HomeMy WebLinkAbout210712 MTGMINUTES
Eugene City Council
Virtual Meeting
Eugene, Oregon 97401
July 12, 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 July 12, 2021, meeting of the Eugene City Council in a virtual format.
1. PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE TO THE FLAG AND READING OF THE BILL OF RIGHTS
Holli Johnson -Keeton and Anna Johnson led the reading of the Bill of Rights and Pledge of Allegiance
to the Flag in honor of Independence Day on July 4.
2. COMMITTEE REPORTS AND ITEMS OF INTEREST
Council Discussion
• Councilor Keating - reported on the groundbreaking for the Very Little Theater and the impacts
of the recent heat wave, noting the need for a robust collaborative effort to establish a cooling
center system.
• Councilor Clark - announced the Cal Young Neighborhood Association meeting; said that
unfounded, uninformed criticism of councilors is frustrating.
• Councilor Semple - encouraged respectful communication from constituents, voiced concern
about tree trauma due to construction.
• Councilor Yeh - gave an update on the Metropolitan Wastewater Management Commission and
its work replanting and repairing areas affected by the Holiday Farms fire and its advocacy of
House Bill 2344, which requires labeling of non-0ushable items.
• Councilor Zelenka - agreed that bullying and demonizing those you disagree with is an
ineffective way to communicate; reported that Police Commission is reviewing
recommendations from the Ad Hoc Committee on Police Policy.
• City Manager Medary - announced the postponement of the joint Homeless Systems
Transformation meeting with Lane County and reported that a work session on the Steam Plant
deal points was being delayed until after council break.
• Mayor Vinis - discussed the upcoming visit from Rep. Peter DeFazio and Transportation
Secretary Pete Buttigieg to tour local transportation facilities and projects; announced her
appointment to the Regional Solutions Board representing the mid -valley and coast.
3. CONSENT CALENDAR 1
A. Approval of City Council Minutes
- February 8, 2021, Work Session
B. Approval of City Council Tentative Agenda
MOTION AND VOTE: Councilor Yeh, seconded by Councilor Syrett, moved to approve the
items on Consent Calendar 1. PASSED 8:0.
MINUTES - Eugene City Council July 12, 2021 Page 1
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4. PUBLIC FORUM
1. Danny Noonan - opposed the renewal of the franchise agreement with NW Natural.
2. Kaarin Knudsen - encouraged forward -thinking leadership as it relates to housing.
3. Jim Neu - voiced climate concerns and encouraged immediate action.
4. Carolyn Partridge - expressed concern NW Natural is not negotiating with the City in good faith.
5. Lydia Valentine - expressed concern NW Natural is not negotiating with the City in good faith.
6. Patty Hine - expressed concern NW Natural is not negotiating with the City in good faith.
7. Dylan Plummer - expressed concern NW Natural is not negotiating with the City in good faith.
8. Seth Sadofsky - voiced frustration that a majority of council is unwilling to act on ADUs.
9. Martha Bryson - said she felt the ordinance requiring RVs to move is discriminatory.
10. Sophia Trotter - discussed climate concerns and supported demands for NW Natural compliance.
11. Anne Pernick - discussed climate concerns and supported demands for NW Natural compliance.
12. Sahara Valentine - discussed climate concerns and supported demands for NW Natural compliance.
13. Matthew Yook - discussed rental assistance and multi -zoned housing.
14. Debra McGee - voice opposition to the NW Natural franchise extension request.
15. Peter Dragovich - spoke about threats and impacts of severe climate change.
16. Charles Areford - spoke about the deadly heat wave and other impacts of climate change.
17. Ed McMahon - spoke about the Construction Excise Tax.
Council Discussion
• Councilor Syrett - appreciated the diversity of topics covered by speakers; clarified discussion of the
Intergovernmental Relations Committee regarding rental assistance for those affected by COVID.
• Councilor Keating - inquired about extending the Public Forum sign-up deadline to 7:40 p.m.;
supported scheduling a CAP2.0 Update work session as soon as possible, noting the urgency of climate
action work.
• Mayor Vinis - agreed that a work session on the CAP2.0 is needed soon after the council returns from
summer break.
S. ACTION: An Ordinance Amending the Eugene -Springfield Metropolitan Area
General Plan Diagram and the Whiteaker Plan Land Use Diagram to Redesignate the
Property Identified as Assessor's Map 17-04-25-41, Tax Lot 7000 and Assessor's Map 17-04-
25.42, Tax Lot 100 from Light -Medium Industrial to Mixed Use and Rezone the Property
from I-2 Light -Medium Industrial with /SR Site Review Overlay to S-W Whiteaker Special
Area with /SR Site Review Overlay
MOTION AND VOTE: Councilor Yeh, seconded by Councilor Syrett, moved to adopt the
Ordinance, included as Attachment B to this AIS, amending the Eugene -Springfield
Metropolitan Area General Plan Diagram and the Whiteaker Plan Land Use Diagram to
redesignate the property identified as Assessor's Map 17-04-25-41, Tax Lot 7000 and
Assessor's Map 17-04-25-42, Tax Lot 100 from Light -Medium Industrial to Mixed Use and
rezone the property from 1-2 Light -Medium Industrial with /SR Site Review Overlay to S-W
Whiteaker Special Area with /SR Site Review Overlay. PASSED 8:0
6. ACTION: An Ordinance Vacating Slocum Drive, Songbird Loop, and Public Utility Easement
MOTION AND VOTE: Councilor Yeh, seconded by Councilor Syrett, moved to adopt the
Ordinance, included as Attachment C to this AIS, vacating Slocum Drive, Songbird Loop, and
Public Utility Easement. PASSED 8:0
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7. ACTION: Authorize the City to Acquire the MGP Site
MOTION AND VOTE: Councilor Yeh, seconded by Councilor Syrett, moved to authorize the
City Manager to sign a purchase and sale agreement for the City's acquisition of the MGP site
for $400,000 using Riverfront Urban Renewal funds and that includes as one of the
conditions of closing the City Council's adoptions of amendments to EC 2.196. PASSED 8:0
Mayor Vinis adjourned the meeting of the Eugene City Council and convened a meeting of the Eugene
Urban Renewal Agency.
8. URA ACTION: Authorize the Urban Renewal Agency to Pay for the MGP Site
MOTION AND VOTE: Councilor Yeh, seconded by Councilor Syrett, moved to authorize the
expenditure of $400,000 of Riverfront Urban Renewal funds for acquisition of the MGP site.
PASSED 8:0
The meeting adjourned at 8:55 p.m.
Respectfully submitted,
Qtu INit
Beth Forrest
City Recorder
Link to the webcast of this City Council meeting here.
MINUTES - Eugene City Council July 12, 2021 Page 3
Meeting