01.08.20 City Council State of the City Address Minutes

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Our aim is to create a system in which we provide services to everyone who wants or needs them. As we do that, the impact of homelessness on people's lives, on our school systems, on our parks and on our public safety will dramatically improve. At the same time, police officers, firefighters and prevention services will be able to do more than just respond to urgent calls for service. But, we're not there yet. Transitional stopgaps are needed. We have heard clearly the frustration and anger of business owners and employees who justifiably want an end to the trespasses, burglaries, harassment and vandalism that has plagued them. And, while all homeless are not criminals, nor are all criminals homeless, we do need more rest stops, car camping, and more Opportunity Villages and tiny homes to stabilize the unhoused. We need neighborhood watch and mobile street teams to check behavior on streets and sidewalks. We need investment -- public and private -- to support providers of services. Can we take a moment to acknowledge the nonprofit providers who save lives and stabilize families every day in our community? And importantly, we need greater attention to mental health and addiction services. This work is coming in 2020. The County and City are working together to envision and develop a crisis center; and Council has already approved a resolution advocating for more investment in recovery services by the state. With all of these challenges, there is also good news. Our economy is growing. Council is juggling decisions about major public investments in three related areas: the riverfront, the Park Blocks and Farmers Market and a new city hall. These investments, joined by the private development at Fifth Street, will result in a tripling of our downtown core. The Riverfront and the Downtown Urban Renewal Districts are meeting critical development needs. The Riverfront development will create 500 units of housing, of which 75 units are earmarked for low-income residents. Add to this market -rate and affordable units at 5th Street, and other market rate housing proposals for downtown, we will shortly have what we have always needed -- a bustling, populated busy town center, that will meet both our housing needs and our climate goals for compact development. In addition, the designs for renovating the Park Blocks and building a year-round home for Farmers' Market will move toward bidding and approval in 2 02 0. And we are finally poised to have the nuts and bolts conversations about the new City Hall that will share the Farmers' Market block and offer the possibility of a much-needed city gathering space, not just for Council but also for other public events. All of these take money. In 2020, Council will face difficult choices about financing for both renewal districts. The wish list is longer than the available funds; and the conversation is likely to involve choices between delaying or reducing some elements. As your mayor, it is my job to juggle the urgent needs of the moment with our community commitment to participatory democracy. Problems are complex, resources are limited, and big change does not come easily or overnight. Public testimony can be angry and impatient. Tensions rise when we don't see a common path. Too many voices are never heard at all. So, in November, I announced my commitment to fostering a city of kindness in Eugene, affirming our shared commitment to resolving conflict in ways that build rather than erode our sense of community and belonging. All of us, including me, need to do a better job of reaching out to those who come from different backgrounds and have different life experiences. MINUTES — State of the City Address January 8, 2020 Page 4