HomeMy WebLinkAbout220228 MTGMINUTES
Eugene City Council
Virtual Meeting
Eugene, Oregon 97401
February 28, 2022
7:30 p.m.
Councilors Present: Claire Syrett, Matt Keating, Randy Groves, Emily Semple, Jennifer
Yeh, Alan Zelenka, Greg Evans, Mike Clark
Mayor Vinis opened the February 28, 2022, meeting of the Eugene City Council in virtual
format.
1. COMMITTEE REPORTS AND ITEMS OF INTEREST
Council Discussion
• Mayor Vinis -read proclamation in recognition of Women in Construction Week ·
(March 6-12, 2022); read proclamation in recognition of American Red Cross Month
(March 2022); expressed concerns over Russian invasion of Ukraine and the
humanitarian crisis it presents; noted history and ongoing conversations about
Eugene's Sister City relationship with Irkutsk, Russia.
■ Councilor Syrett -provided an update as Intergovernmental Relations Committee
Chair on state-level funding in process, including $5 million for homeless response
and $750k for site cleanups, both of which are pending final approval; noted the $1
million funding requested for the Riverfront Festival and the $5million requested
for development of the former EWEB Steam Plant were not included; discussed
additional funding in process for affordable housing and shelter resources; followed
up on motion to schedule a work session on the concept of a public health overlay
zone.
MOTION AND VOTE: Councilor Syrett, seconded by Councilor Groves, moved
to dfrect the City Manager to schedule a work session on the concept of a
public health overlay zone; the work session should provide information on
what the benefits of creating an overlay zone might be, and how the City
would develop criteria for deciding which areas of the City might benefit
from such a zone. PASSED 8:0
• Councilor Groves -expressed strong support for this idea due to a significant
problem in the Bethel area and other threats from the Union Pacific railyard; stated
it is time to put proactive measures in place for certain industries who may pose
health hazards to nearby neighborhoods.
■ Councilor Zelenka -led Council in a moment of silence for the victims of the Russian
invasion of Ukraine.
■ Councilor Semple -spoke about the unnerving nature of the times due to hostilities
abroad; expressed hope that unity with and support for Ukraine continues beyond
the current conflict; expressed concern about the City's relationship with Irkutsk.
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■ Councilor Keating -discussed the City's role as a municipal government and how
the City can send a message of support for those under siege in the Ukraine;
suggested exploration of and a conversation about Eugene's Sister City relationship
with Irkutsk and redirecting some of those program funds to relief efforts in
Ukraine.
MOTION: Councilor Keating, seconded by Councilor Evans, moved to
temporarily pause the City of Eugene's Sister City relationship with the
Russian community of Irkutsk and direct the City Manager to 1) suspend
expending any City funds appropriated in the fiscal year 2022 budget for the
Irkutsk Eugene Sister City Committee, 2) return to Council with a proposal
for how to redirect those fiscal year 2022 funds for humanitarian assistance
in Ukraine, and 3) schedule a work session to discuss future Sister City
possibilities within Ukraine.
■ Councilor Semple -discussed her thoughts on the nature of the relationship of
Sister Cities; stated she does not think the City should abandon Irkutsk.
■ Mayor Vinis -clarified that the City does not send money to Irkutsk and that any
funds are used to support exchange programs.
■ Councilor Groves -noted his perspective on Sister City relationships as being
"people to people" and not "government to government"; stated it is important for
the City to maintain relationships with people; stated his initial reaction was to
agree with the motion but, upon further reflection, he is concerned about
relationships being damaged between those in the Eugene community and those in
Irkutsk.
■ Councilor Syrett -appreciated Councilor Semple's remarks about the war in Ukraine
and Councilor Keating's call to action and responsiveness to constituents but said
she is not willing to support the negative aspects of this motion, only the positive
ones; noted she does not feel there is any responsibility on the part of Irkutsk for
this invasion as they are not their federal government; stated the symbolic act of
rebuking them would not be helpful; stated support for allocating $10,000 in City
funds to provide humanitarian efforts in Ukraine as well as exploring possible Sister
City relationships with Ukraine in the future.
■ Councilor Evans -stated he thinks requesting a work session to discuss the Sister
City is appropriate; stated now is a good time to take a step back and look at the
Sister City program and what is in the best interest of the City, its residents, and its
Sister City partners.
■ Councilor Clark -expressed appreciation for the intent of the motion as a value
statement from the people of Eugene; stated he will not be supporting the motion;
stated he does support reaching out to Irkutsk in a time where the government is
failing them; agreed with Councilor Evans that sister cities should be reevaluated,
but added there are more pressing concerns for the community at this time.
■ Councilor Zelenka -stated the Russian people and the people of Irkutsk are not
Vladimir Putin and his aggressors; stated diplomacy is critically important and
cutting off the City's relationship with Irkutsk confuses the issue; noted very little
funds are allocated to the Sister City program; suggested friendly amendment to
finding $10,000 to send to Ukraine in humanitarian aid.
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Meeting
■ Councilor Keating -discussed push back to motion and clarified intent to
"temporarily pause" the Sister City relationship, not yet suspend; stated he believes
it is a noble effort to send a message that war is unacceptable.
■ Councilor Yeh -discussed the Sister City program in South Korea and highlighted
differences in the level of government involvement and representation.
■ Mayor Vinis -agreed there is a lot to discuss about the sister cities program.
MOTION TO SUBSTITUTE: Councilor Zelenka, seconded by Councilor Syrett,
moved to substitute the motion with one to direct the City Manager to
investigate how the City of Eugene can send $10,000 from the budget, other
than Sister City program, to Ukrainian humanitarian relief and aid.
■ Councilor Syrett -requested the City Manager move with all due haste on this
direction; stated she believes Councilor Keating's passion on this topic is misplaced
to rhetorically smack down a City whose residents have no control over what is
happening right now; stated Putin is not only creating a humanitarian crisis in
Ukraine, but he is also doing so on his own people.
■ Councilor Keating -noted he will be submitting a work session poll to Council about
revaluating the sister cities program and the nature of current relationships.
■ Councilor Semple -stated support for a work session to discuss and reevaluate the
nature of the sister cities program.
VOTE ON MOTION TO SUBSTITUE: PASSED 8:0
VOTE ON MAIN MOTION AS SUBSTITUTED: PASSED 8:0
2. CONSENT CALENDAR 1
A. Approval of City Council Meeting Minutes
■ July 28, 2021, Work Session
■ September 27, 2021, Work Session
■ September 27, 2021, Council Meeting
■ September 29, 2021, Work Session
■ October 18, 2021, Work Session
■ November 22, 2021, Council Meeting
■ December 13, 2021, Council Meeting
■ January 10, 2022, Work Session
■ January 10, 2022, Council Meeting
B. Approval of City Council Tentative Agenda
C. Appointment to the Police Commission
MOTION AND VOTE: Councilor Syrett, seconded by Councilor Keating, moved
to approve the items on Consent Calendar 1. PASSED 8:0
3. PUBLIC FORUM
1. Karyn Kaplan -discussed large events using sustainable waste management.
2. Peter Dragovich -discussed environmental benefits of electric induction cooking.
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Meeting
3. Kaylynn -advocated for passage of proposed renter's protections.
4. Michael Havlik -expressed concerns about proposed renter's protections.
5. Scott Zakarian -expressed concerns about proposed renter's protections.
6. Jacob Trewe -advocated for passage of proposed renter's protections.
7. Lin Woodrich -discussed soil contaminants and rules for chronic toxic polluters.
8. Kevin Cronin -advocated for passage of proposed renter's protections.
9. Todd Boyle -advocated for expanded middle housing code amendments.
10. Joann Shotola -expressed concerns about proposed renter's protections.
11. Kathryn Dunn -expressed concerns about proposed renter's protections.
12. Dave Biagi -urged Council to use ARPA funding for essential worker pay.
13. Chris Wig-advocated for passage of proposed renter's protections.
14. Nicholas Smith -urged Council to use ARPA funding for essential worker pay.
15. Pavel Gubanikhin -advocated for suspending Sister City relationship with Irkutsk.
16. Rob Zako -advocated for approval of LTD MovingAhead plans.
17. Nancy Ahnert -advocated for mandating electrification of new developments.
18. Kathie Robidou -expressed concerns about proposed renter's protections.
19. Arjorie Arberry-Baribeault -discussed impacts of chronic polluters in Bethel area.
20. Jason Evans -expressed concerns about proposed renter's protections.
21. Eva Kronen -advocated for passage of proposed renter's protections.
22. Rick Lekowsky-urged Council to use ARPA funding for essential worker pay.
23. Lisa Arkin -advocated for implementation of public health overlay zone.
24. Keith Eddins -discussed sanctions against Russia and Belarus for war crimes.
25. Isaac Judd -advocated for passage of proposed renter's protections.
26. Anna McCormack-expressed concerns about proposed renter's protections.
27. David Slayton -advocated for passage of proposed renter's protections.
28. Mario Dericco -urged Council to use ARPA funding for essential worker pay.
29. Heidi Schroeder -urged Council to use ARPA funding for essential worker pay.
30. Ted Shriro -urged Council to use ARPA funding for essential worker pay.
31. Brian Stewart -advocated for mandating electrification of new developments.
32. Jamie Cornett -advocated for passage of proposed renter's protections.
33. Louisa de Heer -advocated for work to address climate impacts to community.
34. Jesse Noone -advocated for passage of proposed renter's protections.
35. Zach Mulholland -advocated for passage of proposed renter's protections.
36. Chad McCarty -discussed broadband infrastructure and wireless safety.
37. Sabrina Segal -discussed broadband infrastructure and wireless safety.
38. Ryan Moore -advocated for passage of proposed renter's protections.
Council Discussion
■ Mayor Vinis -thanked speakers for their testimony.
■ Councilor Clark -thanked speakers for their testimony; proposed using the City's
Sister City relationship to appeal to the humanity of Irkutsk and advocate for the
release of those who have been jailed for speaking out in opposition to Russia's
actions.
■ Councilor Semple -stated she enjoyed hearing support for electrification; said it
would be good to show appreciation to the City's essential workers; expressed
interest in protecting renters and keeping them housed; stated she is looking
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forward to working on public health overlay zones; thanked Sustainability
Commissioners for their input and testimony.
■ Councilor Groves -thanked everyone for their testimony; expressed appreciation
and support for those with family in Russia and Ukraine dealing with the impacts of
the invasion; reiterated support for public health overlay zones and forming tools to
manage chronic toxic polluters.
■ Councilor Keating -discussed guardrails for Sister Cities that engage in blatant
humanitarian violations; thanked members of the community for the diverse and
thoughtful testimony; expressed hope to prioritize constituent's public testimony
over those from outside the city in future public forums.
■ Councilor Evans -discussed invasive trees previously planted in subdivisions and
damage to sidewalks and roads it has created; believes a symbolic stance should be
taken on Russian/Belarus athletes for Oregon22 World Championships; expressed
support for public health overlay.
4. CONSENT CALENDAR 2
A Adoption of a Resolution Annexing Land Annexing Land to the City of Eugene
(Assessor's Map 17-03 -08-40, Tax Lot 1101, Located at 110 S. Garden Way) (City
File: A 21-12)
MOTION AND VOTE: Councilor Syrett, seconded by Councilor Keating, moved
to adopt a resolution approving the proposed annexation request consistent
with the applicable approval criteria. PASSED 8:0
The meeting was adjourned at 10:12 p.m.
Respectfully submitted,
Brooke Freed
City Recorder AIC
(Recorded by Jay Ferris)
Webcast of meeting available here .
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