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HomeMy WebLinkAbout11/21/1983 Meeting I I. M I NUT E S e Eugene City Council City Council Chamber November 21, 1983 11 :45 a.m. COUNCILORS PRESENT: Brian Obie, Freeman Holmer, Emily Schue, Richard Hansen, Betty Smith. COUNCILORS ABSENT: John Ball, Mark Lindberg, Cynthia Wooten. Adjourned meeting of the City Council of the City of Eugene, Oregon, was called to order by His Honor Mayor Gus Keller. 1. PUBLIC HEARINGS A. Referral to Voters of Constitutional Amendments Regarding Expenditure Limitation/Sales Tax/Property Tax Relief (memo, background information distributed) City Manager Micheal Gleason introduced the agenda item. Jody Miller of Inter- governmental Relations presented the staff report, stating that the purpose of the hearing was to receive testimony on the question of whether to refer the tax package passed by the Special Session of the State Legislature to the voters. e She stated that the City had been working on the issue for several years through the League of Oregon Cities and the State Legislature, adding that the package presented to the council had been approved by the League of Oregon Cities at its conference the previous week. She noted that the new tax package included the element of a referral process requiring a majority of local governments to apply to the Secretary of State for a statewide election on the constitutional amendment. She then reviewed her November 15 memorandum to the City Manager, written in conjunction with Financial Services Director Warren Wong, which outlined those amendments and the referral process. Ms. Miller explained that a motion would need to be approved by the council requesting the Secretary of State establish an election should the council choose to refer those amendments to the voters. She stated the Mayor had been presented with the Application for Election form which should be signed by those councilors voting in favor of the el ecti on. She added that letters from the Eugene Chamber of Commerce, the League of Oregon Voters, and Ed Hemmingsborn of the Communist Party U.S.A. had been received and distributed to the council. The public hearing was opened. Carl Hostika, 870 Fox Glenn, State Representative, stated that he represents parts of the City of Eugene in the State LegiSlature and had been a member of the House Revenue Committee which designed parts of the tax package. He recommended that the package be referred to the people so that a determination could be made on the issue. He stressed that he did not believe in the sales tax, explaining that he did not believe it to be the fairest method to provide e property tax relief. Representative Hostika felt that no alternative methods of MINUTES--Eugene City Council November 21, 1983 Page 1 ~roperty tax relief would be considered until the sales tax issue was settled. e e stated he believed that the sales tax, as presently designed, would have no effect except to possibly defeat the rate limitation, an action he favored. He also felt that the sales tax was bad public policy and would be rejected by the public. He stated that the forces in favor of the sales tax had pre-empted the field and that the issue must be settled before any alternative could be considered. Carroll D. Fentress, 3883 Blanton Road, stated that he was appearing before the council as an indlvidual citizen. He emphasized that the question before the council was not of favoring or opposing the sales tax, but of choosing whether to refer the issue to the voters. He stated that he was in favor of giving the voters a chance to voice their opinion on the tax package. There being no further testimony, the public hearing was closed. Councilor Smith stated that the council IS Legislative Subcommittee had had the issue as a top priorty for the past year and had supported the referral through the Lane County delegation and the State Legislature. She said the council was basically on record in support of the referral and therefore encouraged the council's support. Ms. Schue moved, seconded by Mr. Obie, to refer to the voters of Oregon State Constitution amendments regarding expenditure limitation/sales tax/property tax relief. Roll call vote; the motion carried unanimously, 5:0. e B. Code Amendment Concerning Merchant Police Business License (memo and ordinance distributed) City Manager Micheal Gleason introduced the agenda item. Business License and Tax Supervisor Terry Grondona presented the staff report, stating that the proposed ordinance would provide less restrictive licensing in the area of security service by adding a Merchant Police III category. She explained that merchant police had in the past provided security service primarily in the area of industrial-type patrol, but, with the annexation of Autzen Stadium and the expansion of the city, crowd management of temporary events was being recognized as an independent element of security service. She briefly reviewed the November 15 memorandum from Finance Director Warren Wong to the City Council, stating that staff was recommending a modified licensing for the new category. She explained that an individual in the Merchant Police III category must be employed by a licensed agency, which in turn must submit application information and a $6.25 license fee per employee to the Business License Office three days prior to the temporary event. She said staff recognized that temporary events would require security services, would occur on an infrequent basis, and that the ordinance would provide the agencies the opportunity to provide temporary event security service in a more reasonable manner. Referring to the revised page 1 of the ordinance distributed to the council, she stated that staff had modified the Merchant Police III description due to definitional problems. The public hearing was opened. - MINUTES--Eugene City Council November 21, 1983 Page 2 Robert B. Thompson, 2108 Lincoln Street, stated he was in the process of estab- e lishing a crowd control business, Oregon Event Enterprises, in the Eugene area. He said he was concerned with maintaining public welfare, but he added that he was also concerned with specific items within the ordinance as written. He asked for some clarification on the phrase "substanti al physical force" in Section 3.005. He said he felt the $6.25 fee to be excessive, explaining that the fee would be prohibitive when hiring personnel for a one-night event. He also questioned the three-day prior submission requirement, stating that the requirement would not allow for any last minute increase in the number of personnel. He stated that the limitation placed on the number of work days would restrict the use of experience personnel. He concluded his comments stating that the ordinance as written would create a hardship for the small business owner and he would like to see the amendment modified. There being no further testimony, the public hearing was closed. Responding to the questions raised in the testimony, Ms. Grondona stated that the Section 3.005 phrase in question had been deleted from the proposed ordinance by the modifications mentioned earlier and that she would furnish Mr. Thompson with a revised copy of the proposed ordinance. In regard to the fee, she stated that staff felt it was reasonable to assess the fee due to the police clearance review performed on each individual. She stated that the intent of the ordinance, in the case of a work stoppage situation where temporary security service was being provided, explaining that the temporary individual license would run seven days, with the option of the license being extended for three additional seven-day periods. She said the ordinance did not mean that an individual could only work four times during the year. Ms. Grondona explained that the three-~ay e prior submission requirement was based on the time required by the police to conduct a review on the individual prior to issuing a license. In response to a question by Mayor Keller, Ms. Grondona stated that staff hoped to be flexible enough to respond to any last minute personnel requirements, explaining that some police overtime might be required to accomplish the review for the license to be issued in less than three days. In response to a question, Ms. Grondona explained that the limitation of allowing only four seven-day periods pertained only to one temporary event. She said that the event could not be viewed as temporary after the four periods and would require another classification of the Merchant Police employee. She said that the individual at that time would be reclassified to Merchant Police II and the payment of the $6.25 fee for each of the four license periods would pay for the regular yearly application fee. She said staff would then address the $25 1 icense fee. She said the individual would be administratively reclassified if the event went beyond one month and if it was the intent of the agency to continue use of that individual. In response to a question, Ms. Grondona said staff did not have the experience to address the question of relicensing individual personnel on a continuing basis. She said staff felt there would be sufficient time between the oppor- tunities for individuals working in the security service capacity to make subsequent police reports appropriate. In response to a question, Ms. Grondona said that all the area security firms e had reviewed the first drafts of the ordinance. MINUTES--Eugene City Council November 21, 1983 Page 3 Councilor Hansen stated that Section 3.314 apparently only required a three-day prior application period for the Merchant Police categories I and II. Ms. e Grondona replied that the three-day notice required for Merchant Police III was covered in Section 3.314(5), stating that the employers would not usually know the number of Merchant Police III individuals to be employed until the time of the special or temporary event. She stated that the Merchant Police II appli- cation would be more detailed than for the Merchant Police III, requiring notarized character references. In response to a question by Councilor Holmer, Ms. Grondona said that three businesses were licensed to provide crowd manangement services. She added that the representatives from two Salem firms chose not to attend the hearing. CB 2673--An ordinance concerning merchant police; amending Sections 3.005, 3.010, 3.314, and 3.315 of the Eugene Code, 1971; and declaring an emergency. Ms. Schue moved, seconded by Mr. Obie, 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. Councilor Schue said she did not feel well-informed on the issue and that Mr. Thompson had raised some valid concerns. She said she had some reservations on how the ordinance would work. Mr. Gleason said he viewed that Councilor Schue's concern was shared by the other councilors and suggested holding the item over so that the operational problems might be resolved. e Councilors Hansen supported the suggestion based on his concerns with the time requirements, the fee, and the ordinance language. He also stressed his concern to know the type of individuals being hired to perform the security services. Councilor Obie also supported the suggestion to delay action on the item, stating that he was primarily concerned with the readability of the ordinance. In response to a question, Mr. Gleason suggested that the item be held over indefinitely until staff could prepare a presentation to the council. Mr. Hansen moved, seconded by Ms. Schue, to table the item. Roll call vote; the motion carried unanimously, 5:0. C. Rezoning Requests 1. Property located on the north side of Cal Young Road, between Willakenzie Road and Coburg Road from R-2/PD Limited Multiple- Family Residential District with Planned Unit Development procedures to R-3/SR Multiple-Family Residential District with Site Review procedures (Interstate Properties) (Z 83-14) (map, background information distributed) City Manager Micheal Gleason introduced the agenda item. Jerry Jacobson of the Planning Department presented the staff report, reviewing the staff notes of October 4, 1983. He stated that the Planning Commission had recommended approval e MINUTES--Eugene City Council November 21, 1983 Page 4 of the request by a 3:0 vote. He added that approval of the request would result in an increased density allowance for the area and would eliminate the - present Planned Unit Development procedures in favor of the site review requirement. There were no statements of ex parte contacts or conflicts of interest. The staff notes and minutes were entered into the record at this time. The public hearing was opened. Jim Saul, 44 Country Club Road, stated he was representing Interstate Properties. He said he felt the record as presented to the council was complete and he stressed that the request was an opportunity for the council to realize the objectives of the Metropolitan Plan and the Community Goals and Policies to encourage increased density adjacent to a community/commercial center and a major point in the city.s transit system. He stated he was available to answer any questions of the council. There being no further testimony, the public hearing was closed. CB 2696--An ordinance authorizing rezoning from R-2/PD Limited Multiple-Family Residential District with Planned Unit Development procedures to R-3/SR Multiple-Family Resi- dential District with Site Review procedures for property located on the north side of Cal Young Road, between Willakenzie Road and Coburg Road. e Ms. Schue moved, seconded by Mr. Obie, that findings supporting the rezoning as set forth in Planning Commission staff notes and minutes of October 4, 1983, be adopted by reference thereto; 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. Council Bill 2696 was read the second time by council bill number only. Ms. Schue moved, seconded by Mr. Obie, 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. 19198). 2. Property located on the southwest corner of Seneca Road and 7th Avenue west from 1-2 Light-Medium Industrial District to C-2/SR Community Commercial District with Site Review procedures (Moyer Theatres) (Z 83-16) (map, background information distributed) City Manager Micheal Gleason introduced the agenda item. Councilor Obie asked City Attorney Tim Sercombe if he felt that he has any conflict of interest in this rezoning request based on his previous involvement in rezonings in that area of town. Mr. Sercombe stated that there was no apparent conflict of interest due to the lack of any pecuniary interest by Mr. e Obie with the property in question. MINUTES--Eugene City Council November 21, 1983 Page 5 Terry Jones of the Planning Department presented the staff report, reviewing the staff notes of October 4, 1983. She noted that the uses that were established e under the provisions of the 1-2 zoning district as of January 1982 could expand even if not presently allowed, explaining that the theater complex could expand on its site but the commercial development proposed was not allowed under the present zoning. She stated that the Planning Commission had recommended approval of the request and had adopted positive findings in support of that recommendation. There were no statements of ex parte contact or conflicts of interest. The staff notes and minutes were entered into the record at this time. The public hearing was opened. Jim Saul, 44 Country Club Road, representing Moyer Theatres, stated that the record was quite extensive. He said he would respond to any questions of the council, adding that he felt the staff report supported the recommendation of the Planning Commission. There being no further testimony, the public hearing was closed. CB 2697--An ordinance authorizing rezoning from 1-2 Light-Medium Industrial District to C-2/SR Community Commercial District with Site Review procedures for property located on the southwest corner of Seneca Road and 7th Avenue West. Ms. Schue moved, seconded by Mr. Obie, that findings supporting e the rezoning as set forth in Planning Commission staff notes and minutes of October 4, 1983, be adopted by reference thereto; 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. Councilor Hansen stated that he had read the staff notes and had followed the Fred Meyer property issue prior to his election to the council. He said he understood that a C-2 zoning buffer was to be developed, with the property to the north of this buffer to retain its 1-2 zoning. He stated that he might have a different opinion if Mr. Moyer were not allowed to expand under the present zoning, but he did not see the need to change the property in question from industrial to commercial zoning when undeveloped commercially-zoned land was available nearby. Mr. Hansen stated that he would vote against the request for that reason. Councilor Obie, in looking at the Planning Commission staff notes and minutes, stated that he agreed with Mr. Hansen. He stated that the present request was the third in that area since the Fred Meyer request. He said there was an abundance of commercially-zoned property and that the inventory of the available Light-Industrial property needed by the community was apparently decreasing. He said he found himself swayed by the original arguments made by the Planning Department staff in recommending denial of the request. e MINUTES--Eugene City Council November 21, 1983 Page 6 Roll call vote; the motion for second reading failed 2:3; - Councilors Holmer and Schue voting aye; and Councilors Smith, Hansen, and Obie voting nay. Mr. Gleason stated that the council IS action in denying the request would necessitate a joint meeting with the Planning Commission which staff would schedule. 3. Property located south of Southern Pacific Railroad tracks, west of Pearl Street, north of 5th Avenue from 1-2 Light-Medium Industrial District to C-2 Community Commercial District, and concurrent Sign District Boundary change from Industrial Sign District to Pedestrian-Auto Sign District (Jack and Diane Hazen) (z 83-17) (map, background information distributed) City Manager Micheal Gleason introduced the agenda item. Councilor Obie stated that he would abstain from consideration of this agenda item due to his financial interests within the Fifth Street Public Market district. Jerry Jacobson of the Planning Department presented the staff report, reviewing the staff notes of October 4, 1983. He stated that the Planning Commission had recommended approval of the request by a vote of 3:0. In response to a question, Mr. Jacobson stated that the Hazens were leasing the property from the Southern Pacific Railroad and that they had the concurrence of Southern Pacific in the zone change request. e There were no other statements of ex parte contacts or conflicts of interest. The staff notes and minutes were entered into the record at this time. The public hearing was opened. Diane Hazen, 131 B. East 5th Avenue, stated that the report of the. Planning Department was complete and that she was present to answer any questions of the council. She stated that the Southern Pacific Railroad had signed the application for change of zoning as the property owner. There being no further testimony, the public hearing was closed. CB 2698--An ordinance authorizing rezoning from 1-2 Light-Medium Industrial District to C-2 Community Commercial District and concurrent Sign District Boundary change from Indus- trial Sign District to Pedestrian-Auto Sign District for property located south of Southern Pacific Railroad tracks, west of Pearl Street, north of 5th Avenue. Ms. Schue moved, seconded by Mr. Obie, that findings supporting the rezoning as set forth in Planning Commission staff notes and minutes of October 4, 1983, be adopted by reference thereto; e that the bill be read the second time by council bill number only, with unanimous consent of the council; and that enactment MINUTES--Eugene City Council November 21, 1983 Page 7 be considered at this time. Roll call vote; the motion carried e unanimously, 4:0. Council Bill 2698 was read the second time by council bill number only. Ms. Schue moved, seconded by Mr. Obie, 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. 19199>. D. Code Amendment Concerning Downtown Development District Parking Violations (memo, ordinance distributed) City Manager Micheal Gleason introduced the agenda item. Mr. Gleason stated that, if the council decided to adopt the motion, the council should hold the public hearing, give the bill first reading, and then hold second reading over until November 23 for consideration of the emergency clause. Municipal Court Operations Manager Ernie Mazorol presented the staff report, reviewing the City Manager's memorandum of November 14 to the City Council. Mr. Mazorol stated that the violator could request a hearing at any time during the process and be refunded all the previously paid bail if found not guilty. He said the amendment had been endorsed by the Downtown Commission in September. The public hearing was opened. There being no testimony presented, the public hearing was closed. e CB 2699--An ordinance concerning prOhibited parking; amending Section 5.231 of the Eugene Code, 1971; and declaring an emergency. Ms. Schue moved, seconded by Mr. Obie, 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; 5:0. Mr. Gleason stated that the second reading would be held over until the council meeting on November 23, 1983. The meeting was adjourned at 8:25 p.m. to November 23, 1983. Re??~ --.. Micheal D. Gleason Ci ty Manager (Recorded by Thorn Strunk) CM32a21 e MINUTES--Eugene City Council November 21, 1983 Page 8