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MINUTES <br />Eugene City Council <br />Virtual Meeting <br />Eugene, Oregon 97401 <br />April 13, 2020 <br />7:30 p.m. <br />Councilors Present: Emily Semple, Betty Taylor, Alan Zelenka, Jennifer Yeh, Mike Clark, Greg Evans, <br />Claire Syrett, Chris Pryor. <br />Mayor Vinis opened the April 13, 2 02 0, meeting of the Eugene City Council in a virtual format. <br />1. Committee Reports and Items of Interest <br />Discussion <br />Councilor Taylor - shared that Director Merlyn Hough will be retiring from the Lane <br />Regional Air Protection Agency (LRAPA) and she will be serving on the committee to recruit <br />his replacement. The LRAPA Board majority rescinded the recently enacted burning ban, <br />feeling it created a hardship for those in rural areas; Councilor Taylor reported she voted <br />against this and clarified it was not a unanimous decision and that a few Board members <br />were absent from the meeting. Councilor Taylor has heard from several constituents <br />unhappy about Amazon Park being turned into a campground, and stated she still believes <br />we should have a shelter where people can go. <br />Councilor Evans - reported that he and Councilor Taylor attended the National League of <br />Cities (NLC) meeting in Washington, D.C.; the NLC is working on priorities related to <br />investments in transportation, broadband and water infrastructure, and the housing crisis <br />and affordability. <br />Councilor Syrett - shared the Lane Area Commission on Transportation (Lane ACT) <br />Steering Committee will be meeting in the next two weeks to determine how the May <br />meeting will take place. The Human Services Commission (HRC), is planning to hold the <br />next scheduled meeting virtually on Monday, April 20; the HRC does take public comment <br />and has social service providers who attend. Councilor Syrett stated she assumes Lane <br />County, who staffs the HRC, will be making provisions for public participation. <br />Councilor Yeh - shared the Metropolitan Wastewater Management Commission (MWMC) is <br />taking a second look at its budget; it had originally intended a two percent fee increase but <br />has instructed staff to look at a zero percent increase budget recognizing that rate payers <br />have multiple economic stressors right now and wish to help not hurt rate payers at this <br />time. The Police Commission has cancelled several of their meetings but are still in contact; <br />the public can email the Police Commission at ceepdcommission@eugene-or.us. <br />Councilor Semple - reported that the Human Rights Commission, Sustainability Commission <br />and McKenzie Watershed Council did not meet this month but are still working and <br />thinking. <br />Mayor Vinis - shared she has been meeting with two different groups of businesspeople. <br />One began through the Eugene Wake -Up group and the second group represents downtown <br />retailers; they are discussing how to navigate the loan programs and issues they are facing, <br />trying to make sure we are hearing from those businesspeople. The Mayor said she is <br />grateful to hear the Eugene Area Chamber of Commerce is stepping up and will provide <br />structure for the business community and opportunity to hear back from them. The Mayor <br />reported she will join other Climate Mayors on a phone call with Congressman DeFazio <br />MINUTES - Eugene City Council April 13, 2020 Page 1 <br />Meeting <br />