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HomeMy WebLinkAbout10/14/1992 Meeting e M I NUT E S Eugene City Council McNutt Room--City Hall October 14, 1992 11:30 a.m. COUNCILORS PRESENT: Shawn Boles, Bobby Green, Ruth Bascom, Debra Ehrman, Randy MacDonald, Paul Nicholson, Kaye Robinette, Roger Rutan. The adjourned meeting of October 12, 1992, of the Eugene City Council was called to order by His Honor Mayor Jeff Miller. I. ITEMS FROM THE MAYOR. CITY COUNCIL. AND CITY MANAGER A. Recruitment for Budget Committee Mr. Robinette reminded the council that members of the Budget Committee with expiring terms needed to be replaced. e B. Radar Portable Reader Board Mr. Robinette noted that Albany has a radar portable reader board which has been placed in front of a school zone. It displays the speed of passing motorists. He wondered if it might be worthwhile for Eugene. Staff will foll ow-up. C. Spelling of Buses Mr. Robinette said he very much enjoyed the item in his council meeting packet with regard to the spelling of buses. D. Oregon Rail Passenger Policy & Plan Advisory Committee Draft ReDort and Recommendations Mr. Boles noted that one of the recommendations of the Oregon Rail Passenger Policy & Plan Advisory Committee Draft Report is an immediate addition to the rail service between Eugene and Seattle. He suggested that the council write to the committee showing its wholehearted support for the addition of that service. Mr. MacDonald added that he attended the joint hearing of the Senate and House Transportation Committees at which a presentation was made by the Transportation Department regarding the Oregon Transportation Plan, road finance, and other issues. He noted that the extension is described as a e MINUTES--City Council Work Session October 14, 1992 Page 1 5:30 p.m. e "conventional, but high speed rail," and it is anticipated within a 20-year time frame. There was consensus to forward a letter of support. E. City Manaqer's Performance Evaluation Mr. Boles said that he has a conflict with the meeting date for the City Manager's performance evaluation on November 4. F. Kathmandu Trio Mr. Boles said he is representing the City in Kathmandu later this week. G. Pot-Bell ied Piq Mr. Green thanked the council for its consideration during his absence of allowing one of his constituents to keep a pot-bellied pig within the city 1 imits. Mr. Robinette added that the problem is restraining the animal. Staff will pursue the issue. H. Willamette Hiqh School Wood Shop Project Mr. Green said that students enrolled in the wood shop course at Willamette High School have built neighborhood newsletter drop boxes, saving the City mailing costs. 1. Sale of City's Surolus Prooerty e Mr. MacDonald said someone who works for Centro Latinoamericano and Interfaith Family Shelter has expressed concern that notification of the sale of City surplus property was not provided prior to the sale. Mr. MacDonald was urged to have this person register the organizations with the Permit and Information Center. J. Committee Reoorts Mr. MacDonald wondered when committee reports would be heard. Mayor Miller noted that there are no agenda items for the council's meeting scheduled for October 21 so it has been canceled unless councilors are notified otherwise. Committee reports will be placed on the agenda in the near future. K. Fairqround Master Plan Ms. Ehrman reported on a neighborhood meeting where the Fairgrounds Master Plan was discussed. She flagged the three different transportation options discussed at the meeting as a major concern for the neighborhoods. l. Process Sessions Ms. Ehrman said that some of the problems the council has had recently may be due to the absence of process sessions. She encouraged continuing councilors e MINUTES--City Council Work Session October 14, 1992 Page 2 5:30 p.m. e to make time for those process sessions to develop good working relationships. M. Dedication of Richardson BridQe Project Ms. Bascom announced the dedication of the Richardson Bridge Low-Income Housing Project on October 23. N. Hult Center ParkinQ Traffic Pattern Ms. Bascom noted a problem in the Hult Center's parking traffic pattern and asked staff to analyze the problem. o. Ballot Measure 9 Ms. Bascom expressed concern that the public seems to be unaware of the council's position on Ballot Measure 9. She noted that the council formally opposed the measure in September 1991; on September 16, 1992, through the Intergovernmental Relations Committee; and again on September 30, 1992. P. Madison Middle School's Cultural Diversity Day Mr. Robinette commended Mr. Green on his participation in Madison Middle School's Cultural Diversity Day, saying students made complimentary remarks about his presentation all day. Q. County land-Use Public HearinQ e Mayor Miller said the County has asked for the council's input regarding land- use issues, at a joint public hearing on December 9, at 7 p.m. in Harris Hall. Representatives from both cities and the county must be present. Ms. Ehrman added that the group should take action that evening. City Attorney Glen Klein confirmed that the decision must be made by those participating in the hearing. Mayor Miller asked that information on the hearing be disseminated prior to the hearing date. At Mayor Miller's request, Jan Childs, Planning Division Manager, said that of the two issues to be heard that evening, one is a Metro Plan amendment that came to the joint elected officials when the council was hearing the Industri- al Land Study for the Moorehead property. She said one of the reasons for wanting to dispense with the issue is the concern expressed by joint officials about the delay. Ms. Childs added that the council will be receiving from the Planning Commission the unanimous recommendation for the Metro Plan amendment. She said the issues are relatively straightforward and the council should be able to take action that evening. The other issue to be heard that evening has to do amendments to the Metro Plan amendment process. Ms. Childs said that item could be postponed until after the first of the year if all parties agree. The council asked that the item on the amendment process be postponed. Ms. Childs will make that recommendation. e MINUTES--City Council Work Session October 14, 1992 Page 3 5:30 p.m. e R. RestructurinQ of City Boards and Commissions Referring to a memorandum addressed to the council from the council officers with regard to the Tree Commission, Ms. Ehrman said she preferred to have the council review all boards and commissions before asking this commission or any other board or commission to give input. There was agreement from other councilors. The topic will be discussed further at a later date. S. SDrinQfield's Air Ambulance ProDosal Mayor Miller expressed concerned at Springfield's proposal to add air ambu- lance service to its existing FireMed program. He questioned the cost- effectiveness of such a service. Councilors shared the Mayor's concern and directed staff to invite Springfield to make a report. City Manager Gleason explained that user fees will not support the program, leaving the options of billing insurance companies and/or having the FireMed program subsidize the service. He said this would increase FireMed service costs by 30 percent. II. NEDCO FUNDING REQUEST Lew Bowers, Planning and Development Division Manager, reviewed the packet material regarding a request from the Neighborhood Economic Development Corporation (NEDCO) for $9,981 to cover costs associated with moving three houses and constructing four other units in the Maple/Coraly subdivision; and other services related to the moving and construction. Mr. Bowers noted that e the material highlights inconsistencies in City practice around building and permit fees. He described the following as policy issues involved in this matter: the council's historical support for affordable housing; and no funding source specifically attached to subsidizing the fees, while instruct- ing special funds to move toward full fee recovery. Mr. Bowers said the council may want to instruct the City Manager to recommend a more objective policy on how to deal with these types of requests on an ongoing basis. Given the relative success of the City's affordable housing program, the council can expect to see more of these requests, with larger amounts attached to them. Mr. Boles moved, seconded by Mr. Green, to direct the City Manager to negotiate a contract for services with the Neighborhood Econom- ic Development Corporation in the amount of $9,981 with regard to City costs associated with moving three houses and constructing four other units in the Maple/Coraly subdivision; and other services related to the moving and construction. Roll call vote. Responding to a question from Mr. Rutan, Mr. Bowers explained that the $4,992 absorbed by the Planning Department was for building and permit fees attached to the same projects, specifically for houses inspected prior to the move. Mr. Rutan recalled that council policy has been not to forgive costs such as these, and to specifically recognize the costs. Responding to a question from Mr. Robinette, Mr. Gleason said this amount e MINUTES--City Council Work Session October 14, 1992 Page 4 5:30 p.m. ---- . cannot corne out of the money appropriated for low-income housing because those funds have already been earmarked for subsidizing aspects of this and other affordable housing projects. Mr. Rutan wondered if these are the types of projects the council would support with low-income funding. Ms. Bascom said the project was consistent with the council's goal, and it had been reviewed by the Housing Policy Board. Responding to a question from Ms. Ehrman, Ms. Bascom said a report on the Housing Policy Board budget will be made, specifically how the fund has been spent and what the balance is. Responding to a question from Mr. Green, Mr. Bowers said that if the City denies the request, he assumed that rents would be increased to cover the costs--defeating the low-income nature of the project. Mr. MacDonald expressed support for the motion, saying that the project is consistent with City Council goals. He asked that the information forthcoming from the Housing Policy Board include implicit costs absorbed by the three jurisdictions. Mr. MacDonald said he is concerned that if the request is not approved, the project itself will be at risk because losing its low-income status would result in loss of other considerations by the State and Federal governments. He also expressed concern that NEDCO's viability is jeopardized if it has to cover expenses incurred out of its reserves. The motion passed unanimously, 8:0. e Mayor Miller summarized the discussion, saying that it is the consensus of the council that staff develop a policy report on the issue before any more requests are made. Mr. MacDonald suggested the issue be folded into the upcoming budget discus- sion. III. ORDINANCE ADOPTING THE URBAN FOREST MANAGEMENT PLAN Bob Hammitt, Public Works Maintenance Director, recalled that during its previous review of the Urban Forest Management Plan, the council has asked staff to respond to several questions. He noted that memorandums in the meeting packet dated September 23 and October 14, 1992, address those ques- tions. He said staff recommends the modified ordinance language in the October 14 memo. Mr. Hammitt said that the packet also included a letter from the Fire Division addressing the council's fire concerns, and also letters from the Chamber of Commerce and the Home Builders Association supporting staff's recommendation. Mayor Miller polled councilors with regard to staff's recommendation. Mr. Boles, Mr. Nicholson, Ms. Ehrman, and Mr. MacDonald did not support e MINUTES--City Council Work Session October 14, 1992 Page 5 5:30 p.m. e staff's recommendation. Mr. Nicholson expressed concern that there is no distinction made between individual, small-scale development and very large residential development. Ms. Ehrman expressed disappointment that the original problem, the cutting of trees in the south hills, was not resolved. She favored using the word "encourage" for Policy 12 of the plan, but "re- quire" for Policy 17, dealing with heritage trees. Mr. MacDonald agreed with her position on both policies. He thanked staff for adding language related to urban fire issues. Mr. Robinette, Ms. Bascom, Mr. Rutan, and Mr. Green favored staff recommenda- tion. Mr. Robinette noted the recommendation has no cost impact on the fire issue. Mr. Rutan described staff's recommendation as workable, practical, and reasonable. CB 4418--An ordinance adopting the City of Eugene Urban Forest Management Plan as a refinement of the Eugene-Springfield Metropolitan Area General Plan for that portion of the metropolitan area within the city limits of Eugene; and adopting a severability clause. 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. Roll call vote. The motion passed unanimously, 8:0. Mr. Boles moved, seconded by Mr. Green, that the bill be approved e and given final passage. Roll call vote. The motion passed; 5:4, Ms. Ehrman, Mr. Boles, Mr. MacDonald, and Mr. Nicholson voting nay, and Mayor Miller favoring the motion. IV. DOWNTOWN CAPITAL PROJECTS Jan Bohman, Planning and Development Department, said that the item has to do with two projects in the downtown urban renewal area which the council reviewed as part of the Downtown Commission's work program and the urban renewal capital improvement budget. She said the projects are more developed and ready for the council's approval. Ms. Bohman said refinements in the scope and final design concepts would be brought before the council for final approval. She described the three projects which make improvements to East Broadway Avenue, between Oak and Pearl streets. The first project calls for installation of five 6-light fixtures, a phone stand, and landscaping with irrigation for the median strip. Maintenance of the planting would be done by Downtown Eugene, Inc. (DEI). The second project involves building public rest rooms in the area. The third project has to do with developing a maintenance plan for the downtown rest rooms. Ms. Bohman said that the Downtown Commis- sion is recommending that rest room maintenance be turned over to DEI, and in doing so, to take over the administration of the mall vending permitting program. e MINUTES--City Council Work Session October 14, 1992 Page 6 5:30 p.m. e Mr. MacDonald felt that the rest room project stood alone, when it should be congruent to other broader planning issues. He also discouraged the council from micromanaging. Mr. Boles wondered if the forthcoming motion with regard to privatizing rest room maintenance and administration of mall permits should delete mention of a specific organization, such as the DEI. City Manager Mike Gleason agreed that specific names should be left out. City Attorney Glen Klein added that bidding procedures prohibit the council from interfering either as individuals or as a group with the process of choosing the contract parties. Mr. Boles agreed with Mr. MacDonald on the issue of micromanaging. He said that the council can afford to capitalize or authorize the capitalization of infrastructure but it cannot afford to maintain it. Mr. Boles described this an opportunity to do just that. Mr. Robinette expressed concern that maintenance of the rest rooms may fall back on the City. He felt security is an issue with public rest rooms, and said the problem would be alleviated if the rest rooms were privately owned. Mr. Green noted that the public rest rooms previously situated downtown were removed, and wondered if the downtown merchants really wanted them back. Mr. Nicholson thought that if the council felt the commission should exist, its projects should be funded. He questioned the need for rest rooms down- town. e Ms. Ehrman recalled that the rest rooms were removed with the remodeling of Broadway, not because they caused a problem. She said the council promised that the rest rooms would be replaced. Ms. Ehrman worked downtown at that time and never experienced any problems using them. The issue, she said, is economic, and she could not support any of the projects at this time. Ms. Ehrman described the library as a higher priority. Ms. Bascom favored the first project but did not support the others. She said that rest rooms may be included in the new Lane Transit District Transit Station. Mr. Boles favored all three projects, saying that recommendations of commis- sions appointed by the council should be honored. Mr. MacDonald said that supporting commission work plans was not preapproving its budget. He expressed support for the first project, but felt the others should be postponed until they could be considered in the larger context. Mr. Rutan expressed support for all three projects and suggested the commis- sion consider semi-permanent rest rooms until they can be incorporated in a broader plan. Ms. Bohman noted that the portable rest rooms located near Luckey's are e MINUTES--City Council Work Session October 14, 1992 Page 7 5:30 p.m. e considered by the County Sanitarian as a temporary solution. She added that the Downtown Commission plans to site the rest rooms in such a way that they can be incorporated in a future plaza redesign. Mr. Boles moved, seconded by Mr. Green, to direct the Downtown Commission and staff to proceed with the implementation of the East Broadway Improvement Project as proposed, with an estimated budget of $86,500 in downtown urban renewal funds. Roll call vote. The motion passed; 5:3, Ms. Ehrman, Mr. Green, and Mr. Nicholson opposed. With regard to the other two projects, Mr. Boles suggested the Downtown Commission and staff bring a proposal before the council that addresses the commitment to provide public rest rooms downtown, but ensures that their management and maintenance resides in private hands. Councilors Nicholson and Rutan will communicate the council's position to the commission. The meeting adjourned at 1:35 p.m. (Recorded by Yolanda Paule) e ccl13014.102 e MINUTES--City Council Work Session October 14, 1992 Page 8 5:30 p.m.