10.31.2018 City Council Work Session Minutes

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MINUTES Eugene City Council Harris Hall, 125 East 8�h Avenue Eugene, Oregon 97401 October 31, 2018 12:00 p.m. Councilors Present: Emily Semple, Jennifer Yeh, Claire Syrett, Alan Zelenka, Greg Evans, Mike Clark (via phone until 12:20 p.m.) Councilors Absent: Chris Pryor, Betty Taylor Mayor Vinis opened the October 31, 2018, Work Session of the Eugene City Council. 1. DISCUSSION: County Proposed Partnership - Highway 99 Temporary Site City Manager Jon Ruiz outlined the proposal from Lane County to partner with the City of Eugene in the establishment of a temporary dusk -to -dawn camping site on Highway 99. Council Discussion • The actions recently taken by Lane County and City of Eugene staff were prompted by the 9th Circuit Court of Appeals decision in Martin v Boise. • Proposed site is a good alternative with a lower impact on the community; consider creating a pedestrian crossing across Highway 99 if that portion of road comes into City's jurisdiction. • Support partnership with County and concept in general; however, the proposal won't solve the issues downtown. • The pursuit of a downtown facility that provides needed services for the homeless should still be a priority. • Since the proposed camp is low barrier, there is some concern about the concentration of people with serious mental health and substance abuse issues. • Small, incremental steps will make a difference in the long run. • The Highway 99 site will provide a number of services for those who stay there; recently approved public safety bridge funding will be used in part for downtown facilities and efforts. • Local service providers have limited capacity and may not be able to support multiple day center locations; proposed site can remain open indefinitely, until suitable alternatives are available. • The 9th Circuit Court of Appeals decision will still stand, regardless of actions taken by council and Lane County. • Access to showers is needed in any location. MOTION AND VOTE: Councilor Semple, seconded by Councilor Syrett, in lieu of City Council's October 22 motion, move to direct the City Manager to work with Lane County and other service providers to enhance the case management and other services that are provided to the homeless on Lane County's property and on nearby properties, and to move forward with piloting a day center in the downtown area. PASSED 5:0. MINUTES — Eugene City Council October 31, 2018 Page 1 Work Session