6.12.2019 City Council Work Session Minutes

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the 4J School District are homeless; talked about how City Council would still need to approve a final site and if mitigation is impossible, then siting it there is no longer considered; asked what the initial reason was for precluding private property owners from hosting a Rest Stop; doesn't think a private property owner should be precluded from hosting a site if they can and want to. • Councilor Clark- asked about screening criteria and criminal background checks for residents; expressed concern about lack of background checks especially if sited near schools; said that the original siting restrictions were designed around the idea of creating the least amount of conflict in the community and relaxing them is not a wise idea. • Councilor Taylor - shared how she was planning to vote; expressed concerns about neighbors if private property owners want to host a Rest Stop; said she thinks current restrictions are mostly adequate but would like to allow County sites as well; said she wants the City to focus more on permanent and transitional housing. • Councilor Pryor - talked about renting or purchasing a home near a school and the lack of background checks in those situations; said there is always the potential that bad people move in no matter where you live, but mitigation and regulation are the key elements; talked about Rest Stops being needed as part of the continuum of care as a starting point; said he was comfortable providing flexibility in how and where Rest Stops can be placed because they are regulated. • Councilor Yeh - talked about how having a criminal record does not make you a bad person and how people can find themselves in many different situations where they may have gone to jail and then face many disadvantages when they get out of jail. • Councilor Semple - said that there should be opportunities for people who have come out of punishment, with regulation, supervision, and access to services instead of out on the streets without any help. • Councilor Syrett - pointed out that the City Manager and County Administrator in the TAC implementation plan included eventually eliminating the Rest Stop program completely as other parts of the homeless services system are expanded; said she was not concerned about residents not speaking up about their concerns around Rest Stop siting because communities have been vocal in the past. • Councilor Taylor - said that people in some neighborhoods are proud to live in liberal neighborhoods and may be scared to voice their opinions; said that it was irrelevant to talk about criminals because that's not what City Council is voting on today. • Councilor Zelenka - asked if there was any data about crimes committed by residents of Rest Stops or Opportunity Village; said that it was offensive to him that every time City Council starts talking about homeless individuals they start talking about criminals and sex offenders; said he has talked with people in these programs and they are so grateful someone recognized them and gave them a hand up, but there's a misconception and fear that people will bring crime and other bad things into their neighborhoods; talked about how the Rest Stops have worked to move people on into more stable situations. • Councilor Clark- expressed concern that civility among the councilors was breaking down when there was disagreement about issues. MOTION AND VOTE: Councilor Semple, seconded by Councilor Evans, moved to extend the meeting 10 minutes. PASSED 8:0. MOTION: Councilor Taylor, seconded by Councilor Semple, moved to direct the City Manager to prepare an ordinance and schedule a public hearing on Option 1C as stated in Attachment A. MINUTES — Eugene City Council June 12, 2019 Page 5 Work Session