HomeMy WebLinkAbout190116 WS_Page_2MOTION: Councilor Semple, seconded by Councilor Zelenka, moved to direct the City
Manager to prepare and schedule a public hearing on an ordinance that prohibits caterers,
restaurants, grocery stores, and non-profit food servers from 1) providing plastic straws,
except on request; 2) serving or packaging food and beverages in products made of
polystyrene or other single -use plastic products, including containers and wrappers, plates,
bowls, cups and lids, stirrers and utensils, and condiment packages.
Council Discussion
• Councilor Clark- offered a friendly amendment to substitute an additional work session for a
public hearing to give staff the opportunity to present information about the pros and cons of
potential impacts of a ban.
• Councilor Zelenka - agreed that he was not yet sure about the specifics of a proposed ban and
hoped to learn more about the issue to help develop ordinance language; encouraged the public
to provide testimony at Public Forums.
• Councilor Evans - suggested looking at practices that create barriers for reusable materials (e.g.
sporting events) and then identify strategies for removing those barriers.
• Councilor Pryor - supported continuing the council discussion of alternatives at another work
session.
• Councilor Semple - accepted the suggestion to eliminate the specific list of plastic products;
supported making a big statement with the council's proposed legislation.
• Councilor Zelenka - noted that aluminum is a good alternative to plastic as it's recyclable and
readily available.
RESTATED MOTION AND VOTE (including friendly amendment): Councilor Semple,
seconded by Councilor Zelenka, moved to direct the City Manager to prepare and
schedule a work session on an ordinance that prohibits caterers, restaurants, grocery
stores, and non-profit food servers from 1) providing plastic straws, except on request;
and 2) serving or packaging food and beverages in products made of polystyrene or
other single -use plastic products. PASSED 7:0
2. WORK SESSION: Home Energy Score
Waste Prevention and Green Building Analyst Deveron Musgrave, Sustainability Manager
Chelsea Clinton, and Climate Recovery Ordinance Analyst Mark Nystrom presented information
about the Home Energy Score program and next steps for implementation in Eugene.
Council Discussion
• Councilor Evans - asked about the specific emission difference between buildings heated
with natural gas and those heated with electricity; that information will be important to
convey to the public.
• Councilor Clark - urged consideration of systemic capacity if more homes are converted from
gas to electric; important to ensure that council is having its discussion of the issues with
accurate data.
• Councilor Zelenka - reported that the natural gas provider is moving quickly towards
renewable natural gas; the Home Energy Score is much-needed information for potential
home -buyers and renters; allows choices based on information that has significant Bottom-
line impacts.
• Councilor Taylor - supported moving forward with Home Energy Score program; consider
which model would be most effective in Eugene.
• Councilor Semple - agreed that program is valuable and will contribute to City's climate
recovery goals; Home Energy Score will provide valuable information to buyers and renters
and incentives to owners to improve energy efficiency.
MINUTES — Eugene City Council January 16, 2019 Page 2
Work Session