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HomeMy WebLinkAbout07/02/1980 Meeting ~ M I NUT E S e EUGENE CITY COUNCIL July 2, 1980 Adjourned meeting of the City Council of the City of Eugene, Oregon, was called to order by His Honor Mayor Gus Keller at 11:30 a.m., July 2, 1980, in the City Council Chamber with the following councilors present: Betty Smith, Scott Lieuallen, Brian Obie, Jack Delay, Gretchen Miller, and Emily Schue. Counci 1 ors Eric Haws and D. W. Hamel were absent. I. ITEMS FOR MAYOR AND COUNCIL, APPOINTMENTS, ANNOUNCEMENTS, AGENDA ADJUSTMENTS A. Supreme Court Decision on Free Speech in Shopping Centers--Councilor Miller indicated that she has a copy of the Supreme Court decision on free speech in shopping centers and that it is avail able for other councilors to make copies or to look at. B. "Springfield Night" for Our Town--Ms. Smith stated that she had been talking to Carol Baker regarding Springfield Night for Our Town which e will be held on Wednesday, July 16, and she would like to encourage people to attend on that evening at the downtown mall. C. Openings on Metropolitan Area Plan Advisory Committee--Ms. Smith stated that the MAPAC applications will be accepted for an additional week with the closing date and time being July 11, at 5 p.m. 0: Boundary Commission Funding--Mr. Obie stated he had received a letter from Jason Boe and Hardy Myers regarding the Boundary Commission fund- ing deliberations of the Emergency Board in July and asked if anyone would be presenting the City's position to the Emergency Board. Mr. Henry stated he would let the councilors know the emergency board process and whether council would be able to provide input. E. City Council--Staff/KEED/Safeway Softball Game--Mayor Keller stated he had received a challenge that the council participate in a baseball game at 6:15 p.m. on July 26 and he placed Carol Baker in charge of the arrangements, noting that he would be out of town. F. Appointments 1. Eugene Urban Renewal Agency Ms. Smith moved, seconded by Mr. Lieuallen, to reappoint Tom Ballantyne to a four-year term ending July 10, 1984, on the Eugene e Urban Renewal Agency. Roll call vote; motion carried unanimously. 7/2/80--1 ~ 2. Metropolitan Area Plan Advisory Committee Ms. Smith moved, seconded by Mr. Lieuallen, to reappoint Sandra . Bishop to a three-year term ending June 30, 1983, on the Metro- politan Area Plan Advisory Committee. Roll call vote; motion carried unanimously. G. Hilton Ground Breaking--Mr. Henry announced that the groundbreaking ceremony for the new Hilton Hotel is tentatively scheduled for July 21 since Mr. Hilton will be unable to be present on July 11 which was the originally scheduled date for this event. H. Civic Center Commission Meeting--Mr. Henry indicated that councilors are invited to attend the Civic Center Commission meeting on July 22 to discuss bids for Phase IV construction. This meeting will be held at the Thunderbi rd. 1. Metropolitan Plan Update Meetings--Mr. Henry noted that the Elected Officials Coordinating Committee would be meeting at 7 p.m. on Tuesday. On Wednesday, July 9, possibly the last work session on the Metropoli- tan Plan update by the councilors will be held with final action to be taken at the July 28 council meeting. J. Fire Fighter's Contract Settlement--Mr. Henry indicated that a press release ,had been distributed stating that representatives of the City of Eugene and Local 851, International Association of Fire Fighters, have announced tentative agreement on a three-year contract. Terms of e the tentative agreement include a 13-percent salary adjustment, health care, and uniform benefit improvements as well as establishment of a joint labor/management relations committee. K. Work Session with Lane Transit District--Mr. Henry stated that at 1 , p.m., a joint work session with Lane Transit District will be held regarding contra-flow bus routes. L. Agenda Adjustments--Mr. Henry stated that discussion and staff report on item IV, the Northwest Regional Energy Bill, would be held over until the July 9 council meeting and Item V on the agenda, Downtown Development Board Parking Concerns, will follow the EEO Report/Review. M. Agenda Addition--Mr. Henry stated that one item was to be added to the agenda which must be acted upon today--a request for a community events one-day liquor license. He noted he had received a memo from John Rutledge, Police Department, on a one-day community event liquor license request by Eugene Opera. This event is to be a fund-raiser for the Eugene Opera and it would be held at 2237 Spring Boulevard on July 13. The application is in order, and approval is recommended. Mr. Delay indicated there are many cases of these events and wondered why they had not been before the council previously. Ms. Smith noted she did not know that these items must come before the council. Stan e '-' 7/2/80--2 < Long, City Attorney, explained that licensing provisions provide that . the OLCC may require the recommendation of the council if the event will occur inside the city. Apparently, this is one instance in which the commission has required council recommendation, but they do not have to require council actions in all such cases. Mr. Delay suggested advising the commission that the council is not interested in deal ing with these routinely, but only if there are concerns. Mr. Long said that this could be done or council could delegate to the City Manager administrative authority to deal with such cases in the future. Ms. Smith moved, seconded by Mr. Lieuallen, to refer community _ events liquor license requests to the City Manager to be dealt wi th admi ni strat ive ly. Roll call vote; motion carried unanimously. Ms. Smith moved, seconded by Mr. Lieuallen, to approve the Eugene Opera request for the community events liquor license on July 13, subject to conditions if any. Roll call vote; motion carried unanimously. N. Introduction--Mr. Henry introduced Cliff Hague from Scotland who is viewing the Planning Department operation while John Porter, Planning, is attending the University of Edinburgh. Mr. Hague may address the council at a later date. e II. ROUTINE ITEMS FOR COUNCIL APPROVAL A. Approval of Council Minutes of June 11, 1980, and June 18, 1980 Ms. Smith moved, seconded by Mr. Lieuallen, to approve council minutes of June 11, 1980, and June 18, 1980. Roll call vote; motion carried unanimously. B. Improvement Petitions l. Vernon Way (affected property on petition: assessab 1 e cost; paving, total front footage 980.4 feet, front footage petitioned 611.6 feet, 62.4 percent; sewers, total square footage 146,253, square footage petitioned 18,900, 12.9 percent; sidewalk, total front footage and front footage petitioned 392.41, 100 percent; City costs, none) Res. No. 3392--A resolution authorizing sanitary sewer and storm sewer construction 60 feet north of Vernon Way from Calvin Street to Arcadia Street and sidewalk construction on the west side of Calvin Street from Dulles Avenue to 400 feet south, and street paving and sanitary sewer construction in Calvin Street from 60 feet north of Vernon Way to 50 feet north of Du1les Avenue (1870). . Ms. Smith moved, seconded by Mr. Lieuallen, to adopt the resolu- tion. Roll call vote; motion carried unanimously. 7/2/80--3 , 2. Birdnest Subdivision (affected property on petition: assessab le e cost; paving, total front footage 1,301 feet, front footage petitioned 894 feet, 68.7 percent; sanitary sewers, total square footage 138,954, square footage petitioned 81,041, 58.3 percent; City costs, none). Res. No. 3393--A resolution authorizing street paving, sanitary sewer, and storm sewer construction within and adjacent to Birdnest Subdivision; and sanitary sewer construction within 160 feet of the east and west boundaries of Birdnest Subdivision (1831). Ms. Smith moved, seconded by Mr. Lieuallen, to adopt the reso 1 ut ion. Roll call vote; motion carried unanimously. 3. Willamette Street (affected property on petition: assessab le costs; alley, in accordance with the weighted front footage and area, 100 percent; City costs, none). Res. No. 3394--A resolution authorizing alley paving of south half of alley between Willamette Street and Oak Street from 18th Avenue to 19th Avenue (1798). Ms. Smith moved, seconded by Mr. Lieuallen, to adopt the reso- lution. Roll call vote; motion carried unanimously. 4. 7th Avenue (affected property on petition: assessable costs; - alley, in accordance with the weighted front footage and area, 55.0 percent and 46.6 percent, respectively; City costs, none). Res. No. 3395--A resolution authorizing alley paving between 7th Avenue and. 8th Avenue from Washington Street to Lawrence Street (1787) . Ms. Smith moved, seconded by Mr. Lieuallen, to adopt the resolution. Roll call vote; motion carried unanimously. III. 1978-79 EQUAL OPPORTUNITY REPORT--HUMAN RIGHTS COMMISSIONS/COUNCIL REVIEW (memo and individual commissions' reports distributed) Mr. Henry introduced Baruch Fischhoff, Human Rights Council, to make a presenta- tion. Mr. fischhoff stated that one of the jobs of the Human Rights Council is to advise the City on human rights issues that arise within the City and City government. One annual task is to review the City's Equal Opportunity/Affirma- tive Action Report to make sure that the City's personnel pol-icies promote equality in hiring practices, and ensure good personnel policies. The Equal Opportunity Report and the Affirmative Action Program are to make certain that civil rights are not violated. The Personnel Department submits the report. . Sometimes it is as long as 18 months after the end of a particular reporting 7/2/80--4 period for the report to be completed. The Human Rights Council's role has been e mostly reactive in the past. Throughout the years, comments from the Human Rights Council have been fairly consistent: 1) progress has been much less than should be shown by a City the size of Eugene; 2) the goals have been minimal, making the progress even more disappointing; and 3) they have a problem with the formulation and presentation of the report. Although Eugene has made a commit- ment to Human Rights, the City's progress has been shown to be limited. Everyone is supportive of equal opportunity but no one has made the commitment to ensure that it happens. The Human Rights Council does not want to be an adversary to City staff but they want to work constructively together with them. The City Council needs to make a strong statement and personal commit- ments from the councilors also needs to be made. They have the following recom- mendat ions: the goal-setting process should be done by the City Council, a more ambitious equal opportunity/affirmative action plan should be employed, there should be a continuation of involvement with the Human Rights Council, and this effort should be made as public as possible. Ms. Schue stated she would like information about the relationship between the commissions and the Personnel Department in regard to items such as goal-setting. Ann Gowdey, Personnel, stated she had met with a working committee of the Human Rights Council before the report was prepared to see if changes should be made. The Personnel Department accommodated requests for changes. She feels that perhaps these groups should be working together on an ongoing basis rather than at the end of the report year. Personnel is willing to work with the Human Rights Council more closely. e Ms. Schue asked how the goals are originally formulated. Ms. Gowdey responded the in setting the goals, they look at seven or eight different factors such as labor statistics, what kinds of jobs are being recruited for, available staff time, and abilities to do these projects. They set the goals in relation to what they think the department can achieve and what the government requires without outside input at that time. Ms. Schue asked if they have tried coor- dinating their efforts with other groups such as minority groups. Ms. Gowdey responded that they have. They have worked more closely on job announcement circulation and they have been talking with the Handicapped Commission. Ms. Smith noted that it is in the council's best interest to meet with repre- sentatives from the Human Rights Council. This has not been happening lately, but she feels this is a high priority. They have lost some communication that should be re-established. Vivian Frelix-Hart, Minority Commission, stated she was at the meeting to encourage the council to work with the Human Rights Council and was available to answer questions regarding their critique. Mr. Delay stated that he has read the material and feels the thrust of the Human Rights Council critique regarding council involvement is a most positive step. A City Council subcommittee should meet and come back to the council with goal proposals. This kind of activity does not have a single focal point within the City. It is not just one single person's responsibility; rather it is the e 7/2/80--5 , i responsibility of all and the council should do all it can to affirm the City's e commitment and make this a high-priority item. Mr. L i eua llen stated agreement that council commitment should be demonstrated. He noted he would not be willi~g to involve himself in Personnel Department matters but is interested in the council's involvement, particularly in personnel policies. He is pleased that the Human Rights Council has taken the step to increase the awareness of the council and the need for recommitment which may resolve some of the diffi- culties. He feels it is time the council took on the responsiblity of policy setting and he would like to be involved in the process. He noted he would be unable to continue with his CETA responsibilities and requested that Ms. Schue be considered as his replacement. Ms. Miller indicated that these reports seem to be uniformly distressing. The written material pointed out many problems. It seems the City is doing the minimum amount necessary and this is not adequate. The Human Rights Council and commi.ssions will have to stay active in this but she hopes that the council can develop a leadership role. Ms. Schue stated that there is much progress as she can see lots of programs around town but that after reading the reports she is convinced that the statis- tics !show only minimal progress. The council will have to be more involved and there needs to be a commitment. Mayor Keller said that consensus seems to be to refer these concerns to the task force. Mr. Delay added that he would like to see the task force come back with specific recommendations as to how the council should proceed. Mr. L i eua 11 en supported this notion and felt it important to set a timeline for completion of e the report. Mr. Henry indicated that this report could be brought back in September. In response to Mr. Obie's question, Mr. Lieuallen said he would have time to participate in this task force if the review would be concluded in Sept~mber. Mr. Obie. stated he feels two councilors on this task force would be adequate. He would like to see a short report dealing with the question of what the council can do or not do, as noted in the Charter, with regard to policy ques- tions and personnel matters. Ms. Smith noted that clarification would be important to the council and those on the task force. Mr. Henry added that the task force would probably be composed of two councilors, two Human Rights representatives, and one representative each from the City Manager's Office and Personnel. Mr. Lieuallen feels there is a need for a legal statement but thinks that. there would be no problem with the council setting policies to support affirmative action. He noted he does not feel he has adequate information at this time to respond to the report and thinks that should be a charge of the subcommittee. Mr. Delay noted one should not get hung up on the legal questions since they are basically talking about goal-setting. Mr. Delay moved, seconded by Mr. Obie, that councilors Smith and Lieuallen be re-appointed to the task force and requested that a report be brought back to the council in September, and to accept the 1978-79 Equal Opportunity Report. Roll call vote; motion carried unanimously. . 7/2/80--6 " . IV. DOWNTOWN DEVELOPMENT BOARD'S RESPONSE TO EMPLOYEE PARKING CONCERNS . (memo distributed) Mr. Henry introduced Chuck Wickizer to provide the response. Mr. Wickizer, chairman of the Downtown Development Board, stated that there are differences of opinion between the board and staff. They are trying to encourage alternative modes of transportation and enforce the free parking. Mr. Wickizer stated that the Downtown Development Board operates the free parking district for the City Council. The reason this matter is before the council is that an employee group has objected to the way their concerns have been handled by the Downtown Development Board. The group's concerns were varied but they primarily involved the adopted increased parking rates and the fine and bail schedule. The Downtown Development Board began holding meetings with the employee group in March of 1980. The concerns which the employees raised and the Downtown Development Board felt they could address are: 1) too high a fine and bail schedule for violation of the Downtown Development District; 2) too high a monthly parking permit rate; 3) lack of employee parking areas; 4) no alterna- tive to monthly parking permits for those who used alternative transportation the majority of the time; 5) extension of the employee shuttle bus hours; 6) an additional pick-up and drop-off point for the shuttle bus in front of the Pacific Northwest Bell building; 7) security concerns in the parking garages and on the mall; 8) inequality in the parking rates in the City parking lots between City employees and the public; 9) the parking surface of the Fairgrounds was in bad repair. e At the May 7, 1980, meeting of the Downtown Development Board, actions were approved to address some of these problems: 1) recommend to council approval of a revised fine and bail schedule; 2) recommend to council approval of continuance of the monthly parking as it presently exists until the Performing Center garage opens, at which time the rate would be made equal; 3) allow pre-purchased daily parking ~ermits to be sold for use in the garages; 4) changes were made in the employee shuttle bus hours and operation to closer meet the needs of the employ- ees; 5) continuation of the additional police patrol officer in the mall; and 6) writing a letter to the City Manager recommending that the parking rates on the City Hall parking lots be equalized. Jim Hanks, Traffic Engineering, stated that in the meetings between the Downtown Development Board and the employees, they came up with quite a few items where there was complete agreement, including some of the ones Mr. Wickizer named. The first offense for parking violations is now less than a monthly parking permit but offenses after the first one go up substantially. The only area where the board and staff really disagreed was in the reduction of parking rates. They would like to reduce the differences between private and City employee rates. He indicated that the intent of the parking program is to reduce the use of the automobile and increase alternative modes of transportation, which includes increasing the parking permit fees. This seems in opposition to the need for revenue from the parking structures to payoff the bonds. Staff is recommending retaining the present rate schedule. - 7/2/80--7 . ,- In regard to the 8th and Pearl Street lot the Manager indicated that the proposed ordinance is for $24 monthly for non-City employees until October, . when it would be raised to $30 with the addition of the Performing Arts Center Garage. Mr. Hanks added that the increase would then occur at $5 increments each ye ar . Duane Bischoff, Parking Administrator, indicated that the present rate schedule for non-City employees at parking structures was increased to $30 as of July with $5 increments every year after that. However, on July 1, 1981, all the lots would increase except at the Performing Arts Center which would stay the same. As of July 1, the rate for non-City employees at the 8th and Pearl lot is $24. Councilor Obie asked if this ordinance applies to both City and downtown employ- ees. Mr. Hanks responded that the lot across from City Hall is $6 less for City employees than those for downtown employees. This is because it costs the City more to bill downtown employees as compared to a payroll deduction for City emp 1 oyees. Council Obie felt that there should not be a difference between the rate for the lot across for City Hall as compared to downtown lots. In response to Ms. Schue's question, Duane Bischoff said that there is a differ- ence between the rate of surface lots and those of the Downtown Development Board lots. The surface lots will not be increased to $30 until January. There is a six-month time lag on rate adjustments between these lots. Mayor Ke 11 er clarified that the current rate for those lots is $24. Lois Berry, 3899 Kevington, stated that she is a representative of the employees of Pacific Northwest Bell and they have requested that the parking rates remain e at $24 per month until January 1981. She is concerned about the parking rate comparison between the Overpark and the Parcade with the Performing Arts Center and stated she does not feel people will walk farther and pay more--she thinks people will use private lots. Downtown employees will continue to park downtown or fi nd alternat ives. Ron Schmaedick, 315 West Broadway, stated that he has a private parking lot and they have had to charge rates less than the City. Therefore, from a private sector standpoint, when the City increases its rates, this encourages the opening of more private parking areas. Mr. Obie stated he has concerns with both proposals. He feels that when the rates are raised they should all be done at the same time on an annual basis. The most convenient lot should have the highest rates and those further away should be cheaper. The solutions presently given do not seem to reach the City's objective. Mr. Delay stated he does not think a $6 difference will mean anythi ng. People will continue to park where they wish regardless of the cost. He feels the City will have to go to rates that are closer to real costs. He thinks there will be difficulties every step of the way. Ms. Miller stated agreement with Councilors Delay and Obie. She feels City employees should pay the same rates as other downtown employees. She does not think it is a City obligation to provide parking for employees. -. 7/2/80--8 ~ e Mr. Henry stated that staff recommendation would be to delete Section III of the proposed ordinance. To adopt the ordinance as is would be to approve the Downtown Development Board's recommendations. Mr. Obie stated he would like to delay action on the rates and have staff develop a proposal which would present differing rates depending on the lot. Mr. Delay stated he does not understand why there is a six-month difference in raising rates depending on the lot. He feels the bail section of administrative procedures should be adopted without Section III. CB 2163--An ordinance concerning parking; amending Section 5.990 of the Eugene Code, 1971, amending ordinance No 18554, and declaring an emergency. Ms. Smith movedt seconded by Mr. Lieuallent to adopted the ordi- nance minus Section III and with the July 1 rate change staying in effect. Roll call vote; motion carried unanimously. Council Bill 2163 was read the second time council bill number only. Roll call vote; all councilors present voting ayet the bill was declared passed and numbered 18671. Mr. Hanks noted that rate recommendations would be brought before the council in September. Mr. Obie requested that three lots be analyzed and that a joint e recommendation from staff and the Downtown Development Board be brought back. Mr. Delay noted that council should review the long-term planning at that time al so. Ms. Schue stated that she also was concerned about a related issue--park- ing for downtown Eugene housing. She understands the City is trying to sell monthly parking permits in the Parcade. Item IV on the agenda--Northwest Regional Energy Bill Staff Report--was held over until July 16, 1980. Meeting was adjourned to a work session with Lane Transit District in the McNutt Room. Respectfully submittedt ~ ) Charles T. Henry City Manager (Recorded by Lynda Nelson) LN:er/CM8a1 . 7/2/80--9