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Home My WebLink About170315.WS.SIREMINUTES – Eugene City Council March 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 March 15, 2017 12:00 p.m. Councilors Present: Emily Semple, Alan Zelenka, George Poling, Mike Clark, Claire Syrett, Chris Pryor Councilors Absent: Betty Taylor, Greg Evans Mayor Vinis opened the March 15, 2017, meeting of the Eugene City Council. Councilor Poling announced his resignation from the Ward 4 City Council seat, effective April 10, 2017. A. WORK SESSION: Separation of Retail Marijuana Business Land Use Analyst Mike McKerrow gave background information on marijuana legislation, Oregon Liquor Control Commission exceptions, and updates. Council discussion: • Concerned about to what degree council should regulate commerce or competition. • Valuable to talk about protections for schools from a policy standpoint. • Compelling need would be established if the whole community wanted it. • Proposed criteria for exemptions are valuable; fair, clear and workable. • Other cities do not have a 1,000 ft. zone requirement. • Treat marijuana business like any other business; State has rigorous regulations in place. • Unfair to compare them to other businesses as the City already taxes them. • Market will determine who succeeds; not supportive of buffer zones from daycare centers. B. WORK SESSION: House Bill 2669 Discussion Management Analyst Joann Eppli gave a brief summary of House Bill 2669 related to Toxics Right-To-Know fees and its potential effects on local programs. Council discussion: • Proposed legislation changes fee structure; hesitant to support. • Legislation does not obligate City to raise or change its fee structure. • Community supports this program; but, how much more regulation is desired? • Need to look at appropriate amount versus the maximum collection potential. • Needs to be as easy and burden free as possible to comply. • Greater protection from harmful toxins should be extended statewide. • Proposal will open the door for other communities to do replicate Eugene’s program.