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MINUTES <br />Eugene City Council <br />Virtual Work Session <br />Eugene, Oregon 97401 <br />May 18, 2020 <br />5:30 p.m. <br />Councilors Present: Betty Taylor, Emily Semple, Alan Zelenka, Jennifer Yeh, Chris Pryor, Greg Evans <br />Councilors Absent: Claire Syrett, Mike Clark <br />Mayor Vinis opened the May 18, 2020, work session of the Eugene City Council. <br />1. WORK SESSION: Resolution Adopting a Supplemental Budget; Making Appropriations for the <br />City of Eugene for the Fiscal Year Beginning July 1, 2019 and Ending June 30, 2020. <br />City Manager Pro Tern Sarah Medary, Acting Public Works Director Matt Rodrigues, Planning and <br />Development Director Denny Braud and Finance Director Twylla Miller introduced the item and <br />gave background about the topic, specifically its connection to the Riverfront project. <br />Council Discussion: <br />• Councilor Semple - asked for clarification regarding the budget and line items; inquired about <br />the specific use of bonds and loans and when the bond will be paid off; asked about the City's <br />capacity to borrow for other projects rather than the Riverfront project; asked about the <br />potential for creating local jobs with the project, noting possible economic recovery issues. <br />• Councilor Zelenka - expressed concern about the level of uncertainty with the developer <br />partner; supported placing the project on hold and further discussion of expectations with the <br />Williams and Dame partnership. <br />• Councilor Pryor - spoke about comfort levels with risk, project timing, investment, and <br />partnerships needed to realize the Riverfront project vision. <br />• Councilor Taylor - recounted other failed development projects; expressed opposition to the <br />supplemental budget as it relates to the Riverfront project. <br />• Councilor Zelenka - discussed the phasing of the project and the risk of investing into the <br />project at this stage; reiterated support for pausing the project. <br />• Mayor Vinis - talked about the risks of a possible delay of the project and waiting for certainty <br />from developers; spoke about the project's role in local recovery efforts and the creation of jobs. <br />Mayor Vinis postponed the vote until the Wednesday, May 20 work session, due to the absence of <br />two councilors. <br />The meeting adjourned at 6:00p.m. <br />Respectfully submitted, <br />Beth Forrest <br />City Recorder <br />(Recorded by Carolyn Dimick-Kronberger) <br />Link to the webcast of this City Council meeting here. <br />MINUTES - Eugene City Council May 18, 2020 Page 1 <br />Work Session <br />