HomeMy WebLinkAbout240122 MTGMINUTES
Eugene City Council Meeting and
Eugene Urban Renewal Agency Meeting
Eugene, Oregon 97401
January 22, 2024
7:30 p.m.
Councilors Present: Emily Semple, Matt Keating, Alan Zelenka, Jennifer Yeh, Mike Clark, Greg
Evans, Lyndsie Leech, and Randy Groves
Mayor Vinis opened the January 22, 2024, meeting of the Eugene City Council in a hybrid
in-person and virtual format at 101 W. 10th Avenue, Suite 114, Eugene, OR 97401.
1. ACTION: Election of City Council Officers for 2024
MOTION: Councilor Groves, seconded by Councilor Zelenka, moved to
elect Councilor Matt Keating as President of the City Council for 2024.
VOTE: 8:0 PASSED
MOTION: Councilor Keating, seconded by Councilor Semple, moved to
elect Randy Groves as Vice President of the City Council for 2024.
Council Discussion:
• Councilor Zelenka -clarified that when the Mayor is out of town the Council
President does not become the Mayor; noted the Council President becomes Mayor
under only very specific circumstances.
VOTE: 8:0 PASSED
2. CEREMONIAL MATTERS
Mayor Vinis read proclamations for Martin Luther King Jr. Day and International
Holocaust Remembrance Day.
3. COMMITTEE REPORTS AND ITEMS OF INTEREST
• Councilor Evans -shared updates from the Intergovernmental Relations Committee
regarding legislative priorities, policies, and preparation for the 2024 legislative
session.
• Councilor Zelenka -stated his renewed appreciation for electricity after losing
power during the ice storm; noted his appreciation for Eugene Water and Electric
Board work crews restoring power to the community.
• Councilor Semple -stated Wards 1, 2, 7, and 8 are up for reelection this year and
encouraged Eugene residents to apply.
• Councilor Keating -expressed his appreciation for first responders' work during the
ice storm; shared how to report storm debris and downed power lines; thanked the
Human Rights Commission for co-sponsoring H.O.N.E.Y. Inc.'s Dr. Martin Luther
King, Jr. Celebration; noted his attendance at the 2023 National Homeless Persons'
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January 22, 2024 Page 1
Memorial Day in Eugene; noted Big City Gaming worked hard to support the
community during the ice storm; noted the opening of the Old Spaghetti Factory in
the former Oregon Electric Station.
• Councilor Groves -noted his appreciation for utility workers, first responders, 911
workers, and public works employees for their work during the ice storm; noted
that neighbors helping neighbors is an essential part of community resiliency during
an emergency event; encouraged the community to plan ahead for emergency
situations.
• Councilor Leech -noted her appreciation for those who were a part of the ice storm
response; noted many residents are still without power; stated the Human Rights
Commission meeting has been rescheduled; noted her recent attendance at the Lane
Workforce Partnership meeting; thanked the Whiteaker Community Council for
bringing together a collaborative inter-governmental team to work towards an
unhoused response.
• Councilor Yeh -shared updates from the Metropolitan Water Management
Commission.
• Councilor Clark-noted his appreciation for city staff who worked during the ice
storm; asked how residents of Eugene would be contacted for boil water notices or
other emergency situations.
• Mayor Vinis -noted how well the City handled the storm response.
4. PRIORITY GOAL ACTION: Adoption of a Resolution Approving a Low-Income
Rental Housing Property Tax Exemption for Olive Plaza Senior Housing
City Manager, Sarah Medary, introduced the topic and provided background
information.
MOTION: Councilor Keating, seconded by Councilor Groves, moved to
adopt A Resolution Approving a Low-Income Rental Housing Property
Tax Exemption for Property located on Olive Street in Eugene, Oregon
(Assessor's Map 17-03-31-42 Tax Lot 00300; Assessor's Property
Account No. 1238557) (Applicant Olive Plaza Senior Housing, Limited
Partnership).
Council Discussion:
• Councilor Zelenka -noted the definition of low-income as it applies to qualifying for
this low-income rental housing; stated the importance of providing this type of
housing.
VOTE: 8:0 PASSED
5. PRIORITY GOAL ACTION: Adoption of a Resolution Approving a Low-Income
Rental Housing Property Tax Exemption for Peace Village Housing
Cooperative
City Manager, Sarah Medary, introduced the topic and provided background
information.
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January 22, 2024 Page 2
MOTION: Councilor Keating, seconded by Councilor Groves, moved to
adopt A Resolution Approving a Low-Income Rental Housing Property
Tax Exemption for Property located on River Road in Eugene, Oregon
(Assessor's Map 17-04-11-13 Tax Lot 01900; Assessor's Property
Account No. 0357804) (Applicant Peace Village Housing Cooperative).
VOTE: 8:0 PASSED
6. PRIORITY GOAL ACTION: Adoption of a Resolution Approving a Low-Income
Rental Housing Property Tax Exemption for Reveille on Sixth
City Manager, Sarah Medary, introduced the topic and provided background
information.
MOTION: Councilor Keating, seconded by Councilor Groves, moved to
adopt A Resolution Approving a Low-Income Rental Housing Property
Tax Exemption for Property located on 6th Avenue in Eugene, Oregon
(Assessor's Map 17-04-36-11 Tax Lots 09700, CC Agenda Page 32
January 22, 2024 Meeting -Item 6 09800, 09900, 09999; Assessor's
Property Account Nos. 0473213, 0473221, 0473239, 0473247)
(Applicant Reveille Foundation). VOTE: 8:0 PASSED
7. CONSENT CALENDAR 1
A. Approval of City Council Minutes
• October 23, 2023 Work Session
• October 23, 2023 Meeting
• December 13, 2023 Work Session
• January 8, 2023 State of the City
B. Approval of City Council Tentative Agenda
C. Approval of Appointment to the Metropolitan Wastewater Management
Commission
D. Approval of a Resolution Authorizing the Sale of General Obligation Bonds to
Fund Street Repair, and Walking, Biking, Safety, and Street Tree Projects
MOTION: Councilor Keating, seconded by Councilor Groves, moved to
approve the items on Consent Calendar 1.
Council Discussion:
• Councilor Zelenka -stated Peter Ruffler, the appointee to the Metropolitan
Wastewater Management Commission, is highly qualified; noted this is the fourth
time the City has offered road bonds.
VOTE: 8:0 PASSED
Mayor Vinis closed the meeting of the Eugene City Council and convened a
meeting of the Eugene Urban Renewal Agency.
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8. ACTION: Resolution Acknowledging Receipt of the Annual Financial Report of the
Urban Renewal Agency of the City of Eugene for the Fiscal Year Ended June 30,
2023
Agency Director, Sarah Medary, introduced the topic and provided background
information.
MOTION: Councilor Keating, seconded by Councilor Groves, moved to
approve a resolution acknowledging receipt of the Annual Financial
Report for the Urban Renewal Agency of the City of Eugene for the
fiscal year ended June 30, 2023. VOTE: 8:0 PASSED
Mayor Vin is closed the meeting of the Eugene Urban Renewal Agency and
convened a meeting of the Eugene City Council.
9. ACTION: Resolution Acknowledging Receipt of City of Eugene, Annual
Comprehensive Financial Report for the Fiscal Year Ended June 30, 2023
City Manager, Sarah Medary, introduced the topic and provided background
information.
MOTION: Councilor Keating, seconded by Councilor Groves, moved to
approve a resolution acknowledging receipt of the Annual
Comprehensive Financial Report (ACFR) for the City of Eugene, for the
fiscal year ended June 30, 2023. VOTE: 8:0 PASSED
10. PUBLIC COMMENT
1. Stefan Strek -spoke about the recent ice storm and impacts of houselessness on the
community.
2. Scott Fife -spoke against the multi-unit property unit tax exemption.
Council Discussion:
■ Councilor Semple -noted she h as changed her stance on supporting multi-unit
property unit tax exemptions to encourage housing development.
Mayor Vinis adjourned the meeting at 8:15 p.m.
Respectfully submitted,
Katie La Sala
City Recorder
(Recorded by Cherish Bradshaw)
Link to the web cast of this City Council m ee ting here .
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