HomeMy WebLinkAboutItem 3 - PH/Civic Vision ReportEUGENE CITY COUNCIL
AGENDA ITEM SUMMARY
Public Hearing: Mayor's Civic Facilities Visioning Committee Report
Meeting Date: July 12, 2004 Agenda Item Number: 3
Department: Central Services Staff Contact: Glen Svendsen
www. cl. eugene, or. us Contact Telephone Number: 682-5008
AGENDA ITEM SUMMARY
The purpose of this public hearing is to get input from citizens about the report and policy
principles developed by the Mayor's Civic Facilities Visioning Committee.
BACKGROUND
Council Action History
The council has worked on a downtown space plan for more than three years. The latest effort
centers around a committee appointed by the Mayor to study development of civic facilities. On
February 25, 2004, the council held an informational work session on the Civic Center Design
Charette and the Mayor's Civic Facilities Visioning Committee.
On April 28, 2004, an informational work session was held to update the council on the Mayor's
Civic Facilities Visioning Committee and on financing plan options, borrowing methods and
construction methods that could be applied to a new police facility.
In a May 10, 2004, work session, the council reviewed the Downtown Work Plan
implementation strategies and project examples included in the Downtown Plan. The Downtown
Work Plan consists of a list of policy statements, many of which relate directly to future Civic
Center development.
On June 16, 2004, the council reviewed the report of the Mayor's Civic Facilities Visioning
Committee and asked that a public hearing be held on the proposed policy principles that would
guide future Civic Center development. A public information session was scheduled for July 8
and the public hearing for July 12. The results of the July 8 public information session were not
available at the time of writing this staff summary.
Policy Issues
The policy issues are set out in the policy principles proposed by the Mayor's Committee. The
policy principles are included as Attachment A.
Council Goals
This project relates to the council goals of an effective, accountable municipal government, a
safe community, and sustainable community growth and change.
Financial and/or Resource Considerations
Development of a civic center vision, as proposed by the Mayor's Committee, will have a major
financial impact on the City and the citizens. The council work session on July 14 includes
options for the next steps in implementing the vision.
Other Background Information
The Mayor's Committee presented a set of proposed policy principles for the council to consider
as Civic Center development decisions are made. The council requested that public input be
solicited on the policy principles before adopting them. The public hearing was scheduled for
July 12. In addition, a public open house was scheduled for July 8.
Attachment B includes the advertisement published on July 6 and July 8 giving citizens notice of
the public hearing and setting out the topics on which council was interested in hearing feedback.
Timing
The council will discuss the Civic Center plan and the policy principles on July 14. Continued
discussion of a November ballot measure will occur on July 21. If a financing plan is adopted
that requires a bond measure, the council will need to take final action on a resolution by August
9, 2004, in order to place a measure on the November 2004 ballot. The council agenda includes
a meeting on July 26 for this purpose.
OPTIONS
On July 14, the council will be asked to adopt the policy principles. There are two options for
the policy principles:
Option 1: Adopt the policy principles as proposed by the Mayor' s Committee.
Option 2: Adopt a revised set of policy principles as defined by the council.
STAFF RECOMMENDATION
The staff recommendation on adoption of the policy principles on July 14 is Option 1. The
council will consider the policy principles at its meeting on July 14.
SUGGESTED MOTION
None.
ATTACHMENTS
A. Mayor's Civic Facilities Visioning Committee Policy Principles
B. Advertisement in Register-Guard Announcing the Public Hearing
FOR MORE INFORMATION
Staff Contact: Glen Svendsen, Facility Management Division Manager
Telephone: 682-5008
Staff E-Mail: glen. 1. svendsen~ci, eugene, or. us
ATTACHMENT A
Mayor's Civic Facilities Visioning Committee Policy Principles
1. Consolidate civic functions.
Consolidate civic functions in and around the future Civic Center to the greatest extent practical.
Create an "urban campus" along 8th Avenue to reflect the partnerships among public agencies
and non-profit public service organizations, providing integrated services to the public and more
efficient government operations.
2. Reinforce 8th Avenue as the Great Civic Street.
Locate significant municipal, county, state, and federal buildings along 8th Avenue. Use consis-
tent elements such as paving and sidewalk design, plantings, and street lights to create a civic
promenade from Willamette Street to the Willamette River.
3. Enhance open space.
Create and enhance open space making the Civic Center attractive for the general public as well
as employees and customers. Enhancements to and expansion of the Park Blocks will support
increased activity downtown. Open space along 8th Avenue will enhance its character as a great
civic street. Cannery Square will draw pedestrians across Mill St. and provide a gateway to the
river.
4. Develop partnerships.
Develop partnerships between public agencies and non-governmental service providers to im-
prove customer convenience, efficient service delivery, and communication between related
agencies. Include non-profit agencies with government functions to create more pedestrian traf-
fic supporting small scale retail, entertainment, and other activities in the Civic Center area.
5. Include Public Safety services.
Public Safety services should be an integral part of the Civic Center - open and visible to the
public, embodying community policing goals. Support Public Safety activities that increase
visibility, access, and actual and perceived safety for individuals and property downtown. Loca-
tion of social service agencies with Public Safety services has a high potential for mutual benefit.
6. Provide adequate parking.
Coordinate the development of parking in the Civic Center to build on existing parking areas and
locate new structured parking that is convenient and secure. Provide parking for the public, for
safety vehicles, and for employees.
7. Employ cost-effective development approaches.
Utilize existing publicly-owned land and resources to the maximum extent. Encourage public/
private partnerships that realize efficiencies through consolidation of services. Minimize the
need for new public revenues. Minimize life-cycle costs via appropriate location, timing, and
size of new or renovated facilities. Use a 20 year horizon for space planning.
Two opportunities to comm,
Drop-in Information
& Comment Session
Thursday, July 8, 2004 · 4:00-6:30 p.m.
How should the City of Eugene plan for its Eugene CityHall, McNutt Room
777 Pearl Street
future downtown facility needs? ~
How important is it to: City Council Public Hearing
Monday, July 12, 2004 · 7:30 p.m.
· Consolidate city offices? Eugene City Hall, Council Chamber
· Include Police and Public Safe~ services in or near the Civic Cente~ 777 Pearl Street
· Develop partnerships with other government and commun ty agenc es? ~
· Reinforce 8th Avenue as the Great Civic Street?
· Use cost-effective development approaches?
For more information carl 682-5008 or go to
What other ideas should be considered? ~ www. cl. eugene, or. us/asd/facilities/Civic_ Center~index. btm ;-]_