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HomeMy WebLinkAboutCC Minutes - 01/26/98 Meeting MINUTES Eugene City Council City Council Chamber--City Hall January 26, 1998 7:30 p.m. COUNCILORS PRESENT: Pat Farr, Bobby Lee, Laurie Swanson Gribskov, Scott Meisner, Nancy Nathanson, Betty Taylor, Ken Tollenaar. COUNCILORS ABSENT: Tim Laue. His Honor Mayor James D. Torrey called the meeting of the Eugene City Council to order at 7:30 p.m. I. PUBLIC FORUM Mr. Fart moved, seconded by Mr. Tollenaar, that presentations in the Public Forum be limited to three minutes each. Mayor Torrey determined there was consensus to limit presentations in the Public Forum to three minutes. He explained other established ground rules for presentations. Ray Wolfe, 1473 Luella Street, submitted copies of a letter he had written to councilors regarding his concern that property tax exemptions given to The Register-Guard were not legal. He said he believed its building recently constructed on High Street to be in violation of the City Code and State statutes. He requested that councilors direct that a response be made to a June 1997 letter containing the same allegations from Neal Hyatt and that the council explain why consideration of the allegations had not been made before approval of the exemptions had been given by the council. Henry Luvert, 2036 South Shasta, stated that he was concerned over reports that the City Manager had encouraged the resignation of Police Chief Leonard Cooke without discussions with various communities within the City. He said such actions show that connections with communities of people of color do not exist. He questioned whether the City would be a better and safer place to live after Chief Cooke left his position. He expressed hope that the council would provide leadership for the community. Fern Jacobson, 1880 Tabor Street, stated that she was a 73-year-old resident of Eugene concerned about cuts in support for senior programs. She said she believed community programs for senior citizens were a benefit to taxpayers. She urged the council to reconsider its reduction of support for the Campbell Community Center which had resulted in elimination of the position held by Jeanne Seward-Wallberg. She said funds for reinstatement of the position should be found. Charlie Toiles, 550 East 46th Avenue, stated that he had been a resident of Eugene for 50 years. He said he was opposed to establishing a police complaint external review board. He said that Minutes--Eugene City Council January 26, 1998 Page 1 7:30 p.m. after attending two meetings of the council's External Review Advisory Committee, he realized that the impetus for establishing such a board was provided by activists who were seeking control of the police, which he found offensive. He said that he had had little contact with Police Chief Leonard Cooke, but that he found him to be a thoughtful man and that he had been impressed with his remarks before the City Club. He said he believed termination of the chief was suspect because other department heads were also leaving. Nick Urhausen, 2858 Warren Street, stated that he was a 28-year resident of Eugene. He said that he had participated in the selection process which had resulted in Leonard Cooke becoming Chief of Police. He said he believed the chief had bonded well with the community, was a professional seeking to enforce laws enacted by amateurs, and that the council-manager system of city governance resulted in a reduction in control by citizens. George Beres, 1990 Dogwood, stated that he was a 21-year resident of Eugene. He said he believed the City had unique problems and qualities. He said the full impact of the loss of a black community leader would only be known to the minority community. He suggested that a secret power structure in the City was manipulating disagreements between the Police Chief and City Manager to stifle dissent. He said the minority community needed to be alerted to how such manipulation was possible. Misa Joo, 2327 Jefferson Street, said she did not believe people of color were easily manipulated. She said the resignation of Police Chief Leonard Cooke brought into question the inclusiveness of the City. She suggested that the planned evaluation of the City Manager include consideration of whether she is a visionary leader, whether she listens to all of the community, and whether she works with people to bring out their strengths as a leader. Chia Wood, 1612 Polk Street #14, said she was concerned about the power accumulating in the office of City Manager. She said she believed employment of department heads "at the will" of the manager would tend to stifle independent thinking and create only "yes-persons." She said concentrating power created power plays and did not solve problems. She said she did not look forward to the difficult task of replacing Chief Lennard Cooke. Maki Doolittle, 2327 Jefferson Street, stated that she respected Police Chief Leonard Cooke for his regular appearance at ethnic celebrations in the City. She said he was a good role model. Charles Durham, 2981 Madison Street, stated that he was a nine-year resident of Eugene. He said Police Chief Leonard Cooke appeared to have time for everyone, was concerned with what went on in the community, and that his presence made him feel safe. He said he believed the public deserved more answers to questions about why he had resigned. He encouraged the City Council to provide the answers to the community and to involve citizens in the search for a new chief. Desiree Moor, 3110 Sorrel Way, said that she believed the City was in crisis. She said the annual evaluation of the City Manager should take into account her dishonesty, why over $500,000 was paid in severance pay to departing department executives, why there was an increasing use of the City Attorney since her arrival, why consultants were needed to help the council develop a vision for the City, and why there needed to be a nationwide search for a new Chief of Police. She said she believed the City Council should terminate the City Manager. Minutes--Eugene City Council January 26, 1998 Page 2 7:30 p.m. Rick Szekalski, 2115 Brittany, said that he was speaking to show his support for Police Chief Leonard Cooke. He asked Councilor Nathanson to take a leadership role in dealing with the inner turmoil within government leadership. Edwin Coleman, 1895 Fillmore Street, reported that he had received more messages about the resignation of Police Leonard Cooke than any other issues. He said he was concerned about the "shameless manner" in which the City Manager treated department leadership and that he was tired of "petty politics." He said he believed the City Manager should seek out the opinions of the communities of people of color. He read a poem which he said reflected his feelings about life in the City. Pat Lambert, 850 East 20th Avenue, presented what she said were the signatures of 135 senior citizens asking for the reinstatement of Jeanne Seward-Wallberg as program supervisor of the Campbell Community Center. She said a fund was being established to enable her being rehired by the City. Jerry Freeman, 1038 East 22nd Avenue, said that he was among those who signed the petition to reinstate Jeanne Seward-Wallberg as program supervisor of the Campbell Community Center. He said he was upset that the Campbell Trust Fund created by participants in senior activities at the center could not be used to pay for staff expenses. Ellen Zimmerman, 1412 Juhl Street, stated that she was a native of the City of Eugene. She said she did not believe the Campbell Community Center was the same since Jeanne Seward- Wallberg was no longer program supervisor. She described the work and benefit she provided to participants in programs of the center. Joseph D. Bradford, 139 East 17th Avenue #2, said that he supported Police Chief Leonard Cooke. He said the chief was an embodiment of the proverb that it takes an entire village to raise a child. He said he was concerned that the City Manager micromanaged the City Police Department and destroyed its vision of community policing. He reported his personal experience that police harassment of him had stopped following the arrival of Chief Cooke. Paul Prensky, 933 East 29th Avenue, said that he was a long time critic of City Manager Vicki Elmer and Police Chief Leonard Cooke. He said he believed the Chamber of Commerce wielded an inordinate amount of power and influence on the affairs of City government. He said he believed the City Manager should return the resignation of the police chief and remove herself from any influence in the department. He said he would rather have disagreements with Chief Cooke than anyone else. Ruth Duemler, 1745 Fircrest, said that she supported the efforts of City Manager Vicki Elmer to make changes in City government. She said she also understood the widely expressed feeling that the manager should be removed from office. She said she was angry that TCl had changed the channel for Metrovision because it eliminated her ability to watch City Council meetings on television. She requested that the council encourage the cable company to return Metrovision to a more accessible location. Audrey Erickson, 255 Agate Street, said that she was not able to evaluate the work of Police Chief Leonard Cooke or City Manager Vicki Elmer, but that she was saddened by the resignation of the chief. She said she hoped the resignation had not been motivated by racial issues. She Minutes--Eugene City Council January 26, 1998 Page 3 7:30 p.m. said she believed a city manager should have the authority to create a compatible management staff. Nich Antone, Jr, 512 Honeysuckle Lane, said that he was a 32-year resident of Eugene and that he had worked with City staff for years until the "abatement" of his home the previous week. He said the action was unfair and should not have happened. Milt Davis, 25259 Lamb Road, Elmira, stated that the influence of Police Chief Leonard Cooke had reached into the rural areas of the county. He said that he was dismayed that the City Manager had not realized the impact the resignation of the chief would have on the communities of people of color. He said he believed the City Council was responsible for the power struggle underway within City government. He said he did not believe the presence of Chief Cooke could be replaced throughout the community. Gene Parro, 3475 Kincaid, spoke about the efforts of Jeanne Seward-Wallberg and the assistance she had been to all who participated in programs of the Campbell Community Center. Guadalupe Quinn, 3820 Greenwood, stated that she spoke for the Latino community of Eugene and that she was dismayed at the resignation of Police Chief Leonard Cooke. She said she did not understand the politics involved, but that she believed it would be the biggest mistake made in the City in 20 years. She said Chief Cooke had been a key bridge to the minority communities in the City and that his leaving would have a significant effect. Lynn Burditt, 89066 Bridge Street, Springfield, stated that she had been a resident of the Leaburg area for nine years and had experienced the effects of events in Eugene on rural areas of the county. She said she admired Police Chief Leonard Cooke and was aware that he had built important relationships throughout the area. She said she believed his resignation would be a loss to the entire community. Michael McCarthy, 1416 Blair Boulevard, reported that Police Chief Leonard Cooke had sent cards to activists in the community. He said he appreciated the openness of Chief Cooke, although he disagreed with department policies regarding the use of pepper spray. He said he also did not appreciate the process followed by City Manager Vicki Elmer in the resignation of the chief. Brett Cole, 1877 Orchard #403, urged the City Council to stop the Moon Mountain subdivision in the City because it would deteriorate the neighborhood. He said he was sad about the cuts in senior services in the face of tax rebates given to Hyundai Corporation. He urged the City Council to force Hyundai and Sony Corporation to provide child care programs for their employees. Martin Champion, 1430 Willamette #597, said he believed a reporter from The Register-Guard had left the meeting when mention of a business cabal in Eugene had been raised. He said that those who relied on that newspaper would be upset at the City Manager because divergent opinions were seldom reported. He said he did not believe the minority community of the area was easily manipulated, but that most residents were ignorant about issues related to race and were easily manipulated. He said he believed that Police Lieutenant Becky Hanson should be relieved of her command, not Chief Cooke. Minutes--Eugene City Council January 26, 1998 Page 4 7:30 p.m. Linda Lu, 2746 Kincaid Street, said she was concerned that the City was unable to move out of its "crisis mode." She said she appreciated Police Chief Leonard Cooke, that she wished she had been present for the June 1 incident, and that she believed the current crisis in City government was a fallout of the incident. She said she supported programs of the Campbell Community Center and was concerned that the City Council had not paid adequate attention to the letter writing campaign launched to support it. She said she was opposed to the development of a public safety center at 2na Avenue and Chambers. U. CONSENT CALENDAR A. Approval of City Council Minutes of December 8, 1997, Dinner Work session; December 8, 1997, Meeting; and December 10, 1997, Lunch Work Session B. Resolution Concerning Acceptance of Comprehensive Annual Financial Report Res. No. 4553--A resolution acknowledging receipt of the Comprehensive Annual Financial Report (CAFR) for the City of Eugene for the fiscal year ended June 30, 1997 C. Appointments to Riverfront Research Park Commission D. Approval of Minutes, Findings and Recommendations from the Hearings Official; Authorization of Design, Acquisition, and bidding of Proposed Improvements to Ayres Road Mr. Fart moved, seconded by Mr. Tollenaar, to approve the City Council Consent Calendar. Mr. Tollenaar requested that he be permitted to make an amendment to the first two paragraphs on page 7 of the minutes of the December 10, 1997, Lunch Work Session, as follows: · During the days prior to the June 1 incident, itnformation indicating that a protest might occurwas processed in a fragmented, incomplete, and disorganized fashion. tepee. Staff had two basic issues: (~) whether to go ahead with the tree cutting and (2) how to handle the protest. Given clear direction provided by the council May 28, staff acted properly in dealing with the first issue. However, top departmental and city manager staff gave no systematic consideration to alternative ways of dealing with the protest. He offered suggestions regarding the incident which he felt could have provided better control. Mayor Torrey determined there was no objection to the amendment proposed by Mr. Tollenaar. Mr. Tollenaar and Ms. Taylor requested that Item D be removed from the Consent Calendar. Mr. Fart and Mr. Tollenaar agreed to change their motion, as follows: Minutes-Eugene City Council January 26, 1998 Page 5 7:30 p.m. to approve Items A (as amended), B, and C of the City Council Consent Calendar. The motion was adopted unanimously, 7:0. Mayor Torrey recused himself from council consideration of Consent Calendar Item D, action on matters related to proposed improvements to Ayres Road. Council President Fart assumed the role of chair of the meeting. Mr. Farr moved, seconded by Mr. Tollenaar, to approve the Hearings Official's Minutes, Findings, and Recommendation of January 5, 1998; to authorize design, acquisition, and bidding of improvements to Ayres Road from Gilham Road; and to approve the recommended modification to the assessment procedures as recommended by the Council Committee on Finance on January 7, 1998. Ms. Taylor stated that she was concerned that improvements to Ayres Road would not adequately benefit residents and would inordinately increase the cost of housing in the area. Mr. Tollenaar said that he had invested much time in understanding the Ayres Road situation and believed the concerns of Ms. Taylor could be addressed in a satisfactory way. He asked that an explanation be given to assessment procedure policies referred to in the motion. City Engineer Les Lyle referred to information beginning on page 56 of the Agenda Item Summary distributed with the agenda of the meeting. He noted that the proposal was that all properties adjacent to an unimproved street would pay for an equivalent residential street width (20-feet if no parking, 28-feet with parking) at the time the street is improved to City standards and that both developed and undeveloped properties be treated the same for assessment purposes. He said the proposed approach was more equitable, and had been discussed and unanimously recommended by the Council Committee on Finance. Mr. Tollenaar said that he was pleased with the proposed policy change. He said he had previously been concerned that developed and undeveloped were treated differently. He pointed out that the extra cost of improving streets to arterial standards was born by System Development Charges, not property assessments. He said that the proposed change reduced assessments to residential property. Ms. Nathanson said she believed the proposed assessment methodology was a significant improvement over previous practices, but that she continued to be concerned about unfair treatment of property with double street frontage. She noted that the Agenda Item Summary addressed issues involved, but that she believed many property owners were not made adequately aware of potentially significant assessment charges when streets were improved. Mr. Fart stated that he believed the proposed policy changes were an example of attempts to make assessment charges equitable. Ms. Taylor said she was not satisfied that proposed assessment policy changes were adequate. She said she believed assessments were an imposition and were not needed. She said she also believed assessments of the Hyundai plant should be made to fully pay for the expenses of infrastructure development it required. Minutes--Eugene City Council January 26, 1998 Page 6 7:30 p.m. Mr. Tollenaar said his research had shown that the proposed assessment policy changes would reduce and make more equitable charges for street improvements, that irrevocable petitions involving double frontage assessments were not an issue in the project in questions, that double frontage could be an advantage in property development, and that the need for the street improvements on Ayres Road were essential and had been petitioned for by area residents. The motion to approve the Hearing's Official's Minutes, Findings, and Recommendation; authorize improvements to Ayres Road; and approve modification to the assessment procedures was adopted, 7:1, with Ms. Taylor voting no. Mayor Torrey re-assumed the role of chair of the meeting. He explained that he had recused himself because he owns property in the Ayres Road area. iii. PUBLIC HEARING: APPROVAL OF MINUTES, FINDINGS AND RECOMMENDA- TIONS FROM THE HEARINGS OFFICIAL AND PASSAGE OF AN ORDINANCE LEVYING ASSESSMENTS FOR STORM SEWERS ON GILHAM ROAD City Engineer Les Lyle explained that he was requesting council to approve Minutes, Findings, and Recommendations from the Hearings Official; approve an ordinance levying assessments for storm sewer on Gilham Road; and act on a recommendation to direct that code language be prepared to exempt ordinances for levying of assessments from the current public hearing requirement, delegating the authority to the Hearings Official. Mr. Tollenaar asked if it was necessary to enact an ordinance to levy assessments, or was it possible to accomplish the same end through a Council Resolution. Mr. Lyle said he believed Oregon statutes did not require ordinances for such assessments. On the request of Mr. Tollenaar, City Attorney Glenn Klein said he would research whether there was a way assessments could be levied through Council Resolution. Ms. Swanson Gribskov said that she believed public hearings regarding the levying of assessments should be held before a Hearings Official, not the City Council. Mayor Torrey opened the public hearing. Mayor Torrey determined there was no one wishing to testify in the public hearing. Mayor Torrey closed the public hearing. Mr. Fart moved, seconded by Mr. Tollenaar, to approve the Hearings Official's Minutes, Findings and Recommendations of December 17, 1997. The motion was adopted unanimously, 7:0. City Manager Vicki Elmer announced that the council would consider Council Bill 4633, an ordinance levying assessments for storm sewer on Gilham Road from Honeywood Street to Ayres Road, and Ayres Road from Gilham Road to 500 feet west; and declaring an emergency. (Contract 96-11) (Job #3459). Minutes--Eugene City Council January 26, 1998 Page 7 7:30 p.m. Mayor Torrey recused himself from council consideration of the ordinance. Council President Fart assumed the role of chair of the meeting. Mr. Fart moved, seconded by Mr. Tollenaar, that Council Bill 4633, with unanimous consent of the council, be read the second time by council bill number only, and that enactment be considered at this time. The motion was adopted unanimously, 7:0. Ms. Elmer announced that the council would consider Council Bill 4633 by number only. Mr. Fart moved, seconded by Mr. Tollenaar, that Council Bill 4633 be approved and given final passage. The motion was adopted unanimously, 7:0, and became Ordinance 20104. Mr. Fart moved, seconded by Mr. Tollenaar, to direct the City Manager to prepare necessary code language exempting ordinances for levying of assessments from the current public hearing requirement in Section 2.007 and delegate authority to the Hearings Official per Section 7.187(1). Ms. Taylor asked if the motion meant that the Hearings Official would make decisions regarding levying of assessments. Mr. Klein replied that the motion would continue previous practices in which the Hearings Official held public hearings on levying of assessments, report findings and recommendations to the City Council, and the council would take action to impose the assessments. Mr. Tollenaar stated that his request for a report on the feasibility of using Council Resolutions to levy assessments was pertinent to the motion under consideration. Ms. Elmer explained that when the council had adopted its Ground Rules on December 10, 1997, staff was unaware that a comparable process for public hearings held by the Hearings Official, not the City Council, was in place for levying assessments. Mr. Klein said that the council was being asked to give direction about the exempting ordinances for levying of assessments. The council could follow the Ground Rule requiring public hearings for all ordinances before the council; consider code language exempting ordinances levying assessments from the ground rule requiring a public hearing before council since a hearing is held by a Hearings Official or consider an ordinance change so that levying assessments can be accomplished through Council Resolutions. Mr. Klein said that the motion under consideration could be adopted, amended, or withdrawn. Mr. Tollenaar suggested that the motion should be adopted because it gave direction to prepare code language to exempt levying assessments, but did not adopt such a procedure. The motion was adopted unanimously, 7:0. Mayor Torrey re-assumed the role of chair of the meeting. Minutes--Eugene City Council January 26, 1998 Page 8 7:30 p.m. IV. PUBLIC HEARING: REVISION OF ORDINANCE REGARDING ART IN PUBLIC PLACES Ms. Elmer reminded councilors of the Council Work Session on the proposed revision of the ordinance regarding art in public places held on January 12. Mayor Torrey determined that councilors had no questions regarding the proposed ordinance. Mayor Torrey opened the public hearing. Mayor Torrey determined there was no one wishing to testify in the public hearing. Mayor Torrey closed the public hearing. Ms. Elmer announced that the council would consider Council Bill 4634, an ordinance concerning art in Public Places; and amending Sections 2.638, 2.640, 2.642, 2.644, and 6.648 of the Eugene Code, 1971. Mr. Fart moved, seconded by Mr. Tollenaar, that Council Bill 4634, with the unanimous consent of the council, be read the second time by Council Bill number only, and that enactment be considered at this time. The motion was adopted unanimously, 7:0 Ms. Elmer announced that the council would consider Council Bill 4634 by number only. Mr. Fart moved, seconded by Mr. Tollenaar, that Council Bill 4634 be approved and given final passage. The motion was adopted unanimously, 7:0, and became Ordinance 20105. V. PUBLIC HEARING: RESOLUTION CONCERNING GROWTH MANAGEMENT POLICIES Ms. Elmer reminded councilors of the work of the Eugene Planning Commission and the council work sessions which had led to development of the Growth Management Policies under consideration. She reported that she, Councilor Tollenaar, and Planning and Development staff had met and briefed the Springfield City Council on the proposed policies. Mayor Torrey stated that a citizen had asked whether the proposed policies would have any binding legal force. Mr. Klein replied that the policies would be used to guide staff work in developing proposed changes to the Eugene Code and in the adoption of budget and capital improvement programs, but, in and of themselves, did not enact any legal requirements. He also said the policies would not be used to determine approval or denial of land use applications. He referred to Sections 2 and 3 of the resolution and said they contained the limitations on the use of the policies he had identified. Mayor Torrey determined that councilors had no further questions regarding the proposed resolution. Minutes--Eugene City Council January 26, 1998 Page 9 7:30 p.m. Mayor Torrey opened the public hearing. Greg McLauchlan, 2401 West 22nd Avenue, stated that he was president of Friends of Eugene. He said he believed most of the proposed policies represented sensible directions for creating a more liveable, environmentally friendly, and equitable City. He said he felt there were two major shortcomings of the proposed policies: (1) Language about the Urban Growth Boundary had been watered down from that originally proposed; and (2) Language about alternative transportation had been watered down from that originally proposed. He suggested that the key to the success of the policies was whether they would be melded into a comprehensive plan with measurable results and accountability and that Policy 4 and Policy 7 were dangerously vague. He recommended that only persons who have a demonstrated commitment to the kind of policies proposed for adoption should be considered for employment as Director of the Planning and Development Department. David G. Hinkley, 1308 Jefferson, stated that he appreciated the work and time the council had given to development of the proposed policies. He said he was concerned that compromise and reaching consensus to arrive at their final form would not give the community what it needed. He said he believed the policies could be used to support arguments supporting multiple and diverse points of view and that "fights and debates" regarding principles in the policies had only been postponed and moved to the venue of implementation. He said he was concerned that those with the most effective debating skills would ultimately prevail. He recommended that the council approve the proposed policies with changes suggested by testimony in the public hearing, that staff be directed to track how the policies were used to support various arguments, and that the policies be reconsidered by the council in 18 months. Cornelius Swart, 658 Van Buren Street, stated that he worked with the Eugene Code Green project which was concerned with networking ideas related to City zoning laws. He said he was concerned that Policy 9 was overly vague and could be interpreted to enable establishment of restrictive housing maintenance standards. Jan Spencer, 283 North Polk Street, proffered fliers advertising a public interest forum on February 4 in Harris Hall which would feature 24 Eugene area public interest groups. He said he was concerned about revisions which had been made to Growth Management Policies since they were considered by the Planning Commission. He said he felt changes created a greater distance from views held by a majority of citizens--the Urban Growth Boundary is to be "supported" not "maintained," "maximizing" alternatives to the automobile should be returned, increased public oversight and approval should be provided for expenditure of public funds used to guide development, private infrastructure should be paid for by private funds. He provided printed information which he requested be duplicated for councilors. Robert Bolman, 878 Almaden Street, said he believed the proposed Growth Management Policies were a thoughtful attempt to gently move Eugene in the correct direction, but did not provide a clearly defined vision of what the City should look like in the future. He suggested that European cities could be a model for local development. He said he believed developers should be convinced of the profits available in high density, city-center development. Frank Drysdale, 912 Van Buren, said he believed many neighborhoods of Eugene were beautiful and loved, but that many interpreted the actions of City policies as an assault on neighborhoods. He said he had previously recommended that a formal environmental review policy should be developed, but that he did not believe proposed Policy 17 went far enough. He said events Minutes--Eugene City Council January 26, 1998 Page 10 7:30 p.m. which occurred on June 1, 1997, had resulted from the City Council not listening to citizens in its meeting on May 28, 1997. He said he believed the views of citizens were not listened to by staff and elected leaders. He said Policies 11, 12, 13, and 14 needed to be accompanied by active discouragement of subsidized monthly parking. He said he objected that testimony on Growth Management Policies were being limited to three minutes and hoped that the council would postpone a decision on them to allow additional discussion. Jori Belcher, 1190 West 17th Avenue, stated that he was speaking as co-chair of Jefferson Neighbors. He expressed appreciation for the work of the council on the Growth Management Policies and said he believed they were a good start. He raised concerns about policies which focused on transportation--those encouraging alternative modes of transportation, and those which increase the capacity of streets. He said he believed Policies 11 and 12 which focus on alternative modes of transportation lacked vigor, but that their weaknesses could be corrected later. He said he believed Policies 2, 3, 6, and 10 which focused on adding capacity to streets were not reversible. He said his neighborhood association had addressed its concerns about increased traffic in responses to proposed street classification standards. He said the major concern was that increasing street capacities was based on traffic counts only and did not provide any mitigation procedures. He reported that the Oregon Department of Transportation was operating with a new philosophy which designed streets based on the adjacent properties, not traffic counts. He said he believed Policy 13 could be seen as a mandate to widen roads, regardless of its impact. He proposed adding a phrase to Policy 13, as follows: "... while preserving the viability of residences and businesses that front our streets." He suggested that the council direct the Planning Commission to reopen street classification standards hearings. Moshe Immerman, 3455 Onyx Place, stated that linguistic precision was needed in Growth Management Policies. He said he believed the proposed policies were overly generalized and did not reflect concerns supported by citizens. He suggested that policies under consideration were a mirror showing the inability of staff to reflect clear concerns of citizens. He said precise language was required to implement the will of the people. Determining there were no other persons wishing to testify, Mayor Torrey closed the public hearing. Mr. Lee said that he was concerned about the lateness of the hour and the importance of providing ample time for councilors to discuss issues related to the Growth Management Policies. Mr. Lee moved, seconded by Ms. Nathanson, that council deliberation and decisions about Growth Management Policies be postponed until its meeting scheduled on February 2, 1998. Ms. Nathanson said she would like to include in future council consideration two citizen recommendations not mentioned in the public hearing: (1) that the word "avoid" be substituted for the word "control" in Policy 5; and (2) that the word "new" as a description of affordable housing be removed from Policy 8. Mr. Tollenaar said he would like to include in future council consideration a suggestion of Don Upson that the phrase "... maintain the climate of livability of individual neighborhoods..." be added to Policy 6. Minutes--Eugene City Council January 26, 1998 Page 11 7:30 p.m. The motion to postpone was adopted unanimously, 7:0. Mayor Torrey adjourned the meeting of the City Council and convened a meeting of the Urban Renewal Agency at 10 p.m. VI. RESOLUTION CONCERNING ACCEPTANCE OF FINANCIAL STATEMENTS FOR THE URBAN RENEWAL AGENCY. Res. No. 993--A resolution acknowledging receipt of the "General Purpose Financial Statements of the Urban Renewal Agency, a Component Unit of the City of Eugene, Oregon, for the Fiscal Year Ended June 30, 1997." Ms. Elmer announced that the council would consider Urban Renewal Agency Resolution Number 993. Mr. Far moved, seconded by Mr. Tollenaar, that Urban Renewal Agency Resolution 993 be adopted. The motion was adopted unanimously, 7:0. Mayor Torrey adjourned the meeting of the Urban Renewal Agency at 10:02 p.m. Minutes--Eugene City Council January 26, 1998 Page 12 7:30 p.m. Respectfully submitted, Vicki Elmer City Manager (Recorded by Dan Lindstrom) Minutes--Eugene City Council January 26, 1998 Page 13 7:30 p.m.