Item 3A: Approval of City Council Minutes

Home Browse Search

services that would be created by the end of the camp. Ms. Ortiz said the City did not have the answer to the problem of homelessness but hoped it could make an impact on the problem working with its partners. She did not think the council could expect any particular outcome. She pointed out that the homeless had been living in the community under bridges and in the bushes for years and frequently formed small supportive bands. That critical mass could be challenging to deal with, and she did not think Occupy Eugene had signed up for such a challenge. Ms. Ortiz, seconded by Mr. Poling, moved to revoke the exemption for overnight camping granted by the council on December 14 and to direct the City Manager to ensure the restoration of the space now occupied by Occupy Eugene as soon as practicable and as peacefully as practicable. Mr. Farr agreed with Ms. Ortiz that the homeless lived all around the community and would be in Eugene after the camp ended. No one could predict where the homeless could go but it was likely they would go where they had been before. Mr. Farr advocated for more assistance for the homeless and hoped the task force would find ways to leverage existing resources to ensure the system was as robust and adaptable as possible. The motion passed, 5:2; councilors Taylor and Brown voting no. City Attorney Klein reviewed the details of the ordinance expanding the car camping program and noted the need for unanimous council consent to proceed with the ordinance as well as the requirement of a public hearing. Ms. Taylor objected to the abbreviated process. Following an explanation of the abbreviated process from City Attorney Klein, Ms. Taylor withdrew her objection. While he preferred a process that provided for more public input, Mr. Poling was willing to proceed with the abbreviated process because it concerned a minor revision of an ordinance already in place and did not represent a change in policy. Mayor Piercy opened the public hearing. Irene Cardenas supported the continuation of the Occupy Eugene encampment because it was safer than open tent camping alternatives due to the presence of many people. She did not find homeless shelters to be a good social environment. John Monroe did not think the City’s proposed approach was sufficient to address the needs of the community that formed at Occupy Eugene. He questioned whether the car camping program could accommodate more than 150 people. He questioned allowing people to camp without the support they received at Occupy Eugene. He thought that disregarded their human needs and the emergency situation that existed. He believed there would be a community backlash to the council’s actions. He asked the council to work with Occupy Eugene to ensure those on the site were taken care of, could retain their community connections, and receive services. Carol Berg Caldwell said she visited Occupy Eugene nearly every day. She perceived a sense of hope and safety at the encampment. People who had previously tied up police and court resources were no longer doing so and she attributed that to Occupy Eugene. She found the ordinance inadequate and asked the council to take a second look. MINUTES—Eugene City Council December 20, 2011 Page 4 Emergency Meeting