HomeMy WebLinkAbout06.15.2020 City Council Public Hearing MinutesMINUTES
Eugene City Council
Virtual Meeting
Eugene, Oregon 97401
June 15, 2020
7:30 p.m.
Councilors Present: Betty Taylor, Emily Semple, Jennifer Yeh, Greg Evans, Alan Zelenka, Chris
Pryor, Mike Clark, Claire Syrett
Mayor Vinis opened the June 15, 2020, meeting of the Eugene City Council.
1. PUBLIC HEARING: An Ordinance Concerning Shared Micromobility Devices, Amending
Section 3.005 of the Eugene Code, 1971; Adding Sections 3.570, 3.572 AND 3.574 to That
Code; and Authorizing a Pilot Program.
Mayor Vinis opened the Public Hearing.
1. Tiffany Edwards - expressed the Chamber's strong support for the pilot program.
2. Andrew Martin - spoke in favor of shared devices and the proposed pilot program.
3. Claire Roth - spoke on behalf of BEST in support of the pilot program, noting its benefits.
4. Steve Piercy - asked council to consider opening parts of E. Alton Baker Park to e-scooters.
Mayor Vinis closed the Public Hearing.
2. PUBLIC HEARING: An Ordinance Concerning the Use of Micromobility Devices and
Amending Sections 5.010 and 5.160 of the Eugene Code, 1971.
Mayor Vinis opened the Public Hearing.
1. Tiffany Edwards - supported the proposal to allow micromobility devices on shared use paths.
2. Andrew Martin - supported the proposal to allow micromobility devices on shared use paths.
3. Claire Roth -asked council to consider opening parts of E. Alton Baker Park to e-scooters.
Mayor Vinis closed the Public Hearing.
Council Discussion
Councilor Zelenka - asked about the ordinance's application in East Alton Baker Park.
Councilor Syrett - asked questions about the process for amending the Alton Baker Park
plan.
3. PUBLIC HEARING: An Ordinance Reducing the Speed Limit to 20 Miles Per Hour on Local
Streets in Residential Areas.
Mayor Vinis opened the Public Hearing.
1. Duncan Rhodes - supported the proposed ordinance as a needed safety measure.
2. Andrew Martin - supported the proposed ordinance, noting it supports Vision Zero goals.
3. Claire Roth - expressed BEST's support for the ordinance, noting its positive impacts on safety.
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4. Steve Piercy - expressed FAN's support for the ordinance and appreciated lobbying efforts.
S. Dwight Elder - opposed the proposed resolution as a low priority; said more data is needed.
Mayor Vinis closed the Public Hearing.
4. PUBLIC HEARING: An Ordinance Concerning State Traffic Laws; Amending Section 5.005
of the Eugene Code,1971; and Providing an Immediate Effective Date
Mayor Vinis opened the public hearing.
1. Michael Gannon - spoke about pedestrian rights and police brutality.
Mayor Vinis closed the public hearing.
Council Discussion
Councilor Syrett - spoke about pedestrian safety and the need for outreach and education
by the Traffic Enforcement Team.
Councilor Taylor - said pedestrian safety needs to become more of a priority.
S. PUBLIC HEARING: An Ordinance Concerning Short -Term Rental Business Licenses;
Amending Section 3.005 of the Eugene Code, 1971; and Adding Section 3.350 to that Code
Mayor Vinis opened the public hearing.
1. Tiffany Edwards - said LGAC supports a simple registry for short-term rentals, not a license.
2. Stephanie McLaughlin - shared positive experiences with STRs; said licensing too onerous.
3. Patricia Moore - supported implementing a registration system for STRs.
4. Kathryn Dunn - shared her experiences as an STR host and neighborhood livability advocate.
S. Chris Widdop - said there is no data to support the proposal to require STR licensing.
6. Mike Grudzien - share his experience as an STR owner; opposed licensing requirement.
7. JoJo Jensen - shared the impacts of living next to problem STR; said more needs to be done.
8. Valerie Harris - opposed the proposed licensing requirement; spoke about equity in rentals.
9. Paul Schwartzberg - shared the importance of supplemental income from STRs.
10. Tim Kovash - asked council remove the licensing and registration requirement for STRs.
11. Brenda K- supported some mechanism to collect data on STRs and owner -occupancy.
12. Nancy Meyer - shared her view that non -owner -occupied STRs degrade neighborhoods.
13. Cheryl Crumbley - supported licensing and registration requirements as protective measures.
14. Pamela Miller - spoke about the negative impacts of STRs on local housing stock.
15. Emily Fox - supported the proposed requirements, noting the depletion of housing stock.
16. Kim Hyland - opposed the proposed licensing requirement; not opposed to registration.
17. Hannah Roloson - spoke about her STR as an investment providing needed income.
18. Linda Sisson - said the proposed license revocation provision was unfair and heavy-handed.
19. Bruce Sisson - said STR owners support registration, not licensing; encouraged more data.
20. Shayla Duke - said requirements violated economic freedom; supported simple registration.
21. Kristina Lang - opposed imposing new regulations at this time; supported more data.
22. Julia O'Reilly - said the new regulations don't support City goals or values.
23. Joseph Huynh - said the ordinance does not reflect the ad hoc committee recommendations.
24. Bruce Searle - said there is no evidence that STRs are a problem needing regulation.
25. Susan Wille - shared a personal story about being a part-time STR owner.
26. Steve Piercy - Said his STR was an investment; ordinance endangers his financial security.
27. Bill Aspegren - said there is widespread support for requiring owner -occupancy for STRs.
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Mayor Vinis closed the public hearing.
Council Discussion
• Councilor Clark - said singling out one business type for regulation is unfair; noted the City
already has nuisance regulations; said he felt the whole process was poorly handled.
• Councilor Taylor - said the proposed ordinance is not strong enough, more regulation
needed; suggested regulations should differentiate between room and entire home rentals;
said it is important to prevent problems before they happen.
• Councilor Syrett - noted that the proposed licensing requirement would apply to every type
of STR; suggested scheduling action during another work session:
• Councilor Zelenka - said the proposed regulations are not onerous, noting laws in other cities
are stricter; requested a summarization of email testimony.
The meeting adjourned at 9:50 p.m.
Respectfully submitted,
AttA
Beth Forrest
City Recorder
(Recorded by Beth Forrest)
Webcast of meeting available here.
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