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HomeMy WebLinkAbout231108 WSMINUTES Eugene City Council Work Session Eugene, Oregon 97401 November 8, 2023 12:00 p.m. Councilors Present: Emily Semple, Matt Keating, Alan Zelenka, Jennifer Yeh, Mike Clark, Greg Evans, Lyndsie Leech, and Randy Groves MayorVinis opened the November 8, 2023, work session of the Eugene City Council in a virtual format. 1. WORK SESSION: Persistent Violators, Chronic Behavioral Problems City Manager, Sarah Medary, introduced Curbside Administrative Services Director, Jeff Petry, who provided a presentation regarding persistent violators and chronic behavioral problems. Councilor Discussion: • Mayor Vinis -asked staff which of proposed changes to code would have impacted vehicles like the one outlined in the presentation that was contacted 65 times. • Councilor Groves -noted that many vehicle campers are not creating issues and are working within acceptable parameters; asked if staff believes the $2 5 fine is adequate to address the issue; noted the high level of inconvenience these issues create for residents, workers, and employers; would be in favor of increasing the maximum fine; stated that public spaces should be available for all public to use and should not be monopolized by one group of individuals; stated that he has seen improvement, but believes there is still work to do; stated to the importance of providing staff with the tools needed to correct issues. • Councilor Keating -believes that the $25 fine should be increased; is concerned about the one vehicle that received 65 warnings; noted messages from residents about parking issues at the back of Tugman Park; asked the City Attorney if Council can authorize vehicle impoundment for parking in a manner that blocks storm drains, fire hydrants, or driveways; would like to explore impoundment for vehicles blocking bike lanes; asked staff to elaborate on the towing safety issues that have decreased recently. • Councilor Semple -asked staff for information that outlines complaints of camping on private land; asked if citations are making an impact on the issue; requested data on the percent of citations that are paid and the impacts of increasing the fine limit; asked what the maximum fine amount is; asked if there is a budget to refresh yellow painted curbs; asked if a private resident could paint a curb themselves; asked why park rules do not apply on parts of the Amazon Path; asked what rules the City can enforce in that area; asked if all residents near the Amazon Path need to get a letter of trespass; stated that Monroe Park has asked for 2-hour parking limits. MINUTES -Eugene City Council Work Session November 8, 2023 Page 1 • Councilor Zelenka -congratulated Councilor Leech on the recent election; asked for staff to provide data on the percentage of paid fines; believes that the majority of people receiving the citations cannot afford to pay the fine; noted that unpaid fines can create a barrier to stable housing; asked how often impoundment options are being used; asked how many cars are impounded each year; asked what happens to a vehicle whose owner cannot pay the impoundment fees; asked how often owners are unable to pay the fees to retrieve their vehicle; is unsure that fines and impoundments are the right tools to address the issues. • Councilor Groves -believes that Parks and Open Spaces staff have done a good job of trying to address issues in the Amazon Canal; stated that the intermingled private and public land in this area creates challenges; stated that the waste and pollution, from both the private and public lands goes into the waterways; would like to hear ideas on how the waterways can be protected from the negative impact of encampments near the path and waterways. • Councilor Keating -asked staff about vehicle camping report form online, and why the distance from a school, playground or private residence is not consistent with the prohibition of camping within 1,000 feet of these places; asked why street camping is outlined differently than vehicle camping; would like the website information to match the language in the City's code; stated that residents of his ward would also like time-limited parking at parks; asked if it is possible to have a uniform time limit at all city parks. • Councilor Semple -asked if the time limit for parking can be reduced from 72- hours; noted that many areas have a lack of parking and the 72-hour rule compounds this issue; noted that tent camping is still an issue; stated that there are not enough places for people to go with their RV or tent; believes that more staff are needed to enforce the ordinances. • Councilor Zelenka -stated that more spaces for people to stay are needed; asked staff to provide data regarding how often vehicles are impounded, percent of fines paid and any other data about effectiveness; would like public input and suggestions about this issue at the public hearing. • Mayor Vinis -would like to hear from Community Court regarding the issue and the impact on the services they provide. MOTION and VOTE: Councilor Groves, seconded by Councilor Keating, move to direct the City Manager to prepare an ordinance amending EC 5.225 and EC 5.265 as described in this AIS and schedule a public hearing on the ordinance. VOTE: PASSED 8:0 2. WORK SESSION: Open Air Drug-use and Measure 110 City Manager, Sarah Medary, introduced Eugene Police Chief, Chris Skinner, and Municipal Court Judge, Greg Gill, who provided information regarding open-air drug use and Measure 110. MINUTES -Eugene City Council Work Session November 8, 2023 Page 2 Councilor Discussion: • Councilor Clark -believes that the suggested changes to Measure 110 outlined by staff are changes Council should support; believes that the use of Measure 110 funds in the community should be evaluated; asked staff to clarify what kinds of drug treatments are available and considered effective; is concerned about directing funding to treatments that are less effective; asked staff if the recommendations outlined were for legislative, state-level changes; asked if Springfield is also in support of the suggested changes to Measure 110. • Councilor Zelenka -does not believe that Measure 110 is working as intended; believes that available drug treatments are inadequate; believes that the increase in overdose occurrences is caused by the rise in fentanyl abuse, not Measure 110; asked for more information and analysis on the implication and/or impacts of the 11 suggested changes to Measure 110; asked what "support efforts to reform" means specifically; asked staff if this is a broad statement that will have more detail at a later date. • Councilor Groves -supports reform of Measure 110; is not in favor of criminalizing addiction; stated that open-air drug use is an issue in this community that needs to be addressed; supports the court using alternative measures to address those with addiction issues. • Councilor Semple -does not support criminalizing addiction; stated concern regarding the prevalence of open-air drug use in the downtown area; asked if Council will discuss the suggested reform in more detail in another work session; asked how reform will be funded; is concerned about the impacts of fentanyl and other drugs on the community; stated that more places for treatment are needed. • Councilor Clark -asked if Council will vote on supporting Measure 110 reform at this work session. • Councilor Keating -asked to clarify if the proposed motion needs to clearly state that the City of Eugene supports reform, and not repeal, of Measure 110. MOTION and VOTE: Councilor Groves, seconded by Councilor Keating, move to include in the City's 2024 State and Federal Legislative Policy document that "Eugene supports efforts to reform Ballot Measure 110". VOTE: PASSED 8:0 Mayor Vinis adjourned the meeting at 1:33 p.m. (Recorded by Sara McKinney J Link to the webcast of this City Council meeting here . MINUTES -Eugene City Council Work Session November 8, 2023 Page 3