HomeMy WebLinkAbout230710 WSMINUTES
Eugene City Council
Work Session
Eugene, Oregon 97401
July 10, 2023
5:30 p.m.
Councilors Present: Emily Semple, Matt Keating, Alan Zelenka, Jennifer Yeh, Mike Clark, Greg
Evans, Lyndsie Leech, and Randy Groves
Mayor Vinis opened the July 10, 2023, work session of the Eugene City Council in a hybrid
format at 101 W 10th Avenue, Eugene OR 97401.
1. WORK SESSION: Follow-Up to Presentation of Referendum Petition 2023-1 to Council.
City Manager Medary introduced Katie LaSala, City Recorder who presented on Referendum
Petition 2023-1.
Councilor Discussion:
• Councilor Semple -noted that she would be moving to repeal Ordinance No. 20681;
stated that the ordinance has sparked action in other communities; noted that staff can
now work on electrification issues.
MOTION: Councilor Semple, seconded by Councilor Keating moved to repeal
Ordinance No. 20681 entitled An Ordinance Prohibiting Fossil Fuel
Infrastructure In New Low-Rise Residential Buildings; And Adding Sections
6.695 And 6.696 To The Eugene Code, 1971.
Councilor Discussion:
• Councilor Clark -stated his reluctance to remove this item from the ballot due to
strong public interest.
• Councilor Groves -stated his support for the motion; believes that work to address
climate change and protect our environment should be a united effort.
• Councilor Yeh -stated she is in favor of the motion; stated that improving the health
and safety of the community is of utmost importance to her; noted her support for the
appeal to the 9th U.S. Circuit Court decision that struck down the Berkeley natural gas
ban for new buildings; noted that there are other actions Council can take to make
progress.
• Councilor Keating -noted NW Natural made a strong campaign against the ordinance;
believes that Council has a responsibility to protect residents from the climate crisis
and to lead the transition to renewable electricity; noted his support for the motion.
• Councilor Evans -noted that he did not support the original motion; stated an interest
in incentivizing change to a fossil fuel-free environment.
• Councilor Zelenka -stated the four pillars of decarbonization are energy efficiency,
cleaning up the electric grid, electrifying end uses, and developing low carbon fuel for
end uses that cannot be electrified; noted his support for the motion.
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Work Session
July 10, 2023 Page 1
• Councilor Leech -noted her support for strategizing and working closely with the
community to come up with innovative solutions; noted her support for the motion.
VOTE: 8:0 PASSED
Councilor Discussion:
• Mayor Vinis -thanked Council for their unanimous action; noted that repealing the
ordinance is the best way to keep moving forward on fossil fuel reduction.
• Councilor Leech -noted she had a motion designed to achieve affects similar to those
of the repealed ordinance.
MOTION: Councilor Leech, seconded by Councilor Keating, moved to direct the City
Manager to return to Council before July 2024, for a discussion regarding ways in
which the City can reduce the use of fossil fuels in new construction, including the
feasibility of fossil fuel reduction strategies that have been adopted in other
jurisdictions.
Councilor Discussion:
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Councilor Clark-asked if the motion will reintroduce the ban on natural gas in new
residential construction; noted he is in favor of incentives; stated he is not in favor of
reintroducing the ban.
Councilor Groves -noted he shares concerns with Councilor Clark; noted he is in favor
of incentives; stated that if reintroduced, the ban should go to the people for a vote.
Councilor Evans -noted he would like to introduce a friendly amendment to the
motion, requesting that the City Manager bring a package of incentives for
decarbonization.
Councilor Zelenka -noted a natural gas ban for new construction has minimal effect on
reducing greenhouse gas emissions; stated that emission reduction efforts should focus
on existing buildings and transportation.
Councilor Keating -noted he is in favor of incentives; noted his support for future
electrification efforts.
Councilor Yeh -stated her support for the motion; noted the value in a flexible
approach to fossil fuel reduction strategies.
Councilor Clark -stated he would not support the motion; noted that the gas ban was
unpopular within the community.
Councilor Evans -stated he would be supporting Councilor Zelenka's upcoming
motion; noted various incentivization strategies.
VOTE: 7:1 PASSED (opposed by Councilor Clark)
Councilor Discussion:
• Mayor Vinis -noted her appreciation for Councilor Yeh's comments; stated Council
was within their authority to pass the initial ordinance and will be acting within their
authority when they consider how to reduce the use of fossil fuels in future
construction.
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Work Session
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• Councilor Zelenka -stated that Council should align their climate actions with state
and federal programs; believes the focus should be where greenhouse gas emissions
can be reduced the most; noted the need to engage the community; noted that in
addition to decarbonizing buildings, Council should also focus on transportation.
MAIN MOTION: Councilor Zelenka, seconded by Councilor Evans, moved to direct
the City Manager to, as soon as possible after the summer break, to return with a
Work Session to discuss how to proceed on near term climate actions that aligns
with new and existing federal and state programs, funding, and incentives; that
focuses on strategic areas that reduce significant amounts of GHG emissions; and
includes community engagement.
Councilor Discussion:
• Councilor Semple -asked if the work session would be scheduled for fall.
• Councilor Yeh -asked how significant amounts are determined; asked what
community engagement is needed and the potential timeline; noted concerns about the
phrase "significant amounts."
• Councilor Keating -noted concerns about the phrase "significant amounts."
MOTION TO AMEND: Councilor Keating, seconded by Councilor Yeh, moved to
strike the words significant amounts of from the proposed motion. VOTE: 4:5
FAILED (opposed by Councilors Zelenka, Evans, Clark, and Groves with Mayor
Vinis' vote in opposition breaking the tie)
Councilor Discussion:
• Councilor Zelenka -stated that the goal of his motion is to align the City with what is
happening at the state and federal level; noted that the Good Company report
recommended focusing efforts on existing buildings.
• Councilor Groves -noted his appreciation for Councilor Zelenka's motion; stated
support for increasing public engagement and bringing people together as they move
forward.
VOTE ON MAIN MOTION: 8:0 PASSED
2. WORK SESSION: Financial Condition and Revenue Update.
City Manager Medary introduced Twylla Miller, Finance Director and presented the Financial
Condition and Revenue Update.
Councilor Discussion:
• Councilor Evans -asked how the City can increase its industrial manufacturing
capacity to increase its tax base and create jobs.
• Councilor Clark -noted his appreciation for the inclusion of increasing the tax base as a
revenue proposal; noted the City has underutilized assets that might be used to
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Work Session
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address a one-time revenue need like helping the Eugene Emeralds build a new
stadium.
• Councilor Zelenka -noted that increasing efficiencies and increasing the tax base are
an important part of the process; asked about next steps; noted in addition to issues
around housing and homelessness, other issues have emerged including the structural
deficit, the fire station and library, and the stadium.
• Councilor Keating -asked if the known service gaps were listed in a specific order;
asked how service area importance was determined; noted his interest in increasing
revenue through the sale of one-time assets, additional fees, adding a third urban
renewal district, or creating an events center.
• Councilor Semple -noted cutting 10 million dollars in services would be unpopular in
the community; stated work around reducing homelessness was her top priority;
noted an interest in using funds to protect against animal abuse.
• Councilor Groves -noted his appreciation for the inclusion of fire station 17 on the list;
noted the station would require funding for both construction and operations; noted a
lack of ready sites is preventing development in West Eugene; spoke in favor of
encouraging the creation of housing in downtown; spoke in favor of providing one-
time funds for the creation of a multi-use stadium; asked when Council would hear
about funding the stadium.
• Councilor Yeh -stated a preference for guaranteeing funding for the library,
emergency services, and shelters before providing funds for a stadium.
• Councilor Clark -stated the county should be taking the lead on providing homeless
services, not the City.
• Councilor Zelenka -noted his priority is solving the budget deficit and providing
funding for climate action and homelessness; asked about the construction and
operation costs for a new fire station.
• Councilor Keating -stated a preference for the revenue committee to work to fund
both new projects and vital services; noted pet licensing as a potential revenue source;
expressed disappointment the revenue team will not be a public body; stated that the
City has an obligation to support vulnerable community members; stated the revenue
team should take into account inter-governmental agencies that have committed to the
same work.
• Councilor Evans -stated inflation may keep members of the track and field community
from travelling to Eugene; expressed concern that generating new revenue from
tourism may be difficult.
• Councilor Groves -noted the costs for a new fire station depend on the type of station;
stated a multi-company station with an engine ladder truck is appropriate given the
proximity to high-rise buildings; stated he would like to look into providing one-time
funding for the multi-use stadium; noted the stadium may help increase the tax base;
stated a preference to meet about the stadium separately and sooner than the revenue
committee discussion.
• Councilor Semple -asked what assets the City would consider selling to fund the
stadium; noted the various projects without funding total about 20 million dollars;
asked how much revenue the Community Safety Payroll Tax generates.
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Work Session
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• Councilor Clark -noted bicycle theft is a problem in the community and that a bicycle
registry could both reduce theft and provide revenue; noted the value of bare land
zoned for housing.
• Councilor Evans -asked how the current inflationary spiral is impacting the budget
gap; asked if the airport is a potential source of additional revenue.
• Councilor Zelenka -stated he is opposed to selling the Laurel wood Golf Course or any
other parkland; stated he is in favor of finding one-time funds; stated they need to be
selective about which projects they will work to fund; noted many of the listed projects
were part of the Technical Collaborative Assistance (TAC) report.
• Councilor Keating -noted an urgency to the decision about the proposed stadium;
spoke in favor of the revenue committee exploring a ticket surcharge; noted he
occasionally serves as a guest announcer for the Eugene Emeralds.
The meeting was adjourned at 7:05 p.m.
Respectfully submitted, /~Jjj_
Katie LaSala
City Recorder
(Recorded by Cherish Bradshaw)
Link to the webcast of this City Council meeting here.
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Work Session
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