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HomeMy WebLinkAbout200408 WS MINUTES – Eugene City Council Work Session April 8, 2020 Page 1 MINUTES 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 Tem 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 a new 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.