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HomeMy WebLinkAbout02/16/1983 Meeting e e M I NUT E S Eugene City Council City Council Chamber February 16, 1983 11:45 a.m. COUNCILORS PRESENT: John Ball, Richard Hansen, Freeman Holmer, Mark Lindberg, Brian Obie, Emily Schue, Betty Smith, Cynthia Wooten. ABSENT: Mayor Gus Keller. Adjourned meeting of the City Council of the City of Eugene, Oregon, was called to order by Council President Emily Schue, Presiding Officer. I. ITEMS FROM MAYOR & COUNCIL, APPOINTMENTS, ANNOUNCEMENTS, AGENDA ADJUSTMENTS A. Hearings on Regional Conservation and Electric Power Plan Councilor Holmer noted that the Regional Conservation and Electric Power Plan stated that by January 1986 State and/or local governments should adopt and enforce model standards for new buildings or prepare comparable alternative conservation plans. He asked staff whether the City was preparing testimony for the March State public hearing on the plan or for the public meeting to be held in the Council Chamber at 3:00 p.m. on February 23, 1983 with the Oregon representatives on the Northwest Power Planning Council. City Manager Micheal Gleason responded that Mick Nolte, Superintendent of Building Inspection for the City of Eugene, was involved in the League of Oregon Cities' review of State Code provisions. Mr. Gleason said he believed that at the staff level this was an appropriate response and that at this time no other staff involve- ment was planned. Councilor Holmer asked if there were provisions in the plan contrary to existing City policies. Mr. Gleason responded that this was being reviewed by staff and that he had not yet had a report back from staff. He said he believed the City of Eugene would meet the model standards, even at the full level of commitment, due to past efforts, such as the mandatory weatheriza- tion ordinance. Mr. Gleason noted that there were five years to run on the existing Construction Code before any penalties would be imposed, and he was certain that the codes would have been revised and any problems dealt with before that time. B. Request for Inventory of City Property Councilor Wooten said that she had in the past requested an inventory of City property, with the intent of having the council review that inventory to determine if there were surplus properties. She felt that the inventory could exclude such things as easements. Mr. Gleason responded that Facilities Development staff was working on the requested inventory and that he would check on the time frame for completion of the work. Ms. Wooten said she hoped the information 4It could be provided to the council and the Financial Planning Committee 900n. MINUTES--Eugene City Council February 16, 1983 Page 1 C. Announcements - Mr. Gleason announced that as a part of the monthly report to the council on the status of the City.s economic diversification efforts the council would tour the Development Assistance and Information Center immediately fOllowing adjournment of this meeting. II. ROUTINE ITEM FOR COUNCIL APPROVAL A. Consideration of City Council Regular Meeting Minutes of November 15, 1982, and January 12, 1983; Regular and Work Session Minutes of January 24, 1983, and Legislative Subcommittee Minutes of February 10, 1983 (minutes distributed) Mr. Obie moved, seconded by Ms. Smith, to approve the City Council minutes of November 15, 1982, January 12, 1983, and January 24, 1983, and Legislative Subcommittee minutes of February 10, 1983. Roll call vote; motion carried unanimously, with Councilor Holmer abstai ni ng. III. SEWER USER RATE INCREASE (resolution distributed) e Mr. Gleason said that this resolution had been prepared in response to council request made at the February 14, 1983, public hearing. He also noted that Council Bill 2594, as distributed to the council, contained a typographical error and that the formula for commercial rates should be changed to read .001815, not .016. Mr. Obie suggested that Resolution No. 3752 be amended as follows [additions are underlined; deletions are bracketed]: Finding 4--"The City Council recognizes that flat-based rates may be [are] inequitable and desires to proceed as quickly as possible to review the utilization of [use] of flow-based rates." Section 2-- liThe Eugene Ci ty Counci 1 intends to revi ew and amend the rates set forth under Section 7.020 of the Eugene Code, 1971, no later than July 1, 1984, with an intent to consider [adopt] a flow-based rate system no later than that date." Res. No. 3752--A resolution concerning implementation of the sewer user charges based upon fl ow-based rates. Mr. Obie moved, seconded by Ms. Smith, to adopt the resolution with the amendments suggested above. e Councilor Wooten said she did not believe the amendments suggested by Mr. Obie reflected the intent of the council discussion of February 14. She said she believed flat rates are inequitable and that the council did intend to adopt flow-based rates, not just to consider them. Councilor Smith said she believed that the change in wording would be appropriate, since the council was asking for a study to be conducted, and that she would therefore support the motion and amendments. She said she would convey to the Metropolitan Wastewater Management Commission the council 's desire to move quickly on this matter. MINUTES--Eugene City Council February 16, 1983 Page 2 e Councilor Hansen said he would also support the amendments since they left the council's options open to consider other than flow-based rates if the study found that there are alternative rate structures that are more equitable than flow-based rates. Councilor Ball said he had no doubts that the flat rates were inequitable and therefore favored the wording as drafted. Councilor Wooten said she could accept the proposed amendments with more permissive language so long as the intent of the council to move as rapidly as possible to a more equitable program was clear. Councilor Lindberg said he, too, could support the amendments since they provided flexible implementation dates and left the option of adopting a system that might be found to be more equitable than the flow-based system. Councilor Holmer suggested that the question be split. He agreed that the flat-based rate is inequitable but shared Mr. Lindberg's concern that the council not be boxed into a particular decision by declaring in advance its intent to adopt that particular system. Councilor Obie said the amendments would allow the council to select some alternative to a straight fiow-based rate, such as a minimum flat charge with a flow-based charge for use over that minimum amount. He felt the council's action should allow flexibility to adopt such variations. e Councilor Smith noted that recommendations for any fee changes would come before the council. Roll call vote; motion carried unanimously. Councilor Wooten asked for information from staff on implementation of the new fees relative to February sewer use. Bill Guenzler, Public Works Maintenance Engineer, said it was hoped that implementation of the new rates would be coordinated with the City of Springfield, which would begin charging at the new rate structure on March 9, 1983. He said that billing was done from the previous month and that the increase would therefore be reflected in billings from April 9. Tim Sercombe, City Attorney's Office, said it was possible from a legal standpoint for the Eugene billings to coincide with these planned Spring- field dates. Councilor Ball said he had received calls from members of the public regarding future need for storm sewer capital outlay funds. Mr. Gleason responded that another debt system would be needed for storm drain maintenance and construction. Councilor Ball said he shared some of the concerns that had been expressed by the Springfield council regarding the proposed MWMC budget, particularly in the area of operations. He said staff had assured him this was a "bare bones" budget, but he questioned whether this was true. He did not feel it was advisable, particularly in the current economic climate, to overbudget. e MINUTES--Eugene City Council February 16, 1983 Page 3 e e e CB 2594--An ordinance concerning sewer user charges; amending Sections 7.020 and 7.023 of the Eugene Code, 1971; adding a new section 7.045 to that code; and declaring an emergency. Council Bill 2594 was read the second time by council bill number only. Mr. Obie moved, seconded by Ms. Smith, that the bill be approved, with correction of the formula for non-residential rates as noted above, and given final passage. Roll call vote. All councilors present voting aye, the bill was declared passed and numbered 19096. IV. AMBASSADOR PROGRAM--UPDATE (memo, entire report distributed) Mr. Gleason introduced Business Assistance Team Manager Cathy Briner. Ms. Briner presented information in response to questions previously raised by the council regarding the goals, organization, results, budget, and timeline for the Ambassador Program. She said the program was a joint venture of the City of Eugene and the Eugene Area Chamber of Commerce with goals to enhance Eugene's image, involve citizens in economic development activities, and recruit new businesses to the area. She said the Joint Committee on Economic Diversification would supervise the program, with the BATeam serving as staff. She said the Chamber of Commerce Committee on Economic Development, co-chaired by Jean Tate and Liz Cawood, would be responsible for the recruitment of ambassadors. Ms. Briner reviewed a chart of the proposed organizational structure for the program. She noted that the BATeam represents the cities of Eugene and Springfield, the Eugene Area Chamber of Commerce, the University of Oregon, Lane Community College, and the Oregon-Pacific Economic Development Corporation. Ms. Briner said anticipated results for the first six months of the program were to make presentations to 30 business and service groups in the community and recruit 100 ambassadors who would then each make an average of 10 contacts, for a total of 1,000 contacts. She said that budget for this first six months of the program totaled $60,000, including 1.5 full-time equivalent staff positions. She said this total represented $40,000 for the Ambassador Program and $20,000 for marketing items, including development of a trade fair exhibit, limited advertising, and mailing and long-distance phone costs. Ms. Briner noted this represented approximately 50 percent of the total BATeam budget, but only 35 percent of staff time devoted to non-local recruitment. She said that timeline for the program was to move as quickly as possible. She hoped contacts would be made by April 15 with a report back to the council by mid-July. Responding to a question from Councilor Wooten, Ms. Briner said that the 1.5 FTE for six months represented approximately $15,000 to $20,000 with fringe benefits. Responding to a question from Councilor Smith, Ms. Briner said that ambassadors would go through a group orientation followed by one-on-one contacts with staff. Ms. Smith emphasized the need for tight coordination and comprehensive orientation for the program to be successful. Ms. Briner said that computerized record-keeping would help with this. MINUTES--Eugene City Council February 16, 1983 Page 4 e e e Councilor Lindberg suggested that, if the initial six-month portion of the program is successful, the business community, which would derive a direct benefit from the program, might be able to pick up a portion of the program costs. Ms. Briner noted that the program was already jointly funded by the Chamber of Commerce and that using only four staff members to leverage service from the entire community was a good use of funds. She agreed that it would be possible to look for funding help for the program in the future. Responding to a question from Councilor Hansen, Ms. Briner said that ambassadors who wish to use their own letterheads and postage for contacts will be encour- aged to do so, but that the BATeam will provide these for those who do not. Mr. Hansen suggested that staff not devote too much time and expense to estab- lishing checks and balances for the program. Councilor Ball said that, while he remained skeptical about the program, he believed it should go ahead, with the council reviewing results closely. He said he believed it was appropriate for the enamoer and the business community to take over responsibility for the program if it is successful. Mr. Obie moved, seconded by Ms. Smith, to adopt the Ambassador Program as outlined. Roll call vote; motion carried unanimously. V. DOWNTOWN PLAN--PROGRESS REPORT (memo, Downtown Commission 1983 Action Plan distributed) Mr. Gleason introduced Pat Decker, Department of Housing and Community Conserva- tion. Ms. Decker introduced David Filer of the Downtown Commission. Mr. Filer presented the council with a three-dimensional drawing of the Downtown Plan area. He said that the February 9, 1983, memo from staff that had been distributed to councilors described the commission's progress to date on the Downtown Plan. He then spoke on his own thoughts regarding the plan and on marketing downtown Eugene. He noted that it was difficult to apply marketing studies to the downtown social system, which had developed over a long period of time. He said the downtown was different from a suburban shopping center and therefore required different planning and was a more complicated product to market. Mr. Filer felt that some of Eugene's old traditions, such as the Farmers' Market and the Pioneer Parade, should be reinstituted to help rekindle interest in the downtown. Councilor Obie asked if the commission were considering alternative land uses for the downtown, such as more housing or light manufacturing. Mr. Filer said that the planning process had not yet gotten that specific and that variety was definitely possible. Councilor Lindberg asked if the commission was communicating with the public and if the interests of downtown residents were being represented. Mr. Filer said that citizen participation had been good, with a cross-section of interests represented. MINUTES--Eugene City Council February 16, 1983 Page 5 e e - VI. TAX ALLOCATION FUND AUDIT (memo, entire report distributed) Mr. Gleason introduced Elaine Stewart, Department of Housing and Community Conservation. Ms. Stewart said that the council, acting in its capacity as the Eugene Renewal Agency, needed to accept the FY81-82 Tax Allocation Fund Audit to comply with the State and Federal audit requirements. She said that the audit report did not make any recommendations for administrative change. She said that Jimmy Willis, a principal with the firm of Molatore, Gerbert, Rusth and Company, which had prepared the audit, was present to respond to questions from councilors. Councilor Wooten said that she had received a number of inquiries from constit- uents regarding the tax status of the Eugene Hilton Hotel. Ms. Stewart responded that the hotel is within the tax allocation district boundary. She said this year the hotel would pay approximately $300,000 in tax allocation funds and noted the hotel also pays the City $100,000 annually for primary use of the Eugene Conference Center. Mr. Obie moved, seconded by Ms. Smith, that the council, acting in its capacity as the Eugene Renewal Agency, accept the FY81-82 Tax Allocation Fund Audit. Roll call vote; motion carried unanimously. VII. RESOLUTION re: AFFIRMATIVE ACTION TASK FORCE (resolution distributed) Mr. Gleason introduced Marge Beck, Director of Council and Community Services. Ms. Beck said that this resolution had been brought before the council at the request of the Affirmative Action Task Force. She noted that the council had created the task force two years ago to advise the City Manager on administrative policies and procedures regarding affirmative action and to advise the council on legislative matters regarding affirmative action. She said that Councilors Ball and Wooten currently serve on the task force, along with one representative from each of the five Human Rights Commissions. Ms. Beck said that group was requesting a 60-day extension of its mandate from the council to enable the task force to prepare and del iver a final report to the council. She said that once the council had reviewed that report it could then decide whether to continue the existence of the task force, restructure the group, or abolish it. Res. No. 3751--A resolution concerning the Affirmative Action Task Force and amending Resolution 3471. Mr. Obie moved, seconded by Ms. Smith, to adopt the resolution. Roll call vote; motion carried unanimously. VIII. MONTHLY STATUS REPORT ON ECONOMIC DIVERSIFICATION: JOINT COMMITTEE ON ECONOMIC DIVERSIFICATION/TOUR OF THE DEVELOPMENT ASSISTANCE AND INFORMATION CENTER (memo distributed) Mr. Gleason introduced Susan Smernoff, Planning Department. She said that during the past year the Joint Committee on Economic Diversification had focused MINUTES--Eugene City Council February 16, 1983 Page 6 - e - its activities on development and monitoring the Business Assistance Team. She said the work program for FY82-83 would focus on three high-priority items: The Eugene Industrial Development Corporation, the redevelopment of older industrial sites, and the Business Assistance and Marketing Program. Concerning the Eugene Industrial Development Corporation, Ms. Smernoff noted that the chamber had had such a corporation in the past, which had focused its efforts on redevelopment of the warehouse area on Congress Street. She said that the new corporation would consider redevelopment of older industrial sites in the Central Industrial Area. She said the committee was currently collecting data on the Central Industrial Area and would be working with the Planning Commission to develop a special study for the area. Ms. Smernoff said reports would be made to the council as the Special Area Study progresses. Other ongoing priorities of the Joint Committee are: coordination with the University of Oregon and Lane Community College and the Business Assistance clearinghouse, which will provide information to the committee by way of terminals located in several places in the metro area. Meeting was adjourned to February 23, 1983. Following adjournment, councilors toured the Development Assistance and Information Center. Respectfully submitted, ~~ ' (...u~. --.. Micheal D. Gleason Ci ty Manager MDG:pv/CM23a16 MINUTES--Eugene City Council February 16, 1983 Page 7