HomeMy WebLinkAbout5.13.2019 City Council Meeting MinutesMINUTES
Eugene City Council
Harris Hall, 125 East 8th Avenue
Eugene, Oregon 97401
May 13, 2019
7:30 p.m.
Councilors Present: Betty Taylor, Emily Semple, Mike Clark, Greg Evans, Chris Pryor,
Claire Syrett, Jennifer Yeh, Alan Zelenka
Mayor Vinis opened the May 13, 2019, meeting of the Eugene City Council.
1. Applicant Statements for City Boards and Commissions
Three applicants for the Civilian Review Board presented a three-minute statement regarding
their interest in serving the community through board or commission membership: Awab Al-
Rawe, Stan Dura, Randall Prince.
2. PUBLIC FORUM
1. Todd Boyle - supported the ability to divide lots to make space for smaller homes.
2. David Piccioni - would like more bathrooms, storage, and public showers downtown.
3. Abraham Likwornik- explained the anti -commandeering principle to council.
4. Bekki Bruckner - asked when there would be a work session on 5G.
5. Julie Tilt - voiced concern about health problems related to electro -magnetic frequencies.
6. Sabrina Siegel - asked to meet with all councilors about 5G concerns.
7. Isidore Siegel-Coxon - said he does not want to have to leave Eugene if 5G is installed.
8. Michi Okuda - shared information on a study of firefighters in stations that had cell towers.
9. Barbara Wade - requested a work session on 5G.
10. Joshua Korn - asked for a moratorium on 5G before the transmitters are turned on.
11. Raging Grannies - asked for more public restrooms throughout the community.
12. Sue Sierralupe - requested sanitation improvements for public health.
13. Donna Riddle - asked council to de -criminalize sleeping and to provide bathrooms.
14. Susan Macomson - asked council to take climate change seriously.
15. Sara Burant - urged action to decarbonize local systems, especially regarding tracked gas.
16. Carolyn Partridge - urged council to consider not allowing new gas customers.
17. Deborah McGee - urged council to transition the city to electric power.
18. Paula Stout - voiced concern about the dignity and health of her unhoused neighbors.
19. Kayla McDonald - complained about new vending requirements in Free Speech Plaza.
20. Mary Austerman - expressed disappointment in changes to vending in Free Speech Plaza.
21. Patricia DeVall - asked council to allow canopies and water in Free Speech Plaza.
22. James Hatcher - urged council to permit canopies in Free Speech Plaza.
23. Jack Wellborn - urged council to allow canopies at the Free Speech Plaza.
24. Oliver Aljirin - asked council not to invest in more natural gas.
25. Claire Ribaud - asked council to end fossil fuel investments within 10 years.
26. Nancy Ahnert - warned council to stop investing in natural gas.
27. John Thielking - shared information about a new storage locker project.
28. Chuck Ford - said he distrusts Northwest Natural and warned council against trusting them.
29. Ralph McDonald - urged council to take bold action on climate change.
30. Kris McAlister - asked council to take care with follow-up to homelessness report.
31. Lee DeVeau - asked council to re -open public bathrooms in downtown and in the parks.
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32. Terry Parker - urged council toward heroic action in response to climate change.
33. Linda Kelley - asked council to support Oregon House Bill 22.
34. Julie Lambert - urged council to take more action on homelessness.
35. Arwen Maas -Despain - made recommendations regarding the homelessness report.
36. Eric Jackson - explained new initiative to call attention to the need for public restrooms.
37. Timothy Morris - highlighted social and financial costs of not addressing homelessness.
38. Sarita Lief - requested decriminalization of sleeping and public restrooms for all.
39. Kathy Ging- shared information about the effects of cell towers on property values.
40. Stefan Strek- expressed his concerns about changes to vending in Free Speech Plaza.
41. Pamela Krause - requested a readable map of bathrooms and drinking fountains.
42. Sabra Marcroft - recommended companion animal course and bedside kennels.
Council Discussion
• Councilor Clark- shared that he had not sent the work session poll on 5G out to his
colleagues yet but intended to do so.
• Councilor Semple - expressed disappointment over the lack of communication and
confusion about the rules at the Free Speech Plaza; felt the vendors there were being
treated differently from other vendors; advocated for more public restrooms.
• Councilor Zelenka - shared that he will support a work session on 5G, added more details
to speakers' data about the global warming potential of methane.
• Councilor Taylor - said she looked forward to a work session poll on 5G; asked for the City
Attorney's opinion on the authority of council to declare a moratorium on 5G; agreed with
Councilor Semple about the need for bathrooms and shade; added that she would like
more benches downtown.
• Mayor Vinis - thanked speakers; agreed that a work session on 5G would be helpful as well
as an update on the Free Speech Plaza.
3. CONSENT CALENDAR
A. Approval of City Council Minutes
• April 8, 2019, Work Session
• April 8, 2019, Meeting
• April 10, 2019, Work Session
• April 15, 2019, Work Session
• April 15, 2019, Public Hearing
• April 17, 2019, Work Session
• April 22, 2019, Work Session
• April 22, 2019, Meeting
• April 24, 2019, Work Session
B. Approval of Tentative Working Agenda
C. Ratification of the Metropolitan Wastewater Management Commission Fiscal Year
2020 Regional Wastewater Program Budget and Capital Improvements Program
MOTION AND VOTE: Councilor Taylor, seconded by Councilor Semple, moved to
approve the items on the Consent Calendar. PASSED 8:0.
4. PUBLIC HEARING AND POSSIBLE ACTION: An Ordinance Vacating a Portion of Pearl Alley,
Located Between E. 5�h Alley and E. 5�h Avenue, and Providing for an Immediate Effective
Date (City File VRI 19-1)
Assistant City Attorney Lauren Sommers asked council to individually declare any ex -parte
contacts pertaining to the topic. Councilors Evans, Zelenka, Taylor, Semple, Yeh, Clark and Pryor
and Mayor Vinis declared that they had talked with a representative of the applicant but did not
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feel it impacted their ability to make a fair and impartial decision on the matter based on the
land use code.
City Manager Jon Ruiz introduced the public hearing and requested council action at the close of
the public hearing.
1. Casey Barrett - spoke in support of the proposed vacation.
Council Discussion
• Councilor Zelenka - asked staff to explain about percentage of affected area approved
when there are only two buildings.
MOTION AND VOTE: Councilor Taylor, seconded by Councilor Semple, moved to
adopt an ordinance vacating a portion of Pearl Alley, located between E. 5th Alley
and E. 5th Avenue, and providing for an immediate effective date. PASSED 8:0
S. PUBLIC HEARING AND POSSIBLE ACTION: An Ordinance Concerning Restrictions on the
Distribution of Single -Use Serviceware, Adding Sections 6.870 and 6.872 to the Eugene
Code, 1971, And Amending Section 6.990 of that Code
1. Brennen Matherly - urged council to pass an ordinance to curb non -reusable plastics.
2. Cindy Matherly -urged council to ban non -reusable plastics and lead the way.
3. Timothy Morris - said the ordinance makes sense from a triple bottom line perspective.
4. Ralph McDonald - encouraged council to pass the ordinance for the health of all animals.
Mayor Vinis asked whether any councilors were opposed to taking immediate action. Councilor
Clark indicated his objection and action was scheduled for Wednesday, May 15.
6. ACTION: East 3rd Alley Property Disposition
Business Development Analyst Amanda D'Souza presented background on the topic, noting the
nearby properties that Mr. Wilson Charles also owns as well as the disposition process.
Council Discussion
• Councilor Syrett- declared a potential conflict of interest because her husband works for
Rye Restaurant and the disposition has the potential to enhance that business.
MOTION AND VOTE: Councilor Taylor, seconded by Councilor Semple, moved to
authorize the City Manager to sell the property identified in Attachment A to Three
Muses Group, LLC consistent with the terms included in Attachment B. PASSED 8:0.
The meeting adjourned at 9:37 p.m.
Respectfully submitted,
'6EtA '�'Vj't
Beth Forrest
City Recorder
(Recorded by Cas Casados)
Link to the webcast of this City Council meeting: here.
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