HomeMy WebLinkAbout210614 MTGMINUTES
Eugene City Council
Virtual Meeting
Eugene, Oregon 97401
June 14, 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 June 14, 2021, meeting of the Eugene City Council in a virtual format.
1. PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE TO THE FLAG
In honor of Flag Day, Kyshan Nichols -Smith, a member of the Mayor's Youth Advisory Board, led the
Pledge of Allegiance.
CEREMONIAL ITEMS
Mayor Vinis read a proclamation declaring the month of June to be Elder Abuse Awareness Month.
Mayor Vinis read a proclamation declaring the month of June to be LGBTQ+ Pride Month.
• Councilor Syrett stated that at some point in the past, Eugene's Pride Day was moved to
August due to the possibility of rain in June and to prevent conflicts with Pride Day in other
cities.
• Councilor Keating - shared that Eugene's Pride Day will be August 14 this year.
Mayor Vinis read a proclamation declaring June 19 to be Juneteenth.
2. COMMITTEE REPORTS AND ITEMS OF INTEREST
Council Discussion
• Councilor Semple - stated she is concerned because the rent moratorium ends on June 30 and
renters will have to pay full rent beginning July 1; provided information for renters to apply for
rent and utility assistance through Lane County; shared the foreclosure moratorium goes
through the end of September and a Landlord Compensation Fund is available through June 18
and can be accessed on the Lane County website; shared the Springfield Eugene Tenant
Association (SETA) has a hotline to provide advice and support.
• Councilor Evans - expressed condolences to Senator James Manning on the passing of his wife,
Lawanda; shared the Lane Transit District (LTD) Strategic Planning Committee is continuing its
visioning and strategic planning process and welcomes public comment via the LTD website.
• Councilor Keating - echoed condolences to Senator Manning; thanked the Mayor for the three
proclamations; thanked the Oregon legislative body for making Juneteenth a state holiday
beginning in 2022; shared the Human Services Commission will be hearing from SETA, Homes
For Good and the Oregon Law Center on June 21 regarding rent protections, renters' rights and
emergency rental assistance; encouraged renters in need to access Lane County's website to
apply for assistance.
3. CONSENT CALENDAR 1
A. Approval of City Council Minutes
• February 27, 2021, Goals Workshop
B. Approval of City Council Tentative Agenda
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MOTION AND VOTE: Councilor Yeh, seconded by Councilor Syrett, moved to approve the
items on Consent Calendar 1. PASSED 8:0.
4. PUBLIC FORUM
1. Scott Strickland - (union representative) encouraged continued negotiations with NW Natural Gas.
2. Jeff McGillivray - (union representative) encouraged continued negotiations with NW Natural Gas.
3. Ethan Klein - responded to comments made by councilors regarding repeated testimonies and emails.
4. Sandra Bishop - concerned about construction of EWEB water storage tanks at 40th & Patterson.
5. Zach Mulholland - spoke to reducing greenhouse gas emissions and adhering to City's climate goals.
6. Matthew Yook - concerned about limiting public participation and access at the Public Forum.
7. Brittany Quick -Warner - supported carbon reduction goals and continued efforts to find camp sites.
8. Ed McMahon - Homebuilders Assoc. supports consumer choice and working with NW Natural Gas.
9. Tadashi Jones - Owen Lp. business owner affected by vehicle camping and appreciates Council's help.
10. Lin Woodrich - thanked Council for listening to needs and supporting the planning for Bethel.
Council Discussion
Councilor Syrett - thanked those who spoke at the forum; stated the City's rest stops have
reduced the impacts of unsanctioned camping around those sites; shared that multiple identical
emails are frustrating and reduce her ability to work effectively and suggested circulation of a
petition instead; would like a virtual component to continue to be offered when Council
meetings resume in -person; shared there will be a work session on proposed amendments to
the council's Operating Agreements.
• Councilor Groves - stated that Council is not attempting to prevent the public from voicing
opinions but trying to increase participation by providing access to more people to speak;
shared the intent of identifying safe camping sites is to provide more order and safety for camps
and the community and that Council will be looking for solutions that are in the best interest of
the broader community.
Councilor Zelenka - stated his proposed amendments to the Operating Agreements are about
the council finding a balance to get their work done in an appropriate manner and hear from
the community; suggested exploring if residents of rest stops and safe sleeping sites can be part
of a Neighborhood Watch or a similar program.
Mayor Vinis - thanked the public for the diversity of comments and stated these topics are in
motion as part of Council's work plan.
S. PUBLIC HEARING: An Ordinance Concerning Parking and Storage of Vehicles on Streets, and
Amending Sections S.010, S.13S, S.22S, and S.26S of the Eugene Code, 1971
Mayor Vinis opened the public hearing
1. Marty Wilder - said code amendments are a move in the wrong direction and criminalize poverty.
2. Kenlei Cowell - opposed code amendments; said natural disaster refugees and unhoused need options.
3. Scott Rogers - said the Eugene Chamber of Commerce supports these code amendments.
4. Pastor Steve Kimes - suggested tabling code amendments until after safe camp sites are opened.
5. Max Rink - opposed the code amendments and enforcement, focus on human services instead.
6. Sandra Bishop - supported reinstating requirement to post where vehicle has been towed.
Mayor Vinis closed the public hearing.
Council Discussion
Councilor Keating - stated he is concerned that some commercial vehicles may not have
markings/logos that exactly match the business name with which they are associated and
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requested the City Attorney's Office to review the language included in Section 5.010 with this
in mind.
The meeting adjourned at 8:48 p.m.
Respectfully submitted,
,Q e ta, Suea t
Beth Forrest
City Recorder
(Recorded by Jessica Gebb)
Link to the webcast of this City Council meeting here.
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