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HomeMy WebLinkAbout241016 WSMINUTES Eugene City Council Work Session Eugene, Oregon 97401 October 16, 2024 12:00 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 October 16, 2024, Eugene City Council Work Session in a virtual format. 1. WORK SESSION: Draft Urban Forestry Management Plan City Manager, Sarah Medary, introduced the Green Infrastructure Maintenance Manager, Carrie Peterson, who provided an overview of the Draft Urban Forestry Management Plan (UFMP) and four-phase project timeline. Councilor Discussion: • • • • Councilor Groves -asked if replacement trees are selected from species that are drought-tolerant and have root systems less likely to damage sidewalks; asked if the approved street tree list and planting guide is available online; asked about the tree replacement process for dying and damaged trees; asked how the public can report concerns about specific trees; asked what resources are available to the public for private property tree maintenance and advice on dangerous trees. Councilor Zelenka -noted support for prioritizing tree-planting in the budget; noted benefits include trees' indirect impacts on the climate, air quality, stormwater, and quality of life; asked what role Friends of Trees and other partners have in the UFMP; noted previous ice storms have taken down many City trees, leaving stumps; asked what the plan is for removing stumps; asked for an estimate of how many stumps there are; noted insurance companies will pay for removing half of a dead tree on private property, leaving tall stumps throughout Eugene; asked what the City can do to help with dead trees and stumps on private property; noted interested in a potential grant or loan system to help homeowners with the high costs of tree removal. Councilor Leech -noted concern with stumps becoming problematic bushes; asked if it is the financial responsibility of homeowners for stump grinding and tree replacement; noted appreciation for the equity component of the UFMP; interested in reducing the heat island in West Eugene and the Bethel Area that have less canopy coverage; asked for the fines associated with unauthorized tree removals and if they need to be increased to prevent unauthorized removals; asked what rules apply to removing trees on private property. Councilor Keating -asked if the City is planting the same tree species it loses or more resilient native trees; noted concern with Oregon's low tree canopy MINUTES -Eugene City Council Work Session October 16, 2024 Page 1 ranking but excitement for Southeast Eugene's 50 percent canopy coverage on public lands; asked if losing 600 trees a year is normal for a Pacific Northwest city of Eugene's size; asked for the fines associated with tree removals and who enforces them; asked how the public can alert the City of unauthorized removals in the public right-of-way; asked what percentage of tree removal costs on private property fund tree preservation and conservation efforts in Eugene; asked for the process for determining if damaged, dying, or hazardous trees are home to wildlife populations, including raptors or other bird populations, before removal; interested in and asked if Council can adjust tree removal fines to align with other cities to promote education, conservation, and revenue generation for tree preservation. • Councilor Yeh -noted appreciation for efforts to plant trees in areas in Ward 4; noted the importance of public involvement in tree-planting efforts. • Councilor Semple -noted concern with tree roots lifting up sidewalks, particularly where there is new concrete; asked if homeowners need to contact the City regarding sidewalk repair due to tree root issues and if a link could be provided to the public; asked how the City divides responsibility between tree maintenance and sidewalk repairs; asked how residents are notified their sidewalk needs to be repaired; asked for the process if a tree on private property is causing sidewalk damage; asked how long it takes for the sidewalk inspector to conduct an inspection and how long it takes for repairs to be scheduled; asked how the public can access the fact sheet for the process; asked if the City checks on repairs and how long homeowners have to make the repairs. 2. WORK SESSION: Police Commission FY 2024 Annual Report City Manager, Sarah Medary, introduced AIC Police Commission Analyst, Holly Mathews, who introduced Police Commission Chair, Jensina Hawkins, and Vice Chair, Sean Shivers, who presented the Police Commission Annual Report and Work Plan. Councilor Discussion: • Councilor Evans -asked about the Police Commission's recommendations to address increasing the number of officers of color and the Eugene Police Department's (EPD) workforce; asked what efforts have occurred for outreach, recruitment, and retention of officers of color; interested in alternative recruitment strategies; noted Eugene may attract officers seeking a different lifestyle. • Councilor Groves -asked for the impact of the stabilization center changes and the new behavioral health care hospital on the mental health crisis response; asked how the facilities and regulations, such as Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act (HIPAA), will impact what information can be shared with Police Commission, so it can fulfill its duties; thinks the new hospital is going to be a good resource for EPD and Eugene Springfield Fire. • Councilor Zelenka -noted appreciation for Chair Hawkins for stepping in after the passing of Chair Dallas Boggs and commended the leadership of Chair Hawkins and Vice Chair Shivers; noted appreciation for the work of Holly MINUTES -Eugene City Council October 16, 2024 Page 2 Work Session Mathews and EPD for being open and responsive to the Police Commission's needs. • Councilor Yeh -noted appreciation for the newly appointed Police Commission members; noted appreciation for the leadership of Chair Hawkins and Vice Chair Shivers. • Councilor Keating -noted appreciation for the Police Commission members and their partnership with EPD; noted appreciation for the leadership of Chair Hawkins and Vice Chair Shivers; asked what the biggest challenge the Police Commission faces and how Council can provide support. • Mayor Vinis -noted appreciation for the leadership of Chair Hawkins and Vice Chair Shivers; acknowledged Police Commission's challenges of managing expectations and time while addressing many significant issues. Mayor Vinis adjourned the meeting at 1:24 p.m. Respectfully submitted, Sara McKinney Deputy City Recorder (Recorded by Natalie Venhuda) Link to the web cast of this City Council meeting here. MINUTES -Eugene City Council Work Session October 16, 2024 Page 3