HomeMy WebLinkAbout04.08.20 City Council Work Session MinutesMINUTES
Eugene City Council
Virtual Work Session
Eugene, Oregon 97401
April 8, 2020
12:00 p.m.
Councilors Present: Betty Taylor, Emily Semple, Alan Zelenka, Jennifer Yeh, Mike Clark, Claire
Syrett, Chris Pryor, Greg Evans
Mayor Vinis opened the April 8, 2020, work session of the Eugene City Council.
1. WORK SESSION: COVID-19 Update
Interim Fire Chief Chris Heppel provided an update on the COVID-19 situation, including efforts to
flatten the curve, statics, Emergency Operation Center news, and safety information.
Council Discussion:
• Councilor Clark- expressed gratitude to the incident command staff and their efforts; asked
about the public safety challenges with empty businesses; spoke about engaging the public and
the need to support local restaurants.
• Councilor Zelenka - thanked staff and the public for their support and work being done; asked
about the projected peak date in Oregon and what its implication are.
• Councilor Semple - spoke about the campers at Monroe Park and associated issues; asked for
more sites for the unhoused; talked about communication with constituents, donating blood
and gratitude for staff.
Councilor Syrett - expressed appreciation for the leadership of the City Manager and staff;
supported the policy of not permitting camping in city parks.
Councilor Zelenka - discussed communication with and use of neighborhood associations email
groups.
MOTION AND VOTE: Councilor Clark, seconded by Councilor Yeh, moved to support
the City Manager Pro Tern extending the declaration of a state of emergency within
the City of Eugene due to the COVID-19 pandemic. PASSED 8:0
2. ACTION: An Ordinance Extending the Term of Ordinance No. 20170 Granting to Northwest
Natural Gas Company, a Corporation, a Twenty -Year Non -Exclusive Right and Franchise to
Lay, Maintain and Operate Facilities in the Public Way Within the City of Eugene, Oregon; and
Providing for the Payment of Compensation to the City
Intergovernmental Relations Manager Ethan Nelson discussed the NW Natural Gas Franchise
Agreement, including previous council direction.
Council Discussion:
• Councilor Zelenka -spoke about the work being done to develop anew agreement with NW
Natural and expressed support for the motion.
• Councilor Taylor - asked if the City would not be able to ban future expansion if the extension
was approved.
MINUTES - Eugene City Council April 8, 2020 Page 1
Work Session
MOTION AND VOTE: Councilor Semple, seconded by CouncilorYeh, moved to
adopt an Ordinance Extending the Term of Ordinance No. 20170, Granting to
Northwest Natural Gas Company, a Corporation, a Twenty -Year Non -Exclusive Right
and Franchise to Lay, Maintain and Operate Facilities in the Public Way within the
City of Eugene, Oregon; and Providing for the Payment of Compensation to the City.
PASSED 8:0.
• Councilor Semple - asked questions about the inclusion of the phrase "twenty-year' in the title
of the ordinance.
• Councilor Clark - asked about the possibility of discussing a suspension of the ordinance on
reusable bags due to the use of personal reusable grocery bags and risk of contamination.
• Mayor Vinis - talked about her experience at grocery stores with the handling of personal
reusable grocery bags.
• Councilor Zelenka - shared his experience with his local grocery store's diligence in cleaning
surfaces.
The meeting adjourned at 1:08 p.m.
Respectfully submitted,
Beth Forrest
City Recorder
(Recorded by Carolyn Dimick-Kronberger)
Link to the webcast of this City Council meeting here.
MINUTES - Eugene City Council April 8, 2020 Page 2
Work Session