HomeMy WebLinkAbout230227 WSMINUTES
Eugene City Council
Work Session
Eugene, Oregon 97401
February 27, 2023
12:00 p.m.
Councilors Present: Emily Semple, Matt Keating, Alan Zelenka, Jennifer Yeh, Mike Clark,
Lyndsie Leech and Randy Groves.
Councilors Absent: Greg Evans
Mayor Vinis opened the February 27, 2023, work session of the Eugene City Council in a
hybrid format at 101 W 10 th Avenue, Eugene OR 97401.
1. WORK SESSION: Budget Update
City Manager, Sarah Medary and Finance Director, Twylla Miller provided a high-
level update of the upcoming budget process, including a recommendation for a
revenue team to address funding options for unfunded service needs.
Councilor Discussion:
• Mayor Vinis -noted that budget concerns seem to be consistent from year-to-year.
• Councilor Semple -. noted her excitement for a new revenue committee; stated that
she had previously served on the payroll tax committee.
• Councilor Zelenka -asked how the budget needs for housing services, climate
change work, and downtown resilience will be determined; noted there is not a high
level of detail for those three projects; stated that he hopes incentives will be
included in the climate work.
• Councilor Keating -stated interest in the suggested revenue streams; asked if
funding for future housing will be limited to the downtown area; asked for clarity on
where funds for downtown and the unhoused will be spent.
• Councilor Clark -asked what climate work will be affected by a reduced budget;
asked how much funding is spent on Climate Friendly & Equitable Communities
(CFEC) compliance; believes that housing is a higher priority than climate; asked
how funding decisions will be made; asked about Council's authority to determine
spending priorities.
• Councilor Groves -noted that state or federal support is not guaranteed; stated that
we need to focus on long-term economic development; stated that the downtown
area is vital to the community but faces its own unique set of challenges; stated that
the focus of the revenue committee should be closing the budget gap; expressed
hesitation about increasing taxes in the current economic climate.
• Councilor Yeh -noted that it is difficult to effectively source new revenue.
• Councilor Zelenka -noted hesitation about moving forward with the revenue
committee as presented; stated that he is looking for more specific
recommendations for a committee, including guidelines for membership, funding
areas, and needed funds.
MINUTES -Eugene City Council
Work Session
February 27, 2023 Page 1
■ Councilor Clark -stated his support for voluntary annexation as part of any new
revenue plan.
■ Councilor Leech -stated her support for the creation of the committee.
■ Councilor Semple -concerned that widening the scope of the revenue committee
project may make it less effective.
■ Mayor Vinis -noted that the budget committee meeting Saturday will help refine
the revenue committee plan.
■ Councilor Groves -asked about the refinement process for the revenue committee if
established today.
■ Mayor Vinis -noted that councilors will be serving on the revenue committee.
■ Councilor Zelenka -stated that the proposed motion is not clear.
■ Councilor Groves -asked how to amend the proposed motion.
■ Councilor Zelenka -stated that the committee will be more effective if the process is
determined prior to the
■ Mayor Vinis -asked if there will be more clarity about the purpose of the revenue
committee after the budget committee meeting.
■ Councilor Semple -stated that the revenue committee will be more effective if it has
a limited scope.
• Councilor Keating -suggested an amended motion establishing the revenue
committee with Council oversight and staff input.
2. WORK SESSION: Introduction to HB 3115
Mayor Vinis introduced City Attorney Kathryn Brotherton to discuss House Bill 3115.
Councilor Discussion:
■ Councilor Groves -asked how the proposed bill will affect car camping; asked about
the difference between temporary camps and permanent structures; asked if the
clear space beyond the camp includes trash and personal possessions; noted
concerns about the potential for camps to stay on public property for longer periods
of time.
■ Councilor Clark -asked about the criteria to determine whether there is alternative
available shelter; asked what criteria make a shelter unavailable; asked if there is a
law about an individual's responsibility to provide for their own shelter.
■ Councilor Zelenka -asked about the distinction between camping and sleeping;
asked about the criteria to determine whether there is alternative available shelter;
asked if Council will receive specific language to review.
Mayor Vinis adjourned the meeting at 7:01 p.m.
MINUTES -Eugene City Council
Work Session
February 27, 2023 Page 2
Respectfully submitted,
Katie LaSala
City Recorder
(Recorded by Cherish Bradshaw)
We beast of meeting available here.
MINUTES -Eugene City Council
Work Session
February 27, 2023 Page 3