HomeMy WebLinkAbout240408 MTGMINUTES
Eugene City Council
Meeting
Eugene, Oregon 97401
April 8, 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 April 8, 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. CEREMONIAL MATTERS
Mayor Vinis read proclamations for Fair Housing Month and Earth Day.
2. COMMITTEE REPORTS AND ITEMS OF INTEREST
• Councilor Semple -noted the City's online Newsroom was live; stated it would
improve community engagement; noted the dog park at Washington Jefferson Park
had opened; stated the importance of communal green spaces as urban density
increases.
• Councilor Evans -noted concerning reductions in the availability of healthcare
services locally; stated the Council should work to address healthcare availability
issues at the state level.
• Councilor Keating -noted Representative Nathanson recently addressed the decline
in community healthcare access; noted he was a phone operator in KLCC's
radiothon; noted Portland had voted to phase out gas-powered leaf blowers; stated
he hopes to do the same in Eugene.
• Mayor Vinis -noted her Blue Ribbon Business Panel had concluded and the final
recommendations would be formally presented in June.
3. CONSENT CALENDAR 1
A. Approval of City Council Minutes
• January 22, 2024 Work Session
• February 12, 2024 Work Session
• February 12, 2024 Meeting
• February 20, 2024 Public Hearing
• February 21, 2024 Work Session
• February 26, 2024 Meeting
B. Approval of City Council Tentative Agenda
C. Approval of a Resolution Annexing Land to the City of Eugene (Assessor's Map
17-04-12-20, Tax Lots 03003 and 03009 Located at 214 Grizzly Avenue) (City
File: A 23-8)
D. Appointment to the Human Rights Commission
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Meeting
April 8, 2024 Page 1
MOTION: Councilor Keating, seconded by Councilor Groves, moved to
approve the minutes for the public hearing, work session, and
meetings on January 22, 2024, February 12, 2024, February 20, 2024,
February 21, 2024, and February 26, 2024, with corrections to the
minutes for February 26, 2024 to change the phrase "community
shelters" to "Community Supported Shelters" on page 26 of the
packet. VOTE: 8:0 PASSED
MOTION: Councilor Keating, seconded by Councilor Groves, moved to
approve items B, C, and D Consent Calendar 1. VOTE: 8:0 PASSED
4. PUBLIC COMMENT
1. Ralph McDonald -asked the City to adopt a socially responsible investment policy.
2. Madison Lusk -asked the City to adopt a socially responsible investment policy.
3. Katie Preston -asked the City to adopt a socially responsible investment policy.
4. Natalie Crowder -spoke about the issue of homelessness in the River Road area.
5. Christa Knittle -asked the City to adopt a socially responsible investment policy.
6. Kyle Purdy -asked the City to adopt a socially responsible investment policy.
7. Alfredo Gormezano -spoke against forced installation of smart meters.
8. Nancy Ahnert -spoke in favor of adopting an electrification policy.
9. David Igl -spoke about local historical figures.
10. Ashley Wright -asked the City to adopt a socially responsible investment policy.
11. John Crowder -spoke in favor of a balanced budget and services-based policies.
12. Scott Fife -asked the City to adopt a socially responsible investment policy.
13. Rebecca Amodeo -asked the City to adopt a socially responsible investment policy.
14. Aya Cockram -spoke in favor of adopting an electrification policy.
15. Rudy Preston -asked the City to adopt a socially responsible investment policy.
16. Sam Cook-asked the City to adopt a socially responsible investment policy.
17. Janet Ayres -asked the City to adopt a socially responsible investment policy.
18. Kaleigh Bronson-Cook -asked the City to adopt a socially responsible investment
policy.
19. Leilani Sabzalian -asked the City to adopt a socially responsible investment policy.
20. Felicia Figueroa Carnine -asked the City to adopt a socially responsible investment
policy.
21. John Monroe -asked the City to adopt a socially responsible investment policy.
22. Geoffrey Gordon -asked the City to adopt a socially responsible investment policy.
23. Todd Boyle -asked the City to adopt a socially responsible investment policy.
24. Lori Harmon -asked the City to adopt a socially responsible investment policy.
25. Carl D. -spoke about the issue of homelessness in the Whiteaker area.
26. Eric Howanietz -asked the City to adopt a socially responsible investment policy.
Council Discussion:
• Mayor Vinis -noted the City has previously done work around socially responsible
investing.
• Councilor Zelenka -spoke about the City's history with investment policy; noted the
City has no direct investments in any corporate securities or stocks and the majority
of City cash is in the State pool, managed by the Oregon Treasurer and Oregon
Investment Council; stated it may be more appropriate to pursue a socially
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responsible investment policy at the State level; noted City Council had voted
against a proposal to ban gas-powered leaf blowers five years ago; noted the City is
required by law to balance its budget annually.
• Councilor Yeh -noted it is important to acknowledge history because it affects the
present day; stated land acknowledgements are still relevant because they reflect
current City efforts to engage with and learn from local tribal governments.
• Councilor Leech -noted she hopes to learn more about how the City can support
socially responsible investing; spoke about her availability to meet with ward
constituents.
• Councilor Semple -noted her appreciation for the evening's speakers.
• Councilor Groves -noted the local police do issue traffic citations; stated the traffic
control unit's purpose is to raise awareness and reduce speeding.
Mayor Vinis adjourned the meeting at 8:53 p.m.
Respectfully submitted,
Katie LaSala
City Recorder
(Recorded by Cherish Bradshaw)
Link to the web cast of this City Council meeting here.
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Meeting
April 8, 2024 Page 3