HomeMy WebLinkAbout2.19.2019 City Council Public Hearing Meeting MinutesMINUTES
Eugene City Council
Harris Hall, 125 East 8�h Avenue
Eugene, Oregon 97401
February 19, 2019
7:30 p.m.
Councilors Present: Emily Semple, Betty Taylor, Alan Zelenka, Jennifer Yeh, Mike Clark, Claire
Syrett, Chris Pryor
Councilors Absent: Greg Evans
Mayor Vinis opened the February 19, 2019, meeting of the Eugene City Council.
1. PUBLIC HEARING: An Ordinance Providing For Withdrawal of Annexed Properties From
the Following Special Districts: The Santa Clara Rural Fire Protection District; Santa Clara
Water District; Willakenzie Rural Fire Protection District; Lane Fire Authority; River
Road Park & Recreation District; And River Road Water District
City Manager Jon Ruiz introduced the public hearing topic.
Mayor Vinis opened and closed the public hearing. No testimony was given on this ordinance.
2. PUBLIC HEARING: An Ordinance Concerning Nuisances, Amending Sections 6.005 and
6.010 of the Eugene Code, 1971, and Adding Section 6.116 to that Code
City Manager Jon Ruiz introduced the public hearing topic.
Mayor Vinis opened the public hearing.
1. Shaun Winter -opposed the nuisance ordinance; it would impose an undue burden on renters.
2. John Thielking -opposed the nuisance ordinance; it is unfair for renters and property owners.
3. Misha Seymour -opposed the nuisance ordinance; noted there are other types of nuisances.
Mayor Vinis closed the public hearing.
3. PUBLIC HEARING: An Ordinance Concerning Imposition of a Construction Excise Tax on
Commercial and Residential Improvements and Adding Sections 3.730, 3.732, 3.734,
3.736, 3.738, 3.740, 3.742, 3.744, 3.746 and 3.748 to the Eugene Code, 1971
City Manager Jon Ruiz introduced the public hearing topic.
Mayor Vinis opened the public hearing.
1. RS Self - said that the criteria to obtain affordable housing is insurmountable for many.
2. Tiffany Edwards - announced the Chamber of Commerce's support for the proposed ordinance.
3. Daniel Hill - outlined barriers to developing affordable housing; opposed any tax on housing.
4. Thomas Walter - noted the challenges faced by home builders in the community.
S. Ed McMahon - supported efforts to lower the barriers and costs of building affordable housing.
6. Carolyn Jacobs - opposed the proposed ordinance; said it is fully funded by property taxes.
7. Kaarin Knudson - said Better Housing Together supports the proposed resolution.
8. Bill Aspegren - opposed the proposed ordinance; said it does not raise new revenue.
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9. David Monk - supported efforts to find new revenue to address housing crisis; opposed ordinance.
10. Phyllis Hockley - said Churchwomen United supports the CET to fund affordable housing.
11. Seda Collier - said the CET presents an opportunity to give the City's Green Building Program teeth.
12. Michael Gannon - urged council to look more aggressively at strategies for needed housing.
13. Celine Harris - said the Democratic Party of Lane County supports a one percent CET.
14. Kim Arscott - supported a CET that makes the construction of missing middle housing affordable.
15. John VanLandingham - encouraged adoption of the CET rate supported by Better Housing Together.
16. Kevin Cronin - spoke as a renter and tenant advocate; supported phased -in CET.
17. Anna Pena - supported a one percent CET to benefit construction of affordable housing.
18. Emily Mooney - supported a one percent CET to benefit construction of affordable housing.
19. Chris Wig - supported immediate passage of a one percent CET to benefit affordable housing.
20. Matthew Katz - supported adoption of a CET to benefit construction of affordable housing.
21. Stephen Carson - asked why the CET would be offset by systems development charge funds.
22. Kevin Orr - supported the CET ordinance; will make affordable student housing accessible.
23. Carmel Perez Snyder - said AARP supports the proposal for a phased CET.
24. Josephine Ruff- supported a one percent CET to benefit construction of affordable housing.
25. Hannah Argento-McCurdy - supported a one percent CET for construction of affordable housing.
26. Sutter Munizich - supported a one percent CET to benefit construction of affordable housing.
27. Tristan Waits - supported a CET to benefit construction of affordable housing.
28. Joshua Caraco - supported a CET as a means to benefit construction of affordable housing.
29. Mary Brorby - urged creativity, giving developers of low-income housing a tax break.
30. Jan Fillinger - supported a CET, but with related changes to the code around lot size, ADUs, etc.
31. Erin Barnhart - supported a CET to benefit construction of affordable housing; social justice issue.
32. Mysti Frost- supported a one percent CET to benefit construction of affordable housing.
33. Steve Coatsworth - spoke about his experience with no -cause evictions; supported CET.
34. John Thielking - opposed current CET proposal, noting effect of 3-D printing technology on housing.
Mayor Vinis closed the public hearing.
Council Discussion
• Councilor Taylor - agreed with those who expressed opposition to a CET on the grounds that it does
not generate new revenue.
• Councilor Zelenka - noted that the proposed General Fund offset would be temporary; other Oregon
communities adopted CETs with a one percent rate; council is committed to taking other steps to
address the lack of affordable housing.
• Councilor Clark - encouraged everyone to respect the opinions of others; appreciated work done to
develop CET proposal; said that larger -scale developers should be included in the conversation about
the impacts of a C ET.
• Mayor Vinis - said there has been a significant amount of public input and public outreach throughout
the process of developing the CET proposal; announced that the ordinance was scheduled for action in
early April.
4. PUBLIC HEARING: An Ordinance Concerning Unlawful Transfer on Vehicular Portion of
Right -of -Way, Adding Section 5.170 to the Eugene Code, 1971, and Amending Section
5.990 of that Code
City Manager Jon Ruiz introduced the public hearing topic.
Mayor Vinis opened the public hearing.
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1. Janet Sims - spoke in opposition to the proposed ordinance; people rely on money they collect.
2. Cliff Gray - proposed ordinance would violate the Constitution; has unintended consequences.
3. Charmaine Rehg - supported the ordinance, noting that it will improve public safety.
4. Donna Riddle - said there is no evidence to support the need for the proposed ordinance.
S. Gina - supported the ordinance; said it will reduce incidents of distracted driving.
6. Dave Piccioni - opposed the proposed ordinance; related his experience donating to others.
7. Bob Cassidy - said the proposed ordinance won't help the homeless and will be unenforceable.
8. David Strahan - said there is no evidence to support the need for the proposed ordinance.
9. Jennifer Frenzer - opposed restrictions to panhandling; supported efforts to help the homeless.
10. Leslie Robnett - encouraged the council to take action and help the homeless.
11. Michael Carrigan - spoke in opposition to the ordinance; people have legal right to ask for help.
12. Wayne Martin - said it is natural to ask for help; reasonable to allow exchanges.
13. Darcy Martin - supported passage of the ordinance; many other resources are available for help.
14. Lamy Davis - expressed concern about the safety of drivers and panhandlers during exchange.
15. Jerry Glass - said proposed ordinance is one more assault on the homeless.
16. Pamela Krause - said that destitution in Eugene is increasing; opposed ordinance.
17. Michael Gannon - expressed frustration about the obstacles to helping those in need.
18. John Thielking - opposed the ordinance as it violates the Constitution; suggested amendments.
19. Misha Seymour - opposed passage of the ordinance; City has created an unwelcoming atmosphere.
20. Susan Matthews - opposed ordinance; said it is an important means of supporting those in need.
21. Liana Leung - described the unsafe behavior she has witnessed during exchanges.
22. Jack Radey - said there is no evidence that panhandling creates a safety hazard.
23. Ben Clark- appreciated the opportunity for community conversation; opposed ordinance.
24. Sarah George - opposed ordinance for criminalizing acts of kindness.
25. Stephen Carson - said the main intent of the ordinance is to hide the problem of homelessness.
26. Kathy Cooks - recommended that council postpone action on the ordinance; do more to help.
27. Jenny Blum - said ordinance focuses on the driver, not the person receiving; supported passage.
28. Stefan Strek - spoke about his enlightenment; opposed ordinance as being hypocritical.
29. Joe Williams - said that panhandling creates a safety issue; find common ground for problem.
30. Rose Padgett - opposed proposed ordinance; represents class war between rich and poor.
31. Chavon Wright - supported efforts to stop criminalizing homelessness and start helping homeless.
32. John Abbe - spoke about the hypocrisy of the proposed ordinance versus inundation of marketing.
33. Eric Jackson - supported amending the ordinance; acknowledged those who are homeless by choice.
34. Kris McAlister - encouraged council to consider unintended consequences of ordinance.
35. Leonard Stoehr - said there is no evidence to support the need for the proposed ordinance
36. Mel Hite - said acts of kindness result in other acts of kindness; opposed ordinance.
37. Tracy Joscelyn - spoke against the ordinance; panhandling is a lifeline for many in the community.
Mayor Vinis closed the public hearing.
Council Discussion
• Councilor Clark- asked for information about the cessation of the "Fill the Boot" campaign
for safety reasons.
• Councilor Syrett - stated that she will not support the proposed ordinance; it will be
challenged in court if enforced only in panhandling situations; proposal is a pretext to
achieve an unconstitutional purpose.
• Councilor Semple - noted that while she will oppose the ordinance, she supported
providing an open forum for community to air its opinion on this issue; encouraged civil
behavior to accomplish goals.
• Councilor Taylor - reported that many of her constituents support this ordinance; there are
many other ways to help those in need; supported passage of the ordinance.
• Mayor Vinis - thanked those in attendance for their input and stressed the need for and
value in maintaining a respectful meeting environment.
MINUTES - Eugene City Public Hearing February 19, 2019 Page 3
The meeting adjourned at 10:00 p.m.
Respectfully submitted,
'8'a
Beth Forrest
City Recorder
Link to the webcast of this City Council meeting: here.
MINUTES — Eugene City Public Hearing February 19, 2019 Page 4