HomeMy WebLinkAbout1.16.2019 City Council Work Session MinutesMINUTES
Eugene City Council
Harris Hall, 125 East 8�h Avenue
Eugene, Oregon 97401
January 16, 2019
12:00 p.m.
Councilors Present: Emily Semple, Jennifer Yeh, Alan Zelenka, Mike Clark. Chris Pryor, Betty
Taylor. Greg Evans
Councilors Absent: Claire Syrett
Mayor Vinis opened the January 16, 2019, Work Session of the Eugene City Council.
WORK SESSION: Single -Use Containers and Utensils
Solid Waste Analyst Michael Wisth presented information about single -use plastics, their
impacts on the environment, and potential strategies to reduce or eliminate their use.
Council Discussion
• Councilor Semple - supported the proposed ban and said the time is right to take action on
this issue; supported moving the issue to a public hearing and considering a ban that goes
further than those enacted in test case cities.
• Councilor Clark- expressed frustration that the only option being presented is to vote yes
or no; more helpful to outline all pros and cons of those votes; legitimate concerns raised on
both sides of the issue, including sanitary and equity/cost considerations.
• Councilor Zelenka - asked questions about limiting access to plastics at the retail level; data
analysis about the life cycle of materials; effects of polystyrene ban in Portland.
• Councilor Evans - asked questions about and urged consideration of emerging technologies
that could replace current materials; best practices in other communities; and organic -
based alternatives.
• Councilor Pryor - thanked staff for the good, myth -busting presentation; said it's important
to act but to consider when and at what scale; expressed concern about the undue negative
consequence on lower-income population who may rely on the use of banned materials.
• Councilor Taylor - agreed that it's important to consider the unexpected consequences of a
ban; noted that not all cardboards are compostable; supported ban on polystyrene.
• Mayor Vinis - stated that the proposed ban represents a request for behavior change; plastic
is cheap to manufacture and that factor should be considered when comparing to other
products; it will be helpful to recommend alternative when presenting the proposed ban.
• Councilor Zelenka - said that charging for alternative materials adds value to them and helps
change behavior; encouraged addressing food waste to reduce greenhouse gas emissions;
noted that most compostable materials must be processed at a commercial facility.
• Councilor Taylor - expressed concern that if restaurants charge for to -go containers,
customers will decline to take their leftovers, resulting in more food waste.
• Councilor Clark- said legitimate issues and questions were being raised; encouraged
council to return for more robust conversation about the potential impacts of their decision
to ban single -use plastics.
• Councilor Semple - supported providing free bus passes, the use of paper bags and reusable
containers, and continued efforts on the food waste issue to address climate goals; said a
public hearing will provide the council with good information.
MINUTES — Eugene City Council January 16, 2019 Page 1
Work Session