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Eugene City Council
Work Session
Eugene, Oregon 97401
June 12, 2023
5:30p.m.
Councilors Present: Emily Semple, Matt Keating, Alan Zelenka, Jennifer Yeh, Mike Clark,
Lyndsie Leech, and Randy Groves
Councilors Absent: Greg Evans
Council President Randy Groves opened the June 12, 2023, work session of the Eugene City
Council in a hybrid format at 101 W 10th Avenue, Eugene OR 97401.
1. WORK SESSION: An Ordinance Adopting an Amended Urban Renewal Plan for the
Downtown Urban Renewal District.
City Manager Medary introduced Amanda D'Souza, Development Programs Manager who
presented on a proposed amendment to the Urban Renewal Plan for the Downtown Urban
Renewal District.
Councilor Discussion:
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Councilor Zelenka -noted a preference that at least 50 percent of funding be spent on
housing; asked if Council needs to approve project spending; asked if projects listed on
page 10 of the presentation need Council approval; asked how staff will adhere to
budgetary guidelines; noted that some items on the emerging projects list should be
handled through a different funding process due to cost.
Councilor Groves -asked how to accelerate the building process for high-rise
residential structures in the downtown area; asked about creating a streamlined Multi-
Unit Property Tax Exemption (MUPTE) process; noted that a shortened but guaranteed
MUPTE for builders may help drive development; asked about raising or eliminating
height limits in the downtown core.
Councilor Keating -asked if the funds marked for emerging projects can be used to
make improvements at the downtown library; asked about the benefits of creating a
blight report.
Councilor Clark -stated his support for moving forward with a vote; asked when a
streamlined Multi-Unit Property Tax Exemption (MUPTE) process proposal would be
presented to Council; stated his support for prioritizing housing projects; asked if a
new fire station in the riverfront urban renewal district would qualify under the
revised statutes; asked for the annual tax revenue of the riverfront district; believes a
new fire station would help with employee retention.
Councilor Leech -stated her support for moving forward with a vote; asked staff to
explain how the location of an urban renewal district is determined.
Councilor Yeh -stated her support for moving forward with a vote .
MINUTES -Eugene City Council
Work Session
June 12, 2023 Page 1
■ Councilor Zelenka -noted that the City has not historically denied developers Multi-
Unit Property Tax Exemption (MUPTE) applications; stated that Eugene's building
height limit is relatively high compared to other cities; noted his interest in the use of
riverfront urban renewal district funds to build a fire station; asked about the process
to amend the urban renewal district boundary; asked about the timeline for the next
amendment process.
■ Councilor Groves -stated his interest in an expanded riverfront urban renewal district.
• Councilor Zelenka -asked about the purpose of Attachment D; asked about the funding
eligibility of previously proposed public safety projects; asked if urban renewal funds
could be used for the creation of parking facilities.
• Mayor Vinis -noted her interest in solarization and rooftop solar being included in
downtown projects; appreciated the inclusion of information about converting
commercial buildings to housing.
MOTON: Councilor Groves, seconded by Councilor Keating moved to adopt
Attachment A, an Ordinance Adopting an Amended Urban Renewal Plan for
the Downtown Urban Renewal District, with a revision to the Ordinance's
recitals that replaces the final, bracketed sentence of Recital F with the
following sentence: "The Lane County Board of Commissioners reviewed the
proposed Plan amendment on May 2, 2023, and expressed support for the
amendment. None of the other affected taxing districts submitted
comments."
VOTE: 7:0 PASSED
The meeting was adjourned at 6:17 p.m.
Katie LaSala
City Recorder
(Recorded by Cherish Bradshaw)
Link to the web cast of this City Council meeting here.
MINUTES -Eug e ne City Council
Work Session
June 12, 2023 Page 2