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HomeMy WebLinkAbout210111 MTGMINUTES – Eugene City Council Meeting January 11, 2021 Page 1 M I N U T E S Eugene City Council Virtual Meeting Eugene, Oregon 97401 January 11, 2021 7:30 p.m. Councilors Present: Emily Semple, Matt Keating, Alan Zelenka, Jennifer Yeh, Mike Clark, Greg Evans, Claire Syrett, Randy Groves Mayor Vinis opened the January 11, 2021, meeting of the Eugene City Council in a virtual format. 1. ELECTION OF 2021 CITY COUNCIL OFFICERS MOTION AND VOTE: Councilor Semple, seconded by Councilor Yeh, moved to elect Jennifer Yeh as President of the City Council for 2021. PASSED 8:0 MOTION AND VOTE: Councilor Yeh, seconded by Councilor Syrett, moved to elect Claire Syrett as Vice President of the City Council for 2021. PASSED 8:0 2. CEREMONIAL MATTER Acting Public Works Director Matt Rodrigues and American Public Works Association Region 9 Director Dan Hartman presented information on the City’s recent re-accreditation by the APWA. 3. COMMITTEE REPORTS AND ITEMS OF INTEREST Council Discussion  Councilor Syrett – read a statement condemning the January 6 insurrection at the Capitol Building in Washington, DC.  Councilor Semple – thanked Councilor Syrett for her statement; said she was proud of Public Works staff and all that they do for the community; appreciated being provided with more details about the proposed updates to the solid waste administrative order.  Councilor Yeh – thanked Councilor Syrett for her statement; reported that the Metropolitan Wastewater Management Commission was given a seat on the National Association of Clean Water Agencies legislative affairs committee; announced a training offered by the Junior League on abolishing human trafficking.  Councilor Zelenka – thanked Councilor Syrett for her statement, noting the incitement to violence was predicated on lies; said that democracy had survived this challenge but people must be vigilant and guard against future threats; encouraged the council to begin thinking about what it will do with the Ad Hoc Committee on Police Policy’s recommendations.  Councilor Clark – said a full range of perspectives are needed to address the Ad Hoc committee’s recommendations; expressed appreciation for the manner with council conducts its business despite disagreements on issues.  Councilor Keating - thanked Councilor Syrett for her statement and the Mayor’s statement condemning hate and white supremacy; noted Mayor Vinis had signed on to the statement issued by the Western State Coalition to Defend Democracy and encouraged his colleagues to do the same; said he was dedicated to a safe community in Eugene; invited interested parties to MINUTES – Eugene City Council Meeting January 11, 2021 Page 2 apply for one of two vacancies on the Mental Health Advisory Local Alcohol and Drug Planning Committee.  Councilor Syrett – spoke about the City’s Vision Zero efforts in light of the recent pedestrian fatality; thanked staff for their work to put on the State of the City event, noting specifically the community award recipients and how important these partnerships with the City are. 4. CONSENT CALENDAR 1 A. Approval of City Council Minutes - October 19, 2020, Work Session - November 9, 2020, Work Session - November 23, 2020, Work Session B. Approval of City Council Tentative Agenda C. Approval of Resources for Housing Affordable to Low-Income Persons D. Adoption of a Resolution Approving A Low-Income Rental Housing Property Tax Exemption for Property Located on Hope Loop, Eugene, Oregon (Assessor’s Map 17-04- 27-24, Tax Lots 02201, 02211, 02214, 02215, and 02218; Assessor’s Property Account Nos. 1511623, 1511599, 1511631, 1511458, and 1511482) E. Adoption of a Resolution Approving a Low-Income Rental Housing Property Tax Exemption for Property Located on W. 2nd Avenue, Eugene, Oregon (Assessor’s Map 17- 03-30-34; Tax Lots 400 and 401, Assessor’s Property Account Nos. 1304375 and 0255198) (Applicant St. Vincent De Paul Society of Lane County, Inc.) Councilor Zelenka pulled items 3C, 3D, and 3E for discussion. MOTION AND VOTE: Councilor Yeh, seconded by Councilor Syrett, moved to approve Item A and B on the Consent Calendar 1. PASSED 8:0. Planning and Development Analyst Ellen Meyi-Galloway provided information about the three agenda items related to affordable housing. Council Discussion  Councilor Zelenka – noted that the number of units provided does not equal the number of people who will be housed and asked for clarification of how many are expected to be housed in the new developments; expressed appreciation for the impressive work of the project developers; supported the three proposed actions.  Councilor Clark – echoed Councilor Zelenka’s comments; supported celebrating housing wins but encouraged all to keep long-term goals for increasing housing production in focus. MOTION AND VOTE: Councilor Yeh, seconded by Councilor Syrett, moved to approve Items C, D, and E on the Consent Calendar 1. PASSED 8:0. 5. PUBLIC FORUM 1. Laura Allen – encouraged council to take bold action and reduce the use of natural gas. 2. Tai Pruce-Zimmerman – said 2021 is a year of action on climate, homelessness and police reform. 3. Joan Kleban – supported break from business-as-usual related to climate goals and natural gas. 4. Rachel Dedes – supported ordinances to mandate a move away from natural gas. 5. Kathryn Dunn – voiced concern about new registration requirements for short-term rentals. 6. Kory – supported requirement that NW Natural move to renewable energy as part of new agreement. 7. Xitali Torres – supported reduction of ghg emissions and banning natural gas at Riverfront. 8. Haley Case-Scott – supported greater action on climate goals and ordinance to ban natural gas. 9. Tim Kovash – voiced concern about new registration requirements for short-term rentals. 10. Jenna Witzleben – spoke about Cascadia Subduction Zone and the threat to energy infrastructure. MINUTES – Eugene City Council Meeting January 11, 2021 Page 3 11.Aaron Donnelly – supported the proposed changes to the solid waste administrative order.12.Sahara Valentine – spoke about the climate crisis and need to meet Climate Recovery ordinance goals.13.Sam Stout – opposed to the use and expansion of natural gas; supported ordinances banning gas.14.Isabelle Wilde - opposed the use and expansion of natural gas; supported ordinances banning gas.15.Hollis Mann - opposed the use and expansion of natural gas; supported ordinances banning gas.16.Sophia Trotter - opposed the use and expansion of natural gas; supported ordinances banning gas.17.Mattie Karduna - opposed the use and expansion of natural gas; supported ordinances banning gas.18.Cynthia Black – supported creating more infrastructure for bike use.19.Michael Carrigan - opposed the use and expansion of natural gas; supported ordinances banning gas.20. Jesse - opposed the use and expansion of natural gas; supported ordinances banning gas.21.Selena Blick - opposed the use and expansion of natural gas; supported ordinances banning gas.22.Doyle Canning - opposed the use and expansion of natural gas; supported ordinances banning gas.23.Ylan Guinsbourg - opposed the use and expansion of natural gas; supported ordinances banning gas.24.John Linkhart – spoke about the local housing shortage and the impacts of fracking on communities.25.Dylan Plummer - opposed the use and expansion of natural gas, noting the impacts of fossil fuels.26.Layna Beale – opposed the use and expansion of natural gas, noting the impacts of fossil fuels.27.Heather Quass-Annsa - denounced Proud Boys and hate groups; asked for public safety assurances.28.Nicholas Tippins – spoke about climate impacts of fossil fuel infrastructure.29.Lin Woodrich – shared Bethel re-development activities; supported creation of comprehensive plan.30.Steve Kiernan – said action is needed on improving police response.31.Betzi Hitz – supported phasing out natural gas and committing to effective policies.32.Debbie Williamson-Smith – spoke about the importance of guarding against white nationalism.33.Alma Hesus – asked how the City will make good in its promise to protect against white nationalism.34.William Smith – spoke about the safety concerns related to 5G wireless technology.35.Avery Temple – noted the nexus between climate and racial justice efforts; decried police actions.36.Dennis Reynolds – supported changing the agreement with NW Natural requiring renewable energy.37.Naman Singla - opposed the use and expansion of natural gas; supported ordinances banning gas.38.Madelyn Cowen - opposed the use and expansion of natural gas; supported ordinances banning gas.Council Discussion Councilor Clark – appreciated the tone of the testimony, noting its sincerity and reasonableness; saidpeople should not be demonized for having a different opinion. Councilor Evans – said all areas of the city need attention and supported providing resources todevelop a comprehensive plan for the Bethel area; supported Councilor Syrett’s earlier statement andshared his perspective as a Black person. Councilor Yeh – thanked everyone and said it was difficult to sum up her comments; clarified that it isthe council’s intention that the NW Natural agreement will reflect the council’s climate goals. Councilor Keating – thanked everyone for attending and providing testimony. Councilor Syrett – shared her and her constituent’s public safety concerns, noting lessons learned fromthe BLM protests that allow a less invasive approach; encouraged the Police Chief to renounce theviolence and inform the public about public safety plans. Councilor Groves – said that everyone’s opinion matters; it is time for people to speak up and thecouncil to listen. Councilor Zelenka – supplest that the council update and reaffirm their resolution condemning whitesupremacy. Councilor Clark – cautioned against targeting one group that commits violence and not condemning allothers.The meeting adjourned at 10:15 p.m. Respectfully submitted, MINUTES – Eugene City Council Meeting January 11, 2021 Page 4 Julie Adams Deputy City Recorder (Recorded by Beth Forrest) Link to the webcast of this City Council meeting here.