06.24.2020 City Council Work Session Minutes

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• Councilor Zelenka - stated he doesn't see the distinction between the budget issues and the police issues, he sees them as intertwined and would not want to have two parallel processes; stated he appreciates the frustration and passion of those wanting to get this solved, but wants to act in a thoughtful way; stated we can start distinguishing things to work on in the short- term with a deadline so as not to run the risk of talk with no action; suggested we can start off with listening sessions to hear people's ideas and have a create a summary before the Council work session on July 20; thanked police for their work. • Councilor Yeh - thanked the police officers for being present during the protests at councilors' homes; stated she thinks the issues are too big for one committee; expressed concern for the entire Council being on the committee and stated whatever the end result is, the majority of members should not be Councilors; stated she hopes staff is finding an opportunity to look at equity issues within the organization; stated she would like to move forward with creating the group the CRB and PC have requested as she would like to be responsive to their request and have it going before summer break. • Councilor Clark - stated he wants to live in a community where each person in it is treated equally before the law, and thinks it has almost never been true; stated the council instituted a payroll tax to fund public safety more thoroughly, and if that narrative is to change and resources are moved away from policing, consideration should be given to getting rid of the payroll tax just created; stated he doesn't think Council has a read on where most of the community is on these issues and until it does, should not be acting. • Councilor Pryor - stated there are a number of changes already being considered in Salem and Washington, D.C., to which Council needs to pay attention to know how it fits into any conversations or strategies at the local level; cautioned that actions will need to be thought through to avoid any unknowns or unexpected consequences, and it will need to be a thoughtful, knowledgeable and deliberate process; stated everyone must be honest in the way they approach the process. • Councilor Semple - stated the issue is huge and emotional, but is also an opportunity; stated Council needs to respond as quickly as possible, but also carefully and inclusively; suggested Council needs to work upstream and eliminate some of the reasons for law enforcement; stated she wants to have a more peaceful dialogue with good outcomes, and wonders how the rest of the community thinks because she cannot hear them over the group that is extremely loud. • Councilor Taylor - agreed that not everyone is being heard and she doesn't know anyone that doesn't think the idea of defunding the police is appalling; stated it is an emotional topic that is causing people to be illogical; stated she was never in favor of the payroll tax and feels it should be repealed or revised because it discriminates against low -wage people and can contribute to more homelessness; stated she thinks Council should vote on whether to establish this large committee. • Councilor Syrett - stated she voted in support of the budget and is supportive of the current plan on how the payroll tax will be allocated; stated that going forward she is willing to consider measured shifts over time to increase support for other ways to achieve public safety and feels a significant portion of her constituents would be supportive of that shift; stated she feels there are two conversations: questions about police policy that Councilor Yeh is proposing Council find a potential way to start the conversation, and how implementation of activities is supported through the budget process, whether it is homeless services, police patrols, or 911; stated these items need to be deliberated and voted on by Council before moving forward with consideration of these topics. • Mayor Vinis - acknowledged everyone's impatience to commit to action and encouraged patience for outcomes; stated the CRB and PC can do work on looking at specific police policies, and Council can commit itself to a large community conversation without predicting what the outcome will be. MINUTES - Eugene City Council June 24, 2020 Page 3 Work Session