HomeMy WebLinkAbout10.14.2019 City Council Meeting MinutesMINUTES
Eugene City Council
Harris Hall, 125 East 8h Avenue
Eugene, Oregon 97401
October 14, 2019
7:30 p.m.
Councilors Present: Emily Semple, Betty Taylor, Alan Zelenka, Mike Clark, Greg Evans, Claire
Syrett, Chris Pryor
Councilors Absent: JenniferYeh
Mayor Vinis opened the October 14, 2019, meeting of the Eugene City Council.
Human Rights Commission Chair Joel Iboa recognized Indigenous People's Day.
1. PUBLIC FORUM
1. Ralph McDonald -Supported the climate strike resolution on behalf of Sustainability Commission.
2. Anna Baio -Spoke in opposition to SG and recent installation concerns.
3. Bekki Bruckner -Spoke in opposition to SG and recent installation concerns.
4. Victor Odlivak- Spoke in opposition to SG.
S. Cherie Martin - Supported a proposed resolution declaring the right to safe and legal abortion.
6. Courtney Mills - Supported a proposed resolution declaring the right to safe and legal abortion.
7. Laurie Trieger - Supported a proposed resolution declaring the right to safe and legal abortion.
8. Joshua Korn - Spoke in opposition to SG and discussed the recent work session.
9. Lauri Segel - Spoke in opposition to SG and requested follow-up with work session.
10. Sabrina Siegel - Spoke in opposition to SG and discussed the recent work session.
11. Todd Boyle - Discussed low-income housing ideas and concerns.
12. laden Salama - Spoke to concerns about bike infrastructure and safety in Eugene.
13. Catherine Rohan - Spoke to concerns about bike infrastructure and safety in Eugene.
14. Finley Heeb - Spoke to concerns about bike infrastructure and safety in Eugene.
15. Sean Vermilya - Spoke to concerns about bike infrastructure and safety in Eugene.
16. Aliza Whalen - Spoke to concerns about bike infrastructure and safety in Eugene.
17. Rachel Cohen - Spoke to concerns about bike infrastructure and safety in Eugene.
18. Rebecca Lewis - Spoke to concerns about bike infrastructure and safety in Eugene.
19. Marc Schlossberg - Spoke to concerns about bike infrastructure and safety in Eugene.
20. Chelsea Jennings - Supported a proposed resolution declaring the right to safe and legal abortion.
21. Kimberly Koops - Supported a proposed resolution declaring the right to safe and legal abortion.
22. Mariah Clark - Supported a proposed resolution declaring the right to safe and legal abortion.
23. Ruby Jernigan - Supported the youth -led climate strike resolution.
24. Jesse Hubbe - Supported the youth -led climate strike resolution.
25. Claire Gillies - Supported the youth -led climate strike resolution.
26. Lex Worden - Supported the youth -led climate strike resolution.
27. Abraham Likwornik - Spoke in opposition to SG technology.
28. Bill O'Brien - Expressed concern about technology and other issues.
29. Carolyn Partridge - Discussed desire for council to pass a climate emergency declaration.
30. Jim Neu - Discussed concerns regarding MUPTE for Gordon Building and corporate influences.
31. Debra McGee - Discussed climate concerns and desire for climate recovery goal changes.
32. Ron Unger - Discussed concerns around climate change and support for climate strike resolution.
33. Robin Bloomgarden - Spoke in opposition to SG.
MINUTES - Eugene City Council Meeting October 14, 2019 Page 1
34. Stefan Strek - Spoke about community safety initiative and payroll tax concerns.
35. Michael Carrigan - Discussed climate strike resolution, equity and declaration of climate emergency.
36. John Barofsky - Gave tribute to the work of Jon Ruiz during his tenure with the City.
37. Michael Townshend - Discussed issues including SG, climate concerns, and council structure.
38. Thomas Hiura - Discussed music education and the need to increase time to speak at council.
39. Drix - Spoke about a variety of issues including the Holt Center and technology.
Council Discussion
• Councilor Syrett - Expressed appreciation for speakers; announced intention to introduce
the resolution regarding abortion access; addressed criticisms about councilors' attendance
at boards and commissions meetings.
• Councilor Taylor - Expressed appreciation for the speakers on a variety of topics including
transportation and abortion rights; discussed abortion rights and bicycle safety; shared
support for climate -strike resolution.
• Councilor Semple - Expressed appreciation for speakers including those who spoke about
abortion rights and bike safety; discussed need for increased bike safety, especially at 18th
and Hilyard.
• Councilor Zelenka - Expressed appreciation for and discussed resolution opposing abortion
bans across the country; expressed appreciation for testimony about bike safety; noted that
it was City Manager Jon Ruiz's last regular meeting and thanked him for his management
during the Great Recession.
• Councilor Clark- Expressed appreciation for City Manager Jon Ruiz's work during his
tenure at the City of Eugene and cited several specific examples and anecdotes; expressed
disappointment about comments made regarding Indigenous People's Day.
• Councilor Syrett - Expressed appreciation for those who addressed bike safety and issues
around friction between bicycle and automobile infrastructure; supported comments made
about City Manager Jon Ruiz's tenure with the City, including his management of reserves
during the Great Recession.
• Mayor Vinis - Addressed thought changes around key issues like housing, climate change,
safety, and equity, noting their effect on events like Indigenous People's Day; expressed
appreciation for the leadership of City Manager Jon Ruiz.
4. ACTION: An Ordinance Concerning Protections for Individuals and Amending Section
2.497 of the Eugene Code,1971.
MOTION AND VOTE: Councilor Taylor, seconded by Councilor Semple, moved to adopt
an Ordinance Concerning Protections for Individuals and Amending Section 2.497 of the
Eugene Code, 1971. PASSED 7:0
S. ACTION: A Resolution in Support of the Youth -Led Climate Strike Eugene, Oregon on
September 20 Beginning a Week of Climate Awareness Actions Through September 27,
2019, Declaring a Climate Emergency, and Calling for Full Implementation of the Eugene
Oregon Climate Recovery Ordinance (CRO) and Other Immediate Measures to Restore a
Safe Climate.
MOTION: Councilor Taylor, seconded by Councilor Semple, moved to adopt a
resolution in support of the youth -led climate strike.
Council Discussion
• Councilor Semple - Spoke about the process for drafting the resolution creation and read
portions of it aloud.
• Councilor Zelenka - Spoke about his attendance at the youth climate strike and expressed
appreciation for the participation of youth from local high schools; expressed support for
the resolution.
MINUTES — Eugene City Council Meeting October 14, 2019 Page 2
VOTE ON MOTION: PASSED 7:0
The meeting adjourned at 9:31p.m.
Respectfully submitted,
Beth Forrest
City Recorder
(Recorded by Samantha Roberts)
Link to the webcast of this City Council meeting: here.
MINUTES — Eugene City Council Meeting October 14, 2019 Page 3