HomeMy WebLinkAbout230109 MTGMINUTES
Eugene City Council
Meeting
Eugene, Oregon 97401
January 9, 2023
7:30 p.m.
Councilors Present: Emily Semple, Matt Keating, Alan Zelenka, Jennifer Yeh, Mike Clark, Greg
Evans, Lyndsie Leech, Randy Groves
Mayor Vin is opened the January 9, 2023, meeting of the Eugene City Council in a hybrid in-
person and virtual format at 101 W. 10th Avenue, Suite 114, Eugene, OR 97401.
1. ELECTION OF CITY COUNCIL OFFICERS FOR 2023
MOTION: Councilor Evans, seconded by Councilor Keating, moved to elect
Councilor Groves as President of the City Council for 2023.
Council Discussion:
• Councilor Semple -noted that the proposed election of Councilor Groves was
outside of the normal order of the Council.
MOTION TO SUBSTITUTE: Councilor Semple, seconded by Councilor Yeh,
moved to substitute Councilor Keating for Council President.
Council Discussion:
• Councilor Keating -requested that his nomination be withdrawn; spoke about the
demands on his schedule during the upcoming year; noted his support for the
nomination of Councilor Groves for Council President.
MOTION WITHDRAWN: Councilor Semple withdrew her motion for
substitution. Councilor Yeh accepted the withdrawal.
Council Discussion:
• Councilor Yeh -noted her appreciation for Councilor Keating's explanation.
VOTE ON MAIN MOTION: PASSED 8:0
MOTION: Councilor Groves, seconded by Councilor Yeh, moved to elect
Councilor Keating as Vice President of the City Council for 2023.
Council Discussion:
• Councilor Semple -commented about time served on Council leadership by various
members.
VOTE ON MAIN MOTION: PASSED 8:0
MINUTES -Eugene City Council
Meeting
January 9, 2023 Page 1
2. COMMITTEE REPORTS AND ITEMS OF INTEREST
• Councilor Groves -noted his appreciation for the work of outgoing Council
President Evans.
• Councilor Evans -noted that the next Intergovernmental Relations committee will
be February 1, 2023 at 1:30pm; noted that the City was awarded federal funds for a
bike and pedestrian bridge over the Beltline at River Road; noted that the House of
Representatives elected Kevin McCarthy as Speaker; noted that Congressman Hoyle
was sworn in to represent the fourth congressional district; encouraged people to
view the City's American Rescue Plan Act (ARPA) video; noted Governor Kotek was
sworn in today and is appointing agency heads; noted that the Oregon legislative
assembly will convene January 17, 2023; noted upcoming !GR updates.
• Councilor Keating -noted that there is currently no way to track if ho uselessness is
a contributing factor to someone's death; stated support for efforts to ameliorate
ho uselessness.
• Mayor Vinis -noted that she will be attending the US Conference of Mayors next
week; noted that she will be meeting with Climate Mayors and the Environmental
Protection Agency to discuss the use of Inflation Reduction Funds; stated her
appreciation for the work of Representative De Fazio to ensure we received funds
for the pedestrian bridge at River Road; noted various community events in honor
of Martin Luther King Jr. Day; noted that a new peer support counseling center has
opened in downtown.
3. CONSENT CALENDAR 1
A. Approval of City Council Minutes
• November 28, 2022, Meeting
• November 30, 2022, Work Session
• December 5, 2022, Special Meeting
• December 12, 2022, Work Session
• December 12, 2022, Meeting
• December 14, 2022, Work Session
B. Approval of City Council Tentative Agenda
MOTION AND VOTE: Councilor Groves, seconded by Councilor
Keating, moved to approve the items on Consent Calendar 1.
VOTE: PASSED 8:0
4. PUBLIC FORUM
1. Janet Ayres -suggested a template be created for future interim appointments.
2. William Smith -welcomed Councilor Leech and asked for a moment of silence
for Mark Hurwitz.
3. Laurie Powell -spoke in favor of the natural gas ban.
4. Tai Pruce-Zimmerman -spoke in favor of a Bethel area plan.
5. Robin Bloomgarden -spoke in favor of electrification.
6. Brittany Quick-Warner -spoke on improving the local business climate.
7. Patricia Hine -spoke in favor of electrification.
MINUTES -Eugene City Council
Meeting
January 9, 2023 Page 2
8. Thomas Newman -spoke in favor of funding for parks.
9. Drew Simrin -spoke in favor of electrification.
10. Aya Cockram -spoke in favor of electrification.
11. Richard Locke -spoke about the effects of unsanctioned camping.
Council Discussion
■ Councilor Groves -noted his appreciation for the public forum speakers; spoke in
support of a Bethel area plan and public health overlay zones; responded to the
comment about the interim appointment process.
■ Councilor Zelenka -spoke in response to the comment about the interim
appointment process; noted that the University area also needs an area plan.
■ Councilor Leech -noted her appreciation for those who have been supportive of her
since her appointment.
Mayor Vinis adjourned the meeting at 8:22 p.m.
Respectfully submitted,
~
City Recorder
(Recorded by Cherish Bradshaw J
Link to the web cast of this City Council meeting here .
MINUTES -Eugene City Council
Meeting
January 9, 2023 Page 3