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HomeMy WebLinkAbout07/25/1977 Meeting ) / " . M I NUT E S EUGENE CITY COUNCIL July 25, 1977 The adjourned meeting from July 20, 1977, of the City Council of the City of Eugene, Oregon, was called to order by Council President Eric Haws at 7:30 p.m. on July 25, 1977, in the Council Chambers with the following Council members present: D. W. Hamel, Ray Bradley, Jack Delay, Scott Lieuallen, Tom Williams, and Betty Smith. Mayor Gus Keller and Councilor Brian Obie were absent. I-A-l President Haws welcomed the International Youth Association of Japan dele- gation. He recognized the advisors, Mr. Ryu Shinoya and Mr. Toshiki Kawamura. Mr. Kawamura expressed thanks for the warmhearted reception, noting this was the fourth visit of the group to the United States and Eugene. Most of the young people participating in the program had shown a great interest in visiting Eugene because of the fine hospitality. Hi s association was in the process of being recognized by the Japanese Ministry of Culture and Education, and he noted perhaps a similar program might be of interest to young people in America for visits to Japan in the future. He said a suggestion had been made to seek a suitable sister city in Japan e for Eugene, and he promised to pursue that. Mr. Haws then asked the ~roup to stand for recognition. He thanked the host families and the Mayor s International Cooperation Committee for the reception. I. Public Hearings I-A-2 A. Staff Analysis of IIGut Committeell Report. Assistant Manager said the June staff report was in response to the proposals from the Task Force looking at the Willamette Street IIgutll phenomenon. He said the recommendations had come from the Task Force to the City Council in March and staff had been looking at what might be accomplished in regard to the suggested 14 items to address the problem. He said staff's recommendations on the proposals had been submitted to Council in June and this public hearing was to take any additional testimony regarding the staff report. The staff report had attempted to reconcile the various problems which were occurring as a result of the gut dragging on South Willamette Street. Assistant Manager noted in a recent report from the Police Department comparing the current problem, to two years ago, the problem had been significantly reduced and there was more positive lawful conduct on the part of the young people in the dragging area. However, it continu~ to be an area of concern. The Police Department had reported a number of behavioral problems and the need for police patrol during the weekend evenings in the South Willamette Street area. Assistant Manager said staff was recommending four of the task force e recommendations as steps toward solution of the problem: 1) the gut be maintained on Willamette Street and confined to an area between 7/25/77--1 58/ .! 24th Place and 29th Avenue; 2) temporary barricades be set up to . keep traffic on Willamette Street, with permanent ones installed . later; 3) media exposure and educational programs to help gut users understand the problems in this type of activity and the applicable laws, with improvement of existing ordinances; and 4) increased street lighting in the area. He noted staff could not recommend a major investment of money in public restroom facilities or garbage receptacles, as there was a high cost in the on-going maintenance of such. Public hearing was opened. Jeff Budd, 550 River Road, a representative of Looking Glass outreach program, suggested an alternative to help alleviate the problem would be the hiring of a youth worker to be on the streets during the weekends with the young people, and to work within the community to meet the young people's needs. He felt such a worker could be effective in getting to know the young people and to help them deal with their problems at their own level. Jon Silvermoon, 47 1/2 West 25th, said he had been working with the Task Force for 16 months. The group had felt the original solution from Public Works was not adequate in putting in temporary or half- barricades. The group felt that addressing only the traffic problem was not a comprehensive solution to the major problem. He noted it was felt full barricades were needed. He felt the staff recommendation e against restroom facilities and garbage receptacles was very discon- certing, noting it would not involve a great amount of money to provide such facilities. He said if the City could provide enough money for storm sewers for a large annexation area such as Cone/Breeden, then certainly spending only $1,100 for garbage receptacles would be possible. He said the young people litter and urinate on private property in the area because there are no facilities available. He felt the City should have a strong commitment to solving these basic problems. Specifically, he noted the Task Force had been concerned about the noise resulting from the dragging of the gut, saying the staff analysis had included the Police Department's willingness to . work with the City Attorney in regard to noise ordinances. He also cited the instance of IIfast foodll operations in that area which encouraged the young people to get out of their cars. He fel t the City should have some commitment to sponsoring activities which would encourage people to get out of their cars, such as a youth center or dances. He also felt the City should consider some type of planning procedure not to allow so many fast food operations in that area. He concluded by saying there was more than just a traffic problem involved and felt the staff was addressing only the traffic problem. He felt staff and Council should look at the basic problemsand find solutions for those. Otto Becker, 36 West 30th, noted his age and the health of both himself and his wife. He had been promised something would be done about the noise on the weekends in his area. He fel tit e 7/25/77--2 5&1 t e was hazardous to not only his family's health, but also his neighbors' health. He had talked to police officers and found the average fine for noise and other violations was between $5 and $15. He said this amounted to nothing more than a sporting event for those young people dragging the gut. He was not against the young people having a good time, but said it should not be at the expense of the health, welfare, and livability of the residents in the area. He referred to a noise ordinance passed in September 1971 and cited various specifications of that ordinance. He also cited DEQ specifications for noise decibel levels. He felt this type of measurement would greatly reduce the noise if it were enforced by the City. He also said Portland Street and 30th do not connect and therefore should have some protection from the gut activity. Cordelia Ruddy, 3614 Agate, spoke as chairman of the South Town Merchants' Association. She said the group was torn between wanting to eliminate the gut activity 100 percent and wanting to go along with the proposed staff recommendations. She said the group was against permanent barriers turning off of Willamette Street, noting their business area had already lost on-street parking and was bothered by vandalism, trash, and litter. They were very much opposed to permanent barricades. She said the gut dragging hurt the business community in that area as no adults would go into the area on weekend nights. She said those in the Association who agreed with staff recommendations did so with reservations, and e felt the area should be strongly policed. Jim Johnston, 179 West 37th, Co-Chairman of the Crest Drive Neighbors Association, said they were not in the midst of the most serious problems, but did have problems with the spinoff activities. He cited litter and urinating in the yards. He stressed the need for litter cans and restroom facilities. He noted the proposed staff recommendation for the loop system would help considerably. He also spoke about the permanent barricades being proposed, and said he felt it would create a hardship for the South Town shopping area. Public hearing was closed, there being no further testimony presented. Ms. Smith questioned Mr. Budd as to whether funding was available at this time for a staff outreach worker. Mr. Budd replied the funding had been lost but would be available again in October. She then asked if staff had talked with Mr. Becker and asked for clarification of the terms of the noise ordinance and whether it was being enforced. Assistant Manager replied it was one of the most enforced ordinances on weekends. He said there were two appli- cations, noting the unreasonable and raucous noise and equipment noise. He said 20 percent of the citations issued were based on the noise ordinance. He noted staff had been working with Mr. Becker over the past number of years regarding the noise problem. Also, staff had been looking at more sophisticated noise enforcement e equipment. He said a decibel-based noise enforcement could not be effectively enforced until more sophisticated equipment was obtained. He also noted staff had been looking at a major vehicle inspection program, but found it to be very costly. 7/25/77--3 5~ . Ms. Smith then asked if the proposal to keep traffic between 24th - Place and 29th Avenue would result in keeping traffic out of the residential area. Assistant Manager replied staff was recommending a series of experiments to accomplish that purpose which could be done administratively until a definite proposal could be brought back for City Council's approval. Mr. Lieuallen asked if providing restroom facilities and garbage receptacles would create more of a problem than it would solve. Ed Smith, Parks and Recreation Department, replied yes. He said there was no assurance they would be used if they were supplied. One of the major maintenance problems was vandalism of such facili- ties. Mr. Lieuallen wondered if there were a lot of violations, with money collected for those violations, could that money be be diverted for solutions for the gut problem. Assistant Manager replied that would be a major undertaking. He noted revenues for the violations were just beginning to offset the expenses of enforcement, saying six policemen were working both nights in that area. If revenues were set aside for that program, legal counsel would have to answer whether those revenues could be used, and then some solution would have to be found at for offsetting that loss of revenue. Mr. Lieuallen asked Mr. Silvenmoon if the Task Force which had worked on solutions to this problem had addressed the problem of restroom e facil i ti es. Mr. Silvermoon replied the group felt if those facilities were provided, stricter enforcement could be accomplished with regard to violations in other areas. He said vandalism or the fact they might not be used did not seem to be major reasons for not supplying those facilities. However, the neighborhood group had nothing specific to provide for the solution of this problem. He felt facilities could be designed for minimum vandalism. Mr. Bradley noted restroom facilities at 24th and Pearl, Amazon Community Center, and Francis Willard School. He questioned staff if any thought had been glven to using these as public restroom facilities on the weekends. Mr. Smith said the restroom facility at 24th and Pearl was City-owned and was open. He said the Amazon Community Center was open as long as the building was open. However, the problem existing with the Amazon Community Center and Francis Willard was that neither had exterior access, that if the restroom facilities were av~i1able, those people would have interior access to the buildings which created more problems. Mr. Bradley wondered if the facility at 24th and Pearl were advertised whether it would be used. Mr. Smith said there was good access and a parking lot in the area. but,'it would be necessary to get the young people to that place. Mr. Bradley said the figure of $1,100 for providing trash receptacles was less than $100 a month and felt this was a reasonable sum to experiment to see if those trash receptacles would be used. He was thinking in terms of heavy commercial types that would be large enough e to reduce any vandalism. He suggested the location be near the rest- room facilities at 24th and Pearl. Assistant Manager replied both 7/25/77--4 5&lf - - -- . Public Works and Parks Department had been involved in trash pickup. He said the $1,100 estimate did not include the cost of cleanup, repair, and vandalism. Mr. Smith said there was trash pickup now available at 24th and Pearl. He said perhaps it might be a matter of experimenting to see what the young people would use. However, he noted that most of the young people would not get out of their cars to use such trash receptacles. He felt if receptacles were provided, it would be better to have several at different locations. Don Allen, Public Works, said his department had been responsible for trash pickup in the central business district. However, this was more pedestrian-oriented, and expressed concern regarding the use of trash receptacles by persons in moving cars. He said perhaps providing an off-street site might help the solution. Mr. Delay concurred with Mr. Bradley regarding restroom facilities and trash receptacles. He felt some experimentation would be in order and noted the basic question was whether or not there would be the cooperation with those who drive in the gut area. Al so, he wondered if there was cooperation from the businesses in that area to allow use of their restroom facilities. Mr. Hamel moved, seconded by Mr. Delay, to accept the staff report, with assurance to the people involved that staff would continue working on the problem. e Mr. Lieuallen asked for an explanation of the motion. Mr. Hamel said he was requesting continuous input from staff and people in- volved. He felt Council was not going to solve the problem at this meeting and was requesting further work from staff to explore other possible solutions in addition to the ones recommended. Mr. Bradley felt implicit in the motion should be that staff include experimenting in other areas of concern, especially increased light- ing levels in the areas of high traffic or problem areas, investi- gate the feasibility of providing trash receptacles and public restrooms in the area, and the possibility of using a youth outreach worker. He felt staff should come back with a much stronger commit- ment on these items of concern. Assistant Manager concurred that the problem would not be solved at this meeting, that it would be a continuous problem and would re- quire continuous staff assessment. He said staff would try various experiments and attempt to increase rapport between the Police Depart- ment and citizens in the area. He noted the use of an outreach worker may be of further assistance. As for the restroom facilities, he felt that would be a hard problem to address; and staff would explore providing trash receptacles. He said staff recommendations to Council were positive actions that could be taken now, and staff would explore the other recommendations. He assured Council the matter would come before it again, probably by March, 1978. Regarding the noise ordanance, Mr. Delay asked Stan Long, City Attorney, e what the legal/technical aspects of the problem were. Mr. Long replied it was a mixed problem, saying the City had the power to address the ordinance but the problems remained as to whether it would 7125/77--5 . 585 be practical, enforceable, and whether it would work. He said the . ordinance could be drafted to allow stricter regulations on noise, but difficulty would be with enforcement. Mr. Delay then asked if a more rigorous code were drafted, would it detract from the existing code even if there were not the enforcement technology at hand. Mr. Long replied there were some technical problems, that if the ordinance were written in decibel levels and an officer did not have such measuring equipment, enforcement of the ordinance would be impossible. Assi stant Manager noted to Council the new noise enforcement program had had a high priority in the Council goals. He noted frustration and high costs of the practical ity of enforcement. He said a great amount of information and material regarding technical devices for noise enforcement was available to Council. Vote was taken on the motion which carried unanimously. 1-B-1 B. Revenue Sharing of State Dollars Assistant Manager noted this public hearing was for consideration of City participation in the state revenue-sharing program passed by the State Legislature. The City Budget Committee had met June 19, 1977 and recommended the receipt of monies be used to offset the property tax levy. He said the preliminary estimate of receipt by the City was $585,000. Staff recommended Council appropriate e only $500,000 of that money to offset property tax levy, which would reduce the estimated tax rate from $8.48 to $8.10 per $1,000 evaluation. He said the $585,000 was an estimate, and it could vary, based on the number of cities choosing to participate in the revenue-sharing program, their varying property tax effort and per capita incomes. He continued the Budget Committee had not had the ability to deal .with this source of revenue when it prepared its report for the ballot measure for the August 9 election. Therefore, Council would have to take two courses of action this evening: 1) choosi ng to participate in the revenue-sharing program; and 2) directing staff . to prepare an ordinance to modify the 1977-78 budget by applying revenue sharing funds to offset the property tax levy.. Mr. Haws asked what would happen to the remaining funds if more were awarded than $500,000. Assistant Manager noted they would be unappropriated surplus funds and would be reported as part of the 1977-78 budget. Public hearing was held with no testimony presented. C.B. 1517--Electing to receive state revenue-sharing funds distributed to the Oregon Liquor Control account for fiscal year ending June 30, 1978 was read by number and title only, there being . no Council member present requesting it be read in full. 7/25/77--6 58b . . Mr. Hamel moved, seconded by Mr. Delay, that C.B. 1517 be read the second time by council bill number only, with unani- mous consent of the Council, and that enactment be considered at this time. Motion carried unanimously, and the bill was read the second time by council bill number only. Mr. Hamel moved, seconded by Mr. Delay, that the bill be approved and given final passage. Ro 11 ca 11 vote. All Council members present voting aye, the bill was declared passed and numbered 18031. Mr. Hamel moved, seconded by Mr. Delay, to direct staff to prepare an ordinance to modify the 1977-78 budget by applying revenue-sharing funds to offset the property tax levy. Mo t ion carried unanimously. 1-8-2 C. Concurrent Rezonings and Annexations 1. Located on east side of Gilham Road, north of Crescent Avenue, from County AGT to City R-1 (Kidder) (A/Z 77-4) Recommended by Planning Commission June 27, 1977 with a unanimous vote. Assistant Manager said the requested annexation was for 2.010 ac res. There was a single-family residence on the property, and the owners were seeking annexation in order to obtain City sewers, other City services, and the opportunity to subdivide. tit No ex p~rte contacts or conflicts of interest were declared by Council members. Planning Commission Staff Notes and Minutes of June 27, 1977 were received as part of the record by reference thereto. Public hearing was held with no testimony presented. Res. No. 2721--Forwarding to Boundary Commission recommendation for annexation of property located on east side of Gilham Road, north of Crescent Avenue, was read by number and titl e. Mr. Hamel moved, seconded by Mr. Delay, to adopt the resolution. Mr. Lieuallen questioned in the staff minutes a reference to the triple majority annexation and whether it was a question of City services being extended. Assistant Manager replied the Planning Commission was asking whether additional property owners could be added to this annexation. Staff replied the annexation was not a triple majority annexation, and other property owners were not asking to be included. It was a petition of a single-property owner and the question regarding triple majority was being asked as to whether other property owners needed to be included. Vote was taken on the motion which carried unanimously. e C.B. 1518--Rezoning from County AGT to City R-1 area located east side of Gilham Road, north of Crescent Avenue, was read by number and title only, there being no Council member present request- ing it be read in full. 58'7 7/25/77 --7 - ~ Mr. Hamel moved, seconded by Mr. Delay, that findings supporting . the rezoning as set out in Planning Commission staff notes and minutes of June 27, 1977 be adopted by reference thereto; that the bill be read the second time by council bill number only, with unanimous consent of the Council; and that enactment be considered at this time. Motion carried unanimously and the bill was read the second time by council bill number only. Mr. Hamel moved, seconded by Mr. Delay, that the bill be approved and given final passage. Roll call vote. All council members present voting aye, the bill was declared passed and numbered 18032. 1-8-3 2. Located south of Centennial Boulevard, west of Autzen Stadium, and north of Day Island Road, from County PR to City RA (Lane County) (AZ 77-5) ~ecommended unanimously by Planning Commission June 27, 1977. Manager said this request for annexation would be the site for the new planetarium and science museum, which required sewers to qual ify for thei r EDA grant. He no ted that Pl anni ng Commi ss i on had recommended the Lane County request for consideration of annexation of the remaining portion of Alton Baker Park. However, staff wanted authority to explore the economic impact of that annexation before the decision was made by City Council. It was agreed the property should be inside the city limits, but time was e needed to assess the impact on tax dollars. Mr. Delay wondered if this would be taking action contrary to Planning Commission's recommendation and would require a joint Planning Commission and Council meeting. Assistant Manager said simply delaying the second half of the recommendation would not be contrary to Planning Commission's recommendation. In calling for ex parte contacts, Mr. William's noted he had been involved with the science museum but not in the specific question of its location. Legal counsel said it did not sound as though there were a confl i ct, but if there were, it had been disclosed. No ex parte contacts or conflicts of interest were decl ared. by other Council members. Pl anning Commi ss i on Staff Notes and Mi nutes of June 27, 1977 were received as part of the record by reference thereto. Public hearing was held with no testimony presented. Res. No. 2722--Forwarding to Boundary Commission recommendation for annexation of property located south of Centennial Boulevard, west of Autzen Stadium, and north of Day Island Road, was read by number and title only. Mr. Hamel moved, seconded by Mr. Delay, to adopt the resolution. . Roll call vote. Motion carried unanimously. 7/25/77 --8 588 - e C.B. 1519--Rezoning area located south of Centennial Boulevard, west of Autzen Stadium, and north of Day Island Road from County RP to City RA was read by number and title only, there being no council member present requesting it be read in full. Mr. Hamel moved, seconded by Mr. Delay, that findings supporting the rezoning as set out in Planning Commission Staff Notes and Minutes of June 27, 1977 be adopted by reference thereto; that the bill be read the second time by council bill number only, with unanimous consent of the Council; and that enactment be considered at this time. Motion carried unanimously and the bill was read the second time by council bill number only. Mr. Hamel moved, seconded by Mr. Delay, that the bill be approved and given final passage. Roll call vote. All Council members present voting aye, the bill was declared passed and numbered 18033. 1-8-4 D. Street Vacation: That portion of Jessen Street located between Dakota Street and Minnesota Street (Dixon-Parks) (SV 77-3) Unanimously recommended by Planning Commission May 9, 1977. Assistant Manager said this street vacation was being requested for right-of-way needed for a drainage ditch. Retention of a public utility right-of- way over the 30-foot area would be maintained by the City. e Public hearing was held with no testimony presented. C.B. 1520--Vacating that portion of Jessen Street located between Dakota Street and Minnesota Street was read by council bill number and title only, there being no council member present re- questing that it be read in full. Mr. Hamel moved, seconded by Mr. Delay, that C.B. 1520 be read the second time by council bill number, with unanimous consent of the Council, and that enactment be considered at this time. Motion carried unanimously, and the bill was read the second time by council bill number only. Mr. Hamel moved, seconded by Mr. Delay, that the bill be approved and given final passage. Roll call vote. All Council members present voting aye, the bill was declared passed and numbered 18034. 1-8-5 E. Liquor License Application: New outlet, Lok Yaun Restaurant (RMB) West 11th Shopping Center; Karen and Sik Koon Chan Assistant Manager reviewed the OLCC report, noting there were two objectors and 8 non-objectors in the area. Staff had no objections. Public hearing was held with no testimony presented. e Mr. Hamel moved, seconded by Mr. Delay, to approve and forward to OlCC. Motion carried unanimously. 7/25/77--9 58~ . I-B-6 F. Bid Contract Award--Parks & Recreation Department Bi~s opened July 25, 1977 (tabulation attached) e Assistant manager said the bid contract was for demolition and removal of old concrete and foundations in Monroe Park. Staff recommended awarding to low bidder, Stanton Payne. Public hearing was held with no testimony presented. Mr. Hamel moved, seconded by Mr. Delay, to award contract to the low bidder, Stanton Payne. Motion carried unanimously. II. Ordinances Held for Second Reading--None I II. Items Carried Over From July 20 Council Meeting--None IV. Ordinances for First Reading--None I-B-7 V. Resolutions Res. No. 2723--Authorizing payment of bills and claims for period July 11 through July 25, 1977 was read by number and title. Mr. Hamel moved, seconded by Mr. Delay, to adopt the resolution. Roll call, vote. Motion carried unanimously. ( I-B-8 VI. Acquisition of Park Land in Hawkins Lane Area ,_ Assistant Manager said the option for purchasing a property in the Highland Oaks Drive and Hawkins Lane area had been negotiated for 5.72 acres with an acquisition price of $120,000. Council was being asked to author- ize staff to exercise the option. Mr. Hamel moved, seconded by Mr. Delay, to authorize staff to exercise option for purchase of the property. Motion carried unanimously. I-B-9 V.I I. . Approval of Mi nutes Mr. Hamel moved, seconded by Mr. Delay, to approve Council mihutes July 11, 1977. Roll call vote. Motion carried unani- mously. I-B-l<\1I I I. Request from Telecomm Systems re: Police Radio Bids Assi stant Manager di stributed to Council staff I s response .to the in- quiry by Telecomm Systems on the police radio bids of July 21, 1977. Mr. Williams noted Mr. Smith had called and was interested in the City's response to his original letter. Mr. Smith had asked that discussion of the item be held to the following Wednesday. He said the major area of concern by Mr. Smith regarded the scramblers. Mr. Smi th felt very strongly there was a substantial waste to taxpayers and he would . like to discuss the matter with Council. Assistant Manager said Mr. Smith had not discussed any of his concerns with staff and he felt 7/25/77--10 5'10 i - e those discussions should be held at an administrative level prior to coming before Council. Mr. Williams said he was only conveying Mr. Smith's feelings; Mr. Hamel agreed City Council should hear Mr. Smith's con- cerns. Mr. Lieuallen said he hoped Mr. Smith would get together with staff to discuss his concerns. Mr. Delay felt Mr. Smith should defi- nitely talk to staff before City Council discussed the problem. Assistant Manager told Council he would contact Mr. Smith for an appointment to discuss his concerns with staff. If necessary, the item would be placed on the agenda August 3, 1977. Upon motion duly made, seconded, and carried, meeting was adjourned to July 27, 1977. ~~ A. Keith Martin Assistant City Manager AKM:DT:ml/CM23a9 e e 5't I 7/25/77--11 CITY OF EUGENE . - INTER-DEPARTMENTAL MEMORANDUM Dale July 25, 1977 e To: Charles Henry, City Manager From: Ed Smith, Director Parks & Recreation Subiec~ Award of the Monroe Park Demolition Contract per Plan and Specifications On Monday, July 25, 1977, the following bids were received by the Parks Design office: Doug Howell Enterprises Lump Sum $ 5,430.00 Stanton Payne Lump Sum $ 3,275.00 Staton Construction Lump Sum $ 4,250.00 Office Estimate $10,500.00 I recommend the Monroe Park demolition contract be awarded to the low bidder, Stanton W. Payne, for this Westside Community Development project. e e 5'\~ \1--