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MINUTES – Eugene City Council Meeting March 17, 2020 Page 1 MINUTES Eugene City Council Harris Hall, 125 East 8th Avenue Eugene, Oregon 97401 March 17, 2020 12:00 p.m. Councilors Present: Emily Semple, Jennifer Yeh, Betty Taylor, Alan Zelenka, Mike Clark, Greg Evans, Claire Syrett, Chris Pryor Mayor Vinis opened the March 17, 2020, meeting of the Eugene City Council. City Manager Pro Tem Sarah Medary provided context about the public health emergency relating to COVID-19. Fire Chief Chris Heppel updated council on the City’s efforts to respond to the public health challenge. Declaring a state of emergency would enable access to more state and federal resources to support the community in navigating the crisis. 1.DISCUSSION: Declaration of a State of EmergencyCity Attorney Kathryn Brotherton explained how a state of emergency could be declaredand what such a declaration would authorize and require of the City Manager.Council Discussion: Councilor Clark – asked for clarification of the reason the City Manager may declare astate of emergency as defined in the code; said he was inspired by ideas offered byformer Governor Kitzhaber in a recent article about the State’s response to COVID-19. Councilor Pryor – said a declaration of emergency was essential; encouraged theCity Manager to communicate with council and the community as expeditiously aspossible over the course of managing the crisis. Councilor Semple – noted she would like to talk about alternative emergency shelters,bathrooms, and food access later in the meeting. Councilor Syrett – asked staff to respond to small businesses’ concerns, especiallythose of restaurants; asked about childcare support, more testing ability andpriority testing. Councilor Taylor – expressed concern about the impacts of the crisis on peopleliving paycheck to paycheck. Councilor Yeh – said many of her concerns had already been mentioned andaddressed. Councilor Zelenka – thought a declaration of emergency was appropriate; clarifiedthat not all powers available to the City Manager in a state of emergency wouldnecessarily be used; highlighted how the communication process would workbetween council and the City Manager during the emergency; noted severaloperational concerns, including support for local businesses, shelter and sanitationfor the unhoused, communications planning, and lack of available testing. April 13, 2020, Meeting – Item 2A ATTACHMENT H CC Agenda - Page 23