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MINUTES <br />Eugene City Council <br />Virtual Work Session <br />Eugene, Oregon 97401 <br />May 26, 2020 <br />5:30 p.m. <br />Councilors Present: Betty Taylor, Emily Semple, Alan Zelenka, Jennifer Yeh, Mike Clark, Claire <br />Syrett, Chris Pryor, Greg Evans <br />Mayor Vinis opened the May 26, 2020, work session of the Eugene City Council and Eugene Urban <br />Renewal Agency. <br />1. WORK SESSION: Downtown Riverfront Development Williams & Dame Associates Terms <br />City Manager Pro Tern Sarah Medary, Planning and Development Director Denny Brand, and <br />Community Development Director Michael Kinnison provided information on the Downtown <br />Riverfront Development project, including concept plan modifications, proposed term <br />modifications, right-of-way dedication, use of natural gas, and next steps for the project. <br />Council Discussion: <br />• Councilor Yeh - discussed the proposed affordable housing options; spoke about the placement <br />of affordable housing in the project footprint; asked for clarification regarding the natural gas <br />option. <br />Councilor Zelenka joined the meeting at5:54p.m. <br />• Councilor Pryor - spoke about the need for flexibility in the project; expressed interest in the <br />affordable housing options; talked about the natural gas option. <br />• Councilor Clark- asked about Williams & Dame's response to the potential natural gas <br />restriction; spoke about the use and regulation of natural gas at the project. <br />• Councilor Syrett - expressed support for the proposed terms; spoke about flexibility regarding <br />the affordable housing options; discussed need clarify policies regarding natural gas. <br />• Councilor Zelenka - spoke about the affordable housing location options; asked about the use of <br />Multiple Unit Property Tax Exemption for the project; inquired about the costs of infrastructure <br />for the project. <br />• Councilor Taylor - expressed desire to ban natural gas expansion; discussed MUPTE exclusions; <br />spoke about placement of affordable housing; talked about environmental impacts related to <br />natural gas; asked about plans for sidewalks in front of housing. <br />• Councilor Semple - expressed disappointment in the proposed location of affordable housing; <br />inquired about plans to build natural gas infrastructure and its potential use in the project; <br />voiced concern about delaying the project. <br />• Councilor Evans - talked about natural gas usage and expressed support for scheduling a <br />council discussion to clarify natural gas policies; spoke about the council's carbon neutrality <br />goals; supported moving forward with the project, particularly as a means to address the local <br />economic crisis. <br />• Mayor Vinis - talked about the City's climate action plan and its connection to natural gas usage; <br />supported scheduling a work session on natural gas. <br />MINUTES - Eugene City Council May 26, 2020 Page 1 <br />Work Session <br />