06.10.2020 City Council Work Session Minutes

Home Browse Search

• Councilor Syrett -asked if Council would have the option to eliminate the primary and just have a single round of voting for Mayor and City Council seats; stated if campaigning season is too long other means can be employed besides adopting an entirely new voting system; agreed that having an executive session on the lawsuit as the City Attorney suggested would be helpful. • Councilor Evans - stated the voters need to decide and the real work should come into play after the measure passes. • Councilor Semple - expressed interest in not having a run-off scenario but is concerned about the costs if they are real; voiced concern about split votes and said STAR voting is fairer; stated she doesn't have a problem referring it to voters. • Mayor Vinis - asked about the implications for Lane County if the STAR voting measure passes; asked if proponents are also petitioning Lane County; stated if the City and Lane County are doing this together it feels to her that is a more straightforward process and could possibly reduce the cost for both; stated if Lane County gets onboard then the City can work with the County on this option. • Councilor Evans - asked if it would be a one-time cost for the City, or if costs would be ongoing; stated this system would provide a more representative way of reflecting the will of the voters, gives more choice and allows voters to support the candidates they would like to see in elected office. • Councilor Zelenka - asked if the City will bear ongoing costs if the City and Lane County have different systems. • Councilor Taylor - stated Council is not here today to decide whether there should be STAR voting and if Council is for or against it; supported letting the voters decide and then finding a way to abide by what the public says. MOTION: Councilor Semple, seconded by Councilor Taylor, moved to direct the City Manager to return on July 13, 2020, with a resolution calling a City election on November 3, 2020, for the purpose of referring to the legal electors of Eugene a Charter amendment that elects the mayor and councilors using the Score Then Automatic Runoff (STAR) voting method. Councilor Syrett - offered a friendly amendment to include the addition of cost estimates for implementation, including one-time costs, ongoing costs, and cost savings. RESTATED MOTION AND VOTE (with friendly amendment): Councilor Semple, seconded by Councilor Taylor, moved to direct the City Manager to return on July 13, 2020, with a resolution calling a City election on November 3, 2020, for the purpose of referring to the legal electors of Eugene a Charter amendment that elects the mayor and councilors using the Score Then Automatic Runoff (STAR) voting method, and to include the addition of cost estimates for implementation: one-time costs, ongoing costs, as well as cost savings. PASSED 6:2, Councilors Yeh and Zelenka opposed. 2. WORK SESSION: Library Local Option Levy Library Services Director Will O'Hearn gave a presentation to outline options for the renewal of the library local option levy. Council Discussion: • Councilor Syrett - asked why the option to expand to the 4th floor was not included in Option 2. • Councilor Clark- stated the library levy was originally established as a means to provide extra library services and since then, a Parks and Recreation levy and a payroll tax, which is essentially a police levy, have been put forward; stated core service levels are being funded by levies instead of the concerted effort of 8-9 years ago to keep everything on -budget, balanced and within means; MINUTES - Eugene City Council June 10, 2020 Page 2 Work Session