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HomeMy WebLinkAbout201214 MTGMINUTES – Eugene City Council Meeting December 14, 2020 Page 1 M I N U T E S Eugene City Council Virtual Meeting Eugene, Oregon 97401 December 14, 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 December 14, 2020, meeting of the Eugene City Council in a virtual format. 1. CEREMONIAL MATTER Mayor Vinis recognized retiring Councilors Betty Taylor and Chris Pryor for their years of service. Councilor Clark performed a tribute song and gift baskets were delivered to their homes. 2. COMMITTEE REPORTS AND ITEMS OF INTEREST Council Discussion  Councilor Taylor – announced that LRAPA is in the process of choosing a new director and she hopes her successor can attend the December meeting; supported the use of vacant buildings for temporary homeless shelters.  Councilor Yeh - explained that she put motion forward to add new member Ibrahim Coulibaly to Ad Hoc Committee on Police Policy to serve as the second representative for the NAACP. MOTION AND VOTE: Councilor Yeh, seconded by Councilor Evans, moved to approve Ibrahim Coulibaly to the Ad Hoc Committee on Police Policy as the second representative for the NAACP. PASSED 8:0.  Councilor Semple - gave update on McKenzie Watershed Council and its plans for mitigating effects from the Holiday Farms fire; asked questions about impacts of the motion passed earlier related to voluntary and mandatory inclusionary zoning and said she would move to reconsider.  Councilor Zelenka - said he understood that the council needs to talk about mandatory zoning and would support a motion to reconsider.  Councilor Clark – said he won’t support the motion because he has gotten a lot of information on this topic and fears that a bad situation would be made dramatically worse. MOTION AND VOTE: Councilor Semple, seconded by Councilor Taylor, moved to reconsider the motion made on inclusionary zoning. PASSED 4:3, Councilors Clark, Evans and Pryor opposed (Syrett absent). MOTION AND VOTE: Councilor Semple, seconded by Councilor Yeh moved to amend Wednesday’s motion to get more information on mandatory and inclusionary zoning. PASSED 6:2, Councilors Evans and Clark opposed. MINUTES – Eugene City Council Meeting December 14, 2020 Page 2  Councilor Clark – said he understands the desire for more information and suggested asking for specific information councilors felt they did not get; requested more information about the experience of the City of Portland and its decisions around inclusionary zoning.  Councilor Pryor – noted that a milestone of 300,000 deaths from COVID had been reached and encouraged people to get vaccinated when vaccine becomes available.  Councilor Evans- reported that Councilor Taylor’s 24 years of service was recognized at the League of Oregon Cities board meeting; announced that LOC had undergone a process to develop and equity and inclusion committee and approved a caucus of elected officials of color, women and LGBTQ.  Councilor Clark - recognized that Councilor Taylor has served the community longer than anyone has in the history of public service in Eugene. 3. CONSENT CALENDAR 1 A. Approval of City Council Minutes - October 12, 2020, Work Session - October 12, 2020, Meeting - October 19, 2020, Public Hearing - October 21, 2020, Work Session - October 26, 2020, Meeting - October 28, 2020, Work Session - November 9, 2020, Meeting - November 16, 2020, Work Session - November 18, 2020, Work Session B. Approval of City Council Tentative Agenda C. Resolution Acknowledging the Receipt of the Comprehensive Annual Financial Report of the City of Eugene for the Fiscal Year Ended June 30, 2020 D. Resolution Amending Eugene City Council Operating Agreements and Repealing Resolution No. 5205 E. Resolution Approving Low-Income Rental Housing Property Tax Exception for Property Located on River Road, Eugene, Oregon (Assessor’s Map 17-04-13-33, Tax lots 100 200, 300 and 400; Assessor’s Property Account Nos. 0379816, 0379824, 0379832, and 0379840) (Applicant St. Vincent de Paul Society of Lane County, Inc.) MOTION AND VOTE: Councilor Semple, seconded by Councilor Yeh, moved to approve Items A, B, C, and D, on the Consent Calendar 1. PASSED 8:0. Council Discussion  Councilor Zelenka – said he pulled Item E on the Consent Calendar to bring attention to the good work the City is doing to develop and maintain quality, low-income property. MOTION AND VOTE: Councilor Semple, seconded by Councilor Yeh, moved to approve Item E on the Consent Calendar 1. PASSED 8:0. 4. PUBLIC FORUM 1. Jacobi Hope-Luke - demanded the passage of three ordinances to stop the use of natural gas. 2. Patti Hine - said gas is a polluter and encouraged council to oppose any expansion of fossil fuels. 3. Selena Blick – reported on university students’ support for adding a fee to switch from gas to electric. 4. Devon Kessner - demanded the passage of three ordinances to stop the use of natural gas. 5. Sophia Trotter - demanded the passage of three ordinances to stop the use of natural gas. 6. Misty Frost - expressed concerns about climate impacts and shared experience during the fires. 7. Jenna Witslavin - demanded the passage of three ordinances to stop the use of natural gas. 8. Nicholas Tippins - demanded the passage of three ordinances to stop the use of natural gas. MINUTES – Eugene City Council Meeting December 14, 2020 Page 3 9. Madalyn Blum - demanded the passage of three ordinances to stop the use of natural gas. 10. Sylvia – opposed sweeping unhoused camps during COVID and supported the three climate demands. 11. Matthew Simmons - supported rapid transition to renewable energy and shared potential benefits. 12. Tyee Williams - shared his experiences in interacting with City officials during the sweep of camps. 13. Eloise Parish-Mueller - demanded the passage of three ordinances to stop the use of natural gas. 14. Avery Temple - demanded passage of ordinances to stop the use of natural gas and defunding police. 15. Madalyn Cowen - said fracked gas is exacerbating the fire crisis and endangering lives. 16. Dylan Plumber - asked the City to be bold and act to decarbonize the community. 17. Betsy Hitz – expressed frustration that the CAP 2.0 timeline keeps extending and increases the gap. 18. Jesse - demanded the passage of three ordinances to stop the use of natural gas. 19. Jim Neu – announced the one-year anniversary of 350 Eugene’s no new fossil fuels recommendation. 20. Erin – supported defunding EPD and complained that the sweeps of the unhoused are inhumane. 21. Sydney – demanded the passage of three ordinances to stop the use of natural gas. 22. Doyle Canning - supported the previously stated climate demands and goals. 23. Julia - demanded the passage of three ordinances to stop the use of natural gas. 24. Ethan Kline – shared concerns about the safety of unhoused women who are forced to move. 25. Heidi- demanded the passage of three ordinances to stop the use of natural gas. 26. Corey - expressed frustration about sweeps and asked that camps be set-up with sanitary services. Council Discussion  Councilor Taylor –thanked everyone who spoke; supported banning the expansion of fossil fuel infrastructure and further discussion of the other requests.  Mayor Vinis - appreciated the robust forum; agreed that the City has much more work to do on the climate action plan and more discussion is coming on the NW Natural issue; clarified that the City is not at liberty to release the video from shooting because the District Attorney is handling the investigation; acknowledged the frustrating shelter situation said the council is committed to continued efforts to help. Mayor Vinis adjourned the meeting of the City Council and convened a meeting of the Eugene Urban Renewal Agency. 5. ACTION: A Resolution Acknowledging the Receipt of the Annual Financial Report of the Urban Renewal Agency of the City of Eugene, for the Fiscal Year Ended June 30, 2020. City Manager Medary shared that the CPA firm completed its audit of the annual financial report and all findings that the information in the report is accurate and reliable. MOTION AND VOTE: Councilor Semple, seconded by Councilor Yeh, moved to adopt a resolution acknowledging receipt of the Annual Financial Report for the Urban Renewal Agency of the City of Eugene for the fiscal year ended June 30, 2020. PASSED 8:0. 6. PUBLIC HEARING and ACTION: A Resolution Adopting a Supplemental Budget; Making Appropriations for the Urban Renewal agency of the City of Eugene for the Fiscal Year Beginning July 1, 2020 and ending June 30, 2021. City Manager Medary introduced the topic and presented background information. Mayor Vinis opened the public hearing. 1. Misty Frost – supported additional funding for emergency response and preparedness. 2. John Barofsky - appreciated the work of staff and council on the Supplemental Budget for the URA. Mayor Vinis closed the public hearing. MINUTES – Eugene City Council Meeting December 14, 2020 Page 4 Council Discussion 1. Councilor Clark – recognized Mr. Barofsky’s service to the Budget Committee and community. MOTION AND VOTE: Councilor Semple, seconded by Councilor Yeh, moved to adopt Resolution 1097 adopting a Supplemental Budget; making appropriations for the Urban Renewal Agency of the City of Eugene for the fiscal year beginning July 1, 2020, and ending June 30, 2021. PASSED 8:0. Mayor adjourned the meeting of Urban Renewal Agency and reconvened the meeting of the City council. 7. PUBLIC HEARING and ACTION: A Resolution Adopting a Supplemental Budget; Making Appropriations for the City of Eugene for the Fiscal Year Beginning July 1, 2020 and ending June 30, 2021. City Manager Medary shared information on the supplemental budget. Mayor Vinis opened the public hearing. 1. John Barofsky – supported the process and appreciated the openness and transparency. 2. Misty Frost - expressed the urgency of maintaining funding for emergency and disaster preparedness. Mayor Vinis opened the public hearing. Council Discussion  Councilor Taylor – said she was disturbed that money was being used to implement House Bill 2001; supported efforts to find ways to avoid it.  Councilor Clark - stated he agreed with Councilor Taylor as implementation of HB 2001 will result in higher construction costs and less affordable housing. MOTION: Councilor Taylor, seconded by Councilor Clark, moved to remove House Bill 2001 from the supplemental budget.  Councilor Pryor - shared that he’s been involved in the designing of House Bill 2001 for nine months and understands what the model code is trying to accomplish; disagreed with Councilor Taylor and Clark in terms of the law.  Councilor Evans – agreed with Councilor Pryor that HB 2001 is the law; supported efforts to implement the law locally to prevent multi-unit housing being built at market rates.  Councilor Clark - said that affordable homes will be taken down and less affordable homes will be built.  Councilor Taylor - agreed that this bill will hurt the people it’s supposed to help and noted that the United States was built by people fighting against unjust laws. VOTE: FAILED 4:5, Councilors Pryor, Yeh, Zelenka and Syrett and Mayor Vinis opposed. MOTION AND VOTE: Councilor Semple, seconded by Councilor Yeh, moved to adopt Resolution 5314 adopting Supplemental Budget; making appropriations for the City of Eugene for the fiscal year beginning July 1, 2020 and ending June 30, 2021. PASSED 7:1, Councilor Taylor opposed. MINUTES – Eugene City Council Meeting December 14, 2020 Page 5 8. WORK SESSION: Riverfront Discussion City Manager Medary introduced the item and gave an update about negotiations with EWEB. Council Discussion  Councilor Clark - asked when the public hearing on the changed ordinance would occur.  Councilor Evans - asked clarifying questions about status of the headquarters.  Councilor Zelenka - asked if the entire deal would fall apart if one element fails.  Councilor Syrett - asked for clarification of what is meant by “relinquished” MOTION AND VOTE: Councilor Semple, seconded by Councilor Yeh, moved to authorize the City Manager to negotiate and sign a purchase and sale agreement for the agency’s acquisition of the MGP site for $400,000 using Riverfront Urban Renewal funds and that includes as one of the conditions of closing the City Council’s adoptions of amendments to EC 2.196. PASSED 7:1, Councilor Taylor opposed. MOTION AND VOTE: Councilor Semple, seconded by Councilor Yeh, moved to direct the City Manager to prepare an ordinance and schedule a public hearing on amendments to EC 2.196, adoption of which will be a condition of closing the agency’s purchase of the MPG site. PASSED 7:1, Councilor Taylor opposed. MOTION AND VOTE: Councilor Semple, seconded by Councilor Yeh, moved to direct the City Manager to notify EWEB simultaneous with the execution of the MPG site purchase and sale agreement that the City is terminating any negotiations for acquisition of the EWEB headquarters building previously requested by the City pursuant to EC 2.196. PASSED 6:2, Councilors Taylor and Clark opposed. Mayor adjourned City Council and re-opened the meeting of the Urban Renewal Agency MOTION AND VOTE: Councilor Semple, seconded by Councilor Yeh, moved to authorize the Agency Director to negotiate and sign a purchase and sale agreement for the agencies acquisition of the MGP site for $400,000 using Riverfront Urban Renewal funds and that includes as one of the conditions of closing the City Council’s adoptions of amendments to EC 2.196. PASSED 6:1, Councilors Taylor and Clark opposed. Council Discussion  Councilor Evans - asked if the headquarters would still be in play in terms of an option to buy.  Mayor Vinis - congratulated Councilor Pryor and Councilor Taylor for their years of service. The meeting adjourned at 10:08 p.m. Respectfully submitted, Julie Adams Deputy City Recorder (Recorded by Niyah Ross) Link to the webcast of this City Council meeting here.