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HomeMy WebLinkAbout220427 WSMINUTES Eugene City Council Work Session Eugene, Oregon 97401 April 27, 2022 12:00 p.m. Councilors Present: Claire Syrett, Matt Keating, Jennifer Yeh, Emily Semple, Alan Zelenka, Randy Groves, Mike Clark Councilors Absent: Greg Evans Mayor Vinis opened the April 27, 2022, work session of the Eugene City Council in hybrid in- person and virtual format. 1. WORK SESSION: Parks and Recreation Bond and Levy Update City Manager Sarah Medary introduced the topic. Parks and Open Space Division Manager Craig Carnagey, Public Works Operations Manager Carolyn Burke, Facility Management Division Manager Jeff Perry, and Recreation Services Director Craig Smith gave a presentation and background on the topic. Council Discussion: ■ ■ ■ ■ Councilor Clark -asked if there is identified funding for the Striker Field phase two; asked about the bond funds that were allocated to Golden Gardens and why the funding was not used for phase two of Striker Field; asked what the estimated cost is for phase two for Striker Field; asked when the pavilion at Creekside Park will be completed; asked if all the parcels have been assembled for the Santa Clara Community Park plan and what the construction status is. Councilor Groves -stated that Eugene parks and recreation system are a crowned jewel of the community; asked how inflation is impacting the overall cost of construction projects; asked for a timeline for the Churchill Community Center; attended the reopening of Berkeley Park and was impressed at the design and amenities; asked if there is a plan for Petanque facilities at Striker Field and advocated for adding this. Councilor Zelenka -stated the $3 million levy shows what adequate funding can do; stated that 75 percent of community members believe parks are an important aspect for quality of life; stated the survey showed an increase in people feeling safer; asked for details about the habitat creek restoration project. Councilor Semple -stated this is a successful initiative and the distribution among the wards is sufficient; asked if there is a warm water pool at Sheldon Community Center; asked if there is a plan to renovate Lincoln School Park; stated a need for more green spaces for people to gather in; requested to add pocket parks in dense neighborhoods.; thanked staff for their attention to Monroe Park. • Councilor Yeh -shared her excitement about the Sheldon area renovation; asked how many other projects are in a similar situation to Striker Field, as construction prices MINUTES -Eugene City Council Work Session April 27, 2022 Page 1 have gone up; stated there is a lot of anticipation in north Eugene as to when the next projects will begin; asked about the status of projects in north Eugene and how to relay timelines to residents; asked about adding land to Golden Gardens; asked if a new name for Striker Field has been selected. ■ Councilor Keating -asked if new recycling receptacles will be added with the 45 new garbage cans; asked how often the 45 new garbage cans will be serviced; commented there is not a dog park in the Churchill neighborhood, and this could be a big boon to that community; asked if the two Eugene Police Officers designated for park patrol is adequate for the vast systems of parks that are in the community; stated there is great appreciation for the year-round Amazon Pool services; asked to look at the importance of supporting recreation services and having systems that are walkable and reduce the carbon footprint left by driving across town to enjoy a park. ■ Councilor Syrett -asked about the percentage of those approving the parks levy; stated she is thrilled to hear the survey results show that park users are recognizing the investments in the parks; commented the smaller pocket parks could help alleviate some issues in the denser neighborhoods; stated the Amazon Creek renovation will improve the water quality and is a great enhancement. 2. WORK SESSION AND POSSIBLE ACTION: Ordinance Amending Section 4.990 of the Eugene Code, 1971, Adding a Penalty for the Willful Violation of Section 4.830 (Portion of Street Reserved for Vehicular Traffic) of that Code. City Manager Sarah Medary introduced the topic. Public Works Director Matt Rodrigues gave a presentation on the topic. Council Discussion: • Councilor Syrett -shared she was hesitant to move this forward to a public hearing after the first work session on this; shared that it is not just unsheltered people who use the right-of-way for unintended purposes; stated she will support the motion on this ordinance. ■ Councilor Groves -stated he will support this motion; shared he has seen dangerous materials, such as steel I-beams stored in the street. • Councilor Semple -shared she has mixed feelings around this motion and is concerned about unhoused people being fined and unable to pay; noted that $500 would be the new maximum fine and restated that community service would be an optional punishment; asked if someone who needed to store a pile of wood or soil in the street for a couple of days could get a permit to do so; said she will support the ordinance with a little hesitation. • Councilor Clark -said he will support the ordinance; stated Council has asked for public safety to step up and successfully deal with some of these issues and he feels compelled to listen to them and give them the tools needed to do the job; stated he was concerned that the Human Rights Commission stated in its letter that it will oppose policy set by Council. ■ Councilor Zelenka -asked how the process for enforcement will work; confirmed the fine is avoidable when there is compliance; indicated his support for the motion. ■ Councilor Keating -read a statement from the Human Rights Commission (HRC); stated that HRC reviews proposed policy; asked if a community service sentence can be added into the code; asked how the dollar amount of a fine translated into community MINUTES -Eugene City Council April 27, 2022 Page 2 Work Session service hours; stated he would be comfortable tabling this to let Judge Gill answer questions. ■ Councilor Clark -asked for clarification around Council's guidelines on how it can advise the municipal judge about the outcomes of his sentences; asked if Council has a role in assessing the judge's discretion; stated he would like to see a judge mandate participation in drug treatment; stated he is comfortable with the array of options the judge has in sentencing and trusts the judgement of the municipal judge. ■ Councilor Zelenka -stated he is a long-time supporter of community service as an alternative punishment; shared he thinks it is uncommon to have community service stated in the ordinance; said Council does not tell the judge how to do his job, but it can express suggestions in comments during the evaluation process; suggested a work session on how community service is used as a sentencing option; asked if community service sentencing is specifically mentioned in the Eugene Code. MOTION: Councilor Syrett, seconded by Councilor Keating, moved to adopt an Ordinance Amending Section 4.990 of the Eugene Code, 1971, Adding a Penalty for the Willful Violation of Section 4.830 of that Code. Council Discussion: ■ Councilor Keating -moved to table the motion to hear from Judge Gill before advancing the proposed ordinance change. The motion was not seconded. VOTE: PASSED 6:1, Councilor Keating opposed. The meeting was adjourned at 1:28 p.m. Respectfully submitted, Brooke Freed Deputy City Recorder (Recorded by Sara McKinney) Web cast of meeting available here. MINUTES -Eugene City Council Work Session April 27, 2022 Page 3