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Home My WebLink About190624 MTGMINUTES – Eugene City Council and June 24, 2019 Page 1 Eugene Urban Renewal Agency M I N U T E S Eugene City Council and Eugene Urban Renewal Agency Harris Hall, 125 East 8th Avenue Eugene, Oregon 97401 June 24, 2019 7:30 p.m. Councilors Present: Emily Semple, Alan Zelenka, Jennifer Yeh, Mike Clark, Claire Syrett, Chris Pryor Councilors Absent: Betty Taylor, Greg Evans Councilor Semple opened the June 24, 2019, meeting of the Eugene City Council in Mayor Vinis’ absence. 1. Applicant Statements for the Human Rights Commission Three applicants for the Human Rights Commission presented a three-minute statement about their interest in serving the community through board or commission membership: Amanda McCluskey, Heather Sielicki, and Kirstin London Councilor Semple announced that the Consent Calendar was approved during the work session and highlighted the Neighborhood Matching Grants program. 2. PUBLIC FORUM • Art Farley (Sustainability Commission) - expressed desire for council to address polystyrene. • Victor Odlivak – spoke in opposition to the proliferation of 5G technology. • Eva Bortnick – spoke in opposition to the proliferation of 5G technology. • Sabrina Siegel – spoke in opposition to the proliferation of 5G technology. • Bekki Bruckner – spoke in opposition to the proliferation of 5G technology. • Colin Farnsworth – spoke in opposition to the proliferation of 5G technology. • Joshua Korn - spoke in opposition to the proliferation of 5G technology. • Abraham Likwornik - spoke in opposition to the proliferation of 5G technology. • Hope Vaccher - spoke in opposition to the proliferation of 5G technology. • Barbara Wade - spoke in opposition to the proliferation of 5G technology. • Ron Breaden – spoke in opposition to the payroll tax in Eugene. • Wesley Robins – spoke about personal issues with law enforcement. • Cindy Ingram – discussed downtown bike activity; requested code changes to support business. • Bill O’Brien – spoke in opposition to planting strips ordinance and a camping ban. • David Igl – spoke to renaming Dunn Hall and challenges working elected officials. • John Hagen – spoke about experiences with the homeless. • Eric Jackson – opposed the planting strip ordinance; supported courts becoming court of record. • John Thielking – spoke to a variety of issues including planting strip ordinance and payroll tax. • Jim Ball – voiced concern about climate change impacts on low income individuals. • Roberly Heersch – spoke in opposition to proliferation of 5G technology. • Misha Seymour – spoke in opposition to planting strip ordinance and other policies. • Lourdes Mante – voiced concerns about homelessness and requested for positive solutions. MINUTES – Eugene City Council and June 24, 2019 Page 2 Eugene Urban Renewal Agency Council Discussion • Councilor Syrett – addressed Mr. Ball’s comments about equity work in sustainability efforts and desire to address this with her appointee on the Sustainability Commission. • Councilor Clark – addressed comments about 5G regarding upcoming work session. • Councilor Semple –commented on pub cycle options; announced the next Public Forum on July 8 and noted the June 26 work session was cancelled. 4. ACTION: An Ordinance Concerning Persons in Charge of Planting Strips and Amending Section 7.370 of the Eugene Code, 1971. MOTION: Councilor Pryor, seconded by Councilor Clark, moved to adopt an ordinance concerning persons in charge of planting strips and amending section 7.370 of the Eugene Code, 1971. Council Discussion • Councilor Syrett –spoke about concerns regarding homelessness in neighborhoods and the need for tools to address concerns with public safety and public health; expressed support for the ordinance and clarified the reasons why. • Councilor Zelenka – expressed agreement with Councilor Syrett’s comments; raised questions about the use of planter strips and lack of clarity currently in City Code; expressed desire for motion to make passage effective immediately rather than 30 days after Mayor has signed. • Councilor Clark – expressed support for ordinance and clarified the reasons why. • Councilor Semple – addressed concerns about free speech on planter strips versus sidewalks; asked where the ordinance would be effective; inquired about other tools that exist to address concerns for landowners who have continuous cement in front of their property; expressed hesitancy around ordinance but acknowledged concerns brought by community members; discussed concerns about passage of ordinance without alternative place for the unhoused to go. • Councilor Zelenka - spoke about length of time in consideration of ordinance; discussed intention to make an amendment to the motion. MOTION TO AMEND AND VOTE: Councilor Zelenka, seconded by Councilor Clark, moved to amend the ordinance to add a new section 3 that states: Pursuant to the provisions of Section 32(2) of the Eugene Charter of 2002, with the affirmative vote of two-thirds of the members of the City Council, this Ordinance shall become effective immediately upon adoption by the Council and approval by the Mayor, or passage over the Mayor’s veto. An immediate effective date is necessary to provide property owners responsible for maintaining planting strips the authority to resolve and prevent unsafe and unsanitary behaviors currently occurring in some planting strips. PASSED 6:0 VOTE ON MAIN MOTION AS AMENDED: PASSED 6:0. 5. PUBLIC HEARING AND ACTION: Resolution Adopting a Supplemental Budget; Making Appropriations for the City of Eugene for the Fiscal Year Beginning July 1, 2018 and Ending June 30, 2020. • John Barofsky – addressed concerns about PERS costs and opportunities for state funding. Council Discussion • Councilor Clark – addressed concerns about PERS liability; asked how council could direct funding reserves towards PERS, taking advantage of state fund leveraging; asked MINUTES – Eugene City Council and June 24, 2019 Page 3 Eugene Urban Renewal Agency if proposing a motion would defer action on the supplemental budget; discussed conversations about long-term effects of PERS costs and concerns about waiting to act and losing state funds; inquired about timing of any decisions and expressed a desire for conversations to happen soon. • Councilor Zelenka – asked if using money for leveraging state PERS dollars would tie up reserve funds; affirmed City Manager’s balancing of the budget and reserves; expressed a desire to learn more about how to address PERS issues and leverage state funds; requested further discussion about the use of reserves. • Councilor Syrett – expressed interest in a work session about PERS but expressed confidence in City Manager to use Supplemental 1 budget to address concerns; discussed willingness to take on risk and address PERS. • Councilor Clark – reiterated concerns about losing time to leverage funds from state and noted the reasons why it is important to address the issue quickly. MOTION AND VOTE: Councilor Pryor, seconded by Councilor Zelenka, moved to approve Resolution 5268 adopting a Supplemental Budget; making appropriations for the City of Eugene for the fiscal year beginning July 1, 2019 and ending June 30, 2020. PASSED 6:0 6. PUBLIC HEARING AND ACTION: A Resolution Adopting the Budget, Making Appropriations, Determining, Levying and Categorizing the Annual Ad Valorem Property Tax Levy for the City of Eugene for the Fiscal Year Beginning July 1, 2019 and Ending June 30, 2020; a Resolution Electing to Receive State Revenue Sharing Funds Pursuant to Section 221.770 of Oregon Revised Statutes; and a Resolution Certifying that the City of Eugene Provides the Municipal Services Required by Oregon Revised Statues Section 221.760 in Order to Receive State Shared Revenues. • Bonnie Souza (Human Rights Commission) - expressed appreciation for multicultural liaison position in budget; spoke to the benefit and need of the position within the city. • Andrew Thomson – spoke in support of multicultural liaison position as it will benefit the disabled community. • John Barofsky – spoke about PERS and the use of reserves to match state funds to address PERS liability; expressed desire for council to consider this matter including funds outside of reserves for revenue shortfall. • Eric Jackson – expressed desire that any money available go to transitioning Municipal Court to a court of record. Council Discussion • Councilor Clark – asked about revenue from on-street parking and whether parking spots not covered by the fee could be used for other items besides cars. MOTION AND VOTE: Councilor Pryor, seconded by Councilor Zelenka, moved to approve Resolution 5269 electing to receive State Revenue Sharing funds pursuant to Section 221.770 of Oregon Revised Statues. PASSED 6:0 MOTION AND VOTE: Councilor Pryor, seconded by Councilor Zelenka, moved to approve Resolution 5270 certifying that the City of Eugene provides the municipal services required by Oregon Revised Statues Section 221.760. PASSED 6:0 MOTION AND VOTE: Councilor Pryor, seconded by Councilor Zelenka, moved to approve Resolution 5271 adopting the budget, making appropriations, and determining, levying and categorizing the annual ad valorem property tax levy for