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HomeMy WebLinkAbout05/27/1981 Meeting M I NUT E S e Eugene City Council City Council Chamber May 27, 1981 11:30 a.m. COUNCILORS PRESENT: D. W. Hamel, Eric Haws, Mark Lindberg, Gretchen Miller, Brian Obie, Emily Schue, Betty Smith, and Cynthia Wooten. ABSENT: Mayor Gus Keller. Adjourned meeting of the City Council of the City of Eugene, Oregon, was called to order by Her Honor Acting Mayor Gretchen Miller. I. ITEMS FOR MAYOR AND COUNCIL, APPOINTMENTS, ANNOUNCEMENTS, AGENDA ADJUSTMENTS e A. Brunch with Lane County Legislative Delegation Ms. Smith reminded councilors of the brunch meeting with the Lane County Delega- tion to be held at the Treehouse Restaurant, 10 a.m. Saturday, May 30, 1981. Each councilor will be assigned four issues to discuss with one or two repre- sentatives. This would be an informal opportunity to convey the concerns of the council to the delegation. B. Economic Development Mr. Obie noted that the council had spent considerable time discussing the economic development problems of the area. Mr. Obie still found himself frus- trated by the increasing unemployment problem. He would like to request that staff consider forming an Economic Development office within the Manager's Office. Mr. Obie felt that someone in the community needs to take leadership in this area. The City should move forward in a positive, committed fashion. Ms. Smith supported Mr. Obie's concern. She said that there are numerous groups in the community addressing the issue of economic development and that someone, perhaps the City, needs to take a major role in bringing all these commissions, committees, and task forces together. She would appreciate input from staff. Ms. Wooten shared Mr. Obie's concern and supported the approach he had sug- gested. She felt it might be appropriate for the council to discuss this at the mini-goals-setting session to be held in the near future. Mr. Lindberg agreed that there is definitely a need for coordination of com- munity economic development efforts. He agreed that staff should examine the alternatives for such coordination and that the council should then discuss the issue at the mini-goals session. He felt that a temporary staff assignment in this area might be very productive. e MINUTES--Eugene City Council May 27, 1981 Page 1 e Ms. Schue agreed. She felt that the City needs a strong, unified voice stating that the City is working on economic development issues. The City seems to have an "image problem" in the area of economic development and the business community does not seem to believe that the City or the council is committed to economic development. Ms. Miller agreed that the City and the community had done about all that could be done on the advisory/volunteer level, and that the time might well have come where staff commitment was necessary. When staff reports back, she would appreciate responses to the following questions: How could such an effort avoid being yet another duplication of existing efforts? What would be the cost of staffing such an office? What would be the goals of such an office? What would be some of the projects such an office could undertake, especially in light of the City's dependence on the national and international economy and on the timber market? Has the council been specific enough in its goals, priorities, and projects for these to translate into some effective economic development program? e Mr. Gleason saw a consensus on the council in support of Councilor Obie's suggestion. He suggested that staff make an initial report, that the council then discuss the issue further, and that such discussion be used as a basis for determining a course of action. He felt that staff would need until mid-July to prepare a report to the council. Mr. Obie suggested that if the council mini-goals session could not be scheduled until late in the summer, the council should spend three hours at a regular Wednesday noon meeting in the near future discussing this topic. Ms. Wooten felt that the Wednesday noon meetings do not lend themselves to good "give and take" discussion. She felt that a public meeting/retreat would be a better format for the discussion. Ms. Schue indicated that the Lane Council of Governments Board had scheduled an hour on its May 28 agenda for discussion of coordination of economic development efforts. She agreed to convey the concerns of the council at that meeting. Mr. Gleason agreed to pursue the council's suggestions. C. Possible Reopening of Willamette Street Between 10th and 11th Avenues Mr. Obie said that he will be proposing to the Renewal Agency and the Planning Department that both groups take a look at the possibility of reopening Willamette Street between 10th and 11th avenues. He felt that the retail situation in that area was extremely difficult and that corrective measures were needed soon, or the remaining merchants may well abandon the area. He did not know if restoring automobile traffic on Willamette would solve the problem, but he will be asking that the suggestion be looked into and that a report back be made to the council. D. State Budget for Higher Education Ms. Wooten was extremely distressed at the deliberations of the State government regarding the budget for higher education. She said that she had personally written to Representative Bill Grannell and Senator John Powell, chairs of the -e MINUTES--Eugene City Council May 27, 1981 Page 2 . e e ~ House and Senate Revenue Committees, regarding the economic impact of the University of Oregon on the Eugene-Springfield metro area. Ms. Wooten said that as much as $26.3 million would be taken out of the local economy as a result of the proposed ten-percent reduction in the budget of the University of Oregon. The idea of closing one of the three major universities in the state of Oregon was also unconscionable. She suggested that councilors consider forwarding letters of concern to the committees which are deliberating on this issue. Ms. Wooten noted that the University of Oregon is a major industry in this area and provides needed diversification from the ailing timber economy. She therefore felt that the City needs to protect this industry. Ms. Miller agreed wholeheartedly. She felt that some impact of budget reduc- ons at the University of Oregon was already being seen in the area. She asked staff to suggest an appropriate role for the City on this issue at a future council meeting. Ms. Wooten suggested that councilors pursue this topic with legislators at the legislative brunch on the 30th of May. Mr. Lindberg said that he had a brochure which illustrates the economic impact of the University of Oregon on Eugene which he would share with councilors. Councilors agreed to review the draft of Ms. Wooten's letter on this issue, with an eye to endorsing a statement from the entire council. E: Testimony Regarding Possible Closure of Lincoln School Ms. Wooten referred to copies of testimony she planned to make to the Eugene District 4-J School Board on the subject of the proposed closure of Lincoln School. She.said that her testimony outlined how the Metropolitan Area General Plan, neighborhood refinement plans, and a number of other policies and goals of the City relate to the closure of that school. Ms. Wooten noted that the testimony had been reviewed by the City Attorney's Office which had said that the testimony will create a precedent of protecting the comprehensive plan and may affect subsequent discussion with special districts about the necessity for compliance with the adopted plan. Ms. Wooten said that she had intended to ask for an endorsement from the council for her testimony, but that Councilor Obie had indicated that he does not agree with the testimony. She feels that this is not a question of whether one lives in a particular ward, but instead one must look at the total issue. She therefore asked for direction from the council. Mr. Obie said that he had no objection to Ms. Wooten's reading this testimony on her own behalf, but that he was uncomfortable with using the influence of the council relative to consideration of anyone school. He felt that school board members are elected and responsible to the same groups of constituents that the council is responsible to. He did not feel that the council should go beyond the forwarding of informational materials to the school board to aid them in making their own decision. Mr. Hamel agreed with Mr. Obie. MINUTES--Eugene City Council May 27, 1981 Page 3 . e e Ms. Schue agreed in general with Mr. Obie. She did not feel that it was useful for the City Council to apply pressure to the school board. She felt that the Metropolitan Area Planning Advisory Committee (MAPAC) had provided the school board with information on the land-use planning goals. Ms. Wooten agreed to follow the direction of the council and to present the testimony on her own behalf. She emphasized, however, that the testimony only serves to reinforce Goal 2 of the Land Use Goals and Guidelines of the State of Oregon and the City's own adopted comprehensive plan. She felt that the City will not be able to meet its goals without downtown schools. Mr. Lindberg felt symphathetic with Mr. Obie's concern but said that having read Ms. Wooten's testimony, as an individual, he supported it 100 percent and would like to go on record as doing so. Ms. Miller said it seemed that the council was not ready to take an official position on the matter. She agreed entirely that Lincoln School is in a special situation due to its unusual geographic placement in the City. She was very wary of plans to remove a number of schools from the close-in area of the city. The City had committed substantial public investment to the Westside Neighbor- hood area, and the future of those commitments seemed to be in jeopardy if Lincoln is closed. Ms. Miller said that the interpretation of the Metro Plan is an appropriate topic for the council to comment on to other jurisdictions relative to actions they are considering taking. She therefore wholeheartedly endorsed Ms. Wooten's testimony. Mr. Haws said that he does not live within the 4-J District but joined Ms. Miller and Mr. Lindberg in support of Ms. Wooten's testimony. Ms. Schue said that she personally supported Ms. Wooten's testimony but was not prepared at this time to make that testimony the official statement of the Eugene City Council. F. Joint Meeting With Eugene Planning Commission Mr. Gleason reminded councilors that immediately following adjournment of this meeting, they would be meeting jointly in the McNutt Room with the members of the Eugene Planning Commission for a public hearing. II. ROUTINE ITEMS FOR COUNCIL APPROVAL A. Approval of City Council Work Session Minutes of April 13, 1981 Mr. Obie moved, seconded by Ms. Smith, to approve City Council work session minutes of April 13, 1981. Roll call vote. Motion carried unanimously. MINUTES--Eugene City Council May 27, 1981 Page 4 . III. PUBLIC HEARINGS A. Easement Vacation for Lane Transit District (EV 81-1) (map distributed) Mr. Gleason explained that this item involved an easement vacation for Lane Transit District to construct a building over a public utility easement. All of the utilities are out of the easement except the sewer line which will become a private line. Mr. Gleason noted that the Planning Commission had voted 7 to 0 to recommend approval. Ms. Miller opened the public hearing. There being no members of the public who wished to speak, Ms. Miller closed the public hearing. CB 2306--An ordinance authorizing vacation of a 14-foot-wide public utility easement located east of Garfield Street between 8th Avenue and Broadway, and declaring an emergency. Mr. Obie moved, seconded by Ms. Smith, 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. Roll call vote. Motion carried unanimously. e CB 2306 was read the second time by council bill number only. Mr. Obie moved, seconded by Ms. Smith, that the bill be approved and given final passage. Roll call vote; all councilors present voting aye, the bill was declared passed and numbered 18808. Multiple-Unit Rental Housing Local Property Tax Exemption Program B. Mr. Gleason introduced Greg Byrne, Housing and Community Conservation Depart- ment. Mr. Byrne reminded councilors that an initial information session on this item had been held at a previous council meeting. Since that time, the Eugene Renewal Agency had approved the extension of the program into its boundaries. Mr. Byrne said that the School District 4-J Board had also approved the program, as required by State law. Neither agency had proposed any changes or amendments to the standards and guidelines drafted for the item. Mr. Byrne noted that the purpose of the program is to encourage new housing construction in the central area of the city and that this conforms with the City Council IS plans and goals. He said that the program being proposed provides a real incentive to new housing construction and a reduction in the regulatory procedures. Ms. Wooten asked Mr. Byrne to give some examples of the unchanged criteria for public benefit/amenities. Mr. Byrne responded that there was a variety of criteria, including design elements, facilities, or features, such as facilities to encourage use of alternative transportation, provision of sheltered bus stops, solar energy design elements, extra soundproofing of common walls, e MINUTES--Eugene City Council May 27, 1981 Page 5 . provision of units designed to accommodate the needs of handicapped persons, provlslon of units at below market rates for low-income persons, extra land- scaping, or provision of public facilities in the public right-of-way. Ms. Miller opened the public hearing. There being no members of the public who wished to speak, Ms. Miller closed the public hearing. Res. No. 3523--A resolution adopting the amended and restated standards and guidelines for processing applications for the Multi- ple-Unit Rental Housing Local Property Tax Exemption. Mr. Obie moved, seconded by Ms. Smith, to adopt the resolution. Ms. Wooten was concerned that by adopting this resolution, the council was encouraging development of a denser downtown core at the expense of the existing low and moderate income living units and might thereby create a displacement problem. Mr. Byrne replied that preservation of existing housing stock on a site is one of the specific public benefits listed in the Standards and Guide- lines for the program. Mr. Gleason noted that in practice the City's primary focus on housing in the core area has been on rehabilitation. He presumed that this would continue to be the City's practice. e Ms. Miller said that the proposal calls for elimination of the Project Advisory Committee. Mr. Byrne agreed but said that there still would be a review by the Joint Housing Committee, the School District, other City agencies and departments, and finally by the council. Mr. Lindberg noted that the council had approved the expansion of the Joint Housing Committee to include citizen-at-large members, and specifically a representative of a chartered neighborhood group. Roll call vote. Motion carried unanimously. CB 2307--An ordinance concerning tax exemption for multiple-unit rental housing within a designated area; amending sections 2.945 and 2.947 of the Eugene Code, 1971, and declaring an emergency. Mr. Obie moved, seconded by Ms. Smith, 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. Roll call vote. Motion carried unanimously. CB 2307 was read the second time by council bill number only. Mr. Obie moved, seconded by Ms. Smith, that the bill be approved and given final passage. Roll call vote; all councilors present voting aye, the bill was declared passed and numbered 18809. - MINUTES--Eugene City Council May 27, 1981 Page 6 . e . C. New Liquor License Outlet--Pipe IN Pouch (retail malt beverage and package store license); Located at 1016 Willamette Street; Applicants: Mitchell Karp. Lawrence Bernstein, Laurie Bernstein, Jean Karp Mr. Gleason said that this application had been reviewed by the various staff departments, and that staff had no negative comments on the application. Ms. Miller opened the public hearing. There being no members of the public who wished to speak, Ms. Miller closed the public hearing. Mr. Obie moved, seconded by Ms. Smith, to forward to OLCC with recommendation for approval, subject to conditions, if any. Roll call vote. Motion carried unanimously. IV. CONSIDERATION OF RESOLUTION PRESENTED BY COUNCILOR HAWS MEMORIALIZING THE U.S. GOVERNMENT TO STOP ECONOMIC AND MILITARY AID TO EL SALVADOR Res. No. 3524--A resolution memorializing the US Government to stop economic and military aid to El Salvador. Mr. Haws moved, seconded by Ms. Wooten, to adopt the resolution. Mr. Haws felt that the situation in El Salvador was deplorable. He said that the problems in El Salvador could be divided into political and economic con- siderations. His resolution addressed primarily the economic situation and did not suggest a political position. He opposed spending US tax dollars for military operations in El Salvador and noted that these operations support a regime which is characterized by rapes, murders, and terrorism. He said that what the citizens of El Salvador do in their own country is their business, but that their activities should not be supported by US tax dollars. Ms. Wooten added her support for the resolution, not only in the view of the atrocities which were taking place in El Salvador, but also, in a larger sense, because she felt that Eugene City Councilors are the "front line representatives" of the people of Eugene. She said that a number of her constituents had expressed to her their deep concern for the situation in El Salvador, and that she welcomed Mr. Haws' resolution as a means for the council to forward this concern to policy-making bodies of the US government. She felt that by continuing economic aid, the US is debilitating its own efforts in terms of Federal tax dollars available to cities. Ms. Smith expressed concern about involving the council in these types of issues. Personally, she did not like what was occurring in El Salvador, but she felt that the responsibility of the City Council is to deal with local issues. She said that the council should devote its efforts to the needs of the citizens in the city and not "take on the world." MINUTES--Eugene City Council May 27, 1981 Page 7 d . Mr. Lindberg supported Mr. Haws' resolution. He realized that the council had traditionally shied away from involvement in issues outside the concern of the city. He thus suggested that in the future such resolutions be drafted to mention the impact of the issue on the citizens of Eugene and that before such resolutions are introduced, an effort be made to determine whether there is a consensus on the council in support of the issue. Ms. Schue said that there were two issues before the council: the situation in El Salvador, and the role of the Eugene City Council. She said that she person- ally was most willing to sign a letter protesting what was going on in El Salvador, but that she was very uncomfortable with the council becoming involved in world issues and problems and circumstances beyond its own boundaries. If the council agreed to consider El Salvador, she could not in good conscience refuse to discuss other world issues in the future. Ms. Schue said that she would oppose the motion. Ms. Miller agreed with Ms. Schue. She was entirely in agreement with the subject matter in the resolution, but she felt that the impact on the city was not defined. She said that the council has trouble finding time to deal with local issues and that a line must be drawn on consideration of issues whose impact on the city is not clearly defined. Mr. Obie was sympathetic with Mr. Haws' resolution but agreed with councilors who felt it important to limit the focus of the council to matters that the council can influence and that closely affect Eugene citizens. The citizens of Eugene elect other representatives to deal with issues such as foreign affairs. - Mr. Obie moved, seconded by Ms. Smith, to table the matter. Ms. Wooten asked Mr. Swanson for a definition of parliamentary procedure in this matter. She asked whether a motion to reconsider a matter could be made by a person who had voted in favor of the motion or whether this could only be done by someone who had opposed the motion. Mr. Swanson replied that it was his understanding that a motion for reconsideration could come from either an opponent or proponent, no matter which side prevailed in the previous vote. Roll call vote. Motion carried, with Councilors Hamel, Lindberg, Miller, Obie, Schue, Smith, and Wooten voting aye, and Councilor Haws voting nay. The meeting was adjourned to a joint City Council/Planning Commission meeting in the McNutt Room. (Recorded by Darcy Marentette) 4It MG:DM:ky/CM7a19 MINUTES--Eugene City Council May 27, 1981 Page 8