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Home My WebLink About211025 MTGMINUTES Eugene City Council and Eugene Urban Renewal Agency Virtual Meeting Eugene, Oregon 97401 October 25, 2021 7:30 p.m. Councilors Present: Emily Semple, Matt Keating, Alan Zelenka, Jennifer Yeh, Mike Clark, Randy Groves, Claire Syrett Absent: Greg Evans Mayor Vinis opened the October 25, 2021, meeting of the Eugene City Council in a virtual format. 1. COMMITTEE REPORTS AND ITEMS OF INTEREST ■ Councilor Syrett - shared a compilation of articles and pieces about the state of immigrant residents in Oregon, noting the importance of the topic and report; shared that UO Law school is holding a panel discussion; noted an article in the paper about an Oregon Worker Relief fund that was created during the pandemic and is managed and supported by immigrant groups and money to help provide support for workers who were impacted by COVID and do not qualify for unemployment benefits; asked Council to look into this fund and whether ARPA money could be contributed to support workers in Eugene who were impacted by COVID and do not qualify for benefits. ■ Councilor Keating - shared a comment about regulating gas -powered landscaping equipment, noting that the state of California has taken action on this issue; said that the use of gas - powered leaf blowers has been raised at LRAPA from an environmental and equity standpoint and added to the agenda for the Citizen's Advisory Committee to report back to LRAPA; shared meeting details and how to submit public comment; said he is hopeful the recommendations will be brought back to Council from the Citizen's Advisory Committee. ■ Councilor Clark - explained that he smiled during Councilor Keating's info share because gas - powered equipment was one of his predecessor's biggest issues and he is carrying on her legacy with this work. ■ Councilor Zelenka - shared that former Councilor Betty Taylor brought this topic up for years, noting that climate change initiatives are an angle to have an impact at the local level; commented this is a long-standing issue that never garnered enough support to do something. ■ City Manager Medary - shared there is an opening on the October 27 council agenda, and she plans to bring back the issue of right-of-way resolutions related to federally funded capital construction projects. ■ Mayor Vinis - encouraged colleagues to donate blood because there is a critical shortage on blood supply and donating blood saves lives. 2. CONSENT CALENDAR 1 A. Approval of City Council Minutes • June 16, 2021, Work Session • June 21, 2021, Public Hearing • June 28, 2021, Work Session • July 19, 2021, Meeting • October 18, 2021, Public Hearing MINUTES - Eugene City Council October 25, 2021 Page 1 Meeting B. Approval of City Council Tentative Agenda MOTION AND VOTE: Councilor Yeh, seconded by Councilor Syrett, moved to approve items Consent Calendar 1. PASSED 7:0 3. PUBLIC FORUM 1. Wendy Beck (AFSCME) - shared concerns about pay reductions for unionized employees. 2. Aimee Okotie- Oyekan - voiced concern about building four gas stations within one mile in one year. 3. Danny Noonan - shared the global context of regulating methane gas use in new infrastructure. 4. Carolyn Partridge - voiced concern about building new schools with methane hook-ups. S. Dal 011ek - urged the City Council to support fair contracts and pay in bargaining agreements. 6. Ana Molina - talked about the number of gas stations in Eugene and how Eugene can electrify. 7. Lisa Arkin - asked Council to do everything possible to transition away from fossil fuel use. 8. Ruxton Schuh - said City's contract offer was an afront to AFSCME union members' rights. 9. Chad McCarty - talked about wireless safety as a health and safety issue in the city. 10. Linda Balser - shared comparisons between her employment pay and her supervisor's. 11. William Smith - shared information on the Telecommunications Act. Council Discussion ■ Councilor Keating - said he supports a fair and equitable union contract resolution; commented on the gas station testimony, noting that it's frustrating this is occurring when the City is trying to meet climate action goals; asked why a gas station is needed near every EmX station and said the investments should be in establishing more electric charging stations; said he stands with members of the community who shared concerns about the proliferation of gas stations; stated that Council needs to be taking more action to reduce carbon emissions and fossil fuels rather than facilitating these developments. ■ Councilor Clark - challenged members of the community to understand the cognitive dissonance of the gas stations issue; stated there continues to be a demand for gasoline; encouraged Beyond Toxics to do more outreach and education to discourage people from buying more gas and reduce the demand for new gas stations. ■ Councilor Yeh - stated that she does not understand the process and asked if the new gas stations are a done deal; requested information on how the process is moving along; commented that the new gas stations have an impact on the people who have to live around them; expressed concern that she feels uninformed on the process. ■ Councilor Syrett - stated that gas stations go through a commercial permitting process and there is no role for Council; stated Council would have to go through code changes to change and enforce permitted uses; reported that at least three of the gas stations are built and open for business; asked about the process for a zoning change. ■ Mayor Vinis - appreciated the testimony that brought up issue of how to change the status quo around heating and infrastructure, acknowledging the tension that will likely occur if Council intervenes to change the trajectory; agreed that a fair bargaining process for the AFSME contract is everyone's goal. ■ Councilor Groves - shared he hopes a pathway is found to reach an agreement with City union employees; expressed his concern that so many gas stations are popping up in the same corridor; stated business owners do not build a gas station without support from the consumers; commented there is a role for individual responsibility and local government cannot regulate every aspect of life; stated individuals need to exercise their rights responsibly; stated he would like to see concepts and ideas on how to encourage the individual's role. ■ Councilor Clark - agreed it is more effective to educate consumers on the public benefit of their actions rather than tell them they can't do something; shared that there is a company building electric cars in the community and the Council should consider incentives for this type of MINUTES - Eugene City Council October 25, 2021 Page 2 Meeting industry; reiterated that he would rather show people a better way to go that is more beneficial than limit or regulate their choices. ■ Mayor Vinis - stated that the City is constantly pursing this work and has a transportation system plan to initiate better transit systems. Mayor Vinis adjourned the Eugene City Council meeting. Mayor Vinis convened the Eugene Urban Renewal Agency, 4. ACTION: 942 Olive Purchase and Sale Agreement Urban Renewal Agency Director Sarah Medary gave background and introduced the topic. Council Discussion ■ Councilor Zelenka- asked about the allocation of funds for RAIN; asked about the bonding requirements for the University of Oregon; asked if funding for the building renovation came from the Oregon Business Development department and whether the agreement needs to abide by the attached regulations; clarified that this was a change by the University of Oregon and impacts their ability to move forward. ■ Councilor Clark - asked if it is the University's intent to use this facility differently; asked what kind of work will be done inside the structure and in the future. MOTION AND VOTE: Councilor Yeh, Seconded Syrett, move to authorize the Agency Director to execute the First Amendment to the Purchase and Sale Agreement for 942 Olive Street, as set forth in Attachment C. PASSED 7:0 The meeting adjourned at 8:37 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 2S, 2021 Page 3 Meeting