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MINUTES <br />Eugene City Council <br />Virtual Work Session <br />Eugene, Oregon 97401 <br />April 8, 2020 <br />12:00 p.m. <br />Councilors Present: Betty Taylor, Emily Semple, Alan Zelenka, Jennifer Yeh, Mike Clark, Claire <br />Syrett, Chris Pryor, Greg Evans <br />Mayor Vinis opened the April 8, 2020, work session of the Eugene City Council. <br />1. WORK SESSION: COVID-19 Update <br />Interim Fire Chief Chris Heppel provided an update on the COVID-19 situation, including efforts to <br />flatten the curve, statics, Emergency Operation Center news, and safety information. <br />Council Discussion: <br />• Councilor Clark- expressed gratitude to the incident command staff and their efforts; asked <br />about the public safety challenges with empty businesses; spoke about engaging the public and <br />the need to support local restaurants. <br />• Councilor Zelenka - thanked staff and the public for their support and work being done; asked <br />about the projected peak date in Oregon and what its implication are. <br />• Councilor Semple - spoke about the campers at Monroe Park and associated issues; asked for <br />more sites for the unhoused; talked about communication with constituents, donating blood <br />and gratitude for staff. <br />Councilor Syrett - expressed appreciation for the leadership of the City Manager and staff; <br />supported the policy of not permitting camping in city parks. <br />Councilor Zelenka - discussed communication with and use of neighborhood associations email <br />groups. <br />MOTION AND VOTE: Councilor Clark, seconded by Councilor Yeh, moved to support <br />the City Manager Pro Tern extending the declaration of a state of emergency within <br />the City of Eugene due to the COVID-19 pandemic. PASSED 8:0 <br />2. ACTION: An Ordinance Extending the Term of Ordinance No. 20170 Granting to Northwest <br />Natural Gas Company, a Corporation, a Twenty -Year Non -Exclusive Right and Franchise to <br />Lay, Maintain and Operate Facilities in the Public Way Within the City of Eugene, Oregon; and <br />Providing for the Payment of Compensation to the City <br />Intergovernmental Relations Manager Ethan Nelson discussed the NW Natural Gas Franchise <br />Agreement, including previous council direction. <br />Council Discussion: <br />• Councilor Zelenka -spoke about the work being done to develop anew agreement with NW <br />Natural and expressed support for the motion. <br />• Councilor Taylor - asked if the City would not be able to ban future expansion if the extension <br />was approved. <br />MINUTES - Eugene City Council April 8, 2020 Page 1 <br />Work Session <br />