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HomeMy WebLinkAbout200427 MTGMINUTES – Eugene City Council Meeting April 27, 2020 Page 1 M I N U T E S Eugene City Council Virtual Meeting Eugene, Oregon 97401 April 27, 2020 7:30 p.m. Councilors Present: Emily Semple, Betty Taylor, Alan Zelenka, Jennifer Yeh, Mike Clark, Greg Evans, Claire Syrett, Chris Pryor Mayor Vinis opened the April 27, 2020, meeting of the Eugene City Council in a virtual format. 1. COMMITTEE REPORTS AND ITEMS OF INTEREST Council Discussion  Councilor Syrett – spoke about the Lombard property development adjacent to River Road and community members’ concerns regarding removal of greenspace; discussed how advocates could speak to other housing options at the location.  Councilor Semple – talked about the Lombard project development; expressed desire to pursue other options for the site.  Councilor Taylor – discussed the Lombard project development and the destruction of green space at the location.  Mayor Vinis – spoke about the Travel Lane County board’s upcoming strategies for promoting tourism during the coronavirus recovery phase, specifically its work with rural areas. 2. CONSENT CALENDAR 1 A. Approval of City Council Minutes • April 8, 2020, Work Session • April 13, 2020, Work Session • April 13, 2020, Meeting • April 15, 2020, Work Session • April 20, 2020 Boards and Commissions Candidate Statements B. Approval of City Council Tentative Agenda MOTION AND VOTE: Councilor Semple, seconded by Councilor Yeh, moved to approve the items on the Consent Calendar 1. PASSED 8:0. 3. PUBLIC FORUM 1. Lin Woodrich – thanked council; supported work on the Bethel community plan. 2. John Barofsky – thanked council and staff; spoke about the Consolidated Plan and block grants. 3. Joshua Korn – voiced dissatisfaction with the forum format; spoke about 5G health concerns. Council Discussion  Councilor Evans – thanked the Active Bethel Citizens group for their input; spoke about the Bethel community development plan. 4. ACTION: An Ordinance Clarifying Relationship between Approved Riverfront Park Permit and S-DR Downtown Riverfront Code; Amending Section 9.3155 of the Eugene Code, 1971; and Providing for an Immediate Effective Date. MINUTES – Eugene City Council Meeting April 27, 2020 Page 2 City Manager Pro Tem Sarah Medary introduced the item and gave background about the topic. MOTION AND VOTE: Councilor Semple, seconded by Councilor Yeh, moved to adopt an Ordinance Clarifying Relationship between Approved Riverfront Park Permit and S-DR Downtown Riverfront Code; Amending Section 9.3155 of the Eugene Code, 1971; and Providing for an Immediate Effective Date, included as Attachment D to the AIS. PASSED 8:0. 5. ACTION: An Ordinance Extending the Term of Ordinance No. 19775 and Ordinance No. 20397 Granting to Comcast of Oregon II, Inc. a Franchise for Operation of a Cable Telecommunications System. City Manager Pro Tem Sarah Medary introduced the item and gave background about the topic. MOTION AND VOTE: Councilor Semple, seconded by Councilor Yeh, moved to adopt an Ordinance extending the term of Ordinance No. 19775 and Ordinance No. 20397 granting to Comcast of Oregon II Inc., a franchise for the operation of a cable telecommunications system. PASSED 8:0. 6. PUBLIC HEARING: Resolution Adopting a Supplemental Budget; Making Appropriations for the City of Eugene for the Fiscal Year Beginning July 1, 2019 and Ending June 30, 2020. City Manager Pro Tem Sarah Medary, Acting Public Works Director Matt Rodrigues, Planning Development Director Denny Braud and Finance Director Twylla Miller introduced the item and gave background about the topic, specifically its connection to the Riverfront project. Council Discussion  Councilor Clark – thanked staff; spoke about the City’s commitment with Williams and Dame for developing the site.  Councilor Semple – thanked staff; discussed the park and plaza within the Riverfront project; asked about the funds needed to pay for the plaza after the roads are built; asked for more information regarding finances for the project.  Councilor Zelenka – expressed concerns about the uncertainty now associated with the Williams and Dame development plans, noting the present circumstances and risks. Mayor Vinis opened the public hearing of the Eugene City Council. Testimony  John Barofsky – spoke about the public contribution to project financing and desired more input.  Tiffany Edwards –expressed the Eugene Chamber of Commerce’s support for the proposed budget. Council Discussion  Councilor Zelenka – expressed desire to wait on the development; asked for maintenance costs associated with building infrastructure.  Councilor Evans – encouraged putting the project on hold and voiced concerns regarding the economy and the development partner. Mayor Vinis closed the public hearing and adjourned the Eugene City Council meeting. Mayor Vinis opened the Eugene Urban Renewal Agency meeting. 7. PUBLIC HEARING: Resolution Adopting a Supplemental Budget; Making Appropriations for the Urban Renewal Agency of the City of Eugene for the Fiscal Year Beginning July 1, 2019 and Ending June 30, 2020.