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HomeMy WebLinkAbout09/17/1990 Meeting e M I NUT E S Eugene City Council McNutt Room--City Hall September 17, 1990 5:30 p.m. COUNCILORS PRESENT: Emily Schue, Rob Bennett, Ruth Bascom, Shawn Boles, Freeman Holmer, Debra Ehrman, Bobby Green. COUNCILORS ABSENT: Roger Rutan. The adjourned meeting of September 12, 1990, of the Eugene City Council was called to order by His Honor Mayor Jeff Miller. I. MONTHLY WORK PLANNING SESSION Darcy Marentette circulated copies of the council's 1991 draft calendar and the action summary from the council's July Work Planning Session. A. Goa 1 1-- Li brary: Select a Site e 1. Library Design, Financing, Operating Costs, Community Informa- tion, Etc. Ms. Bascom noted that the library presentations that she has facilitated have been well-received within the community. She said that there appears to be genuine support within the community for a library on the Sears building site. Mr. Boles noted that his presentation before the Whiteaker Community Council was also received positively. He suggested that library presentations would provide a good opportunity for councilors to solicit feedback on possible library financing options. He noted that if the council does not ask now about what type of library funding the community would support, it runs the risk of selecting a library site and having no means to pay for it. Mr. Bennett indicated his concern with asking community members for feedback on library financing. He said that a large majority of community members may not be aware of the many types of funds potentially available for library financing. Those persons who have been involved throughout the entire li- brary design would be in the best position to make a decision on library funding. Ms. Schue pointed out that in light of the fact that the future status of Urban Renewal funding depends on the outcome of Ballot Measure 5, it would be premature to discuss financing mechanisms at this point. e MINUTES--Eugene City Council September 17, 1990 Page 1 Work Planning Session e Ms. Bascom said that the council's goal for the fall with respect to the library was to select a site. It should not dilute this goal by discussing financing options. Councilor Elect Paul Nicholson agreed with Mr. Boles on the importance of soliciting public feedback on library financing options. He said that to avoid the financing issue now creates suspicion within the community about the council's intention for library financing. He also noted that until the decision on library financing is made, the council should not take any action which would preclude the use of any of its possible sources of funding. Mr. Holmer felt that in order to give the council direction on library sit- ing, the community needs to be aware of the possible financing packages being considered and said that the council should present the community with possi- ble financing packages for both design concepts. Mayor Miller remarked that if any new funding sources were being considered, a March election date would not be sufficient time to put together a funding package. He felt that the library financing issue should be raised after council presentations. Mr. Gleason informed the council of an initiative petition which was to be circulated within the community during the Eugene Celebration. The initia- tive, if passed, would require a vote by Eugene citizens prior to introducing traffic to Willamette Street. Mr. Gleason cautioned that it would be very e confusing to the voters if the Charter Amendment and library measure were presented on the ballot at the same time. Recognizing the potential for confusion, Mr. Holmer suggested that the coun- cil might want to consider moving the library election to May. B. Goal II--Financial Stability: Promote Long-Term Financial Stability 1. Development Services Financing Study Mr. Boles indicated that Councilor Rutan, who was particularly concerned with this issue, was not present at this meeting. He suggested that Mr. Rutan write down his concerns with respect to this item and present them to the council for possible discussion. Mr. Gleason said that this issue would be coming before the council at its September 24 work session. 2. Systems Development Charges Mr. Boles said that this document is still being revised and would not be ready for council discussion for some time. e MINUTES--Eugene City Council September 17, 1990 Page 2 Work Planning Session e 3. Financial Management Goals and Policies Darcy Marentette said that this item is scheduled to come before the council at its October 1 work session. C. Goal III--Downtown: Review the Downtown Plan and Strategy Referring to council's earlier discussion about the possible impact of Ballot Measure 4, Ms. Ehrman asked whether a positive vote on this measure would impact the City's ability to pay for downtown projects. Mr. Gleason said that it would not. 1. Reconfiguration of Downtown Finance Program Mr. Bennett indicated that this issue would be coming before the council soon. He noted that some discussion on this issue has centered around the possibility of modeling Eugene's parking program after Salem's by expanding the City's base of assessment. Mr. Bennett emphasized that Eugene's retail is substantially different from Salem's and felt that it would be a mistake to move in this direction. He also noted that members of Eugene's retail sector downtown strongly support the continuation of free parking in the central core. Mr. Boles suggested that perhaps the council should receive a status report e on this issue from the committee. He also suggested that the City give some consideration to making it easier for fuel-efficient cars to find parking downtown. Mr. Holmer said that Salem's plan for parking appears to make good sense for the economic needs for Eugene's downtown core. 2. Tiffany Building Responding to a question from Mr. Green, Mr. Gleason explained that the money being used to finance this project is being offered on a loan, similar to the Schaeffer's Building project. D. Goal IV--Economic Development: Build a Healthy and Diversified Economy 1. Airport Master Plan Responding to a concern raised by Ms. Ehrman, Mr. Gleason explained that the Airport Master Plan is funded 90 percent by FAA and 10 percent from the Airport fund. Annual FAA allocations to the Airport based on enplanements will not be adequate to pay for the runway extension; however, the City is hopeful that additional FAA funding for that project will be made available through the local congressional delegation. Local matching funds are avail- able from the Airport fund for the project. The Airport fund is anticipated e MINUTES--Eugene City Council September 17, 1990 Page 3 Work Planning Session e to pick up $50,000 of general obligation bond debt in FY92 based on current fund projections. Mr. Boles stated that the council must consider whether it is willing to continue the debt service in the General Fund. Ms. Ehrman said that Airport General Manager Mike Boggs should be made aware of the council's concern on this issue at the council's Monday work session. 2. Industrial Lands Replacement Study Mr. Holmer voiced concern with the amount of time that has been taken to reach a decision on this issue. He pointed out that a Metro Plan amendment requiring replacement industrial lands for those impacted by wetlands was passed three years ago. Mr. Holmer stated that those persons who own land that might be affected remain uncertain about the eventual decision outcome and are frustrated by the long delays in reaching a decision. Ms. Ehrman noted that the delays on this issue may be explained by the number of juris- dictions which have been working on this issue. Mr. Bennett said that he did not feel industrial lands replacement to be a priority council concern and noted that the inability to identify land of a marketable quality is another possible source of delay. Mr. Boles agreed that the industrial lands replacement process is proceeding as rapidly as possible. e 3. Economic Diversification Strategic Plan Ms. Ehrman asked the council whether it felt that it was necessary for the update of this plan to be on the council's "fast track." In response, Ms. Bascom reminded the council of its decision to disband the Council Committee on Economic Diversification. She explained that this item was on the commit- tee's work plan and said that an effort is being made to complete the plan update. E. Goal V--Social Goal: Promote Development and/or Availability of Low- to Moderate-Cost Housing 1. Innovative Industrialized Housing Initiative Mr. Boles expressed frustration with the amount of time that is being taken on this plan. He said that he strongly supports the partnership behind this project, but emphasized the need for results. Mr. Gleason emphasized that this proposal has tremendous opportunities asso- ciated with it, but also involves a lot of players and a lot of risk. Responding to a question from Mr. Holmer, Mr. Gleason said that the City has enough properly zoned land available for the manufacture of industrialized, energy-efficient housing. e MINUTES--Eugene City Council September 17, 1990 Page 4 Work Planning Session e 2. New Housing Finance Program Responding to Ms. Ehrman's request for clarification, Mr. Bennett explained that this program comes out of the Social Goals Committee and is an explor- atory project concerning the possibility of using a General Obligation reve- nue bond for housing projects. It is hoped that this means of financing might support a lower-than-conventional market interest rate for housing projects. Mr. Bennett noted that the Business License fee is the targeted revenue for this issue and said that the outcome of the County Commissioners' election may change the level of support on the board for a Business License tax. Ms. Ehrman asked the council to consider whether it wants to raise this issue before November. F. Goal VI--Citizen Relations: Improved Effectiveness of Citizen Relations and Public Information 1. Cable Access Ms. Bascom commented that there is an evolving interest within the community on increasing public access to cable television. Mr. Green agreed and asked about the City's progress in this area. In response, Mr. Gleason said that the City is continuing to work on improving public access to cable televi- sion, possibly through contracts with local cable stations. He also pointed - out the time commitment which is required to make a publicly-operated channel successful. G. Goal VII--Transportation: Develop Alternatives for the Metropolitan Core Mr. Boles said that he is discouraged with the lack of progress that has been made on the council's transportation goal this year and felt that it should receive more serious consideration next year. Mr. Bennett agreed with Mr. Boles and suggested that in order to meet these transportation goals in the future, the City should generate a specific set of strategies to support aggressive transportation policies. Mr. Miller reminded the council that it has a limited amount of time on which to work on its goals; the council needs to determine which goals are most important to the council as a whole and give those first priority. Mr. Holmer agreed. Mr. Gleason asked that the council keep a perspective on the time required to work on a complex issue of this nature and noted the number of jurisdictions which must work together on this issue. Mr. Gleason assured the council that City staff is committed to an aggressive transportation program, particularly one that supports and encourages alternative modes. e MINUTES--Eugene City Council September 17, 1990 Page 5 Work Planning Session e Mr. Boles asked for a report from staff outlining a set of policy recommenda- tions which might create community incentives for using alternative transpor- tation modes. As a part of this report, Mr. Boles also requested a brief discussion of the land-use implications of these new policies. (At 7:30 p.m., Mayor Miller left the meeting and Councilor Schue became the Chair.) H. Goal VIII--Annexations: Develop an Effective Annexation Program Mr. Boles asked for information on the City's responsibility for providing services to un annexed properties. Mr. Gleason said that unless there is a specific health hazard or the property in question is being used for commer- cial purposes, the City does not provide services to properties which have not been annexed to the City. 1. Annexation Program and Policy The council agreed that an update on this issue be delayed until at least January 1991. I. Goal IX--Intergovernmental Relations: Coordinate Efforts and Strengthen Relationships at the Local and State Levels Mr. Boles asked council members who sit on the Intergovernmental Relations e Committee to consider ways in which the City might be able to promote itself as part of a "united front" with other local jurisdictions. Ms. Schue re- marked that such a discussion took place at the last committee meeting. Ms. Schue discussed the Bonneville Power Lines Study and concerns regarding recent appointments made by the the Metropolitan Policy Committee (MPC) to a ten-member committee created to discuss prospective power line routes. Mr. Bennett concurred with Ms. Schue's assessment of the situation. Mr. Holmer felt that this issue should be brought to the attention of the public at one of the upcoming council meetings. Ms. Bascom voiced concern with the health and safety issues involved in the power lines issue. J. OTHER WORK PLAN ITEMS 1. Multi-Cultural Center Concept Mr. Green asked for support from council regarding the creation of a multi- cultural facility which would provide enhanced educational and recreational opportunities for persons within our community. e MINUTES--Eugene City Council September 17, 1990 Page 6 Work Planning Session e The council suggested that Mr. Green raise this issue at the council's annual goal's session and asked him to present the council with a memo prior to the meeting that provides additional background information. K. Miscellaneous 1. Human Rights Task Force Mr. Holmer noted that he had an opportunity to review the proposal for the revised Commission on Human Rights and voiced concern that the proposal excludes representation of those persons not affiliated with a particular minority group. He emphasized the importance of having broad representation on the commission. 2. Willamette National Forest Plan At Ms. Ehrman's suggestion, the council agreed that this issue would not require formal council review and that it would be sufficient to include information on this in the council's agenda packet. 3. Millrace Enhancement Feasibility Study Mr. Bennett reminded the council that part of this study includes the poten- tial for increasing water flow in the Millrace. He emphasized the potential impact this study could have on City planning and said that any action taken e with respect to this proposal should be done on a comprehensive basis. He also asked for additional information on the land-use implications which might be involved in this proposal. 4. Storm Drainage Mr. Gleason highlighted a recent memo to the council from City Engineer Les Lyle on this issue. He warned the council that this issue will have tremen- dous financial impacts within the next five years. 5. Council Attendance Mr. Boles requested that staff provide the council with a list of councilor absences, including excused absences, for all meetings since May. 6. Other Mr. Gleason pointed out that some concern has been raised within the council about the frequency of work planning sessions. He commented that past work planning sessions have been very beneficial to staff, but the council could choose to schedule these meetings less frequently. After discussion, the council agreed that staff should tentatively schedule five or six council work planning sessions annually as needed. e MINUTES--Eugene City Council September 17, 1990 Page 7 Work Planning Session e At 8:04 p.m., the meeting of the Eugene City Council adjourned. ~~ . Mic eal Gleason City Manager (Recorded by Traci Northman) mncc 091790-WPS e e MINUTES--Eugene City Council September 17, 1990 Page 8 Work Planning Session