d fees wi 11 be exami ned in the Cost of Servi ces Analysis. Answering a question from Ms. Bascom, Mr. Gleason said user fees are administered in many ways now and the proposed resolution would standardize the establishment of policies concerning fees and the implementation of the policies. He said the rent charged for the Hult Center Silva Concert Hall is a good example of a specific fee the council must set now. He said the council can always change the ratio used in setting categories of fees. Fees will be examined once a year in the budget process if the proposed resolution is approved. Replying to a question from Mr. Rutan, Mr. Gleason said the council could decide that the level of public service will be zero. e MINUTES--Eugene City Council March 11, 1987 Page 8 e Mr. Holmer said the proposed process is not new. He said the council should decide specifically about levels of service and levels of fees. He recommended that the council not approve the proposed ordinance and direct the staff to prepare an ordinance that does not indicate that fees are set in the budget process and clarifies that the council sets policies for the staff and approves administrative procedures. Mr. Gleason said Mr. Holmer's recommendation indicates a fee forecast should be presented to the council and then a budget should be based on the council review of the forecast. Mr. Holmer responded that Mr. Gleason's suggestion would be one way of implementing his recommendation. Mr. Miller said the resolution indicates the council can deal with fees and charges as the City Councilor as the Budget Committee during the budget process. He said he did not understand the concerns. Ms. Bascom pointed out that Mayor Obie was not happy with the council1s previous action on this matter and said he might veto the action. Ms. Wooten said a change in wording would mitigate her concern. Ms. Ehrman agreed with Mr. Gleason's suggestion that action on the resolution be postponed. e XI. COMMERCIAL RENTAL RATE INCREASE FOR SILVA HALL City Manager Micheal Gleason introduced the item. Bob Schutz, Executive Director of the Hult Center for the Performing Arts, gave the staff report. He said the Performing Arts Commission recommended that the commercial rental rate for the Silva Concert Hall be increased from $1,200 to $1,750. The increase would be the first since 1982 and will not affect the non-commercial rate of local arts groups. He said the new rate would be competitive with Portland rates. Answering questions from Mr. Bennett and Mr. Rutan, Mr. Schutz said the rate probably should have been increased previously. He said Portland1s Civic Auditorium rate is 70~ a seat and the new Silva Concert Hall rate will be 70~ a seat. He said the rental charges for the Soreng Theater were modified several years ago and should not be changed now because the rates are effective and the theater ;s well used. Mr. Holmer said he would like information about the non-commercial rate for the Silva Concert Hall. Answering his question, Mr. Schutz said the non- commercial rate for the hall has not been raised since 1982. Responding to questions from Ms. Ehrman, Mr. Schutz said the commercial rate applies to profit-making organizations. Some local commercial promoters would be affected by the rate increase. e MINUTES--Eugene City Council March 11, 1987 Page 9 Ms. Bascom said she will distribute a report about the debts of local arts organizations to the councilors. ~ Answering a question from Ms. Wooten, Mr. Gleason said a meeting with the Performing Arts Commission will be scheduled. Res. No. 4034--A resolution approving and adopting a new commercial user rental rate for Silva Concert Hall. Mr. Holmer moved, seconded by Ms. Wooten, to adopt the resolution. Roll call vote; the motion carried unanimously, 7:0. XII. RESOLUTION REGARDING ANNUAL AUDIT, FINANCIAL REPORT, AND MANAGEMENT City Manager Micheal Gleason introduced the item. Mr. Holmer said he, Mr. Rutan, and Mr. Bennett met with the Finance Division staff to review the audit for the fiscal year ending June 30, 1987. He said the procedure is new. He suggested the committee meet with the auditors before the audit begins and before the management review of the audit in the future. He said the errors identified in the audit did not reflect any misdeeds of the staff. He said the errors were corrected. e Res. No. 4035--A resolution accepting measures taken to correct deficiencies disclosed in the comprehensive annual financial report for the fiscal year ended June 30, 1986. Mr. Holmer moved, seconded by Ms. Wooten, to adopt the resolution. Mr. Bennett agreed with Mr. Holmer's suggestion about future procedures. Mr. Bennett said the Finance Division staff does excellent work. Answering questions from Ms. Bascom, Mr. Gleason said the council recently received a report about the disposition of properties on which the City has foreclosed. The report implemented suggestions in the management letter from the audi tors. He said the overexpendi ture in the Ri sk Management Fund resulted from workers' compensation claims. Roll call vote; the motion carried unanimously, 7:0. Mr. Holmer moved, seconded by Ms. Wooten, to accept the staff responses to the management letter for the year ended June 30, 1986. Roll call vote; the motion carried unanimously, 7:0. e MINUTES--Eugene City Council March 11, 1987 Page 10 Ms. Ehrman adjourned the meeting of the Eugene City Council to April 8, 1987, and convened a meeting of the Eugene Urban Renewal Agency. e XIII. RESOLUTION REGARDING URBAN RENEWAL AGENCY FINANCIAL STATEMENTS Res. No. 926--A resolution adopting the financial statements for the Urban Renewal Agency of the City of Eugene for the fiscal year ended June 30, 1986. Mr. Holmer moved, seconded by Ms. Wooten, to adopt the resolution. Roll call vote; the motion carried unanimously, 7:0. Ms. Ehrman adjourned the meeting of the Eugene Urban Renewal Agency at 1 : 20 p. m . ~espectf ~. ~ Mi heal Gleas City Manager (Recorded by Betty Lou Rarick) ~ mncc0311 - MINUTES--Eugene City Council March 11, 1987 Page 11