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HomeMy WebLinkAbout04/15/1992 Meeting e e e M I NUT E S Eugene City Council McNutt Room--Eugene City Hall April 15, 1992 11:30 a.m. COUNCILORS PRESENT: Shawn Boles, Bobby Green, Ruth Bascom, Debra Ehrman, Randy MacDonald, Paul Nicholson, Kaye Robinette, Roger Rutan. In the absence of Mayor Jeff Miller, the adjourned meeting of April 13, 1992, of the Eugene City Council was called to order by Council President Shawn Boles. I. ITEMS FROM THE CITY COUNCIL, MAYOR, AND CITY MANAGER A. Lane County Relief Nursery Ms. Ehrman said that the Relief Nursery's application for State funding requires special dispensation by the City. She noted that the Department of Public Safety has indicated there is no competition for the funds. Jean Phelps, Relief Nursery Director, explained that the grant is for $97,500 and requires pass-through approval from both the City and Lane County. Ms. Ehrman moved, seconded by Mr. Green, that approval be given for the application for funding from the State Department of Corrections by the Relief Nursery. The motion passed unanimously; 8:0. B. Fiesta Latina Request Ms. Ehrman indicated that the Fiesta latina organizing committee has requested waiver of fees for the rental of bleachers and the grandstand owned by the City. She inquired that, as an in-kind contribution, whether the request would be subject to the Contingency Fund process. The council decided to go through the funding request process rather than waive fees. Staff will submit an analysis of the funding request for action at the council's next meeting. C. Metropolitan Wastewater Management Commission Mr. Rutan announced that he was elected president of the Metropolitan Wastewater Management Commission (MWMC). He said the commission will present the rate-setting process to the council soon. The City is currently going MINUTES--Eugene City Council 11:30 a.m. April 15, 1992 Page 1 e e e through the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) audit. Mr. Rutan noted that, this year, the City is coming out of the construction phase of the plan. D. Noise Control Mr. MacDonald called attention to correspondence from an acoustical engineer, Arthur Knoxen, who recommends the use of wood lots as noise reduction barriers along roads. He asked that the suggestion be considered in general, and specifically with relation to the Willakenzie Plan. Mr. Boles said the suggestion also arose in conjunction with the Whiteaker community along the 1-5 corridor. E. Nature Preserve Designation Mr. MacDonald referred to an article in the Daily Emerald reporting official designation of a 20-acre parcel in Alton Baker Park as a nature sanctuary. He noted that, despite a joint agreement with the County with regard to Alton Baker Park, there was little involvement by the City in this activity. He asked that the City discuss better coordination of such events with the County. The matter was referred to the Intergovernmental Relations Committee (IGR). Ms. Bascom said it was also an appropriate topic for the Metropolitan Policy Board (MPC). F. Council Chamber lighting Mr. Boles asked that staff consider the possibility of replacing the current lights in the council chamber with warmer lighting. G. Drive Along Olive Street Mr. Boles distributed material called "Drive Along Olive Street," which was submitted by a constituent for the council's perusal. H. Permit and Information Center Complaints Mr. Green said he received two calls relating complaints about the activity of City surveyors in the field, and their relationship with property owners. Mr. Boles asked staff to respond to Mr. Green's concern. I. Earth Day City Manager Mike Gleason introduced Diane Bishop, Public Works Transportation, to talk about Earth Day. Ms. Bishop said lane Transit District (lTD) and the City have cooperated on an educational project to commemorate Earth Day on April 22. She distributed MINUTES--Eugene City Council 11:30 a.m. April 15, 1992 Page 2 e pledge cards with a cut-away portion suggesting ways in which individuals can make a difference. Mr. MacDonald asked that the materials be sent to the Survival Center at the University of Oregon. He announced that he and others are sponsoring a public information and interaction session on a proposal related to the southeast Amazon Channel restoration project on April 22 at the Hilyard Community Center. II. HOMELESS DOCUMENTARY PROJECT FUNDING REQUEST Ms. Ehrman said the funding request for the homeless documentary project has gone through the Contingency Fund process, and the project's coordinator, Maryann Frances, is present to answer questions. Ms. Bascom recommended that the video be shortened to 25 minutes, and that images reflecting the progress made by the City in finding solutions to the problem added. e Ms. Ehrman said mention of progress in the area can be added to the video's accompanying booklet. Ms. Ehrman moved, seconded by Mr. Green, to approve $1,940 in gap-financing to support a video project relating to housing and homelessness. The motion passed unanimously, 8:0. Ms. Ehrman left the meeting. Mayor Jeff Miller arrived at the meeting and the council decided to consider the 11th Avenue and Willamette Street Project (Item V) next. III. 11TH AVENUE AND WILLAMETTE STREET PROJECT e Bob Hibschman, Planning and Development Department, said that the Downtown Commission has made a recommendation as a result of the council's request with regard to the extent of public participation and the siting of the 11th Avenue and Willamette Street project. He displayed a map and pointed out the re-siting of the project at Broadway and Lincoln Street. He said the project cost would be reduced from $4.9 million to $4 million, and public participation would be reduced from $1.65 to $.72 million. The bulk of the savings comes from parking that would not have to be constructed to support the 75 housing units and commercial component of the project. He said the recommendation proposes that parking be located underneath Broadway, with the housing units above. Mr. Hibschman said the council is being asked to take a series of actions today that involve it both in its capacity as the Urban Renewal Agency and the council. He noted that approval of the re-siting would initiate an exclusive negotiation agreement with the developer for the site specifically, followed by negotiation on the particulars of public participation. MINUTES--Eugene City Council 11:30 a.m. April 15, 1992 Page 3 - Mr. Hibschman said that the Bond Inducement Resolution is a new requirement imposed by the Internal Revenue Service (IRS), which does not obligate the City. It is commonly used as a means for developers to maximize the amount of incurred costs they ultimately get from proceeds of a bond sale. After approval of the bond sale, a development agreement and actions required by the council to carry out the bond sale would be presented. Mr. Hibschman reviewed the time line, saying the developer would like to break ground by the end of this year for completion of the project by fall 1993. Responding to a question from Mr. Robinette, Mr. Hibschman said there are other parking options that minimize costs. He pointed out that parking could be located on an adjacent lot, or possibly in a future parking structure. He said the developer feels it is a marketing risk for the project if parking does not have a secure relationship to the project. Staff noted that the council could adopt the concept, approve the site, acknowledge the existing RFP and the bond resolution, but indicate that it wishes to negotiate on the parking. Mayor Miller adjourned the City Council meeting and convened the Urban Renewal Agency. Mr. Rutan expressed support for the project, saying the City's investment in parking can be discussed at another time. Several councilors also favored the project but expressed reservations with ~ regard to the proposed parking program. Mr. Boles initiated straw polls on the following project elements: the re-siting and dispensing with the RFP process. e Mr. Boles moved, seconded by Mr. Green, to approve the Downtown Commission recommendation to relocate the 11th Avenue and Willamette Street project to the quarter-block site at Broadway and lincoln Street without a formal request for proposals process and to financially participate in the project, where financially participate means leaving the City Manager free to negotiate the parking moneys for the Urban Renewal Agency in a fashion that best meets the needs of both the public and the developer. The motion passed unanimously, 7:0. Ms. Bascom left the meeting. Mayor Miller adjourned the meeting of the Urban Renewal Agency and reconvened the City Council. Res. No. 4314--A resolution of the City of Eugene, Oregon, taking official action toward the issuance of housing revenue bonds. MINUTES--Eugene City Council 11:30 a.m. April 15, 1992 Page 4 e e e Mr. Boles moved, seconded by Mr. Green, to adopt the resolution. The motion passed unanimously, 7:0. Mr. Boles was assured by Mr. Gleason that in approving the resolution the council was not taking any legal action on the issuance of the bond itself. This action makes any cost incurred by both the developer and the City eligible project costs. He described it as a legal step required by the IRS. IV. RECONSTRUCTION OF OLIVE STREET Alan Lowe, Planning and Development Department, said erroneous information entered into the public record at the hearing on April 13 needed clarification. William Eaton who testified at the hearing estimated the cost of the project at $1 million. Staff's estimate, as provided to the Downtown Commission and the council, is $700,000. Bill Mason had charged that the Downtown Commission had not been given information on Options A and C, which were discarded by the commission early in the process. In fact, that information provided the basis for the commission's decision to recommend Option B. Donna Taggert had charged that the commission was not instructed to allow for City buses, and said that the design does not adequately address alternate modes. Mr. Lowe noted that the design does, in fact, include a bicycle route, and engineering cost estimates for the street allow for reconstruction allowing large vehicle use including transit and large trucks. Ms. Ehrman returned to the meeting. Responding to concern expressed by some councilors, staff noted that there is no safety issue with these bike routes, which are favored by the Bicycle Committee, as well as many bike riders. Mr. Nicholson said that parked cars provide a much greater hazard to bicycle riders. CB 4368--An ordinance concerning the Eugene Pedestrian Mall; amending Sections 4.872 and 4.876 of the Eugene Code, 1971; and declaring an effective date. Mr. Boles moved, seconded by Mr. Green, 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. The motion passed unanimously, 7:0. Mr. Boles moved, seconded by Mr. Green, that the bill be approved and given final passage. The motion passed unanimously, 7:0 and became Ordinance 19841. Mr. Boles noted that the Central Area Transportation Study will make recommendations and comment on the subsidy of infrastructure for automobiles versus the subsidy of infrastructure for other modes of transportation. Staff said that Ms. Taggert also charged that the Broadway and Olive intersection is not useful to those in wheelchairs, people with canes and MINUTES--Eugene City Council 11 :30 a.m. April 15, 1992 Page 5 e crutches, the elderly, and parents with strollers. Staff noted the intersection includes four curb cuts at the corners of the intersection to accommodate all of those groups. She also charged that the design does not retain strong downtown park orientation. Staff noted that the design elements that were agreed to by the Downtown Commission included a strong downtown pedestrian orientation, with no indication that it contain a park orientation. Responding to the council's request for more information on wheelchair accessibility, staff called attention to a memorandum indicating staff has consulted the Human Rights Commission's Accessibility Committee. Mr. Boles recommended that staff develop a consistent policy for resolution to the problems affecting these populations by consulting with those communities. Mr. Boles moved, seconded by Mr. Green, to approve the conceptual design as submitted by the Downtown Commission, with the reservation with respect to an optimum resolution of the conflict between those visually impaired and those using wheelchairs. The motion passed unanimously, 7:0. While the design makes significant concessions to pedestrians, Mr. Nicholson said it is dubious whether it meets the criteria of being pedestrian- friendly. He said it is a minor arterial, which may be an adequate solution. He said he supported the motion with the understanding that the council ~ refrain from persuasion in its public information process. Mr. Boles said he had hoped for a higher quality design. He reiterated that the community has yet to realize that quality is the least expensive way of dOing things. V. WORK SESSION: 8TH AVENUE AND WILLAMETTE STREET AND LINCOLN SCHOOL DEVELOPMENTS UPDATE Mr. Boles distributed a memorandum from the general membership of the Jefferson Area and the Westside Neighborhood Quality Project, and asked staff to address the points made. A. 8th Avenue and Willamette Street Lee Bodenhamer, representing U.S. Bank said the company is prepared to move forward with the project as soon as a property appraisal is received and the value established. Staff noted that since the project was last discussed by the council, Office of the Controller of Currency (OCC) approval has been received and agreement has been reached on both the lease and limited partnership. U.S. Bank is prepared to sign a lease for e MINUTES--Eugene City Council 11:30 a.m. April 15, 1992 Page 6 e e e occupation of 40,000 feet and a limited partnership agreement that outlines an agreement with Lorig Associates and u.s. Bank. A rough time line has construction beginning in the summer, with occupancy by January 1994. Abe Farkas, Planning and Development Department, said that the removal of the Federal hurdle (OCC approval) and agreement between the parties are significant steps forward. Mr. Boles asked staff to explore the opportunity for conveyance of u.s. Bank property to an arts group for a Eugene Art Museum as part of the project. Ms. Ehrman asked that there be open discussion of the issue with the entire arts community. Mr. Rutan and the council thanked U.S. Bank representatives for the bank's investment in the community. B. Lincoln School Development Update Staff said the Lincoln School property was sold to the developer January 1992, as per the council's approval. The developer paid $25,000 and signed a note for the remaining $100,000, which is due September 1992. The City has the option to take back the property if construction is not started by September. Developer Harris Hoffman of Lorig Associates gave a progress report on the project, saying a building permit has been issued. He also said that Seafirst Bank made a loan commitment and agreed to become an equity partner. Seafirst, however, must secure oee approval before the project can move forward. Alternately, he said, the developer is in the process of applying for a Housing and Urban Development (HUD) loan, as well as pursuing tax credit participation. Mr. Hoffman assured the council that the developer remained committed to the project. Responding to a question from Ms. Ehrman, Mr. Hoffman said there have been no significant changes in the bUilding plans. Mr. Boles said the delays have also been very frustrating to the community because there are community projects "on hold" until the project is complete. He said the maintenance of the interior and exterior of the grounds is also of importance to the community. Mr. Hoffman assured the council it has addressed many maintenance problems since taking over the building, and will assign local responsibility. VI. EUGENE DECISIONS: PROCESS FOR COUNCIL WORK SESSIONS Tony Mounts, Administrative Services, reviewed packet information, saying information on revenues and enhancements will be distributed in council's Friday packet. He said new council score sheets are forthcoming to include numbers for revenues and enhancements and a revised strategy for Building and MINUTES--Eugene City Council 11:30 a.m. April 15, 1992 Page 7 e e e Plan Checking will also be distributed in Friday's packet. Mr. Mounts said score sheets should be turned in by 9 a.m. on April 20 to allow enough time for staff to prepare for the evening's meeting. Mr. Mounts explained that the score will give the first cut on the council's reaction to the components and its interest in including them in the strategies. He said staff will organize the strategy components for discussion in descending order, in terms of dollar magnitude. Mr. Boles noted that the process is designed in such a way that the council can close on major components quickly. After a brief discussion about the vote ratio, the council decided that six out of nine members of the council must agree to include/exclude without discussion, and five of nine must agree to move the idea from the discussion pool to a strategy. Mr. Mounts received affirmation that the council would adopt a normal voting pattern after the June public sessions. Mr. Mounts said that the strategy components for service changes and reductions add up to $3.5 million on the $8 million problem. Mr. MacDonald praised the work of staff and all members of the Eugene Decisions Committee. Mr. Boles reminded councilors that meetings are set for Monday, two on Wednesday, and Thursday next week. The council meeting adjourned at 1:50 p.m. 7~- Micheal Gleason City Manager (Recorded by Yolanda Paule) MNCC 041592-1130 MINUTES--Eugene City Council 11 :30 a.m. April 15, 1992 Page 8