Item 3A: Approval of City Council Minutes

Home Browse Search

and asked why Occupy Eugene received permission to violate the code when he was prosecuted for his violations. He promised to continue to fight for free speech. Ruth Duemler , 1745 Fircrest Drive, advocated for more 24-hour public bathrooms in the community and expressed disappointment the City lacked a point person to answer questions about the availability of 24- hour bathrooms. She said there was an increase in homeless families and individuals but there were still few reliably open 24-hour bathrooms. Michael Gannon , no address given, questioned the proposed extension of the Multi-Unit Property Tax Exemption (MUPTE). He believed there had been no community discussion of the ramifications of the amount exempted annually. Mr. Gannon maintained the City should require such projects to include low- income units to house the homeless. He said the Lane Transit District received no funding from construction to support the additional density created by new development and the City did not appear to consider the impact of the additional density on the biomass in the places where such construction occurred or the sustainability of such developments. He believed that “an extraordinary” level of parking was being provided for such developments in a very dense part of the City where parking was a major problem, which exacerbated the situation and affected the entire city. Mayor Piercy closed the Public Forum. Speaking to Mr. Macherione’s remarks, Mayor Piercy said she did not know who the complainant was and had nothing to do with the complaint. Mayor Piercy solicited council comments and questions. Also speaking to Mr. Macherione’s remarks, Councilor Zelenka averred that Mr. Macherione’s statements about the Sign Code and free speech rights were “very misleading to the public.” Councilor Zelenka asserted that Eugene’s Sign Code was content-neutral. He said Mr. Macherione could have any sign he wished as long as it complied with the City’s rules. He questioned why Mr. Macherione could not make adjustments as others had. He said the City was working with the ACLU on the issues it had raised. Councilor Zelenka further asserted that the ACLU refused to take Mr. Macherione’s case because of his “extreme position” that the City could not regulate political speech in any form. Councilor Taylor agreed with Ms. Duemler’s comments about the need for more bathrooms and thanked her for raising the subject. 2. CONSENT CALENDAR A. Approval of City Council Minutes B. Approval of Tentative Working Agenda - September 26, 2011, Work Session - September 28, 2011, Work Session - October 4, 2011, Boards and Commissions Interviews Councilor Taylor, seconded by Councilor Brown, moved to approve the items on the Consent Calendar. Roll call vote: The motion passed unanimously, 8:0. MINUTES—Eugene City Council October 24, 2011 Page 2 Regular Meeting