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HomeMy WebLinkAbout181128 WSMINUTES – Eugene City Council November 28, 2018 Page 1 Work Session M I N U T E S Eugene City Council Harris Hall, 125 East 8th Avenue Eugene, Oregon 97401 November 28, 2018 12:00 p.m. Councilors Present: Emily Semple, Jennifer Yeh, Claire Syrett, Alan Zelenka, Mike Clark. Chris Pryor, Betty Taylor Councilors Absent: Greg Evans Mayor Vinis opened the November 28, 2018, Work Session of the Eugene City Council. Assistant City Manager Kristie Hammitt provided an update on the temporary shelter located at Hwy 99 and outlined a proposal to re-designate the camp as a dusk-to-dawn or rest stop site. Council Discussion • Council is not prepared to take immediate action; more specifics on the Dusk-to-Dawn requirements and status of the downtown day center needed. • Concern expressed about where the current camp users will go during the day if camp is transitioned to a dusk-to-dawn facility. • Any proposals for change should include plans to establish a downtown day center. • Councilors are hearing competing concerns from downtown businesses and homeless advocates. • More information requested about best practices around day centers. Communities that are proactive in creating shelter opportunities have seen very positive results. • A built structure is needed as the weather worsens; there is still significant support for using City Hall lot or other empty buildings downtown. • Important to ensure that there are no unintended consequences from delaying the decision to re-designate the site. • Request made that staff return to council as soon as possible with options that ensure any facility is safe, secure, and well-maintained; demonstrate that the site contributes positively to efforts to address the issue of homelessness. • Plans to change the structure of the site from a camp to a dusk-to-dawn facility feels like bait-and-switch for those who agreed to move to Hwy. 99 from the Butterfly Lot. • A downtown shelter is critically needed; work with business community to make it happen. • Questions asked about whether re-designation will result in a change in legal liability for the site. 1. WORK SESSION: Eugene Recycling Program Solid Waste Analyst Michael Wisth gave a presentation on the status of the City’s recycling program as it has been affected by changes in the global recycling environment. Council Discussion • Questions asked about the impacts of dumping plastics on the local landfill capacity, the criteria Oregon uses for accepting recycled materials, and what other cities in Oregon are doing to mitigate the impacts of this issue. • Haulers should do more to educate the public about options for recycling. • Disposal of food products critical to City’s efforts to reduce greenhouse gas emissions. MINUTES – Eugene City Council November 28, 2018 Page 3 Work Session Beth Forrest City Recorder Link to the webcast of this City Council meeting: here.