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Home My WebLink About220110 MTGMINUTES Eugene City Council Virtual Meeting Eugene, Oregon 97401 January 10, 2022 7:30p.m. Councilors Present: Claire Syrett, Matt Keating, Randy Groves, Emily Semple, Jennifer Yeh, Alan Zelenka, Mike Clark Councilors Absent: Greg Evans Mayor Vinis opened the January 10, 2022, meeting of the Eugene City Council in virtual format. 1. ELECTION OF CITY COUNCIL OFFICERS FOR 2022 MOTION AND VOTE: Councilor Yeh, seconded by Councilor Keating, moved to elect Claire Syrett as President of the City Council for 2022. PASSED 7:0 MOTION AND VOTE: Councilor Yeh, seconded by Councilor Syrett, moved to elect Matt Keating as Vice President of the City Council for 2022. PASSED 7:0 2. COMMITTEE REPORTS AND ITEMS OF INTEREST • Councilor Semple -shared that campers currently at 13th and Chambers will be moving to a new tent site adjacent to Hwy 99, provided by St. Vincent De Paul; expressed hope that the 10th and Garfield site will open soon. • Councilor Keating -thanked colleagues for their support; noted the anniversary of being sworn in and reflected on his first year, thanking staff and colleagues for their collaboration. ■ Councilor Yeh -reminded all that January is human trafficking awareness month and the Junior League of Eugene provides an annual training offering good resources and further information. • Mayor Vinis -noted next Monday is Martin Luther King Jr. Day, on which there will be a tree planting in memory of Andrea Ortiz. ■ Councilor Syrett -noted the tree planting will take place at the future site of Andrea Ortiz Park 2. CONSENT CALENDAR 1 A. Approval of City Council Tentative Agenda B. A Resolution Approving a Low-Income Rental Housing Property Tax Exemption for Property Located on 1513/1523, 1533/1543, and 1553/1563 Arthur Street, Eugene, Oregon (Assessor's Map 17-04-36-33, Tax Lots 01600, 01700, and 01800, Assessor's Property Account Nos. 1840584, 1840592, and 1840600) (Applicant The Shangri-La Corporation). C. A Resolution Approving a Low-Income Rental Housing Property Tax Exemption for Property Located on E Lone Oak Loop, Eugene, Oregon (Assessor's Map 17-04-12- MINUTES -Eugene City Council Meeting January 10, 2022 Page 1 33, Tax Lot 503; Assessor's Property Account No. 1473238) (Metropolitan Affordable Housing Corporation dba Cornerstone Community Housing Applicant). MOTION AND VOTE: Councilor Syrett, seconded by Councilor Keating, moved to approve the items on Consent Calendar 1. PASSED 7:0 Council Discussion • Councilor Zelenka -noted this motion is to approve two housing projects' participation in the City's Low-income Rental Housing Property Tax Exemption (LIRHPTE) program, reducing rent for these units by approximately 10-14 percent. 3. PUBLIC FORUM 1. Tim Morris -advocated for passage of proposed renter's protections. 2. Jeffrey Albanese -advocated for passage of proposed renter's protections. 3. Michael Havlik -urged council to gather further data on small rental property owners. 4. Jacob Trew-advocated for passage of proposed renter's protections. 5. Ryan Moore -advocated for passage of proposed renter's protections. 6. Lin Woodrich -expressed concerns about proposed land use rezoning in Bethel. 7. Ali Gartlan -expressed concerns about proposed renter's protections. 8. George Rogers -spoke against the passage of proposed renter's protections. 9. Joann Shotola -expressed concerns about proposed renter's protections. 10. Alicia W. -expressed concerns about proposed renter's protections. 11. Kathryn Dunn -expressed concerns about proposed renter's protections. 12. William Smith -discussed broadband infrastructure and wireless safety. 13. Monique Sonnefeld -expressed concerns about proposed renter's protections. 14. Scott Smith -spoke against the passage of proposed renter's protections. Council Discussion • Mayor Vinis -thanked speakers for their thoughtful testimony. • Councilor Syrett -appreciated the comments and perspectives provided; clarified the assertion that protections are meant to fix affordable housing problems is incorrect; stated protections are meant to provide greater access to housing and keep people housed; noted Council continues to be mindful of unintended consequences. • Councilor Yeh -thanked the public for emails on renter protections and encouraged others considering doing so to provide specific detail in their emails; stated these protections are targeting the prevention of tenant discrimination and to ensure people have safe and clean places to live. ■ Councilor Keating -thanked those who provided testimony; voiced concern about landlords calling themselves 'housing providers,' noting the relationship between renters and landlords is primarily business in nature; stated provisions are intended to protect tenants fundamentally and sees this is an opportunity for fairness. ■ Councilor Zelenka -concurred that renter protections are not intended to solve or ease the affordable housing crisis, and they are more about consumer protection and equity; stated they are also not intended to harm small landlords and said he will consider ways to adjust proposals to prevent unintended consequences. MINUTES -Eugene City Council Meeting January 10, 2022 Page 2 ■ Councilor Clark -stated he also wants to do more to protect renters; identified some challenges with the ordinance changes that could make things harder and more expensive for tenants; noted there will be an increased cost to landlords which always equates to increased costs for tenants; suggested the need for more balanced information, unbiased data and input from economists; encouraged further research into all areas of this topic before making any decisions. ■ Councilor Groves -stated he wants to provide protections for renters but is also supportive of doing the same for landlords; expressed concerns about unintended consequences; stated that before making a decision, they must be reviewed closely for any cause-and-effect relationships. ■ Mayor Vin is -stated the City is seeking an appropriate balance in policy wherein those in need of protections receive it; stated the decisions being made are not based on anecdotal evidence and incorporate ongoing data, such as that provided monthly by the Springfield Eugene Tenant Association. ■ Councilor Clark -agreed nobody wants to create more problems by advancing arbitrary rules, but there are equity issues which make things difficult for others that must be addressed; cited problems which arose from Portland enacting similar policies; discussed concerns with creating burdensome regulations which cause rental owners to sell their properties. ■ Councilor Syrett -stated she does not understand the threat of single-family rental housing being sold to homeowners; stated the policies under consideration are not arbitrary rules but are in fact deliberate in their intent to help people access and retain housing in a fair and equitable manner. ■ Councilor Zelenka -noted there are many factors in someone deciding to keep or sell their rental property; requested this topic be scheduled for a full 90-minute session when brought back to Council. ■ Councilor Semple -stated she wants to hear other's comments on this issue, however, outside of a work session is not the place to argue or analyze. 4. CONSENT CALENDAR 2 A. Adoption of a Resolution Annexing Land to the City of Eugene (Assessor's Map 17-04-23-11, Tax Lot 3600 Located at 825 and 825 ½ Horn Lane) (City Fil e: A 21-13) B. Adoption of a Resolution Annexing Land to the City of Eugene (Assessor's Map 17-04-14-14, Tax Lot 1700, Located at 135 Kourt Drive) (City File: A 21-15) MOTION AND VOTE: Councilor Syrett, seconded by Councilor Keating, moved to approve the items on Consent Calendar 2. PASSED 7:0 The meeting adjourned at 8:45 p.m. Respectfully submitted, ~ Brooke Freed City Recorder (AIC) (Recorded by Jay Ferris) Webcast of meeting available h ere. MINUTES -Eugene City Coun cil Meeting January 10, 2022 Page 3