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HomeMy WebLinkAbout02/28/1990 Meeting e M I NUT E S Eugene City Council McNutt Room--City Hall February 28, 1990 11:30 a.m. COUNCILORS PRESENT: Ruth Bascomt Rob Bennett, Emily Schuet Bobby Green, Freeman Holmer, Debra Ehrmant Shawn Boles, Roger Rutan. The adjourned meeting of February 26t 1990t of the Eugene City Council was called to order by His Honor Mayor Jeff Miller. I. ITEMS FROM THE CITY COUNCIL, MAYOR, AND CITY MANAGER A. Recent Incidence of Community Rape Ms. Ehrman said that the recent increase in the number of rapes that has taken place in the community is disturbing and suggested that the City make a strong statement that this type of behavior will not be tolerated in our community. Mr. Gleason said that he will bring a report back to the council regarding the efforts that are being made in the Department of Public Safety to combat this type of criminal activity. e B. Recreational Vehicle Parking Mr. Green informed the council that he recently received a call from a citizen who is concerned with the parking of recreational vehicles (RVs) in front of houses. The citizen expressed concern that this parking has an adverse visual impact on the neighborhood and devalues the property. The council expressed a willingness to review the City ordinances currently in place which govern RV parking. Mr. Rutan noted that this is a problem not only with RVs, but with other types of vehicles as well. C. Street-Oriented Policing Mr. Boles said that he was recently contacted by Lieutenant Jim Hill, Community Response Team (CRT), whot on behalf of the Department of Public Safety, has expressed an interest in testing a more street-oriented policing strategy in the Whiteaker neighborhood as a part of the long-range plan. O. Irkutsk Art Display Ms. Bascom announced that she received a call from an individual who has offered the use of a large number of art canvases from Irkutsk for display in Eugene. She noted that while she forwarded this request to the University of e MINUTES--Eugene City Council February 28, 1990 Page 1 e Oregon, the Jacobs Gallery has been secured for the month of December to house a display of a variety of arts from this sister city. II. REVISED FINAL REZONING ORDER FOR PROPERTY GENERALLY LOCATED IN THE RIVER ROAD AREA, IN THE VICINITY OF MAXWELL ROAD AND THE NORTHWEST EXPRESSWAY (RIVER ROAD CHURCH OF CHRIST, AZ 89-6) Final Order AZ 89-6--A final order rezoning Tax Lot 4306 from County RA/UL to City R-2/SR and rezoning Tax Lot 4900 from County RA/UL to City RA. Redesignation from County Residential to City Residential Sign District. Ms. Schue moved, seconded by Mr. Bennett, to adopt the final order. Roll call vote; the motion carried unanimously, 8:0. III. ORDINANCE REGARDING THE VOTER'S PAMPHLET STATEMENT FOR THE DOWNTOWN DEVELOPMENT DISTRICT TAX LEVY MEASURE Barbara Bellamy, City Manager's Office, gave a brief staff report. CB 4197--An ordinance concerning the voter's pamphlet statement for the Downtown Development District tax levy measure and declaring an emergency. e Ms. Schue moved, seconded by Mr. Bennett, that the bill, with unanimous consent of the council, be read the second time by council bill number only, and that enactment be considered at this time. Mr. Rutan said he felt that the wording of the ballot title is confusing and requested that the City Attorney look at rephrasing it in order to make it more clear. Mr. Gleason said the ballot title wording would be reviewed. Ms. Ehrman recommended that if the names of committee members are to be rerun in the pamphlet, citizen committee members be notified. Roll call vote; the motion carried unanimously, 8:0. Ms. Schue moved, seconded by Mr. Bennett, 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. 19668). IV. WORK SESSION: SPECTRA-PHYSICS UPDATE AND FINANCING ALTERNATIVES Jim Croteau, Planning and Development Department, gave the staff report. He noted that over the last three years, the City has been working with e MINUTES--Eugene City Council February 28, 1990 Page 2 e e e Spectra-Physics to assist in their plan for future expansion of their business. The company is being required to provide wetlands mitigation for the area of their future expansion as well as for land already developed and subsequently found to be a wetland site. He noted that Spectra-Physics has received fill permit approval from the Oregon ~ivision of State lands and is expecting approval from the US Army Corps of Engineers and the US Environmental Protection Agency in the next several months. Mr. Croteau indicated that the planned mitigation site, which is approximately 42 acres, is located to the northwest of the Spectra:Physics property along the Amazon Channel. As it is planned, the mitigation site will be improved to replace the loss of wetland functions and values of the property to be filled for Spectra-Physics expansion. Mr. Croteau explained that as a part of the overall plan for assisting Spectra-Physics with its wetlands mitigation, the council authorized the improvement of Terry Street. This is a cooperative project for which the City has received a loan and grant for $444,000 through the Public Works lottery program. Mr. Croteau said that Spectra-Physics has requested that the City of Eugene and the State of Oregon assist in the financing of the mitigation costs. The preliminary costs for mitigation include $190,000 for land acquisition, $258,000 for mitigation construction, and $204,000 for professional services such as consulting fees. The State has agreed to fund approximately one-third of those costs, and the City is being asked to share an additional third of the burden, which amounts to approximately $217,000. Mr. Croteau indicated that staff has explored a number of funding proposals for assisting Spectra-Physics and has determined that creation of an urban renewal district is the most feasible alternative. Staff proposes that the urban renewal district be created to cover both Spectra-Physics and Terry Street north to its connection at the West Eugene Parkway. It has also been proposed that the mitigation site be included within the urban renewal district boundary. The creation of an urban renewal district is believed to be an appropriate funding solution for several reasons, including its ability to help fund infrastructure improvements and its function as a "pilot projectll for assisting in similar types of wetlands mitigation financing in the future. Mr. Croteau stated that upon creation of the district, the use of tax increment financing would allow the funding to be used for wetland mitigation and at least partial funding of the extension of Terry Street north to the West Eugene Parkway. With the construction of a Phase 1A building, staff predicts a tax increment flow into the urban renewal district of $60,000 beginning in 1993. If a Phase 3 building is constructed later on, staff predicts that the increment could increase to $240,000. Over a ten-year period, the total tax increment amount would be approximately $1.2 million. Mr. Croteau pointed out that the acquisition and funding of the mitigation site will represent a public asset when it is completed. He added that this MINUTES--Eugene City Council February 28, 1990 Page 3 e is also a good example of the sharing of public and private costs which are an integral part of any economic development venture. Ms. Ehrman asked whether the area being considered for the urban renewal district is large enough to encompass nearby areas that may be needed for mitigation in the future. In response, Mr. Croteau said that while the area currently contemplated is only large enough to deal with the Spectra-Physics problem, there is additional land in this vicinity which could be used for mitigation. Responding to a question from Ms. Ehrman, Mr. Croteau said the tax increment moneys captured from Spectra-Physics expansion would go directly back to assist the company and the surrounding area in wetland mitigation. Ms. Ehrman expressed support for using the extension of Terry Street as part of the project, and asked whether the City has had any discussions with the County about possible assistance with the Terry Street extension. les Lyle, Public Works, said that because the area north of Spectra-Physics is within the city limits, the County will most likely not participate. Ms. Schue asked whether the Amazon bike path runs through this site. Mr. Croteau said that the proposed bike path does run through this site. e Mr. Boles noted that categorization of wetland areas as infrastructure is a creative and viable solution to this problem. He acknowledged that the City has an obligation to help Spectra-Physics find a solution, but felt that the issues of wetland mitigation and Terry Street improvement should be treated separately. Mr. Boles suggested that the City proceed with the Spectra-Physics portion of this plan which, under the current increment plan flow, would allow the urban renewal district to close out in four years. At Mr. Boles request, Mr. Gleason reviewed the funding alternatives that were considered by staff for assisting Spectra-Physics. He said that in addition to urban renewal, staff considered several possible funding opportunities including the Enterprise Zone, a local improvement district, business development loans, and the City Capital Improvement Program. Abe Farkas, Planning and Development, added that although several options were considered conceptually, the urban renewal district option was considered to be the most practical solution. Mr. Boles asked for confirmation of a rumor that eventually this piece of property will be deeded to the City and used as a park. Mr. Croteau explained that while it is possible that this property will be deeded to the City, its eventual ownership has not been determined. It is possible that this property could be used with a kiosk or other viewing areas and that bike path improvements could be made along the Amazon Channel. Responding to a question from Mr. Boles, Mr. Sercombe said that although there is some legal uncertainty about the place of expenditure of urban renewal funds, it is his opinion that the expenditures of such funds does not have to be within the geographic boundaries of the urban renewal district. e MINUTES--Eugene City Council February 28, 1990 Page 4 ~ e It would be possible to include the mitigation site as well as the expansion site within the urban renewal district boundaries. In support of the proposed plan, Ms. Bascom said that this plan provides a unique opportunity to recommence with plans for the development of a recreation corridor along the Amazon Channel as well as accommodate wetlands replacement. Mr. Holmer said that he is in favor of using an urban renewal and tax increment financing approach to address the City.s obligation to . Spectra-Physics, and emphasized the importance of dealing with mitigation immediately. He suggested that the council immediately proceed with the urban renewal plan for mitigation and consider the Terry Street improvement later as a possible amendment to the urban renewal plan. Chuck Massar, Spectra-Physics Facilities Manager, said that if the City proceeds with the proposed mitigation strategy, Spectra-Physics will be satisfied. He noted that while the expansion of Terry Street to the north would be beneficial, it is not an essential element of the package. Mr. Bennett acknowledged that the City has an obligation to help Spectra-Physics with its mitigation, but said he cannot support urban renewal funding for this type of project. He felt that tax increment financing is a special approach which should only be used on projects which benefit the public and suggested that alternative methods of funding should be considered in more detail. e Mr. Boles said that he is also uncomfortable with using urban renewal as a solution to this problem, and will only support this method of funding if it is the only way to respond in a timely manner to the City's needs and responsibilities to Spectra-Physics. Mr. Rutan stressed the importance of taking decisive action on this plan as soon as possible. Ms. Ehrman said that she would be willing to separate the two issues, but that she views the Terry Street expansion as a much-needed improvement to the City.s transportation system. Ms. Schue said she would also be willing to separate the Terry Street portion of this, if the council so desired. Ms. Ehrman indicated that any decisions made at this point with regard to urban renewal would be controversial in the community and suggested that, if possible, the $217,000 be taken from contingency funds and paid back at a later date if the council decides to create an urban renewal district. Mr. Green said that because of Spectra-Physics' past support demonstrated desire to create more jobs for our community, he would support the creation of an urban renewal district to deal with wetlands mitigation. He suggested that, in order to deal with voiced concerns, that the district be created with a mandatory ten-year sunset clause. e MINUTES--Eugene City Council February 28, 1990 Page 5 -', e Mr. Gleason said that if the council wishes to fund this proposal out of existing reserves and capital accounts it can be done. Ms. Schue moved, seconded by Mr. Bennett, that the council authorize the City to spend up to $217,000 to assist in the creation of an environmental park for wetlands mitigation. The motion passed unanimously, 8:0. Ms. Bascom expressed reluctance to use General Fund moneys to fund wetlands mitigation because of other stronger commitments previously made for these reserves. Mr. Holmer moved, seconded by Ms. Ehrman, that the funds for the mitigation of Spectra-Physics be taken from the General Fund. Ms. Schue requested additional information from the City Manager about the possible sources of General Fund money from which assistance for this project could be obtained. Mr. Rutan reminded the council of the number of other projects that have already been allocated contingency fund moneys and expressed opposition to using contingency fund moneys to finance this mitigation. He reiterated that whatever action is taken, it must be done in a timely manner. e Mr. Gleason said that it would be possible for staff to come back with additional information regarding possible funding sources for the Spectra-Physics mitigation. Mr. Holmer withdrew his motion. Mr. Miller expressed strong support for this proposal as a means of dealing with a pending problem in a way which is beneficial to the larger community. Mr. Holmer moved, seconded by Ms. Bascom, to create an urban renewal district for the purpose of dealing with the mitigation needs and related amenities of Spectra-Physics. Ms. Ehrman said that she is reluctant to make a commitment to spend money which is not in the budget and, for this reason, cannot support the motion. Ms. Schue echoed Ms. Ehrman's concerns. Mr. Holmer moved, seconded by Ms. Bascom, to table his motion. At the council's request, Mr. Gleason agreed to bring additional information back to the council at its March 14 meeting, about possible alternative sources of funding to aid Spectra-Physics with mitigation. The meeting adjourned at 1:05 p.m. Respectfully submitted, e MINUTES--Eugene City Council February 28, 1990 Page 6 e e e 7~' Micheal Gleason City Manager (Recorded by Traci Northman) mncc 022890 MINUTES--Eugene City Council February 28, 1990 Page 7