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Home My WebLink About211108 MTGMINUTES Eugene City Council Virtual Meeting Eugene, Oregon 97401 November 8, 2021 7:30 p.m. Councilors Present: Emily Semple, Matt Keating, Alan Zelenka, Jennifer Yeh, Mike Clark, Randy Groves, and Claire Syrett Absent: Greg Evans Mayor Vinis opened the November 8, 2021, meeting of the Eugene City Council in a virtual format. 1. PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE TO THE FLAG Fire Chief Chris Heppel led the meeting attendees in reciting the Pledge of Allegiance to the Flag in commemoration of Veterans Day on November 11, 2021. 2. COMMITTEE REPORTS AND ITEMS OF INTEREST Councilor Semple - shared that today was the first day of leaf pick-up; reminded residents to rake the leaves off their sidewalks to keep each other safe. Councilor Keating - shared that, thanks to City staff and service providers, a friend who was evicted from a Rest Stop and was looking for shelter and needed help accessing services was able to secure space at the Dawn to Dawn facility and get connected to services they did not know existed; stated that most people do not understand how difficult it is to access these services; said he hoped the community can utilize technology to be more intentional about where the people who are most in need can go to access services; said he supports an expeditious, just, and fair contract. 3. Consent Calendar 1 A. Approval of City Council Minutes ■ May 12, 2021, Work Session ■ May 17, 2021, Public Hearing ■ July 12, 2021, Work Session ■ July 26, 2021, Work Session ■ September 15, 2021, Work Session ■ October 27, 2021, Work Session B. Approval of City Council Tentative Agenda MOTION AND VOTE: Councilor Yeh, seconded by Councilor Syrett, moved to approve the items Consent Calendar 1. PASSED 7:0 4. PUBLIC FORUM 1. Courtney Kalternbach - encouraged action to mitigate the negative effects of climate change. 2. Johnny Kocher - urged officials to move to electric vehicles and buildings. MINUTES - Eugene City Council November 8, 2021 Page 1 Meeting 3. Tom Peck - supported new ordinances banning new construction using methane gas. 4. Madeline Cowen - shared negative health impacts from living in a rental with natural gas. S. Aimee Okotie-Oyeken - said that hatred and intolerance is causing the climate crisis. 6. Kris McAlister - reminded City staff to consider how to treat people as a whole. 7. Ryan Moore - asked Council to follow through on the two requests for fossil free buildings. 8. Dal 011ek - asked Council to support employees in securing a fair labor contract. 9. Lois Yoshishige - shared personal experience with the dangers of natural gas. 10. Dylan Plummer - urged Council to support motions associated with methane gas. 11. Danny Noonan - shared information about a global methane pact by 105 countries. 12. Charles "Chuck" Areford - said NW Natural is a business that cares only about bottom -line. 13. Sydney Gastman - shared her fears about the future and climate catastrophes. 14. Bryce Cumpston - shared that bad decisions are being made now to further doom futures. 15. Jeffrey Albanese - supported protection for Eugene renters, shared his experience. 16. Linda Kelley - asked Council to demonstrate courage and determination to create safety. 17. Cole Kastner - shared story and brought attention to Bell Real Estate's business practices. 18. Robin Bloomgarden - stated this is a simple proposition and Council has the upper hand. 19. Tim - shared his experience looking for rental housing, and minimum costs for relocating. 20. James "Jim" Neu - stated Climate Action Plan 2.0 is failing to meet greenhouse reduction goals. 21. Scott Lemons - supported phasing out gas with all new construction 100 percent electric. 22. Eloise Navarro - stated now is time for Council to prioritize decarbonizing buildings. 23. Bryn Callie - asked for a ban on new fossil fuels infrastructure and a plan to electrify. 24. Pattie Hine - stated gas industry falsely promotes methane as a clean, safe energy alternative. 25. Grace Brahler - shared approval of fossil fuel infrastructure expansion in neighborhood. 26. Cameron Montane - shared the future of climate is top of mind due to changes in weather. 27. Nick Dikas - shared an article about Ithaca, New York committing to decarbonize by 2030. 28. Karen Austin - said she is excited to see Council acting to reduce greenhouse gas emissions. 29. Jennifer Gordon - opposed renewal of the City's contract with NW Natural. 30. Wendy Beck - shared information about an AFSCME rally and bargaining for a fair contract. 31. Jonny Saunders - said planet will become unlivable if society fails to decarbonize. 32. Bethany Cotton - shared she is currently transitioning appliances from gas to electric. 33. David Lefevre - asked Council to draft the two proposed ordinances; climate crisis is here. 34. Carl Bybee - stated gas companies misinform about climate change and methane gas as clean. 35. William Smith - shared work of Susan Crawford, opposing telecom wireless infrastructure. 36. Merrily Sutton - shared climate is getting worse, need to do something rather than talk. Council Discussion ■ Councilor Keating - shared outrage over those in power putting the screws to those who have little to no options; stated tonight's testimony was powerfully moving, heartfelt and emotionally driven; supported renter's rights and said there is a critical need for displacement prevention assistance; said he looks forward to being a supportive partner; appreciated the stories around renter protection, a fair and equitable labor contract and climate change. ■ Councilor Syrett - appreciated the variety of topics in the Public Forum; said she remains hopeful that the City Manager and AFSCME can come to a mutually agreeable contract; appreciated the people who came to speak about renter protections and shared personal stories that are difficult to hear; said the story about the no -cause eviction showed that Council could have a role in mitigating this type of behavior by MINUTES - Eugene City Council November 8, 2021 Page 2 Meeting property owners through the proposed displacement ordinance; supported creating a fair housing landscape for renters in the community. ■ Councilor Groves - supported City workers and said he hopes to reach a fair and equitable resolution for AFSCME workers; agreed the stories from renters were horrific and saw the responsibility of Council as protecting the community; commented that he is interested in learning more about what Council can do to help. ■ Councilor Zelenka - shared that a work session on renter protections is scheduled for November 22, noting that he has been trying to get this topic on an agenda for a long time; commented that work session will address ways to assist renters and ensure fair treatment; supported City workers and hoped for fair contract; shared that the Wednesday, November 17 work session on CAP 2.0 will address how to move forward on the gas issue. ■ Councilor Yeh - shared meeting details on the CAP 2.0, renter protections, climate change and housing funding issues. ■ Councilor Clark - said he understands the fear that renters feel if they speak up and jeopardize their housing; shared that the rental housing division can help renters and address problems that they may be having; urged renters to get in touch with the rental housing department for assistance; encouraged caution about unintended long-term consequences of the renter protection regulations. ■ Councilor Semple - shared the Housing Policy Board worked hard on the renter protection recommendations that are being proposed. ■ Mayor Vinis - shared the Mayor's dashboard is on the City website and can be found at the CAP 2.0 site. 5. CONSENT CALENDAR 2 A. Adoption of a Resolution Annexing Land to the City of Eugene (Assessor's map 17- 03-08-23, tax Lot 3900 located at 3840 Gilham Road) (City File: Muller, Joseph; A 21-10) MOTION AND VOTE: Councilor Yeh, Seconded Syrett, move to approve the item on Consent Calendar 2. PASSED 7:0 6. ACTION: An Ordinance Concerning Disposition of Eugene Water & Electric Board Real Property and Amending section 2.196 of the Eugene Code, 1971 City Manager Sarah Medary introduced the topic. City Attorney Kathryn Brotherton gave background information on the topic. MOTION: Councilor Yeh, Seconded Syrett, move to adopt Attachment A to the AIS, an Ordinance Concerning Disposition of Eugene Water & Electric Board Real Property and Amending Section 2.196 of the Eugene Code, 1971. Council Discussion ■ Councilor Clark - shared that he will be voting no; said he is in favor of the City acquiring the property and all the pieces that go with the project as described by the City Attorney, noting the amendment from five years to one year for the opportunity to buy the EWEB building for a new City Hall; said he is confused by the lack of effort to purchase the EWEB property and shared this will be looked on one day as a great mistake the City made. MINUTES - Eugene City Council November 8, 2021 Page 3 Meeting VOTE: PASSED 6:1, Councilor Clark opposed. The meeting adjourned at 9:32 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 November 8, 2021 Page 4 Meeting