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HomeMy WebLinkAbout05/09/1990 Meeting e e e M I NUT E S Eugene City Council McNutt Room--City Hall May 9, 1990 11 : 30 a. m . COUNCILORS PRESENT: Mayor Jeff Miller, Ruth Bascom, Rob Bennett, Emily Schue, Bobby Green, Freeman Holmer, Roger Rutan, Shawn Boles. COUNCILORS ABSENT: Debra Ehrman. The regular meeting of May 9, 1990, 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. Public Acknowledgement for Staff Efforts Mr. Green expressed his appreciation to staff from the Transportation Division, the PARCS Department, and the CRT for their efforts in dealing with a critical public safety issue in his area. B. Citizen Complaint Against Use of External Speakers for Advertising Mr. Boles noted that the council recently received a letter from a community citizen who was concerned about the noise created by Shopko's use of external speakers for advertising. He requested information from staff on whether the use of such speakers violates the City Code Noise Ordinance. C. "Re-Cycl i ng Program" Mr. Boles circulated copies of a letter recently received from Daphne Walwyn suggesting that the City consider instituting a program in which donated bicycles might be made available for public use. He pointed out that such a program would be compatible with the council's goal of encouraging alternative modes of transportation downtown and recommended that this suggestion be forwarded to the Bicycle Committee. D. League of Oregon Cities Conference Ms. Schue reported that she recently attended the League of Oregon Cities Conference in Renton, Washington. She noted that the State of Washington has MINUTES--Eugene City Council May 9, 1990 Page 1 /- . recently passed land-use legislation which, while not yet as strict as Oregon's, represents a positive step for this state. E. Budget Committee Ms. Schue said that one of the issues laid out for further discussion at the May 8 Budget Committee meeting was a discussion on the types of decisions which should be made by the Budget Committee. She recommended that the council hold a discussion about the types of decisions most appropriate for Budget Committee deliberation before the joint Budget Committee/City Council meeting in June. Mr. Holmer expressed disappointment with the Budget Committee's decision not to invest money for physical plant maintenance needs. He expressed concern that budget need projections are often high; unspent money is often carried over to be spent on unplanned personnel increases or used to fund short-term emergencies and other unanticipated events. He pointed out that wage and fringe benefits in the City should not be increased at higher than the rate of inflation in our community. Mr. Holmer said that the Budget Committee's recommendation not to provide money for physical plant maintenance was unwise and .suggested that more precision be used in the future for budget prediction. e Mr. Bennett acknowledged Mr. Holmer's concerns, but said that the issues of funding for personnel services and funding for physical plant maintenance are two issues which should be debated separately. He said that he would welcome a future council discussion on the City's approach to personnel services funding. He observed that the council needs an analysis of the scope of the facilities maintenance problem before making specific funding decisions. Mr. Gleason acknowledged the need for the City to address the infrastructure maintenance needs of the City. He enumerated the costs of wage increases granted within the City in FY90 and noted that both these and its aggregate fringe benefits as a percentage of payroll are comparable to other organizations. Mr. Gleason agreed that the council and Budget Committee would benefit from a series of analyses about City personnel services costs; these will be coming before the council at some time in the future. F. Speeding Violations on Agate Street Ms. Bascom said that she has received complaints from residents in the Agate Street area about speeding violations and requested that Agate Street be targeted by police for speed zone violations. She noted that she has spoken with several surrounding neighbors who have indicated that they are in favor of increased enforcement for this area. G. Historic Preservation Week Ms. Bascom said that in honor of Historic Preservation Week taking place May 13-20 she will be making a presentation with Ernie Drapela, PARCS Department, on several historic preservation issues at the Northwest . MINUTES--Eugene City Council May 9, 1990 Page 2 e e ~ Christian College. She invited councilors and other interested citizens to participate in historic preservation activities. H. Councilor Rutan's Return Mr. Rutan said the six-month leave of absence that was granted to him by the council was over May 1, and he has resumed his full council duty. He expressed appreciation to the council for its cooperation and understanding during his absence. I. Ferry Street Bridge Study Mr. Bennett noted that in response to substantial community interest generated by the Ferry Street Bridge Study, an extensive public outreach effort to gather input from adjacent neighbors has been conducted. He recommended that before further public outreach is conducted, this item be brought back to the council for discussion and recommendation. Responding to a question from Mr. Holmer, Mr. Bennett said that such discussion may include the further elimination of less favorable alternative options. II. OREGON TRACK CLUB FUNDING REQUEST At the April 25, 1990, council meeting, Councilor Rutan requested funding of $5,000 to offset cost increases of The Race and the Butte-to-Butte Race. Council asked staff to provide information on costs presently borne by the City for these race events. Staff estimates that the total cost for both events is $4,072. This represents $3,722 for Department of Public Safety services and $350 for Public Works services. In the past, the DPS charges for these events have been billed to Oregon Track Club. Mr. Rutan circulated a letter from the Oregon Track Club requesting $5,000 to offset cost increases. He noted that the club has been successful at getting sponsors for these events and pointed out the importance that these established community traditions play in terms of civic pride. Responding to a question from Mr. Holmer, Mr. Gleason said that money provided to buy a service from the Oregon Track Club would go toward organizing, preparing, and presenting a public recreation event. Ms. Bascom voiced concern that giving this money to the Oregon Track Club might be in violation of the council's policy that the City's recreation programs be self-supporting through user fees. Mr. Boles noted that anticipated tourism is one measure agreed upon by the council which can be used to justify the expenditure of money for outside events. While he supports these races, it is doubtful that this request meets this implicit criteria. In making its decision, Mr. Miller urged the council to consider the importance of these races to many Eugene residents and the races' MINUTES--Eugene City Council May 9, 1990 Page 3 . contribution to enhanced community livability. Mr. Bennett concurred with Mr. Miller on the importance of these events to our community. Mr. Rutan moved, seconded by Mr. Holmer, to authorize the City Manager to enter into a contract for services with the Oregon Track Club for an amount of up to $5,000--$3,000 to be allocated for Public Safety and Public Works service in the Butte-to-Butte race and $2,000 for The Race in 1990. Mr. Boles moved, seconded by Ms. Schue, to amend Mr. Rutan's motion to decrease the total funding amount to $2,500. ~ The amendment failed, 3:4; with Councilors Boles, Schue, and Bascom, voting in favor; and Councilors Rutan, Green, Bennett, and Holmer voting opposed. The motion passed, 6:1; with Councilors Rutan, Boles, Schue, Green, Holmer, and Bennett voting aye; and Councilor Bascom voting nay. Mayor Miller adjourned the meeting of the Eugene City Council and convened a meeting of the Urban Renewal Agency. III. SEARS BUILDING REDEVELOPMENT e Lew Bowers, Planning and Development Department, provided the council with a brief staff report on the Sears Building redevelopment project. The City has been approached by the owners of the old Sears building with a proposal to sell/lease the publicly owned parcel adjacent to it. The proposal would allow for a new parking lot configuration that will be designed to serve the redevelopment of both the old Sears building and the Sears automotive building, as well as the existing adjacent development. The proposal would facilitate the tenancy of both redevelopments. The Urban Renewal Agency owns the adjacent liB-block parcel at the northwest corner of 10th Avenue and Olive Street. This parcel was originally acquired with the intention of selling or leasing it to facilitate the construction of a building which would contribute to the City's goal of dense urban core development. Club Wholesale has approached the owners of the Sears Building with a proposal to lease the entire first floor for a new office supply business. Because of the nature of its business, Club Wholesale has stated that it must have adequate parking immediately adjacent to its entrance, which will be on the alley faCing Olive Street. Mr. Bowers said that staff has identified two possible options with respect to land use, either a land swap option or a long-term lease of the spaces. He noted that the Downtown Commission, Council Committee on Economic Diversification (CCED), and staff have all recommended the land swap option. . MINUTES--Eugene City Council May 9, 1990 Page 4 e e e Mr. Bowers indicated that a final lease agreement between Club Wholesale and the owner of the Sears Building has been prepared and is ready for signature. Mr. Boles asked whether the City could provide the council with an external review of Club Wholesale's proposed building renovation design. Mr. Bowers said that a design review process has been initiated and progress is being made toward an agreeable design; these design reviews can be made available to council upon request. In light of the proposed first floor usage, Mr. Miller asked for staff's opinion of the ease of leasing the building's basement and top floors. Mr. Bowers said that in discussions with the building owners, it is his understanding that the second floor would be marketable as office spaces. He is unaware of any plans for basement leasing. Mr. Bennett acknowledged the complexity of this issue. He noted that the Retail Task Force has identified the Sears Building as a critical component of the core of downtown. Although Club Wholesale might potentially be the type of strong tenant which is needed for this building, it would be premature for the council to make a decision on this issue until the Retail Task Force's Tenant Mix Plan recommendations have been considered. He suggested that this issue be tabled until June 1, at which time the work of the Rrtail Task Force is available for public review. Responding to a question, a representative of the owner of the Sears Building said that a specific termination date for the proposed agreement with Club Wholesale has not been established. He stressed, however, that without a firm council commitment, no guarantees can be given. Responding to a question from Mr. Boles, he said that the proposed nature of Club Wholesale's business at this location will be retail sales. Mr. Bennett moved, seconded by Mr. Boles, that the council's action on Sears Building redevelopment be carried to the May 30, 1990, City Council meeting. Mr. Holmer asked whether the Retail Task Force, in its Tenant Mix Plan, plans to designate a specific type of use for each piece of property downtown. Ms. Schue responded that the Retail Task Force is making specific recommendations for appropriate tenants on many blocks downtown. The motion passed unanimously, 7:0. (At 12:45 p.m., Councilor Green exited the meeting.) Mayor Miller adjourned the meeting of the Urban Renewal Agency and reconvened the meeting of the Eugene City Council. MINUTES--Eugene City Council May 9, 1990 Page 5 ~ IV. WORK SESSION: SIGN CODE John Weber, Planning and Development Department, provided the council with a brief staff report. On June 27, 1988, the council adopted an interim Sign Code. At that time, the council also directed staff and the Planning Commission to prepare a revised, permanent Sign Code. Mr. Weber noted that a slight change was made to the proposed Sign Code which should be reflected on page 17 of the council notes. A revision was made to the General Commercial Sign District requiring that if two wall signs are chosen for a business, they must be on separate walls. e Ms. Nathanson, Eugene Planning Commission President, briefly reviewed the Planning Commission's recommendations for changes to the interim Sign Code. She indicated that the nature of the recommended changes affect both the way in which sign allowances are calculated and the maximum allowable sign size. The changes also recommend a decrease in the maximum allowable size for a billboard. In her opinion, the Planning Commission's recommendations provide a good balance between liberalizing and strengthening the Sign Code. Ms. Nathanson said that in response to public testimony, the Planning Commission ;s recommending that signs with internal illumination be prohibited in residential districts because of the glare they provide. Mr. Rutan said that given the degree of controversy which is inherent in a Sign Code issue, that an arbitration process between the commission and the public might be beneficial. Ms. Nathanson agreed that such a process might be beneficial for all signs except billboards. She noted that two public forums and two public hearings have been held on the Sign Code issue; the revised Sign Code reflects public concern. Ms. Schue agreed with Mr. Rutan's suggestion and said that the council may, after the public hearing, want to set parameters around the Sign Code proposal. Mr. Boles asked whether the Planning Commission's research in preparation for Sign Code revision has taken into account the types of codes provided in western Europe where signs are considered as informational rather than for advertising purposes. Ms. Nathanson said that no such consideration was given, partly because in Oregon, signs must be content neutral. Mr. Miller asked about how the Planning Commission was able to achieve a balance between the need through Sign Code regulation to improve the aesthetic value of the community and the financial constraints which will be imposed on businesses by tighter regulation. Ms. Nathanson pointed out that considerable discussion had taken place at the Planning Commission level regarding the impact of the new Sign Code on businesses. In order to achieve its goal of visual clutter elimination and to remain equitable to both new and old businesses, the Planning Commission had recommended that all signs - MINUTES--Eugene City Council May 9, 1990 Page 6 e must be in compliance with the new code within 15 years, including billboards. Mr. Miller noted that the Planning Commission recommended that IIsandwich boards" be eliminated and asked whether the commission has given consideration about how, in the future, businesses will be able to satisfy the need provided by sandwich boards. Ms. Nathanson said the commission decided to recommend prohibition of "sandwich boards" because of problems surrounding enforcement and safety. These signs pose a particular hazard to those with sight or mobility impairments. e Responding to a question, Ms. Nathanson said that the Planning Commission has not discussed the issue of increased sign fees. Mr. Holmer pointed out the importance of increasing sign fees to ensure that regulation of the more stringent Sign Code will be self-sustaining. Ms. Nathanson indicated that because of the traffic safety hazard posed by Electronic Message Centers (EMCs), the Planning Commission decided that these should be eliminated as well. Responding to a question, Ms. Nathanson said that because of a constitutional provision which prohibits the regulation of signs by content, time and temperature signs, one type of EMC, could not be permitted. When asked about the status of the Hult Center's newly erected sign, Ms. Nathanson said that the Hult Center sign would be permitted as a legal nonconforming sign. Mr. Bennett inquired about the nature of public testimony which the Planning Commission received at its public hearings. Ms. Nathanson said that, as an example, several business owners testified that Sign Code restrictions might hurt their business, particularly those who do not have enough money for other types of advertising. Mr. Holmer requested an estimate from the City Manager on the projected financial impact of new code enforcement. Mr. Boles also said that in further Sign Code discussions, the council should give consideration to whether the proposed regulations can indeed be enforced and whether ordinance enforcement should be revenue-neutral. The meeting of the Eugene City Council adjourned at 1:20 p.m. Respectfully submi (Recorded by Traci Northman) mncc 050990-1130 e MINUTES--Eugene City Council May 9, 1990 Page 7