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been living in the community under bridges and in the bushes for years and frequently formed small <br />supportive bands. That critical mass could be challenging to deal with, and she did not think Occupy <br />Eugene had signed up for such a challenge. <br />Ms. Ortiz, seconded by Mr. Poling, moved to revoke the exemption for overnight <br />camping granted by the council on December 14 and to direct the City Manager to ensure <br />the restoration of the space now occupied by Occupy Eugene as soon as practicable and <br />as peacefully as practicable. <br />Mr. Farr agreed with Ms. Ortiz that the homeless lived all around the community and would be in Eugene <br />after the camp ended. No one could predict where the homeless could go but it was likely they would go <br />where they had been before. Mr. Farr advocated for more assistance for the homeless and hoped the task <br />force would find ways to leverage existing resources to ensure the system was as robust and adaptable as <br />possible. <br />The motion passed, 5:2; councilors Taylor and Brown voting no. <br />City Attorney Klein reviewed the details of the ordinance expanding the car camping program and noted <br />the need for unanimous council consent to proceed with the ordinance as well as the requirement of a <br />public hearing. <br />Ms. Taylor objected to the abbreviated process. Following an explanation of the abbreviated process <br />from City Attorney Klein, Ms. Taylor withdrew her objection. <br />While he preferred a process that provided for more public input, Mr. Poling was willing to proceed with <br />the abbreviated process because it concerned a minor revision of an ordinance already in place and did <br />not represent a change in policy. <br />Mayor Piercy opened the public hearing. <br />Irene Cardenas supported the continuation of the Occupy Eugene encampment because it was safer than <br />open tent camping alternatives due to the presence of many people. She did not find homeless shelters to <br />be a good social environment. <br />John Monroe did not think the City's proposed approach was sufficient to address the needs of the <br />community that formed at Occupy Eugene. He questioned whether the car camping program could <br />accommodate more than 150 people. He questioned allowing people to camp without the support they <br />received at Occupy Eugene. He thought that disregarded their human needs and the emergency situation <br />that existed. He believed there would be a community backlash to the council's actions. He asked the <br />council to work with Occupy Eugene to ensure those on the site were taken care of, could retain their <br />community connections, and receive services. <br />Carol Berg Caldwell said she visited Occupy Eugene nearly every day. She perceived a sense of hope <br />and safety at the encampment. People who had previously tied up police and court resources were no <br />longer doing so and she attributed that to Occupy Eugene. She found the ordinance inadequate and asked <br />the council to take a second look. <br />Big John Cahill said the car camping program was full. It had 60 spaces and an eight -month waiting list. <br />He said if Occupy Eugene ended the people now there would go back to the, bushes and camp all around <br />the community. There was nowhere else for them to go. He noted the upcoming fund raiser sponsored <br />MINUTES— Eugene City Council December 20, 2011 Page 4 <br />Emergency Meeting <br />