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HomeMy WebLinkAbout220425 MTGMINUTES Eugene City Council Hybrid In-Person/Virtual Meeting Eugene, Oregon 97401 April 25, 2022 7:30p.m. Councilors Present: Emily Semple, Matt Keating, Alan Zelenka, Jennifer Yeh, Mike Clark, Randy Groves, Claire Syrett, Greg Evans Mayor Vinis opened the April 25, 2022, meeting of the Eugene City Council in a hybrid in-person and virtual format. 1. CEREMONIAL MATTERS ■ Mayor Vinis recognized the accreditation of Eugene Police Department and the retirement of Library, Recreation and Cultural Services Executive Director Renee Grube. Council Discussion: ■ Councilor Semple -shared her perception of Renee Grube as a wonderful person who supports the whole community; shared her experience going on a tour with Renee and wished her the best. ■ Councilor Syrett -shared that Renee was her "budget buddy;" stated that Renee's leadership of the Library Recreation and Cultural Services department was phenomenal and said the Eugene Library is one of the best in the State; said that Renee puts community first and is leaving an amazing legacy. ■ Councilor Evans -said Renee cannot be replaced and recalled when she was appointed to this position; shared a memory of the Echo Hollow Pool remodel and the visionary sports park at Golden Gardens; noted that Renee was with the City before the current Library was built and she is largely responsible for making that happen; stated Renee's legacy is expansive and has had a lasting imprint on Eugene that no one may ever surpass; stated her leadership, confidence and sense of calm is a steady force and has gotten things done; shared a memory of installing the statue at Rosa Parks Plaza. ■ Councilor Keating -commented that his colleagues' comments are a testament to Renee's legacy and lasting imprint on this community; shared that it was the anniversary date of the loss of Officer Kilcullen and thanked him and his family for his service; shared that he was deeply embarrassed by the recent incident near the University of Oregon and the hurling of items at law enforcement, noting such actions are grossly unacceptable and he concurred with the Chiefs assessment. ■ Councilor Yeh -shared that Renee was one of the first people she got to know because they were on a board together; stated that Renee deals with a lot of important issues and said she hopes Renee enjoys the next phase of her life and gave gratitude for all that she has done. ■ Councilor Clark -expressed appreciation and thanks for Renee and said he was always impressed by her calm competence and leadership style; said he was impressed with the things that Renee has accomplished and said he can see Renee's fingerprints all around town. ■ Councilor Groves -congratulated Chief Skinner and the entire EPD for achieving accreditation; shared that he was invited to the remembrance ceremony for Officer Kilcullen and it was a sobering event to reflect on Officer Kilcullen's ultimate sacrifice in protecting the community; said that Renee is a friend and he is happy that she can move on to retirement; stated that one of the crowning jewels of Renee's legacy is the Echo Hollow Pool remodel. MINUTES -Eugene City Council April 25, 2022 Page 1 Meeting ■ Councilor Zelenka -shared that Renee and her team have done a fantastic job at creating one of the best Library, Recreation and Cultural Services departments in the country; thanked Renee for all that she has done for the community through hard work and competence; congratulated EPD and Chief Skinner on the accreditation. ■ Mayor Vinis -said she hopes Renee enjoys all the ups and downs of the final week at work and fully enjoys retirement. 2. COMMITTEE REPORTS AND ITEMS OF INTEREST ■ Mayor Vinis -shared about the incredible opportunity to meet President Bi den in Portland, Oregon. 3. CONSENT CALENDAR 1 A. Approval of City Council Minutes ■ December 15, 2022, Work Session ■ February 16, 2022 Work Session ■ February 22, 2022 Work Session ■ February 22, 2022 Public Hearing ■ February 23, 2022 Work Session ■ February 28, 2022 Meeting ■ March 9, 2022 Work Session ■ March 14, 2022 Meeting ■ March 16, 2022 Work Session B. Approval of City Council Tentative Agenda C. Appointment to the Eugene Planning Commission D. Approval of One-Year Plan for Affordable Housing and CDBG Approval Eugene- Springfield 2022 One-Year Action Plan for Affordable Housing and Community Development MOTION AND VOTE: Councilor Syrett, seconded by Councilor Keating, moved to approve items Consent Calendar 1. PASSED 8:0 Council Discussion ■ Councilor Zelenka -commented on the consolidated plan for middle housing and noted that affordable housing units are included in the plan. 4. PUBLIC FORUM 1. Betzi Hitz -thanked those who are keeping the momentum going for building electrification. 2. Nate Stokes -shared that wind and solar farms will not be able to transmit enough energy alone. 3. Lin Woodrich -commented that the City needs a health overlay zone. 4. Douglas Bovee -supported a draft ordinance prohibiting natural gas infrastructure in buildings. 5. Debby McGee -expressed gratitude for environmental activists in the past and present. 6. Anne Pernick -urged Council to have a work session before May 31 on banning natural gas. 7. Art Farley -shared support for moving forward on banning future permitting of gas stations. 8. Harvey Gail -opposed a gas ban that would require buildings to be electric. 9. Pam Wooddell -shared a letter asking for a second public hearing on House Bill 2001. 10. William Smith -said radiation poisoning is real and growing threat to the population. 11. Mica McOmber -said mandating a ban on natural gas negatively impacts construction. 12. Charles Areford -shared methane is a powerful greenhouse gas and leakage is harmful. 13. Peter O'Ray -asked Council not to take the diversified energy grid for granted. 14. Zach Mulholland -shared he was on a committee for the design of the Golden Gardens Park 15. Dharmika Henshel -shared that Zippo Laminator facility still emits noise pollution. 16. Allen Hancock -supported an increase in the waste hauling fee to help fund repairs. MINUTES -Eugene City Council Meeting April 25, 2022 Page 2 17. Aya Cockram -asked Council to act with more urgency toward building electrification. Council Discussion • Councilor Syrett -commented on the Zippo Laminator noise issue and said she will make a motion to cover chronic noise polluters in the noise ordinance; asked the City Manager to follow up on the commitments made by Zippo Laminator to move the planer inside. ■ Councilor Keating -supported a work session on chronic polluters; stated he supports a second public hearing on middle housing code; said he would like to explore the impact of garbage trucks and delivery drivers on city streets and discuss implementing a fee. The meeting was adjourned at 8:50 p.m . Respectfully submitted, Brooke Freed Deputy City Recorder {Recorded by Niyah Ross) Link to the webcast of this City Council meeting here . MINUTES -Eugene City Council Meeting April 25, 2022 Page 3