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HomeMy WebLinkAbout06/27/1984 Meeting M I NUT E S e Eugene City Council City Council Chamber June 27, 1984 12:05 p.m. COUNCILORS PRESENT: Brian Obie, Cynthia Wooten, John Ball, Richard Hansen, Freeman Holmer, Debra Ehrman, Emily Schue, Betty Smith. Adjourned meeting of the City Council of the City of Eugene, Oregon, was called to order by His Honor Mayor Gus Keller. 1. ITEMS FROM MAYOR AND COUNCIL, APPOINTMENTS, ANNOUNCEMENT, AND AGENDA ADJUSTMENTS A. Summer Jitney Service to Pools Councilor Wooten asked staff to prepare a report on the practicality of providing low-cost bus service for children and the elderly from the Whiteaker, Westside, Jefferson, and Far West Neighborhoods to one of the public pools. B. Whiteaker Neighborhood Beautification Efforts e Referring to the Whiteaker Neighborhood newsletter distributed to the council, Councilor Wooten stated that a great amount of clean-up was being performed in that area in spite of the tendency of owners of rental properties in low- income areas to abandon such property. She asked staff to report on 1) what can be done by the City with respect to abandoned houses and the resulting danger and transient occupancy problem, and 2) how the City might assist volunteers in their clean-up efforts of abandoned properties. C. Week to Commemorate Senator Wayne Morse Referring to the resolution she distributed to the council today, Councilor Wooten suggested that the week of July 15 through July 22 be designated to commemorate the late Senator Wayne Morse, July 22 being the tenth anniversary of his death. She stated that other activities were also being planned for that week. Res. No. 3866--A resolution concerning the late US Senator Wayne Morse. Mr. Obie moved, seconded by Ms. Wooten, to adopt the resolution. Councilor Holmer stated that he would lend his support to the resolution. Roll call vote; the motion carried unanimously, 8:0. e . MINUTES--Eugene City Council June 27, 1984 Page 1 D. Review of Eugene Sign Code e Councilor Hansen suggested that staff review the Eugene Sign Code as soon as possible. He noted that this was in response to the issues he had raised at the June 25, 1984, City Council meeting concerning an appeal of a Sign Code Board of Appeals recent decision. Assistant City Manager David Whitlow suggested that the Planning Commission and Planning Department address the issue and prepare a report for the City Counci l. E. Moratorium on Systems Development Charges Councilor Hansen, stating that he and Mr. Ball had been involved in a discus- sion with a firm regarding its recent expansion, suggested that the City place a moratorium or a reduced rate on its systems development charges to assist businesses in any modernization or expansion programs. He asked staff to study this issue. Councilor Ball stated that he was also interested in the impact of such a proposal. F. Economic Development Statistics Councilor Schue stated that Jim Carlson of the Planning Department and L-COG had presented economic development statistics for Lane County at the last L-COG meeting. She suggested that staff schedule a presentation of those statistics to the City Council. - G. Review of City Boards and Commission Mayor Keller stated that the council subcommittee reviewing the City's boards and commissions had met and was currently discussing the elimination of ten boards and commissions. H. Appointments: Council Subcommittee Recommendation to Youth Commission Mr. Obie moved, seconded by Ms. Wooten, to appoint Debra Jean Cook, 855 West 24th Avenue, to the Youth Commission to fill the unexpired term of Scott Seibert, term to expire January 1, 1987. Roll call vote; the motion carried unanimously, 8:0. 1. Announcements 1. Amended Agenda Assistant City Manager David Whitlow announced that the council and public will be working off an amended agenda today which includes addition of an item concerning the Riverfront Work Program as requested by council at their June 25, 1984, City Council meeting. 2. City Council Mini-Goals Session re: Economic Development Assistant City Manager David Whitlow stated that July 17 had been selected as e the date for the work session as requested by the council. He stated that MINUTES--Eugene City Council June 27, 1984 Page 2 only Ms. Wooten would be unable to attend that meeting. Mayor Keller asked e Ms. Wooten to submit written material for discussion by the council. Councilor Obie questioned the necessity of the session based on the amount of time spent on economic development at the City Council Quarterly Meeting. It was the general consensus of the council to hold the work session. Mr. Whitlow stated that the location of the meeting had not yet been selected. II. ROUTINE ITEMS FOR COUNCIL APPROVAL: CITY COUNCIL MEETING MINUTES OF MAY 16, 1984, AND MAY 29, 1984, AND WORK SESSION MINUTES OF MAY 23, 1984, AND JUNE 11, 1984 (minutes distributed) Mr. Obie moved, seconded by Ms. Wooten, to approve the City Council minutes of May 16, May 23, May 29, and June 11, 1984. Roll call vote; the motion carried unanimously, 7:0, Ms. Ehrman abstaining. II I. CITY OF EUGENE FY85 BUDGET (memo, ordinance distributed) Assistant City Manager David Whitlow introduced the agenda item. He stated that a public hearing before the City Council on the item had been held on June 25, 1984. He stated that staff was present to answer any questions of the council on the item. CB 2756--An ordinance adopting the budget, making appropriations determining and levying the annual ad valorem property e tax for the City of Eugene for the fiscal year beginning July 1, 1984, and ending June 30, 1985, and declaring an emergency. Mr. Obie moved, seconded by Ms. Wooten, 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, 8:0. Council Bill 2756 was read the second time by council bill number only. Mr.Obie moved, seconded by Ms. Wooten, that the bill be approved and given final passage. Councilor Ball expressed his appreciation to the staff and the Budget Committee for their work on the FY85 Budget; however, he stated that he will vote against the motion based on the Hult Center issue. Councilor Holmer commented that Mayor Keller had eloquently addressed that issue at the June 25 council meeting. Councilor Erhman stated that she also had some reservations about the Hult Center funding issue but would support the motion. Roll call vote; the motion carried 7:1, Mr. Ball voting nay; the bill was declared passed (and became Ordinance No. 19261). e MINUTES--Eugene City Council June 27, 1984 Page 3 At 12:22 p.m., the meeting of the Eugene City Council was adjourned to a - meeting of the Urban Renewal Agency of the City of Eugene. Mayor Keller opened the meeting. IV. URBAN RENEWAL AGENCY--FY85 TAX ALLOCATION BUDGET (memo, resolution distributed) Res. 905--A resolution of the Eugene Renewal Agency adopting the budget and making appropriations for the fiscal year beginning July I, 1984, and ending June 30, 1985. Mr. Obie moved, seconded by Ms. Wooten, to adopt the resolution. Roll call vote; the motion carried unanimously, 8:0. At 12:23 p.m., Mayor Keller adjourned the meeting of the Urban Renewal Agency and reconvened the meeting of the Eugene City Council. v. LEAGUE OF OREGON CITIES MEMBERSHIP RESOLUTION (memo, resolution distributed) Assistant City Manager David Whitlow introduced the agenda item. Director of Intergovernmental Relations Jody Miller presented the staff report, reviewing the June 20, 1984, memorandum from the City Manager to the City Council. She stated that the item was routine in that the City had always been a member of the League of Oregon Cities but the League had changed its procedures and was - asking all member agencies to sign an intergovernmental agreement under ORS 190 to clarify the status of LOC as a unit of local government. Councilor Wooten stated that she had read the resolution but had not found any limitation for the LOC to make binding assessments. She asked what limitations the LOC would have as a local unit of government. Ms. Miller stated that the LOC would be limited by the statutes which govern other municipalities. She added that the ORS 190 agreement was basically a restatement of the LOC's con- stitution. In further clarification, City Attorney Keith Martin explained that the agreement would be among the governmental agencies, therefore the power of the League to levy an assessment would be limited to its membership. He added that the League's ability to incur debt would have the same limita- tions as the member agencies. In response to another question by Ms. Wooten, Mr. Martin stated that the LOC was attempting to clarify its status and its relationship with the City. Earlier there had been questions if the cities could join LOC while it was a non-profit organization; they could only contract with it. He stated that the agreement would clarify the role and liabilities of the LOC as a local government agency in that it would remain an elected official rather than a non-profit agency. Res. 3864--A resolution authorizing execution and endorsement of agreement with the League of Oregon Cities governing the league's status as a unit of local government. Mr. Obie moved, seconded by Ms. Wooten, to adopt the resolution. e Roll call vote; the motion carried unanimously, 8:0. MINUTES--Eugene City Council June 27, 1984 Page 4 VI. RESOLUTION REGARDING TAX ANTICIPATION NOTES (Tans) (memo, resolution distributed) e Assistant City Manager David Whitlow introduced the agenda item. Finance Director Warren Wong presented the staff report, reviewing his June 20, 1984, memorandum to the City Council. He explained that First Interstate Bank of Oregon had contacted the City when it learned of the City's interest in issuing tax anticipation notes, offering to purchase the entire $4.5 million issue at 6.75 percent interest rate, the effective interest rate to be 6.85 percent. Mr. Wong stated that the savings in interest payments will be approximately $30,000. He added that First Interstate Bank had chosen the City's issue based on the credit rating and financial management practices of the City of Eugene. Councilor Holmer asked if the resol~tion language should be changed to reflect that the FY85 Budget has been adopted. City Attorney Keith Martin responded that the language should be changed. In response to a question by Councilor Ehrman, Mr. Wong stated that the commitment fee had already been paid. Res. 3865--A resolution authorizing the issuance of tax antici- pation notes. Mr. Obie moved, seconded by Ms. Wooten, to adopt the resolution as amended. e Councilor Hansen said he hoped that the City would borrow only those funds as needed, stating that excessive borrowing would increase interest rates. Mr. Whitlow said that suggestion would be consistent with the financial management policies as adopted by the council. Councilor Obie said he understood that the City would place any excess funds borrowed in invest- ments as proposed in the FY85 Budget, resulting in an increase of $100,000. Mr. Whitlow explained that the council had adopted a policy to eliminate the use of external borrowing for cash flow purposes but that the City Manager had recommended an exception to that policy in the FY85 Budget statement based on several reasons to provide a balance budget. In response to a question by Councilor Ball, Mr. Wong stated that the City had no compunction to put the TANS out for competitive bid and that the City could enter into a negotiated sale on the issuance. Mr. Whitlow added that the use of obtaining Tans on a negotiated basis was a common practice among local governments throughout the country. He said the City has been fortunate in being able to avoid the practice. Roll call vote; the motion carried unanimously, 8:0. VII. REVIEW OF SPAY/NEUTER CLINIC (report distributed) Assistant City Manager David Whitlow introduced the agenda item. City Recorder Karen Goldman presented the staff report, reviewing the June 27, 1984, report of the Advisory Committee on the Spay/Neuter Clinic. - MINUTES--Eugene City Council June 27, 1984 Page 5 Councilor Ball stated that some divergent opinions existed within the subcommit- e tee. He felt that the City had a good program which fit into its comprehensive animal welfare program. He did not feel that any changes were warranted. Referring to Section III of the memorandum, Councilor Hansen stated that he had made some recommendations based on his belief that the City was unnecessar- ily involved in some areas. He said he was bothered by the City being in the vaccination business even though it supported the low-cost spay/neuter program. He recommended that other veterinarians be involved in the program and that walk-in vaccinations be eliminated from the program. Councilor Ball said the council needed to decide on any review or changes to the program. In response to a question by Councilor Obie, Mr. Whitlow stated that the spay/neuter program was self-supporting, adding that no appropriation had been made to the program from the General Fund during the last four years. Mr. Hansen explained that the cost of the program was supported by the vaccinations performed by the clinic. Mr. Ball commented that many of those vaccinations would not be done were it not for the low-cost clinic program which generated approximately $20,000 to $30,000 through vaccinations. In response to a question by Councilor Wooten, Ms. Goldman stated that a total of the April 1984 receipts showed 63 percent of the clinic customers were from Eugene, 17 percent from Springfield, 17 percent from Lane County, and 3 percent from outside Lane County. She stated that this was representative of the entire year. Ms. Wooten agreed that the City had a first-rate program and that she would support its continued operation. She suggested that staff review the surgery fees. Councilor Holmer supported the suggestion of explor- ing the surgery fees but also supported Mr. Hansen's suggestions as listed in the memorandum. Councilor Schue said she agreed with the comments of Mr. Ball e and Ms. Wooten, stating that the program reduced the number of stray animals without any cost to the General Fund. She felt that Mr. Hansen's suggestions would require a subsidy to the clinic operation. In response to a question by Counci lor Smith regardi ng any response recei ved from the veteri nari ans, Mr. Hansen said it was difficult to categorize the feelings of the veterinar- ians. He believed that their major concern was with the City being involved in their business; he felt that the City was taking away the vaccination income from those individuals. While he recognized that the spay/neuter program was working well, he felt that the number of pets in Eugene had also decreased. He suggested that the clinic perform vaccinations only in conjunc- tion with other services. Ms. Smith said the concern existed that the spay/ neuter program was needed and that both Mr. Ball and Mr. Hansen had agreed that the program should be continued. Councilor Ball said that the concerns of the veterinarians were not major enough to justify altering the program. He said the Lane County Veterinary Medical Association had responded that no veterinarian would be interested in participating in a low-cost vaccination program with the City. Councilor Hansen said there was no justification for further review unless the council had the philosophy that it should not be involved in any unnecessary business. Mr. Hansen moved, seconded by Ms. Smith, that the City Council review and attempt to adopt the recommendations as set forth in his addendum to the June 27, 1984, Advisory Committee memorandum. e MINUTES--Eugene City Council June 27, 1984 Page 6 In response to a request for clarification, Councilor Hansen stated that the purpose of his recommendation was to limit the number of animals being brought e to the clinic solely for vaccinations. He felt that many veterinarians were offering low-cost programs; he felt that some would participate in a low-cost program with the City to make vaccinations more available throughout the city. In response to a question by Councilor Schue, Mr. Hansen said a long-term goal would be for the City to get out of the spay/neuter business although he agreed with Mr. Ball that the City would stay in the business for the foresee- able future. He recognized that some General Fund subsidy would be necessary to support the remainder of the spay/neuter program if the vaccination revenue were lost. In response to a question by Mayor Keller, he stated that an increase in the other service fees should be reviewed, stating that the fees had not been raised since the 1976. In response to a request for clarification of the motion, Councilor Hansen said his motion was to adopt the recommendations but also to establish a philosophy on which to base those recommendations. While Mr. Hansen favored having staff review the current rates, Mr. Ball said he was comfortable with the present rates, stating that the rates were reviewed in 1982. Mr. Whitlow clarified that the rates had been in effect since 1978 although they were reviewed in 1982. Mr. Ball said the vaccination rates were raised at that time. He commented that raising the surgery rates would reduce the number of animals neutered. Mr. Hansen said that the City would have to increase the surgery fees to cover the operations shortfall without the vaccinations; he agreed with Mr. Ball that the program would enter a cost spiral in such a case. In response to a question by Councilor Obie, Ms. Goldman stated that there were approximately 22 veterinary clinics in Eugene, some clinics having more e than one veterinarian. Councilor Ehrman said she would vote against the motion, stating that the successful program was operating without any cost to the City. She added that she had not heard any opposition to the program from veterinarians. Mayor Keller stated that some veterinarians had not spoken to him since the original ordinance was passed. He said it was a no-win situation, and agreed that more study was needed. He hoped that staff will continue to monitor the situation. Mr. Hansen felt that further study without following the philosophy outlined would be a waste. Mr. Ball agreed that it was a philosphical issue rather than a monetary one. He said the veterinarians did not voice their opinions because they did not feel the City should be in the vaccination business. Councilor Holmer asked if the two issues should be split so that two separate votes could be taken. Mr. Hansen responded that the question revolved around the vaccination issue. He still felt that veterinarians would participate in a sign-up program if invited by the City. Councilor Schue said there was no way to determine if the pets vaccinated in the clinic program would have been vaccinated if the program did not exist. Mr. Whitlow commented that one statistic provided to the Advisory Committee was that the number of veterinarians in practice before and after the initi- ation of the clinic program was approximately the same. Roll call vote; the motion failed 5:3, Councilors Ball, Ehrman, Obie, Schue, and Wooten voting nay; Councilors Hansen, Holmer, e and Smith voting aye. MINUTES--Eugene City Council June 27, 1984 Page 7 Mr. Whitlow said the direction from the council was to continue the program as it currently existed. He thanked Councilors Ball and Hansen for their time e and efforts in the review of the clinic program. VIII. RIVERFRONT PARK WORK PROGRAM AND CITIZEN INVOLVEMENT PROGRAM (memo distributed) Assistant City Manager David Whitlow introduced the agenda item. Jim Farah of the Planning Department presented the staff report. He stated that Roger Rutan, President of the Planning Commission, had distributed and reviewed the draft work program with the council at its June 25 meeting. Mr. Obie moved, seconded by Ms. Wooten, to adopt the recommen- dation regarding the Riverfront Park Work Program and Citizen Involvement Program as presented by staff. Mayor Keller questioned whether the recommendation should be amended to reflect the addition of a Planning Commission member and a City Council member to the Study Task Force as discussed by the council. Mr. Obie amended his motion to add that a member of both the City Council and the Planning Commission would be appointed to the Riverfront Study Task Force. Ms. Wooten seconded the amended motion. Councilor Holmer suggested that it would be appropriate to add two additional e members to the Task Force to address capital formation and transportation needs. He felt that these areas were important enough to justify these additions. Mr. Farah said staff felt that the Technical Advisory Group would provide the technical expertise in six different organizations. Mr. Holmer said it was unclear whether the TAG would meet each time with the Task Force. Mr. Farah said the Task Force would probably meet twice a month while the voluntary TAG would meet less frequently. Councilor Smith said Mr. Rutan had also expressed some concern in his presentation on June 25 regarding the size of the Task Force. Councilor Hansen commented that it would be easier to add representative to the groups than subtract. He suggested that individuals could be added later as needed. Roll call vote; the amended motion passed unanimously, 8:0. Mayor Keller stated that he will distribute a letter inviting participation in the work program. ~ The meeting was adjourned at 1:09 p.m. e (Recorded by Thom Strunk) TS:vr/CM8bl MINUTES--Eugene City Council June 27, 1984 Page 8