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Home My WebLink About220509 MTGMINUTES Eugene City Council Hybrid Virtual/In-Person Meeting Eugene, Oregon 97401 May 9, 2022 7:30p.m. Councilors Present: Emily Semple, Matt Keating, Alan Zelenka, Jennifer Yeh, Mike Clark, Randy Groves, Claire Syrett, and Greg Evans. Mayor Vinis opened the May 9, 2022, meeting of the Eugene City Council in a hybrid in- person and virtual format. 1. CEREMONIAL MATTERS ■ Mayor Vinis recognized the following ceremonial matters: ■ Top Ten Award for Outstanding Performance in the Field of Public Works from the American Public Works Association Award Presentation to City Engineer Jenifer Willer. ■ Public Works Week Proclamation ■ Emergency Medical Services Week Proclamation 2. COMMITTEE REPORTS AND ITEMS OF INTEREST ■ Councilor Semple -commented regarding the Public Forum sign-up deadline; shared that she was receiving text messages from constituents who were unable to join the meeting although they signed-up for the public forum. ■ Councilor Syrett -shared that it was also Nurses Week to honor nurses across the country; shared she has been working with the City Manager on a motion around the Mims House, also known as the NAACP headquarters; asked the City Manager to speak to the technical details before putting forth a motion for a zone change for the Mims House. MOTION AND VOTE: Councilor Syrett, seconded by Councilor Keating, moved to use up to $7,500 of Council contingency funds to pay the City application fees for the establishment of a special area zone, historic zone for the Mims property at High Street and Third Alley. PASSED 8:0 ■ Councilor Keating -disclosed that he is a donor to the local Chapter of the NAACP. ■ Councilor Yeh -commented about the recent news about abortion rights; commented the current level of abortion access is already not acceptable and the thought that the country is going backwards is incomprehensible; said abortion is nothing to be ashamed about and is a common medical procedure. ■ Councilor Groves -acknowledged the contributions of nurses, firefighters, paramedics, and the City Engineer; stated the country is facing emotional and divisive issues; commented that although the issues are occurring on a national MINUTES -Eugene City Council Meeting May 9, 2022 Page 1 level, they are felt at home and there is a need to be mindful and sensitive to people's feelings of fear. ■ Councilor Semple -shared that there are no longer library fines for late fees; commented that research has shown more people check books out and return them when there are no fines. ■ Councilor Syrett -commented on the recent leaking of a draft Supreme Court decision on abortion and that the nation is now confronted with the reality of the reversal of Roe versus Wade and the denial of a constitutional right; shared more facts about women's health and reproductive choices; said she is proud Council adopted a resolution affirming the City's commitment to making sure access to abortion is protected and available as a routine part of healthcare services; shared the motion was passed in October 2019 when the City Manager was directed to have the City of Eugene participate in legal challenges of Roe versus Wade and that the City would be a place where people could access the support and health care procedure without stigma; supported the Northwest Abortion Access Fund that provides direct financial support to people seeking abortion; asked for an update on any actions that may have been taken after the passage of that resolution. ■ Mayor Vinis -shared her lived experience during a time when abortion was illegal in Ohio and only legal in New York and California; shared it was devastating and traumatizing and recalled the struggles of some classmates trying to find access; commented that the idea the next generation could have similar horrible experiences is an outrage; urged people to support women's reproductive rights. ■ Councilor Zelenka -shared he was appalled by the Supreme Court's preliminary decision; shared a quote from one of the judge's opinions about abortion not being a constitutional right and noted that since women were not considered in the constitution there may be other rights in jeopardy if that thought process is followed on other issues; stated the Supreme Court has made reversals but only to expand rights for American citizens, not to takeaway rights; expressed hope that this reversal will not stand. 3. CONSENT CALENDAR 1 A. Approval of City Council Minutes ■ March 14, 2022, Work Session ■ April 11, 2021, Work Session ■ April 11, 2022, Council Meeting ■ April 18, 2022, Work Session B. Approval of City Council Tentative Agenda C. FY23 Metropolitan Wastewater Management Commission Budget Ratification Council Discussion ■ Councilor Groves -asked for the April 13, 2022, minutes to be removed from the Consent Calendar because the wording was switched around and he would like it to be corrected to accurately reflect what was said. MINUTES -Eugene City Council Meeting May 9, 2022 Page 2 4. PUBLIC FORUM 1. Jenny Jonak-said that Thomas Hiura would be a good person on the Human Rights Commission. 2. Patty Hine-said the timeline before a climate crash is short; move quickly on electrification. 3. Mark Hurwit -spoke on SG and read some quotes from a study on cancer caused by SG. 4. Jeremy Aasum -stated west Eugene and Bethel need more support for clean air, water, and soil. 5. William Smith -said that wireless safety, broadband infrastructure exposure needs to be limited. 6. Michelle Corlett -said she is opposed to the HB 2001 amendments. 7. Amanda McClelland -said it is essential to act quickly to reduce gas emissions. 8. Gerry Meenaghan -opposed the City staff proposal for HB 2001; adopt the minimum. 9. Lin Woodrich -shared she is collecting surveys and volunteers for a Bethel area plan. 10. Suzanne O'Shea -said that Highway 99 is rundown; asked for Bethel to be next for an area plan. 11. Harry Sanger -said he is sick of politics and partisanship; encouraged listening to constituents. Council Discussion ■ ■ ■ ■ ■ Councilor Evans -asked for Bethel to move up in priority for an area plan; said he is putting in a work session request on this issue and is looking for support from fellow Councilors, noting 40 years is far too long; stated Bethel is an area in the city that is neglected and has lack of proper residential development and commercial development such as retail, restaurants and other amenities; asked for more effort from City staff on moving in this direction. Councilor Semple -stated she expected would have more people to sign up to speak; stated the technology issue that prevented people from speaking needs to be fixed. Councilor Syrett -shared her frustration that people who signed up to testify were not able to speak; apologized to people who were not able to join the meeting and said she looks forward to moving to in-person and virtual meetings; shared her experience with having protestors on her property and does not support protests at the homes of public officials; shared the pleas for help from residents at the Ya-Po-Ah Terrace and requested that the Chief respond and connect with the manager there. Councilor Groves -commented on his frustration with the technology glitches not allowing people to access the meeting and is hopeful this will be figured out; shared that he supported Councilor Evans' comments on the need for a Bethel Area Plan and would like to join in that effort; stated that not all the public testimony has been opposed to HB 2001 and that there are comments from both sides. Councilor Keating -commented that Highway 99 is a gateway to the community and he has been advocating for an expansion of the Urban Renewal Zone in that area and would like to partner with colleagues to see that come to fruition sooner rather than later; stated it is unacceptable to ignore and be silent on the erosion of fundamental rights and equitable access to reproductive health care; stated he stands with Council's resolution and stated abortion is healthcare. MINUTES -Eugene City Council Meeting May 9, 2022 Page 3 5. CONSENT CALENDAR 2 A. Approval of Resolution Annexing Land to the City of Eugene (Assessor's Map 18- 03-03-20, Tax Lot 1308 Located on East 25th Avenue, West of Henderson Avenue) (City File: Jasper Mountain; A21-16) B. Approval of Resolution Annexing Land to the City of Eugene (Assessor's Map 17- 04-23-11, Tax Lot 00103 Located at 1304 Andersen Lane) (City File A22-1) C. Approval of Resolution Annexing Land to the City of Eugene (Assessor's Map 17- 04-08-00, Tax Lot 01000, Located South of Airport Road and West of Highway 99 North) (City File: A22 -3) Council Discussion ■ Councilor Keating -stated he was going over notes of what was said and wanted to make it clear on attachment D, page three that San Diego City has not banned natural gas on all new buildings; it was the City of Encinitas in San Diego County; shared he wanted to appropriately recognize the communities that have banned natural gas in new construction. MOTION AND VOTE: Councilor Syrett, seconded by Councilor Keating, moved to approve the items on Consent Calendar 1. PASSED 8:0 MOTION AND VOTE: Councilor Syrett, seconded by Councilor Keating, moved to approve the items on Consent Calendar 2. PASSED 8:0 The meeting was adjourned at 9:00 p.m. Respectfully submitted, ~L-- Brooke Freed Deputy City Recorder (Recorded by Niyah Ross) Link to the webcast of this City Council meeting here . 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