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Home My WebLink About211011 MTGMINUTES Eugene City Council Virtual Meeting Eugene, Oregon 97401 October 11, 2021 7:30 p.m. Councilors Present: Emily Semple, Matt Keating, Alan Zelenka, Jennifer Yeh, Mike Clark, Randy Groves, Claire Syrett, Greg Evans Mayor Vinis opened the October 11, 2021, meeting of the Eugene City Council in a virtual format. 1. CEREMONIAL MATTER • Mayor Vinis read a proclamation recognizing October 11 as Indigenous Peoples' Day. 2. COMMITTEE REPORTS AND ITEMS OF INTEREST ■ Councilor Syrett - shared that the NAACP headquarters at the Mims House needs to expand programs and space and is requesting a code change; asked Council to help with funds for the building fees and shared she will bring a motion in the future to assist with this allocation. ■ Councilor Groves - shared that he had an opportunity to learn about and ride electric bikes with other city officials. ■ Councilor Yeh - shared that October is Breast Cancer Awareness Month and provided some facts around breast cancer. ■ Councilor Keating - shared that it is National Coming Out Day and that Lane Community College Board is looking for a new President. ■ Councilor Evans - shared he will be out until November 1, 2021, and again between Christmas and New Year's due to health conditions. ■ Councilor Clark - appreciated efforts to raise breast cancer awareness and encouraged individuals to get involved and donate money to help find a cure. ■ Councilor Semple - shared a brief report from the Housing Policy Board and the good work that was done, noting more information and recommendations would be available in November. ■ Councilor Zelenka - said he is looking forward to the renter protections issue coming to Council for action. ■ City Manager Medary - shared that at the annual International City Managers meeting, the City of Eugene won two program awards - the Community Equity and Inclusion award for the young women's fire camp and the Community Sustainability award for the Love Food Not Waste program. ■ Mayor Vinis - shared information about the Metropolitan Policy Committee presentation on the Oregon Transportation Plan, which is being updated for the first time since 2006 and will be open for public comment; said the presentation was inspiring and aligned with the City Council's goals for transportation overall and the main reasons for updating include climate change, resiliency, technological changes and equity and inclusion; encouraged councilors to take a look at the presentation. ■ Councilor Groves - shared the young women's firefighters camp was developed and run by women firefighters, noting it is powerful and has had a significant positive impact on young women over the years. MINUTES - Eugene City Council October 11, 2021 Page 1 Meeting 3. Consent Calendar 1 A. Approval of City Council Minutes • May 10, 2021, Work Session • September 8, 2021, Work Session • September 20, 2021, Work Session • September 20, 2021, Public Hearing B. Approval of City Council Tentative Agenda MOTION AND VOTE: Councilor Yeh, seconded by Councilor Syrett, moved to approve items Consent Calendar 1. PASSED 8:0 4. PUBLIC FORUM 1. Lin Woodrich - reminded council of the importance of a Bethel area plan that is long overdue. 2. Marty Wilder - encouraged council to provide additional funding for CSI and CAHOOTS. 3. Dal 011ek - shared an AFSCME Union bargaining update and said the union is preparing for mediation. 4. Josselyn St. Clair - said that school buses need to be included in electrification plans. S. Sandra Bishop - shared her concerns about environmental conditions related to EWEB projects. 6. Ted Shriro - asked for council support for AFSCME bargaining efforts and fair cost of living increase. 7. Katie Preston - stated that the local indigenous community needs the return of their land. 8. Brooklyn - commented a land acknowledgment is not enough, noting water protectors were arrested. Council Discussion ■ Councilor Yeh - shared that the City of Eugene is working with tribal governments and is committed to this work; commented that Bethel and 4J would need to decide to transition to electric school busses; noted that this is the first union contract negotiation that has occurred during her time on Council and asked what Council's role is in bargaining. ■ Councilor Evans - commented that since the uprisings following George Floyd's murder, people of color and allies have been asking for changes that are necessary for the progress of poorer communities; expressed concern that justice was requested, but only a holiday was designated in response, noting additional holidays aren't needed but real justice is; identified the real struggle of gaining the justice that these communities deserve, particularly the Native American allies; said all treaties have been violated by the U.S. Government and Council should do more than talk about it. ■ Councilor Syrett - encouraged those interested to contact Bethel and 4J school districts about electrification of their school buses; commented that as a union member and labor representative for nurses at Sacred Heart, she has great interest in the City coming to a fair contract with represented workers; said she will talk to the City Manager about the details and then talk to members of the bargaining team if appropriate; commented that the land acknowledgment criticism was made without knowing what collaborative work was done by the Mayor and City Manager to create the land acknowledgment; shared some inspirational examples of land that has been returned or bought by tribal nations across the state of Oregon. ■ Mayor Vinis - shared that there is always more work done behind the scenes than is apparent, and the City continues its efforts to build stronger relationships; mentioned that 4J schools and LTD are the City's partners in the climate action plan, and encouraged testimony in front of those bodies. S. CONSENT CALENDAR 2 A. Adoption of a Resolution Annexing Land to the City of Eugene (Assessor's Map 17-04-15- 23, tax Lot 1400 located West of HWY 99N, South of McDougal Lane) (City File: Snake River Jessen; A 21-9), MINUTES - Eugene City Council October 11, 2021 Page 2 Meeting B. Adoption of a Resolution Annexing Land to the City of Eugene (Assessor's Map 17-04-02- 14; Tax Lot 1400 Located at 3915 Scenic Drive) (City File: 3915 Scenic Drive; A 21-11) MOTION AND VOTE: Councilor Yeh, Seconded Syrett, move to approve the item on Consent Calendar 2. PASSED 8:0 6. ACTION: An Ordinance Extending the Term of Ordinance No. 19775 and Ordinance No. 20397 Granting Comcast of Oregon II, Inc. a Franchise for Operation of a Cable Telecommunications System MOTION AND VOTE: Councilor Yeh, Seconded Syrett, move to adopt an Ordinance extending the term of Ordinance 1977S and Ordinance 20397 granting Comcast of Oregon II, Inc. a franchise for operation of a cable telecommunications system. PASSED 6:2, Councilors Keating and Evans opposed. Council Discussion ■ Councilor Syrett - noted that this does not make Comcast the sole cable provider and there are no exclusive rights. 7. ACTION: An Ordinance Vacating Ferry Alley Between East 3rd and Avenue and East 2nd Alley, and Providing for an Effective Date MOTION AND VOTE: Councilor Yeh, Seconded Syrett, move to adopt the Ordinance, included as Attachment C to this AIS, vacating Ferry Alley, located between East 3rd and Avenue and East 2nd Alley. PASSED: 8:0 8. ACTION: Motions Related to Safe Sleep Sites MOTION AND VOTE: Councilor Yeh, Seconded Syrett, move to approve 2243 Roosevelt Blvd. (Square0ne Villages) for use as a Safe Tent Site. PASSED: 7:1, Councilor Clark opposed. Council Discussion ■ Councilor Clark - announced that he will be voting no until a more complete policy is developed, noting he is in favor of having safe sleep sites but not when they are the only alternative to an effective policy. MOTION AND VOTE: Councilor Yeh, Seconded Syrett, move to approve Dani Street (EveryOne Village) for use as a Safe Tent and Safe Parking Site. PASSED: 7:1, Councilor Clark opposed. 9. WORK SESSION: Right -of -Way Resolutions on Federal -Aid Projects City Engineer, AIC, Jenifer Willer introduced the topic and provided background information. Council Discussion ■ Councilor Clark - asked why the City's policy was set up the way it is and why the federal policy differs. ■ Councilor Keating - commented the inclusion of the term "eminent domain" is concerning as a last resort and he has consternation and concern about public safety the subjective language used; cautioned colleagues to act carefully and asked about the issue raised and the examples given. MINUTES - Eugene City Council October 11, 2021 Page 3 Meeting Councilor Syrett - asked where in the process of working on a project that has federal funding will a resolution be required; used Franklin Boulevard redesign project as an example of when this type of action will be requested. Councilor Evans- asked what role the MPO has within the state and requested clarification on the MPO process. Councilor Groves - confirmed this process is to ensure continued funding for future requests; shared his concern about the use of eminent domain and government overreach. The meeting adjourned at 8:58 p,m. Respectfully submitted, Brooke Freed City Recorder, AIC (Recorded by Niyah Ross) Link to the webcast of this City Council meeting here. MINUTES - Eugene City Council October 11, 2021 Page 4 Meeting