HomeMy WebLinkAboutCC Minutes - 05/29/12 Work SessionMINUTES
Eugene City Council
McNutt Room —City Hall
777 Pearl Street—Eugene, Oregon
May 29, 2012
5:30 p.m.
COUNCILORS PRESENT: George Brown, Pat Farr, Betty Taylor, George Poling, Alan Zelenka,
Chris Pryor, Mike Clark.
COUNCILORS PRESENT: Andrea Ortiz.
Her Honor Mayor Kitty Piercy called the May 29, 2012, work session of the Eugene City Council to
order.
A. COMMITTEE REPORTS AND ITEMS OF INTEREST
Mayor Piercy reported that she and Mr. Farr toured the new Municipal Court facility. She thought staff
did an excellent job with a tight budget. Mayor Piercy noted Oregon State Treasurer Ted Wheeler's
recent visit to Eugene - Springfield. She had also attended the recent Police Awards ceremony on May 23
as well as the wrap -up for the recent Business Commute. She thanked Lane Transit District and its Point -
to -Point staff for facilitating the commute. Mayor Piercy reported that she and City Manager Jon Ruiz
attended the groundbreaking for St. Vincent de Paul's new Stellar Apartments housing complex.
Mr. Farr reported on the May 24 Regional Food Consortium held at the McDonald Wholesale Weir
Center. Growers and processors discussed the development of a food industry cluster in Lane County.
The consortium was well- attended and Mr. Farr believed much progress was made. He suggested that
increased food production in Lane County could create many future jobs.
Ms. Taylor advocated for protection of the Amazon Headwaters from development to help maintain the
area's water and air quality. She advocated for City action to protect the headwaters. She said residents
supportive of headwaters preservation were upset that parks bond money might be used to pay for a
skateboard facility in Washington- Jefferson Park.
Mr. Clark expressed pride at the recent Eugene Police Awards ceremony. He had been happy to hear
stories about officers and residents who made a choice to help other people. He congratulated the officers
who received years of service awards and special commendations.
Mr. Poling noted the pending retirement of Lieutenant Rich Barrong. He reported that the Board of
Directors of Travel Lane County had discussed the organization's budget and it appeared that the
organization was to receive its full allotment of Room Tax Funds from Lane County.
Mr. Poling reported the Northeast Neighborhood Association met and attendees discussed some of the
public improvements and private developments occurring in the area.
Mr. Pryor recalled the May 27 Joint Elected Officials meeting at which funding for ambulance services
was discussed. He said the elected officials faced some crucial funding decisions for a crucial service.
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Mr. Zelenka noted the Fairmount Neighbors were meeting that evening to discuss the Olympic Trials. He
also noted the upcoming June 9 screening of the movie "Bag It" at the Eugene Library. Mr. Zelenka had
attended meetings of the Sustainability Commission and the Laurel Hill Valley Neighbors on May 16. He
reported that his wife Susie Smith had recently received her Master Gardner badge.
Mr. Brown also attended the Police Awards ceremony and agreed with the remarks of Mr. Clark. He had
attended the Stellar Housing Complex ground breaking ceremony and noted the project included units set
aside for homeless veterans and National Guard veterans and their families. He had attended a weed
eradication project on May 26 at Civic Stadium and said volunteer efforts were paying off.
Ms. Taylor reiterated past concerns about the future of City Hall and suggested the council needed to
decide on the future of the building before staff moved out.
City Manager Ruiz announced the retirement of Police Analyst Linda Phelps, Parks and Open Space
Director Johnny Medlin, and the departure of Assistant Fire Chief Karen Braack for a leadership position
in North Carolina.
B. WORK SESSION:
Carmen -Smith Relicensing Project
Finance Director Sue Cutsogeorge introduced the item, calling the council's attention to the resolution
authorizing the Eugene Water & Electric Board (EWEB) to issue and sell electric utility system revenue
bonds and electric utility revenue refunding bonds that the council would consider as part of the Consent
Calendar at the 7:30 p.m. meeting.
Carmen -Smith Relicensing Project Manager Mike McCann of the Eugene Water & Electric Board
(E WEB) joined the council and led it through a PowerPoint presentation entitled Carmen -Smith
Hydroelectric Facility License Implementation Project. Councilors asked questions clarifying the details
of the presentation and thanked Mr. McCann for the information.
C. WORK SESSION:
Jeppesen Acres Road Project
The council was joined by City Engineer Mark Schoening, who led it through a PowerPoint presentation
entitled deppesen Acres Road Street Improvement Project. The presentation including information about
the project history, public process, the design report proscribed by Eugene Code, the design exception that
must be approved by the council, remonstrance opportunities, council options, and the City Manager's
recommendation, which was to direct Mr. Schoening to modify the improvement to remove the setback
sidewalk on the north side of Jeppesen Acres Road and direct him to prepare plans and specifications for
the modified improvement and to call for bids on the construction contract. Councilors asked questions
clarifying the details of the presentation.
Mr. Poling, Mr. Clark, and Mr. Pryor were reluctant to proceed with the project because they did not
believe there was sufficient resident support as demonstrated by the number of remonstrances received
and because the project would not impact the larger community. Mr. Clark advocated for a plan to
improve unimproved roads once brought into the City's jurisdiction. He acknowledged the project had
been on TransPlan for many years but did not want to deal with it in isolation. Mayor Piercy suggested
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the City might want to approach such streets in a different yet consistent way and advocated for some
"out of the box thinking" so such streets remained usable.
Mr. Brown, seconded by Mr. Farr, moved to not make the improvement on Jeppesen
Acres Road at this time. The motion passed unanimously, 7:0.
The council then considered the Consent Calendar, scheduled for action at the 7:30 p.m. meeting.
2. CONSENT CALENDAR
A. Approval of City Council Minutes
- February 27, 2012, Regular Meeting
- March 14, 2012, Work Session
- April 9, 2012, Work Session
- April 9, 2012, Regular Meeting
- May 14, 2012, Boards and Commissions Interviews
- May 21, 2012, Boards and Commissions Interviews
B. Approval of Tentative Working Agenda
C. Adoption of Resolution 5061 Authorizing the Eugene Water & Electric Board to
Issue and Sell Electric Utility System Revenue Bonds and Electric Utility Revenue
Refunding Bonds
D. Initiation of Process for Eugene Sign Code Amendments
Mr. Brown, seconded by Mr. Farr, moved to approve the items on the Consent Calendar.
Mr. Zelenka pulled item D.
The motion, with the exception of Item D, passed unanimously, 7:0.
Responding to a question from Mr. Zelenka about the process related to the Sign Code amendments, City
Attorney Glenn Klein reviewed the City's ordinance adoption process and reminded Mr. Zelenka of the
several opportunities the council would have for input. Mr. Zelenka wanted the Planning Commission to
discuss the "right" square footage for signs before the item reached the council.
Item D passed unanimously, 7:0.
Mayor Piercy adjourned the meeting at 7:04 p.m.
Respectfully submitted,
,8 aA J .,
Beth Forrest
City Recorder
(Recorded by Kimberly Young)
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