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HomeMy WebLinkAbout05/27/1987 Meeting e e e M I NUT E S Eugene City Council McNutt Room--City Hall May 27, 1987 11:30 a.m. COUNCILORS PRESENT: Debra Ehrman, Freeman Holmer, Emily Schue, Ruth Bascom, Roger Rutan, Jeff Miller, Rob Bennett. COUNCILORS ABSENT: Cynthia Wooten. The adjourned meeting of May 20, 1987, of the City Council of the City of Eugene, Oregon, was called to order by His Honor Mayor Brian B. Obie. I. REPORT FROM POLICE, FIRE AND EMERGENCY SERVICES DEPARTMENT Sergeant Tim McCarthy, Community Affairs Officer in the Police, Fire and Emergency Services Department, discussed recent developments in public information and education. He said most of his work involves educating the public about crime prevention and fire safety and he often works with children and senior citizens. He said two Community Service Specialists have been hired to work in the Community Affairs Division. Mr. McCarthy said he learned about innovative public education concepts that use educational robots at an international conference on crime prevention last fall. He said demonstrations at the conference proved that the robots are very efficient and the City purchased two robots. They are named EV and PC. He and Chuck Campbell, Deputy Fire Marshal, demonstrated the robots for the councilors. Mr. McCarthy said the robots tremendously increase the officers. ability to teach people how to prevent crimes and fires. Mr. Gleason said firefighters in Eugene respond to fewer fires now than they did when the City had only 50,000 or 60,000 citizens because of effective work in fire prevention. He said the same results probably can be obtained by teaching people to prevent crimes and accidents. He said education is being aggressively pursued by the City. Answering questions from Ms. Ehrman, Mr. McCarthy said the Community Service Specialists in his division will work on home security surveys and Neighborhood Watch programs at first. Later, they probably will assist him in the schools. One of the specialists in his division is a woman and one is a man. Mr. Gleason said other specialists are being hired for other parts of the Police, Fire and Emergency Services Department. MINUTES--Eugene City Council May 27, 1987 Page 1 Replying to questions from Mr. Holmer, Mr. McCarthy said the robots and all the auxiliary programs cost only about $5,000. e II. ITEMS FROM THE MAYOR, CITY COUNCIL, AND CITY MANAGER A. Memorial Day Activities Mr. Holmer said there were no commemorative activities in Eugene on Memorial Day this year. He wondered if other councilors are interested in planning some activities next year. Mayor Obie encouraged plans for an observance next year and suggested the Vietnam Veterans be included in the plans. B. National Public Works Week Mr. Holmer said he enjoyed his participation in the local celebration of National Public Works Week. C. National Public Works Improvement Council Mr. Holmer said the National Public Works Improvement Council will meet in Eugene once or twice this summer. e D. Representing the City in Salem and Washington, DC Ms. Schue said she has been representing the City in Salem working on the gas tax and the Pacific Northwest Bell franchise issues. She said she will go to Washington, DC, for a meeting of the National League of Cities Transportation and Communication Steering Committee next week. E. Northwest Tandem Rally Ms. Bascom said she represented the City and welcomed participants in the Northwest Tandem Rally. F. Dedication of Petersen Park Barn Community Center Mr. Miller invited other councilors to a ceremony on May 30, 1987, to celebrate the completion of the construction of Petersen Barn Park. G. Delgrossi Food, Inc. Mayor Obie said the economic development bonds for Delgrossi Food, Inc., were approved by the State Economic Development Commission this morning. H. Sports Weekend and Tieless Tuesday Mayor Obie said he will declare June 6-8 a Sports Weekend. The Prefontaine Classic, The Race, and a bicycle race will take place and will begin the summer festivities. He also will declare June 2 "Tieless Tuesday" in Eugene. e MINUTES--Eugene City Council May 27, 1987 Page 2 e e e III. PUBLIC HEARING: CITY OF EUGENE SUPPLEMENTAL BUDGET NO. 3a City Manager Micheal Gleason introduced the item. Mayor Obie opened the public hearing. There being no requests to testify, Mayor Obie closed the public hearing. CB 2971--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. Ms. Ehrman moved, seconded by Mr. Holmer, 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. Council Bill 2971 was read the second time by council bill number only. Ms. Ehrman moved, seconded by Mr. Holmer, that the bill be approved and given final passage. The motion carried 6:1 with Councilors Ehrman, Schue, Bascom, Rutan, Miller, and Bennett voting aye and Councilor Holmer voting nay. The bill was declared passed (and became Ordinance No. 19477). IV. RESOLUTION CONCERNING SUBMISSION OF A REFUNDING PLAN City Manager Micheal Gleason introduced the item. Mike Albrich of the Finance Division gave the staff report. He said the council approved a plan to refi nance the Community Conference Center in February 1987. The State Treasurer approved the plan but the bond market changed. He said the MuniCipal Bond Investors Assurance Company refused to insure a partial refunding. The resolution before the council will authorize a full refunding plan that will be submitted to the State Treasurer. He said the City will not sell the bonds until the bond market improves. Answering questions from Mr. Holmer and Ms. Bascom, Mr. Albrich said an interest rate of either 4.5 or 5 percent would be acceptable to the City. The maximum rate acceptable to the City would be about 6.5 percent but the bonds probably will not be sold at that rate. The present interest rate is a little over 8 percent. Replying to questions from Mr. Bennett, Mr. rates will decrease in the next few months. plan to refinance only bonds callable by a advantageous to the City. Albrich said he hopes interest He said the partial refunding specific date was financially MINUTES--Eugene City Council May 27, 1987 Page 3 e Res. No. 4039--A resolution approving an advance refunding plan and authorizing submittal of the advance refunding plan to the State Treasurer for his approval. Ms. Ehrman moved, seconded by Mr. Holmer, to adopt the resolution. The motion carried unanimously, 7:0. V. EUGENE-SPRINGFIELD METROPOLITAN AREA PUBLIC FACILITIES PLAN City Manager Micheal Gleason introduced the item. Teresa Bishow of the Planning Department gave the staff report. She said the Eugene-Springfield Metropolitan Area Public Facilities Plan supports the Metropolitan Area General Plan. The Public Facilities Plan describes water, sewer, and transportation facilities needed to provide for projected land uses. The Public Facilities Plan describes projects, indicates their estimated cost, indicates the timing of projects, and indicates which agency will provide the services. She said the plan includes projects in functional plans such as TransPlan and the Eugene Water & Electric Board Master Plan. Ms. Bishow said L-COG coordination of the Public Facilities Plan has resulted in public agencies evaluating their needs and cooperating with each other. She said the plan is general and the Eugene Capital Improvement Program (CIP) and the Eugene capital budget are more specific. e Ms. Bishow said the Lane County Board of Commissioners and the Springfield City Council have disagreed about a change involving the Cedar Creek Drainage Basin. The basin is outside the urban growth boundary. She recommended the council adopte the Public Facilities Plan with the revisions in Exhibit B which delete references to the Cedar Creek Drainage Basin. Answering questions from Mr. Holmer, Planning Director Susan Brody said both the Public Facilities Plan and the Santa Clara/River Road Urban Facilities Plan address the City's ability to provide services to the River Road/Santa Clara areas. Both plans would be used by the City and the Boundary Commission to respond to annexation and incorporation requests in the area. CB 2961--An ordinance adopting the Eugene-Springfield Metropolitan Area Public Facilities Plan. Ms. Ehrman moved, seconded by Mr. Holmer, 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. Council Bill 2961 was read the second time by council bill number only. e MINUTES--Eugene City Council May 27) 1987 Page 4 e Ms. Ehrman moved, seconded by Mr. Holmer, that the bill be approved and given final passage. All councilors present voting aye; the bill was declared passed (and became Ordinance No. 19478). VI. METROPOLITAN PARTNERSHIP QUARTERLY REPORT City Manager Micheal Gleason introduced Jim Piercy, President of the Eugene/Springfield Metropolitan Partnership, and Vicki Dietmeyer, Executive Director of the Partnership. Ms. Dietmeyer distributed copies of the "Work Plan Summery," "Executive Committee Retreat," and an April 4, 1987, memo to the Partnership Executive Committee from the Review Committee titled "1987 Review of Partnership Program and Activities." Mr. Piercy said the Eugene Budget Committee recommended a reduction of $15,000 in the City's contribution to the Partnership and the reduction indicated that Partnership representatives have not kept the council informed of Partnership activities. He said he hopes the funds will be restored and the City will make a re-commitment to the Partnership. He said the Partnership spent $9,000 helping the City with the expansion of Mahlon Sweet Airport last year and is contributing funds to the Eugene Planning Department for an analysis of wetlands in West Eugene. e Mr. Piercy reviewed the Partnership's mission statement, funding, board of directors, staff, and major programs. He said the major programs are target industry research, marketing, Willamette Valley World Trade Center, Metro Forest Products Council, and real estate development. He said the Partnership will use local industrial representatives to help recruit industries. The programs for forest products and world trade are new. He said six or seven local companies contact the Partnership each week now about marketing products in foreign countries and one staff member will spend half-time recruiting forest product firms. He said about 50 percent of the Partnership's funds come from the private sector. He emphasized the need for more available industrial and commercial bUildings. Mr. Piercy reviewed the Executive Committee Retreat and said expanded roles for the Partnership and its board of directors were discussed. He said the report of the Revi ew Commi ttee appoi nted by the Executive Commi ttee was reviewed. He introduced Chris Pryor, Chairperson of the Southern Willamette Private Industry Council (SWPIC), who was chairperson of the Review Committee. Mr. Pryor said the committee decided that the formation of the Partnership and its activites have benefited the community. Ms. Dietmeyer said she would like the councilors to comment on the Partnership's work plan. She said the Partnership received a grant from SWPIC and has contracted for a study to follow up the Fantas Report and another study concerning international recruitment. She said the Partnership may emphasize recruiting European companies. Ms. Dietmeyer said most companies want existing facilities and the existing facilities in Eugene do not compete with existing facilities elsewhere in e MINUTES--Eugene City Council May 27, 1987 Page 5 e Oregon. She said some companies want heavy industrial sites with a business or campus appearance and Eugene does not have such sites, although the community does have available land. The Partnership will try to work with a local real estate task force to develop heavy industrial sites with a campus appearance. If they cannot be developed locally, the Partnership will seek a national developer and that would be advantageous because national developers have marketing and recruitment skills. Discussing taxes, Ms. Dietmeyer said the Partnership commissioned a study comparing taxes in Eugene and Springfield to taxes in other areas and the study indicated that local taxes are no more than those in other areas. She said the Partnership has recruited nine industries since it was formed three years ago. Currently, it is working on about 40 active cases a month. Mr. Bennett said goals and performance criteria for the Partnership are very important. He said one can usually learn what percentage of sales efforts will be successful. For example, a certain percentage of people who go through apartments will rent them. He said the Partnership is doing a fine job but the job needs to be articulated to the public. Ms. Dietmeyer responded by discussing the development of goals. She said her goal is 250 to 300 jobs this year. Mayor Obie said goals may have to change because the economic situation and other things change. Mr. Bennett said it is di ffi cult for council ors to comment on the Partnership's performance criteria. He said he needs a historic perspective about the time needed to recruit industries, information about how Eugene e competes with other cities, and what Eugenels record is. Mr. Rutan said the Partnership's report was a good one. Mr. Piercy reiterated that the Partnership needs the $15,000 deleted from Eugene's budget. Ms. Schue said Partnership officials should realize the City has severe financial problems and the council must worry about providing police and fire protection to the community. Answering questions from Ms. Ehrman, Ms. Dietmeyer said the Partnership recei ved materi a 1 s from the Eugene Area Chamber of Commerce but the Partnership did not receive any funds when it took over the World Trade Center. Mr. Piercy said a contribution will be received from the Small Business Administration. Ms. Bascom said she was surprised to learn about the need for certain kinds of industrial sites. Mr. Miller said it is important for the council to maintain budget priorities. He wondered if some way could be found to restore funds for the Partnership. e MINUTES--Eugene City Council May 27, 1987 Page 6 e Mayor Obie said the Planning staff will be discussing industrial sites with the council and the council will hold a public hearing on the budget on June 22, 1987. He said the Partnership is doing a good job. Ms. Dietmeyer said she appreciates the cooperation of the City staff. VII. AIRPORT CONSTRUCTION UPDATE/AIRPORT COMMISSION ROLE Mayor Obie said City Manager Micheal Gleason had left the meeting to testify in Salem about the need for EWEB to serve the Willow Creek Area. Mayor Obie said several firms have indicated they will not locate there if EWES does not provide water and electric service. Assistant City Manager Dave Whitlow introduced Ricky Langford of the Public Works Department who reviewed recent events concerning the expansion of Mahlon Sweet Airport. She said Wildish Corvallis Construction Company bid $3,300,028.70 for the land-side improvements which probably will be complete by the end of October 1987. She said bids will be received June 9 for sewers and paving. Bids will be received June 23 for lighting on the air-side of the terminal. A ground-breaking ceremony is scheduled for June 15, 1987. e Ms. Langford said four airlines attended a meeting on May 23, 1987, concerning contracts and the construction process. American Airlines representatives did not attend the meeting but they indicated minor design changes they would like and City representatives agreed to discuss the changes. She said American Airlines representatives seem to anticipate more traffic than the City anticipated. City officials will meet with airline representatives on June 10 to make final decisions. Answering a question from Ms. Ehrman, Ms. Langford said City officials will not attend when airline officials meet in Denver, Colorado, in early June. Replying to questions from Mr. Rutan about City staff managing the expansion project, Ms. Langford said Bob Staley, Project Engineer, manages the land-side improvements. Carol James is working at the airport on the accounting for the project. Mr. Staley said Paul Anderson will be the chief inspector on the land-side part of the project and he will be assisted by Mike Dolan and another part-time inspector. Ms. Langford said the City has a project management contract with Shiels and Obletz and Tom Frye is the terminal proj ect manager to oversee the proj ect. She sa i d she is the Ci ty IS administrative project director. People on the site give reports to her and she attends all technical and policy meetings. She reports to Chris Andersen, who as Director of the Public Works Department, has been very involved in the project and provides continuity. She said Bob Shelby coordinates the operations of the airlines, the airport, and the Airport Commission. Bob Coleman coordinates small projects such as lighting that are not included in the terminal expansion. Mr. Whitlow said he chairs a committee that oversees the expansion project. The committee is composed of Ms. Langford, Ms. Andersen, Mr. Shelby, Finance Director Warren Wong, and City Attorney John Watkinson. e MINUTES--Eugene City Council May 27, 1987 Page 7 e e e Mayor Obie suggested a model of the expansion be displayed at the airport. Answering his question, Ms. Langford said the estimated date for the completion of the terminal expansion is September 1989. Mr. Whitlow distributed copies of a draft memo dated May 27, 1987, from the Mayor and City Council to the Airport Commission. The memo was titled "Mahlon Sweet Airport Terminal Expansion.1I Mr. Holmer moved, seconded by Ms. Ehrman, that the City Council approve the draft May 27, 1987, memo titled IIMahlon Sweet Airport Terminal Expansionll from the Mayor and City Council to the Airport Commission. The motion carried unanimously, 7:0. Ms. Ehrman said the periodic council briefing on the airport expansion could be in writing. Answering a question from Ms. Bascom, Mr. Whitlow and the six-member oversight committee will work on a regular basis. VIII. OPENING OF WILLAMETTE STREET FROM 8TH TO 10TH AVENUES Referring to a May 19, 1987, letter the councilors received from Edward D. Aster of the Aster Publishing Corporation, 859 Willamette Street, Mr. Rutan said he has visited with Mr. Aster about the proposed opening of Willamette Street from 8th to 10th avenues. Mr. Bennett said he appreciates recelvlng minute5 of Downtown Commission meetings. He said he carefully reads the minutes of meetings at which changes in the downtown are discussed and he encouraged other councilors to read those minutes. Mayor Obie adjourned the meeting at 1:20 p.m. (Recorded by Betty Lou Rarick) mncc0527 MINUTES--Eugene City Council May 27, 1987 Page 8