Loading...
HomeMy WebLinkAbout210308 MTGMINUTES – Eugene City Council Meeting March 8, 2021 Page 1 M I N U T E S Eugene City Council Virtual Meeting Eugene, Oregon 97401 March 8, 2021 7:30 p.m. Councilors Present: Emily Semple, Randy Groves, Alan Zelenka, Jennifer Yeh, Mike Clark, Greg Evans, Claire Syrett, and Matt Keating Mayor Vinis opened the March 8, 2021, meeting of the Eugene City Council in a virtual format. 1. COMMITTEE REPORTS AND ITEMS OF INTEREST Council Discussion  Councilor Yeh – brought forth a motion to extend the timeline for the Ad Hoc Committee on Police Policy. MOTION AND VOTE: Councilor Yeh, seconded by Councilor Evans, moved to extend the date for the Ad Hoc Committee on Police Policy must complete its work by one month to April 30, 2021. PASSED 8:0  Councilor Semple – commented on the Sustainability Commission’s work group for waste management for large events.  Councilor Keating – shared this day is International Women’s Day and highlighted two women in Oregon’s history and women’s right to vote.  Councilor Zelenka – corrected information contained in a NW Natural Gas report; shared information on other jurisdictions’ actions to limit gas infrastructure.  Councilor Zelenka – stated he is working on a combined funding proposal for climate action and homelessness and would like Council to have a conversation around this.  Mayor Vinis – gave thanks to the women of the past, present and future who shape our world and make it a better place.  Councilor Clark – shared that he initiated a work session poll to lower the incidents of hate and bias crimes in the community and asked for colleague support. 2. CONSENT CALENDAR 1 A. Approval of City Council Minutes February 10, 2021, JEO Work Session February 17, 2021, Work Session B. Approval of City Council Tentative Agenda MOTION AND VOTE: Councilor Yeh, seconded by Councilor Syrett, moved to approve items on Consent Calendar 1. PASSED 8:0 3. PUBLIC FORUM 1. Brian Erickson- supported decarbonized energy diversification, choice in the construction industry. 2. Ginevra Ralph- shared that natural gas is the most efficient source for heating at the Shedd Institute. 3. Lin Woodrich- commented on property zoned riparian and wetlands that is for sale. 4. Matthew Clement- spoke to the proposed ban of natural gas negatively affecting his business. MINUTES – Eugene City Council Meeting March 8, 2021 Page 2 5. Scott Anderson- shared that community members need to have options for heating and electricity. 6. Greg Afery- stated limiting energy choices for lodging and restaurants doesn’t make sense. 7. Chris Montgomery- commented on a study from UCLA for changing infrastructure. 8. Sonya Consoni- shared that natural gas infrastructure can be re-used in a circular economy. 9. Kernof and Tina Patell- shared information on how hotels use energy and that they are all different. 10. Jack Miller- asked that Council take the time to reach out to workers and those who will be affected. 11. Ben Christensen- asked why the City of Eugene has not declared racism a public health crisis. 12. Name unknown (47:40)- commented that is doesn’t make sense to throw out the existing gas grid. 13. Dylan Plumber- asked to schedule a work session to ban new gas infrastructure. 14. Dave Rinaldi- shared he works in the natural gas industry and the infrastructure is safe. 15. David Piccioni-commented that construction on the riverfront is removing green spaces. 16. Janie Fingal- thanked Council for walking away from the NW Natural Gas franchise agreement. 17. Jay Bozievich- asked Council to visit EWEB’s website to review peak power. 18. Eric Jackson- shared frustration at temporary outreach position, opportunities to do better. 19. Elliot Swinney- commented that transition to renewables is imperative to meet climate goals. 20. Jessie- requested Council pass an ordinance to ban the construction of new gas infrastructure. 21. Jim Neu- urged Council to arrange a work session with EWEB and utility companies serving Eugene. 22. John Doty- shared climate action has great impact on our community’s success and health. 23. John Goble- testified the future is renewables and NW Natural is transitioning its gas and hydrogen. 24. Justin Frayman- encouraged Council to work towards sustainability goals in partnership with NWNG. 25. Justin Francese- shared story of homeless native mother and that this is a climate crisis. 26. Kate Goldsworthy- testified on behalf of Fossil Free Coalition and the electrification of buildings. 27. Larry- shared his family has lived in Eugene for three generations having energy infrastructure jobs. 28. Lou Christen- shared that decarbonization is important, natural gas is transitioning to renewables. 29. Mathew Jensen- stated a path needs to be created together- gas, electric companies and renewables. 30. Micah McComber- said decarbonization is a great theory, banning natural gas isn’t the answer. 31. Michelle Palacios- said OR is third largest hop producer in the country and natural gas is required. 32. Nate Stokes- shared NW Natural has hydrogen gas and renewable projects in development stages. 33. Nicholas Tippins- supports transitioning the city to 100% renewable energy by 2030. 34. Roger Oburg- natural gas offers a reliable alternative for heating and is affordable. 35. Sahara Valentine- said the City needs to take necessary action to protect our planet and its wildlife. 36. Selena Blick- shared the importance of the few who have spoken at each meeting against NW Natural. 37. Sarah Lamog- expressed appreciation for the work session poll to reduce hate and bias crimes. Council Discussion  Councilor Clark – stated he will push hard to see our city be more effective in deterring hate and bias crimes and how these crimes can be penalized more effectively; asked when the EWEB electrification study results will be available; stated he hopes Council will meet with the new EWEB Board.  Councilor Keating – shared he will most always be in support of work session polls; stated he hopes to have the conversation declaring racism a public health crisis and noted the CDC has protocol for determining a public health crisis; supports a meeting with EWEB on energy resource efficiency, grid resiliency, transition to electrification and emerging clean energy infrastructure job opportunities in our community; asked that participants in the public forum identify their ward or neighborhood and encouraged written testimony for those unable to speak due to time constraints.  Councilor Zelenka – thanked those who provided testimony to Council; shared that Council and EWEB Board used to have regular meetings and is looking forward to resuming those; reported the Sierra Club compiled a list of what cities have done regarding natural gas bans and a common theme was using local building code; shared the State regulates the building code in Oregon so that may not be an option and additional research, effort and time would be needed to move in that direction.  Councilor Evans – thanked those who testified and those who were not able to; expressed appreciation to Lyn Woodrich for advocating that Bethel be given priority for a neighborhood planning process and MINUTES – Eugene City Council Meeting March 8, 2021 Page 3 for bringing attention to the neighbors that were blind-sided by a report that the Jessen ponds would be filled; stated the City needs to address zoning issues regarding the future use of this property.  Mayor Vinis – stated Council Leadership has quarterly meetings with the EWEB General Manager, Board Chair and Vice Chair and are maintaining a connection and agreed it is time for a joint work session; reminded the public that Council passed the Climate Action Plan 2.0 and encouraged people to look at it as it embodies the City’s adopted policy of taking a broad, collaborative approach. 4. PUBLIC HEARING and ACTION: FY22-27 Capital Improvement Program Mayor Vinis opened the public hearing. 1. Zach Mulholland – stated the CAP 2.0 requires increasing biking and walking infrastructure. Mayor Vinis closed the public hearing. Council Discussion  Councilor Evans – commented that new developments have been built in his ward that did not include bicycle infrastructure and should have; supports increased bicycle and pedestrian infrastructure in west Eugene and the use of bicycles in the City’s transportation portfolio.  Councilor Zelenka – inquired into the status of the information request he submitted at the Budget Committee meeting regarding how the CRO is affected by the Capital Improvement Program (CIP); shared that this information will help tell the story of what the City is doing to move the dial on climate change and how these two things link together.  Councilor Clark – shared he agrees with Councilor Zelenka that transportation is the real key to addressing climate change; stated the Transportation System Plan (TSP) was passed three years ago and he had requested the City study and reflect in the CIP those projects required to ensure our system would adequately meet the needs for electric and autonomous vehicles; asked staff to characterize how the CIP goals reflect learning or actions for improved transportation infrastructure that considers electric and autonomous vehicles; commented that three years have passed from when we planned on tracking these projects.  Councilor Groves – expressed support of electric vehicles, would like to ensure there is a plan in place for electric vehicle battery disposal and to be prepared for this potential problem.  Councilor Keating – commented he is not in support autonomous transportation options that take jobs away from humans; shared he feels Council can accelerate robust electric vehicle adoption and asked what Council can do to help lead the way.  Councilor Zelenka – shared there was exponential growth in the number of electric vehicles in Oregon from 2019 to 2020 and there is an EV Dashboard on the Dept. of Energy’s website; commented that a million-mile battery was just produced, and batteries will outlive the life of the car and be reusable. MOTION AND VOTE: Councilor Yeh, seconded by Councilor Syrett, moved to adopt the proposed FY22-27 Capital Improvement Program as recommended by the Budget Committee. PASSED 8:0 5. PUBLIC HEARING: An Ordinance Amending the Eugene-Springfield Metropolitan Are General Plan Diagram to Redesignate the Property Identified as Assessor’s Map 17-04-26-00, Tax Lots 2801, 4303 and 4304 and Assessor’s Map 17-04-26-43, Tax Lot 302 from Heavy Industrial to Light Medium Industrial and Rezone the Property From I-3 Heavy Industrial to I-2 Light-Medium Industrial Mayor Vinis opened the public hearing. MINUTES – Eugene City Council Meeting March 8, 2021 Page 4 1. Teresa Bishop – representing the applicant, asked Council to adopt the ordinance allowing the zone change. Mayor Vinis closed the public hearing. Council Discussion  Councilor Zelenka – inquired what uses would be allowable with this zone change. 6. PUBLIC HEARING: An Ordinance Concerning Clear and Objective Approval Criteria for Housing; Amending Sections 9.0500, 9.2181, 9.2471, 9.2520, 9.2687, 9.2751, 9.2761, 9.3216, 9.3221, 9.3626, 9.3725, 9.4830, 9.5750, 9.6010, 9.6710, 9.6810, 9.6815, 9.6820, 9.6845, 9.6865, 9.6885, 9.7007, 9.8030, 9.8045, 9.8055, 9.8085, 9.8090, 9.8100, 9.8105, 9.8205, 9.8210, 9.8215, 9.8220, 9.8310, 9.8320, 9.8325, 9.8360, 9.8365, 9.8440, 9.8445, 9.8505, 9.8510, 9.8515, and 9.8520 of the Eugene Code, 1971; Adding Section 9.5860 to that Code; and Providing and Effective Date (City File CA 20-4) Mayor Vinis opened the public hearing. 1. Chris Ramey – testified on behalf of the Eugene Planning Commission that it unanimously recommends adoption of these proposed lane use code amendments. 2. Ed McMahon- encouraged Council to approve the amended code. Mayor Vinis closed the public hearing. Council Discussion  Councilor Clark – commented that a unanimous decision speaks to the quality of the work done by all. Meeting adjourned at 9:41 p.m. Respectfully submitted, Julie Adams Deputy City Recorder (Recorded by Niyah Ross) Link to the webcast of this City Council meeting here.