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HomeMy WebLinkAbout180725 WSMINUTES Eugene City Council Harris Hall,125 East 8th Avenue Eugene, Oregon 97401 July 25, 2018 12:00 p.m. Councilors Present: Emily Semple, Betty Taylor, Alan Zelenka (via phone), Jennifer Yeh, Mike 'Clark, Greg Evans, Claire Syrett, Chris Pyror Mayor Vinis opened the July 25, 2018, Work Session of the Eugene City Council. 1. Items of Interest Council Discussion • At the National League of Cities Conference, a great wayfinding tool was introduced that included a touchscreen, cameras, maps, and other information. • Councilor Syrett will now be on the Metropolitan Policy Committee, taking Councilor Zelenka's place and Councilor Zelenka will take Councilor Syrett's place on the Police Commission. Update provided on staff progress around housing tools and strategies. Information provided about statewide Measure 102 that would amend the state constitution to allow private entities building affordable housing to partner with credit sources of public agencies. MOTION: Councilor Pryor, seconded by Councilor Semple, moved to adopt a resolution in support of the statewide constitutional amendment for affordable housing bonds. Council Discussion • This seems like a worthwhile measure, but the council doesn't have enough information to explore any potential negative consequences. • It's appropriate for the state constitution to prevent governments from using their bonding authority to support private business, but this specific exception that allows government to utilize their bonding authority to support private developers to build affordable housing allows a new mechanism for supporting affordable housing when there aren't many other tools to do so. • There has been broad bipartisan support for the measure in the legislature and this is a way to move forward in supporting affordable housing for our state. VOTE: PASSED 7:1, Councilor Taylor opposed. 2. WORK SESSION: Town Square Planning Senior Planner Will Dowdy gave an update to Council regarding Eugene's Town Square, including City Hall, the Park Blocks, and the Farmer's Market. Council Discussion • Questions asked about plans for keeping the project going while having the uncertainty of knowing whether the City will own the butterfly lot. • Questions asked about how to keep urban renewal money separate from City Hall project if the projects are being combined. MINUTES — Eugene City Council July 25, 2018 Page 1 Work Session • Using a holistic approach with these projects encourages more certainty for locating a new City Hall. • Encouraged to see these separate pieces combined into efforts that envision a town square and consider how public spaces will interact with one another. • Valuable to have a budget conversation so that decisions can be made once making steps forward is possible. • Urban renewal money is too easy to spend; the construction of a new City Hall would be an appropriate way to use those dollars. • Connect values with a price tag in order for community members to make informed decisions. • Concerns expressed about plans for Saturday Market and Farmers Market during construction because they are important sources of income and social engagement. Care should be taken to avoid any interruptions. 3. WORK SESSION: Downtown Public Safety Update Police Chief Chris Skinner gave an update about downtown public safety. Council Discussion • Kudos to downtown police officers for carrying dog treats. • Questions asked about personnel costs for the different types of public safety employees working downtown. • There is an ongoing and unmet need for more benches downtown. • Concerns expressed that there are too many uniforms downtown and people will be confused about who to connect with. • Questions asked whether moving people out of the downtown core is having measurable negative impacts on other neighborhoods. • Comments and suggestions offered about the non -emergency line. • Questions asked about exploring the use of an app that allows for communication between all types of security forces. • It can be difficult to maneuver the sidewalks; consider eight feet as a sidewalk safety pathway. • Look in to having a small place or store to allow people to come in and sleep. The meeting adjourned at 1:12 p.m. Respectfully submitted, Elena Domingo Deputy City Recorder MINUTES — Eugene City Council July 25, 2018 Page 2 Work Session