HomeMy WebLinkAbout04.13.20 City Council Work Session MinutesMINUTES
Eugene City Council
Virtual Work Session
Eugene, Oregon 97401
April 13, 2020
5:30 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 13, 2020, work session of the Eugene City Council.
1. WORK SESSION: COVID-19 Update
City Manager Pro Tern Sarah Medary provided an update on the COVID-19 situation, including the
work of City of Eugene staff, timelines, remote working accommodations, social distancing at work,
ongoing projects and services, fire and police statistics and revenue funds downfalls.
Council Discussion:
• Councilor Clark- asked for a Lane County Public Health update and inquired about when the
peak is projected to happen.
• Councilor Syrett - expressed appreciation to staff and others involved in emergency operations
efforts.
• Councilor Zelenka - thanked staff and asked about the availability of test kits.
• Councilor Semple - spoke about the Monroe Park and similar camping situations; reported that
constituents are concerned about the area surrounding the fairgrounds; asked for an update on
efforts regarding the unhoused.
• Councilor Evans - spoke about the Peterson Barn camp site and the concerns of his
constituents.
• Councilor Syrett - spoke about the homeless camps in right-of-way locations around the city.
• Councilor Taylor - spoke about her constituents' reactions to the camp at Amazon Park and
asked when the camps will be closed.
• Mayor Vinis - talked about the unhoused community and the need to keep everyone in place
during this emergency.
• Councilor Evans - discussed other locations for the camp sites in lieu of residential neighborhoods
such as the Peterson Barn location.
• Councilor Yeh - asked if the City is still in need of locations for homeless camp sites.
• Councilor Zelenka - asked for a list of the factors or criteria for choosing camp sites in the city.
• Councilor Clark- asked about coordinating with the University of Oregon to identify sites for
homeless, including the use of campus facilities.
• Councilor Pryor - expressed caution about the use of large arenas for homeless camp sites;
supported emergency operation staffs knowledge and expertise regarding siting decisions.
2. WORK SESSION: Council Agenda Planning Process Session
Assistant City Manager Kristie Hammitt discussed council agenda planning and building a vision for
success through community resilience and safety, business recovery, financial stability, and
maintaining momentum.
MINUTES - Eugene City Council April 13, 2020 Page 1
Work Session
Council Discussion:
• Mayor Vinis - discussed the focus areas and changing priorities resulting from recovery efforts.
• Councilor Clark - spoke about the timeline for recovery, public safety, homelessness efforts, and
rebounding economically.
• Councilor Pryor - talked about response versus recovery; spoke about the wellbeing and
stability of citizens in the context of safety, economics and infrastructure.
• Councilor Semple - outlined her priorities as business rehabilitation, caring for the unhoused,
community and individual wellbeing, climate, and affordable housing.
• Councilor Syrett - said her list of preferences for agenda focus include implementation of the TAC
recommendations, riverfront project, town square and farmer's market, and climate action plan.
• Councilor Evans - talked about being self -quarantined; expressed thanks to staff and
emergency responders; supported addressing economic impacts, climate and riverfront
projects, and natural gas regulations.
• Councilor Taylor- said her priorities are climate actions, short term rentals, and the need for a
homeless shelter.
• Councilor Yeh - noted a lot of agreement among councilors on priorities; supported keeping the
council goals in focus while addressing emergency needs; encouraged good stewardship of
financial resources.
Councilor Zelenka - expressed his concurrence with the priorities listed, with emphasis on
flattening the curve, recovery, rental protections, economic recovery efforts, local and federal
stimulus, climate work, and projects that create jobs.
• Councilor Evans - talked about the increase in racist incidents as a result of the crisis and the
need to respond effectively; cautioned about the need for clarity about natural gas availability
in development plans.
• Councilor Clark - agreed that racist incidents were concerning and that the Human Rights
Commission should be engaged and involved in any response; said clear direction on the
council's natural gas policy is needed for the Riverfront development and housing plans.
• Councilor Zelenka - spoke about the Riverfront project; noted that COVID-19 has brought out
the best and worst in people, and it is important to maintain civility.
• Councilor Yeh - talked about racism and the underreporting of hate speech.
The meeting adjourned at 7:00 p.m.
Respectfully submitted,
6" 1,,,t
Beth Forrest
City Recorder
(Recorded by Carolyn Dimick-Kronberger)
Link to the webcast of this City Council meeting here.
MINUTES - Eugene City Council April 13, 2020 Page 2
Work Session