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HomeMy WebLinkAboutCC Minutes - 01/10/01 SOC MINUTES 2001 state of the City ^ddress Eugene Conference Center--Two Eugene Centre January 10, 2001 11:30 a.m. PRESENT: Betty Taylor, David Kelly, Nancy Nathanson, Pat Fart, Scott Meisner, Gary Pap~, Gary Rayor, Bonny Bettman. Mayor James D. Torrey called the meeting of the Eugene City Council to order. I. WELCOME Councilor Taylor welcomed attendees of the 2001 State of the City Address. She introduced City Councilors, distinguished guests, and City of Eugene staff members. II. MUSIC Councilor Taylor introduced the Nesticoasters, a local band directed by Matt Shevitz, which performed as guests enjoyed lunch. III. RECOGNITION AWARDS A. Employee Recognition Awards Mayor Torrey presented framed certificates of appreciation to the following City of Eugene employees: · Jan Royalty -- Administrative Services Department · Raudel Perezchica -- Public Works Department B. Youth Leadership Awards Mayor Torrey presented framed certificates of appreciation to the following local youth: · Ashley Alvarado -- Churchill High School · Evan Rutter -- Sheldon High School Mayor Torrey introduced representatives of the Mayor's Youth Leadership Program who were in attendance. C. Boards, Commissions, and Committees Service Recognition MINUTES-2001 State of the City Address Page 1 Mayor Torrey presented framed certificates of appreciation to the following individuals for their service on boards, commissions and committees: · Alan Zelenka -- Budget Committee · Ellen Wojahn -- Planning Commission D. Community Service Awards Mayor Torrey presented framed certificates of appreciation to the following group and individual in recognition of community service: · Eugene Public Library Foundation -- Accepted by Nancy Oft Rose, President · Ruth Bascom -- Dedication of Riverbank Trail System IV. ADMINISTRATION OF OATH OF OFFICE The Oath of Office was administered by City Recorder Kate Fieland to: · Betty Taylor, City Councilor, Ward 2 · Bonny Bettman, City Councilor, Ward 3 · Scott Meisner, City Councilor, Ward 7 · Nancy Nathanson, City Councilor, Ward 8 · James D. Torrey, Mayor V. STATE OF THE CITY Mayor Torrey opened the 2001 State of the City Address with the following quote by Abraham Lincoln: "In a democratic society, you must run the country as you would steer a river boat. You don't just set your compass and head south, or you will quickly run aground. Instead, you steer from point-to-point according to how the river is running and the obstacles that appear in your path." Mayor Torrey reviewed the status of the State of the City goals set in 1997-2000, highlighting the many accomplishments. Mayor Torrey presented an overview of the following 2001 State of the City goals: Goal 1: Continue to manage our growth through TransPlan, Land Use Code Update, the 14Zest Eugene 14Zetlands Plan and the balanced implementation of our Growth Management Study. MINUTES-2001 State of the City Address Page 2 Mayor Torrey said that the City must work harder to find a balance between a quality environment and a sound economy Goal 2: We must listen and be accountable to the voters. Mayor Torrey said the voters said "no" twice to council proposals for a new Police and Fire Station. The City should relocate the Police Department staff from the basement to the main floors of City Hall. The City should move the police vehicles from the underground parking area below City Hall to our surface parking lot south of City Hall. The dollars to do this will come from the City's Capital Maintenance Reserves, which means other capital maintenance projects will be delayed; however, this must be a priority. Goal 3: We must complete TransPlan. Mayor Torrey said that prior to completion of TransPlan, the City Council would be requested to meet in a special work session in January for a full discussion of the West Eugene Parkway. Prior to deciding the fate of the West Eugene Parkway project, the Eugene City Council should allow the voters of Eugene the opportunity to re-approve or deny their previous, and overwhelming, citywide vote to construct the West Eugene Parkway. Goal 4: Create an Independent Citizen's Ward Reappointment Committee. Mayor Torrey said that every ten years, following the census, the City Council ward boundaries must be redrawn to ensure that the population of the city is equally divided into the eight City Council wards. Goal 5: The 2001 Youth Agenda: Mayor Torrey said that the City should implement Measure 20-37 and work to find sustainable funding for this program. Mayor Torrey said that a special need exists for Spanish speaking volunteers to help teach reading to children from Latino families who have recently relocated to the United States. Goal 6: Implement the following efforts this year: Downtown: Mayor Torrey said that the City should complete the work on acquiring the Train Station and start the remodeling effort; move forward with the proposed Lane Transit District shuttle and; open Broadway Street now, within the framework of the overall downtown vision. Federal Courthouse: Mayor Torrey reported that the Eugene City Council and staff have worked diligently to convince the GSA to locate the Federal Courthouse on the Chiquita (Agripac) site. If, for some reason, Eugene is not selected as the courthouse site, the City must be prepared to: 1) purchase the Chiquita (Agripac) property; 2) re-zone the area for quality mixed-use development; and 3) seek bids from the private sector for development key to this area. MINUTES-2001 State of the City Address Page 3 ADJOURN The meeting adjourned at 1:44 p.m.. Respectfully submitted, James R. Johnson City Manager (Recorded by Kim Kunkel) MINUTES-2001 State of the City Address Page 4