HomeMy WebLinkAbout200914 WSMINUTES
Eugene City Council
Virtual Meeting
Eugene, Oregon 97401
September 14, 2020
5:30 p.m.
Councilors Present: Emily Semple, Betty Taylor, Alan Zelenka, Jennifer Yeh, Mike Clark, Greg Evans,
Claire Syrett, Chris Pryor
Mayor Vinis opened the September 14, 2020, work session of the Eugene City Council in a virtual
format.
Councilor Semple shared information about her health following a serious car accident, noting she
planned to listen in on the meeting.
1. UPDATE FROM FIRE CHIEF ON FIRE RESPONSE
Fire Chief Chris Heppel and Public Works Director Matt Rodrigues provided an update on the
coordinated response to the Holiday Farms fire and relief efforts.
Council Discussion
• Councilor Clark - expressed support for the evacuees and displaced persons and asked about
the City's role in providing assistance; asked about the availability of FEMA vouchers and other
resources for shelter; asked who is in charge of decisions involving the care and needs of the
evacuees.
• Councilor Yeh - thanked staff for their quick response to this emergency; asked questions about
the use and capacity of the Lane Events Centers during the day, the distribution and availability
of protective masks and the City's ability to procure more supplies independent of Lane County.
• Councilor Syrett - asked why the Lane County Fairgrounds shelter was limited to 15 people;
suggested reaching out to those involved with the Egan Warming Centers to consider a similar
structure; said protective equipment needs to be distributed to the homeless population or the
consequences could be dire; suggested outreach to determine why more people aren't using
the available shelter.
• Councilor Zelenka - questioned why the City was not permitted to operate a 24-hour site until
almost a week into the emergency; asked if more the Fairgrounds space was now available and
whether the City had any space it could use for shelter.
• Councilor Clark - asked about the potential for using University of Oregon residence halls.
2. WORK SESSION and POSSIBLE ACTION: Resolution Concerning Compensation for the
Members of the Ad Hoc Committee on Police Policy for Committee Meeting Hours
Assistant City Manager Kristie Hammitt provided information about the proposal to compensate
members of the Ad Hoc Committee on Police Policy.
Council Discussion
Councilor Clark - asked what makes this committee different from other advisory groups that
warrants compensation for members' time; asked if an analysis of the impacts of"employment"
by the City had been done; said he understood the desire for particular expertise on the
committee but was concerned about the precedent being set.
MINUTES - Eugene City Council September 14, 2020 Page 1
Work Session
• Councilor Syrett - supported the prosed motion and expressed appreciation that the multi-
cultural liaison and Mo Young would be involved with the committee; noted the barriers to
participation and felt that compensation was an appropriate means to address those barriers.
• Councilor Taylor - said she was opposed to paying volunteers and the proposal sets a bad
precedent; said she opposed the creation of the ad hoc committee because its membership was
not representative of the whole community.
• Councilor Pryor - supported the proposed compensation as a stipend, not a paycheck; noted
that most boards and commission members were volunteers and the ad hoc committee
members were invited to participate.
• Councilor Zelenka - asked how much money was in the council contingency fund; said he felt
the proposal was a good start on efforts to ensure diverse participation.
• Councilor Yeh - suggested that council should have a larger discussion about making
participation on advisory groups more equitable.
• Councilor Evans - said that under -represented communities are extremely under -represented
on council advisory groups; said proposal is for short-term, intensive work on an issue needing
the participants' input; said the compensation proposal is a good way to get people involved
and maintain their interest in this issue.
Councilor Clark - clarified that individuals were not invited to be on the committee, but groups
were asked to participate; understood the importance of compensating these committee
members.
MOTION AND VOTE: Councilor Yeh, seconded by Councilor Evans moved to adopt a
Resolution Concerning Compensation for the Members of the Ad Hoc Committee on
Police Policy for Committee Meeting Hours. PASSED 7:1, Councilor Taylor opposed.
MOTION AND VOTE: Councilor Yeh, seconded by Councilor Evans moved to use the
Council Contingency Fund as the funding source for members of the Ad Hoc
Committee on Police Policy for Committee Meeting Hours. PASSED 7:1, Councilor
Taylor opposed.
The meeting adjourned at 6:50 p.m.
Respectfully submitted,
NO* M.-OR-0
Julie Adams
Deputy City Recorder
Link to the webcast of this City Council meeting here.
MINUTES - Eugene City Council September 14, 2020 Page 2
Work Session