05.26.2020 City Council Work Session Minutes

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MINUTES Eugene City Council Virtual Work Session Eugene, Oregon 97401 May 26, 2020 5:30 p.m. Councilors Present: Betty Taylor, Emily Semple, Alan Zelenka, Jennifer Yeh, Mike Clark, Claire Syrett, Chris Pryor, Greg Evans Mayor Vinis opened the May 26, 2020, work session of the Eugene City Council and Eugene Urban Renewal Agency. 1. WORK SESSION: Downtown Riverfront Development Williams & Dame Associates Terms City Manager Pro Tern Sarah Medary, Planning and Development Director Denny Brand, and Community Development Director Michael Kinnison provided information on the Downtown Riverfront Development project, including concept plan modifications, proposed term modifications, right-of-way dedication, use of natural gas, and next steps for the project. Council Discussion: • Councilor Yeh - discussed the proposed affordable housing options; spoke about the placement of affordable housing in the project footprint; asked for clarification regarding the natural gas option. Councilor Zelenka joined the meeting at5:54p.m. • Councilor Pryor - spoke about the need for flexibility in the project; expressed interest in the affordable housing options; talked about the natural gas option. • Councilor Clark- asked about Williams & Dame's response to the potential natural gas restriction; spoke about the use and regulation of natural gas at the project. • Councilor Syrett - expressed support for the proposed terms; spoke about flexibility regarding the affordable housing options; discussed need clarify policies regarding natural gas. • Councilor Zelenka - spoke about the affordable housing location options; asked about the use of Multiple Unit Property Tax Exemption for the project; inquired about the costs of infrastructure for the project. • Councilor Taylor - expressed desire to ban natural gas expansion; discussed MUPTE exclusions; spoke about placement of affordable housing; talked about environmental impacts related to natural gas; asked about plans for sidewalks in front of housing. • Councilor Semple - expressed disappointment in the proposed location of affordable housing; inquired about plans to build natural gas infrastructure and its potential use in the project; voiced concern about delaying the project. • Councilor Evans - talked about natural gas usage and expressed support for scheduling a council discussion to clarify natural gas policies; spoke about the council's carbon neutrality goals; supported moving forward with the project, particularly as a means to address the local economic crisis. • Mayor Vinis - talked about the City's climate action plan and its connection to natural gas usage; supported scheduling a work session on natural gas. MINUTES - Eugene City Council May 26, 2020 Page 1 Work Session