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HomeMy WebLinkAbout08/08/1984 Meeting M I NUT E S . Eugene City Council City Council Chamber Au gu s t 8, 1984 12:15 p.m. COUNCILORS PRESENT: Brian Obie, Cynthia Wooten (until 1 :10 p.m.), John Ball, Debra Ehrman (until 1:21 p.m.), Dick Hansen, Freeman Holmer, and Emily Schue. ABSENT: Mayor Gus Keller Adjourned meeting of the City Council of the City of Eugene, Oregon, was called to order by Council President Obie in the absence of His Honor Mayor Gus Kell er. 1. ITEMS FROM MAYOR AND COUNCIL, APPOINTMENTS, ANNOUNCEMENTS, AGENDA ADJUSTMENTS A. Consideration of Council Vacancy in Ward Two (memo distributed) In response to a question by Councilor Obie, City Manager Micheal Gl eason stated that council consideration of the appointment of Ruth Bascom was scheduled e as an agenda item for later in the meeting because she will not be sworn in until August 13. Mr. Obie felt that it would be appropriate to take action at this time. Ms. Wooten moved, seconded by Ms. Schue, to appoint Ruth Bascom, 2114 University Street, to fill the counci 1 posi tion inWard 2 vacated by Betty Smith, term ending January 7,1985. The motion carried unanimously, 7:0. B. Request for Report on Lane County Land Use Action Councilor Holmer asked the City Manager for a report on the testimony submitted by the City at a public hearing conducted by Lane County involving the proposed expansion of an existing distribution center outside the city limits. He sai d that the employer mi ght have to move out of the area wi thout the requested approval. He applauded the City staff in defending the Metro Plan, but he said it would be helpful to the council to have a report summarizing the issues and facts of the requested action, and a description of the process by which the City's position was determined, including any involvement by the JCED, CCED, Planning Commission and Eugene Development Department. Mr. Holmer said it was important that the City was sendi ng out the message that it was "open for business." e MINUTES--Eugene City Council August 8, 1984 Page 1 C. Historic Tree District Ballot Measure e Councilor Wooten stated that the council had received certification of the signatures for the Historic Tree District ballot Measure from City Recorder Karen Goldman. She asked for clarification of the process for that measure. City Attorney Tim Sercombe stated that as a charter amendment the initiative would automatically be placed on the ballot once the signatures were secured. He said the only discretion available to the council on a charter amendment would be to order a special election. Councilor Hansen felt that it would be appropriate for staff to prepare a report to the council on the effects of the measure if passed. Mr. Obie suggested that the report be presented at a September luncheon meeting. C. Appointments 1. Balloting for Downtown Commission Finalists/Set Interview Time (memo, ballot, distributed) City Manager Micheal Gleason stated that some councilors had requested time prior to the balloting for discussion on the statistics distributed. Councilor Holmer stated that he had obtained some additional names from Ms. Ehrman prior to noting in the council material that a supplemental list of applicants would be distributed. He noted that the council has not decided on any selection criteria in order to balance representation in the Downtown Commission. He asked if the council had any such preference, stating that the council should e reach a consensus before selecting finalists to be interviewed. He felt that all applicants should be interviewed if a consensus was not reached. Councilor Ehrman suggested that the number of interviewees be expanded to five, as she felt that the council did not have time to interview all 20 applicants. She also suggested that the council could pare the list from those applicants previously interviewed or those lacking support of the council. Councilor Wooten agreed, stating that she did not have time to interview all the applicants. She did not believe that the council could reach a consensus on selection criteria prior to the interviews. Councilor Ball stated that he did not agree with limiting the number of interviews to three. He suggested that each councilor vote for those applicants which he or she wished to interview and then a decision on who to interview could be made from that data. Councilor Hansen said the council should resolve the issue raised by Mr. Holmer. He said the council should be honest with the applicants if it was operating with any bias or preference. He stated that he preferred to select the best individual regardless of any set criteria. Councilor Schue said she would prefer another woman on the Downtown Commission but was hesitant to closely define the selection criteria. She was she was not eager to go through a criteria selection process, stating that some flexibility was needed. Councilor Obie suggested that any bias toward.a female member for the Downtown Commission be stated and that the interviews be conducted with that in mind. Ms. Wooten said she also was seeking another woman for the Downtown Commission but her preference did not exclude interviewing the other applicants. Ms. Wooten concurred with Mr. Ball's balloting suggestion of limiting the number of interviews to five or six. e Mr. Holmer said he generally concurred, but he suggested that the council MINUTES--Eugene City Council August 8, 1984 Page 2 e interview all applicants receiving a vote by any councilor. Mr. Ball questioned that suggestion, stating that reaching a decision would be difficult. In response to Mr. Obie's inquiry regarding council preference, only one councilor expressed the desire to set criteria. In response to a question by Mr. Hansen regarding the process for selecting the individuals to be interviewed, Mr. Obie said that staff would review the ballots and would note those individuals having a majority of council support. Mr. Hansen said each councilor should vote for those individuals he or she wished to interview. The council then submitted their ballots to staff. 2. Consideration of Councilor Ehrman's Nomination to the Eugene Budget Committee (memo distributed) Mr. Wooten moved, seconded by Ms. Schue, to appoint Rachel Mordhorst, 1760 Olive Street, to the Eugene Budget Committee to complete the unexpired term of Alan Contreras in Ward 3. Term to expire December 31, 1985. Roll call vote; the motion carried unanimously, 7:0. II. ROUTINE ITEMS. FOR COUNCIL APPROVAL A. Consideration of City Council Minutes of June 25, 1984; June 27, 1984; July 9, 1984; July 11, 1984; July 18, 1984; and July 23, 1984 (minutes distributed) e Councilor Ehrman stated that the minutes of June 27 incorrectly listed Joyce Nichols as present rather than Ms. Ehrman. Councilor Holmer, referring to his memorandum to the council, assumed that his suggested changes concerning the July 9 minutes had been included. Cathy Freedman of the City Manager's Office stated that the changes had been included in the minutes distributed to the council for approval. Ms. Wooten moved, seconded by Ms. Schue, to approve the City Council minutes of June 25, June 27 as amended, July 9, July 11, July 18, and July 23, 1984. Roll call vote; the motion carried unanimously, 7:0. B. Resolution re: Designation of Bank Depositories (memo, resolution distributed) Res. No. 3872--A resolution designating those authorized to sign checks on behalf of the City of Eugene; authorizing depository transfer checks; designating those author- ized to sign grant applications, bonds, contracts, etc., on behalf of the City; repealing Resolution No. 3674; and declaring an emergency. Ms. Wooten moved, seconded by Ms. Schue, to adopt the resol uti on. Roll call vote; the motion carried unanimously, 7:0. e MINUTES--Eugene City Council August 8, 1984 Pa ge 3 e III. PUBLIC HEARING: ORDINANCE AMENDMENT TO INITIAL FY85 APPROPRIATION ACT (memo,ordinance'distributed) . . . '" . City Manager Micheal Gleason introduced the agenda item. Finance Director Warren Wong presented the staff report, reviewing his August 1, 1984, memorandum to the City Council. Mr. Wong stated that subsequent to the adoption of the FY85 Appropriation Act by the council on June 27 the City received additional information from the Lane County Assessor on the amount of annexations that took place and discovered that the levy was incorrectly listed as $75,000 less than required. He said the information from the County Assessor provided another $13,000 in assessment value; therefore, the adjustment before the council provided for $88,462 overall adjustment but only provided $13,000 more in resources for FY85. He said staff was recommending that the council not amend the appropriations side until the actual cash carry-forward was received in September. In response to a question by Councilor Holmer regarding the amount budgeted for the tax levy, Mr. Wong explained that the appropriations or requirement side was not changed, stating that the levy had been understated by $75,000. He said the ordinance amendment was to correct that mathematical error as well as adding the $13,000 from additional annexations. The public hearing was opened. There being no testimony presented, the public hearing was closed. e CB 2766--An ordinance concerning the July 1, 1984, to July 30, 1985, ad valorum property tax levy for the City of Eugene; amending Ordinance No. 19261; and declaring an emergency. Ms. Wooten moved, seconded by Ms. Schue, 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, 7:0. Council Bill 2766 was read the second time by council bill number only. Ms. Wooten moved, seconded by Ms. Schue, that the bill be approved and given final passage. Roll call vote; all councilors pr~sent voting aye, the bill was declared passed (and became Ordinance No. 19270). IV. ORDINANCE FOR SECOND READING: COMMERCIAL DISTRICT AND PARKING REVISIONS (CA 83-3/4) (memo, ordinance, background information distributed) City Manager Micheal Gleason introduced the agenda item. He stated that the staff report had been presented at the previous meeting of the City Council. He added that Jim Croteau of the Planning Department was present to answer any questions regarding the issue. e MINUTES--Eugene City Council August 8, 1984 Page 4 e Councilor Hansen stated that he had written a memorandum addressing the following three concerns which he had raised at the last council meeting. He said the ordinance did not allow for office development in the C-4 District. Mr. Hansen felt that the office space should be allowed in the C-4 District, possibly with a limitation placed on size. Regarding Section 9.534 (Building Heights), he felt that the stipulation measuring the sunlight generated on December 21 between 10 a.m. and 3 p.m. was overly restrictive and would preclude any buildings over 25 feet in the GO District. He suggested that more appropriate dates for measurement would be September 21 or March 21. Regarding Section 9.587 (c), he felt that the requirement of covered bicycle spaces was overly protective, putting greater restrictions on an individual wishing to developing his or her property. He stated that he will vote against the motion; however, he added that he would be willing to remove those three items from the motion so that the rest of the revisions could be enacted. Councilor Obie stated that he could not vote on the motion because he had not attended the public hearing, nor did he vote on the motion for first reading. Councilor Wooten also stated that she had not voted on the motion for first reading. City Attorney Tim Sercombe stated that Councilors Obie and Wooten could vote on legislative matters such as the Commercial District and Parking Revisions even though they did not vote on the motion for first reading. Councilor Wooten stated that she was supportive of the ordinance. She felt that the solar access language was similar to that adopted by the council several years before. Mr. Croteau stated that the solar access requirements in Section 9.587 (c) were the same as adopted by the council in November 1982 e for the 1-1, 1-2, and 1-3 Industrial Districts. He commented that he had calculated the worst case possible in the GO District and found that a 45-foot building located 50 feet from the property line would only shade a building on that line by 8 feet. He said staff did not feel that the solar access provision was overly restrictive. He said no problems have been experienced in the restrictions previously placed on industrial and residential districts. Councilor Holmer stated that he sympathesized with Mr. Hansen on the issue of the covered bicycle spaces, stating that such cover was not required for other vehicles. He stated that the decision to provide covered spaces should be left to the property owner. Councilor Wooten felt that it was important to provide covered spaces for bicycles in order to encourage that mode of transpor- tation in the city. She did not feel that the cost was prohibitive. Mr. Croteau, responding to a request for clarification by Councilor Ball, stating that the C-4 District was being established as a mixed industrial and commercial district along strip commercial arterial roads to provide an area for those uses. He said the Planning Commission and staff felt that opening the area for offices would create competition with other areas in the city set up for offices. He commented that the City had goals to locate offices in the established commercial areas such as the downtown and Valley River Center. e MINUTES--Eugene City Council August 8, 1984 Page 5 In response to a question by Councilor Obie, Councilor Ehrman stated that she e had previously voted against the motion in order to allow herself more time to study the impact of the revisions. Councilor Obie asked Mr. Hansen if he was suggesting that more study be performed on the three items mentioned. Councilor Hansen felt that additional time spent on the items would not be worthwhile because he did not feel he had the necessary support for his opinion. He said he had previously made a motion for amendment which had died for lack of a second. He asked if the motion could be amended on the second reading. Mr. Sercombe stated that the ordinance would have to be read in first and second reading if amended at this time. Mr. Hansen moved, seconded by Mr. Holmer, to amend Section 9.587 (c) to eliminate the wording requiring covered parking for bicycles. Mr. Obie stated that he will abstain from any vote on the item until he had more background on the issue. Roll call vote; the motion failed 3:3; Councilors Hansen, Holmer, and Ball voting aye; Councilors Wooten, Ehrman, and Schue voting nay; and Councilor Obie abstaining. CB 2761--An ordinance concerning commercial zoning districts and off-street parking regulations; amending Sections 2.407, 7.180, 9.060, 9.254, 9.268, 9.270, 9.392, 9.406, 9.420, 9.434, 9.504, 9.510, 9.534, 9.540, 9.542, 9.544, e 9.546, 9.556, 9.558, 9.582, 9.584, 9.586, 9.587, 9.590, 9.592, and 9.593 of the Eugene Code, 1971; repealing Sections 9.394, 9.396, 9.398, 9.408, 9.410, 9.422, 9.424, 9.436, and 9.438 of that code; adding new Sections 9.437, 9.439, and 9.440 to that code; and declaring an emergency. Ms. Wooten moved, seconded by Ms. Schue, that the bill be approved and given final passage. Roll call vote; the motion carried 5:1, Councilors Wooten, Schue, Ball, Ehrman, and Holmer voting aye; Councilor Hansen voting nay; and Councilor Obie abstaining. The bill was declared passed (and became Ordinance No. 19271 without an emergency clause). VI. CITY OF EUGENE INDUSTRIAL DEVELOPMENT BOND PROGRAM (memo, resolution, additional information distributed) City Manager Micheal Gleason introduced the agenda item. Susan Smernoff of the Eugene Development Department presented the staff report. She stated that the Council Committee on Economic Diversification had directed staff in June to proceed with development of an industrial development bonding program for the City. While staff and the City Attorney's Office had been cautious in the past in developing such a program due to the debates at the Federal level e MINUTES--Eugene City Council August 8, 1984 Page 6 regardi ng whether federal 1 aw woul d conti nue to allow jurisdictions to lend e their, tax-exempt status to qualified individuals, she said changes in federal legislation in 1983 and 1984 provided the opportunity for the City to develop its own program. She sai d the C; ty of Eugene program was model ed after the State of Oregon program. Ms. Smernoff then reviewed the policy document attached to the August 8, 1984, [DO memorandum to the City Council, highlighting the purpose, understandings, and eligible activites of the program. Councilor Holmer asked what advantage an investor would have in the industr;~ revenue bond beyond a lower rate of interest if the City was not responsible for the repayment of the loan. Wh i 1 e Counci lor Wooten responded that the investor woul d rece; ve a tax exempt status on the loan, Mr. Holmer sai d that exemption woul d be addressed in the market by the reduction in the interest rate paid on municipal bonds. Ms. Smernoff stated that any investor would be looki ng for a tax exempt investment. She sai d the bond purchaser and the appl icant woul d have to develop the chain of securiti es for the investment. She added that 50 percent of the bonds approved by the State were not sold on the market. Mr. Holmer asked if any consideration was given by the State or others to placing a restriction on the program to address any applicant getting an unfair economic advantage. Ms. Smernoff stated that neither State nor Federal 1 aws contai ned any requi rements or statements concerning competition between fi rms; she sai d the program was open to any qualified individual under the policy and administrative rules. In response to a question by Mr. Holmer, Ms. Smernoff stated that amending the Purpose statement to state "projects that fairly promote or develop" woul d not significantly change the intent of the policy document. She explained that it would leave to the di scret ion of the City Council the determi nation whether any unfai r e competition between firms existed. Councilor Wooten felt it would be a fine addition to the policy. She added that it was the intent of the CCED for the program to be used locally and as a tool for existing businesses as well as businesses wishing to relocate to Eugene. Res. No. 3873--A resolution approving and adopting the Industrial Development Bond Program for the Ci ty of Eugene. Ms. Wooten moved, seconded by Ms. Schue, to adopt the resol uti on. Mr. Hansen moved to amend the policy document to insert the word "fairly" in line two of the Purpose. Councilor Wooten said she agreed as long as it was understood that such wording did not imply any priority ranking or criteria not stated in the document. Councilor Obie, with the consent of the council, stated that the amendment was included in the main motion. Roll call vote; the motion carried unanimously, 7:0. e MINUTES--Eugene City Council August 8, 1984 Page 7 VI I. HUMAN RIGHTS COMMISSION'S QUARTERLY REPORT (memo, report distributed) e City Manager Michea1 Gleason introduced the agenda item. Jeff Budd, Chair of the Eugene Commi ss i on on the Ri ghts of Youth, stated that the Quarterly Report had been distributed to the council. Mr. Budd highlighted the Jobs Faire held severa 1 months prior, stating that it provi ded hi gh sc hoo1 age students the opportuni ty to perfonn practice job interviews. He said 90 businesses and over 1,000 students participated in the Job Faire sponsored by the Human Rights Commissions, South Eugene High School, and Looking Glass Youth & Family Services, Inc. Mr. Budd stated that the Eugene Area Chamber of Commerce will co-sponsor the event in 1985. He thanked Mr. Gleason for giving the keynote speech at the Job Faire and thanked Councilors Obie and Holmer for their attendance. He a1 so thanked Chri s Mahoney, the Human Ri ghts staffperson, for her efforts. He sai d he a1 so appreci ated the support from the City Council in the area of human rights. VIII. REPORT ON RECENT ECONOMIC IND ICATORS FOR LANE COUNTY AND EUGENE ( memo distributed City Manager Michea1 Gleason introduced the agenda item. Jim Carlson of L-COG presented the staff report which addressed issues re 1 ated to the upcomi ng updates of the T -2000 P1 an and Metro P1 an. He explained that L-COG performed research to study the activi ti es of the past seven years in order to develop some indication of the trends expected in the near future. Mr. Carlson presented a series of graphs providing statistics from the period of 1977 to e 1984 on wage and salary levels, population for Eugene, Springfield, and Lane County, vacancy rates, growth in manufacturing and non-manufacturing industries, and employment levels. Summarizing the statistics, he exp1 ained that the Eugene area had experienced a period of rapid growth in the late 1970s, followed by a sharp de1ine in most industrial and commercial areas. He explained that manufacturing levels had remained relatively stable over the seven-year period, non-lumber industries experiencing a growth which balanced out the decline in the lumber manufacturing field. He added that the decline has apparently reversed and that the present 1 eve1 s are close to the normal trend 1 i ne as calculated by L-COG. While he believed that the Eugene area will again achieve the same levels in industry and employment as experienced during the period of rapid growth in the late 1970s, he said that such levels will not appear the same in comparison due to the recession of the past few years. Mr. Gleason added that the 60 to 70 percent drop in the construction industry was re1 ated to the intense focus that occurred around the Bui 1 di ng Department. He felt that people usually focused on that area when distressed. Councilors Wooten and Ehrman left the meeting prior to this time. - MINUTES--Eugene City Council August 8, 1984 Page 8 e IX. RESULTS OFBALLOTING'FOR'DOWNTOWN COMMISSION FINALISTS Councilor Obie stated that six individuals had received three or more votes from the council. Mr. Hansen moved, seconded by Ms. Schue, to interview the following six individuals for the vacant position on the Downtown Commission: Ronald Gietter James Ivory Marilyn Odell A. Dean Owens Jeffrey Reingold Joyce Slusher Roll call vote; the motion carried unanimously, 5:0. The meeting was adjourned at 1:29 p.m. ..~~ , e Micheal D. Gleason Ci ty Manager (Recorded by Thorn Strunk) TS:jw/tsCM7a8 - MINUTES--Eugene City Council August 8, 1984 Page 9 i . . H~//t!''''-. ~ ~{(~ f)~ ~..~. . 8/6/11 ~+ {)dJI ~ ~ J4. /~~, r~' e :e . i , . . B ALL 0 T DOWNTOWN COMMISSION Number of openings: 1 to replace David Filer Term to expi re: 12/30/85 Specific criteria: Shall be employed, employ others, own property, manage a business, maintain a primary residence, or otherwise have a direct, pecuniary interest within the downtown boundary. I wish to interview the following: 1. MAf~ Odd I Gi&tter- . 2. ROMl 3. ~0~, 4- ~ ClwteJD 6( ~ ~I~ Submitted by: ~~ Councilor Date . . . e B ALL 0 T DOWNTOWN COMMISSION Number of openings: 1 to replace David Filer Term to expire: 12/30/85 Specific criteria: Shall .be employed, employ others, own property, manage a business, maintain a primary residence, or otherwise have a direct, pecuniary interest within the downtown boundary. I wish to interview the following: 1. /YJ~1--1 ()/~ . :: ~. ~ r ~ Submitted by' C ~ 7f((N- Councilor e . . e B ALL 0 T DOWNTOWN COMMISSION Number of openings: 1 to replace David Filer Tenn to expire: 12/30/85 Specific criteria: Shall be employed, employ others, own property, manage a business, maintain a primary residence, or otherwise have a direct, pecuniary interest within the downtown boundary. I wish to interview the following: 1. 2. 3. Submitted by: ~ ~dr/(JI Co cilor D te e . e B ALL 0 T DOWNTOWN COMMISSION Number of openings: 1 to replace David Filer Tenn to expire: 12/30/85 Specific criteria: Shall be employed, employ others, own property, manage a business, maintain a primary residence, or otherwise have a direct, pecuniary interest within the downtown boundary. I wish to interview the following: 1. t)tve-P~ e 2. ft, t./I'I d /tJ 3. b/tilfJO 0/ ty~k r! JtI~L Submitted by: it S/v rh B'6'/f Council or Date e e B ALL 0 T DOWNTOWN COMMISSION Number of openings: 1 to replace David Filer Term to expire: 12/30/85 Specific criteria: Shall be employed, employ others, own property, manage a business, maintain a primary residence, or otherwise have a direct, pecuniary interest within the downtown boundary. I wish to interview the following: 1. ~&7 ((LJ[2( e 2. --II.Jrtt {(. Y 1.) 0 t/')(;~ v 3. )rdf ~~ b~M' C?~...v .s ~ MtJ7{ Submitted by: 5it:Itft,v )tftIAH L- e ,. . B ALL 0 T DOWNTOWN COMMISSION Number of openings: 1 to replace David Filer Tenn to expire: 12/30/85 Specific criteria: Shall be employed, employ others, own property, manage a business, maintain a primary residence, or otherwise have a direct, pecuniary interest within the downtown boundary. I wish to interview the following: 1. ~ ~~ . 2. 4k &. JJ2::~ 3. . ~ &teLl~ Submitted by: ~ gfi' Council or Date .