HomeMy WebLinkAbout220621 PHMINUTES
Eugene City Council
Hybrid Public Hearing
Eugene, Oregon 97401
June 21, 2022
5:30 p.m.
Councilors Present: Emily Semple, Matt Keating, Alan Zelenka, Mike Clark, Greg Evans, Claire
Syrett, Randy Groves
Councilors Absent: Jennifer Yeh
Mayor Vinis opened the June 21, 2022, Public Hearing of the Eugene City Council in hybrid
format at 101 W. 10th Avenue, Suite 114, Eugene, OR 97401.
1. PUBLIC HEARING -An Ordinance Concerning Public Contracts and Amending
Sections 2.1400, 2.1405, 2.1415, 2.1420, 2.1425, 2.1430, and 2.1451 of the Eugene
Code, 1971.
City Manager Sarah Medary provided background information and introduced the topic.
Mayor Vinis opened the Public Hearing.
There were no speakers for the Public Hearing.
Mayor Vinis closed the Public Hearing.
Council Discussion
■ Councilor Evans -asked for data to determine the number of contracts that go to
women, minority-owned emerging businesses, and disadvantaged businesses; asked
how these proposed changes would impact contracting with such businesses.
2. PUBLIC HEARING-An Ordinance Concerning Rental Housing and Amending
Sections 8.405, 8.415, 8.425, 8.430, and 8.440 of the Eugene Code, 1971.
City Manager Sarah Medary provided background information and introduced the topic.
Mayor Vinis opened the Public Hearing.
1. Hazel Stirgwolt -shared concern over the cost of applying for rental housing.
2. Sylvan Scholl -spoke in favor of the ordinance.
3. Kevin C. Cronin -spoke in favor of the ordinance.
4. Carrie Goodwin -spoke in favor of the ordinance.
5. Ellen McKean -spoke in favor of the ordinance.
6. Candice King -spoke in favor of the ordinance.
MINUTES -Eugene City Council
Public Hearing
June 21, 2022 Page 1
7. John Prince -spoke in favor of the ordinance.
8. Celine Swenson Harris -spoke in favor of the ordinance.
9. Mysti Frost -spoke in favor of the ordinance.
10. Ethan Klein -spoke in favor of the ordinance.
11. Jeffrey Albanese -spoke in favor of the ordinance.
12. Sondra Melinder -spoke in favor of the ordinance.
13. Sandra -shared concerns about young adults accessing rental housing.
14. Tim Morris -spoke in favor of the ordinance.
15. Darren Stone -spoke in opposition to the ordinance.
16. Samantha Roberts -discussed unintended consequences of the ordinance.
17. Kathryn Dunn -spoke in opposition to the ordinance.
18. Lisa Bollinger -spoke in opposition to the ordinance.
19. John VanLandingham -noted concerns about the ordinance.
20. Joann Shotola -spoke in opposition to the ordinance.
21. Marcia Edwards -spoke in opposition to the ordinance.
22. Joshua Cara co -spoke in favor of the ordinance.
23. Cynthia Butler -spoke in favor of the ordinance.
24. Mike Gamble -spoke in opposition to the ordinance.
25. Jacob Trewe -spoke in favor of the ordinance.
Mayor Vinis closed the Public Hearing.
Council Discussion
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Councilor Groves -noted that this is a complex issue and the main problem is a lack
of rental inventory in the community; expressed concern about losing rental
inventory; noted that he is looking forward to the discussion on this topic.
Councilor Zelenka -acknowledged the lack of housing and housing crisis in Eugene;
noted that this ordinance is not intended to increase or decrease the number of
rental units, but to improve fairness in the process through enforcement; asked staff
for a detailed explanation of the code enforcement process for the next work session
on this topic; expressed a desire to explore alternative enforcement options.
Councilor Syrett -asked staff to determine if any parts of the ordinance duplicate
existing laws; stated that this ordinance was modeled after a similar ordinance in
Portland, but with modifications developed with input from the local rental
protection committee; stated that these proposals are intended to increase equity
and opportunity to access housing, while considering input from rental housing
providers.
Councilor Keating -noted that this proposal is not intended to increase the number
of rental units, but to prevent homelessness and housing stress; asked staff to clarify
the language for capping the screening and application fees; stated his support for
one flat cap for screening and application fees at the state level.
Councilor Clark -noted that how the cap is enforced is important and deserves
further discussion; expressed concerns about Eugene experiencing negative
consequences similar to those experienced in Portland; noted that the proposal is
meant to increase opportunity to access housing but stated his concern is that it will
cause landlords to disinvest in Eugene properties; stated he believes this ordinance
will have negative unintended consequences.
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Public Hearing
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■ Mayor Vinis -emphasized that this proposal is a response to the vulnerability of
renters; encouraged landlords to suggest alternative measures to provide protection
to renters.
■ Councilor Clark -stated he would like to see increased landlord participation in
discussions regarding alternative measures to improve access to rental housing.
Mayor Vinis adjourned the meeting at 7:02 p.m.
Respectfully submitted,
Katie LaSala
City Recorder
(Recorded by Olivia Clark)
Link to the web cast of this City Council meeting here.
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Public Hearing
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