HomeMy WebLinkAbout170215.WS.SIREMINUTES – Eugene City Council February 15, 2017 Page 1
Work Session
M I N U T E S
Eugene City Council
Harris Hall, 125 East 8th Avenue
Eugene, Oregon 97401
February 15, 2017
12:00 p.m.
Councilors Present: Emily Semple, Alan Zelenka, George Poling, Mike Clark, Greg Evans, Claire Syrett, Chris Pryor
Councilors Absent: Betty Taylor Mayor Vinis opened the February 15, 2017, meeting of the Eugene City Council.
A. WORK SESSION: Downtown Placemaking Initiative – Places for People
Senior Planner Nan Laurence, Planning Land Use Technician Matt Denberg, and Meg
Walker from Project for Public Spaces gave a PowerPoint presentation discussing
placemaking, community engagement, key finds, Park Block goals, Kesey Square goals,
Library plaza goals, Hult plaza goals, and next steps.
Council discussion:
• Very exciting process to address issues and to imagine what could be.
• Important to translate concepts and ideas into action.
• Perception of downtown as dirty and dangerous must be dispelled; support daily
cleanings.
• Combine Wayfinding and Placemaking initiatives and build on each other.
• Day use centers and many social services are underutilized.
• Information about the cost of programming winter activities downtown requested.
• Activating public spaces is good; addressing safety issues has to be the first step.
• Support the strategy of beginning a long-term campaign with community partners.
• Lighter, quicker, cheaper options as quick-start makes sense.
• Improve spaces to make less sterile and more green.
• Infrastructure improvements would be very beneficial.
• Human services are available; but enforcement of laws is inadequate.
• More culturally relevant spaces should be created.
• Create more open space for sports activities in downtown.
• First step to move forward with this visions is addressing financial needs, behavior issues and
homelessness.
• Idea of temporary art, canopies, and experimental spaces are worthy.
MOTION AND VOTE: Councilor Zelenka, seconded by Councilor Pryor, moved to extend the
meeting 10 minutes. PASSED 5:2, Councilor Semple and Poling opposed.