HomeMy WebLinkAbout210913 MTGMINUTES
Eugene City Council
Virtual Meeting
Eugene, Oregon 97401
September 13, 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 September 13, 2021, meeting of the Eugene City Council in a virtual format.
2. COMMITTEE REPORTS AND ITEMS OF INTEREST
Council Discussion
Councilor Semple - reported that three of her unhoused friends now had shelter in Conestoga
huts; announced a vaccination clinic on September 18 sponsored by Betty Snowden.
Councilor Groves - thanked Eugene Springfield firefighters for their 9/11 remembrance
ceremony and said it was a fitting tribute for this anniversary.
• Councilor Zelenka - thanked the firefighters for their tribute and remembered the victims and
families of the 9/11 terror attacks; reported that most of the bills related to police policy that
are being considered by the state legislature have already been implemented in Eugene.
Councilor Clark- announced the upcoming Northeast Neighbors meeting and noted that he and
Councilor Yeh planned to attend and be available for questions.
• Councilor Keating - announced a meeting of the Human Services Commission chairs; said
COVID is still raging in the community and encouraged everyone to get vaccinated; said the City
should fully support vaccine access.
Councilor Evans - related his personal experience with the impacts of COVID on friends and
family members locally and around the country.
Councilor Zelenka - agreed with comments supporting vaccinations and announced a meeting
of the Fairmount Neighbors.
• Mayor Vinis - appreciated the work of neighborhood associations; reported that she was named
to the Environmental Protection Agency's local government affairs council and was already
receiving a lot of constituent input and interest.
3. CONSENT CALENDAR 1
A. Approval of City Council Minutes
• April 19, 2021, Work Session
• April 21, 2021, Work Session
• April 26, 2021, Work Session
April 26, 2021, Meeting
• May 10, 2021, Meeting
• May 19, 2021, Work Session
May 26, 2021, Joint Work Session
• June 9, 2021, Work Session
June 14, 2021, Meeting
• June 23, 2021, Work Session
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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.
4. PUBLIC FORUM
1. Joel Iboa - reflected on his work with the Human Rights Commission and the community.
2. Kaarin Knudsen - supported the proposed ADU ordinance and Councilor Syrett's amendments.
3. Doyle Canning - supported the Fossil Free Eugene platform.
4. Madeline Cowen - supported the Fossil Free Eugene platform.
5. Melanie Plaut - spoke about the health impacts of methane gas use.
6. Ed McMahon - supported the proposed ADU ordinance and Councilor Syrett's amendments.
7. Molly Cox - encouraged Eugene to be a leader in climate actions
8. Carmel Perez Snyder - supported the proposed ADU ordinance and Councilor Syrett's amendments.
9. Dylan Lamar - spoke about his experience developing a house and ADU; supported the ordinance.
10. Carla Bengston - supported the Fossil Free Eugene platform.
11. Douglas Bovee - spoke about the impacts of fossil fuels use.
12. Sue Wolling - said car use is increasing; encouraged stronger actions to reach climate targets.
13. Michael Soraci - supported the proposed ADU ordinance and Councilor Syrett's amendments.
14. Dylan Plummer - said climate action is needed now; supported legislation to eliminate gas use.
15. Lin Woodrich - shared the work she is helping with to gather data on local polluters.
16. Arjorie Arberry-Baribeault - Beyond Toxics, spoke about the pollution concerns in West Eugene.
17. Greer Ryan - opposed fossil fuel use; supported decarbonization efforts.
18. Eliza Kashinsky - supported the proposed ADU ordinance and Councilor Syrett's amendments.
19. MacKenzie - supported the Fossil Free Eugene platform.
20. Marty Wilder - said misleading information was given in the Community Safety Initiative discussion.
21. Mira Mason -Reader - spoke about pollution in West Eugene and encouraged immediate action.
22. Jonny Kocher - supported efforts to electrify all buildings in Eugene and spoke to the benefits.
23. Emily Pyle - spoke about pollution in West Eugene and encouraged immediate action.
24. Jenna Witzleben - supported a ban on new natural gas infrastructure.
25. Seth Sadofsky - discussed the benefits of creating new housing in the urban core on climate efforts.
26. William Smith - reported on recent news about the dangers of wireless radiation.
27. Danny Noonan - supported the Fossil Free Eugene platform.
28. Ali Aasum - voiced concern about pollution from the JH Baxter facility and the lack of accountability.
29. Sahara Valentine - requested immediate climate action to decarbonize.
30. Ryan Moore - supported the Fossil Free Eugene platform and the proposed ADU ordinance.
31. Karen Austin - supported the Fossil Free Eugene platform.
32. Bailey Greben - spoke as a climate activist and educator, noting the climate crisis is here.
33. Matt Walton - spoke about the toxic air in West Eugene and asked for the council's help to address.
34. Peter Dragovich - spoke about the impacts of fossil fuels and the role of the Public Utility Commission.
35. Harry Sanger - talked about the impacts of COVID and vaccinations as a personal choice.
36. Julie Daniel - supported the CAP2.0 goals and efforts to decarbonize.
37. Eric Jackson - suggested using CS1 funds for housing; said the recent changes at WJ park are bad.
38. Eloise Parish -Mueller - requested that the council take steps to address the climate crisis.
39. Jacob Trewe - supported banning new gas hook-ups and encouraged vaccinations.
Council Discussion
• Councilor Clark - clarified that Washington Jefferson Park is a park and not a sanctioned camp.
• Councilor Keating - thanked those who testified about pollution from the JH Baxter plant; suggested
that the council have a joint meeting with the Lane Regional Air Protection Agency Board to discuss
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potential actions; supported proposed legislation to electrify and to ban or sanction for -profit gas
providers that actively lure new customers.
Councilor Groves - shared concern about pollution levels in West Eugene and asked what authority
the City has to respond; clarified that the Boise lawsuit related to camping in the right -of way was
being misinterpreted by some homeless advocates.
Councilor Evans - commented on the jH Baxter issue, noting that the State and County need to act
regardless of political influence; supported having a work session on the topic.
Mayor Vinis - announced upcoming council work sessions related to electrification (with EWEB
Board), the City's natural gas policy and the CAP2.0,
The meeting adjourned at 9:28 p.m.
Respectfully submitted,
,6ba
Beth Forrest
City Recorder
Link to the webcast of this City Council meeting here.
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