HomeMy WebLinkAbout7.17.2019 City Council Work Session MinutesMINUTES
Eugene City Council
Harris Hall, 125 East 8h Avenue
Eugene, Oregon 97401
July 17, 2019
12:00 p.m.
Councilors Present: Emily Semple, Betty Taylor, Alan Zelenka, Jennifer Yeh, Mike Clark, Claire
Syrett, Chris Pryor, Greg Evans
Mayor Vinis opened the July 17, 2019, Work Session of the Eugene City Council.
1. WORK SESSION: Homeless Systems Implementation Plan
Systems Policy Analyst Jason Dedrick and Homelessness Policy Analyst Peter Chavannes
presented recommendations to move forward with implementation of the Technical Assistance
Collaborative's Shelter Feasibility Study.
Council Discussion:
o Councilor Taylor - Expressed concern about the $1 million set aside for a shelter not being
used for that intent, and asked where money is coming from; suggested state match
contributions; spoke to individuals moving to Eugene to engage with improved homeless
services systems; inquired of staff what was meant by 'building out to the perimeter';
stated that prevention of homelessness should be priority; inquired about proposed
incentives to landlords; inquired if proposed motion included expanding rest stops.
o Councilor Clark - Inquired about capacity and location of proposed shelter and purpose of
related funding under discussion; discussed what information is needed to approve shelter;
expressed discomfort with decision-making without first knowing the location of the
facility; asked whether a municipal judge can compel someone to stay in a given location
(i.e., public shelter) or require drug treatment as a condition of sentencing; discussed
concerns about individuals that are perceived to not want help.
o Councilor Syrett - Expressed appreciation for topic; requested follow-up information on
Lane County's budget allocation for this initiative; discussed previous efforts to arrive at
these recommendations as well as comparisons between a sprung structure and a concrete
and steel structure; discussed purpose and perceived benefits of sprung structures; noted
conversation with City Manager about organizing visits to other communities with similar
structures and previous conversations about shelter needs in Eugene.
o Councilor Pryor - Expressed agreement with Councilor Syrett and shared thoughts on
sprung structure shelter; recounted previous conversations about shelter and the
overriding need for siting a shelter rather than discussing costs; discussed the landlord
incentives concept and making current housing more accessible to more people; expressed
support for recommendations.
Councilor Yeh - Reiterated need for information about the County's budget allocation and
proposed actions; appreciated sprung structures given current resources and timeline;
inquired about operations for shelter; reiterated Councilor Taylor's comments about
homelessness prevention and asked if funding would come from reserve contingency fund
allocations; requested the information be made clearer to this end.
Councilor Z elenka - Appreciated presentation and its alignment with the TAC Report;
discussed recommendations and information from TAC Report; discussed budgetary and
timeline disadvantages of a "brick and mortar" shelter and expressed appreciation for
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sprung shelter model; discussed Strategic Initiatives Manager concept; discussed mobile
outreach concepts; discussed landlord engagement strategies.
o Councilor Semple - Discussed and expressed reasons for hesitancy around sprung structure
shelter and asked what those experiencing homelessness think about the idea, discussed
and inquired about the costs included in estimates and where the additional funding will
come from; listed various questions and concerns about shelter building; asked if the
Navigation Center is a part of this shelter proposal; expressed frustration about the lack of
progress.
o Mayor Vinis - Reiterated comments about previous commitments to building a structure,
and current issues requiring council's attention.
o Councilor Syrett - Requested information from sprung structure manufacturer provided
during Budget Committee meetings; discussed previous conversations about potential
location of Navigation Center; asked how mobile outreach teams would function and
through what agency; discussed work of Strategic Initiatives Manager; discussed landlord
engagement considerations; asked who will manage this recommendation; reiterated
Councilor Clark's request for information about municipal court judge sentencing options;
spoke about prevention services for homelessness including diversion.
o Councilor Zelenka - Discussed considerations of landlord incentives concept; spoke about
table of current services provided to address homelessness in Eugene.
o Councilor Semple - Provided information about movie "Tony" in Park Blocks; asked staff
about difference between "temporary shelter", "durable shelter", "sprung structure shelter",
etc.; discussed cost and funding considerations; inquired about how logistics are being
planned; inquired about specifics of Strategic Initiatives Manager role and function;
discussed landlord engagement efforts; expressed appreciation for contingency fund and
discussed thoughts on action timeline.
o Councilor Clark- Inquired why it is important to vote on the motion proposed at this
meeting; discussed considerations for low -barrier shelter; expressed concerns about voting
without more information.
o Councilor Taylor - Expressed agreement with Councilor Clark, would like to see $1 million
restricted to use of shelter; discussed siting considerations for shelter and potential
locations; discussed role of Strategic Initiative Manager; expressed concern for overlapping
services and sprung structure shelter concept.
o Mayor Vinis - Encouraged council vote, noting what the vote entails and potential for future
council discussion.
MOTION: Councilor Taylor, seconded by Councilor Semple, moved to adopt the staff
recommendations as outlined in Attachment A.
o Councilor Zelenka -Voiced support for motion, noting budget considerations.
o Councilor Clark- Expressed desire to move forward but needs information not provided
during presentation in order to vote on motion.
MOTION TO SUBSTITUTE: Councilor Clark, seconded by Councilor Taylor, moved to
substitute for approving the Strategic Initiative Manager and pilot landlord engagement
program portions of Attachment A.
o Councilor Clark- Voiced concern there is too little information to vote on the section of the
recommendation regarding the purchase of a structure; expressed support for voting on
items once costs are better understood.
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VOTE ON SUBSTITUTE MOTION: FAILED: 2:6, Councilors Pryor, Syrett, Evans,
Zelenka, Semple, and Yeh opposed.
o Councilor Taylor - Discussed TAC Report recommendations; discussed desire for first
considering location; expressed disapproval of motion.
o Councilor Semple - Inquired about logistics of planning, citing concerns about shelter
location; discussed thoughts about and inquired of the City Manager how money allocations
will be spent.
VOTE ON MAIN MOTION: PASSED 6:2, Councilors Clark and Taylor opposed
2. WORK SESSION AND POSSIBLE ACTION: An Ordinance Concerning the Downtown
Riverfront Land Use Adoption Package (An Ordinance Amending the Whiteaker Plan;
Repealing the EWEB Downtown Riverfront Specific Area Plan; Amending Chapter 9 of the
Eugene Code; Amending the Eugene Zoning Map and Overlay Zone Map; Rescinding the
Willamette Greenway Permit Approved by Ordinance No. 20513 and Approving a New
Willamette Greenway Permit; Approving a Tentative Subdivision; Approving a /WR
Water Resources Overlay Zone Standards Review; and Providing an Effective Date.)
Community Development Director Michael Kinnison, Senior Planner Gabriel Flock, and Senior
Planner Will Dowdy presented on the set of land use applications for mixed-use redevelopment
of the Downtown Riverfront site, including a new park, housing and commercial uses.
MOTION AND VOTE: Councilor Semple, seconded by Councilor Evans, moved to extend
the meeting by 10 minutes. PASSED 7:1, Councilor Clark opposed.
Council Discussion
o Councilor Zelenka - Raised previous questions about concerns with eliminating minimum
setbacks and parking requirements; requested a staff memo explaining how the current
setback proposal will not result in development shortfalls; cited concerns about the
eventual need to construct a multimillion -dollar parking structure; requested staff memo
addressing parking concerns.
o Councilor Syrett - Asked about railroad quiet zone implications with the adoption of the
land use package.
o Councilor Taylor - Inquired if railroad quiet zone is included in land use package motion;
expressed opposition to spending on railroad quiet zone.
o Councilor Zelenka - Expressed opposition to motion if voted on before receiving staff
responses to concerns about parking and setbacks; noted general support for the proposal.
o Councilor Semple - Expressed support for waiting for answers to Councilor Zelenka's
questions.
MOTION AND VOTE: Councilor Taylor, seconded by Councilor Semple, moved to
postpone motion until Monday, July 22, 2019. PASSED 7:1, Councilor Clark opposed.
o Mayor Vinis -Expressed appreciation to staff for presentation; announced vote would be
taken at the following meeting.
The meeting adjourned at 1:33 p.m.
Respectfully submitted,
/3 W ��
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Beth Forrest
City Recorder
(Recorded by Samantha Roberts)
Link to the webcast of this City Council meeting: here
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Work Session