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HomeMy WebLinkAbout02/20/1991 Meeting e M I NUT E S Eugene City Council McNutt Room--City Hall February 20, 1991 11:30 a.m. COUNCILORS PRESENT: Roger Rutan, Shawn Boles, Ruth Bascom, Randy MacDonald, Kaye Robinette, Paul Nicholson, Debra Ehrman, Bobby Green. The adjourned meeting of February 13, 1991, of the Eugene City Council was called to order by His Honor Mayor Jeff Miller. e I. ITEMS FROM THE CITY COUNCIL, MAYOR, AND CITY MANAGER A. Metropolitan Policy Committee (MPC) Activities Ms. Ehrman reported on the activities of the MPC. She said that the MPC is still in the process of mediating citizen concerns associated with the Bonneville Power Administration (BPA) study. The process is going smoothly. She said that the mediating sessions have been videotaped and suggested that they be run on the public access cable channel in the future. Ms. Ehrman also noted that the MPC has been involved in the TCI franchise negotiations. An ordinance will be coming before the council soon. Regard- ing concerns that the public channel might be threatened, Ms. Ehrman said that the MPC will be writing a letter urging that the channel not be dropped from broadcast. Ms. Ehrman said that discussion of the fairgrounds master plan will be sched- uled for the April meeting. B. Shortening the Interval for Seat Rotation Mr. MacDonald requested that the council consider shortening the interval between council seat rotation from every six months to three months. The council agreed to this suggestion. C. State Legislation for Mass Transit Mr. MacDonald announced that he recently received a letter indicating that Oregon Senator Bob Packwood is cosponsoring legislation that would permit employers to provide up to $60 per month in mass transit passes tax-free to employees. Mr. MacDonald indicated that he strongly supports such legisla- e MINUTES--Eugene City Council February 20, 1991 Page 1 e tion and would be bringing this issue before the Intergovernmental Relations Committee. D. Commendation for Brant Williams Mr. MacDonald commended City Traffic Engineer Brant Williams for his superior work in resolving the bike path conflict near Lariat. E. Joint Parks Commission (JPC) Activities Ms. Bascom noted that at a recent JPC meeting, citizens of the East Skinner Butte Historic District have indicated an interest in working more closely with the Shelton-McMurphey House. e F. Tour of Low-Income Housing Sites Ms. Bascom reported that on February 27 the Social Goals Committee would be conducting a tour of City parcels which are being considered for affordable housing construction. She invited all councilors to attend. G. Federal Legislative Priorities Referring to a memo from Linda Lynch, Mr. Rutan said that it has been recom- mended that Eugene request that the airport be designated by the Federal Aviation Administration as a Category II landing system. He offered support for this suggestion and said that this would be added to the City's federal agenda, unless councilors object. With consensus, the council agreed that this should be added to the 1991 Federal priorities. At Mr. Boles suggestion, the council agreed that the council's transportation goal specifically focusing on alternate modes should be given emphasis with the legislative delegation. H. Downtown Design Mr. Rutan requested that the council reconsider making any final funding decision on housing bonds at the upcoming February 25 council meeting, voic- ing concern that this discussion should occur as a part of the overall stra- tegic financial planning discussions. In response, Ms. Bascom noted that it has already been agreed upon that rather than a funding decision, Monday's agenda would include a report on this item focusing broadly on housing activ- ities. I. Council Committee Assignments Mr. Boles asked staff to provide the council with a list of all council com- mittee assignments. e MINUTES--Eugene City Council February 20, 1991 Page 2 e J. Permits for Solicitation Mr. Boles said that he was recently contacted by a constituent who has asked that the City consider requiring permits for solicitation. He asked for additional information on this topic. K. Chambers Communication Mr. Boles noted that the council soon would be considering a Metro Plan amendment that would rezone land owned by Chambers Communication for use as additional parking. The Planning Commission recently voted 4:2 in support of the rezoning request. Noting the controversy that exists around this issue, he requested a written report providing a chronological history of the issue. Mr. Rutan also requested that the council receive the portion of the council minutes at which the council gave its initial direction to the City Manager on this issue. Ms. Ehrman encouraged the council to visit the site. Mr. Gleason advised the council that because this hearing is quasi-judicial, councilors are prohibited from ex parte contacts. e L. Headway on Beltline/Barger Mr. Green announced that he recently held discussions with Governor Barbara Roberts regarding moving the Beltline/Barger pedestrian overpass project ahead on the State transportation agenda. He said that Governor Roberts indicated clear support for a speed reduction on this section of the highway, but indicated that 1994 is still a realistic expectation for project con- struction. Mr. Green noted that the committee was encouraged by these dis- cussions and will continue efforts to expedite the overpass project. M. Visit By the Governor Mayor Miller announced that Governor Roberts has scheduled a get-acquainted visit in Eugene at 4 p.m. on February 26. He asked that all councilors who plan to attend inform Pam Berrian as soon as possible. N. Recognition of the Permit and Information Center (PIC) Mayor Miller congratulated Doug Eveleth and PIC staff on the plaque received from the Eugene-Springfield Chamber of Commerce in recognition of the cen- ter's tremendous improvement. He asked that Mr. Eveleth share this award with all members of the PIC staff. II. WORK SESSION: DOWNTOWN DESIGN PROJECT Jan Bohman, Planning and Development Department, reported on this issue. This work session will provide an opportunity for the council to become fa- e MINUTES--Eugene City Council February 20, 1991 Page 3 e e e miliar with the Downtown Design Committee's recommendations in preparation for a February 25 public hearing. Al Johnson, Downtown Design Committee Chair, outlined the downtown design principles. He said that in creating its recommendations, the committee attended to three key principles: 1) to maintain a strong pedestrian orien- tation; 2) to improve access; and 3) to provide design flexibility. Mr. Johnson noted that a summary of the final report is contained within the council's agenda packet. He provided the council with a map of the proposed design and outlined the major design changes to the central mall area. Mr. Johnson reviewed the key design elements: 1. Broadway between Willamette and Charnelton: The recommendation is to keep this street in its present pedestrian-only state. 2. Willamette Street: A convertible street which would be open to two-way vehicular traffic most of the time but could be closed for special events. Mr. Johnson said that the convertible street design represents an evolution in thinking about the mall concept. It allows the City to respond to changes in needs for downtown design. He emphasized that a convertible design would allow the street to be either one- or two-way in the future. Such flexibili- ty would not be gained if the street was made one-way now. An attempt has been made to maintain a pleasant pedestrian orientation on this street by limiting traffic flow. 3. Olive Street: To become a traffic access street but maintain pedestrian-orientation by narrowing the lanes at the entrances, broadening the sidewalks, and modifying sidewalk paving. 4. Plaza structure located at Broadway and Willamette: Would be redeveloped to provide expanded opportunity for use of this area as a public space. Southeast corner would have a weather-protect- ed structure for indoor/outdoor activities. 5. Linkage Park: Create a pedestrian-only space between the Equita- ble Building and the First Interstate Bank that would provide a linkage between the plaza and the Park Blocks. Ms. Bohman noted the public process for the project has included several opportunities for public involvement and comment. The Register-Guard has published illustrations of the recommended design with a response question- naire, the results of which are contained within the council's agenda packet. The Planning Commission and Downtown Commission held a joint public hearing on this issue on February 5. The Planning Commission unanimously recommended that the proposed design be approved and referred to the voters. However, three concerns were raised and the following recommendations made: 1) MINUTES--Eugene City Council February 20, 1991 Page 4 e Willamette Street would not be open to full-sized LTD buses, but that Olive Street would be open to bus access; 2) sponsor an art competition to estab- lish an artistic theme rather than placing columns or standards on East Broadway at the Willamette intersection; 3) voiced concern about the opening of East Broadway because of the impact on the design of the public plaza. Ms. Bohman reported that on February 12 the Downtown Commission also voted unanimously for design approval and recommendation to the voters. Concerns were raised about: 1) whether the proposed plaza structure would be the most effective use of the public space and whether it would be able to accommodate large gatherings; 2) designating privately owned property for public use as specified in the park linkage component; and 3) the impact of bus traffic on both Willamette and Olive streets. e Ms. Bohman said that the Downtown Design Committee, Downtown Commission, and Planning Commission have discussed and agreed on the need for project phas- ing. The council has been left to decide the specifics of such a phasing plan. Staff recommends project phasing and, contingent upon council direc- tion, would be able to return with more specific recommendations for a phas- ing plan around the May election. City Attorney Bill Gary discussed the process the council would need to fol- low. The council's goal is to present to the voters the question of whether the design concept should be implemented. He reminded the council that a citizen-initiated charter amendment is scheduled for the March ballot which would require a vote of the public to authorize the introduction of traffic to Willamette Street. The ordinance which the council will consider will repeal and replace the uncodified ordinance creating the pedestrian mall, amend Chapter 4 of the code, adopt the broad guidelines of conceptual design, and, upon approval, authorize design implementation. The ordinance has been crafted to be effective irrespective of the outcome of the charter amendment. Responding to a question from Mr. Boles, Mr. Gary clarified that the intent of the charter amendment is to prevent the City from authorizing traffic on Willamette Street and, in effect, preempting the charter amendment. He added that the ordinance would be faithful to this intent and, at the same time, would be consistent with the council's goal of authorizing the downtown de- sign concept without specifically authorizing traffic on the mall. In response to a question from Mr. Rutan, Mr. Johnson said that the committee felt that phased-in implementation of the plaza structure would be logical. In response to an inquiry from Mr. Boles, Mr. Johnson said that the committee attempted to address access issues for the physically impaired by including curb cuts in project design. Noting that traditionally the mall has been actively used by persons in wheelchairs, Mr. Boles stressed the importance of meeting with this population prior to the election to ensure that the pro- posed design meets their access needs. Mr. Boles requested that a scale model of the design be created for public viewing prior to the election. e MINUTES--Eugene City Council February 20, 1991 Page 5 4It Responding to a question from Ms. Ehrman, Mr. Johnson said that the property on which the linkage park is located is privately owned and is currently being used as a parking lot to serve the needs of the two surrounding build- ings. The committee has discussed the proposed design with the current prop- erty owner who has not indicated support for the conceptual design and has indicated no interest in selling the property to the City. Further negotia- tion would be necessary for property acquisition. Mr. MacDonald noted that the downtown redesign is only one of four components of a comprehensive Retail Task Force report. He highlighted the importance of the Tenant Mix Plan within this comprehensive downtown revitalization strategy. Responding to questions, Mr. Johnson noted that as it is presently designed, it would still be possible to route buses onto Willamette Street. Therefore, it would be an administrative decision whether or not to allow buses on this corridor. e Ms. Bascom pointed out that allowing bus traffic on Willamette Street would ruin the pedestrian ambience of the street. She expressed an interest in getting a proposed routing plan from the Lane Transit District (LTD). Mr. Boles pointed out that the Retail Task Force specifically rejected the concept of opening Willamette Street out of concern that bus traffic would not be compatible with the pedestrian nature of the street. Mr. Rutan congratulated the committee on the design process that generated such a top-quality design. He emphasized the importance of avoiding unneces- sary controversy among the community over very specific design components. The community should be presented with a redesign plan with broad parameters and be encouraged to vote on the overall concept. The more specific design decisions can then be made by the public contingent upon plan approval. When undertaking the public information campaign, Mr. Nicholson encouraged the City to present unbiased information that does not advocate the proposed redesign plan. Mayor Miller announced that agenda items V, VIII, and IX would be moved up. III. WORK SESSION: LANE TRANSIT DISTRICT (LTD) Christine Andersen, Public Works Transportation, reported that the purpose of this work session is to brief councilors on LTD transit site issues prior to the joint LTD board/City Council Meeting on March 4, 1991. Phyllis Loobey, LTD, reported on this issue. She noted that since the last discussions, the LTD board has made several decisions regarding station sit- ing. The board is strongly committed to the need for a new transit station in the downtown and feels that an off-street, three-quarter-block site would e MINUTES--Eugene City Council February 20, 1991 Page 6 e best serve the needs of the station. Among the locations discussed previous- ly, the Elections lot is the preferred location. However, if the Elections lot was chosen as the future transit location, additional parking would need to be constructed to replace parking that currently exists on this lot. The board does not feel that lTD should have to assume the responsibility for parking replacement nor does LTD have the capital necessary to fund it. Ms. Bascom commented that progress on station siting appears slow. Without having chosen a specific site for station relocation, the City is not pre- pared to approach the Federal government about possible funding assistance. In response, Ms. Loobey emphasized the importance of project timing. She explained that if the project does not get in this cycle for Federal funding, the local share of financial responsibility will increase from 25 percent to 40 percent. Ms. Bascom reiterated her concern that it would weaken the City's case to seek Federal funding assistance for this project prior to making a commitment on a site. Mr. Boles inquired about the possibility of using the payroll tax differen- tial to cover the Federal funds local match. Ms. Loobey responded that LTD currently needs all the capital generated for the payroll tax to cover cur- rent and projected operating expenses. e Mr. Boles asked whether LTD has had further discussion about enhanced bus routing to serve those areas which have indicated an interest, but are not currently served. In response, Ms. Loobey said that no barriers exist to serve these populations. Mr. Nicholson asked whether LTD has examined the possibility of modifying its type of system operation. In response, Ms. loobey said that the board has explored various types of transit system operations. For a community of Eugene's population and pattern of density, the current "hub and spoke" sys- tem is still the best choice. Mayor Miller commented that regardless of its location, any new facility would need to be architecturally compatible with the existing surroundings, including the mitigation of sound and visual impacts. Ms. Loobey assured the council that the new station would integrate well with its neighboring facil- ities. Ms. Ehrman noted that selection of a three-quarter-block site for a transit station would allow an additional quarter block for a mixed-use development. Mr. Boles suggested that the board consider the possibility of using the remaining quarter block for housing. Mr. Boles remarked that that the City is ready to embark on its strategic financial planning process and asked whether there is interest and support on the part of LTD for a more advanced mass transit system, such as a light-rail system, should the community want this. In response, Ms. Loobey said that thus far, the community has not indicated such an interest. e MINUTES--Eugene City Council February 20, 1991 Page 7 . .' . . ~ e e IV. ARTS FUNDING REQUEST REVIEW Mr. Rutan moved, seconded by Mr. Boles, to approve the request for $5,000 in City funds to support the 1991 Governor's Arts Awards scheduled for March 1, 1991, in the Soreng Theater of the Hult Center for the Performing Arts. Ms. Ehrman noted that the invitation she received for this ceremony had indi- cated the City's funding commitment. In the future, she requested that these requests come before the council earlier. Roll call vote; the motion carried unanimously, 8:0. (Councilor Ehrman left at 1:30 p.m.) V. APPROVAL OF INTERGOVERNMENTAL RELATIONS COMMITTEE MINUTES Mr. Rutan moved, seconded by Mr. Boles, to approve action taken by the Intergovernmental Relations Committee in its February 13, 1991, meeting as reflected in the minutes. Mr. Boles asked for clarification on some of the committee's positions. In response to questions, Mr. Rutan explained that because S866 (hazardous ma- terials management) contained state mandates, the committee chose to support SB183 and ask that some of the aspects of SB66 be amended into SB183. In response to another question from Mr. Boles, Mr. Rutan explained that SB363 (use of Oregon wood products in public facilities) also contains State mandates. While the committee highly supports this in theory, it felt that this type of legislation would not necessarily be cost effective for busi- nesses. Responding to a comment from Mr. MacDonald on the importance of HB2364 (no more habitual offender orders), Mr. Boles suggested that this bill be given greater priority. The council directed staff to get additional information on this bill. Mr. Boles suggested that SB241 (hazardous waste disposal) be given greater priority. Mr. Green suggested that the City monitor HB2286 (fines for children not wearing bike helmets) to see where the local responsibility might fall. Referring to page 17 of the minutes, Mr. MacDonald asked that discussion be added to the minutes to reflect that while he reluctantly agreed to oppose SB312 (seismic activity) because it was more extreme than the committee could support, he felt that legislation which is stronger than SB96 is still need- ed. MINUTES--Eugene City Council February 20, 1991 Page 8 - e e The council agreed that where necessary, the discussed changes should be reflected in the minutes. Roll call vote; the motion carried unanimously, 7:0. At 1:40 p.m., the meeting adjourned. Respectfully submitted, ~~/~r~ Micheal Gleason, City Manager {Recorded by Traci Northman} mncc 022091-1130 MINUTES--Eugene City Council February 20, 1991 Page 9