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HomeMy WebLinkAbout200224 MTGMINUTES – Eugene City Council Meeting February 24, 2020 Page 1 MINUTES Eugene City Council Harris Hall, 125 East 8th Avenue Eugene, Oregon 97401 February 24, 2020 7:30 p.m. Councilors Present: Emily Semple, Betty Taylor, Alan Zelenka, Jennifer Yeh, Mike Clark, Greg Evans, Chris Pryor Councilor Absent: Claire Syrett Mayor Vinis opened the February 24, 2020, meeting of the Eugene City Council. 1. Committee Reports and Items of Interest Discussion  Mayor Vinis – extended an apology related to her interview with KVAL about the City Prosecutor’s Elk Horn Brewery decision, noting she should have used the prosecutor’s words instead of her own because the language she used was not accurate; clarified her position that she did not believe the protest was fair or appropriate; said she appreciates the frustration and anger felt by Eugene businesses and she’s committed to working with them to have better conversations and find a productive path forward.  Councilor Semple – said she had a field trip to the Westside Church on 18th and Chambers where they have a homeless services program that, while not perfect, may be emulated elsewhere; explained they have a group of homeless individuals who are allowed to sleep on the porch and they each sign a letter saying they will attend meetings and work on projects and community service; said she’s happy to see different people working together and building trust.  Councilor Taylor – said she wanted to correct an impression that came from a Register- Guard article that reported four councilors voted to create rental property on top of a new city hall, which was not the case; said these councilors voted to build city hall with additional floors for staff that are currently in leased space downtown.  Councilor Pryor – shared his perspective on what occurred at the Elk Horn Brewery; noted that the prosecutor said the evidence wasn’t clear enough for the case to be successfully prosecuted; encouraged council to be more clear in identifying behavior that is intimating or harassing so the rules are in place to prosecute that behavior in the future; said he does not want to regulate words, but behavior; said if people wish to protest, that is welcomed, but illegal or inappropriate behavior is not; encouraged making the ordinance more clear to regulate this kind of behavior.  Councilor Clark – said everything he spoke about last week that made him angry was related to people’s behavior, not their status or condition; said the criminal code addresses behavior and that, in reading the code about disturbing the peace, he comes to a different conclusion than the prosecutor - there was a clear violation; asked what the appropriate role of a councilor is when they disagree with a prosecutor’s decision; said that he did not think that the decision ended up being in the best interest of community.  City Manager Pro Tem Sarah Medary shared an update about a pilot to make free menstrual products available in some public bathrooms throughout the community. MINUTES – Eugene City Council Meeting February 24, 2020 Page 2 2. Consent Calendar 1 A. Approval of City Council Minutes  January 21, 2020, Work Session  January 21, 2020, Public Hearing  January 27, 2020, Meeting  February 18, 2020, Work Session  February 18, 2020, Public Hearing B. Approval of City Council Tentative Agenda C. Adoption of An Ordinance Providing for Withdrawal of Annexed Properties from the Following Special Districts: River Road Park & Recreation District; River Road Water District; Santa Clara Rural Fire Protection District; Santa Clara Water District; and Willakenzie Rural Fire Protection District. D. Adoption of A Resolution Repealing Resolution No. 3993 Regarding the Abatement of Dutch Elm Disease MOTION AND VOTE: Councilor Semple, seconded by Councilor Yeh, moved to approve the items on the Consent Calendar 1. PASSED 7:0. 3. Public Forum 1. Kimberly Gladen – asked how downtown businesses would be showcased in 2021 planning. 2. Jo Staniac – talked about the absence of adequate infrastructure in the Bethel neighborhood. 3. Kira Elliot – spoke on behalf of the period movement and providing free menstrual products. 4. Jarl Burg – talked about expectations put on the homeless, City Hall, and issues with renters. 5. Rowan – shared concerns about 5G technology and ideas to slow down the installation process. 6. Tracy Justin Cook – shared ideas and solutions about homelessness. 7. Travis Johaness – shared his hopes for projects and development in the Bethel neighborhood. 8. Stefan Strek – proposed a new project to install a green and yellow brick road in Eugene. 9. Cassandra Miley – expressed concerns and made suggestions about LTD routes. 10. Kathryn Dunn – talked about the timeline for making decisions about short-term rentals. 11. Diane Behling – expressed concerns about air pollutants and health conditions in Bethel area. 12. David Piccioni – talked about living with other people and protesting. 13. Ed Farren – shared concerns about the Bethel neighborhood and desire for improvements. 14. Joshua Korn – talked about small cell facility regulation and deregulation. 15. Linda Sissen – said that regulating STRs was not an outcome of housing tools and strategies. 16. Violet Neal – talked about providing free menstrual products throughout the City. Discussion  Councilor Pryor – said he served on the Better Bethel Committee and creating partnerships is fundamental in that work and moving forward; talked about developing a homeless shelter, including a navigation center with support services and counseling; spoke about City Hall, saying that the City is currently renting space from the County and it is not a long-term solution; said the last communication the council received was that EWEB was asking for $20 million to purchase their headquarters.  Councilor Evans – thanked the individuals from Bethel who came to speak, because council does not often hear their perspective; said it was important to hear from Bethel residents as the council moves forward, particularly with regard to infrastructure and pollution; shared concerns about streets being built in the area without bike lanes; thanked voters for approving bonds that will allow for a sports park at Golden Gardens and improvements at Echo Hollow pool, but noted there are other needs that have gone unaddressed for too long.  Councilor Zelenka – addressed the myth that purchasing the EWEB building is less expensive than constructing a new City Hall; encouraged people to read the Robertson