HomeMy WebLinkAbout210524 MTGMINUTES
Eugene City Council
Virtual Meeting
Eugene, Oregon 97401
May 24, 2021
7:30 p.m.
Councilors Present: Emily Semple, Matt Keating, Alan Zelenka, Jennifer Yeh, Mike Clark, Randy
Groves
Councilors Absent: Claire Syrett, Greg Evans
Mayor Vinis opened the May 24, 2021, meeting of the Eugene City Council in a virtual format.
1. PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE TO THE FLAG
The Pledge of Allegiance to the Flag was led by Dr. DeWayde Perry, Veteran of the US Marine Corps,
in recognition of Memorial Day on May 31.
Mayor Vinis read a proclamation declaring the first Friday in June to be National Gun Violence
Awareness Day.
2. COMMITTEE REPORTS AND ITEMS OF INTEREST
Council Discussion
• Councilor Groves - shared his attendance at an event for the Eugene Rotary recognizing its
volunteers for countless hours administering vaccines and thanked them for their selfless
efforts to make the community, country, and world safer.
• City Manager Medary- gave an update about NW Natural negotiations and reported that she has
had a couple of conversations with leadership and would like to schedule a future work session.
• Councilor Keating- shared facts about the volunteer efforts of the Eugene Rotarians.
• Mayor Vinis- reported on her attendance at a mobility justice listening session with BEST and
NAACP regarding access and safety for transit, biking and walking; shared that Amtrak service
is returning to the area.
3. CONSENT CALENDAR 1
A. Approval of City Council Minutes
- January 19, 2021, Public Hearing
- March 8, 2021, Work Session
- March 8, 2021, Meeting
B. Approval of City Council Tentative Agenda
C. Approval of Resources for Housing Affordable to Low- and Moderate -Income Persons
Councilor Zelenka pulled Item 3C from the Consent Calendar.
MOTION AND VOTE: Councilor Yeh, seconded by Councilor Keating, moved to approve
items Consent Calendar 1, except item C. PASSED 6:0.
MINUTES - Eugene City Council May 24, 2021 Page 1
Meeting
Council Discussion
Zelenka - shared information about the construction excise tax dollars that have been allocated to
affordable housing units.
MOTION AND VOTE: Councilor Zelenka, seconded by Councilor Yeh, moved to approve
Item 3C of Consent Calendar 1 PASSED 6:0.
4. PUBLIC FORUM
1. Chris Ramey - shared a Planning Commission letter regarding middle housing and HB 2001.
2. Ken Beeson - shared remainder of Planning Commission letter on middle housing.
3. Tiffany Edwards - shared the results of the Planning Commission's outreach process.
4. Selena Blick - shared her hope for a future with clean air, clean water, good jobs, and no gas.
5. Nick Dikas - testified on behalf of Fossil Free Coalition in support of transitioning to clean energy.
6. Bob Granger - shared that calling gas "natural" is misleading and inaccurate.
7. Jan Bohman - said she wants a safe future for her grandkids; supported moving to renewable energy.
8. Aeron - said moving to electrification will save lives and the environment.
9. Dylan Plumber - supported passing ordinances to ban the construction of natural gas.
10. Nancy Arnon - opposed the use of natural gas in the Steam Plant project.
11. Deb McGee - supported meeting Gov. Brown's Climate Plan goals by stopping use of (racked gas.
12. Danny Noonan - shared climate recommendations and supported ending the NWN franchise.
13. Patty Hine - thanked the City Council for standing up to NW Natural, supported ending gas energy.
14. Ethan Klein - requested the reallocation of funds from EPD to other uses.
15. Jim Neu - noted the May 11 Franchise Agreement date has passed.
16. Laurie Powell - equated NW Natural tactics with those of the cigarette industry.
17. Madeline Cowen - urged council to stop the use of fossil fuels in order to survive the climate crisis.
18. Lin Woodrich - reminded council of the urgency of an area plan for Bethel.
19. Eliza Garcia - said the effects of climate change are rapidly worsening and solutions can't wait.
20. Matthew Yook - asked how to make hate and bias reporting more accessible.
21. Rob - asked the council to support CAHOOTS' funding request by allocating CSI funds.
S. ACTION: An Ordinance Concerning Multiple -Unit Property Tax Exemptions and Amending
Section 2.946 of the Eugene Code, 1971
MOTION AND VOTE: Councilor Yeh, Seconded by Zelenka, move to adopt an Ordinance
Concerning Multiple -Unit Property Tax Exemptions and Amending Section 2.946 of the Eugene
Code, 1971. PASSED 6:0.
6. ACTION: Granting an Exemption from the Application of Section 6.200 of the Eugene Code,
1971, and Providing for Sunset Date
MOTION AND VOTE: Councilor Yeh, Seconded by Zelenka, move to adopt the proposed
ordinance in Attachment A, Granting an Exemption From the Application of Section 6.200 of the
Eugene Code, 1971, and Providing for a Sunset Date. PASSED 6:0.
The meeting adjourned at 8:41 p.m.
Respectfully submitted,
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Beth Forrest
City Recorder
(Recorded by Niyah Ross)
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