HomeMy WebLinkAbout01-10-2018 City Council Work Session MinutesMINUTES
Eugene City Council
Harris Hall,125 East 8ch Avenue
Eugene, Oregon 97401
January 10, 2018
12:00 p.m.
Councilors Present: Emily Semple, Betty Taylor, Alan Zelenka, Jennifer Yeh, Mike Clark, Greg Evans,
Claire Syrett, Chris Pryor
Mayor Vinis opened the January 10, 2018, Work Session of the Eugene City Council.
1. WORK SESSION: Performance Auditor Discussion
MOTION: Councilor Syrett, seconded by Councilor Zelenka, moved to direct staff to craft a
proposed charter amendment for an independent performance auditor based on the objectives
and provisions contained in the Citizens for Sensible Oversight January 8 memo presented to
Mayor and Council in sufficient time to allow for a referral to the May 2018 special election ballot.
Council Discussion
• The City has a responsibility to provide a public forum for the discussion around auditor
options.
• It may not be a good idea to alter the City's form of government.
• Citizens placed an initiative on the ballot. Council shouldn't interfere; should wait to see how
the vote goes.
• There is not enough time to put together a thoughtful alternate ballot measure.
• Support for the proposed motion does not mean automatic support for putting alternate
measure on the ballot.
VOTE: Passed 4:3, Councilors Semple, Taylor, and Clark in opposition. Councilor Evans absent
for vote.
2. ACTION: Dusk to Dawn Family Site
MOTION: Councilor Clark, seconded by Councilor Taylor, moved to approve 4060 West Amazon
Drive as a site for the Dusk to Dawn overnight sleeping program.
Council Discussion
• Request made to postpone the vote from the previous Monday to allow people to come to the
public forum to speak to it.
VOTE: Passed 7:0, Councilor Evans absent for vote.
MINUTES — Eugene City January 10, 2018 Page 1
Work Session
3. WORK SESSION: Parks and Recreation System Plan Implementation - Funding for Operations
and Maintenance and Capital Improvements
Parks and Open Space Division Manager Craig Carnagey, Parks Planning Manager Carolyn Burke,
and Recreation Services Director Craig Smith presented funding options for the Parks and
Recreation System Plan Update recommendations.
Council Discussion
• Concerned about adding costs to homeowners and those in affordable housing.
• Selling Laurelwood Golf Course would provide an Operating and Maintenance endowment.
• Would like to explore transient taxes to help pay for parks funding.
• Would really like to focus on short-term actions while also working on longer -term strategies.
• There is great faith in the project list because of how much feedback was received and how
much outreach in the community was done.
• Parks are a priority for this community; there may be interest in the more robust funding
options over the more cautious options.
• Would like to compare the levy by itself versus the bond and the levy.
• A sugary beverage tax seems like a viable strategy to support ongoing operations.
• Need to address the safety aspects of parks funding, including bathroom facilities.
• The levy and bond would be put on the ballot as two separate items.
• If the City doesn't make these investments now, the price tag will just keep getting higher.
• Need to provide competitive sports facilities locally and invest in the infrastructure to help
the local economy.
• Levies and bonds both increase property taxes, but many people in the community rent.
Property tax increase result in rent increases, impacting affordable housing.
• Marijuana taxes are general fund dollars that can fund whatever Council wants, current policy
directs these funds towards community court, parks security, and human services.
• Draw from the success of road bond initiatives and include a citizen advisory committee,
audits, and distribution of benefits around the city.
The meeting adjourned at 1:27 p.m.
Respectfully submitted,
Elena Domingo
Deputy City Recorder
MINUTES — Eugene City January 10, 2018 Page 2
Work Session