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About The Siuslaw news. (Florence, Lane County, Or.) 1960-current | View Entire Issue (March 20, 2019)
SIUSLAW NEWS | WEDNESDAY, MARCH 20, 2019 | 7A COUNCIL from page 1A Mayor Henry then announced a change in the agenda to allow for discussion and public com- ments on the evening’s highest profile issue, the adoption of wording related to the clarifi- ca-tion of the process used for selecting members of the Flor- ence Urban Renewal Agency (FURA). The discussion was a contin- uation of one that had started at the last council meeting held March 4. At issue was determin- ing who should have the final decision in selecting the individ- uals who serve on the Florence Urban Renewal Agency (FURA). KRAB KETTLE 280 Hwy. 101 M 541-997-8996 Fresh Seafood Market Open Daily 10-6 Councilor Preisler made the point, as he had previously, that the financial and community wide impact the FURA commit- tee has would best be harnessed by allowing the complete coun- cil to decide on the final make- up of the committee. Preisler also stressed that the FURA ap- pointment was fundamentally different from other committees because of the far-reaching fi- nancial ramifications created by the decisions made by the group. “In calling for these chang- es to the Urban Renewal Board process [allowing the mayor to decide] — and this is no nega- tive spin against the Mayor — it is a policy decision and a money decision, and I do not agree with it,” Preisler said. Preisler was not alone in his opposition to the decision to codify the Mayor’s authority over FURA, as Councilor Josh- ua Greene was also strongly op- posed to the code amendments. Greene made his position clear at a council meeting earlier in the month when he attempted Specializing in Women’s Cut and Color 1569 9th Street • Florence 541-902-7712 unsuccessfully to convince his fellow councilors to reject the recommendations for modifica- tion made by City Attorney Ross Williamson. Greene suggested that the council should instead require the selection process for the FURA committee be one that re- quired approval by all members of the City Council. Greene and Preisler have both previously stated their disagree- ment with Henry’s belief that, simply because the Mayor has always had the final say in ap- pointing committee members, he or she should retain that pre- rogative. The two councilors said they believe that times have changed and the process for deciding who should sculpt the city’s financial future should be decided by more than one individual. Greene restated his position Monday evening with an at- tempt at developing consensus, not creating controversy, he said. “It’s nice to see everybody here to hopefully hear both sides of the equation. As many of you already know I am op- posed to this language…The Urban Renewal Agency should be insulated from having a pro- cess that’s left just to a Mayor,” Greene said. “The promise we made to the voters when we started urban renewal was that people that represent the other taxing districts be appointed by the district and then considered by the council…The change that you are mak-ing is not the same. You are mandating that the May- or has the right to make a final decision. The last thing we want to do is inject partisanship into the process. The decision should be based on who is best suited to serve. ” Councilor Lucio made a brief comment supporting the May- or’s authority in determining the individuals selected for FURA. Councilor Woodbury added his support for the Mayor’s position. Woodbury spoke briefly. “I believe our jobs as councilors is not to try and advance our agen- das, but to listen to the com- munity that we serve. And that community over whelmingly supports the clarification rec- ommended by our City Attorney last week. And I am in favor of continuing with that program.” The final comments regarding the FURA amendments came from Mayor Henry. “The first delegates, or mem- bers, of the Urban Renewal Committee way back when were appointed by the Mayor, believe it or not. So that seems to me to set precedent,” Henry said. “There have been different ways of doing things over the years, but since I have been Mayor, I’ve appointed every urban renewal representative, including you, Councilor Greene. You wouldn’t be there if I hadn’t appointed you.” The Public Comments por- tion of the discussion surround- ing FURA saw six of the eight speakers supporting the Mayor’s position. Two members of the Siuslaw Public Library Board of Di- rectors made the point that, as representatives of the library dis- trict, they should be able to ap- point members from their orga- nization to be FURA members. This position was undermined by comments made by Attor- ney Williamson, who said the relationship established between other tax entities and the city was more than likely unconstitu- tional and unenforceable. The discussion ended and the vote to approve the language recommended by City Attorney Williamson, which was adopted on a 3-2 vote. The council next turned its attention to approving two con- sent items and considering zon- ing changes for two properties in town. The first change in zoning was requested by the Pastor of Crossroads Assembly Church, Dale Edwards, on behalf of his organization. Glen Southerland from the City Planning Depart- ment reviewed the specifics of the petitioner’s request with councilors, noting that his de- partment supported the zoning change. Southerland pointed out the changes to code would be minor and would not impact the petitioner’s neighbors. Edwards then made a brief presentation detailing the rea- sons for the requested change. The changes were related to lighting and sidewalk require- ments that were from the organi- zation’s perspective unnecessary. The comments from Edwards and Southerland were accept- ed and councilors approved the change with little discussion. The councilors then moved to the last order of business to be considered, a second zoning re- quest modification submitted by Larry and Chrystal Farnsworth for a city owned parcel in the Pacific View Business Park Dis- trict. The Farnsworth’s were re- questing changes that would add “Storage” and “Community Uses” to the allowable uses in the district for the parcels that the couple hopes to rent from the city. We n d y Fa r l e y C a m p b e l l , Florence Planning Director, reviewed the facts and history involved in her department’s decision to support the zoning change. The unusual shape and size and the location of the land being discussed was cited by Campbell as a deterrent to builders and developers, limit- ing the parcel’s desirability. She also reminded councilors that all other aspects of the process for approving the final design for the proposed facility would be vetted by staff and there would be extensive oversight involved if the recommended changes were approved. She then answered a few questions from councilors and reiterated the city’s support for the change in zoning. Farnsworth also mentioned the unique physical qualities of the tax lots under discussion as a compelling reason for the coun- cil to approve the change. Farn- sworth assured councilors that his company will bear all costs associated with the planning, permitting and construction of the facility. Farnsworth also shared de- sign illustrations that showed a well-landscaped and easily ac- cessible facility that would be partially hidden from passing traffic by extensive native land- scaping. There were minor concerns expressed by Councilor Greene regarding the architectural ele- ments that would be used in building the proposed personal storage facility, but he did ulti- mately join in the unanimous decision to approve the change. After the last item of business had been conducted, the meet- ing was adjourned. Rotary Club of Florence thanks all who contributed to our annual auction Auctioneers: The Sneddons – Blair & Bob THANK YOU FOR YOUR GENEROSITY Best Western Pier Point Inn Heceta Self Storage • Domino’s Pizza KCST & KCFM Coast Radio Kevin Rhodes and the Florence Events Center Staff and Volunteers Fred Meyer • Last Resort Players Lisa Walter-Sedlacek and Laurel Bay Gardens Oregon Coast Limousine • Oregon Pacifi c Bank Patrick Looney and the Florence Sign Shop Siuslaw News-Jeanna Petersen & Ron Annis Siuslaw Public Library • Three Rivers Casino Resort Wine Sponsor: Reustle-Prayer Rock Vineyards Packaging: Stitch & Sole For the past 50 years, the Sneddons have been graciously donating their time and expertise to serve as auctioneers for our annual Rotary fundraiser. Th ey continue to add a unique fl air and spirit that helps generate thousands of dollars for scholarships and other local community projects. Th eir charitable service adds immeasurably to the success of our auction. In appreciation of their contribution to our event, the Rotary Club of Florence is awarding $1500 to the Blair and Geralean Sneddon Scholarship. 2019 AUCTION SPONSOR TABLES Oregon Pacifi c Bank • KCST& KFCM Coast Radio • Bridgewater Fish House • Dr. Brian Holmes & Dr. Justin Linton • Siuslaw News Trek • Three Rivers Casino • Berkshire Hathaway HomeServices Real Estate • Banner Bank • Kitchen Kultter • Reedsport Machine • Oley and Bobbi Nelson • Fred Meyer • Law Offi ce of Jane C. Hanawalt • Bill Meyers VRBO 678475 • PeaceHealth Peace Harbor Medical Center • Rodger and Carol Bennett • Sue Gilday Insurance Agency Inc. – State Farm • Dick’s Friends • Cross Road Assembly • Mercer Lake Resort & Cabins • Art and Jean Koning • Terrace Homes • Senator Arnie Roblan and Representative Caddy McKeown • Florence Eye Clinic • Lofy Construction LLC • Coldwell Banker Coast Real Estate • Sea Lion Caves • Bob Garcia • Allstate Agent • Joshua Greene & The Archives, llc. • Dave and Trish Ward • Lane Community College Florence Center • Hoberg’s Complete Auto Repair • Deb and Larry Lamb • Heceta Self Storage • The River House Inn • Laurel Bay Gardens Torres Mazatlán Raffl e: Bob and Gini Read & Vacation Internationale Music by DJ Al Rojas: Stitch & Sole Hors d’oeuvres: Iron Horse Logging, Inc. Interact Dinner: Pavillion Catering Corkage Fee: Pavilion Catering Credit Card Processing: Oregon Pacifi c Bank Emcee: Rotary President Mike Webb 2019 ROTARY AUCTION CASH DONORS: Andy Baber • Andy Johnson • Bob and Gini Read • Bob Teter • Dale Edwards • Dan Lofy • Dick Smith • J. Johnson Tree Service • Janet Huston • John Moore • Joseph Henry • Karl Engel • Lori Gates • Ron Moore •Sam Spayd • Steve Skidmore • Wayne Sharpe • Chris Chandler Our thanks to... • Coast Guard men and women from Station Siuslaw River • Siuslaw Interact • Hailee Edgerly, Jacob Foskett, Elijah Blankenship, Madison Reynolds, Jared Northrop, Kelsey Larson, Abigail Bartlett, Winnie Zhen, Sami Scheer, Jessalynn Keppol, Brea Blankenship, Audrey Lowder, Joseph Shepard
