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HomeMy WebLinkAbout06/29/1988 Meeting e M I NUT E S Eugene City Council Lunch/Work Session McNutt Room--City Hall June 29, 1988 11:30 a.m. COUNCILORS PRESENT: Freeman Holmer, Ruth Bascom, Robert Bennett, Debra Ehrman, Roger Rutan, Emily Schue, Cynthia Wooten (11:30 - 1 p.m.). COUNCILORS ABSENT: Jeff Mill er The adjourned meeting of June 27, 1988, was called to order by His Honor Mayor Brian B. Obie. 1. ITEMS FROM THE CITY COUNCIL, MAYOR, AND CITY MANAGER A. Sister City e Ms. Wooten referred to a memo from the Sister City Commission announcing that a delegation from the USSR would visit during the Eugene Celebration. Representatives from Kakegawa also are scheduled to visit at that time, and she suggested that special activities should be planned for these international visitors. Mayor Obie added that he was unsure of the response to the invitation to the Soviets. Ms. Wooten requested a report from staff on those visits. Mr. Holmer suggested that representatives of the visiting groups should be encouraged to participate in the Eugene Symphony's Battle of the Batons. Ms. Ehrman shared her favorable impression of the 1988 Eugene Celebration poster. She said the council should receive a memo on the progress of plans for the event. . Mayor Obie said he hoped to meet with the Soviet equivalent of our Mayor and City Council during his upcoming trip to Irkutsk. He appointed Mr. Holmer and Ms. Bascom to serve on a committee to prepare a council message to be carried to that meeting. Mayor Obie also invited members of the community to send things such as letters, art work, or items of economic interest for the Sister City group to deliver to the people of Irkutsk. Agreeing with a suggestion from Ms. Wooten, Mayor Obie said he would be prepared to discuss Eugene's Nuclear Free Zone ordinance, but would not risk embarraSSing his hosts by challenging the governing body of Irkutsk to adopt a similar ordinance. ~MINUTES--Eugene City Council June 29, 1988 Page 1 ._~-- B. Trade and Development e Mr. Holmer said he had attended a meeting of the Metropolitan Partnership with a member of a Japanese firm investigating trade possibilities. The Chairman of the State Development Commission and other dignitaries were present. Mr. Holmer's perception was that the Japanese company was favorably impressed. Mayor Obie thanked Mr. Holmer for his recent assistance with visiting representatives of a Japanese company. He asked for council approval of his request that Mr. Holmer take the council's point on the West Eugene wetlands issues. Mr. Holmer said he had attended a meeting of the Joint Committee on Economic Development where problems relating to industrial development and wetland preservation had been discussed. Wetland banking, which would allow for development of wetlands, was identified as a potential solution needing further exploration. Mr. Holmer recommended moving cautiously in wetland development. Ms. Schue said Lane Council of Governments (L-COG) and Cascade West Development have expressed a concern with Spectra-Physic's development and she referred to an economic development grant that may be involved. Mayor Obie anticipated that the wetlands issue would be a council problem for the next ten years. C. The Arts e Mr. Holmer referred to an issue relating to support of arts groups in Eugene that had been raised earlier by Ms. Wooten. He reported on his participation on the Grants Committee of the Arts Foundation. Mr. Holmer said the Arts Foundation is in the process of redefining its mission to ensure that it is not competing with performing arts groups nor in competition with the Lane Regional Arts Council. The regional representative of the National Endowment of the Arts (NEA) met with representatives of the arts groups recently to discuss distribution of NEA funds. Ms. Bascom complimented Mayor Obie for representing the council at the Bach Festival. She described the festival's free noon concerts at the Hult Center as a good use of the facility. . Mayor Obie said Mr. Holmer had expressed an interest in being appointed to fill the vacant position on the Cultural Affairs Commission. Earlier council discussions had not approved council representation on that committee, and Mayor Obie asked for additional consideration. Mr. Holmer said he viewed the performing and representation arts as important to Eugene's destination point campaign, and because of his increasing interest in the arts he would be happy to serve. Ms. Schue approved of having a council representative on the Cultural affairs Commission to help keep the council informed about progress in the areas of the arts. ~MINUTES--EUgene City Council June 29, 1988 Page 2 e Ms. Wooten said the appointment could establish a precedent for having councilors appointed to citizen advisory groups. She thought there were more important bodies on which the council should be represented and she felt expanding councilors. areas of responsibility was not a good idea. Ms. Bascom said networking and establishing ties with the commission would be useful and she approved of Mr. Holmer's appointment.. Mr. Holmer pointed out that councilors sit on a number of different City boards and commissions. Mr. Rutan said a councilor who is interested and willing to take the time required to serve should be encouraged to do so. Mr. Bennett said he would not encourage Mr. Holmer's appointment. Though he appreciated Mr. Holmer's interest in the arts, he recommended choosing more carefully where the council should be represented. He said council representation is appropriate on the Council Committee on Economic Diversification, Community Development Committee, and the Lane Regional Air Pollution Authority. Ms. Ehrman said she had no strong feelings on the matter, but she encouraged the Mayor to seek feedback from the commission itself. Ms. Wooten said if cultural affairs become a high council priority by virtue of policy and an agenda, the council could review and reassess where it wants representation at the end of the year when new appointments are made. e D. Crimes Against Women Ms. Schue expressed a concern regarding the level of crime against women. She referred to a recent memo from the Women's Commission and requested comment from the Department of Public Safety on its perception of the situation and its recommendations. She said it is important to communicate the council's concern to the community. E. Historic Preservation Ms. Schue recommended that councilors visit Old Town in Portland to observe its progress in historic rehabilitation. Mayor Obie told the council that the Shelton-McMurphey House Task Group is beginning to generate community enthusiasm. Ms. Ehrman said the group plans to hold a benefit dinner at the house in August. A walking tour during the Eugene Celebration may include the Shelton-McMurphey house and the new EWEB headquarters. F. Library Levy Ms. Ehrman said she was disappointed with the outcome of the library levy vote and she requested a report. Mr. Meeks reported that the levy's failure would result in Sunday and Monday closures, elimination of the City book mobile, replacement of seven staff members, and a reduction of operating ~MINUTES--EUgene City Council June 29, 1988 Page 3 / e hours to approximately 43 hours per week. Though the levy failed county-wide, Mr. Meeks said Eugene voters passed it by a significant margin. Mr. Gleason reminded the council that in its ranking during the budget process, the library received top ranking and the council instructed management to make no further adjustments. The executive budget presented the impact of the library levy on the library's operations. . Mr. Gleason anticipated that the council would choose to debate its instructions to management regarding program suggestions. Mr. Holmer stressed the need to respect the wishes of the voters. He said a continuing responsibility of the City should not be on a serial levy but should be in the General Fund. He said the $197,000 required for library services might be found in the Contingency Fund and he suggested reconsidering the decision to fund $141,000 in lower priority items. Mr. Holmer described the closures mentioned by Mr. Meeks as actions that would demean the library. At this point, Mr. Gleason announced an unofficial calculation of the library levy election results. Within Eugene, the vote was 13,673 in favor (57 percent), and 10,319 against (43 percent). Mayor Obie asked staff to look at the expense side of the budget and return with recommendations. Mr. Gleason said the question of an internal levy is one for council consideration. e Mr. Wong told the council July 15 was the deadline for certifying a levy to the Assessment and Taxation Division. If a serial levy is indicated, it would be possible to request delay of official certification. Mr. Gleason mentioned a potential $50,000 loss if the division is not notified. Election options are August or September. Mr. Holmer said it would not be responsible to seek a serial levy. He said a permanent solution should be sought for funding a basic service of government and in the interim, Mr. Gleason should be asked to recommend appropriate means of funding the proposed cutbacks to service. Ms. Ehrman cautioned against directing staff to work on recommendations unless there is council consensus about proceeding. . Mr. Bennett said the issue should be addressed as part of the strategic financial plan and the council should avoid reacting on a crisis basis. Ms. Wooten voiced her support of maintaining the library hours and services, but she opposed doing so at the expense of the programs. She favored exploring non-program options for funding for service restoration. Ms. Bascom expressed her surprise at the outcome of the vote and said she would like to consider various options. ~MINUTES--Eugene City Council June 29, 1988 Page 4 e Ms. Schue agreed with Mr. Bennett and cautioned against reacting to find money in a crisis situation without carefully assessing the options. She suggested involving the public in the process. Mr. Meeks pointed out that the County library would close in 30 days and he said he anticipated some impact on services at the Eugene Public Library. There was consensus to explore all available options. Mr. Gleason said he would prepare a series of options and the library would operate normally until the council makes its decision. Mayor Obie directed the Future of the Library Financial Subcommittee, composed of Ms. Bascom, Ms. Ehrman, Mr. Miller and himself, to consider how the operating side of the expanded library might be funded. G. International Alliance of Theatrical and Stage Employees (IATSE) Mr. Gleason reported that a contract agreement had been reached. The first year contract increase is 2.25 percent for non-profit local shows and 2.5 percent for commercial shows. The second year is the same amount and the third year is three percent. He described this as a good settlement and said the local is conscientious regarding operating expenses. Responding to a question from Mayor Obie, Mr. Gleason said councilors would receive a report on fringe benefits which will stay within the percentage e increases. Mayor Obie questioned a requirement for union utilization at the Cuthbert Amphitheater and said high user costs could be detrimental to the success of the amphitheater. Mr. Gleason said he would review the amphitheater situation. He explained that complex technology in theater facilities requires operators to understand use of the lights, sound systems, and staging. Many users lack this expertise, but when they discover the added costs of using these features they tend to focus on the expense as an obstacle to production. Mr. Gleason applauded the IATSE agreement as one of the lowest cost contracts on the west coast and complimented the crew on its compet~nce. Ms. Wooten asked about the City's receipt of 20 percent on souvenir sales at the Cuthbert Amphitheater and said this was an example of how costs become prohibitive for amateur groups. She emphasized the need for low-cost performance facilities. H. Eugene Sports Program (ESP) Mr. Gleason referred to a recent ESP newsletter article about the new centralized computer-controlled scheduling program for the 2,000 venues used by ESP, School District 4J, Bethel School District, Springfield, and the City of Eugene. He cited this an as an example of government agency cooperation ~MINUTES--EUgene City Council June 29, 1988 Page 5 e that could result in a 20-percent increase in utilization. Mr. Gleason said the program could lead to central maintenance contracts. He applauded all the agencies involvedt particularly PARCS Department for its leadership efforts. 1. Sa 11 ot Ranking Mr. Holmer called the council's attention to a memo from Warren Wong regarding suggested changes in the ballot ranking procedure. Referring to an earlier conversation with Councilor Rutant Mr. Gleason said a discussion was needed about what businesses are appropriate for the City's involvement. Mr. Gleason reviewed the first system used by the council that ranked all City services in five ranks after which he prepared the budget based on that ranking. The new system ranks things on a scale of one to 27t resulting in blocks of services in the same priority. Mr. Holmer had suggested setting policy standards by assigning ranked categoriest and then instructing management to develop the budget. Mr. Gleason said clarification was needed in two areas: the level of detail for rankings and the level at which implementation should occur. He asked that both these issues be addressed before the next process begins. Referring to the conversation mentioned by Mr. Gleasont Mr. Rutan stated that the budget process should begin as part of the council's work on its goals. e He said Mr. Wong should project deficits for the next six years and the council should then develop consensus on the process and strategy to accomplish a balanced budget. His preferred approach would be first to decide what the business of the City should bet and then to look at individual programs and their costs. Ms. Schue supported Mr. Rutan's suggestion and remarked that publications are an area in which the council first should decide the amount of information the City should put outt assign prioritiest and then within that framework look at individual brochures and funding for them. She said travel and training is another area requiring broad policy decisions before specific items are included in the budget. Mr. Bennett spoke in favor of a new approach. He commented that management staff has the expertise to work with program details, while he felt comfortable taking a broader-based approach in budget policy decisions. He stressed the need for negotiation in reaching consensus on policy priorities. Mayor Obie recommended that the council schedule an extended evening meeting to begin at 5:30 p.m. on August 1 to consider the budget process from the approach suggested by Mr. Rutan. Mr. Gleason said he would bring back a set of policies that would specify high, medium, or low in the various areas and would allow the council to develop policy guidelines. ~MINUTES--EUgene City Council June 29, 1988 Page 6 e II. RESOLUTION APPROVING A COOPERATION AGREEMENT FOR LOW-RENT PUBLIC HOUSING PROJECT Mr. Gleason introduced the item. Rich Weinman, Eugene Development Department, gave the staff report. An acute rental housing shortage in Eugene is creating a particular hardship on lower income families, as rent s are being driven up by demand. The Housing Authority and Community Services Agency (HACSA) is applying to the US Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) for the funding for 40-50 three- and four-bedroom size units of low-rent housing for families. A requirement of the application to HUD is a resolution of the City Council to support the provision of low-income housing and a willingness to cooperate with HACSA with the project. Responding to a question from Ms. Schue, Mr. Wei~man explained that the agreement would have no bearing on whether the project is at a single location or scattered sites, but the project being contemplated would be at one site. Bill Bunting of the Housing Assistance Program added that scattered site new construction would be more costly than the proto-type housing costs allowed by HUD. Ms. Wooten voiced her support of scattered-site low-income housing and asked if repossessed and land-banked lots would present an opportunity for creating that type of housing. She suspected that large projects would have a negative impact on the community. Ms. Wooten asked staff to investigate how the community of Charleston and other cities used HUD funds for scattered e site housing. Mr. Weinman said the single project being considered would be on a current land-banked site on the west side of Coburg Road past Beltline. Presently zoned R-2, its allowable density is about 66 units, so the 44 unit complex would leave open space available. He continued by saying other land-banked City-owned property could be considered for additional low-income housing. At this point, Mr. Gleason pointed out that a discussion of social goals and housing would be a separate item from agreeing with the Housing Assistance Program that the City supports low-income housing and authorizes the County to design a project. Mr. Holmer asked for clarification of the relationship between the County and the City, specifically the role of the City relative to HACSA activities. Mr. Weinman again said the resolution under consideration states the City.s support of low-income housing and the proposed project. He mentioned the expectation that the City would provide the necessary street lights and sewers. Because the project will be publicly-owned, there will be no property taxes. Mayor Obie said he supported scattered-site housing that places people in environments in which they can grow and become a part of society. He ~MINUTES--EUgene City Council June 29, 1988 Page 7 e indicated that he was not ready to sign off with the County on proceeding with the construction of what he envisioned as a future ghetto. Mr. Weinman responded by saying the resolution under consideration would not lock the council into any particular site or project. It would give the Housing Authority the ability to apply for the money and there could be continuing discussion of how the project is sited. Ms. Brody said the process as it is currently proposed would involve the disposition of land-bank sites by administrative decision of management. She suggested considering the proposed project as the first in a series of scattered-site housing options. Mayor Obie asked if the agreement could indicate the council1s support of the concept of the housing units, while it reserves judgment on the project1s siting. Mr. Bunting attempted to resolve what appeared to be a misunderstanding. He said the cooperation agreement should have been considered by the council as a totally independent issue from a particular project. The language of that agreement is provided by HUD and any changes in it require review by HUD legal counsel. The City's processes for determining appropriateness of specific projects based on codes and ordinances are separate mechanisms. Ms. Brody suggested that if the council decides to proceed with the cooperation agreement and support HACSA's efforts to provide more units of e low-income housing, the Social Goals Subcommittee could meet with staff and the Housing Authority to define the specific project as it continues to monitor the housing situation. ~ Ms. Wooten said she supported the cooperative agreement with the understanding that the council is interested in being involved in the project's development. She left the meeting at 1 p.m. City Attorney Tim Sercombe stated that the agreement as written allows for a number of different sites or a single site for the project. It requires support of the provision of municipal services regardless of site. It does not appear to give the council any further decision-making authority regarding siting of the project. Mr. Bunting reminded the council that the application rules are determined at the Federal level. He said relative cost is a key factor in whether projects are new construction or acquisitions. He welcomed participation in the discussion of strategy for new construction. Mr. Gleason pointed out that the City could control the disposition of City-owned sites. Ms. Schue said the actual decision-making authority regarding HACSA matters rests with the Board of County Commissioners. ~MINUTES--EUgene City Council June 29, 1988 Page 8 e Res. No. 4091--A resolution to approve entering into a cooperation agreement with the Housing Authority and Community Services Agency as it relates to an application to HUD for funding for new construction or acquisition of a low-rent housing project. Mr. Holmer moved, seconded by Ms. Bascom, to adopt the resolution. Roll call vote; the motion carried 6:0. III. RECOMMENDATION FOR FY89 SOCIAL GOAl--HOUSING Ms. Brody presented the staff report. The Social Goals Subcommittee, composed of Mr. Bennett, Mr. Miller, and Ms. Wooten, reviewed a number of social issues facing the community and recommended that "Housing" be adopted as the City's social focus for fiscal year 1989. Elements of this issue that the subcommittee identified for concentrated City attention are: 1 ) low-income housing, 2) specialized housing; and 3) homelessness. These elements are also the focus of the Planning Commission's work program. MS. Brody identified two reasons for the recommendation. The first was that housing is a critical need in the community, and the other was that there are already considerable City resources devoted to working on the problems associated with housing. Ms. Brody said the seven targets listed in the memorandum from the e subcommittee would help direct staff activity if housing is adopted as the social goal. She directed the council's attention to a draft Housing Work Plan attachment that she described as an evolving document. An additional attachment contained a statement developed by John Vanlandingham that presents rationale for the City's attention to low-income housing. Mr. Bennett remarked that housing is a timely goal and is well-supported by existing programs, policies, and intergovernmental agreements. He said the council could make a real contribution in this area. . Mr. Rutan recommended adopting housing as a two-year goal in order to have time to implement some of the associated goals and objectives. Mr. Holmer agreed with adopting a two-year goal, but he objected to the observation that the adoption of the proposed motion would imply concurrence with the seven targets identified in the memorandum of June 29. He said more information was needed and he was concerned about potential costs. He questioned why the City should be the lead agency for housing needs in the community when housing is a function for which the County already has organized administration. Before the City accepts the political and fiscal responsibility, he advised consideration of the implications for the City budget. ~MINUTES--EUgene City Council June 29, 1988 Page 9 . Ms. Schue indicated she was pleased with the subcommittee's report and said it would take time to work through some of the concerns about the responsibilities of the City and the County. Mr. Obie observed that the County, in his opinion, has not recently demonstrated leadership in the area of urban business. Mr. Rutan pointed out that by approving housing as the social goal, the council was not approving a budget or any particular strategy. Resolving questions about the scope of individual agencies' responsibilities would be addressed as the council begins its work on the goal. Ms. Bascom asked that it be made more clear that all three elements of the housing issue that were identified for City attention are addressing the problem of low-income housing. Ms. Brody responded to a concern expressed by Ms. Schue by saying the Planning Department has requested information from the State regarding the issue of privately owned low-income housing projects being removed from the low-income housing inventory. Mr. Holmer moved, seconded by Ms. Bascom, to adopt "low-income housingll as the City of Eugene's social focus for Fiscal Year 1989 and 1990. Roll call vote; the motion carried unanimously 6:0. e IV. WORK SESSION: DOWNTOWN DEVELOPMENT DISTRICT REDESIGN Mayor Obie introduced the item. He explained that the Downtown Commission is beginning a study of the parameters of the Downtown Development District (ODD). Development Department Director Abe Farkas reported that the ODD has existed for approximately 15 years and has provided services that include the free parking program, marketing, and recruitment efforts. A number of changes have occurred over time: parking costs have increased, there has been added emphasis on security, and the private sector's involvement in marketing, recruitment and issue-management has grown. During that time ODD revenues have not increased significantly. The Downtown Commissiory has proposed a process to examine the ODD structure and boundaries that brings together four Downtown Commissioners, three members of the business community, and two City Council representatives. The proposed committee will work over the summer and during the fall to examine and restructure the ODD and to prepare a recommendation in time for the FY90 budget process. Mr. Farkas explained that a portion of ODD is marketing. That element has recently emphasized Centralized Retail Management (CRM) and two years ago Eugene was recognized as one of eleven cities in the US to be part of a HUD and International Downtown Association technical assistance program in centralized retail management. As a result of this participation, Eugene was designated to host a major CRM conference scheduled for July 15, 1988. A more ~MrNUTES--EUgene City Council June 29, 1988 Page 10 e significant result, according to Mr. Farkas, has been the creation of Downtown Eugene, Incorporated (DEI), which is a greater effort to focus participation of owners as well as merchants in a number of downtown programs. Mr. Farkas introduced Peg Persinger, a board member of DEI and owner of "Creative Kids.1I Ms. Persinger described the history of her business, pointing out a shoplifting problem that had been addressed by CRM. She viewed DEI as a means to realize two basic goals: to improve the climate downtown and to obtain helpful information about other retailers' activities. Equal representation of property owners and retailers allows participation in decisions by all those immediately affected. Ms. Persinger described DEI as a private, non-profit corporation with nine voting board members: three property owners, three retailers, two who own property and are retailers, and a professional. Dues range from $100 to $1,400 annually. Recruitment is a primary function in DEI's efforts to revitalize downtown. The work plan also involves the organization in the proposed redesign of the ODD. Ms. Persinger asked for the council's recognition and support of the efforts of DEI. Mayor Obie announced his appointment of Mr. Holmer and Ms. Ehrman to ~e represent the City Council on the Downtown Development District Review Group. There was consensus to proceed with the review of the ODD. It was agreed that the DDD Review Group would make its recommendations to the council through the Downtown Commission. The meeting was adjourned at 1:35 p.m. Respectfully submitted, ~4.~ lY ....... ,. ~,,'-~'U""l Micheal Gleason, City Manager (Recorded by Mary Feldman) mncc 062988 ~MINUTES--EUgene City Council June 29, 1988 Page 11 ~4 __~~~