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HomeMy WebLinkAbout05/16/1984 Meeting M I NUT E S e Eugene City Council City Council Chamber May 16, 1984 11:55 a.m. COUNCILORS PRESENT: Brian Obie, Cynthia Wooten, Freeman Holmer, Joyce Nichols, Emily Schue, and Betty Smith. COUNCILORS ABSENT: John Ball and Richard Hansen. Adjourned meeting of the City Council of the City of Eugene, Oregon, was called to order by His Honor Mayor Gus Keller. I. ITEMS FROM MAYOR & COUNCIL, APPOINTMENTS, ANNOUNCEMENTS, AGENDA ADJUSTMENTS A. National Association of Regional Councils Meeting. Councilor Schue stated that she had represented the Lane Council of Governments in a National Association of Regional Councils meeting in Seattle the previous week. She stated that the discussions held on economic development were worthwhile. e B. Affirmative Action on Board and Commission Appointments Councilor Holmer congratulated Councilors Obie and Wooten on their successful election campaigns. Referring to his May 15, 1984, memorandum to the City Council, Mr. Holmer stated that he was still concerned with adequate repre- sentation on the City.s boards and commissions. He asked that staff develop information in advance of any appointments that presented the current compo- sition of each board in the areas of sex, ethnic group, disabilities, age, special skills or qualifications, and ward of residence. He stressed that the boards and commissions should be made more representative of the community. He said that the staff information would assist the council in its efforts toward affirmative action. C. Handguns Councilor Holmer briefly reviewed his May 15, 1984, memorandum to the City Council which noted several statistics on deaths and injuries resulting from handguns. He said the council had previously expressed itself on the forms of violence in the world; therefore, he suggested that the council address this issue in devising an appropriate response. He added that the Community Goals Conference delegates concurred in a suggested action by the City to register handguns. While Mr. Holmer said he was not suggesting that the City require handgun registration or licensing or the outright banning of handguns, he suggested that the City address the issue of handguns within the city or that the issue be added to the council's legislative agenda. He invited members of the councilor the general public to become involved in developing an appro- priate program for the City to adopt. e MINUTES--Eugene City Council May 16, 1984 Page 1 e e - D. Political Contributions to City Council Elections Councilor Holmer made reference to a newspaper article of the previous week which reported the contribution by a political party.s central committee to the election campaign of two City Council candidates. Reviewing his May 15, 1984, memorandum to the City Council, he stated that the City Charter provided for the non-partisan election of the Mayor and the councilors, this option being a response to the assertion that the public safety, works, and other City functions were not the logical subject of debate by local units of national political parties. Feeling that non-partisan elections better served the ends of City government, Mr. Holmer stated that he had resigned from the County Central Committee of his political party prior to running for the City Council, an action not taken by other members of the council. He said the subject of a political party supporting a council candidate was worthy of public debate and that support would probably be shown for both sides of the question. He suggested that the council ask the Lane County Democratic Central Committee if it intended to continue making partisan financial contri- butions to non-partisan political candidates. If the committee responded in the affirmative, Mr. Holmer urged that the council develop a charter amendment and corresponding ordinances that would allow partisan elections, the amendment and ordinance then to be submitted to a vote by the public. In response to Councilor Holmer's statement on affirmative action, Councilor Wooten said she preferred that this issue be presented to the presidents of the Human Rights commissions for their response to the recommendation and input on how the council should proceed. In response to his statement on the financial support of non-partisan elections, Ms. Wooten said it was an irrelevant issue to bring before the council and a waste of the council's time. She believed that the Democratic Party would be unable to provide an answer to Mr. Holmer.s question regarding continued financial support. Councilor Schue, stating that she did not conceal her membership in the Democratic Party Central Committee, said she did not think it was a relevant discussion. She stated that the councilors should be legal and up front about what each does in regard to his or her constituencies, but then it was up to the public to decide. She did not think the council needed to be concerned about the actions of any individual political party. She added that contributions could be made through the party or through individual donations. Councilor Obie.said he found himself in middle ground on the issue, stating that the council should be concerned if there was any deterioration of the non-partisan system. He said that the process had served the community well in providing integrity in City issues and concerns. He said he would have difficulty in any increasing activity to create a partisan environment and would have Mr. Holmer pursue his suggestion if any jeopardy of the non-partisan system were observed. E. Future Plans Regarding Mayoral/Councilor Positions Councilor Obie thanked Mr. Holmer for his congratulatory comments and expressed his thanks for the support provided by other individuals. In response to requests made by the press and others, Mr. Obie outlined his concerns with the issue of economic development and the planning of future council goals. He MINUTES--Eugene City Council May 16, 1984 Page 2 e e e stated that he would appreciate any input from the councilors and said he would make a decison within the next month on whether he would resign his position early to allow Roger Rutan to take his seat on the council. He said it was important to recognize that Mayor Keller was still the Mayor and would continue to be so until January 1985; therefore, the community should continue its support of Mayor Keller. F. Words of Congratulations and Regrets Mayor Keller offered his congratulations to Councilors Obie and Wooten. He expressed the regrets of the council in Councilor Nichols' unsuccessful attempt to retain her seat on the council. G. Unofficial Resolution Mayor Keller presented a "resolution" to Councilor Holmer which had been written on a napkin and had been signed by a variety of city and county residents. It requested Mr. Holmer be appointed as the manager of the Hult Center on a full-time basis. H. Announcements 1. "Shaping Up '84" Campaign Par~s and Recreation Director Ernie Drapela said that May 16 was to have been the formal unveiling of the "Summer .8411 poster which listed the 70 events to take place during that period. He said the poster was a response to a request by the Economic Diversification Task Team for an annual calendar of events. Mr. Drapela said that 1,000 posters were produced, 94 percent of the costs being provided by private contributors such as Rax Restaurants, KUGN, Eugene Print, and the Eugene-Springfield Visitors and Convention Bureau. Copies of the poster were distributed to the council by Alan Denfeld, the lead staff member of the Eugene Celebration Program. In response to a question, Jan Fiorato of the Business Assistance Team stated that the red, white, and blue windsocks produced in conjunction with the "Shaping Up '84" Campaign were available through the Eugene Downtown Association. II. ROUTINE ITEMS FOR COUNCIL APPROVAL A. City Council Minutes of April 23, 1984, and April 25, 1984 (minutes distributed) Mr. Obie moved, seconded by Ms. Wooten, to approve the minutes of April 23 and 25, 1984. Roll call vote; the motion carried unanimously, 6:0. MINUTES--Eugene City Council May 16, 1984 Page 3 e B. Segregation for Assessment of Property Located Northeast on Timber- line Drive, East off Warren Street; Applicant: Breeden Brothers, Inc. (SE 84-1) Mr. Obie moved, seconded by Ms. Wooten, to approve the segregation for assessment as noted. Roll call vote; the motion carried unanimously, 6:0. III. PUBLIC HEARING: URBAN TRANSITION POLICIES (memo, background information distributed) e City Manager Micheal Gleason introduced the agenda item. Jim Farah of the Planning Department presented the staff report. Mr. Farah reviewed the May 1, 1984, Planning Department memorandum to the City Council, stating that the council had adopted a set of urbanization polices for the City of Eugene in January 1984, the policies being an outgrowth of the Metro Plan. He added that in October 1983 representatives from the jurisdictions of Eugene, Spring- field, and Lane County jointly directed their staffs to develop a set of policies which would guide urban transition. He said staff was presenting these policies to the council as recommended by the Planning Commission. He noted that some divergence existed in terms of the policy language, stating that asterisks were used to denote those items for which the Springfield Planning Commission had made recommendations to the Springfield City Council which differed from those being presented to the Eugene City Council by its Planning Commission. Mr. Farah said staff was suggesting that the council hold its public hearing today and then, jointly with the City of Springfield, recommend to the Board of County Commissioners the formation of the Inter- governmental Policy Group. He said staff was also suggesting that the council tentatively adopt the Urban Transition Policies as the basis for consideration by the Intergovernmental Policy Group. Mr. Farah said that the Metropolitan Area Planning Advisory Committee was requesting that the Intergovernmental Policy Group include a MAPAC member as an ex officio member and liaison. He suggested that the editorial changes suggested be presented to the Policy Group for consideration. In response to a question on Item 4, IIPropose Policy Framework,1I Mr. Farah explained that the three staffs had developed a draft and the asterisks on Policy 3 and 6 reflected the differences developed by Eugene and Springfield. In response to a related question on Policy 3, he said there was no actual difference of opinion by the two jurisdictions; he said the differences were in the criteria used for annexation and non-contiguous urbanization and the change in Policy Statement 3 A. He stated that staff was recommending the use of "non-contiguous developed urban landll as more appropriate language. The public hearing was opened. There being no testimony presented, the public hearing was closed. Mr. Obie moved, seconded by Ms. Wooten, to adopt the policy and process reconunendations as outlined by staff. Roll call vote; the motion carried unanimously, 6:0. - MINUTES--Eugene City Council May 16, 1984 Page 4 - Mr. Gleason commented that he felt the Urban Transition Policy was a significant component of the General Plan and was possible because of the changing intergovern- mental atmosphere in the metropolitan area. IV. WORLD TRADE WEEK RESOLUTION (memo, resolution, background information distributed) e City Manager Micheal Gleason introduced the agenda item. William Sloat of the Business Assistance Team presented the staff report, reviewing the May 9, 1984, BAT memorandum to the City Council. He added that exploring inter- national trade opportunities was part of the City's Six-Point Economic Diversi- fication Program. He said that Oregon ranked eighth in the nation in the amount of manufacturing employment tied to exports, with total exports in Oregon valued at $3.7 billion in 1983. Mr. Sloat explained that Oregon was strategically located on the Pacific Rim to take advantage of international trade with the growing markets of Asia. He then reviewed the three major activities to take place the following week as described in the BAT memorandum. Mr. Sloat then introduced Dan Justina, president of the Willamette Vally World Trade Committee (WVWTC). Mr. Justina said the committee's purpose was to promote exporting from within the Southern Willamette Valley. He said the committee was also working to expand its role as a resource for those already involved and those interested in exporting. Mr. Justina added that the committee functioned as a link between the US Department of Commerce in Portland, the Oregon Economic Development Department, the University of Oregon Business School, and the Eugene Chamber of Commerce as well as functioning as a forum for those members to discuss opportunities and problems and as a collective voice for trade issues. He said the committee met once a month and published the monthly Lane Ex~ort which highlighted local export companies and individuals. Mr. Justina sai the US Import/Export Commission named the WVWTC the most active organization of its type in the United States and that the WVWTC was nominated for the President's "E" award given for outstanding performance in promoting exports. Councilor Wooten thanked Mr. Justina for his presentation. She stated that she has been unable to attend the WVWTC meetings due to conflicts with council meetings. Res. No. 3857--A resolution concerning World Trade Week. Mr. Obie moved, seconded by Ms. Wooten, to adopt the resolution. Roll call vote; the motion carried unanimously, 6:0. V. ROOSEVELT BOULEVARD PROJECT FROM BELTLINE ROAD TO BERTELSEN ROAD (memo, findings distributed) City Manager Micheal Gleason introduced the agenda item. City Engineer Bert Teitzel presented the staff report. Reviewing the May 8, 1984, memorandum from Acting Director of Public Works Don Gilman to Assistant City Manager David Whitlow, Mr. Teitzel said the Beltline Road to Bertelsen Road project was the e MINUTES--Eugene City Council May 16, 1984 Page 5 e e e first phase of the overall Roosevelt Project. Referring to a map of the project distributed to the council, Mr. Teitzel said the project would be a new arterial connecting the Central Industrial Area to Beltline Road and West Eugene Industrial Area. He said the Beltline Road to Maple Street phase of the project is being bid by the State on June 28. He said staff was pursuing the purchase of right of way for the final section of the project, from Maple Street to Highway 99, with construction to be in 1986 or 1987. He explained that the project was being funded with Federal Aid Urban funds and ~hat the contract was being awarded by the State Highway Department, with the City paying six percent of the project costs. Mr. Obie moved, seconded by Ms. Wooten, to adopt the findings and to approve proceeding with the improvements to Roosevelt Boulevard from Beltline Road to Bertelsen Road as proposed by staff. Roll call vote; the motion carried unanimously, 6:0. Mr. Gleason added that the FAU funding was a portion of the City's Federal Gas Tax Receipt Program and came through an allocation formula through the State Transportation Department. He said the project was part of the T-2000 commitment and the City's Six-Year Plan. He said the Roosevelt Project has been a commitment of the City over the past three years. VI. RECOMMENDATION ON FOREIGN TRADE ZONE (memo, full report distributed) City Manager Micheal Gleason introduced the agenda item. Cathy Briner of the Business Assistance Team presented the staff report, stating that staff had been studying the subject of Foreign Trade Zones (FTZs) as part of the City's Six-Point Economic Diversification Program. She explained that City staff was assisted in the development of the Foreign Trade Zone Report by Linda King and Lee Pettigrew, graduate interns from the University of Oregon. Referring to the report, Ms. Briner said that staff discovered that interest existed in the Southern Willamette Valley in the concept of a Foreign Trade Zone and the desire for the City to explore the possibility of the FTZ. Additionally, she said that it appeared the City of Eugene was precluded from applying to be a FTZ by Federal regulations. She said staff was recommending, with the endorse- ment of the Council Committee on Economic Diversification, that the council direct staff to pursue the possibility of some determination allowing Eugene to be a Foreign Trade Zone. Ms. Briner said staff was working with the Foreign Trade Zone Board and the US Customs Commissioner for such determina- tion, adding that a feasibility study and application would be performed after such determination was made. She said the Port of Coos Bay had approached City staff with the desire to submit a joint FTZ application. Ms. Briner said staff was recommending that Coos Bay submit its own application so it would not be delayed in its application by Eugene's actions. Mr. Obie moved. seconded by Ms. Wooten. to approve the recommen- dation as outlined on Page 5 of the Foreign Trade Zone Report, dated May 11, 1984. Roll call vote; the motion carried unanimously, 6:0. MINUTES--Eugene City Council May 16, 1984 Page 6 - e e VII. NEIGHBORHOOD GROUP/PUBLIC INFORMATION PROGRAM REVIEW (memo distributed) City Manager Micheal Gleason introduced the agenda item. Marjorie Beck, Director of Council-Community Services, presented the staff report, reviewing her May 11, 1984, memorandum to the City Manager which outlined the follow-up process to the Survey conducted in November 1983. She said staff was recom- mending that the council set up an ad hoc committee appointed by the Mayor to study citizen participation, with the committee using the survey and the City's related policies and programs as the basis for its works. She explained that the recruitment process for the committee would begin upon City Council adoption of the recommendation. Referring to the memorandum, Ms. Beck stated that staff was recommending option 3 for the review team appointment and composition, that option providing for a committee of two City Councilors, one representative from both neighborhood group survey audiences, one representa- tive from the Citizen Involvement Committee, and two representatives from the community at large. In response to a question on Review Team Charge 3, Ms. Beck said that the issue of broader representation to City boards and commissions could be addressed by the team, but she felt that other methods were also available to address that concern. She said the committee could be directed to study that issue if so directed by the council. Richard Guske, a member of the Whiteaker Community Council and the Citizen Involvement Committee, said he was concerned with the truncated nature of the CIC support from the City, one part being handled by the Planning Department and another by the City Manager1s Office. He said the planning charge for citizen involvement relied upon the network administered through the City Manager's Office, this being a reason for the CIC's recommendation that a Planning Commission representative be included as a member of the ad hoc committee. While a CIC member will be included as part of option 3, Mr. Guske said the CIC recommended option 1 so that the Planning Commission would be involved in discussions regarding any changes to networks used and depended upon to meet legislative functions. Regarding the CIC recommendation, Mr. Guske said the CIC did not feel it was appropriate to have staff on a committee which would be considering policy. He added that the additional views of the neighborhood groups were recommended to provide new perspectives to the process. Councilor Holmer said he had previously discussed the role of CIC with Mr. Guske, the focus of that discussion being whether the role of the CIC should be broadened beyond the planning process in addressing community concerns. He asked Mr. Guske whether it was necessary to have representation from both the CIC and the Planning Commission. Mr. Guske said the CIC felt it was appropriate to have representation from the Planning Commission; he believed that the CIC member could not be expected to entirely fulfill that responsibility. Councilor Schue said that Mr. Guske made a good point in that the Planning Department used the community involvement processes for part of its work. She agreed that having a Planning Commission representative on the committee was a good idea; she raised the question of an eight-member committee. Councilor Smith said she would support either option 3 or having an eight-member committee. MINUTES--Eugene City Council May 16, 1984 Page 7 e e e Mr. Gleason said the reason behind staff support for option 3 was the thought to have representation from the Planning Commission and the CIC performed by one individual. Ms. Beck commented that staff was expecting the CIC to recommend to the Mayor its choice for committee membership, such a person possibly being a member of the Planning Commission. Mr. Gleason did not see any conflict in points of view between the CIG and the Planning Commission. Councilor Wooten said she would support the suggestions of Ms. Schue and Ms. Smith to add a Planning Commission member to option 3, creating an eight-member committee. Mr. Obie moved, seconded by Ms. Wooten, to adopt the staff recommendation (option 3), with the addition of one Planning Commission member. Roll call vote; the motion carried unanimously. 6:0. VIII. T-2000 UPDATE PROCESS: EVALUATION REPORT (memo, full report distributed) City Manager Micheal Gleason introduced the agenda item. Kirk McKinley of the Planning Department presented the staff report, stating that Dave Reinhard of Public Works was also present to answer any questions of council. Referring to the May 16, 1984, Public Works and Planning Department memorandum to the City Council, he stated that the joint City Council and Planning Commission meeting originally scheduled for May 23 had been changed to June 13. Address- ing the background of the update, Mr. McKinley said the update was an important process to the community as it is the process by which projects were placed in the Capital and Transportation Improvement Programs. He then reviewed the May 16 memorandum which outlined the objectives of the Evaluation Report and the major steps in the update process. He said that staff will proceed with drafting the document after its receives the recommendations from the City Council and the other elected officials in mid-September. Councilor Obie suggested that the three councilors-elect be involved in the update and other community processes. He said these individuals should be contacted to be made more comfortable in becoming involved. The meeting was adjourned at 12:50 p.m., to May 23, 1984. RV~ Micheal D. Gleason City Manager (Recorded by Thom Strunk) MDG:TS:pv/CM32bl MINUTES--Eugene City Council May 16, 1984 Page 8