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MINUTES – Eugene City Council Work Session April 15, 2020 Page 1
MINUTES
Eugene City Council
Virtual Work Session
Eugene, Oregon 97401
April 15, 2020
12:00 p.m.
Councilors Present: Betty Taylor, Emily Semple, Alan Zelenka, Jennifer Yeh, Mike Clark, Claire Syrett, Chris Pryor
Councilors Absent: Greg Evans Mayor Vinis opened the April 15, 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 statistics of cases, flattening the curve, test kits, local partnerships, emergency operation center updates, unhoused community efforts, future and recovery. Council Discussion:
• Councilor Zelenka – spoke about recommendations for re-opening business being discussed by the California, Washington and Oregon governors’ as well as Dr. Luedke’s guidance; asked if city has started the 28-day period; thanked staff for their efforts and asked about the criteria for camp site locations.
• Councilor Syrett – expressed appreciation to staff; asked about local mask-making efforts.
• Councilor Semple – thanked staff; asked about handwashing station at Monroe Park; inquired about the Fairground and Peterson Barn facilities, noting concerns by neighbors; asked about youth shelters; spoke about blood donations and stimulus check access.
• Councilor Clark – thanked staff; talked about the local case numbers and Lane County Public Health data; asked for more data about flattening the curve locally; spoke about local businesses and recovery efforts.
• Councilor Taylor – expressed concerns about the Amazon Park facility and asked where the campers came from prior to placement; asked questions about freezing rents and evictions, the contact tracing process, and fire operations.
2. WORK SESSION: Proposed Use of Affordable Housing Trust Fund Resources Michael Kinnison and Stephanie Jennings spoke about affordable housing trust fund allocation options, including progress update, changing housing needs, potential uses of funds and next steps.
Council Discussion:
• Councilor Syrett – thanked staff; spoke about the recommendations laid out by staff and how they are in line with the goals of the council; asked about the rental assistance option; asked about the timeline and the ability to back fund the resources used.
• Councilor Yeh – thanked staff; expressed support for the assistance this program provides, inquired about the breakdown of the funds used.
• Councilor Zelenka – spoke about the need for these funds for those most affected by the COVID-19 pandemic and economic burdens it has placed on residents.
• Councilor Pryor – talked about considering short- and long-term strategies in order to find best use of funds, asked that the committee look at more options than it was previously directed to.