HomeMy WebLinkAbout6.17.2019 City Council Work Session MinutesMINUTES
Eugene City Council
Harris Hall, 125 East 8th Avenue
Eugene, Oregon 97401
June 17, 2019
5:30 p.m.
Councilors Present: Jennifer Yeh, Alan Zelenka, Chris Pryor, Greg Evans, Claire Syrett, Mike Clark
Councilors Absent: Emily Semple, Betty Taylor
Mayor Vinis opened the June 17, 2019, work session of the Eugene City Council.
Councilor Zelenka joined the meeting at 5:41 p.m.
1. WORK SESSION: Climate Action Plan 2.0 Update -Equity Panel
Sustainability Manager Chelsea Clinton and Human Rights and Neighborhood Involvement
Manager Jennifer Lleras Van Der Haeghen introduced the background on the Equity Panel.
Equity Panel members Gregoria Gomez and Luis "Pablo" Alvarez shared about their experience
being part of the group and their recommendations for proceeding to address climate change.
Council Discussion:
• Councilor Syrett - thanked the panelists and staff for their hard work, hoped that a future
multicultural liaison, which was included in the proposed FY20 budget, could further their
work.
• Councilor Yeh - asked the panelists whether they had shared their experiences with their
communities yet and how their service on the panel has impacted their personal lives.
• Councilor Zelenka - thanked the panelists for their service; said it was the most impressive
community -wide climate effort in terms of its inclusion of equity concerns in the country to
his knowledge; noted the conversation on "cap and invest' was underway in the State
Legislature at the same time as the City Council was meeting.
• Mayor Vinis - noted the recommendations provided by the Equity Panel and requested staff
sort the recommendations into those items that could be accomplished in the short-,
medium- and long-term; she hoped the City could keep Panelists informed on the progress
• Councilor Clark- asked how and where the recommendations would be utilized; expressed
that he had opinions about some of the wording and would like to weigh in on their use in
future policy.
• Councilor Syrett - called attention to the historical awareness equity consideration,
especially looking why some communities are more vulnerable to climate change;
requested some follow-up analysis on the topic.
WORK SESSION: Climate Action Plan 2.0 - Gap Strategies Update
Sustainability Manager Chelsea Clinton introduced the item, including a video and slides regarding
communication efforts, explaining the "CAP 2.0 Equation," and a variety of strategies the City is
undertaking to reach its goals.
• Councilor Evans - asked for more detail regarding the strategy of reducing square footage
of single-family, detached homes; asked staff what specific changes council could make to
accomplish that goal.
• Councilor Syrett - asked a clarifying question about the electric vehicle goals.
MINUTES - Eugene City Council June 17, 2019 Page 1
Work Session
Councilor Zelenka - encouraged council to keep the pie chart of the City's greenhouse gas
emissions, which indicated transportation emissions should be the bulk of the focus;
expressed hope that the buckets graphic would change over time.
Mayor Vinis - asked how the City might have an impact on construction material GHGs,
particularly on cross -laminated timber and how it might shift the balance of construction
materials in one way or another.
Councilor Zelenka - shared that use of timber greatly increased GHGs—far more than
concrete—though it was the energy used by a building over time that is always the most
important factor, so efficient buildings is vital; stated that food production was the single
area that had the most impact in terms GHGs overall and would like to see more attention
put on that topic
The meeting adjourned at 6:39 p.m.
Respectfully submitted,
6W
Beth Forrest
City Recorder
(Recorded by Cas Casados)
Link to the webcast of this City Council meeting here.
MINUTES - Eugene City Council June 17, 2019 Page 2
Work Session