HomeMy WebLinkAbout221019 WSMINUTES
Eugene City Council
Work Session
Eugene, Oregon 97401
October 19, 2022
12:00p.m.
Councilors Present: Emily Semple, Matt Keating, Alan Zelenka, Jennifer Yeh, Mike Clark,
Randy Groves
Councilors Absent: Greg Evans
Mayor Vinis opened the October 19, 2022, work session of the Eugene City Council in a
hybrid format at 101 W 10 th Avenue, Eugene OR 97401.
1. WORK SESSION: Intergovernmental Relations Policy and Priorities
City Manager Sarah Medary introduced Intergovernmental Relations Manager, Ethan
Nelson, who presented an overview of the intergovernmental relations policy and
priorities documents.
Council Discussion:
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Councilor Clark -noted that City Council did not get a full presentation on Climate
Friendly and Equitable Communities until after state rulemaking was finished; asked
why Climate Friendly and Equitable Communities rulemaking was not brought to
Council sooner; asked if there are restrictions on Councilors advocating for policy
positions that are in opposition to the City's position.
Councilor Zelenka -thanked the Intergovernmental Relations Committee for creating a
process that imptoves Council's engagement with state and federal policy; proposed
having a regular agenda item at Council meetings to discuss activity in the legislature;
noted his concern about Council not spending enough time on legislative activities from
higher levels of government.
Councilor Keating -noted support for the documents prepared by the
Intergovernmental Relations Committee; asked about expanding the Imagination
Library program at the state-level as a public safety measure; stated interest in recall
election reform and asked why it is not on the priorities document.
Councilor Clark -requested information from the City Council Operating Agreements,
specifically, section 9.02 on state and federal lobbying, be sent to Councilors; stated his
desire to postpone approval of the policy documents in order to hold another work
session; stated his desire for the Intergovernmental Relations Committee to bring
issues to the legislature instead of reacting to their proposals; asked if clarifying the
funding standards for ballot measure 110 is a priority for the Intergovernmental
Relations Committee; stated his support for having this funding go to improving mental
health care and drug treatment programs.
Councilor Zelenka -stated his support for clarifying funding standards of ballot
measure 110; stated his support for another work session for the Intergovernmental
Relations Committee process; asked if there is an available list of capital projects the •
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Work Session
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City is proposing; stated that the Intergovernmental Relations Committee should make
recommendations about legislative priorities to Council for evaluation; noted concern
with creating policies for reducing carbon emissions.
• Councilor Keating -asked if Eugene parking meters accept cash; asked if the City is
planning to implement cash payment options for all public services.
• Councilor Yeh -stated support for the Intergovernmental Relations Committee
providing recommendations on priority projects to City Council for discussion; stated
support for the priorities in the document presented; noted that another work session
is not necessary unless there is a specific issue that needs to be discussed.
■ Mayor Vinis -asked for clarification on whether critical Intergovernmental Relations
Committee priorities will be presented to Council in December.
■ Councilor Groves -noted his support for bringing some Intergovernmental Relations
Committee priorities to City Council; stated his support for the enforcement of ballot
measure 110 to the Intergovernmental Relations priorities document.
• Councilor Semple -stated her opposition to ballot measure 110; noted her support of
re-evaluating the approval of ballot measure 110 to the Intergovernmental Relations
priorities document.
• Mayor Vinis -asked whether it is possible to approve the policy document and add
details for ballot measure 110 later.
• Councilor Zelenka -stated his support for approving the policy document and adding
details for ballot measure 110 later; clarified that he wants another work session to
discuss the Intergovernmental Relations Committee process to engage with Council;
asked whether City Council will get more information about the priority for state
investment in mental and behavioral health systems; stated that he will put forward a
work session poll to get more education on mental and behavioral health systems.
MOTION AND VOTE: Councilor Keating, seconded by Councilor Groves,
moved to adopt the 2023 Eugene State and Federal Policies Document and
the 2023 Eugene State Priorities Document as approved by the
Intergovernmental Relations Committee. VOTE: PASSED 5:1, opposed by
Councilor Clark
2. WORK SESSION: Parks and Recreation Funding
City Manager Sarah Medary introduced Parks and Open Space Director, Craig Carnagey,
Recreation Director, Craig Smith, and Finance Director, Twylla Miller, who presented
potential funding strategies after the 2018 Parks and Recreation Levy expires in June 2023.
Council Discussion:
• Councilor Groves -asked if staff has looked at funding sources outside of property
taxes; asked if a parks service fee on Eugene Water and Electric Board bills would be
feasible; stated his support for the construction of a community center or a pool in the
southwest quadrant of the city; noted the importance of adding a safety component to
parks funding.
• Councilor Semple -noted the recent Community Survey showed the importance of the
City's parks to residents; stated desire for a community poll about parks and recreation
funding; noted the equity and fairness issues with certain funding types; stated her
support for the enhanced funding option to improve safety in parks.
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Work Session
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■ Councilor Yeh -asked for clarification on compression considerations; stated her
support for polling the community about parks and recreation funding; stated her
appreciation for Councilor Groves recognizing an underserved area; noted that
landlords consider their property taxes to determine rent prices.
• Councilor Keating -requested information on the funding options that were considered
in 2017; asked if the City has been successful in patrolling and cleaning the parks since
the 2018 levy has passed; asked if the City has been successful in maintaining better
and safer parks since the 2018 levy has passed; stated his support for investing in the
Amazon Pool; stated his support for a community poll for parks and recreation funding.
Mayor Vinis adjourned the meeting at 1:34 p.m.
Respectfully submitted,
cUvk
Katie LaSala
City Recorder
(Recorded by Olivia Clark)
Webcast of meeting available here.
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Work Session
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