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HomeMy WebLinkAboutCC Minutes - 06/01/98 Meeting MINUTES Eugene City Council City Council Chamber--City Hall June 1, 1998 7:30 p.m. COUNCILORS PRESENT: Tim Laue, Bobby Lee, Scott Meisner, Nancy Nathanson, Laurie Swanson Gribskov, Betty Taylor, Ken Tollenaar. COUNCILOR ABSENT: Pat Farr. The June 1, 1998, meeting of the Eugene City Council meeting was called to order at 7:30 p.m.; Mayor James D. Torrey presiding. I. CEREMONIAL MATTERS A. Bicycle Commute Week Mayor Torrey commented on the commitment of the City of Eugene and its citizens to the use of bicycles as an alternative mode of transportation. He reviewed recent investments of the City in bicycle route infrastructure. He read his proclamation of June 1-6, 1998, as "Bicycle Commute Week" in Eugene and encouraged all members of the community to seek to travel to their place of employment by bicycle at least once during that period of time. He presented the proclamation to City of Eugene Bicycle/Alternative Modes Coordinator Diane Bishop. II. PUBLIC FORUM Mayor Torrey explained the guidelines established for speaking in the Public Forum. Gary Rayor, 2373 Washington Street, stated that he had expressed concern regarding the deposition of material excavated during the Broadway Place Parking structure project in Alton Baker Park and Skinner Butte Park. He reported that he had received a letter from Permit Review Section Manager Keli Osborn admitting that the City had not secured the appropriate permits to place the material in those locations and was being required to do so. He said that he was concerned that adequate plans for erosion control had been made for the material to be deposited in Skinner Butte Park. He said he believed that when the City served as contractor for its own projects, it should be a model for private sector developers. Nick Antone, Jr., 512 Honeysuckle Lane, stated that he was a lifelong resident of Eugene. He expressed appreciation for the work of the council and the Human Rights Commission. He presented a list of improvements he would like to have in City operations, as follows: (1) more access to public records through the Eugene Library; (2) a council study of the 9-1-1 communications system; (3) increased responsiveness to citizen needs by the code enforcement section; and (4) consideration by the council of improvements to streets, sidewalks, and public buildings. MINUTES-City Council June 1, 1998 Page 1 7:30 p.m. Frank Drysdale, 912 Van Buren, recalled the incident on June 1, 1997, in which citizens attempted to prevent the cutting of trees for the Broadway Place Parking structure. He said he regretted the confrontation with police which had resulted during the incident. He said he believed problems were created because of an addition made to plans for the structure after they were approved by the departmental advisory committee. He recommended that plans such as those developed for the structure should be made available to the community and neighborhood through the public library. He said he also believed City ordinances regarding trees were violated in the project when a 15-day comment and appeal period were not provided. Gordie Albi, 550 East 40th Avenue, stated that she was experienced with police review procedures in other areas and had attend all of the meetings of the External Review Advisory Committee. She said she believed the estimate of $100,000 for the procedure to be instituted in Eugene was too high, especially if no consultants would be hired. She said she disagreed with public comments made by members of the council regarding community support for the review process. She reported that she was aware of wide-spread dissatisfaction with the police and hoped a decision about the issue would be placed before the voters. Misha Seymour, 1313 Lincoln Street #306, stated that he was concerned with the "direction" of the City. He said that he believed the council was overly pessimistic and he opposed the proposed daytime curfew because citizens had the right to walk City streets. He proposed that the council develop "win-win" situations and complained about the absence of benches on 13th Avenue, public telephones which can not receive in-coming calls, public bathrooms which do not have soap, harassment of children, and tax incentives given the Hyundai Corporation. He said citizens had the right to sit on the downtown mall. Kristian Stiegler, 939 West Broadway, said that he believed the council would reap the "karma" of its actions in regards to the June 1, 1997, incident by losing elections. He said he believed the architectural design of the Broadway Plaza parking structure project could have been altered to accommodate the trees in the area. He presented a list of issues, as follows: (1) neither the mayor or seven of eight councilors had attended any meetings of the External Review Advisory Committee; (2) he has never seen a member of the City Council on a bicycle trail or riding a bus; the mayor lives in the hills; councilors are not responsive to citizens; prohibitions of skateboards and dogs on 13th Avenue curtail the rights of citizens; and pro-active police decisions are hurting the City. Paul Prensky, 933 East 29th Avenue, distributed copies of a leaflet entitled "Who Killed the Downtown Trees? How Come The Died and Why'd It Come To Be?" He said he did not believe flying a flag on Skinner Butte was a bad idea. He said he had participated in a silent march to commemorate the June 1, 1997, tree cutting incident. He read a portion of the leaflet he had distributed. Faddah Wolf, 520 West 13th Avenue, said that he believed the June 1, 1997, incident was an indictment of City policies, City government, City mandates, and a prevalent "us versus them" mentality. He said public comments by councilors that only a minority of citizens want a police review process were inaccurate because he was aware of many in the downtown area who wanted such a process. He said he also believed a curfew on the downtown mall was inappropriate because it was unfair to children of the community. He said he was involved in seeking to bring Federal civil rights charges because of violations which took place on June 1, 1997. MINUTES--City Council June 1, 1998 Page 2 7:30 p.m. III. APPROVAL OF MINUTES Mr. Tollenaar moved, seconded by Ms. Nathanson, to approve the minutes of the City Council meeting of April 28, 1998, Joint Elected Officials Meeting; and May 18, 1998, Human Rights Commission Interviews. Roll call vote. The motion was adopted unanimously, 7:0. IV. CONTINUATION OF PUBLIC HEARING ON DOWNTOWN URBAN RENEWAL PLAN AMENDMENT Development Division Urban Services Section Manager Bob Hibschman reviewed council actions on adopting an amendment to the Urban Renewal Plan for the Central Eugene Project. He noted that two alternative ordinances had been provided to councilors, reflecting whether the use of urban renewal funds for a library should be tied to the future passage of a local option levy providing operating revenue for the library system. He noted that the council would also decide on the level of maximum indebtedness, if it was determined to select (Grandfathered) Option #1 for the Downtown Urban Renewal District. Mayor Torrey reviewed guidelines for testimony and re-opened the public hearing on amending the Downtown Urban Renewal Plan. Alice Parian, 2876 Kincaid Street, stated that she was a 20-year resident of Eugene. She said she believed the recent shooting incident at Thurston High School was a stimulus to commitment to building a spirit of community. She said a larger and better library would support such community building and listed a wide variety of persons who use the Eugene Library. She expressed appreciation for the support of the council for improving the library. Michael Lewis, 2765 Agate Street, stated that he was a 14-year resident of Eugene. He said he had been surprised at the inadequacy of the library on moving to the City. He said he believed it was wrong to tie the use of urban renewal funds for a library to passage of a local option levy for its operation. He said safety was a concern for a new library and that problems of the downtown mall area should be considered when deciding on its location. "Tex" Matsler, 2605 Chula Vista Drive, stated that he believed it would be a mistake to build a new library when the current facility could be enlarged with urban renewal funds. He reported that there was strong support for branch libraries during the recently held Library Forums of the Mayor's Library Improvement Committee. He felt it was strange that the staff and committee had not yet recommended establishment of branches. He said a long-range plan for the development of branches was needed. He questioned why the council was intending to adjourn the meeting to the McNutt Room for its deliberation regarding use of urban renewal funds for the library. He said it had never happened when he was employed by the City. Emily Schue, 3122 Willamette Street, stated that she was a long-time supporter of the Eugene Library. She suggested that urban renewal revenue should be used to build a new library across from the former Sears Building. She pointed out that the Friends of the Library were committed to raising $100,000 in support of the construction of a new facility. She said she believed plans for branch libraries should be made in order to provide services to the Bethel and Willakenzie MINUTES-City Council June 1, 1998 Page 3 7:30 p.m. areas of the services and gain their support for a local option levy to provide operating funds for the library system. David Hinkley, 1308 Jefferson Street, stated that he supported the use of urban renewal funds for a new library and a local option levy for library operating revenue. He said he was opposed to linking the use of urban renewal funds for the library to approval of a local option levy because a library could be built and an alternate revenue source could be developed for operating revenue, if a local option levy proposal was defeated. John Stromberg, 2250 Lawrence Street, stated that he was speaking for himself, his family, and his book reading group. He said he was a long-time supporter of creating a new library and that he believed the opportunity for doing so was available in the use of urban renewal funds. Misha Seymour, 1313 Lincoln Street #306, stated that he agreed with the support for branch libraries given by previous speakers. He noted that other communities of smaller size had branch systems. He said that Hyundai had been given tax incentives and that the library should also be given use of such resources. He suggested that special interests were advocating placing a new library in the downtown area. He said he believed library hours could be extended by reducing funding to the Police Department and that the present library could be fixed where it is. Mayor Torrey determined there were no other persons wishing to testify and closed the public hearing. Councilors discussed the advantages of deliberating over issues related to the use of urban renewal funds in the McNutt Room and determined that they would do so, if the number of citizens remaining to observe the discussion at the end of the meeting were small enough to comfortably fit in its confines. V. PUBLIC HEARING: SKINNER BUTTE WAR MEMORIAL FLAG City Manager Pro Tern James R. Johnson stated that issues to be decided by the council regarding a proposed Skinner Butte War Memorial Flag included whether there should be such a flag and whether a specific proposal for such a flag should be accepted. He said there was no staff report, but that a representative of the family which had made the proposal had been asked to speak. Bud Stewart, 80621 Sears Road, Cottage Grove, displayed an artist's rendering of a 108 foot flag pole located to the east and south of the previous location of a cross on Skinner Butte. He noted that it showed a plaza for the location of future plaques and/or mementos and a 20 by 30 foot flag attached to the pole. He said that any size flag could be flown from the pole, that the pole was 13 feet lower than the emergency radio tower to the north and east, and that there were trees on the butte which were taller than the pole. He stated that he had been hired as consultant and contractor for construction of the development by its contributors. Mayor Torrey suggested that Mr. Stewart make himself available to answer questions regarding the proposal at the meeting of the council during which a decision about accepting the gift would be made. Mayor Torrey opened the public hearing. MINUTES-City Council June 1, 1998 Page 4 7:30 p.m. Peter Gribskov, 2001 Columbia, stated that he was president of the Eugene Rotary Club which was involved in many civic activities throughout the community. He reported that the club had provided maintenance for the top of Skinner Butte for two years. He read a resolution adopted by the club's board of directors which gave conditional support for placing a flag on the summit of the butte. He said concerns expressed about the proposal were that it be aesthetically pleasing and that it reduce future maintenance requirements. Virginia Boushey, 645 West 24th Avenue, stated that she was concerned that those expressing opposition to the proposed flag would be considered unpatriotic and that debate would be stifled. She said that she was opposed to the proposal and had worked hard to support the American way of life and had many members in her family who had served in the military. She said she believed placing a flag on Skinner Butte would continue the controversy which had created opposing groups in Eugene for many years. She said she also believed the proposal trivialized the flag for political and personal reasons, in the same way as it had been misused by others in the recent past. She said she was also opposed to the proposal because it detracted from the natural beauty of Skinner Butte. Wayne Ford, 1019 Fillmore Street #1, said that he supported placing a flag on Skinner Butte as a memorial to military veterans. He said he did not believe the size of the flag would relate to the patriotism of those supporting such a memorial and that he favored a more modest development with funds not used being donated to fund a program for dental care for veterans or other disabled veteran needs. Charlotte Peterson, 1210 Pearl Street, suggested that something other than a flag on Skinner Butte be erected as a veteran's memorial in Eugene. She said she believed the highest patriotism was keeping the peace and honoring those who serve in the military. She recounted her experiences at memorials in the Eugene Sister City of Irkutsk, Russia and in Dachau, Poland. She said she would prefer to have a memorial to be more inclusive than for just American veterans. Rock Gothard, 1371 Sunny Drive, stated that he was president of an area Vietnam Veterans association. He said that he believed the flag was the symbol for the country for which he fought and should be honored. He said all veterans organizations were united behind the flag. Frank Blair, 2850 Mill Street, said that he was a life-long resident of Eugene and past commander of a Eugene post of the Veterans of Foreign Wars. He said he believed the flag, Statue of Liberty, Mount Rushmore, and Golden Gate Bridge were symbols that united the country. He said that the flag was a symbol of freedom, that there were people dying to get into the country, and that there are those who cherish the flag more than life itself. He said the cross previously on Skinner Butte was a memorial to fallen veterans and was not a religious symbol and that the flag would be a symbol for freedom and justice. Nick Urhausen, 3858 Warren Street, stated that he was drafted and served in during the Vietnam War. He said it was not an experience he enjoyed and that 800 members of his unit were killed and 3,400 wounded during its time in battle. He said he did not believe the flag was a symbol for the military, but that it stood for America. He said he had joined the Veterans of Foreign Wars when the City Council had opposed the previous war memorial on Skinner Butte. He said that he believed whether a flag on Skinner Butte should be placed on Skinner Butte MINUTES--City Council June 1, 1998 Page 5 7:30 p.m. should be put to a vote of the citizens of Eugene. He said he favored the proposal because the flag could be used to teach children about patriotism. Larry Brink, 2242 Riverview Street, said that he did not have a problem with the American flag. He said he objected to its use on Skinner Butte because he felt it was proposed to be the main attraction of a memorial to veterans. He suggested that the Vietnam War memorial was a better model to follow and proposed that a garden be created on Skinner Butte as a memorial to area veterans. Sandra Bristow, 85007 Kensington Drive, Pleasant Hill, said she represented the Oregon chapter of the Daughters of the American Revolution. She said the goals of her organization included honoring heritage and patriotism. She said she believed the United States needed a spiritual rebirth on the base of the beliefs of the founders of the country. She suggested that flying the American flag was a way to engender patriotism. Nick Antone, Jr., 512 Honeysuckle Lane, expressed appreciation for the opportunity to speak. He said he was not feeling well but had written letters to the council about Skinner Butte. He said that he had restored the "E" in Skinner Butte as an Eagle Scout. He thanked the Rotary Club. He presented a list of suggestions for Skinner Butte, as follows: (1) Place binoculars on the summit. (2) Put Christmas Tree lights on the tree next to where the flag would go. (3) Improve the road to the summit. (4) Improve the historical preservation of the area. (5) Remove the radio tower from the butte. Michael Lewis, 2765 Agate Street, said that he believed the issues of a new library for Eugene and the proposed flag on Skinner Butte were intertwined. He said he had represented many clients in defense of constitutional rights as a lawyer. He said he supported a flag on the butte, since it had been considered a war memorial for 60 years. He suggested that a study be made of the issue. He pointed out that the size of a flag used would determine whether it would be required to be lit and if it could be displayed according to regulations automatically. Elizabeth Hat'field, 221 West Centennial Boulevard, Springfield, stated that she was commander of the Willamette Post of the Veterans of Foreign Wars and had written to the council regarding construction of a flag for a memorial on Skinner Butte. She said that when the cross was removed from the butte, assurance was given that it was not intended as disrespect for veterans. She said that placing a flag on the butte would be proof of that statements. She said she believed the flag should fly from the highest point in a town to be visible for children to learn its values. She said no veteran wanted to glorify war, but that the flag represented all that is good in the United States and should be given honor. Stub Stewart, Post Office Box 10293, stated that he was responsible for the offer to construct a flag memorial on Skinner Butte. He said he regretted the inconvenience it had caused to the council, but that he had a difficult time understanding opposition to his proposal. He said he believed it was good that Eugene residents loved to engage in debate, but that it made him uncomfortable. He said many believed fighting in World War II and opposition to the Vietnam War were the most patriotic action they had ever taken. He said the flag could be a symbol all of the diverse elements of the City. Bob Potter, 209 East Rosewood Avenue, stated that he was a lifelong resident of Eugene and vice commander of American Legion Post #3. He said he favored having a flag fly on Skinner MINUTES--City Council June 1, 1998 Page 6 7:30 p.m. Butte day and night to remind residents of those who had fought in wars and not returned. He said it would stand for the ultimate sacrifice made in service of the country. Ray Wiley, Post Office Box 5594, stated that he was manager of the Eugene Rotary Club's Skinner Butte maintenance program. He reported on details of available flag pole, flags, automatic lighting and display mechanisms, and ways to reduce future vandalism and maintenance problems. Tristin Klappauf, 2012 Lemuria Street, stated that she was Senior Class Vice President at Willamette High School. She said she and other students believed displaying the American flag would make Eugene residents aware that they were part of a bigger picture and would remind them of their protected rights (especially of free speech) and the diversity of the country. She said the flag reminded her of the past and represented all of those who served the country in time of war. Bob Poppin, 1645 Copping Street, stated that he was an employee of the Boy Scouts of America. He said his organization sought to foster duty to one's country and respect for the flag. He said he believed the proposed flag on Skinner Butte would be an opportunity to further the education of the youth of the community. Alan Thayer, Post Office Box 468, stated that he was not called to serve his country when he was of draftable age, but that he supported honoring veterans. Audrey Erickson, 2555 Agate, stated that she commended those who had spoken in opposition to the proposed flag on Skinner Butte and did not believe they were unpatriotic or opposed to honoring military veterans. She said that she did not believe a flag would aesthetically improve the butte or that it was incomplete without a flag. Ruthanne Carosio, 1462 West Broadway, stated that she believed the proposed flag on Skinner Butte was intended as a blatant symbol of nationalism and that she was opposed it being approved. She said she believed it was time to promote peace and global unity. Carl Petersen, 2715 Emerald Street, stated that he honored veterans for their commitment to winning freedoms for America in war. He suggested that diplomacy also was a way freedoms were won. He said he did not believe the council could make a decision about the proposed memorial that would satisfy all elements of the community and that it was comparable to a decision made by the biblical character Abraham when he was asked to sacrifice his son. Misha Seymour, 1313 Lincoln Street #306, stated that he believed the biggest current need in the nation was peace and that he believed patriotism was akin to racism. He said he did not believe displaying the flag was helpful in achieving peace, and suggested that a peace park be created in the community. He said he favored keeping the beauty of Skinner Butte in its natural state. Joe Vlasek, 2580 Chula Vista Drive, stated that he had not attended a university or college after high school, but had spent 12 years living and studying in different countries and areas of the United States. He said he had never experienced a community as divided as Eugene and was worried that creation of a flag memorial on Skinner Butte would bring it further division. He said MINUTES--City Council June 1, 1998 Page 7 7:30 p.m. he was concerned that such division would paralyze the City and keep it from realizing any of its commonly held goals. David Hinkley, 1308 Jefferson Street, stated that he was sympathetic to placing a flag on Skinner Butte as a memorial to veterans who had died in defense of the country. He suggested that a tall pole be built, but that a "regular size" flag be used on most occasions with the oversized flag flown on special holidays. Gretchen Miller, 1036 Adams Street, said that she appreciated what veterans had done in defense of the country. She said she believed a huge flag on Skinner Butte was the worst idea she had heard in years because she did not believe the flag was a symbol of national and political unity because it had been usurped by groups which tended to deny diversity. She said she believed creating a flag memorial would spur controversy and not bring people together. Matthew Parrott, 2635 Onyx Street, stated that he had grown up in South Africa during time of apartheid. He said he had been a United States citizen and resident of Eugene for 18 years. He said he meant no disrespect for veterans, but that he was opposed to the proposed flag memorial on Skinner Butte because he felt it forced a nationalistic symbol on the community without its consent. He suggested that a public vote be taken on the issue. Raimon Franck, 328 Cheshire Avenue, stated that he lived on the northwest corner of Skinner Butte Park. He said he did not believe a large flag was needed on the summit of the butte and that there were better ways to honor veterans. He said the practical problem of the high wind velocity at the summit of the butte had not been considered in the proposal under consideration. He said that he was a war veteran and felt that there were better ways to show patriotism. He said favored using the funds which would be used to create the memorial to increase services at senior centers and to enlarge the library and build a smaller scale memorial. Glenn Noll, Post Office Box 10814, stated that he was a disabled Vietnam War veteran and supported the proposed flag memorial on Skinner Butte. He said he had fought for the flag and would appreciate its being displayed on the butte. Jim Hale, 1995 Terresa Avenue, stated that he was a veteran of the Vietnam War. He described some of his experiences. He said he did not believe the proposed memorial was a war memorial, but a veteran's memorial. He urged the council to accept the offer of the memorial in honor of America and its veterans. Mayor Torrey determined there were no other persons present wishing to testify and closed the public hearing. He determined the number of persons intending to remain at the meeting for the council's deliberation about urban renewal and declared a five minute recess to allow the council to move to the McNutt Room at 9:45 p.m. VI. ACTION: ORDINANCE CONCERNING DOWNTOWN URBAN RENEWAL PLAN AMENDMENT Mayor Torrey requested that each councilor express currently held views regarding the proposed amendment of the Urban Renewal Plan for the Central Eugene Project. MINUTES--City Council June 1, 1998 Page 8 7:30 p.m. Ms. Swanson Gribskov said she believed that use of urban renewal resources for a new library should not be tied to the approval by voters of a local option levy for its operation. She said she also believed a high maximum indebtedness to complete the project should be chosen. Ms. Nathanson said she also believed that use of urban renewal resources for a new library should not be linked to a local option levy and that a high maximum indebtedness for the project should be set, even though it would never be used. Ms. Taylor said that she believed the lowest possible maximum indebtedness should be set for the library project. She said she reluctantly supported committing use of urban renewal resources for construction of a library without a vote of citizens and that she supported proposing a local option levy to support library operations, but not if it meant there would be no proposal to acquire parks and open space. Mr. Lee said he believed the council should seek voter approval of a local option levy to support library operations in November 1998. Mr. Meisner said he also supported proposing a local option levy for library operations in November and that, in order to allow the most flexibility in future years, he favored identifying a high maximum indebtedness for the project. Mr. Tollenaar said the he favored disconnection of use of urban renewal funds for a library from approval of a local option levy for library operations. He noted that branches were a concern for a significant number of citizens and suggested that they needed to be included in a levy proposal. He said he was concerned that setting a high maximum indebtedness for the project could frighten voters, but that if a medium level of indebtedness was set, it would mean that library construction was not likely until the year 2010. Mr. Johnson pointed out that the high, medium, and Iow maximum indebtedness scenarios discussed in the earlier council work session had factored in five percent inflation of construction costs. He noted that the medium scenario had only $10 million left for future additions. Mr. Tollenaar stated that if a local option levy for library operations was not approved by voters by November 2000, he felt it would be safe to conclude that voters did not want a new library. Mr. Laue stated that he favored disconnecting use of urban renewal funds for construction of a library and approval of a local option levy for its operation. He said he shared the concern of Ms. Taylor for the importance of also proposing a measure to voters to acquire parks and open space land. He said he was not concerned about setting a high maximum indebtedness for the library project because he felt the inflation factors calculated were too high. He said he believed a local option levy to support library operations should be limited to two times the current operating costs plus the cost of creating and operating library branches and that an amount to acquire parks and open space land should also be included. Mayor Torrey stated that he also favored disconnecting the use of urban renewal funds for construction of a library and approval of a local option levy for its operation. He said to not do so could result in 60 percent of current urban renewal revenue going to non-Eugene projects. He also said he favored beginning development of the library soon because of the increased cost created by delayed construction. He said he believed all members of the council supported creation of library branches and that funding for them should be included in a local option levy. MINUTES--City Council June 1, 1998 Page 9 7:30 p.m. Ms. Nathanson said she favored not seeking an advisory vote on the use of urban renewal funds for construction of a library, but that she was concerned that submitting local option levies for both library operations and acquisition of parks and open space land would require that both be scaled back from their optimum levels. Ms. Swanson Gribskov pointed out that it appeared the council was coming to consensus to approve the "No Automatic Repeal" ordinance regarding the use of urban renewal revenue. She said decisions regarding library operations would be made after the council had received the recommendations of the Mayor's Library Improvement Committee. She said she believed a new library could be operated on a minimum scale without approval of a new local option levy, but that one should be proposed which would include development and operation of branches. Mr. Meisner said that he could support proposing a medium level maximum indebtedness for the library project because he believed future library expansion would likely result from involvement of Lane County residents and include funding from such a source. He said he believed creation of library branches would most likely be part of a recommendation from the Mayor's Library Improvement Committee. Ms. Taylor said that she supported a Iow level of maximum indebtedness for the library project because a future City Council could decide to fund future expansion to the library with alternate revenue sources. She said she supported creation of branch libraries. She said she believed a program to acquire park land needed the maximum possible resources and that such a program should make provision for every possible preference of land resource. In response to a question from Mr. Meisner, Ms. Nathanson said that the Parks and Open Space Committee had not yet made a decision regarding a recommendation for a funding source. She reminded councilors that when the committee had made its interim report, they had encouraged it to develop a proposal to meet the perceived needs of the community. She said she was concerned that if a Eugene local option levy for library operations, a Lane County local option levy to support public safety programs, and some sort of Eugene parks funding measure were all on the same ballot, they would not all be approved by voters. In response to questions from Mr. Tollenaar, Mr. Meisner stated that estimates on the cost to create and operate library branches would be available by mid-July and that the recommendation from the Mayor's Library Improvement Committee regarding branch libraries would likely include proposals for locations and levels of services to be included. In response to a question from Mr. Tollenaar, Mr. Johnson explained that choosing a medium level of maximum indebtedness for the library project would likely result in future councils having the ability to issue $10 million of bonds to support library expansions. Mr. Tollenaar stated that he would support a medium level of maximum indebtedness for the library project because it would be overly difficult to adequately explain to the public what the advantages of a higher level would be. In response to a question from Mr. Laue, City Attorney Glenn Klein explained that provisions of Measure 50 did not preclude issuing 20 year bonds, but that local option levies were limited to five years. He said that the concept of setting maximum indebtedness as required by Measure 50 was difficult to understand, but that such concerns were not an issue with local option levies. MINUTES--City Council June 1, 1998 Page 10 7:30 p.m. Mr. Laue suggested that the question the council needed to answer was whether there would be a need for expansion of the library during the life of the bonding authority of the urban renewal district. He said he believed $10 million was adequate for any such need because of advances in library technology and because changes in building codes would likely limit expansion of buildings constructed under present regulations. Ms. Swanson Gribskov pointed out that it was not required that the maximum indebtedness set would have to be incurred in construction of a new library and that urban renewal taxes could be "under levied" in the future. Ms. Taylor said that she believed it was desirable that urban renewal taxes not be fully levied. Mr. Meisner said that the high level of maximum indebtedness under consideration would not increase current urban renewal taxes and that the medium level would reduce the tax. Mr. Tollenaar said that he was ready to support the medium level of maximum indebtedness, but that he was concerned that if a branch library system was to be developed, it would have impacts on requirements in a main library. Ms. Nathanson said that she was now not convinced that there was a need to support a high level of maximum indebtedness for the library project because of the risk of public misconception. Mr. Laue moved, seconded by Ms. Nathanson, that the council select $33,000,000 as the maximum amount of new indebtedness in the Urban Renewal Plan for the Central Eugene Project it will adopt. Ms. Taylor moved to amend the motion to change the maximum amount of new indebtedness to $30,000,000. Mayor Torrey determined that there was no councilor willing to second the motion of Ms. Taylor and declared that it was not under consideration. Roll call vote. The motion was adopted unanimously, 7:0. Mr. Johnson announced that the council would consider Council Bill 4652, an ordinance regarding the method of collecting ad valorem property taxes, and adopting an amendment to the Urban Renewal Plan for the Central Eugene Project. Mr. Tollenaar moved, seconded by Ms. Nathanson, that Council Bill 4652, with unanimous consent of the council, be read the second time by council bill number only, and that enactment be considered at this time. Roll call vote. The motion was adopted unanimously, 7:0. Mr. Johnson announced that the council would consider Council Bill 4652 by number only. Mr. Tollenaar moved, seconded by Ms. Nathanson, that Council Bill 4652 be approved and given final passage. Roll call vote. The motion was adopted unanimously, 7:0, and became Ordinance 20120. The meeting adjourned at 10:45 p.m. MINUTES--City Council June 1, 1998 Page 11 7:30 p.m. Respectfully submitted, James R. Johnson City Manager Pro Tern (Recorded by Dan Lindstrom) R:~1998~Adm Services~CIS~Councfllccg$O60]m2. ucp¢l MINUTES--City Council June 1, 1998 Page 12 7:30 p.m.