HomeMy WebLinkAbout240226 MTGMINUTES
Eugene City Council Meeting and
Eugene City Council Public Hearing
Eugene, Oregon 97401
February 26, 2024
7:30 p.m.
Councilors Present: Emily Semple, Matt Keating, Alan Zelenka, Jennifer Yeh, Mike Clark,
Lyndsie Leech, and Randy Groves
Councilors Absent: Greg Evans
Mayor Vinis opened the February 26, 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. COMMITTEE REPORTS AND ITEMS OF INTEREST
• Councilor Groves -noted a recent meeting at UA Local 290 with the US Secretary of
Labor, Julie Su, to discuss internships and apprenticeships to increase job
opportunities for high school students.
• Councilor Keating -noted he also attended the meeting with the US Secretary of
Labor and Congresswomen Val Hoyle; noted his attendance at the candlelight vigil
for home healthcare nurses; noted his mother's last round of chemotherapy is
March 15.
• Mayor Vinis -noted she attended a round table meeting with Congresswoman Val
Hoyle and local utilities to debrief on the ice storm; noted Federal Emergency
Management Agency (FEMA) was not designed for localized issues like the ice
storm, and that there is a desire to see that change.
2. CONSENT CALENDAR 1
A. Approval of City Council Minutes
• January 22, 2024 Meeting
B. Approval of City Council Tentative Agenda
MOTION: Councilor Keating, seconded by Councilor Groves, moved to
approve the items on Consent Calendar 1. VOTE: 7:0 PASSED
3. ACTION: An Ordinance Extending The Sunset Date Of Ordinance No. 20672
(Temporary Establishment Of "Safe Parking" And "Safe Tent" Sites That Are
Larger Than Allowed Under Section 4.816 Of The Eugene Code, 1971)
MOTION: Councilor Keating, seconded by Councilor Groves, moved to
adopt an Ordinance Extending the Sunset Date of Ordinance No.
20672 (Temporary Establishment of "Safe Parking" and "Safe Tent"
Sites that are Larger than Allowed Under Section 4.816 of the Eugene
Code, 1971).
MINUTES -Eugene City Council
Meeting
February 26, 2024 Page 1
Council Discussion:
•
•
•
Councilor Clark -asked about the budgetary impacts of the ordinance .
Councilor Semple -stated her appreciation and support for these shelters .
Councilor Zelenka -noted an average of 25 percent of people who utilize these
shelters move on to permanent housing; stated more shelters are needed.
• Councilor Groves -noted that while he is concerned about the costs, this solution is
better than people living on the streets; noted he frequently visits Everyone Village
and is impressed by the number of people who are able to become productive
community members.
VOTE ON MAIN MOTION: 7:0 PASSED
4. PUBLIC HEARING AND POSSIBLE ACTION: An Ordinance Concerning State Traffic
Laws; Amending Section 5.005 of the Eugene Code, 1971; and Providing an
Immediate Effective Date
City Manager, Sarah Medary, introduced the topic and provided background
information.
Mayor Vinis opened the public hearing.
There were no speakers for the Public Hearing.
Mayor Vinis closed the public hearing.
MOTION: Councilor Keating, seconded by Councilor Groves, moved to
adopt An Ordinance Concerning State Traffic Laws; Amending Section
5.005 of the Eugene Code, 1971; and Providing an Immediate Effective
Date. VOTE: 7:0 PASSED
5. PUBLIC HEARING AND POSSIBLE ACTION: An Ordinance Providing for Withdrawal
of Annexed Properties from the Following Special Districts: Lane Fire Authority;
River Road Park & Recreation District; River Road Water District; Santa Clara
Rural Fire Protection District; Santa Clara Water District; Willakenzie Rural Fire
Protection District; and Willamalane Park and Recreation District.
Mayor Vinis opened the public hearing.
City Manager, Sarah Medary, introduced the topic and provided background
information.
There were no speakers for the Public Hearing.
Mayor Vinis closed the public hearing.
MOTION: Councilor Keating, seconded by Councilor Groves, moved to
approve the Ordinance Providing for the Withdrawal of Annexed
Properties included as Attachment A to this AIS. VOTE: 7:0 PASSED
MINUTES -Eugene City Council
Meeting
February 26, 2024 Page 2
6.PUBLIC COMMENT
1.Kay Rose -spoke against proposed changes to Franklin Boulevard.
2.Janet Harris -spoke against proposed changes to Franklin Boulevard.
3.Otto Poticha -spoke against proposed changes to Franklin Boulevard.
4.Charles Frazer -spoke against proposed changes to Franklin Boulevard.
5.Sue Crosby -spoke against proposed changes to Franklin Boulevard.
6.John Hirons -spoke against proposed changes to Franklin Boulevard.
7.Kathleen Frazer -spoke against proposed changes to Franklin Boulevard.
8.Travis Thompson -spoke about his recent experience with a home invasion.
9.Allen McWayne -spoke against the city supporting the construction of a Eugene
Emeralds stadium.
10.Sarah Koski -spoke about her work with the unhoused.
11.Thomas Bruno -spoke against proposed changes to Franklin Boulevard.
12.Eric Bergland -spoke against proposed changes to Franklin Boulevard.
13.Rich Locke -spoke about trash on West 11th and the availability of County jail beds.
14.John Crowder -spoke against the River Road Santa Clara plan; against virtual only
joint hearings with the City and County; spoke in favor of reintroducing the pledge
of allegiance to Council meetings.
15.Heather Quaas-Annsa -thanked Council for passing the safe sleep site ordinance;
asked for more shelter support.
Council Discussion: •
•
Councilor Groves -asked if council will be receiving an update about the Franklin
Boulevard project; noted there is a carveout in the River Road plan for a business
area; stated he liked the idea to reintroduce the Pledge of Allegiance to council
meetings; noted he had been told that the County jail was unable to activate more
beds due to federal edict and structural issues; asked to confirm the bed capacity at
Lane County jail; noted he has visited all Safe Sleep Sites.
Councilor Keating -noted his appreciation for those who work at Community
Supported Shelters; noted his concern with the changed Franklin Boulevard plan;
noted there are other options for traffic calming besides roundabouts; stated he
would like to have a work session about the project.
Mayor Vinis adjourned the meeting at 8:35 p.m.
Respectfully submitted,
Katie LaSala
City Recorder
(Recorded by Cherish Bradshaw J
Link to the web cast of this City Council meeting here.
MINUTES -Eugene City Council
Meeting
February 26, 2024 Page 3