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Home My WebLink About211213 MTGMINUTES Eugene City Council and Eugene Urban Renewal Agency Virtual Meeting Eugene, Oregon 97401 December 13, 2021 7:30 p.m. Councilors Present: Jennifer Yeh, Claire Syrett, Greg Evans, Randy Groves, Emily Semple, Alan Zelenka, Matt Keating, Mike Clark Mayor Vinis opened the December 13, 2021, meeting of the Eugene City Council in virtual format. 1. COMMITTEE REPORTS AND ITEMS OF INTEREST Councilor Syrett - shared that she and Mayor Vinis attended a meeting organized by residents of the Trainsong neighborhood, comprised of renters and owners, which was a very productive meeting; noted she has encouraged them to reactivate their neighborhood association; discussed the 12/5/21 Register -Guard article titled "Officials Disagree on Shooting" and the Eugene Police Department Use of Force Review Board's discussion of the fatal shooting of Eliborio Rodrigues Jr., noting the article provided insights into the dysfunctional review board process and how its attitudes are not aligned with Eugene Police Department policies. Councilor Semple - shared that bathrooms are opening at the Washington Jefferson Park blocks and thanked Eric Brown and Sue Sierralupe for their efforts and advocacy; expressed hope for further expansion of such services across the city; noted that the cross -laminated timber has been delivered to the farmer's market blocks and vertical construction will soon begin. Councilor Keating - congratulated Councilor Groves on his poll to advance a work session requiring the City of Eugene to create tools and strategies for addressing chronic toxic polluters, something of great interest to him and his colleagues at the Lane Regional Air Protection Agency; wished happy holidays to the Mayor, City Council and the community. Mayor Vinis - shared that she testified before Congressman Peter DeFazio at the Transportation and Infrastructure Committee regarding the benefits of the Environmental Protection Agency's Brownfields Program; shared that she visited the 310 Garfield safe sleep site with Representative Nancy Nathanson and encouraged councilors to do the same, noting its good use of the property and high levels of organization. 2. CONSENT CALENDAR 1 A. Approval of City Council Minutes ■ July 26, 2021, Meeting B. Approval of City Council Tentative Agenda C. Human Rights Commission (HRC) Appointment MINUTES - Eugene City Council and December 13, 2021 Page 1 Urban Renewal Agency Meeting D. Resolution Acknowledging the Receipt of the Annual Comprehensive Financial Report of the City of Eugene for the Fiscal Year Ended June 30, 2021 E. Resolution Approving a Low -Income Rental Housing Property Tax Exemption for Property Located on E. 11th Avenue, Eugene, Oregon (Assessor's Map 17-03- 31-41, Tax Lots 90000 and 90003, Assessor's Property Account Nos. 1820941 and 1820974;) (Applicant St. Vincent de Paul Society of Lane County, Inc.) MOTION: Councilor Yeh, seconded by Councilor Syrett, moved to approve the items on Consent Calendar 1. Council Discussion ■ Councilor Zelenka - commented that the appointment of Heather Marek to the HRC is a great addition; noted that the City's annual comprehensive financial report received a clean review; noted that Consent Calendar 1 item 2E renews the Low - Income Rental Housing Property Tax Exemption (LIRHPTE) of the St. Vincent DePaul Aurora Project on 111h and Oak, which provides 54 units of low-income downtown housing for another 20 years, something that should be celebrated. ■ Councilor Syrett - noted HRC appointee Heather Marek's history with American Civil Liberties Union (ACLU) Oregon and concurred that she is an excellent choice for this appointment. VOTE: PASSED 8:0 3. PUBLIC FORUM 1. Jolene Siemsen - shared support for the ad hoc committee on police policy. 2. Kathryn Dunn - shared concerns over the effect of renter's protections on landlords. 3. Jacob Trewe - shared concerns about the supplemental budget adding to police funding. 4. Meg - asked Council to support rules protecting small, resident landlords. S. Kathie Robidou - shared concerns over the effect of renter's protections on landlords. 6. Aimee Okotie-Oyekan - expressed support for expanded renter's protections. 7. Scott Smith - shared concerns over the effect of renter's protections on landlords. 8. Sabrina Segal - shared concerns over 5G wireless and its impact on public health. 9. Pam Haggard - shared concerns over the effect of renter's protections on landlords. 10. Zach Mulholland - urged council to fund climate action and unhoused services. 11. Chava Kronen - expressed support for expanded renter's protections. 12. Chad McCarty - shared concerns over wireless broadband's impact on public health. 13. William Smith - shared concerns over wireless broadband's impact on public health. 14. Ava - shared concerns over long-term exposure to radio frequency radiation (5G). 15. Kathyrn Rogers - shared concerns over the effect of renter's protections on landlords. Council Discussion ■ Mayor Vinis - thanked all who testified and shared community concerns. ■ Councilor Syrett - noted there has only been one work session discussing potential renter's protections, during which Council reviewed recommendations from the Housing Policy Board, a group including landlords and property owners; noted that these work sessions are conversations which do not typically trigger broad public outreach; asked the City Manager to repeat the motion regarding the feasibility of MINUTES — Eugene City Council and December 13, 2021 Page 2 Urban Renewal Agency Meeting and resources needed to implement housing board recommendations; stated these Council discussions are very fluid and any proposed action would require a public hearing with notice; reminded all that no decision has been made and there remains adequate time for public input; noted that the City has made a commitment to expanding high-speed fiber optic internet to rest of the City. Mayor Vinis adjourned the meeting of the Eugene City Council at 8:30 p.m. and called to order the meeting of the Eugene Urban Renewal Agency. 4. ACTION: A Resolution Acknowledging the Receipt of the Annual Financial Report of the Urban Renewal Agency of the City of Eugene, for the fiscal year ended June 30,2021 MOTION AND VOTE: Agency President Yeh, seconded by Councilor Syrett, moved to adopt a resolution acknowledging the receipt of the Annual Financial Report of the Urban Renewal Agency of the City of Eugene, for the fiscal year ended June 30, 2021. PASSED 8:0 5. PUBLIC HEARING and ACTION: A Resolution Adopting a Supplemental Budget; Making Appropriations for the Urban Renewal Agency of the City of Eugene for the Fiscal Year Beginning July 1, 2021, and Ending June 30, 2022. Mayor Vinis opened the Public Hearing. 1. John Barofsky - expressed support for the supplemental urban renewal budget. MOTION AND VOTE: Agency President Yeh, seconded by Councilor Syrett, moved to adopt a resolution adopting a supplemental budget; making appropriations for the Urban Renewal Agency of the City of Eugene for the fiscal year beginning July 1, 2021 and ending June 30, 2022. PASSED 8:0 Mayor Vinis adjourned the meeting of the Eugene Urban Renewal Agency at 8:39 p.m. and reconvened the meeting of the Eugene City Council. 6. PUBLIC HEARING and ACTION: A Resolution Adopting a Supplemental Budget; Making Appropriations for the City of Eugene for the Fiscal Year Beginning July 1, 2021, and Ending June 30, 2022 Mayor Vinis opened the Public Hearing. John Barofsky - urged Council to redirect funding to bolster unhoused resources. Samantha Roberts - expressed critical needs on behalf of Chamber of Commerce. Jacob Trewe - advocated for expansion of low-income housing options. MOTION AND VOTE: Councilor Yeh, seconded by Councilor Syrett, moved to adopt a resolution adopting a supplemental budget; making appropriations for MINUTES - Eugene City Council and December 13, 2021 Page 3 Urban Renewal Agency Meeting the City of Eugene for the fiscal Year beginning July 1, 2021 and Ending June 30, 2022. PASSED 8:0 7. PUBLIC HEARING and POSSIBLE ACTION: A Resolution Realigning City Ward Boundaries and Repealing Resolution No. 5044 Mayor Vinis opened the Public Hearing. There were no speakers for the Public Hearing. Council Discussion ■ Councilor Clark - thanked staff for the strategy and efforts undertaken to complete this important work. ■ Councilor Groves - stated support for this resolution; encouraged staff to provide an opportunity for more in-depth study into this issue well in advance of the next 10- year review. MOTION AND VOTE: Councilor Yeh, seconded by Councilor Syrett, moved to adopt a resolution realigning City Ward boundaries and repealing Resolution No. 5044. PASSED 8:0 The meeting adjourned at 8:55 p.m. Respectfully submitted, Brooke Freed City Recorder (AIC) (Recorded by Jay Ferris) Webcast of meeting available here. MINUTES - Eugene City Council and December 13, 2021 Page 4 Urban Renewal Agency Meeting