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HomeMy WebLinkAboutCC Minutes - 06/21/99 Mtg MINUTES Eugene City Council Council Chamber--City Hall June 21, 1999 7:30 p.m. COUNCILORS PRESENT: Scott Meisner, Nancy Nathanson, Pat Fart, Bobby Lee, Betty Taylor, David Kelly, Gary Rayor, COUNCILORS ABSENT: Gary Pap6 Mayor James D. Torrey called the council to order at 7:30 p.m. I. PUBLIC FORUM Mayor Torrey outlined the process for Public Forum speaking. Beatrice Fendrich, 151 West 8th Street, Eugene, spoke for Brenner's Furniture. She provided a history of the family business and commented on the violence of June 18. She asked who was going to pay for the destruction of private property. Max Groesbeck, 315 Myrtle Street, Eugene, blamed the University of Oregon for the June 18 violence. He suggested that the University pay for the resulting property damage. Gemma Retlmann of 1620 Norwood Lane, Eugene, spoke against the Sheldon Sports Complex and raised concerns for the lack of adequate open spaces in the City. Dale Retlmann, 1620 Norwood Lane, also spoke against the Sheldon Sports Complex and reiterated Ms. Retman's earlier comments. Sylvia Gillings, of 2270 Jeppesen Acres Road, raised concerns over the money being spent on football stadiums in the City. Corey Minnick of 1374 Kelly Street, raised concerns about the anarchist activities in the City. He complimented the Eugene Police for their role in the June 18, incident but called for more police decisiveness when dealing with civil unrest. Bob Millenick raised concerns about citizens rights being protected on June 18. He wanted to know if the police were really prepared for the violence that occurred. MINUTES--Eugene City Council June 21, 1999 Page 1 7:30 p.m. Phillip Kid, 4414 Inwood Street, raised concerns with the activities of activist groups in the City. He offered suggestions to the Police on how to deal with future incident. Erin McCluskie, of 34163 Del Monte Avenue, raised concerns with the police lack of response during the June 18, incident. Randy Prince, PO Box 927, raised concerns about the activist activities in the City on June 18. He supported the police actions during the incident and called for the activist groups to provide security measures within their own groups. Nathan Fenrick, 2900 Firwood Way, stated that his civil rights were violated by activists during the June 18 incident. He asked if the City was going to allow rule of disorder within its boundaries. Robin Tarranova denounced the property destruction that happened on June 18, but stated that most people in the march were nonviolent. He spoke against the pepper-spraying of a member of the peace keepers and wanted to know why the police were arresting people photographing the incident. Raymond Albano 1788 Cai Young Road, raised concerns with the incident on June 18. He said he felt threatened by the rocks thrown through the window of his business. He wanted a explanation of why the Eugene Police did not act sooner. Kevin Early, 2152 Carmel Road, urged councilors to reconsider the Sheldon Sports Complex. He raised concern for open spaces within the city. Nick Urhousen, 2858 Warren Street, raised concerns about the activists in the community and spoke against the violence on June 18. He wanted better protection of citizens by Eugene Police. Misha Seymor, 1313 Lincoln Street, spoke against what he called the h eartless behavior of the City Council. He called for the resignation of the Mayor and the entire City Council. Phil Weaver, 415 Madison, spoke in favor of the Eugene Peace Keepers. He stressed his desire to put a positive outlook on recent events. He noted that the Peace Keepers could not control the crowd and added that when he identified himself as a Peace Keeper he was promptly pepper sprayed by police. He apologized for the property damage that occurred. Chris Smith, 558 U Street, related how she and the passengers in her car were threatened by activists during the June 18 incident. She said that one of her passengers had to be hospitalized. Judith Cleveland 2590 Bowmont Drive stated her support for the Eugene Police Department but raised concerns about a lack of police protection. Randy Shadowalker spoke against police harassment of alternative press camera crews during the June 18 incident. He reported that he and his camera crew were arrested and held without being charged and the video tape footage of the incident was confiscated. He stated that he was press and had the same rights as mainstream media and asked Police Chief Jim Hill for his tape back. MINUTES--Eugene City Council June 21, 1999 Page 2 7:30 p.m. James Johnston, PO Box 14055, called for an investigation of violence in the City and stated that the June 18, incident was the City's fault. Rick Kang, 1534 Ranchwood Drive, spoke against the Sheldon Sports Complex. He urged councilors to spend the money for the sports complex on more important matters. David Fendrich, 151 West 8th Avenue, called for an end to violence within the City and called for the councilors and police to treat all people equally. Councilor Kelly offered his appreciation of citizens who came to speak before the council. He complimented the Eugene Police response on June 18, and stated that it was easy for others to judge police behavior on hind sight. He suggested that the City and local activists cooperatively set some boundaries for future events. Councilor Rayor noted that the government protects civil liberties and the right to protest as long as certain boundaries were not crossed. He supported the police actions on June 18. Councilor Lee reported that he had tried to address the activist problems from a prevention standpoint. He stated that he had always tried to build bridges between differing groups in the community and would keep trying. Councilor Fart stated that he had been present at the June 18 incident and noted that there was a small group of violent people and the rest were nonviolent demonstrators. He commended the Eugene Police for effective use of force while inflicting few injuries. He also commended Neil Van Steenbergen for his active participation in easing the situation on June 18. Councilor Nathanson commented that freedom of assembly did not mean freedom to break the law. Councilor Meisner said that civil disobedience did not equal criminal conduct. He supported the police action on June 18. He called for even-handed but consistent conduct for police officers. Councilor Taylor stated that people should be safe even when videotaping events. She suggested a police summit with Springfield to work out a mutual aid agreement to lend extra officers to each other when large-scale events were occurring. Regarding the Sheldon Sports Complex, she said that it was deceptive of the City to use park money to build football stadiums. Mayor Torrey stated that he was pleased with the City Council support of the police action on June 18. He suggested the development of a predictable response by police as well as giving advance warning of consequences to inappropriate behavior at public events. II. CONSENT CALENDAR A. Resolution 4594 Authorizing the Issuance and Sale of Limited Tax Improvement Bonds, Series 1999-S, in an Amount not to Exceed $1,100,000, for the Purpose of Financing Local Improvements MINUTES--Eugene City Council June 21, 1999 Page 3 7:30 p.m. B. Resolution 4595 Authorizing the Issuance and Sale of General Obligation Bonds, Series 1999, in an Amount not to Exceed $20,000,000 to Finance the Purchase of Parkland, the Building of Parks and Youth Sports Fields and the Replacement of Amazon Pool C. Resolution 4596 Certifying That the City of Eugene Provides the Municipal Services Required by Oregon Revised Statutes Section 221.760 in Order to Receive State Shared Revenues D. Approval of City Council Minutes: May 5, 1999 Special Meeting, May 10, 1999 Council Meeting, May 12, 1999, Council Work Session, May 24, 1999, Council Work Session Councilor Meisner, seconded by Councilor Nathanson, moved to approve the items on the City Council Consent Calender. Councilor Meisner offered a correction for the minutes of May 12. Councilor Kelly wanted to see the absent councilors listed on the minutes of May 24. Councilor Nathanson asked for a rewrite of her comments on page 91 of the packet. The motion passed unanimously. III. PUBLIC HEARING AND ACTION: RESOLUTION ADOPTING CITY OF EUGENE SUPPLEMENTAL BUDGET #4 FOR FISCAL YEAR 1999 BUDGET City Manager Jim Johnson reported that on items 3 through 6 on the agenda, no staff presentation was planned. Councilor Kelly raised a question from the council packet page 104 regarding a $120,000 adjustment made due to the closing of the community conference center fund. Administrative Services Director Warren Wong clarified the adjustment, saying that the outstanding debt on the conference center had been paid and this balance will be used to pay utilities in FY00 and insurance thereafter. Mayor Torrey opened the public hearing. Seeing no members of the public wishing to speak, he closed the public hearing. Councilor Meisner, seconded by Councilor Nathanson, moved to adopt Resolution number 4591 making appropriations for the City of Eugene for the fiscal year beginning July 1, 1998, and ending June 30, 1999. The motion passed unanimously. MINUTES--Eugene City Council June 21, 1999 Page 4 7:30 p.m. IV. PUBLIC HEARING AND ACTION, RESOLUTION 4592: ADOPTION OF CITY OF EUGENE FISCAL YEAR 2000 BUDGET AND ADOPTION OF FISCAL YEAR 2000 STATE REVENUE SHARING Mayor Torrey provided information on the process for the public hearing. Mayor Torrey opened the public hearing. Jennifer Knowlton, 3292 Stoney Ridge, spoke in favor of restoring funding to the parks and recreation department, particularly activities for toddlers. She stressed the need for impacting peoples lives at the beginning of their lives. Nancy Arbogast, 350 East 22"d Street, spoke in favor of the Eugene Sister City program. Dorothy Anderson, 939 East 21st Street, urged continuing support for the McKenzie Watershed Council. Mayor Torrey closed the public hearing. Councilor Meisner, seconded by Councilor Nathanson, moved to adopt Resolution Number 4592 adopting the budget, making appropriations, determining, levying and categorizing the annual ad valorem property tax for the City of Eugene for the fiscal year beginning July 1, 1999 and ending June 30, 2000. Councilor Rayor, seconded by Councilor Meisner, moved to amend the original motion to conditionally approve the new volunteer coordinator position providing a written program integrating police, neighborhood and citywide volunteer issues. The program would be recommended to the City Council for acceptance. Councilor Rayor provided his reasons for the motion. He noted that if each department had a volunteer coordinator position, then there needed to be a coordinated effort for them all to work effectively. Councilor Nathanson was uncertain if the motion was necessary. She noted that the council had just seen the Citizen Involvement Plan that dealt with the same thing. She added that the City Manager's Office was already overseeing that issue. There was general discussion on whether to add the amendment as an item in a future work session. Councilor Rayor stressed that he wanted FTEs to justify themselves. Councilor Meisner agreed with Councilor Rayor. He noted that he had only seen a description of the position and not a description of the program. Both councilors were concerned with allocating money to a position that had no real plans on how to operate. The motion to amend passed unanimously. MINUTES--Eugene City Council June 21, 1999 Page 5 7:30 p.m. Councilor Meisner, seconded by Councilor Nathanson, moved to amend the motion adopting the FY2000 budget by decreasing the City Manager's Office General Fund appropriation for the Sister Cities program by $29,000, increasing General Fund reserve by a like amount and characterizing the remaining $14,000 allocation for the Sister Cities Program as a one-time allocation (that is, continued funding would have to be submitted as part of the FY2001 budget process). Speaking to the motion, Councilor Meisner stated that the City was actively involved in observing its part of the protocols on the Sister City Program. He said that there were many hidden costs paid by the City that were not included in the appropriation. He added that the City did not provide staff for nonprofit organizations. He also said that even at $14,000 the appropriation was 2-1/2 times the amount of the last appropriation. He noted that if the amendment failed, the amount would be eight times larger than the previous year's appropriation. He had concerns about the justification for giving a program that large a funding increase. Councilor Nathanson wanted the funding characterized as continuous. Councilor Kelly remarked that it was a policy decision whether to have a thriving Sister City program. He added that there needed to be a way to judge the performance of the program. Councilor Taylor spoke against the amendment. She stated that the City had made an obligation to the program and needed to live up to it. Councilor Lee supported Councilor Kelly's comments and added that the original allocation of $43,000 was not enough. He said that no one could put numbers on international relationships. In response to a question by Councilor Nathanson, Mr. Johnson replied that $43,000 was more than what the minimum needs of the program called for. Councilor Fart spoke against the amendment saying that it was a relatively small budget item. The motion to amend failed, 4:3; with Councilors Rayor, Meisner, and Nathanson voting in support. Councilor Kelly, seconded by Councilor Nathanson, moved to amend the motion to reduce the Sister City funding from $43,000 to $30,000 and retaining that amount as an ongoing budget item. Councilor Rayor spoke in favor of the motion. He had concerns for funding four sister cities when there was no funding for toddler programs. Councilor Taylor said that both toddler programs and the Sister City Program were important. She said that it was not an "either/or situation. She stressed the international importance of the Sister City Program. Councilor Lee spoke against the motion. He reiterated his earlier comments on Councilor Meisner's motion. Councilor Meisner spoke in support of the motion. MINUTES-Eugene City Council June 21, 1999 Page 6 7:30 p.m. The motion to amend passed, 4:3; with Councilors Lee, Fart, and Taylor voting no. Councilor Rayor, seconded by Councilor Fart, moved to amend the motion to increase the Library, Recreation, and Cultural Resources General Fund appropriation by $25,000 to provide one-time funding for matching grants for recreational services for toddlers and pre-schoolers to be procured by RFP. The funds would come from the $13,000 freed from the Sister City program reduction and $12,000 from the general discretionary fund. Councilor Rayor spoke to the motion. He read the names of agencies that indicated interest in applying for these matching funds. There was general discussion among councilors as to how the funding would be provided. Councilor Taylor moved to amend the amendment by striking the matching grants portion. There was no second. The motion to amend passed unanimously. Councilor Meisner moved to amend the motion adopting the FY2000 budget by directing the Public Works Department to re-allocate $10,000 in the Wastewater Utility Fund from support of the McKenzie Watershed Council to urban watershed activities. There was no second. The amended motion passed unanimously. Councilor Meisner, seconded by Councilor Nathanson, moved to adopt Resolution Number 4593 electing to receive State revenue sharing funds pursuant to Section 221.770 of Oregon Revised Statutes. The motion passed unanimously. Mayor Torrey adjourned the City Council Meeting and convened a meeting of the Urban Renewal Agency. V. PUBLIC HEARING AND ACTION: RESOLUTION NUMBER 1000 CONCERNING URBAN RENEWAL AGENCY SUPPLEMENTAL BUDGET #3 FOR FISCAL YEAR 1999 Mayor Torrey opened the public hearing. Seeing no one wishing to speak, he closed the hearing. Councilor Meisner, seconded by Councilor Nathanson, moved to adopt Resolution Number 1000 for a Supplement Budget; making appropriations for the Urban Renewal Agency of the City of Eugene for the Fiscal Year beginning July 1, 1998, and ending June 30, 1999. The motion passed unanimously. MINUTES--Eugene City Council June 21, 1999 Page 7 7:30 p.m. VI. PUBLIC HEARING AND ACTION: ADOPTION OF THE URBAN RENEWAL AGENCY FISCAL YEAR 2000 BUDGET. Mayor Torrey opened the public hearing. Seeing no one wishing to speak, he closed the public hearing and asked for questions from councilors. Councilor Meisner, seconded by Councilor Nathanson, moved to adopt Resolution Number 1001 of the Urban Renewal Agency of the City of Eugene adopting the budget and making appropriations for the Fiscal Year beginning July 1, 1999 and ending June 30, 2000. The motion passed unanimously. Mayor Torrey adjourned the meeting of the Urban Renewal Agency and reconvened the meeting of the City Council. VII. ACTION: ORDINANCE TO ADOPT A METRO PLAN AMENDMENT, REFINEMENT PLAN AMENDMENT AND ZONE CHANGE FOR JAMES FAMILY TRUST (MA 98-01, RA 98-01, Z 99-02) In response to Councilor Rayor's question, Mr. Johnson stated that the proposal was unanimously recommended to the City Council by the Planning Commission. Councilor Kelly had concerns regarding whether the criteria for amending the VVillakenzie Refinement Plan had been met. He was reluctant to support the proposal. Councilor Rayor asked about site review requirements. Councilor Taylor spoke against the proposal, stating that there was no need for more commercial land in the area. Councilor Meisner, seconded by Councilor Nathanson, moved that Council Bill 46)90, with unanimous consent of the council, be read the second time by council bill number only, and that enactment be considered at that time. The motion passed unanimously. Councilor Meisner, seconded by Councilor Nathanson, moved that the bill be approved and given final passage. Mayor Torrey commented that he was in favor of the request. Councilor Kelly reiterated his concerns. The motion failed, 4:3; with Councilors Rayor, Nathanson, and Fart voting in support. Mayor Torrey adjourned the meeting. MINUTES--Eugene City Council June 21, 1999 Page 8 7:30 p.m. Respectfully submitted, James R. Johnson City Manager (Recorded by Joe Sams) MINUTES--Eugene City Council June 21, 1999 Page 9 7:30 p.m.