HomeMy WebLinkAbout220124 MTGMINUTES
Eugene City Council
Virtual Meeting
Eugene, Oregon 97401
January 24, 2022
7:30p.m.
Councilors Present: Claire Syrett, Matt Keating, Emily Semple, Jennifer Yeh, Mike Clark,
Alan Zelenka
Councilors Absent: Randy Groves, Greg Evans
Mayor Vinis opened the January 24, 2022, meeting of the Eugene City Council in virtual
format.
1. COMMITTEE REPORTS AND ITEMS OF INTEREST
• Councilor Syrett -provided updates on members and current work of the
Intergovernmental Relations Committee; thanked the Register-Guard for publishing
her and Councilor Yeh's guest op-ed highlighting the City's approach to the
implementation of House Bill 2001.
• Councilor Keating -reviewed his current committee assignments; noted the Human
Rights Commission met last week and received a report from the Eugene Police
Department on bias and hate crimes; stated he was alarmed to learn approximately
half of these crimes go unreported, but is encouraged by ongoing outreach to
affected communities; asked if Police Chief Chris Skinner could discuss current
approaches to encouraging otherwise hesitant victims to come forward; noted a
recent meeting of the Lane Regional Air Protection Agency (LRAPA) advancing a
parity resolution to participate in the Public Employees Retirement System (PERS);
noted LRAPA received an excellent air quality report for Oakridge; noted the Human
Services Commission (HSC) recently met to discuss American Rescue Plan Act
(ARPA) funding and allocations for youth homeless demonstration grants; noted
the HSC call for increased community and interagency service provider
collaboration in support of critical operations at safe sleep sites.
• Councilor Clark-noted he and Councilor Yeh attended a recent Northeast
Neighbors Association meeting, which included a discussion with the Oregon
Department of Transportation and state senator representatives about the OR 569
Beltline/Delta Interchange Project, its funding, and the ongoing role of Council to
make that intersection safer; added there was also discussion on the upgrade status
of Gilham and Ayres Road, a longstanding interjurisdictional issue between the City
and County, funding for which he is likely to discuss during budget planning; noted
the upcoming meeting of the Cal Young Neighborhood Association.
■ Councilor Zelenka -noted a recent meeting with the South University Neighborhood
Association and their concerns about the impact of House Bill 2001 on residential
neighborhoods; noted he and Councilor Yeh attended the Police Commission
meeting and received information on 911 operator processes and priority levels.
■ Mayor Vinis -mentioned her attendance at a WOW Hall board meeting and was
impressed by their determined resilience; noted the Martin Luther King, Jr. Day
dedication to former Councilwoman Ortiz at the newly created Andrea Ortiz Park;
MINUTES -Eugene City Council January 24, 2022 Page 1
Meeting
noted she and Councilor Syrett recently attended a meeting of the Active Bethel
Citizens Neighborhood Association to discuss community visioning and ways to
address dioxin contaminants in the wake of the JH Baxter site closure; noted she has
agreed to serve on an ad hoc committee for the Lane County Poverty and
Homelessness Board and will help to ensure their strategic plan aligns with the
City's Housing Implementation Pipeline; noted her participation with Mayors and
CEOs for US Housing Investment, and has signed a letter to those involved with the
congressional budget reconciliation process urging them to retain $150B in support
for housing services.
■ Councilor Keating -commended Mayor Vinis for the Andrea Ortiz Park memorial
dedication; noted social media responses blaming the hip hop genre of music for the
WOW hall shooting are unfair and dreadful in the face of such tragedy.
2. CONSENT CALENDAR 1
A Approval of City Council Tentative Agenda
B. Reappointment to the Metropolitan Wastewater Management Commission
C. Resolution Approving a Low-Income Rental Housing Property Tax Exemption for
Property located on Coburg Road in Eugene, Oregon (Assessor's Map 17-03-20-41,
Tax Lot 03300; Assessor's Property Account No. 0176147) (Applicant 1121 Coburg
Road, LLC)
D. Resolution Approving a Low-Income Rental Housing Property Tax Exemption for
Property Located on W. 11th Avenue, Eugene, Oregon (Assessor's Map 17-03-31-13,
Tax Lots 12900, 13000, 13100, 13200, and 13300; Assessor's Property Account Nos.
0262020, 0262012, 0261998, 0262004, and 0262038) (Applicant Lincoln
Affordable Limited Partnership)
MOTION AND VOTE: Councilor Syrett, seconded by Councilor Keating, moved
to approve the items on Consent Calendar 1. PASSED 6:0
3. PUBLIC FORUM
1. Heather Marek -shared concerns on the relocation of 13th and Chambers campers.
2. Scott Zakarian -shared concerns about proposed renter protections.
3. Elliott Farren -expressed support for proposed renter protections.
4. Laura Jacobson -shared concerns about proposed renter protections.
5. Jason Evans -shared concerns about proposed renter protections.
6. Stephanie Turnbull -shared concerns about proposed renter protections.
7. Kathryn Dunn -shared concerns about proposed renter protections.
8. Eric Lundberg -shared concerns about proposed renter protections.
9. Amy Cubbage -expressed support for Oak Leaf Conditional HOME Loan Forgiveness.
10. Joann Shotola -shared concerns about proposed renter protections.
11. Randall Birzer -shared concerns about proposed renter protections.
12. Tara Garkow -expressed support for displacement prevention assistance.
13. Lin Woodrich -discussed the ongoing need for Bethel area planning.
14. Ali Gartlan -shared concerns about proposed renter protections.
15. Debra Gaudette -shared concerns about proposed renter protections.
16. Robin Miller -shared concerns about proposed renter protections.
17. Jennifer Wyncoop -shared concerns about proposed renter protections.
MINUTES -Eugene City Council January 24, 2022 Page 2
Meeting
18. Erin Dey -expressed support for DevNW Polk 2.0 housing project.
19. Chad -discussed wireless safety and non-ionizing radiation exposure concerns.
20. Michael Havlik -shared response and concerns about proposed renter protections.
21. Ryan Moore -provided responses to concerns over proposed renter protections.
22. Zach Mulholland -urged Council support for increased climate funding.
23. Lisa Arkin -expressed concerns over chronic polluters in West Eugene.
24. Mike Grudzien -shared concerns about proposed renter protections.
25. Paul Solomon -expressed support for expanded housing services.
26. Alicia -expressed support for proposed renter protections.
27. Kathryn Rogers -shared concerns about proposed renter protections.
28. Steve Ochs -provided background on the Coleman housing development project.
29. Pamela Kittelson -shared concerns about closing the 13 th and Chambers camp site.
30. Darren Stone -shared concerns about proposed renter protections.
31. Bridgette Butler -requested transparency of City's plans for WA-Jefferson Park.
32. Victoria Whitman -shared concerns about proposed renter protections.
33. William Smith -discussed wireless safety and broadband infrastructure.
34. Aimee Okotie-Oyekan -expressed support for proposed renter protections.
Council Discussion
■ Councilor Clark -thanked everyone for their testimony; acknowledged the
challenges of current issues but said he appreciates the thought-provoking
discussion; concurred with testimony that the City faces a housing supply problem
and agreed some protections would add to the cost of housing; noted recent data
showing rental housing is more expensive per square foot compared to Springfield,
and at a higher rate compared to home purchases; stated he believes this to be in
part due to differences in regulations; requested clear information from the Housing
Policy Board, including metrics by which stated outcomes and goals can be
measured; stated Council needs to take Bethel and JH Baxter situation more
seriously and he is ready to act on this issue.
■ Councilor Syrett -thanked all for their passionate discussion; noted Council has
approved the Housing Implementation Pipeline, which includes a coordinated plan
to increase housing supply; reminded all that the renter protections are not meant
to solve housing supply issues, but intended to mitigate the impacts of a landscape
where renters, particularly of a certain economic class, are disadvantaged when it
comes to affordable and accessible housing; stated it is not Council that has created
a 'renters vs tenants' dynamic; stated there is evidence of major challenges faced by
those forced to seek new housing with little to no support in an extremely
competitive marketplace; noted there are many landlords who offer good housing at
a fair price; reminded all that Councilor Yeh asked residents to provide specific
reasons as to which parts of the proposals are not workable and to articulate the
impacts.
■ Councilor Keating -thanked residents for their testimony; asked to consider
incentives Council could provide to landlords who keep people housed and maintain
fair pricing for years at a time, and said he welcomes discussion on the topic; stated
the need to improve landlord tenant education opportunities; stated he is not
prepared to rely on the state legislature to lead the way on this issue.
MINUTES -Eugene City Council
Meeting
January 24, 2022 Page 3
■ Councilor Syrett -expressed concern about the landlord who acknowledged
favoritism towards renting to those with children over those without; stated
choosing tenants based on their family dynamics is the opposite of seeking equity
and fairness in the community and hopes other landlords will reject such practices;
concurred she is also ready to take stronger actions in support of the Bethel area
and its residents.
4. ACTION: Adoption of A Resolution Approving a Low-Income Rental Housing
Property Tax Exemption for Property Located on Green Lane in Eugene, Oregon
(Assessor's Map 17-04-12-33, Tax Lot 00304; Assessor's Property Account No.
1740339) (Applicant Metropolitan Affordable Housing Corporation dba
Cornerstone Community Housing)
City Council is asked to adopt a resolution for a 20-year Low-Income Rental Housing
Property Tax Exemption (LIRHPTE) renewal for Oak Leaf Village, an existing affordable
housing development located at 205 Green Lane. Metropolitan Affordable Housing
Corporation dba Cornerstone Community Housing (Cornerstone) is the applicant and
the sole member of Oak Leaf Village, LLC, the owner of the property that is the subject
of the application. The development includes 14 low-income rental units.
MOTION: Councilor Syrett, seconded by Councilor Keating, moved adopt a
Resolution Approving a Low-Income Rental Housing Property Tax Exemption for
Property Located on Green Lane in Eugene, Oregon (Assessor's Map 17-04-12-
33, Tax Lot 00304; Assessor's Property Account No. 1740339) (Applicant
Metropolitan Affordable Housing Corporation dba Cornerstone Community
Housing).
Council Discussion
■ Councilor Yeh -acknowledged her partner is serving on the Cornerstone
Community Housing Board, and upon review by the City Attorney, this does not
create a potential or actual conflict of interest.
VOTE: PASSED 6:0
5. ACTION: Conditional HOME Loan Forgiveness for Oak Leaf Village
City Council is asked to consider authorizing the City Manager to execute the necessary
documents to amend the terms of a 2001 HOME Investment Partnership Program
(HOME) loan for Oak Leaf Village so that no further loan payments will be required and
the loan balance will be forgiven at the end of the loan term in 2031 as long as Oak Leaf
Village remains an affordable housing development throughout the term of the loan.
Metropolitan Affordable Housing Corporation dba Cornerstone Community Housing
(Cornerstone) is the sole member of Oak Leaf Village, LLC, the owner of the property.
The development includes 14 low-income rental units. The conditional forgiveness of
the HOME loan would allow Cornerstone to maintain Oak Leaf Village as affordable
housing and allocate resources for resident support services and capital improvements.
MOTION AND VOTE: Councilor Syrett, seconded by Councilor Keating, moved
to authorize the City Manager to execute the necessary documents to convert the
MINUTES -Eugene City Council
Meeting
January 24, 2022 Page 4
payable Oak Leaf Village HOME loan to a zero percent interest, deferred
payment, forgivable loan, on the condition that the development's current
affordability restrictions are maintained through June 1, 2031. PASSED 6:0
6. ACTION: Resources for Housing Affordable to Low-Income Persons
City Council is asked to approve the use of Federal HOME Investment Partnerships
Program (HOME) funds for proposals submitted in response to the Eugene-Springfield
HOME Consortium's 2021 Affordable Housing Request for Proposals (RFP). The two
new construction proposals recommended for funding are: 1) Polk 2.0, by DevNW, for
12 units of permanent supportive housing and rental housing targeted to former foster
youth and other system-engaged youth (age 16-24) experiencing homelessness and at
risk of homelessness; and 2) The Coleman, by Homes for Good Housing Agency (Homes
for Good), for 51 units of permanent supportive housing for persons with histories of
conviction.
MOTION AND VOTE: Councilor Syrett, seconded by Councilor Keating, moved
to recommend full funding of $550,000 for Polk 2.0, utilizing $550,000 in HOME
funds from the City of Eugene's HOME allocation. In addition, move to
recommend full funding of $1,048,766 for The Coleman, utilizing $580,623 in
HOME funds from the City of Eugene's HOME fund allocation and, if Springfield
agrees pursuant to the HOME Consortium's Flexibility Policy, $468,143 in HOME
funds from the City of Springfield's HOME allocation. PASSED 6:0
The meeting adjourned at 9:40 p.m.
y submitted,
Brooke Freed
City Recorder AIC
(Recorded by Jay Ferris)
Webcast of meeting available here.
MINUTES -Eugene City Council
Meeting
January 24, 2022 Page 5