HomeMy WebLinkAbout201026 MTGMINUTES
Eugene City Council
Virtual Meeting
Eugene, Oregon 97401
October 26, 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 October 26, 2020, meeting of the Eugene City Council in a virtual format.
1. COMMITTEE REPORTS AND ITEMS OF INTEREST
• Councilor Yeh - acknowledged Breast Cancer Awareness Month and why Council and Mayor
are wearing pink.
• Councilor Taylor - shared complaints she received about gas -powered leaf blowers and the
new downtown mural; asked if a property owner can put anything on their building or if the
City has some regulatory authority.
• Councilor Syrett - updated the council on the Human Services Commission's plans to
allocate money for rental and mortgage assistance; asked how the City plans to ensure that
people feel safe in the aftermath of the election; disapproved of mural being vandalized.
• Councilor Zelenka - took a moment to recognize a young college student who lost their life
to COVID; encouraged community to take COVID seriously and to wear masks; updated the
council on the work of the Ad Hoc Police Policy Committee and Police Commission; agreed
that vandalism of the mural was wrong.
• Councilor Evans - shared his recent experiences presenting on the Cahoots program to the
National League of Cities; reported that the League of Oregon Cities Conference included
work on equity and diversity issues.
• Councilor Clark - commented on the mural vandalism, noting the content was needlessly
controversial and insensitive; said he was ashamed of the vandal.
• Mayor Vinis- asked for an update of the plan to address shelter needs in anticipation of the
cold nights ahead.
2. CONSENT CALENDAR
A. Approval of City Council Minutes
B. Approval of City Council Tentative Agenda
Councilor Semple requested corrections to the September 28, 2020, work session and
meeting minutes.
MOTION AND VOTE: Councilor Semple, seconded by Councilor Yeh, moved to approve
the items on Consent Calendar 1 with the corrections noted. PASSED 8:0.
3. PUBLIC FORUM
1. Martha Bryson - supported decriminalization of homelessness and shared an article.
2. Richard Self -supported decriminalization of homelessness and making homelessness a
protected class.
MINUTES - Eugene City Council October 26, 2020 Page 1
Meeting
3. Tom Peck - supported creating a shelter for women who are unhoused and vulnerable.
4. Matthew Yook - appreciated the work and focus of the Human Rights Commission.
5. Joshua Stroud - applauded the work being done by Council, specifically on restorative justice.
6. Chelsea Swift - expressed concern for those who are without shelter during cold days and nights.
Council Discussion
■ Councilor Zelenka - commented on the availability of shelters and beds; asked for
clarification of the Boise decision, noting there were some misconceptions about the ruling.
■ Councilor Syrett - clarified that Egan -type shelters are not activated unless the temperature
is lower than 28 degrees; appreciated the work of neighborhood association; voiced
concern about low participation in public forums and would like to allow video testimony
by participants.
■ Councilor Semple - agreed that she would like to be able to see participants; expressed her
strong support for and involvement in efforts to find more housing and shelter options.,
■ Mayor Vinis - shared information about EWEB's weatherization program.
4. ACTION: An Ordinance Concerning Time Extensions for Approved Land Use Applications
and Providing an Effective Date.
MOTION AND VOTE: Councilor Semple, seconded by Councilor Yeh, moved to
adopt the ordinance included as attachment A to this AIS, concerning time
extensions for approved land use applications and providing an effective date.
PASSED 8:0.
S. ACTION: City Manager Evaluation Process October 26, 2020, Meeting
City Manager Sarah Medary briefly reviewed the proposed evaluation process that incorporates
feedback from the council's previous work session.
MOTION AND VOTE: Councilor Semple, seconded by Councilor Yeh, moved to
establish the City Manager evaluation process as outlined in attachment A.
PASSED 8:0.
Council Discussion:
+ Councilor Zelenka - reiterated the point that a free-for-all process with no data and no guidance
didn't serve the council well in the past; supported a hybrid approach of using non -binding
numbers and discussion of a better structure of the compensation package.
MOTION AND VOTE: Councilor Semple, seconded by Councilor Yeh, moved to
authorize the Council President to execute the second amendment to Sarah
Medary's employment agreement set forth in Attachment B to this AIS. PASSED 8:0
The meeting adjourned at 8:28 p.m.
Respectfully submitted,
Juli Adams
Deputy City Recorder
(Recorded by Niyah Ross)
Link to the webcast of this City Council meeting here.
MINUTES - Eugene City Council October 26, 2020
Meeting
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