HomeMy WebLinkAbout210428 WSMINUTES
Eugene City Council
Virtual Work Session
Eugene, Oregon 97401
April 28, 2021
12:00 P.M.
Councilors Present: Emily Semple, Jennifer Yeh, Mike Clark, Claire Syrett, Matt Keating, Randy
Groves, Greg Evans, Alan Zelenka
Mayor Vinis opened the April 28, 2021, work session of the Eugene City Council.
1. ACTION: An Ordinance Allowing For the Temporary Establishment of "Safe Parking" and
"Safe Tent" Sites That Are Larger Than Allowed Under Section 4.816 of the Eugene Code,
1971, Declaring an Emergency; Providing For an Immediate Effective Date; and Providing a
Sunset Date
MOTION to AMEND: Councilor Keating, seconded by Councilor Groves, moved to amend
the second sentence of paragraph B of the Ordinance findings to remove the words "illicit
camping' and replace the words "those camping' with "unhoused residents" so the sentence
reads: "This often results in unsanitary and unsafe conditions for unhoused residents and
for the surrounding community, particularly the nearby businesses and residents."; and to
amend the first sentence of Section 5 to replace the words "illicit camping" with the words,
"significant increase in vehicular living and unsanctioned erection of tent camps" so the
sentence reads: "Due to the immediate need to address the significant increase in vehicular
living and unsanctioned erection of tent camps occurring throughout the community by
establishing lawful sites to park vehicles or erect tents, an emergency is declared to exist
that cannot be addressed by the Ordinance adoption procedures in Section 28 Subsection 1
of the Eugene Charter of 2002."
Council Discussion:
Councilor Keating - spoke to the reason for this amendment, including that there are people
living in their vehicles who are not participating in illegal or illicit activity and Council should
not generalize in the ordinance; stated that the point of ordinance is to lift people out of poverty
by establishing safe sites to camp or park.
Councilor Zelenka - noted the tradition of councilors making a motion speaking to their
intention beforehand, which is helpful in deliberations.
VOTE: PASSED 6:0, Councilors Clark and Semple absent.
Councilor Keating - spoke to the reason for his next motion to amend; suggested changing the
wording to reflect the provision of potable water and renewable power as a goal, so as to not
prevent the acquisition of certain land for the purposes of the ordinance.
MOTION to AMEND: Councilor Keating, seconded by Councilor Yeh, moved to amend the
second sentence of the paragraph entitled "Safe Tent Sites" in Section 1 to add the goal of
providing renewable power and potable water so the sentence reads: "In addition to any
conditions imposed by City Council at time of site approval to address site specific issues, all
safe tent sites authorized and established pursuant to this ordinance shall have adequate
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garbage and toilets with the goal of providing renewable power and potable water and at all
sanctioned sites."
Councilor Zelenka - suggested specifying electricity as the renewable power; said the motion
reflected an important change in wording to the goal; remarked that it is a good idea to have
water which includes the handwashing stations.
Councilor Syrett - stated support for the proposed amendment; asked about intent behind use
of renewable power specification and if EWEB transmission line would satisfy the goal.
Councilor Keating - stated specification of renewable power will adhere to CRO goals; stated
EWEB transmission line satisfies the need, but not the goal.
Councilor Syrett - proposed a friendly amendment to add the word garbage collection to the
text and read "pursuant to this ordinance shall have adequate garbage collection, toilets, and
potable water, with the goal of providing renewable power at all sanctioned sites"; Councilor
Keating and Councilor Yeh accepted.
Councilor Semple - asked if handwashing was included in port -a -potty needs; supported adding
them specifically to the ordinance; requested a friendly amendment to add handwashing
facilities; Councilor Keating and Councilor Yeh accepted.
MOTION RESTATED (with friendly amendments): Councilor Keating, seconded by
Councilor Yeh, moved to amend the second sentence of the paragraph entitled Safe Tent
Sites in section 1 to add the goal of providing renewable power and potable water so the
sentence reads "in addition to any conditions imposed by the city council at time of site
approval to address site specific issues all safe tent sites authorized and established
pursuant to this ordinance shall have adequate garbage collection, toilets, and handwashing
stations and a goal of providing renewable power at all sanctioned sites"
Councilor Semple - questioned why toilets were specified instead of port -a -patties; expressed
concern about City's liability if it does not provide plumbing; asked why the change was
requested only for tent sites and not the car camping sites.
Councilor Keating - explained the assumption that car camping will be close to the tent camping
facilities; stated his support for extending these services to car campers if the council chooses to
do that; consented to Councilor Semple's motion for car camping sites that mirrors tent sites
motion.
Councilor Semple - said it's critical to have equitable services for tent sites and car camping sites.
Mayor Vinis - clarified the safe parking sites section specifies "adequate garbage and toilets"
noting it could be parallel to safe tent sites and added if wanted.
• Councilor Semple - asked if it could be one motion to make the car camping and safe tent sites
language the same; Councilors Keating and Yeh supported it.
• Councilor Zelenka - agreed with Councilor Semple.
Councilor Groves - noted providing power to those housed in tents and automobiles is very
different than power to trailers/RVs; expressed concern that if power is being delivered to
every individual site then could get in way of ability to serve.
Councilor Semple - interested in powering up phones, wheelchairs, life -sustaining equipment;
said Council must be clear on how much electricity is paid for.
MOTION RESTATED (with friendly amendments): Councilor Keating, seconded by
Councilor Yeh, moved to amend the paragraphs entitled Safe Tent Sites and Safe Parking
Sites in section 1 so that the sentences read "in addition to any conditions imposed by the
City Council at the time of site approval to address site specific conditions, all safe tent or
safe parking sites authorized and established pursuant to this ordinance shall have
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adequate garbage collection, toilets, handwashing stations and potable water, with a goal of
providing renewable power at all sanctioned sites."
VOTE: PASSED 7:1, Councilor Clark opposed.
Councilor Keating - said he hoped for unanimous support of his next motion due to the nation's
history of relocating populations and how problematic it has been.
MOTION to AMEND: Councilor Keating, seconded by Councilor Zelenka, moved to amend
the first and second sentences of section 2 to replace the word "relocating" with
"transitioning" so that the sentences read, "When a safe parking site is authorized and
established pursuant to this ordinance, transitioning the vehicles unlawfully parked on City
right-of-way in West Eugene shall be prioritized. When a safe tent site is authorized and
established pursuant to this ordinance, transitioning the tent campers and 13th and
Chambers and Washington -Jefferson park shall be prioritized."
Council Discussion:
Councilor Semple - shared her confusion with the use of the word "transition," as it implies
steps to relocation instead of relocating in one action and is unclear as a goal of the ordinance.
Councilor Keating - stated relocation is harsh and nebulous, regardless of intent; noted
relocating implies force and historically an action taken against someone's will; stated
transitioning someone from point to point in collaboration with service providers is more
appropriate and the intent of ordinance will still be recognized.
Councilor Semple - suggested "move" instead of "relocate".
Councilor Keating - stated his position that "move" is in the same category as "relocate", noting
the ultimate goal to lift people out of poverty; stated service providers use transition vocabulary
and said he felt that "transition" will be less controversial with the homeless population and
community.
Councilor Semple - stated belief that transition does not fit here and will not support the
motion with that language.
• Councilor Groves - stated his understanding of Councilor Keating's intent and was supportive of
the concept; stated for practical application he was in agreement with Councilor Semple as
transitioning doesn't imply immediacy; expressed support for the word "move".
Councilor Zelenka - suggested using "moving" instead of "transitioning" in the name of
compromise.
Councilor Keating - reiterated that "move" is in same category as "relocate" and does not accept
that as a friendly amendment.
Councilor Zelenka - noted that the paragraph in question is for a very specific action, and
agreed with Councilor Keating's intent; remarked on Opportunity Village's success with moving
and transitioning people; stated that "move" can be used as an amendment.
• Councilor Clark -asked staff whether the point of opening up the new camps was to address
anyone or specifically the people illegally camped in those two specified areas in the ordinance;
stated disagreement with the comparison of those camping illegally to the relocation of
Japanese -Americans during WW2, as the people currently camped are being located from an
illegal area to a legal area; said he doesn't have a problem with that language in the ordinance.
• Councilor Syrett - suggested an alternative for wording; asked City Attorney if the City of
Eugene has authority to require illegally camped individuals to go to one of these spaces;
offered a friendly amendment to change the language to read, "When a safe parking site is
authorized and established pursuant to this ordinance, those living in vehicles unlawfully
parked on the City right-of-way and West Eugene shall be prioritized for occupying spaces at
the safe parking site. When a safe tent site is authorized and established pursuant to this
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ordinance, those living in tents at 13th and Chambers and Washington -Jefferson park shall be
prioritized for occupying spaces at the safe tent site."; Councilors Keating and Zelenka accepted.
• Councilor Yeh - supported Councilor Syrett's suggestion.
Councilor Clark - expressed support of Councilor Syrett's amendment; requested more
discussion as this is where the approach has failed in the past and the community is less
successful in dealing with this issue; noted the inability to declare that illegal camping must be
stopped and that contributes to the City's inability to solve this problem.
• Councilor Keating - commented that one's home may not have four walls and a roof and
running water, one's home may be on tires, on their back or in a tent, but their home is Eugene
and there's a commonality there; stated there are different points of view that inform truths.
VOTE: PASSED 8:0
Councilor Groves - stated concern with sunset date in 2023, as it's good policy; stated dislike of
coming back and revisiting unless needed.
Councilor Zelenka - noted sunset forces Council to look and do forced reevaluation of it; stated
Council will look at it a couple months before sunset to evaluate efficacies.
VOTE ON ORDINANCE as AMENDED: PASSED 8:0
2. WORK SESSION: Review of 2020 Implementation of Bond Measure to Fix Streets and 2021
Pavement Management Report
City Manager Sarah Medary was joined by Public Works staff Matt Rodrigues and Katie Marwitz
who gave a brief overview of the progress made on the bond measure projects.
Council Discussion:
• Councilor Zelenka - spoke about the improvements made to the roads since the bond measure
first passed and the successful work done to complete the backlog of work on roads needing
repair; requested that staff track how much is spent on active transportation in a more detailed
fashion; asked about Vision Zero.
Councilor Clark - thanked staff for the report; requested information about the current backlog
of work on unimproved streets and noted the tremendous reduction in the amount compared
to when the bond measure first started; inquired about maintenance overlays and if staff have
seen increase in need; supported increasing capacity for staff to do maintenance overlays.
Councilor Groves - thanked staff for their work; noted the safety aspect of this project and that
it has increased safety for traffic, vehicles, and the community.
Councilor Keating - shared concerns from South Eugene community members regarding
Willamette Street and suggested a virtual tour of the projects; asked if there's something
Council can do to help businesses impacted by ongoing construction on their roads.
• Councilor Semple - spoke to Lincoln School park's improvements being on the list of projects
coming up.
• Councilor Zelenka - asked about the traffic -calming program and the bike-ped plan and
highlighted both as things for Council to find additional funding for as they're significantly
underfunded.
Councilor Clark - asked staff about the bike-ped plan timeline and the issue with charging
people for STCs on projects that may not be done for a long time.
Mayor Vinis - thanked the panel for their ongoing work on reviewing this project; remarked on
the backlog and that this is work that will always need funding; spoke to potential federal
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infrastructure package and how it could help with broader needs; thanked staff for their work
and report.
The meeting adjourned at 1:25 p.m.
Respectfully submitted,
6,6 1
Beth Forrest
City Recorder
(Recorded by Julie Adams)
Link to the webcast of this City Council meeting here.
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