HomeMy WebLinkAbout250129 WSMINUTES
Eugene City Council
Work Session
Eugene, Oregon 97401
January 29, 2025
12:00 p.m.
Councilors Present: Eliza Kashinsky, Matt Keating, Alan Zelenka, Jennifer Yeh, Mike Clark,
Greg Evans, and Lyndsie Leech
Councilors Absent: Randy Groves
Mayor Knudson opened the January 29, 2025, Eugene City Council Work Session in a virtual
format.
1. WORK SESSION: Eugene City Council position on HB 2967 and Bills Repealing HB 3115
City Manager, Sarah Medary, introduced Intergovernmental Relations (IGR) Manager,
Ethan Nelson, who provided information on House Bill (HB) 2967 and HB 3115 to
receive Council direction on the position that Council would like to take on these
items.
Councilor Discussion:
• Councilor Keating -ask for the chief sponsors and co-sponsors of HB 2967.
• Councilor Kashinsky-asked for the status of the City's previously enacted $10 cap
on rental application fees; asked about the City's decision not to enforce the cap and
whether the passage of the State bill would eliminate the City's responsibilities on
the issue.
• Councilor Clark -noted a neutral position for the bill; acknowledged the burden of
application fees on renters but noted concern with government intervention in the
housing market; stated a preference for a statewide approach over a local-level
regulation.
• Councilor Leech -noted support for the bill but raised concerns about third-party
platforms charging background check fees; asked how the bill would address such
platforms and whether the financial burden would shift to applicants or landlords.
• Councilor Yeh -noted support for the bill; noted the barriers application fees create
for low-income individuals and those experiencing homelessness; noted studies
show how the fear of losing fees discourages people from applying for housing;
noted support for a statewide approach to ensure consistency across jurisdictions.
• Councilor Zelenka -noted application fees are a significant barrier for low-income
and homeless individuals; noted support for the bill with reservations; noted he
supported the City's previous decision to impose a $10 cap; noted a statewide law
would provide consistency and prevent a patchwork of regulations.
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Work Session
January 29, 2025 Page 1
• Councilor Keating -noted support for the bill; noted the need to address unethical
practices related to rental application fees; noted the importance of protecting
tenants; noted interest in whether the City's advocacy resources should prioritize
this issue over securing additional funding for the municipality; noted his stance is
either neutral or in favor; asked for the timeline for Council to shift from a neutral
stance to full support if more members of the Lane County delegation supported the
bill.
• Councilor Yeh -noted it is unlikely for the bill to be a top priority in the IGR
Committee given Council's existing priorities; noted the importance of ensuring that
the City's stance is clear.
• Councilor Evans -noted it is unlikely for the bill to be a top priority in the IGR
Committee given Council's existing priorities; noted, based on Councilor responses,
Council appears to support the bill.
MOTION: Councilor Evans, seconded by Councilor Leech, moved to as Council
has indicated support the legislative effort to adopt House Bill 2967.
VOTE: 6:1 PASSED
IN FAVOR: Kashinsky, Keating, Zelenka, Yeh, Evans, and Leech
OPPOSED: Clark
Councilor Discussion:
• Councilor Clark-asked for clarification on the details of HB 3115; asked for the
reasoning behind the effort to repeal HB 3115; asked whether legislators have a
specific alternative.
• Councilor Keating -noted the lack of co-chief sponsors or regular sponsors on the
Senate side of the bill; asked aboutthe primary sponsors in the House of
Representatives; noted support for maintaining a neutral position at a minimum but
leaned toward opposing the repeal; noted previous Councils have effectively utilized
time, place, and manner regulations; noted backtracking from those regulations
would be concerning; encouraged colleagues to oppose the repeal.
• Councilor Zelenka -noted homelessness is a complex issue and acknowledged the
City's progress; noted that HB 3115 has been problematic due to enforcement
challenges and confusion; asked whether the Supreme Court decision effectively
overrides the existing law, making the repeal irrelevant; noted the repeal would not
significantly impact local code and noted openness to either opposing the repeal or
remaining neutral.
• Councilor Leech -noted opposition to the repeal of HB 3115; noted the importance
of local control in shaping City code to community needs; noted maintaining a
statewide baseline for regulations provides consistency and helps cities address
homelessness effectively.
• Councilor Kashinsky -noted opposition to repealing HB 3115; noted having a
consistent base-level policy across the State is beneficial; noted even if the repeal
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Work Session
January 29, 2025 Page 2
occurs, local regulations will remain in place, but a statewide standard helps
mitigate cross-jurisdictional impacts.
• Councilor Clark -encouraged Council to take a neutral position to preserve local
decision-making flexibility; noted future developments are uncertain, and a neutral
stance allows for adaptability.
• Councilor Yeh -noted opposition to repealing HB 3115.
MOTION: Councilor Evans, seconded by Councilor Leech moved to oppose the
legislative effort to repeal House Bill 3115.
VOTE: 6:1 PASSED
IN FAVOR: Kashinsky, Keating, Zelenka, Yeh, Evans, and Leech
OPPOSED: Clark
2. WORK SESSION: City Manager Update
City Manager, Sarah Medary, provided information on the City's policies related to
immigration.
Councilor Discussion:
• Councilor Clark -asked for clarification on whether current City policy contradicts
federal law.
• Councilor Evans -noted the importance of maintaining the 2017 ordinance; noted
the impact of past immigration enforcement in the community; noted the need to
support families and workers.
• Councilor Leech -noted support for the ordinance and interest in strengthening
protections for community members.
• Councilor Yeh -inquired about City facility access policies and whether the City
receives advance notice of immigration enforcement actions.
• Councilor Kashinsky -noted support for exploring additional protective measures;
noted concerns about potential funding and grant impacts.
• Councilor Zelenka -noted the recent federal policy pause was rescinded; supported
maintaining the City's current policies; noted the 2017 ordinance remains in
compliance with federal law.
• Councilor Keating -noted the historical impact of immigration enforcement on
families; noted opposition to racial profiling and family separations.
• Mayor Knudson -noted support for Council to engage with the community and
share updates on City policies; noted the City's commitment to inclusivity and
protection of community members.
Mayor Knudson adjourned the meeting at 12:57 p.m.
MINUTES -Eugene City Council
Work Session
January 29, 2025 Page 3
Respectfully submitted,
Katie La
City Recorder
(Recorded by Natalie Venhuda)
Link to the web cast of this City Council meeting here.
MINUTES -Eugene City Council
Work Session
January 29, 2025 Page 4