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HomeMy WebLinkAbout210222 MTGMINUTES – Eugene City Council Meeting February 22, 2021 Page 1 M I N U T E S Eugene City Council Virtual Meeting Eugene, Oregon 97401 February 22, 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 February 22, 2021, meeting of the Eugene City Council in a virtual format. 1. CEREMONIAL MATTER  Recognition of Outgoing Police Auditor Mark Gissiner Council Discussion  Councilor Evans- appreciated Mark’s leadership and his efforts to listen and respond to the community.  Councilor Semple- shared her gratitude for working with Mark Gissiner.  Councilor Groves- appreciated the relationship and the legacy Mark Gissiner is leaving.  Councilor Clark- shared he was sad to see Mark Gissiner go yet is happy for him; big shoes to fill.  Councilor Zelenka- shared that Mark Gissiner created a model for the country as a steady and fair Police Auditor with an excellent team and the model works well.  Councilor Syrett- shared her gratitude for Mark Gissiner. 2. COMMITTEE REPORTS AND ITEMS OF INTEREST  Councilor Groves – shared that Mike McFarlane has been appointed to the Sustainability Commission, shared information about LCOG’s virtual awards on March 5; shared outrage about uptick in hate activities.  Councilor Syrett - shared an article in The Register-Guard about a North Eugene High School Theatre Group theatrical performance called Zoomed; shared she participated in a picket line for a memory care organization’s staff to become unionized.  Councilor Semple - shared that it was the six-month anniversary of getting hit by a drunk driver; shared update on McKenzie Watershed activities; shared Sustainability Commission update.  Councilor Yeh - said that hate speech and hate symbols do not belong in Eugene and encouraged Council to be intentional about equity and inclusion at all meetings; shared that the boards and commissions application period is happening now.  Councilor Clark - shared outrage over hate crimes and said he was sickened by recent events; called for a work session on Council’s options to effectively address hate crimes.  Councilor Keating - shared his concern that there are gaps in services for the vulnerable and unhoused.  Councilor Evans - shared a quote from Doc Rivers about racism: “We love our Country, but our country doesn’t love us back”; shared his family’s experience in the military and fighting in wars.  Councilor Zelenka - said he condemns racist activities in the community and more needs to be done to stop these actions; encouraged community members to apply for boards and commissions positions.  Mayor Vinis - shared her gratitude for colleagues for speaking out against the hate and bias crimes; agreed a work session on how Council will address hate crimes is necessary. MINUTES – Eugene City Council Meeting February 22, 2021 Page 2 3. CONSENT CALENDAR 1 A. Approval of City Council Minutes - September 26, 2020, Goals Workshop - November 23, 2020, Meeting - December 14, 2020 Work Session - December 14, 2020 Meeting - January 13, 2021 Work Session - January 20, 2021, Work Session - January 25, 2021, Work Session - January 25, 2021, Meeting - January 27, 2021, Work Session B. Approval of City Council Tentative Agenda C. Appointment of Civilian Review Board Representative to Police Commission MOTION AND VOTE: Councilor Yeh, seconded by Councilor Syrett, moved to approve items Consent Calendar 1. PASSED 8:0. 4. PUBLIC FORUM 1. Avery Temple - shared gratitude for Council walking away from NW Natural franchise agreement. 2. Sarah Lamog – asked what actions Council has taken to fight back against white supremacy. 3. Maizie Goodpasture - shared that the local air quality is negatively affecting her breathing. 5. Dylan Plummer - shared information about the negative health impacts of natural gas in homes. 6. Patty Hine - shared facts on the clean energy revolution and said NW Natural doesn’t dictate policy. 7. Xia Wang - shared yard sign theft incident, encouraged racism to be declared a public health crisis. 8. Jeffrey Cina - shared information on a course he is teaching about the science of climate change. 9. Ben Christensen – requested that Council declare racism as a public health crisis. 10. Olivia Ross - urged Council to transition to100 percent renewable energy and ban fossil fuel use. 11. Nicholas Tippins - encouraged Council to act against hate crimes and restrict new gas use. 12. Sylvia Tearington - supported the Fossil Free Eugene Campaign and demands. 13. Madalyn Blum - testified Eugene is failing to live up to climate standards and needs clean buildings. 14. Jim Neu - shared information about the impacts of fossil fuels on the planet; opposed NW Natural. 15. Brian Stewart- shared that Electrify Coalition has been formed to promote renewable, clean energy. 16. Sophia Trotter – supported the demands of the Fossil Free Eugene Coalition. 17. Marshall Chad Dannen - shared that Marshalls has been installing high efficiency appliances since 1948. 18. Satya Guinsbourg - testified about impact of climate change on the natural areas near Eugene. 19. Sean Basarava - shared that he works on natural gas distribution line; supports NW Natural plan. 20. Linda Kelley - supported a five-year agreement with NW Natural and no new gas infrastructure. 21. Selena Blick - testified about the ongoing use and expansion of fracked gas and encouraged action. 22. Seneca Burgess - shared gratitude for letting the NW Natural franchise agreement lapse. 23. Eloise Parish Meuller - supported the demands of the Fossil Free Eugene Coalition movement. 24. Brandon Kauten - asked Council to walk away from the NW Natural agreements. 25. Tyee Williams - said he worked on fire lines this past summer and saw the impacts of climate change. 26. Jesse - asked Council to enact what is needed to meet the City’s climate recovery goals in 2030. 27. Kelsey Zlevor - supported Fossil Free Eugene Coalition’s demands. 28. Tom Walter - supported NW Natural Gas and future gas production and infrastructure. 29. Alexandria York - shared that her sister was unhoused and needed help for mental health issues. 30. Madalyn Cowan - supported the Fossil Free Coalition Campaign. 31. Lydia Scott - supported Fossil Free Eugene Coalition’s demands and action to defeat racism. 32. Ellen Rifkin - thanked Councilors for speaking out against racist actions in the community. 33. Nate Stokes- shared his story about a rewarding career as a journeyman building infrastructure. MINUTES – Eugene City Council Meeting February 22, 2021 Page 3 34. Linda Carnine - encouraged Council to establish more shelters and decriminalize homelessness. 35. Lena - shared that hate crimes are heartbreaking; supported rooting out white nationalists in Police. Council Discussion  Mayor Vinis - shared that Council has already taken a number of concrete steps to address climate change and is committed to learning and doing more.  Councilor Yeh - thanked Sheldon High School Students for calling in and encouraged them to contact her directly with their concerns.  Councilor Keating - thanked community members for their continued activism; shared that South Eugene neighbors offered solutions for accommodating the unhoused in their neighborhood. 4. PUBLIC HEARRING: An Ordinance Providing for Withdrawal of Annexed Properties from the Following Special Districts: River Road Parks & Recreation 1. Mysti Frost- asked Council to reconsider removing fees for low-income families for annexation. Council Discussion  Councilor Clark- appreciated the testimony from Mysti Frost and supported the fund for low-income families. The meeting adjourned at 9:36 p.m. Respectfully submitted, Julie Adams Deputy City Recorder (Recorded by Niyah Ross) Link to the webcast of this City Council meeting here.