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Home My WebLink About240311 WSMINUTES Eugene City Council Work Session Eugene, Oregon 97401 March 11, 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 March 11, 2024, work session of the Eugene City Council in a hybrid format at 101 W 10 th Avenue, Eugene OR 97401. 1. WORK SESSION: CAP 2.0 Implementation Progress Update Assistant City Manager Matt Rodrigues introduced Ian Penn, Sustainability Manager, and Danielle Klinkebiel, Climate Policy Analyst, who presented the CAP 2.0 Implementation Progress Update. Councilor Discussion: ■ ■ ■ ■ ■ ■ Mayor Vinis -noted her appreciation for the presentation materials including the project matrix. Councilor Groves -asked how Lane County will determine Eugene's share of diversions for the Integrated Material Recovery Facility (IMERF); expressed interest in tracking how that number changes over time; stated staff should consider doing community outreach to organized labor and the building trades as well; asked about the role of street design in upcoming projects; asked how many street trees were lost during the ice storm. Councilor Evans -asked how much landfill capacity will increase with the new IMERF; asked about increased cost to the average customer; noted the facility will cost more than initially estimated; asked how the increased cost will affect the City. Councilor Zelenka -noted there was a comparison between the Short Mountain landfill gas-to-electricity project and the IMERF; noted Eugene may have had less tree damage during this storm because weaker trees were lost during previous ice storms; noted per capita greenhouse emissions are decreasing but overall emissions are increasing; believes greenhouse gas emissions are trending up; stated we should be doing more to address transportation emissions. Councilor Leech -noted her appreciation for the project matrix; asked for information about energy resilience and the creation of a resilience hub; asked if we are exploring low nitrogen oxide (NOx) appliance standards to reach emission reduction goals. Councilor Keating -noted bus and bike use are declining while driving alone is increasing; asked how many of those driving alone are using an electric vehicle; asked for a breakdown by business for the commercial and industrial sector; asked about emissions by residential subtype; noted some municipalities are imposing tree removal penalties; asked if tree canopy includes both residential and right-of-way; asked about exploring a policy to impose a fine for tree removals. MINUTES -Eugene City Council Work Session March 11, 2024 Page 1 • Councilor Semple -stated the amount of completed and in progress projects is reassuring; noted the City only tracked trees damaged on public land. • Councilor Clark -asked how much the City spent on carbon credits; asked about the projects where the money was spent; noted that money left the community. • Councilor Yeh -noted her appreciation for the work of staff; noted the CAP 2.0 project is about hope and taking responsibility for the future; noted she would not be in favor of fining people for removing trees; stated her support for empowering the community to participate in climate work. • Mayor Vinis -asked how we can build momentum and increase community engagement; asked how staff time can be best directed in combination with community interest; asked about our climate collaborative partners; noted we can do more when we work with partners. • Councilor Zelenka -noted climate collaboration is critical; noted he has recommended the Sustainability Commission work on a local project for the City to support with carbon credits; asked about the plan to maximize our share of the funds and tax credits being provided by the Biden administration; noted this information should be on the website; agreed a program manager or navigator for rebate programs is a good idea. • Councilor Keating -noted there are tax credits for those who have children but not for those who adopt pets; asked if eliminating bus fares would increase ridership; noted fines for tree removal would only occur if people did not follow the appropriate process. 2. WORK SESSION AND POSSIBLE ACTION: Regional Pickleball Facility, Parks and Recreation SDC Analysis Assistant City Manager Matt Rodrigues introduced Craig Carnagey, Parks and Open Space Director, and Carolyn Burke, Parks Planning Manager to present on the proposed regional pickleball facility and analysis of eligibility for the Parks and Recreation System Development Charge (SDC) project list. Councilor Discussion: • • • • • • Councilor Semple -asked if other parks will be impacted by this project; noted while she is in favor of the project, she is concerned about previously approved projects being affected. Councilor Groves -noted he is in support of the project; asked who else will be financially contributing to the project. Councilor Zelenka -noted pickle ball is very popular; noted the potential to hold a tournament at the proposed facility; noted Lane Community College is a great place for a facility due its location and the noise; stated Parks and Recreation SDC's can only be spent on parks and facilities like this; stated this project is a high priority and should be moved up the queue. Councilor Clark-stated his support for using SDC's for this type of facility; asked if the parks projects list is part of an adopted plan. Councilor Leech -asked how we arrived at the list; asked what equitable measures were taken to choose projects; noted a lack of projects for the Trainsong and Whiteaker neighborhoods; stated her support for bringing the pickle ball facility into the projects list. Councilor Keating -stated his support for the project; noted the facility will increase tourism; asked if Eugene residents will have special access to the court. MINUTES -Eugene City Council Work Session March 11, 2024 Page 2 • Councilor Evans -stated the facility is a prudent investment for the community; stated Springfield has been asked to financially support the facility; noted a quality facility will attract tournaments and tourism; noted this project will enhance our tax base with minimal impact to our carbon footprint; stated his support for the facility. • Councilor Yeh -stated her support for adding the project to the SOC list; noted many parks and open space projects do not have currently identified funding; noted she is unsure if this project should move to the top of the list. • Councilor Semple -asked who else will be providing funds for this facility; stated the City should not give funds until the project has confirmed the source for the rest of the needed funds. • Councilor Zelenka -stated the justification for moving it to the top of the queue is the community momentum around the project; noted the Emerald Valley Pickleball Club will have to come up with a plan before the city will provide the funds. • Councilor Yeh -stated that for her, people being interested and willing to financially support a project is not a strong enough justification to move it to the top of the queue. • Mayor Vinis -stated it will be difficult to prioritize projects on the SOC list; noted her interest in seeing how this project will impact others on the list. • Councilor Semple -stated perhaps Emerald Valley Pickleball Club will be so good at fundraising they won't need our funds; noted she hopes the shade structure will include solar panels. MOTION: Councilor Keating, seconded by Councilor Groves, moved to adopt the resolution at Attachment A to the AIS to amend the Parks and Recreation SOC Project Plan to include the regional pickleball project. VOTE: PASSED 8:0 The meeting was adjourned at 6:53 p.m. Respectfully submit ed, Katie LaSala City Recorder L (Recorded by Cherish Bradshaw) Link to the we beast of this City Council meeting here. MINUTES -Eugene City Council Work Session March 11, 2024 Page 3