HomeMy WebLinkAbout11.13.2018 City Council Meeting MinutesMINUTES
Eugene City Council
Harris Hall, 125 East 8h Avenue
Eugene, Oregon 97401
November 13, 2018
7:30 p.m.
Councilors Present: Emily Semple, Betty Taylor, Alan Zelenka, Jennifer Yeh, Mike Clark, Greg
Evans, Claire Syrett, Chris Pyror
Mayor Vinis opened the November 13, 2018, meeting of the Eugene City Council.
1. PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE TO THE FLAG
Mayor Vinis read an excerpt from a recent Presidential proclamation recognizing Veterans Day.
James G. Miller led the meeting attendees in reciting the Pledge of Allegiance to the Flag.
2. PUBLIC FORUM
1. Bob Cassidy - proposed consideration of a ballot measure on the purchase of EWEB for a City Hall.
2. Otto Poticha - spoke in support of the City pursuing the purchase of the EWEB building.
3. Donna Riddle - spoke in support of increased effort to provide shelter for the unhoused.
4. Lee DeVeau - spoke in support of increased effort to provide shelter for the unhoused.
S. Art Farley - spoke on behalf of Sustainability Commission in support of a ban on plastics.
6. Jeanne -Marie Moore - spoke about safety issues related to the homeless camp.
7. Cindy Allen - raised concern about EWEB's use of smart meters.
8. Victor Odlivak- raised concern about EWEB's use of smart meters.
9. Patricia Hine -spoke in support of more aggressive implementation of the Climate Action Plan.
10. Deb McGee - spoke in support of more aggressive implementation of the Climate Action Plan.
11. Jim Neu - spoke in support of more aggressive implementation of the Climate Action Plan.
12. Betzi Hitz - spoke in support of more aggressive implementation of the Climate Action Plan.
13. Linda Heyl - spoke in support of more aggressive implementation of the Climate Action Plan.
14. Leonard Higgins - spoke in support of more aggressive implementation of the Climate Action Plan.
15. Pamela Krause - spoke in support of increased efforts to help the homeless.
16. John Ammondson - supported a proposed ban on single -use plastics.
17. Serena Orsinger - supported a proposed ban on single -use plastics.
18. Abe Luedtke - supported a proposed ban on non -recyclable materials.
19. Ian Curtis - spoke in support of more aggressive implementation of the Climate Action Plan.
20. Hanna Haro - supported a proposed ban on single -use plastics.
21. Alden McWayne - supported a proposed ban on single -use plastics.
22. Michael Gannon - supported increased efforts to make progress on climate recovery goals.
23. David Strahan - supported self-management of homeless camps; opposed use of plastics.
24. Kris McAllister - spoke about the need for a safe place for those who are unwell to receive services.
25. Bill Sullivan - supported a new look at the need for a City Hall; consider use of the EWEB building.
26. Michael Carrigan - supported the establishment of a variety of smaller, safe homeless shelters.
27. Otis Haschemeyer - said the council should focus on more pressing issues than tax breaks.
28. Zondie Zinke - said the council should focus on more pressing issues than tax breaks.
29. John Abbe - supported an update of the Climate Action Plan that includes more urgency.
30. "G" -spoke about her experience as a refugee for the California fires and the need for services
31. Gary Heldt - supported the use of the EWEB building for City Hall.
32. Eric Jackson - discussed the impacts of policies that criminalize homelessness.
33. Bill Randall - thanked the council and staff for their service to the community.
MINUTES - Eugene City Council Meeting November 13, 2018 Page 1
Council Discussion
• An earlier motion to place a referendum on the use of the EWEB building for City Hall failed.
• There are no mandated outcomes in the Climate Recovery Ordinance, only goals.
• Question asked whether other cities require fossil fuel reductions in order to renew a
franchise agreement.
• The City's efforts around climate recovery cannot succeed without help from advocates and
large -lever stakeholders.
• Improvements to the pedestrian crossing at Hwy. 99 homeless camp site are needed.
3. CONSENT CALENDAR
A. Approval of City Council Minutes
a. October 8, 2018, Meeting
b. October 10, 2018, Joint Meeting of Eugene City Council and Lane County Board of
Commissioners
c. October 15, 2018, Work Session
d. October 22, 2018, Meeting
e. October 24, 2018, Work Session
B. Approval of Tentative Working Agenda
C. Adoption of a Resolution Annexing Land to the City of Eugene (Assessor's Map 17-04-11-13,
Tax Lot 1400—Located at 183 Ferndale Drive) (McGinley; A 18-5)
D. Adoption of a Resolution Annexing Land to the City of Eugene (Assessor's Map 17-04-13-32,
Tax Lot 5200 — Located on Owosso Drive) (City File: Day Joint Trust; A 18-6)
E. Adoption of a Resolution Annexing Land to the City of Eugene (Assessor's Map 18-03-16-30,
Tax Lot 100 — Located on Spring Boulevard) (City File: Margot Zallen Revocable Trust; A 18-7)
F. Adoption of a Resolution Amending Resolution No. 5218 Concerning a Low -Income Rental
Housing Property Tax Exemption Renewal for Property Located on Ross Lane and on Helen
Street, Eugene, Oregon. (Applicant St. Vincent de Paul Society of Lane County, Inc.)
G. Appointment of Civilian Review Board Representative to Police Commission
MOTION AND VOTE: Councilor Clark, seconded by Councilor Taylor, moved to approve
the items on the Consent Calendar. PASSED 8:0
4. ACTION: An Ordinance Extending the Term of Ordinance No. 19775 and Ordinance No.
20397 Granting to Comcast of Oregon II, Inc. a Franchise for Operation of a Cable
Telecommunications System
MOTION and VOTE: Councilor Clark, seconded by Councilor Taylor, moved to adopt
Council Bill 5199, an ordinance extending the term of Ordinance No. 19775 and
Ordinance No. 20397 granting to Comcast of Oregon II Inc., a franchise for the operation
of a cable telecommunications system. PASSED 8:0.
S. EWEB Property Update
City Attorney Kathryn Brotherton provided background about the council's options related to
the disposition of the EWEB building.
MOTION: Councilor Clark, seconded by Councilor Semple, moved to direct the City
Manager to exercise the City's authority under E.0 2.196 for the purpose of negotiating
to acquire the property included in EWEB's November 7, 2018, notice of surplus
declaration.
Council Discussion
• Question asked about the minimum council can do to ensure the property remains in public
ownership.
MINUTES — Eugene City Council Meeting November 13, 2018 Page 2
• Further discussion by council is needed; updated information required to ensure an
informed council decision.
• There is value in retaining the facility for public use; open to exploring a plan or proposal.
• The council has received equal testimony for and against using the site for City Hall.
• Lack of clarity has plagued the issue for years; any discussion should result in the
identification of real goals around public ownership and the City's intentions for the
property.
• Council should consider facilitating the building future use for a public purpose, like it did
for Civic Stadium property.
MOTION AND VOTE: Councilor Taylor, seconded by Councilor Semple, moved to
postpone the vote on the motion until no later than November 28. FAILED 3:5,
councilors Taylor, Syrett, and Evans in support.
• Postponing the vote on the main motion won't facilitate the emergence of any new
information.
• EWEB is an iconic building; interested in exploring other possibilities for public use.
• There is strong public support for acquiring the property; important to maintain
option to have further discussions.
• Questions asked about the costs associated with moth -balling the site and the
possibility of converting the building to housing.
MOTION: Councilor Zelenka, seconded by Councilor Syrett, moved to amend the motion
to read "I move to direct the City Manager to exercise the City's authority under E.0
2.196 for the purpose of negotiating to acquire, for non -City Hall purposes, the property
included in EWEB's November 7, 2018, notice of surplus declaration.
• Including language limiting the scope of what could be considered for the building doesn't
bind future councils; direction tonight should be purposefully broad to keep all options
open,
• Taking City Hall off the table is premature; question is only whether City should retain the
option to control what becomes of the building.
• Clarification made that the scope of the motion to not include City Hall refers only to Phase 1
of the council's plans.
• Motion gives City Manager direction on what to negotiate about; the City is currently
pursuing efforts to develop the town square proposal.
VOTE: PASSED 5:3, councilors Clark, Evans, and Semple opposed.
VOTE ON MAIN MOTION AS AMENDED: PASSED 8:0.
The meeting adjourned at 9:52 p.m.
Respectfully submitted,
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Beth Forrest
City Recorder
Link to the webcast of this City Council meeting: here.
MINUTES — Eugene City Council Meeting November 13, 2018 Page 3