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HomeMy WebLinkAbout04/09/1980 Meeting - e e ''i. !""' M I NUT E S EUGENE CITY COUNCIL April 9, 1980 Adjourned meeting of the City Council of the City of Eugenet Oregon, was called to order by His Honor Mayor Gus Keller at 11:45 a.m., April 9t 1980, with the following councilors present: Betty Smitht Scott Lieuallent Eric Hawst Gretchen Miller, Brian Obie, Emily Schue, and Jack Delay. Councilor D. W. Hamel was absent. I. ITEMS FROM MAYOR AND COUNCIL, APPOINTMENTS, ANNOUNCEMENTS, AGENDA ADJUSTMENTS A. Metropolitan Area Plan Update Coordinating Committee Ms. Smith moved, seconded by Mr. Obie, that Councilor Miller and Mayor Keller represent the City Council on the Metropoitan Area Plan Update Coordinating Committee. Roll call vote; motion carried unanimously. B. Eugene Renewal Agency Opening Mayor Keller stated he had received a memo from the legal staff at the Eugene Renewal Agency and the City.s legal staff indicating 'approval of a request that councilors serve on the Eugene Renewal Agency. He asked that councilors interested in serving on this board, notify him. C. Announcements Councilor Haws indicated that he would not be present at the April 14 meeting. Councilor Obie indicated he would not be at either the April 14 or . April 28 council meetings. D. Introductions Mr. Henry stated that he is glad to be back in Oregon following his trip to Germany. He introduced two interns from the University of Oregon who are working in the City Manager's office. Roosevelt Jay jay from Liberia is a graduate student in CSPA. He will be working primarily with the Human Rights staff and the Neighborhood Liaison staff. Mr. Henry also introduced Mary Ellen Wainwrightt who is an undergraduate in the University Year for Action program. She will be working with the Community Relations staff. , 4/9/80--1 E. Meetings ~ 1. The Energy Conservation Policy Board will be meeting on April 9 at 7:30 p.m. in the Council Chamber. - 2. There is a Civic Center meeting at 7:30 p.m. at the Thunderbird Motor Inn on April 10. Mayor Keller stated that the joint meeting with the Civic Center Commission and City Council has been postponed until Mayor June. 3. Mr. Henry stated that rides could be provided for the League of Oregon Cities meeting on April 15. Anyone wishing to attend should contact the City Manager's Office. There will be a Budget Committee meeting on April 17. There will be a Room Tax meeting on April 22. 4. 5. F. Information on Bancroft Policies Mr. Henry noted that a memo dated April 9 was distributed to the councilors regarding Bancroft policies. A hearing and discussion will be held on April 16 to consider revising some policies on Ban- crofting due to interest rates and other financial considerations. G. Appointments Ms. Smith moved, seconded by Mr. Delay, to appoint Marcine Anderson to the Eugene Commission on the Rights of Minorities, to replace Steve Hanamura. Roll call vote; motion carried unanimOuslY.~ II. ROUTINE ITEMS FOR COUNCIL APPROVAL A. Approval of Council Minutes of March 24, 1980, and March 26, 1980 Ms. Smith moved, seconded by Mr. Delay, to approve the council minutes of March 24, 1980, and March 26, 1980. Roll call vote; motion carried unanimously. B. Improvement Petitions Since revisions in the Bancroft policies are currently under considera- tion, Mr. Henry stated the improvement petitions should be postponed for three to four weeks. These include resolution numbers 3339, 3340, and 3341. III. PUBLIC HEARINGS A. New Liquor License Outlet; Grocery Cart #12 (package store license)~ located 239 Coburg Road; applicant: Grocery Carts, Incorporated. 4/9/80--2 4It e Mr. Henry stated that all is in order and approval is recommended. Public hearing was opened; there being no testimony, public hearing was closed. Ms. Smith moved, seconded by Mr. Delay, to forward to OLCC this application with recommendation for approval, subject to conditions, if any. Roll call vote; motion carried unanimously. B. New Liquor License Outlet: Scargenti's Bakery and Delicatessen (package store license); located 192 West 11th A~nue; applicant: ReetNeetChick Corporation. Mr. Henry stated that all is in order and approval is recommended. Public hearing was opened: there being no testimony, public hearing was closed. Ms. Smith moved, seconded by Mr. Delay, to forward this applica- tion to OLCC with recommendation for approval, subject to conditions, if any. Roll call vote; motion carried unanimously. IV. EQUAL OPPORTUNITY REPORT FOR 1978-1979 (Memo distributed) Mr. Henry introduced Ann Gowdey, Personnel, to present information on the Equal Employment Opportunity report for 1978-1979. e Ms. Gowdey stated that this report covers the period from November 1, 1978, through October 31, 1979. As of October 31, 1979, women constituted 29.32 percent of the City's work force. This is an increase of .76 percent over the previous year. This growth meets the goal of 29.0 percent set in the last report for the 1978-79 reporting period. Minorities represented 6.88 percent of the work force at the close of this reporting period, an increase of .71 percent. This figure exceeds the goal of 6.1 percent representation. Two other goals were addressed in the report. The first was to place one minority in each of the technical, skilled craft, professional, and administrative job categories. During the reporting period, one minority was placed in each of the categories except for the administrative category. The goals also included increasing the percentage of women in administrative, technical, and service/maintenance job categories, and placing one woman in each of the protective service and skilled craft job categories. As a result, the percentage of women in technical and service/maintenance increased. However, the percentage of women in the administrative job category decreased by .6 of a percentage point. The number of women in the protective service job category increased by one. There remain no women in the job category "skilled craft." e 4/9/80--3 4 The second goal was to maintain 2.5 percent handicapped representa- tion on the work force. It fell from 4.8 percent to 3.7 percent at the close of the 1978-79 reporting period. The City's affirmative action goals for November 1, 1979-0ctober 31, 1980, are: e 1. To add at least one woman or one minority to the administrative job category, and at least one woman to each of the protective service and skilled craft job categories. 2. To close the gap between male and female top salaries to 16.2 percent in 1980, which is the top of the step 6 scale. 3. To maintain protected-class representation on the work force at October 31, 1979, levels or higher. 4. To develop a career planning policy covering all City employees and focusing on the needs of female employees. Mr. Haws asked if this meant that we are doing better this year than the previous two or three years. Ms. Gowdey responded that we are steadily moving slowly forward. Mr. Haws stated that he would like the City to continue to hire women; the male-female percentage should be 50-50. Ms. Smith moved, seconded by Mr. Delay, to accept the report and send it the Human Rights Council and the human rights commissions for review, then to be brought back for final council consideration. ~ Roll call vote; motion carried unanimously. ~ V. REVISION OF SOUTH UNIVERSITY CHARTER (Memo distributed) Mr. Henry stated that two simple changes are involved in this proposed amendment. The changes are the length of time an officer may serve in the same office, and changing the quorum from eight to seven members. Res. No. 3338--A resolution approving and accepting an amendment to the South University Neighborhood Association Charter. Ms. Smith moved, seconded by Mr. Delay, to adopt the resolution. Roll call vote: motion carried unanimously. Mr. Lieuallen arrived at the meeting. VI. PROPOSAL FOR DOWNTOWN RETAIL EXPANSION--PRESENTATION BY BOB DUTCHER Mr. Henry introduced Bob Dutcher of Dutcher-Ellis. The firm is under contract to develop a plan for proposed expansion of the .downtown area. 4/9/80--4 - e Bob Dutcher said when the firm got involved, they made an extensive study of downtown Eugene, where a major retail center could be developed. Mr. Dutcher indicated that the present site plan would give the best layout for a major retail center in the downtown core and would best accommodate department stores, existing retailers, and small stores. The location of a department store on the corner of 8th Avenue and Charnelton Street would require that traffic be rerouted through the alley between 8th and 10th avenues. This would create a two-level continuous mall that would be uninterrupted by traffic patterns. The Centre Court area would be an enclosed mall. Parking would be across the street on 10th Avenue. The plan works from the City's viewpoint, the developer's, and the retailers'. The Bon Marche has indicated that they like downtown and will remain at their present location. Nordstrom has been contacted for the site at 8th Avenue and Charnelton Street. No commitments with any department stores have been reached yet. The proposal would include Sears staying were they are and expanding to the east. If this plan is successful, it would be tremendous for Eugene retailers and residents. It would create two major retail areas for Eugene and provide the greatest uses for the existing transit system. He further stated that, as in Salem where it has been successful, they would lease the center to strengthen the downtown area. Mayor Keller asked about the progress they made with Sears. Mr. Dutcher had no comment at this time. e At Mr. Haws' request, Mr. Dutcher showed him on the map where the traffic would be rerouted through the alley from Charnelton Street. Mr. Haws asked if this would be a three-lane street, east of Oregon Bank. Mr. Dutcher said that it would be east of Oregon Bank, but with the existing number of lanes. Mr. Haws asked if some property would need to be condemned. Mr. Dutcher replied that most of that property is owned by Eugene Renewal Agency. Ms. Schue asked what was proposed for department store site D. Mr. Dutcher said that at this point, it was open for future expansion, but in view of the energy shortage, stores may be moving closer to their potential customers, or this area could be a hotel or office building. VII. CONDOMINIUM CONVERSION UPDATE--Staff presentation of tentative recommenda- tions of Task Force (Memo distributed) Mr. Henry stated that the objective of this would be to have a staff presentation and discussion with the council members for input to the task force for their future work. Mr. Henry introduced Jim Croteau to make the staff presentation. e 4/9/80--5 Mr. Croteau stated that the task force has come up with a bas ic framework r' for regulating the conversion of condominiums. He referred to the April 3 memo from the Planning and HCC staffs. The task force has noted an alternative to condominium conversion, that of forming housing cooperatives.~ This possibility will require much more time and study than the task .: force has available during the six-month moratorium. They would like the council to direct the Joint Housing Committee and the downtown housing group to study ways to help facilitate formation of cooperative housing. Mr. Croteau said that various techniques for rental market protection were presented to the task force. They have agreed to a formula that protects the rental market yet still allows some conversion to occur. The method is to: 1) estimate the expected number of new units which would be constructed in the next year: and 2) subtract the expected growth in the rental demand due to increased population; the difference is the net number of units which can be converted. If this process had been used in 1980, it would have allowed 1,400 units to be converted. Since the number allowed will vary from year to year, it is felt that provision for carry- over from year to year of surpluses or deficits in the net number allowed, would be appropriate. The maximum carry-over of the net units could be for a three-year period. In regard to purchaser protection and incentives to tenants to buy their units, Mr. Croteau said there would be a requirement mandating a housing code inspection, prior to sale, and disclosure of inspection reports to all prospective purchasers. In addition, an engineer would need to certify the present condition of the structural components. Another requirement might be that the developer warrant, for a two-year ~ period, the common elements of the condominium (major mechanical systems, ,., foundation, roof, exterior walls, etc.) and provide a reserve account to cover major defects during this period. The task force also recommended that the homeowners' association be required to maintain a reserve account after the warranty expires. Mr. Croteau stated that to protect subsequent buyers of a converted condominium, a requirement is made that full disclosure be made upon resale of the unit to prospective buyers. Also when selling a unit, there is the requirement that detailed informa- tion be provided to prospective condominium purchasers, detailing the advantages and disadvantages of this type of housing. There is also a requirement to fully inform purchasers that tenants may have certain rights under the City's Code. In regard to displaced persons, Mr. Croteau said there would be a require- ment that all tenants in a condominium to be converted be given a l80-day notice and that no eviction would be allowed during that time without cause. There is also a rent increase. limitation during that, period which is tied to the Portland overall consumer price index. 4/9/80--6 e ~ " e Also, for low-income, elderly, and handicapped tenants, the developer WDuld provide the services of a housing facilitator similar to that being required at Willamette Towers. The facilitators would need to locate at least two available comparable housing units for the tenants, Financial moving assistance would be offered as a fixed fee to be administratively determined each year. In the case of elderly or handi- capped, that would include packing and unpacking. Consensus among the task force had not been reached on the issues of: 1) which groups (all tenants or only disadvantaged subgroups) should receive compensation for moving, and 2) whether life tenancy should be qranted for some groups residing in converted structures. The task force has decided they would like to have a permit process where the converter would have to pay the fee for the conversion. They recommended that approval of the permit be handled by a designee of the City Manager. Hearings on this matter are optional, but could be handled by the Hearings Offical since it is a quasi-judicial procedure. Both the tenant and the owner would have the right to appeal. There should be no exceptions to this process. In regard to covering the admin- istrative cost, it should be a per-unit charge. Consensus has not been reached as to whether there should be an additional surcharge per unit conversion which could be used by the City for other housing matters. e , Mr. Delay stated that procedurally, the task force wanted to highlight the areas which had been determined and those which were still debatable. A tremendous job has been done by staff and the task force with all of the information they have received. This matter should be scheduled on the April 16 agenda for a public hearing. Ms. Smith stated that it would be helpful to get some guidance from the council as to what direction the ordinance should take. Ms. Schue felt that the hardest issue was the life tenancy. Mr. Haws asked if the three issues that were yet to be resolved were in written form. Mr. Henry responded that they were in the April 3 memo. Mr. Delay stated that there would be more information available on these issues by next Wednesday. Mr. Obie stated that he likes the proposal and concept but questions the obligation of the seller to provide a brochure. Mr. Lieuallen asked if the task force would meet prior to April 16 and Ms. Smith responded that they WDuld not. Mr. Lieuallen asked when the conversion process would be taxed--from the owner to the converter or from the converter to the tenant. Mr. Delay responded that they have no proposal for this because they have not decided if there should be a tax. Ms. Smith felt that the developers should pay the City's administrative costs for conversion and added that the costs will need to be detailed. Mr. Lieuallen asked at what point e 4/9/80--7 ~ the greatest amount of money flows. It would be helpful to discover if there are substantial differences from original owner to converter or from converter to tenant. Ms. Schue stated that the work up to this point has been from converter/would-be owner by unit and they have not worked back to the previous sale. Mayor Keller stated that he did not recall that there had ever been a request from the council to the task force to determine potential taxes. e Mayor Keller, referring back to an item on the April 3 memo, inquired about displaced persons. He stated that the turnover in rental housing in this area is low. To find two comparable housing units might be impractical. Mr. Delay disagreed that it would be impractical. The problem they are dealing with is people being displaced with no place to go. That is why they would use a housing facilitator. If two comparable units are offered and if the tenants refuse both, the tenants can be evicted. Mayor Keller asked whether this provision applies only to the elderly and handicapped. Mr. Delay indicated that it did. Mr. Haws asked why these people in converted units are being treated with special protection when those renting a house that is sold receive only a 30-day notice. Ms. Schue stated that a housing facilitator is a help. She cited the problem with two of the 12 tenants of Willamette Towers who needed the facilitator's help. Ten of the tenants' problems were easily solved; two tenants needed more help in finding housing. Mr. Delay stated that sometimes it might become less practical to convert if suitable housing cannot be found for displaced tenants. He also noted that "the rules of the game" have changed for many due to the conversion process. Some people have sold homes, rented apartments, cannot afford to tit move, and are now being evicted by conversion. Mr. Lieuallen stated . that he favors life tenancy if it can be made to work. Due to the length of next Wednesday's meeting, consensus was to start the meet i ng at 11: 30 a. m . VIII. RECOMMENDATION FOR FINANCIAL STUDY OF MEDICAL SERVICES, INCORPORATED-- Staff presentation Mr. Henry indicated that this is a consideration of action on a proposal for funding a financial study of Medical Services, Inc. At the recom- mendation of the finance departments of the cities of Eugene and Spring- field, the policy subcommittee reviewed proposals' from various auditors to study the emergency medical service, analyze the current rate structure, review the proposed expansion of Medical Services, Inc., and develop a system for financial reporting which would facilitate council review of ambulance rates. Medical Services, Inc., will be asking for a rate increase in the next two months. Springfield has approved the study. Their share would be $9,300, and Eugene's share would be about $24,000 for the study. Medical Services, Inc., was asked if they would pay for part of the expense; they declined to do so, but will provide all needed information. .e 4/9/80--8 e Touche, Ross, and Company is the firm whose proposal was accepted for the ambulance study. MSI's financial system is based on a system developed by Touche, Ross, and Company of emergency medical services from the Southern California area. Roger Peese, Project Director of Touche, Ross, and Company, was present at the meeting. Mr. Delay said that Mr. Leonard has voluntarily held off on a rate increase. He quoted from a letter from MSI saying that the management welcomes the opportunity to have the financial matter settled. Mr. Obie is concerned about using Touche, Ross, and Company instead ofa local company. Mr. Delay said that the Touche, Ross proposal was the proposal that seemed the best and would be able to accomplish the job. He said that their district office is in Portland. He was not aware of any local proposals that qualified. Mr. Henry indicated that there were local bids but they did not have the .experience. Shirley Swenson, Finance Department, stated that there is very little information on setting up financial systems for ambulance companies. They also tried to find firms with backgrounds in ambulance rates. Ms. Smith supported Councilor Obie's concerns but felt this study requires specialized expertise. She asked where the funding for this study would come from. Mr. Henry responded that it would be paid for from contingency funds. e Res. No. 3342--A resolution authorizing a study of Medical Services, Inc. and authorizing execution of a contract between the cities of Eugene and Springfield and Touche, Ross, and Company. Ms. Smith moved, seconded by Mr. Lieuallen, to adopt the resolution. Roll call vote; motion carried unanimously. IX. STAFF REPORT REGARDING RESIDENTIAL LOT SIZE REDUCTIONS (Memo distributed) Mr. Henry stated that this was an informational item only. Bill Sloat was available to answer questions regarding smaller lot sizes. Ms. Schue asked if lots sized smaller than 6,000 square feet were allowed in PUD's. Mr. Sloat responded that in some instances they are. Ms. Schue said she would like to look at some of these lots to get an idea of how large they actually are. Mr. Sloat said he could give her the information concerning their location. Mr. Obie felt that the memorandum provided good background but that there were no conclusions offered. He also thought the memo was too politically sensitive in regard to existing neighborhoods. He thinks a 5,000-square- foot lot is reasonable. He would like to refer this matter to the Planning Commission and have them to propose a reduction in general lot size on a city-wide basis. - 4/9/80--9 . . . . Ms. Miller agreed with Mr. Obie. She is interested in lot size reductions for both single-family dwellings and lots on which there could be split duplexes. She asked if it would be appropriate to -request a mandatory minimum density for new subdivisions. She doubted that existing neighbor- hoods. would be affected very much. Referring to the memo, she said she expected to see an outgrowth of analysis of different-sized lots. It is hard to visualize what lot sizes look like and perhaps the Planning Commission could provide more information on this. Mr. Lieuallen stated that basically this applies to new development areas. He recommended sending this question and the question of minimum densities to the Planning Commission as an appropriate method of dealing with this. matter. He noted that this would be a piece-by-piece method in existing neighborhoods for reducing lot size. Mr. Obie stated that there are existing 10,000-square-foot lots which could have two homes on them. He would like to see more solid information. Mr. Lieuallen stated that he lives in an R-2 area and it works if it is done right. Jim Farah, Planning Department, stated the the commission is aware of the priorities of the council, but they have been dealing with the code and the industrial section relating to zoning which is also a timely matter. He concurs with minimum density. He also stated that this is not a matter of reducing lot size, but height, bulk, and alley access are also involved. It is not as simple a matter as it might seem. . Consensus was to refer questior.s of residential lot size reductions, duplex lot sizes, and minimum densities to the Planning Commission to develop proposals to be considered by the Council. Meeting was adjourned to April 14, 1980. Respectfully submitted, ~)~ Charles T. Henry City Manager (Recorded by Lynda Nelson) LN:al/CM26a7 4/9/80--10