HomeMy WebLinkAbout230405 SMTGMINUTES
Eugene City Council
Special Meeting
Eugene, Oregon 97401
April 5, 2023
12:00 p.m.
Councilors Present: Emily Semple, Matt Keating, Alan Zelenka, Jennifer Yeh, Mike Clark,
Lyndsie Leech, Randy Groves
Councilors Absent: Greg Evans
Mayor Vinis opened the April 5, 2023, special meeting of the Eugene City Council in a virtual
format.
1. SPECIAL MEETING: Presentation of Referendum Petition 2023-1 to Council
City Manager Sarah Medary gave a brief background of Ordinance Number 20681, An
Ordinance Prohibiting Fossil Fuel Infrastructure In New Low-Rise Residential Buildings;
And Adding Sections 6.695 And 6.696 To The Eugene Code, 1971 and the referendum
petition 2023-1. City Manager Medary then introduced Kathryn Brotherton, City Attorney,
and Katie LaSala, City Recorder, who presented further information regarding the
Referendum Petition 2023-1.
Councilor Discussion:
• Mayor Vinis -asked what the process would be for adjusting the effective date if
Council takes no action and the measure passes.
• Councilor Zelenka -asked if the effective date would be retroactive if the measure
passes in November; asked if Council can change the effective date of the ordinance;
asked how repealing the current ordinance and creating a new ordinance with a
different effective date would impact the referendum petition; asked if a work
session regarding the topic can be scheduled at a later date, prior to the November
election.
• Councilor Semple -noted that Council can state their intention to change the
effective date without repealing and redrafting the ordinance.
• Councilor Clark -noted that talking about what action can be taken after the vote
may not have an impact on the voters; is concerned about the timeframe for which
Council has for providing information to the public; is concerned that the number of
new homes built will drastically decrease for the summer due to the uncertainty of
the ordinance's effective date.
• Councilor Zelenka -asked about alternative ways to change the effective date other
than repealing and redrafting the ordinance; asked if referring an ordinance to the
ballot would take the current item off of the ballot and replace it; asked what the
deadline for such action would be; asked staff to clarify the process for referring a
new ordinance; asked if Council could amend the ordinance.
• Councilor Clark -asked for clarification on the timeline for repealing and referring
ordinances.
MINUTES -Eugene City Council
Special Meeting
April 5, 2023 Page 1
■ Mayor Vinis -noted that the effective date of the ordinance is of the most concern.
■ Councilor Zelenka -asked to clarify what action Council needs to take at this
meeting; asked if Council loses any options by not taking action at this meeting.
■ Councilor Groves -indicated he would not put a motion forward; noted that he
believes that Council should let the public vote on the matter.
■ Councilor Semple -asked for clarity on why the special meeting was called if action
at this meeting is not required.
Mayor Vinis adjourned the meeting at 12:34 p.m.
Respectfully submitted,
Katie LaSala
City Recorder
(Recorded by Sara McKinney)
Link to the web cast of this City Council meeting here.
MINUTES -Eugene City Council
Special Meeting
April 5, 2023 Page 2