HomeMy WebLinkAbout190717-WSMINUTES – Eugene City Council July 17, 2019 Page 1
Work Session
M I N U T E S
Eugene City Council
Harris Hall, 125 East 8th Avenue
Eugene, Oregon 97401
July 17, 2019
12:00 p.m.
Councilors Present: Emily Semple, Betty Taylor, Alan Zelenka, Jennifer Yeh, Mike Clark, Claire Syrett, Chris Pryor, Greg Evans Mayor Vinis opened the July 17, 2019, Work Session of the Eugene City Council.
1. WORK SESSION: Homeless Systems Implementation Plan Systems Policy Analyst Jason Dedrick and Homelessness Policy Analyst Peter Chavannes presented recommendations to move forward with implementation of the Technical Assistance Collaborative’s Shelter Feasibility Study. Council Discussion:
o Councilor Taylor – Expressed concern about the $1 million set aside for a shelter not being used for that intent, and asked where money is coming from; suggested state match contributions; spoke to individuals moving to Eugene to engage with improved homeless services systems; inquired of staff what was meant by “building out to the perimeter”; stated that prevention of homelessness should be priority; inquired about proposed incentives to landlords; inquired if proposed motion included expanding rest stops.
o Councilor Clark - Inquired about capacity and location of proposed shelter and purpose of related funding under discussion; discussed what information is needed to approve shelter; expressed discomfort with decision-making without first knowing the location of the facility; asked whether a municipal judge can compel someone to stay in a given location (i.e., public shelter) or require drug treatment as a condition of sentencing; discussed concerns about individuals that are perceived to not want help.
o Councilor Syrett – Expressed appreciation for topic; requested follow-up information on Lane County’s budget allocation for this initiative; discussed previous efforts to arrive at these recommendations as well as comparisons between a sprung structure and a concrete and steel structure; discussed purpose and perceived benefits of sprung structures; noted conversation with City Manager about organizing visits to other communities with similar structures and previous conversations about shelter needs in Eugene.
o Councilor Pryor – Expressed agreement with Councilor Syrett and shared thoughts on sprung structure shelter; recounted previous conversations about shelter and the overriding need for siting a shelter rather than discussing costs; discussed the landlord incentives concept and making current housing more accessible to more people; expressed support for recommendations.
o Councilor Yeh – Reiterated need for information about the County’s budget allocation and proposed actions; appreciated sprung structures given current resources and timeline; inquired about operations for shelter; reiterated Councilor Taylor’s comments about homelessness prevention and asked if funding would come from reserve contingency fund allocations; requested the information be made clearer to this end.
o Councilor Zelenka – Appreciated presentation and its alignment with the TAC Report; discussed recommendations and information from TAC Report; discussed budgetary and timeline disadvantages of a “brick and mortar” shelter and expressed appreciation for
MINUTES – Eugene City Council July 17, 2019 Page 2
Work Session
sprung shelter model; discussed Strategic Initiatives Manager concept; discussed mobile outreach concepts; discussed landlord engagement strategies.
o Councilor Semple – Discussed and expressed reasons for hesitancy around sprung structure shelter and asked what those experiencing homelessness think about the idea; discussed and inquired about the costs included in estimates and where the additional funding will come from; listed various questions and concerns about shelter building; asked if the Navigation Center is a part of this shelter proposal; expressed frustration about the lack of progress.
o Mayor Vinis – Reiterated comments about previous commitments to building a structure, and current issues requiring council’s attention.
o Councilor Syrett – Requested information from sprung structure manufacturer provided during Budget Committee meetings; discussed previous conversations about potential location of Navigation Center; asked how mobile outreach teams would function and through what agency; discussed work of Strategic Initiatives Manager; discussed landlord engagement considerations; asked who will manage this recommendation; reiterated Councilor Clark’s request for information about municipal court judge sentencing options; spoke about prevention services for homelessness including diversion.
o Councilor Zelenka – Discussed considerations of landlord incentives concept; spoke about table of current services provided to address homelessness in Eugene.
o Councilor Semple – Provided information about movie “Tony” in Park Blocks; asked staff about difference between “temporary shelter”, “durable shelter”, “sprung structure shelter”, etc.; discussed cost and funding considerations; inquired about how logistics are being planned; inquired about specifics of Strategic Initiatives Manager role and function; discussed landlord engagement efforts; expressed appreciation for contingency fund and discussed thoughts on action timeline.
o Councilor Clark – Inquired why it is important to vote on the motion proposed at this meeting; discussed considerations for low-barrier shelter; expressed concerns about voting without more information.
o Councilor Taylor – Expressed agreement with Councilor Clark; would like to see $1 million restricted to use of shelter; discussed siting considerations for shelter and potential locations; discussed role of Strategic Initiative Manager; expressed concern for overlapping services and sprung structure shelter concept.
o Mayor Vinis – Encouraged council vote, noting what the vote entails and potential for future council discussion.
MOTION: Councilor Taylor, seconded by Councilor Semple, moved to adopt the staff recommendations as outlined in Attachment A.
o Councilor Zelenka – Voiced support for motion, noting budget considerations.
o Councilor Clark – Expressed desire to move forward but needs information not provided during presentation in order to vote on motion.
MOTION TO SUBSTITUTE: Councilor Clark, seconded by Councilor Taylor, moved to substitute for approving the Strategic Initiative Manager and pilot landlord engagement program portions of Attachment A.
o Councilor Clark - Voiced concern there is too little information to vote on the section of the recommendation regarding the purchase of a structure; expressed support for voting on items once costs are better understood.
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Work Session
Beth Forrest City Recorder
(Recorded by Samantha Roberts) Link to the webcast of this City Council meeting: here