HomeMy WebLinkAbout160208.WSand Meeting.SIREMINUTES
Eugene City Council
Harris Hall, 125 East 8th Avenue
Eugene, Oregon 97401
February 8, 2016
5:30 p.m.
Councilors Present: George Brown, Betty Taylor, Alan Zelenka, George Poling, Mike Clark, Greg Evans,
Claire Syrett, Chris Pryor
Mayor Piercy opened the February 8, 2016, City Council Work Session.
A WORK SESSION: Downtown Improvements -Continued
Community Development Manager Denny Braud led the council in a discussion about downtown
improvements.
MOTION AND VOTE (friendly amendments included): Councilor Poling, seconded by Councilor
Clark, moved to direct the city manager to prepare for council discussion, a draft of an
amendment to the downtown urban renewal plan. The draft amendment should include as
possible projects: 1) high speed fiber; 2) downtown parks blocks/open spaces; 3) year-round
farmers market; and 4) redevelopment of the LCC building. The manager also shall bring back a
recommendation for a package of non -urban renewal funding options. PASSED 8:2, councilors
Brown and Taylor opposed.
Council discussion:
• Would be a disadvantage to lose a tool for funding options; urban renewal is a valuable tool.
• Funding for schools would decrease if urban renewal district went away.
• There are other ways to pay for projects; urban renewal isn't needed.
• More benches, bathrooms and enhanced lighting should be included in any project.
• Extending the urban renewal district defies previous council direction; calls into question
the council's integrity.
• Any extension of the urban renewal district should go to a public vote.
• Preferred funding options will have the least impact on taxpayers.
• Private partners should contribute to high-speed fiber costs; use of Telecom funds
inappropriate.
B. CONSENT CALENDAR
MOTION AND VOTE: Councilor Evans, seconded by Councilor Zelenka, moved to approve the
items on the Consent Calendar. PASSED 8:0
The work session adjourned at 6:48 p.m.
Respectfully submitted,
Chuck Crockett
Deputy City Recorder
MINUTES —Eugene City Council February 8, 2016 Page 1
Work Session and Meeting
Councilors Present
Councilors Absent:
MINUTES
Eugene City Council
Harris Hall, 125 East 81h Avenue
Eugene, Oregon 97401
February 8, 2016
7:30 p.m.
George Brown, Betty Taylor, George Poling, Mike Clark, Greg Evans, Claire Syrett,
Chris Pryor
Alan Zelenka
Mayor Piercy opened the February 8, 2016, City Council Meeting.
1. PUBLIC FORUM
1. Debby Bonds - Spoke in support of Oregon Court Reporters and Captioners Week.
2. Julia Olson - Supported climate ordinance implementation and working with Mark Jackson.
3. Coreal Riday-White - Supported climate ordinance and coordination of climate/trade.
4. Jordan Katzeff - Supported climate ordinance implementation.
5. Gwendolyn Iris - Supported keeping Kesey Square an open public space.
6. Margie James - Concerned about SW-SAZ and development that could occur.
7. Bob Cassidy - Supported a $15.00 minimum wage.
8. Drix - Said citizens need to work on good communication and better behavior.
9. Mariah Koschnitzky Roth - Supported council visiting Whitebird clinics.
2. COMMITTEE REPORTS:
Council discussion:
• Eugene Police Department and Equity and Human Rights staff were honored at Blacks in
Government event.
• Lane Regional Air Protection Agency will continue discussions on car emissions
• Citizens are concerned about parking issues around wards 2 and 3.
• Northeast Neighbors discussed possible apps to help with firework control.
• Portion of Gilliam Road north of Ayers Road needs to be improved due to safety issues.
• River Road Community Organization discussed new cross walk improvements.
• Travel Lane County supports extension of the urban renewal district.
• Travel Lane County is opposed to any changes to the wine country license plate program.
• Travel Lane County has no position at this time on the State transient room tax proposal.
• United Front trip discussed needs for our community.
The meeting adjourned at 8:04 p.m.
Respectfully submitted,
Chuck Crockett
Deputy City Recorder
MINUTES —Eugene City Council February 8, 2016 Page 2
Work Session and Meeting