HomeMy WebLinkAbout170719 CC WS & Eugene Urban Renewal Agency MinutesMINUTES
Eugene City Council Work Session and
Meeting of the Eugene Urban Renewal Agency
Harris Hall, 125 East 8« Avenue
Eugene, Oregon 97401
July 19, 2017
12:00 P.M.
Councilors Present: Mike Clark, Greg Evans, Chris Pryor, Emily Semple, Claire Syrett, Betty
Taylor, Jennifer Yeh, Alan Ze€enka
Mayor Vinis opened the July 19, 2017, meeting of the Eugene Urban Renewal Agency.
A. EUGENE URBAN RENEWAL AGENCY WORK SESSION:
Review of Boundary Expansion Resolution & Approval of Process to Appoint Riverfront
Urban Renewal Advisory Committee
Amanda Nobel Flannery of the Planning and Development Department gave a PowerPoint
presentation on a possible minor amendment to the Riverfront District that would expand the
district boundary by less than one acre to include two railroad quiet zone crossings to make
them eligible for future Urban Renewal funds. She also outlined the proposed process for
appointing a Riverfront District Advisory Committee.
City Engineer Mark Schoening answered questions related toQuiet Zone issues.
Council Discussion
• Concerned that proposal assumes that Quiet Zone and expansion of district is a given.
• Quiet Zone will cost a significant amount of money; should be put to public vote.
• Council formally voted to pursue a Quiet Zone and requested staff to identify funding.
■ The purpose of the proposed committee will be to discuss whether expansion should occur and
to advise on future activities and funding for the downtown Urban Renewal Plan.
• Mayor Nominate/Council Approve format is preferred for establishing committee.
■ There would be no need to create additional tax burden to accomplish the Quiet Zone
within the district.
■ Should consider whether to require railroad to incorporate Positive Train Control (PTC)
features in any crossing work done to achieve the Quiet Zone.
■ Important to seek out and consider special expertise when determining the make -sap of the
advisory committee.
+ Process for recruiting and appointing members is important; development of the rverfront
area is of great interest to community.
MOTION: Councilor Zelenka, seconded by Councilor Clark, moved to approve the
formation of a Riverfront Urban Renewal District Advisory Board and the Mayor
nominating and the Agency approving the Riverfront Urban Renewal Advisory Board
committee members.
MINUTES — Eugene City Council July 19, 2017 Page I
Work Session
MOTION TO AMEND and VOTE: Councilor Taylor, seconded by Councilor Semple, moved
to amend that we follow the procedure that we do for Boards and Commissions, with people
applying to be on the committee, the council reviewing the applications and deciding which
ones we should interview. FAILED 4:5, councilors Taylor, Clark, Semple and Yeh in
support.
VOTE ON MAIN MOTION AS AMENDED: PASSED 8:0.
Mayor Vinis closed the meeting of the Eugene Urban Renewal Agency and opened a work
session of the Eugene City Council.
B. WORK SESSION:
Separation of Retail Marijuana Businesses
Associate Planner Mike McKerrow provided a brief overview of current statistics and standards
around retail marijuana businesses.
Council Discussion
■ Scarcity of legal locations for retail marijuana business puts undue burden on existing
businesses due to threat of raising rents.
• Security features required at marijuana shops may have positive effect on area safety
statistics.
• No evidence that regulation would provide public benefit. Shouldn't apply different
standards for one business.
■ Regardless of one's position on the legalization of marijuana, there have been some positive
economic returns for the community.
■ Allow the market to stabilize naturally; current activity is due to recent deregulation.
■ Per capita, Eugene has significantly more marijuana shops than other Oregon cities,
• Beer and wine outlets have far greater negative impact on certain neighborhoods in Eugene;
there are no buffer zones For these businesses.
The work session of the Eugene City Council adjourned at 1:27 p.m.
Respec fully submitted,
Me i a Robinson
Deputy City Recorder
(AIC)
MINUTES — Eugene City Council July 19, 2017 Page 2
Work Session