Council takes stand against torture.

Byline: Edward Russo The Register-Guard

From a symbolic statement issued to the president, to discussion about street repair, the Eugene City Council dealt with worldwide and local topics Monday.

The council on a 7 to 1 vote approved a statement urging President Bush and Congress to uphold international treaties and conventions that outlaw torture.

Six residents spoke in favor of the resolution, including the person who brought it to the council, Hope Marston, a regional organizer of the Bill of Rights Defense Committee.

That committee previously inspired Eugene and other local governments to craft anti-USA Patriot Act resolutions.

The committee's new request mentions the "degrading practices" that have been used on prisoners in Afghanistan, Guantanamo Bay and Abu Ghraib, and says cruel treatment is prohibited by the U.S. Constitution.

Resident and World War II veteran Karl Sorg asked councilors to approve the resolution. "I see our country engaged in terrorism and I'm ashamed," he said.

West Eugene Councilor Jennifer Solomon, who cast the lone vote against the resolution, said the public did not have enough of an opportunity to give its views on the subject. And she said the topic did not fall under the council's authority.

But most councilors felt otherwise.

"If we as leaders of this community can't make a statement on something as heinous as war crimes, I don't know what we can make a statement about," Councilor Andrea Ortiz said.

Councilors also heard from property owners along River Avenue in north Eugene who are unhappy with the proposed rebuilding of the street. Property owners would be assessed just over $1 million for the work, with the city paying another $1.2 million.

The Public Works Department, relying on previously approved street improvement plans, wants to resurface the shoulderless street, plus install sidewalks, bike lanes and other features.

Most of the property owners who spoke about the project said River Avenue needs improvement, but questioned the need for bike lanes and sidewalks.

"I agree River Avenue does need some work and needs some repairs," Lewis Rucker said. "But the scope of this project is way overbuilt."

Yuri Saumer, a north Eugene resident who uses a bike to commute on the street, said bike lanes would make it much safer. "This is not a premature project; it has been needed," he said.

Councilors took no action on the assessment proposal. That vote is scheduled for April 20.

Some councilors indicated that they would like to reduce costs to abutting property owners.

"I'm hoping that we can continue to seek common ground," Solomon said.

Also, the council declined to try to stop a developer's plan for medical offices at Martin Luther King Jr. Boulevard and Garden Way.

The Harlow Neighbors Association had asked the council to consider ways to get involved because it has long wanted to attract a grocery store to the area. The proposal by land owner and Eugene developer Wally Graff could lead to two large office buildings on the property. Graff says he wants to attract a neighborhood market to one of thebuildings.

Councilors sympathized with residents, but were told by the staff that there was little they could do to prevent Graff's project because land use rules for the property allow offices. Harlow Neighbors had asked the council to consider placing a development moratorium on the property. However, city attorney Glenn Klein said public notification laws could give Graff as much as 60 days to submit building plans.

Harlow Neighbors President Terry Froemming said he was disappointed in the council's inability to act. However, he said, residents will work with Graff and other property owners to get neighborhood-oriented retail in area.