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HomeMy WebLinkAbout01/22/1990 Meeting e e e M I NUT E S Eugene City Council Council Chamber--Eugene City Hall January 22, 1990 7:30 p.m. COUNCILORS PRESENT: Ruth Bascom, Rob Bennett, Shawn Boles, Debra Ehrman, Freeman Holmer, Bobby Green, Roger Rutan. COUNCILORS ABSENT: Emily Schue. The adjourned meeting of January 17, 1990, of the Eugene City Council was called to order by His Honor Mayor Jeff Miller. I. CONSENT CALENDAR A. Approval of City Council Minutes of October 20, October 21, November 6, November 8, November 20, November 22, December 4, December 6, 1989, and January 8, 1990 B. Approval of Legislative Committee Minutes of January 9, 1990 c. Resolutions Calling for Public Hearings to Consider Proposed Withdrawal of Recently Annexed Properties from Water and Park Districts Res. Nos. 4163 and 4158--Resolutions calling for a public hearing to consider proposed withdrawal of territory (Marshall, EC EU 89-19 and O'Leary EC EU 89-29) from River Road Water District and River Road Park and Recreation District Res. No. 4159--Resolution calling for a public hearing to consider proposed withdrawal of territory (Smith, EC EU 89-30) from Santa Clara Water District Res. Nos. 4157 and 4160--Resolutions calling for a public hearing to consider proposed withdrawal of territory (Oregon Freightway, EC EU 89-26, and Vik, EC EU 89-31) from Glenwood Water District and Wil1amalane Park and Recreation District D. Appointments: Mayor Miller's Nominations to the Southern Willamette Private Industry Council and the Planning Commission Representative for the Historic Review Board MINUTES--Eugene City Council January 22, 1990 Page 1 e E. Councilor Schue's and Councilor Holmer's Nominations to the Budget Committee F. Call for Public Hearing: Initiation of Street and Alley Vacation (Eugene Water and Electric Board) (SV 89-3) Mr. Rutan requested that the minutes from October 20, 1989, be amended to reflect council's agreement to a six-month leave of absence with a 90-day review after which time he was to return to the council with an evaluation of the agreement. Mr. Bennett moved, seconded by Mr. Holmer, to approve the items on the City Council Consent Calendar as amended. Roll call vote; the motion carried unanimously, 7:0. II. PUBLIC HEARING: RESOLUTION REGARDING RENEWAL OF LIMITED RECOGNITION POLICY FOR NEIGHBORHOOD ORGANIZATIONS e City Manager Micheal Gleason introduced the topic. Christine Donahue, Planning and Development Department, said that this resolution will allow the Glenwood, River Road, and Santa Clara community organizations to continue as officially recognized Eugene neighborhood organizations and will allow other neighborhood groups and community organizations to seek limited recognition by the City. Ms. Donahue said that the Industrial Corridor Community Organization has also expressed interest in Eugene's neighborhood recognition process. Mr. Bennett expressed concern that this proposal as it is currently worded makes it possible for other community organizations to seek limited recognition by the City. Ms. Donahue said that although this resolution would allow other groups to request limited recognition by the City, any group requesting limited recognition would need to follow the requirements for limited recognition as outlined in the Neighborhood Organization Recognition Policy. Mayor Miller opened the public hearing. Jerry Finigan, 1250 Irvington Drive, President of the Santa Clara Community Organization, spoke in favor of the proposed resolution. He stated that this resolution recognizes that annexation is a two-way process and that Santa Clara is an active and important part of the City of Eugene. He added that he hopes the wording of the resolution does not preclude the possibility of full recognition in the event that an annexation vote succeeds. Mr. Bennett asked Mr. Finigan whether he believed that the Santa Clara Community Organization represents the views of the majority of citizens in that area. Mr. Finigan said he believes that the views expressed by this organization are consistent with those of the represented community. e MINUTES--Eugene City Council January 22, 1990 Page 2 e e e Anthony R. Nichols, 770 Ruby Avenue, testified in favor of continuing the limited recognition policy on the grounds that it enables the lines of communication between the City and citizen groups to remain open. There being no additional requests to speak, Mayor Miller closed the public hearing. Mr. Holmer suggested that, given the size of each neighborhood organization and the regular attendance at meetings, those places in the resolution which identify the neighborhood organization as "the official voicell of the neighborhood which they represent should be changed to denote that they are lIan official voice.1I Res. No. 4161--A resolution renewing limited recognition for neighborhood organizations outside the city limits. Mr. Bennett moved, seconded by Mr. Holmer, to adopt the resolution. Mr. Bennett moved, seconded by Mr. Holmer, to amend the motion to restrict limited recognition to the Glenwood, River Road, Santa Clara, and Industrial Corridor Community Organizations. Responding to a question from Mr. Rutan, Ms. Donahue said that the resolution specifies that any organization seeking to apply for limited recognition must be contiguous with the city. She added that all of the groups that the City has given limited recognition in the past have also been recognized by Lane County. If another group were to form in that area in the future and request recognition by Lane County, it would then be eligible to request limited recognition by the City which would be granted only after they have demonstrated they have followed all of the requirements in the Neighborhood Organization Recognition Policy. Mr. Boles said that the boundaries presented by this resolution concerning the City's limited recognition policy are stringent enough and cannot, therefore, support the amendment. Roll call vote; the motion to amend failed, 2:5; with councilors Holmer and Bennett voting in favor; and councilors Ehrman, Green, Boles, Rutan, and Bascom voting against. Mr. Holmer moved, seconded by Mr. Bennett, to amend the motion to specify that those places of the Resolution which identify the neighborhood organization as lithe official voice" be changed to read "an official voicell and that the quotes surrounding the phrase be deleted. Mr. Bennett indicated that he recognizes Mr. Holmer's concern surrounding the issue of who should be recognized as lithe official voicell of an area. Mr. Holmer's amendment recognizes that each neighborhood is different and allows MINUTES--Eugene City Council January 22, 1990 Page 3 e e e for different scenarios in representation to exist in different neighborhoods. Ms. Bascom said that one function of the neighborhood organization is to gather people of different points of view--not to present one unified voice. By not encouraging differences of opinion to be expressed within each group, the City is diluting the importance of the organizations. Ms. Ehrman also argued against the amendment noting that this issue of wording has been discussed before and the decision was made previously to leave the wording as is. Roll call vote; Mr. Holmer's amendment failed, 3:4; with councilors Bennett, Rutan, and Holmer voting in favor; and councilors Green, Boles, Bascom, and Ehrman voting against. Roll call vote; the motion passed, 6:1; with councilors Bennett, Boles, Ehrman, Rutan, Green, and Bascom voting in favor; and Councilor Holmer voting opposed. III. PUBLIC HEARING: CAPITAL IMPROVEMENT PROGRAM AMENDMENT: BARGER AT BELTLINE PROJECT City Manager Mike Gleason introduced the topic. Dave Reinhard, Public Works Transportation, gave the staff report. He indicated that problems relating to traffic congestion and safety have been increasing at the Barger and Beltline intersection. Because of increased growth in that area in recent years, the traffic from development has steadily increased and a sense of urgency in finding a solution to this problem has arisen. Mr. Reinhard informed the council that the TransPlan includes a project to improve the intersection of Barger and Beltline which over time would result in Beltline being improved to a four-lane expressway between Highway 99 and West 11th. In order to better coordinate local and State efforts on this project and to respond to some immediate safety issues, staff is requesting that the project be added to the City's Capital Improvement Program (CIP). Responding to a question from Mr. Holmer, Mr. Reinhard said that staff recommends funds for this be taken from systems development and added to the cap ita 1 budget. In response to a question from Mr. Boles concerning the current zoning at the intersection of Barger and Beltline, Mr. Reinhard said that the northeast corner is currently zoned Low-Density Residential but is planned for commercial, the southeast corner is commercially zoned and developed, the southwest corner is zoned Public Land, and the northwest corner is zoned Low-Density Residential. Mr. Boles asked what the current level of service is in the Barger Corridor and what the expected level of increased service demand will be after widening this interchange. Mr. Reinhard indicated that although no detailed MINUTES--Eugene City Council January 22, 1990 Page 4 e e e analysis has been conducted on what level of service is projected after construction, the current level of service at peak hours is F--the worst condition of service. Ms. Bascom pointed out that the Planning Commission voted to uphold the Hearings Official's denial of a conditional use for a Mobile Home Park in that area because of transportation problems. She asked whether the construction of a five-lane highway will be sufficient to handle the future growth anticipated in that area. Mr. Reinhard said that although a full interchange will need to be built in the future, the current level of service at this intersection demands a solution; construction of a five-lane section will provide some immediate improvement. Mayor Miller opened the public hearing. Jim Ogden, 1199 North Terry #382, spoke on behalf of the Friends of Bethel Schools and Active Bethel Citizens, stating their support for putting this project in the Capital Improvements Program. He said that until Eugene considers this project as a funding priority, the State will take no action. Mr. Ogden emphasized the safety hazard that currently exists in this area. Lauren Heitzman, 2151 Golden Garden, presented a petition from citizens in the Bethel area stating their support for the addition of this project to the CIP and suggesting that the City Council pass a moratorium on any construction off of Barger that would result in additional traffic until such time that turn lanes and an overpass at Beltline and Barger are constructed to handle the traffic problem that already exists. Mr. Heitzman also read a letter from Kent Hunsaker, Bethel School District Superintendent, underscoring the need for a solution to the safety problem around this area. Mr. Heitzman concurred with Mr. Ogden about safety hazards that have arisen out of this situation which result in four to six traffic accidents per year involving children in this area. There being no more requests to speak, Mayor Miller closed the public hearing. Mr. Green said that this has been the number one issue of concern expressed at the neighborhood meetings in these areas and urged the council to put this as a priority in the budget process. Mr. Boles asked how this money will address the safety issue at this intersection. Mr. Reinhard said that construction of a five-lane section on Barger will primarily work toward addressing the congestion problem at the intersection of Barger and Beltline but, in doing so, will make considerable improvements in the operation of the intersection which will lead to fewer traffic accidents. Ms. Ehrman questioned the status of Terry Street and asked whether Terry Street might be part of a potential solution to the problem. Mr. Reinhard said that although Terry Street is planned as an eventual minor arterial, construction on it has not yet been completed. Mr. Miller stressed that a MINUTES--Eugene City Council January 22, 1990 Page 5 e e e Terry Street improvement would not be a substitute for the proposed construction. Mr. Bennett moved, seconded by Mr. Green, to amend the City's Capital Improvement Program to include Barger Drive at Beltline Road Project. Mr. Boles said that although he will support this motion he is reluctant to do so because it does not address the need for the expanded capacity that will be needed in the future and because it does not address the critical safety issue that has been raised. Roll call vote; the motion passed unanimously, 7:0. IV. PUBLIC HEARING: ANNEXATION/REZONING REQUEST FOR PROPERTY GENERALLY LOCATED IN THE RIVER ROAD AREA, ON THE NORTH SIDE OF IRVING ROAD, BETWEEN RIVER ROAD AND NEWCASTLE (Klemp, AZ 89-5) City Manager Mike Gleason introduced the topic. Cathy Czerniak, Planning and Development, briefly reviewed the criteria in the Eugene Code governing annexation and zone changes. She said that this annexation/zone change was requested by the property owners; if the request is approved by the council, it will be filed with the Lane County Local Government Boundary Commission as a council-initiated annexation in accordance with ORS Chapter 199. The property in question is contiguous to the existing city limits and is zoned County Neighborhood Commercial; property owners are requesting a rezoning of the property to an equivalent City Neighborhood Commercial zone. Ms. Czerniak noted that the Eugene Planning Commission unanimously recommended approval of this request for annexation and rezoning with the attachment of site review criteria to ensure buffering and compatibility with adjacent residential areas. If both the Boundary Commission and the council approves the annexation, the six-year tax differential plan will be applied. The property will be phased into the City tax rate over a six-year period. Ms. Czerniak responded to a question, saying that the Planning Commission requested site review because this property serves as a buffer between a major commercial area and a residential area. Responding to a question from Mr. Bennett, Ms. Czerniak said that the residential area being buffered is Low-Density Residential. Mayor Miller opened the public hearing. Ann Klemp, 91562 Prairie Road, testified in favor of the annexation/zoning request. As the property owner of the piece of property in question she requested to have a continuation of the neighborhood commercial zoning on the property. Jerry Finigan, 1250 Irvington Drive, speaking on behalf the Santa Clara Community Organization, said that it has no objection to this annexation MINUTES--Eugene City Council January 22, 1990 Page 6 e request. This is the type of commercial development that it has visualized for that area. There being no further requests to speak, Mayor Miller closed the public hearing. Ms. Bascom complimented Mr. Finigan for the letter he submitted to the council and indicated that this type of reasoned support is much appreciated by the council. Res. No. 4162--A resolution furthering the annexation to the City of Eugene and the Lane County Metropolitan Service District for property located in the River Road area, on Irving Road between River Road and Newcastle. Withdrawal from Santa Clara Rural Fire Protection District. e Final Order AZ 89-5--A final order rezoning property located on Irving Road from County C-1/UL to City C-1/SR. Redesignation from County Residential to City Outlying Commercial Sign District. Mr. Bennett moved, seconded by Mr. Holmer, to adopt the resolution and final order. Roll call vote; the motion carried unanimously, 7:0. V. NOTIFICATION OF MAYOR'S APPOINTMENTS TO THE EUGENE CELEBRATION STEERING COMMITTEE AND THE FERRY STREET BRIDGE CITIZEN'S ADVISORY COMMITTEE Mayor Miller announced the following appointments to the Eugene Celebration Steering Committee: Bambi Duncan, 34311 Matthews Road........(term ending 12/31/92) Sandra Bishop, 591 West 10th Avenue......(term ending 12/31/92} Sherril Kennedy, 1107 Kelly Boulevard, Springfield.........................(term ending 12/31/92} Marvin Krenk, 2100 Eaton Drive...........(term ending 12/31/92} Mayor Miller announced the following appointment to the Ferry Street Bridge Citizen Advisory Committee: Del Driskill, 925 Randall Street.........(vacated position #01) Mr. Boles said that although he endorses the appointment made by Mr. Miller with respect to the Ferry Street Bridge Citizen's Advisory Committee, he expressed concern that the council was not given adequate opportunity to e MINUTES--Eugene City Council January 22, 1990 Page 7 e e e inform various constituencies of this vacancy. Mr. Gleason indicated that he would check to determine to what extent the councilors were informed of this vacancy. The meeting adjourned at 9 p.m. to January 24, 1990. Respec~~.lly s~~mit~~ ?7'~-- . Micheal Gleaso City Manager (Recorded by Traci Northman) mncc 012290-730 MINUTES--Eugene City Council January 22, 1990 Page 8