HomeMy WebLinkAbout02.19.20 City Council Work Session MinutesMINUTES
Eugene City Council
Harris Hall, 125 East 8th Avenue
Eugene, Oregon 97401
February 19, 2020
12:00 p.m.
Councilors Present: Betty Taylor, Emily Semple, Alan Zelenka, Jennifer Yeh, Mike Clark, Greg Evans
Councilors Absent: Claire Syrett, Chris Pryor
Mayor Vinis opened the February 19, 2020, work session of the Eugene City Council.
1. Executive Session: Pursuant to ORS 192.660(2)(e)
City Council met in Executive Session pursuant to ORS 192.660(2)(e).
The council reconvened in public session.
MOTION AND VOTE: Councilor Yeh, seconded by Councilor Clark, moved to direct the
City Manager to schedule a public hearing regarding an ordinance extending by six
months the term of Northwest Natural Gas company's franchise agreement. PASSED:
5:1, Councilor Taylor opposed.
2. Work Session: Fuels Reduction Update
Eugene Springfield Fire Department Chief Chris Heppel and AIC Fire Marshal Amy Linder, along
with staff from Oregon Department of Forestry, Eugene Parks and Open Space, and the Northwest
Youth Corp, gave an update about the wildland urban interface fuels reduction project. Community
engagement, education, fuels redaction, and workforce development were primary topics.
Council Discussion
Councilor Semple - thanked staff and expressed gratitude for the work.
Councilor Clark - appreciated the collaborative nature of the work and spoke about ongoing
education outreach to children; asked if there is quantifiable evidence that the work has
increased public safety.
Councilor Zelenka - appreciated the collaboration of the groups involved; asked about the next
steps of the project; expressed support for including funding for the project in the upcoming
budget.
Councilor Taylor - spoke about living in the area of the pilot project and encouraged continued
neighborhood involvement; expressed desire to ban fireworks; asked staff about enforcement
options, including new ordinances, requirements or fines; spoke to the importance of a strong
nuisance ordinance.
Mayor Vinis - talked about opportunities to involve CERT volunteers in the work; addressed
nuisance code violations, community involvement and education; stated that the project was
presented on a national level and there is interest in creating a model program.
The meeting adjourned at 1:25 p.m.
Respectfully submitted,
MINUTES - Eugene City Council February 19, 2020 Page 1
Work Session
Aa�
Beth Forrest
City Recorder
(Recorded by Carolyn Dimick-Kronberger)
Link to the webcast of this City Council meeting here.
MINUTES - Eugene City Council February 19, 2020 Page 2
Work Session