Agenda Packet 2-11-19 Meeting - Laserfiche WebLink

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M I N U T E S Eugene City Council Harris Hall, 125 East 8th Avenue Eugene, Oregon 97401 January 16, 2019 12:00 p.m. Councilors Present: Emily Semple, Jennifer Yeh, Alan Zelenka, Mike Clark. Chris Pryor, Betty Taylor. Greg Evans Councilors Absent: Claire Syrett Mayor Vinis opened the January 16, 2019, Work Session of the Eugene City Council. 1.WORK SESSION: Single-Use Containers and UtensilsSolid Waste Analyst Michael Wisth presented information about single-use plastics, theirimpacts on the environment, and potential strategies to reduce or eliminate their use.Council Discussion •Councilor Semple – supported the proposed ban and said the time is right to take action onthis issue; supported moving the issue to a public hearing and considering a ban that goesfurther than those enacted in test case cities. •Councilor Clark – expressed frustration that the only option being presented is to vote yesor no; more helpful to outline all pros and cons of those votes; legitimate concerns raised onboth sides of the issue, including sanitary and equity/cost considerations. •Councilor Zelenka – asked questions about limiting access to plastics at the retail level; dataanalysis about the life cycle of materials; effects of polystyrene ban in Portland. •Councilor Evans – asked questions about and urged consideration of emerging technologiesthat could replace current materials; best practices in other communities; and organic-based alternatives. •Councilor Pryor – thanked staff for the good, myth-busting presentation; said it’s importantto act but to consider when and at what scale; expressed concern about the undue negativeconsequence on lower-income population who may rely on the use of banned materials. •Councilor Taylor – agreed that it’s important to consider the unexpected consequences of aban; noted that not all cardboards are compostable; supported ban on polystyrene. •Mayor Vinis – stated that the proposed ban represents a request for behavior change; plasticis cheap to manufacture and that factor should be considered when comparing to otherproducts; it will be helpful to recommend alternative when presenting the proposed ban. •Councilor Zelenka – said that charging for alternative materials adds value to them and helpschange behavior; encouraged addressing food waste to reduce greenhouse gas emissions;noted that most compostable materials must be processed at a commercial facility. •Councilor Taylor – expressed concern that if restaurants charge for to-go containers,customers will decline to take their leftovers, resulting in more food waste. •Councilor Clark – said legitimate issues and questions were being raised; encouragedcouncil to return for more robust conversation about the potential impacts of their decisionto ban single-use plastics. •Councilor Semple – supported providing free bus passes, the use of paper bags and reusablecontainers, and continued efforts on the food waste issue to address climate goals; said apublic hearing will provide the council with good information. ATTACHMENT C February 11, 2019, Meeting - Item 2A