Laserfiche WebLink
MINUTES <br />Eugene City Council and Eugene Urban Renewal Agency <br />Harris Hall, 125 East 8th Avenue <br />Eugene, Oregon 97401 <br />December 11, 2019 <br />12:00 p.m. <br />Councilors Present: Betty Taylor, Emily Semple, Alan Zelenka, Jennifer Yell, Mike Clark, Greg <br />Evans, Claire Syrett, Chris Pryor <br />Mayor Vinis opened the December 11, 2019, meeting of the Eugene Urban Renewal Agency. <br />1. EXECUTIVE SESSION: Pursuant to ORS 192.660(2)(e) <br />The Eugene Urban Renewal Agency met in Executive Session held pursuant to ORS 192.660(2)(e) to <br />deliberate with persons designated to negotiate real property transactions. <br />Mayor Vinis closed the meeting of the Eugene Urban Renewal Agency and opened the Eugene City <br />Council work session. <br />2. WORK SESSION: An Ordinance Concerning Short -Term Rental Business Licenses; Amending <br />Section 3.005 of the Eugene Code, 1971; and Adding Section 3.350 to that Code <br />Building Permit Services Director Lydia Kaye introduced the item. <br />Councilor Syrett - said she thinks the City needs to do more due diligence on this matter before <br />putting out for a public hearing - getting more input from rental hosts and nearby neighbors on <br />both positive and negative impacts; said there is a lot of speculation about the benefits and the <br />consequences of these rentals; noted there was a lot of compelling testimony from hosts this <br />week and there are many different approaches to this work; said the City Attorney sent her <br />information about a motion she intended to make about creating an advisory committee that <br />would engage short-term rental hosts and owners, neighbors, and research facts about <br />numbers, taxes, etc. <br />Councilor Zelenka - said communication is key - there are valid concerns about lack of regulation <br />and issues that still need to be addressed; suggested considering an exemption for those owning <br />one non -owner occupied property as a way to address companies or people buying multiple <br />properties to market as short-term rentals; noted there are differences between short-term and <br />long-term rentals, but needed more information about the rules for running a home business; <br />voiced concern that about transient room tax collection issues and the impact of irresponsible <br />hosts. <br />Councilor Taylor - said the City is overdue in regulating short-term rentals regulations; <br />expressed interest in getting more information about Hood River's experience because there <br />are reports that short-term rentals there destroyed their community; said the ordinance that <br />staff developed was very good and it's not too early for council to take action; asked questions <br />about grandfathering some home businesses, the implications of including bed and breakfasts <br />and the number of bedrooms that could be rented per the draft ordinance; preferred to limit <br />violations to two per year and to require owner occupancy. <br />Councilor Clark- said he was lifelong advocate of a free market economy, noting that it's <br />council's job to step in when necessary, such as unjust conditions for surrounding neighbors, <br />but default to a position that creates as few regulations and restrictions as possible; said the <br />short-term rental apps allow for the market to decide who is doing it right; said he's happy to <br />vote in favor of Councilor Syrett's motion and allow those with expertise in this business to <br />MINUTES - Eugene City Council December 11, 2019 Page 1 <br />Work Session <br />