2.23.2019 City Council Workshop Meeting Minutes

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MINUTES Eugene City Council Harris Hall, 125 East 8�h Avenue Eugene, Oregon 97401 February 23, 2019 9:00 a.m. Councilors Present: Emily Semple, Betty Taylor, Alan Zelenka, Jennifer Yeh, Mike Clark, Claire Syrett, Chris Pryor Councilors Absent: Greg Evans Executive Staff Present: Jon Ruiz, Kristie Hammitt, Kathryn Brotherton, Mia Cariaga, Chief Joe Zaludek, Chief Chris Skinner, Renee Grube, Denny Brand, Sarah Medary Mayor Vinis opened the February 23, 2019, workshop of the Eugene City Council. 1. 2018 Year in Review City Manager's Office Division Manager Becky DeWitt led the group in an exercise to reflect on past accomplishments and hopes for the upcoming year. Discussion: • Mayor Vinis - shared her appreciation for the involvement and passion of people who provide testimony at public forums and public hearings; identified community safety, homelessness and housing as issues needing further effort, noting that progress is possible with good collaboration and commitment. • Councilor Taylor - identified the restoration of dogs' rights downtown and the annual Symphony in the Park as successes in 2018; appreciated her weekly meetings with the Mayor and encouraged more canvassing activity in neighborhoods. • Jon Ruiz - said he was gratified by having a complete executive team in place, and the work to create an effective and productive organizational culture that successfully adapts to internal and external changes. • Councilor Clark- expressed concern about the direction council has taken on some of the issues it faced in 2018; was optimistic initially about progress on housing and homelessness but council decisions have made those issue worse. • Chief Skinner - reported that there is more enthusiasm and hope for the future in the Police Department; appreciated the focus on available resources when building capacity. • Councilor Pryor - said felt the council has a good handle on listening learning and thinking/deliberation, but needs to work more on taking action; felt that good decisions were made in 2018 that will lead to continued progress in 2019. • Kathryn Brotherton - identified the addition of transportation options (PPVs) and the improved relationship with County partners on issues such as homelessness and the land swap as successes in 2018; hoped that these relationships would continue to strengthen in 2019. • Councilor Yeh - expressed appreciation for the work of the council to lay the groundwork for and engage the community in important issues such as homelessness and housing. • Kristie Hammitt - appreciated the engagement and diversity of participants at public forums and hearings and hoped to continue to find ways to increase that engagement; supported ongoing efforts to build and strengthen partnerships and innovate. MINUTES - Eugene City Council February 23, 2019 Page 1 Workshop