HomeMy WebLinkAbout4.15.2019 City Council Work Session MinutesMINUTES
Eugene City Council
Harris Hall, 125 East 8th Avenue
Eugene, Oregon 97401
April 15, 2019
5:30 p.m.
Councilors Present: Emily Semple, Jennifer Yeh, Alan Zelenka, Mike Clark, Chris Pryor, Greg Evans,
Betty Taylor, Claire Syrett
Mayor Vinis opened the April 15, 2019, work session of the Eugene City Council.
1. Committee Reports and Items of Interest
• Councilor Taylor - read opening statement of a proposed 5g resolution she will offer at
the council's April 17 work session.
Mayor Vinis adjourned the City Council work session and convened a meeting of the Eugene Urban
Renewal Agency.
2. Riverfront Urban Renewal Update
Community Development Director Michael Kinnison presented information about funding
for Riverfront Park development, including an alternative funding proposal, district
financial capacity, investment opportunities and future actions.
Council Discussion:
• Councilor Syrett - expressed concern that the presentation was too brief for her to take
action after missing last week's presentation; requested a brief synopsis of the
councilors' concerns about the proposed funding strategy and clarification of funding
options.
• Councilor Yeh - thanked staff for coming backwith alternatives; spoke to the importance
of parks.
• Councilor Taylor - asked questions about the dollar amounts represented in Options A
and B for alternative funding packages.
• Mayor Vinis - suggested putting Option B on the table for a vote.
MOTION AND VOTE: Councilor Taylor, seconded by Councilor Semple, moved
to authorize the use of $8 million of Riverfront Urban Renewal funds for the
park and $4 million for the plaza. PASSED 7:0, Councilor Zelenka absent.
MOTION AND VOTE: Councilor Taylor, seconded by Councilor Semple, moved
to direct the Agency Director to come back to discuss funding strategies for
other potential projects within the Riverfront Urban Renewal District.
PASSED 7:0, Councilor Zelenka absent.
Mayor Vinis adjourned the meeting of the Eugene Urban Renewal Agency and reconvened the work
session of the Eugene City Council.
(Councilor Zelenka arrived at 5:45 p.m.)
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Work Session
3. Hwy. 99/13ethel Urban Renewal District
Economic Development Planner Anne Fifield presented information on how Urban Renewal
districts can be used to achieve economic development goals, the potential for an Urban
Renewal district to generate revenue for reinvestment in the area, and the steps to establish
an Urban Renewal district.
Council Discussion:
• Councilor Evans - thanked staff for the presentation; referenced previous neighborhood
improvements 30-40 years ago and suggested every part of the economic development
toolbox should be used to leverage private and public investment; spoke about need for
economic development in the area as well as different ideas for development; spoke to
the need for investment and diversity in the city's economic development profile; urged
councilors to support development efforts.
• Councilor Semple - asked how the City would pay for services or needs initially paid for
by Bethel/Hwy. 99 overlapping taxing districts, when incremental tax dollars go to a
URD and how the system works; supported an alternative funding option to achieve
economic development in the area.
• Councilor Pryor - expressed his thoughts about why Hwy. 99 would require commitment
to put away money for development and spoke about the developments in recent decades;
said Hwy. 99 development is important for the city, regardless of the tool.
• Councilor Clark- spoke about using UR funds for private projects rather than public
projects; expressed concerns about UR in that district; commented on opportunities to
develop Hwy. 99 and desire to do something.
• Councilor Taylor - spoke to the attributes and history of urban renewal in Eugene;
suggested this tool be voted on by the public rather than the council.
• Councilor Syrett - thanked Councilor Evans for bringing this issue up for council
discussion; spoke about the opportunities for development and expressed interest in
further conversation; suggested potential funding strategies and opportunities;
expressed interest in studying funding mechanisms; supported including an end date
for this potential URD; expressed appreciation for Councilor Clark's comments
regarding private investments and supported the notion of a public vote for URD
designation.
• Councilor Zelenka - expressed appreciation for the report; reiterated support for
economic development efforts in the area but not using UR as a funding mechanism.
• Mayor Vinis - inquired about the dollar potential to leverage money through use of
other mechanisms; asked where this idea fits into the scope of other neighborhood
improvement efforts in the city.
• Councilor Pryor - asked what the UR funds would be used for, noting that
communication of this information would be integral to establishing a URD; expressed
desire to identify worthwhile projects.
• Councilor Evans - spoke about potential development at 'A Corners" area on Hwy. 99,
including multi -unit housing development; suggested investment in this location by the
City would demonstrate equity in funding and development decisions.
• Councilor Zelenka - expressed interest in learning about opportunities for other
economic development tools, how they might operate, and their potential to generate
funds; would like a project scope document for both the set-up of a URD in that area and
potential projects with scoping documents.
• Councilor Taylor - voiced concern about not establishing an end date for the URD;
spoke to private investments in the area.
• Mayor Vinis - reiterated idea of creating a full scope of options.
MINUTES - Eugene City Council April 15, 2019 Page 2
Work Session
The meeting adjourned at 6:26 p.m.
Respectfully submitted,
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Beth Forrest
City Recorder
(Recorded by Samantha Roberts)
Link to the webcast of this City Council meeting: here.
MINUTES - Eugene City Council April 15, 2019 Page 3
Work Session