CC Minutes - 08/03/98 Meeting - Laserfiche WebLink

Home Browse Search

cleanliness and working habits of his living style. He suggested that homeless persons be involved in seeking solutions to the problems of homelessness. Misha Seymour, 1313 Lincoln Street #306, stated that all persons had a right to a place to live. He made additional comments regard the Valley River Inn, national identification cards, police prejudice, Hyundai of America, mean spiritedness, murdering of homeless persons, and the lack of soap in public rest rooms. Lourdes Marte, 1313 Lincoln Street #306, stated that she believed the business community and those involved in government should get together to provide places for people to live in peace. Carl R. Mathiason, Post Office Box 2097, Jasper, stated that he believed homeless persons should be given additional time to find places to live. He described his experiences as a previously homeless person who was currently working. He said he was concerned about the use of judgmental language about homeless persons and said he believed no one should judge another. Larry Bute, Post Office Box 24031, stated that he believed the cost of housing was falsely inflated in relation to wages. He suggested that it would be more helpful to concentrate on the rights of homeless persons to cook, sleep, and use a bathroom, rather than on their right to camp. Dennis Casady, Post Office Box 5028, stated that he owned industrial property in west Eugene and was opposed to persons sleeping in vehicles on streets in that area because of the trash such persons left behind. He said he believed allowing property owners to permit persons to camp on their property could create tenant/landlord relationships which could become unsuspectedly burdensome. "Zon," No Address Provided, stated that he had recently moved to Eugene seeking employment. He said that he would be required to sleep in his vehicle until he was paid from the job he found fighting fires. He said he did not believe it was fair that he was not permitted to sleep in his vehicle on streets when he would be protecting City residents from danger. Peggy Thomas, 2555 Roosevelt Street #34, stated that she believed the council faced a difficult decision regarding the proposed ordinance. She said she hoped councilors understood that there were good persons on both sides of the homeless issue. She said she was aware of some homeless persons who had lost respect for law and government and were full of rage. She said she believed better services for homeless persons were provided in Portland and Tacoma. She commended the council for dealing with issues of homelessness. Mayor Torrey determined there was no one else present wishing to testify and closed the public hearing. He announced that the council would deliberate and make a decision regarding the proposed ordinance at its meeting to be held August 5. Mr. Lee stated that he appreciated the testimony provided. He said the issues facing a community went beyond those who owned property. He said he believed many statements made in the public hearing misrepresented the work of the council and were irrelevant to the proposed ordinance under consideration. He said he believed a permanent solution to issues of homelessness would be possible only when changes were made to land use law, when planning for all property was required, and when land could be designated for use by homeless persons. MINUTES--Eugene City Council August 3, 1998 Page 4 7:30 p.m.