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HomeMy WebLinkAbout05/09/1979 Meeting - e - M I NUT E S EUGENE CITY COUNCIL May 9, 1979 Adjourned meeting from May 2, 1979, of the City Council of the City of Eugene, Oregon, was called to order by His Honor Mayor Gus Keller at 11:50 a.m., Council Chambers, with the following Councilors present: Jack Delay, Eric Haws, Scott Lieuallen, D. W. Hamel, Gretchen Miller, and Emily Schue. Councilors Betty Smith and Brian Obie were absent. I. Items from Mayor and Council A. Consideration of SB 915 Emission Offset Legislation Mr. Delay noted that he had brought his concern about SB 915 to the Council previously. Thursday, May 10, 1979, the Legislature would like Council comments on this bill. Mr. Delay introduced Terry Smith to speak to the bill. Mr. Smith said there are a number of serious problems with the language of the bill as it now is written. The problems will have serious effects on the entire state for the long run and for planning abilities in this area. He said one problem is that most sources today are operating at below permitted levels. As soon as these procedures are enacted, a lot of paper offsets will be created. The people are hoping these emissions will never occur in the air shed but, if ownership of these emissions is established and sold to companies coming into the area, the air quality will decline. Another problem is the question of who owns the air shed. The original statement on the bill says that the air shed shall remain in the public domain but there are enough loopholes that this might be circumvented. The last problem is the lack of discussion of the relationship between traditional sources of emissions (power plants) and nontraditional sources (roads, field burning, and slash burning). If increased field burning legislation passes, this bill will become null and void. The field burning will absorb the total allowable emissions and industry will not be able to operate in order to offset field burning. Because of these serious consequences, Mr. Smith suggests opposition to this bill. Mr. Delay felt this bill would produce a windfall to potential polluters in paper offsets and would not improve air quality. It would preempt local control and local planning ability. Mr. Delay moved, seconded by Mr. Hamel, that the Council oppose SB 915. The motion carried unanimously. Gretchen Miller arrived. 5/9/79--1 ~9 B. Welcome Back to Mr. Hamel Mr. Keller welcomed Mr. Hamel back after three months recuperation. Mr. Hamel thanked everyone for their generosity to him and his ~ family. C. Appointment of Donald Ford to the Commission of the Rights of Aging Manager noted that du~ to the death of Theo Allen, the Eugene Commission on the Rights of Aging requests that Donald Ford, first alternate, fill her unexpired term ending January 1, 1981. Mr. Delay moved, seconded by Mr. Hamel, to approve the aging commission appointment of Donald Ford for the term ending January 1, 1981. The motion passed unanimously. D. Announcements 1. Legislative Conference, Thursday, May 10, 1979, Salem. Mr. Henry noted rides going at 10:00 and 8:00 a.m. and 12:30 today the Mayor will leave to attend a Legislative Committee meeting and will represent the Council. 2. Emergency Medical Task Force, Wednesday, May 9, 1979, McNutt Room. 3. Budget Committee Meetings, Thursday and Tuesday, May 10, 1979, May 15, 1979, 7:30 p.m., McNutt Room. 4. Civic Center Commission, Wednesday, May 9, 1979, 7:30 p.m., City ~. Council Chambers. E. Last Meeting of Dee Tipping Manager noted that this meeting was Dee Tipping's last meeting as Council Coordinator and the Mayor and the Council wished her well in her new job in Centralia, Washington. F. Presentation of Historic Preservation Week Activities May 6 through 12 Mr. Jan Muller, Chairman of the Historic Review Board, told the Council they had an information booth in the mall last weekend, and would be sponsoring two movies, "Ed's Coed,1I a 1929 movie taken on the University of Oregon campus, and "Roads, Places, and Signs," a 1942 movie taken in Lane County. The Junior League will sponsor a bus tour of 40 places in Eugene. At the Lane County Museum there is a special display of artifacts and photos. A pamphlet liThe History of the Millracell and historic booklets on the Councilors were distributed. 5/2/79--2 ~ 250 - II. Routine Items for Council Approval A. Council Minutes April 25, 1979, and special Council Minutes April 30, 1979. Mr. Delay moved, seconded by Mr. Hamel, to approve Council Minutes of April 25, 1979, and special Council Minutes April 30, 1979. Motion carried unanimously. B. Legislative Subcommittee Minutes May 2, 1979. Mr. Delay moved, seconded by Mr. Hamel, to approve the Legislative Subcommittee Minutes May 2, 1979. The motion passed unanimously. C. Call Public Hearing Re: Abatement of Property at 395 East 40th Avenue Mr. Delay moved, seconded by Mr. Hamel, to schedule a Public Hearing, Tuesday, May 29, 1979, for abatement of property located at 395 East 40th Avenue. The motion passed unanimously. III. Public Hearin A & X, Inc , Easement Vacation 18th & Washin ton Distributed e Manager noted that this vacation had been unanimously recommended by the Planning Commission November 27, 1978, and that a hearing had been before the Council previously. It had been rescheduled because it was felt insufficient notice had been given. Mr. Saul said the issue was whether the existing public utility easement should be kept to accommodate the existing or future utilities. The city had vacated 18th Avenue but kept the utility easement. He said they had reviewed the matter with all concerned utilities and there is no intention to locate utilities on that property or in that area. The Planning Commission therefore, recommended the vacation. Public Hearing was opened. Those speaking in favor of the easement vacation were as follows: Richard K. Quinn, 101 East Broadway, Suite 200, speaking on behalf of A & X, Inc., agreed with Mr. Saul's presentation. He said the easement was an error. Mrs. Saulberg, owner of the property, had always thought and had been told the lot was a buildable lot. The lot is not a buildable lot with the utility easement. Building on the lot will enhance the property and is in keeping with the City's goals of using property within the city. 4t 5/9/79--3 Z~ Those speaking against the vacation were as follows: Orlo Dahl, 456 West 18th, said that the lot was never meant to be built e upon. Mrs. Saulberg intended to have a garden. He presented a petition with 26 signatures stating, "We, the residents, in the vicinity of 18th and Washington Streets object to the proposed vacation and give away of our right to use the easement of 30 x 150 feet on the vacated lot known as 18-03-06-21 TL 1600." Public Hearing was closed, there being no further testimony presented. CB 1862--Authorizing easement vacation located at southeast corner of West 18th Avenue and Washington Street was read by council bill number and title only, there being no Councilor present requesting it be read in full. Mr. Delay moved, seconded by r~r. Hamel, 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 a second time by council bill number only. Mr. Delay moved, seconded by Mr. Hamel, that the bill be approved and given final passage. Roll call vote. All Councilors voting aye, the bill was declared passed and numbered 18391. Mr. Keller left the meeting, and Mr. Delay assumed the Chair. IV. Discussion Re: Fundin of Major Ca Distributed Materials ~ Manager noted that there were three projects of immediate concern that needed to be acted upon. One was the Parks acquisition; two, land acquisition for parking for the central library; and three, the performing arts additional parking addition. Mr. Henry reviewed the City of Eugene "Status Report on Financial Proposals for Currently Unfunded Major Projects. Parks Land Acquisition. Manager said it is necessary to have the $4.3 million funding quickly for Park land acquisition instead of in a 15-year period with increments of $33,000, which is the way the present serial levy works. Because of the rapid increase in land cost, it would be wiser to obtain bond issue money immediately at approximately the same rate as the serial levy and acquire the land as quickly as possible. It is legally impossible to commit serial levy funds on a future year basis. Land and Facility Development. Manager said this is the Joint Parks Committee Report on additional land and facilities such as the Churchill Pool. It was suggested that this be discussed in depth this fall after knowing more about the City's general fund operating budget and how it is to be working. This will have impact on the operatihg budget. a- 5/9/79--4 2.52. e Library. Manager recommended use of the county levy which was authorized recently and from which the city will receive about $120,000 each year for three years to acquire land near the downtown library. Office Space Development. Manager said this will be discussed next fall. It is being studied. EWEB has expressed some desire to sell the property across the street for parking and that might happen in June. Performing Arts Parking Addition. Manager noted this is of immediate concern. The first section will be discussed this evening and within a few weeks final action should be taken authorizing an addition of two and one-half stories which would be funded by revenue bonds and Downtown Development Board funds. Revenue bonds can be issued without voter approval. Downtown Development. Manager explained this is in the negotiating process with the hotel developers. ERA has authorized staff to sign a contract with a hotel developer. Three million dollars is available in tax increment funding. There are other opportunities for revenue bonds and other EDA funds. e Airport Terminal Expansion. Manager said will need an estimated $1,750,000 is needed of which $1 million would be federal funds. The GO bonds would be financed by Airport revenues. This is not a property tax impact matter. Early in 1981 is the tenative election date for airport terminal expansion. Arterials. Manager hoped to be getting State, County, and Federal funds. There would still be a need for GO bond issue. Fall is the time this item will be discussed Storm and Sanitary Sewer System Development. Manager noted next fall it will be decided how to finance storm sewer improvements along with street improvements. We are considering a user's fee for the sapitary collector system. Apart from the main plan there are mains under 24 inches in the collector's system that have to be developed. These could be bought through the system's development tax, service charges, revenue bonds, or perhaps assessment districts. This matter is fairly critical and has to be addressed in the next few months. - Manager noted by next Wednesday the ordinance for Park acquisition should be before the Council in order to appear on the June ballot. Mr. Hamel asked if the City would provide parking for the hotel. Mr. Kupper answered that it was a hotel and convention center. The City would probably spend for parking for the convention center. Mr. Delay asked Mr. Drapela about the figures for the conversion of the Parks serial levy to a general obligation bond. Would it be the same tax rate. Mr. Drapela said that they have reviewed it with the Finance Oepartment and had been assured that the figures were very close. 5/9/79--5 2~ Mr. Hamel moved, seconded by Mr. Lieuallen, that the staff prepare the material for levy conversion on Park land acquisi- tion and bring it to the May 16 Council meeting. Motion carried ~ unanimously. Mr. Hamel moved, seconded by Mr. Lieuallen, that County levy funds be earmarked for library parking acquisition (2a on the improve- ment list). Motion carried unanimously. Manager noted that, because of the timing problem, Mr. Flogstad would appreciate a motion is needed for developing revenue bonds for the performing arts parking addition. Groundbreaking is hopefully scheduled for July 14, 1979, on this project, he said. Mr Hamel moved, seconded by Mr. Lieuallen, to authorize the use of revenue bonding for the $1.9 million under downtown development project performing arts parking addition. Mr. Delay asked if this had property tax implication. Mr. Flogstad said that it would come out of parking revenues. Motion carried unanimously. v. Consideration of Amendment to Resolution Governin Room Tax Mone Ex enditures Memo and resolution distributed Manager noted that the resolution had been distributed and that this ~ resolution grew out of a need to purchase special events toward the end ,., of the year that were not budgeted. Instead of money reverting to the Civic Center carryover fund, the unexpended funds would be available for special events. Mr. Lieuallen said this was a housekeeping measure doing something about the unexpected and unobligated money. The room tax fund spends 40 percent a year on the Civic Center as a operating subsidy for the Civic Center in the future. Additional money going toward the Civic Center is not necessary at this time. Manager urged action because it would be necessary to take bids on proposals to use the money and a supplemental budget would have to be submitted. Resolution No. 3139--concerning room tax funds and repealing Resolution No. 2660 was read by number and title. Mr. Hamel moved, seconded by Mr. Lieuallen, to adopt the reso- lution. Roll call vote. Motion carried unanimously. Mr. Haws left the meeting. 5/9/79--6 - 25~ .. - VI. Public Benefits Definition for Multi le Unit Pro ram Memo Distributed Manager explained that in the desire to give developers direction before they proceed, it was necessary to define more precisely "public benefit. II Mr. Kupper told of the difficult struggle in solving the problems of defining IIpublic benefits.'1 He explained the three approaches and why each failed. The Joint Housing Committee decided that the preamble would explain their concern for quality downtowrr housing projects and the quality of the project was a public benefit. The Joint Housing Committee would create a committee that would consider the housing project proposals. Mr. Kupper noted that the design was now considered a public benefit. A Project Advisory Committee of five members was created to consider whether the public benefits are adequate (two people from the Joint Housing Committee, two from the Neighborhood, one person from the Community Development Committee) . Jim Bernhard, Joint Housing Committee, said they are concerned about getting quality housing in downtown. Public hearing was opened. Those speaking in favor were: - Gene Brockmeyer, 3598 Emerald Street; Dave Fidanque, 952 West 10th Avenue; Phil Gall, 863 East 13th Avenue; Steve Wood, 271 West 10th Avenue; Deborah Smith, 286 1/2 High Street; Martha Filer, 235 East 3rd Street. At the board meeting of the Southwest Oregon AIA they commended this program and the guidelines They suggested having a volunteer design professional as a member of the committee. They suggested a process to ensure that the guidelines are met before the developer meets with the committee. Members of the neighborhood and neighborhood association were pleased that quality housing might be assured in the downtown area, an area that affects many people. Public hearing was closed, there being no further testimony. Mr. Hamel moved, seconded by Mr. Lieuallen, to approve in concept the definition for public benefit in regard to multiple- unit property tax exemption program as outlined by staff and to schedule a ~blic Hearing June 11, 1979. Motion carried unanimously. Upon motion duly made, seconded, and passed, the meeting was adjourned. ~nJ~ City Manager ~ (recorded by Beth Conant) CTH:BC:pm/CM23b20 5/9/79--7 2.55