HomeMy WebLinkAbout240212 WSMINUTES
Eugene City Council
Work Session
Eugene, Oregon 97401
February 12, 2024
5:30 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 February 12, 2024, work session of the Eugene City Council in a hybrid
format at 101 W 10 th Avenue, Eugene OR 97401.
1. WORK SESSION: Urgent Community Needs -Economic Drivers and Strategies
City Manager Medary introduced Anne Fifield, Economic Development Manager and Henry
Fields, Oregon Employment Department Workforce Analyst and Economist for Lane and
Douglas Counties, who presented on key economic drivers impacting Eugene and the region,
and some of the work the city is doing to advance the City's strategic goals related to economic
development.
Councilor Discussion:
■
■
■
■
■
■
Councilor Keating -asked for the average wage in Eugene; noted construction sector
wages seem strong; asked about the viability of the proposed expansion for the Port of
Coos Bay; noted the port may reduce greenhouse gas emissions; asked about potential
changes to the shipping sector if the port is connected by rail.
Councilor Zelenka -asked how Eugene and Lane County plan to take advantage of funds
made available by the federal government as part of the Inflation Reduction Act; noted the
current strategy for recruiting large companies to the area often fails; believes the city
should position itself to attract more family wage jobs to the area.
Councilor Yeh -noted she is happy the plan focuses on helping existing local businesses;
asked how to raise local wages; asked if other local minority groups like Plaza de Nuestra
Com uni dad have been recipients of the City's Microenterprise Training; noted the
importance of supporting local minority communities.
Councilor Clark -asked about future population growth from migration; asked how
migration can be leveraged for economic growth; asked if the City is maximizing its
partnership with the University of Oregon to take advantage of potential economic
opportunities generated by the Knight Campus; asked how to use anticipated student
population growth due to University of Oregon's acceptance into the Big Ten athletic
conference for the economic good of the community.
Councilor Evans -asked how to retain locally trained nurses; noted local nurses are
moving to other areas that offer better wages and benefits.
Councilor Leech -asked how remote work opportunities affect the local economy; stated
her interest in seeing how the evolving landscape of remote work affects local
infrastructure like co-working spaces.
MINUTES -Eugene City Council
Work Session
February 12, 2024 Page 1
•
•
•
•
•
•
Councilor Groves -spoke about his experience with the Knight Campus; noted the
University may not be aware of local tech companies and their need for interns and skilled
workers; noted a local company's struggle attracting and retaining engineers; noted
companies in industries like solar like to co-locate because it allows them to stabilize
supply chains; noted large companies have considering locating here but were unable to
find enough land to meet their needs; noted about nine percent of the local workforce are
in manufacturing; asked how that percentage compares to other similarly sized
communities; asked if it's common for industries like solar to prefer to cooperatively
relocate; stated the City should support the expansion of the port in Coos Bay.
Mayor Vin is -asked about the impact of the arts on the local economy; asked how a
"difficult to fill" job is defined; asked if limitations with the local workforce are best solved
through migration or training.
Councilor Keating -asked how many people in the community work multiple jobs to make
ends meet; asked how we compare to other similar communities; asked about the age
demographics of those moving to the area; asked ifwe can attract hospitals to co-locate to
the area.
Councilor Zelenka -asked about unique local features that may attract businesses; asked
how to promote Eugene as a well-organized, mid-size city with great parks and open
spaces as well as a robust arts culture.
Councilor Groves -asked if residential structures are changing due to the increase in
remote work; asked if Council should change their housing policy strategies to align with
changing housing trends.
Mayor Vinis -stated it is useful to think of the local economy as an ecosystem; noted her
appreciation for the presentation.
The meeting was adjourned at 7:00 p.m.
Respectfully submitted,
Katie LaSala
City Recorder
(Recorded by Cherish Bradshaw)
Link to the web cast of this City Council meeting here.
MINUTES -Eugene City Council
Work Session
February 12, 2024 Page 2