HomeMy WebLinkAbout250226 WSMINUTES
Eugene City Council
Work Session
Eugene, Oregon 97401
February 26, 2025
12:00 p.m.
Councilors Present: Eliza Kashinsky, Matt Keating, Alan Zelenka, Jennifer Yeh, Mike Clark,
Greg Evans, Lyndsie Leech, and Randy Groves
Mayor Knudson opened the February 26, 2025, Eugene City Council Work Session in a virtual
format.
1. WORK SESSION: Human Rights Commission Work Plan 2024-2026
City Manager, Sarah Medary, introduced Central Services Executive Director, Mia Cariaga,
who was joined by Human Rights Commission Chair, Blake Burrell. Together they
presented the highlights from work the Human Rights Commission (HRC) recent projects
and the 2024-2026 Human Rights Commission work plan.
Councilor Discussion:
• Councilor Leech -is the Council liaison to the HRC and expressed her gratitude for
the commission members and their commitment to the work; stated her support for
the work plan goals; noted the HRC has discussed how best to align with Council
priorities and upcoming Council topics related to human rights; stated she has
provided HRC upcoming agenda information to help improve the alignment of HRC
work with Council priorities; expressed gratitude for Commissioner Burrell's
contributions and wished him well on future endeavors.
• Councilor Kashinsky -noted concerning actions from the current federal
administration since this work plan was created and the impact those actions may
have on marginalized populations; asked how these new issues will be factored into
the work plan in the coming year.
• Councilor Zelenka -noted appreciation for the structure of the report; stated this
work plan has a broad scope; asked how the HRC plans to work through all the
goals; noted all boards and commission members are volunteers; stated boards and
commission members usually bring topics or ideas to the work plans that are
important to them; stated Council does not typically direct boards and commissions
to address specific items in their work plans; asked Commissioner Burrell what
work has had the most significant impact during his time; asked Commissioner
Burrell if he has seen the community opinions change over the last six months.
• Councilor Yeh -asked Commissioner Burrell if the HRC has contacted other human
rights groups in across the state; likes the concept of the two year work plan; would
like to have more of a discussion or review of accomplishments from previous work
MINUTES -Eugene City Council
Work Session
February 26, 2025 Page 1
plan the next time H RC presents to Council; noted a feeling of disconnect from the
boards and commissions she is not assigned to; would like to be more informed on
all boards and commissions work.
• Mayor Knudson -asked if HRC has discussed ways to help advocate for shelter
funding; asked Commissioner about work plan item 2.9 regarding engaging
indigenous individuals who once resided on the Kalapuya Ilihi; asked Commissioner
Burrell if there are specific items HRC or its subcommittees are thinking about
sharing more broadly to the public.
• Councilor Keating -thanked Commissioner Burrell for his service on HRC; asked if
HRC could help advocate for a law that protects good Samaritans from prosecution
for informing persons of their civil rights; asked to clarify if HRC has discussed the
need for community members to stand up for individuals who may be targeted
based on the color of their skin.
MOTION: Councilor Evans, seconded by Councilor Leech, move to approve the
Human Rights Commission 2024-2026 Work Plan as presented in Attachment 8.
VOTE: 8:0 PASSED
IN FAVOR: Kashinsky, Keating, Zelenka, Yeh, Clark, Evans, Leech, Groves
OPPOSED:None
Councilor Mayor Knudson adjourned the meeting at 12:54 p.m.
Respectfully submitted,
Katie LaSala
City Recorder
(Recorded by Sara McKinney)
Link to the webcast of this City Council meeting here.
MINUTES -Eugene City Council
Work Session
February 26, 2025 Page 2