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HomeMy WebLinkAbout250428 MTGMINUTES Eugene City Council Meeting Eugene, Oregon 97401 April 28, 2025 7:30p.m. Councilors Present: Eliza Kashinsky, Matt Keating, Alan Zelenka, Jennifer Yeh, Mike Clark, Greg Evans, Lyndsie Leech, and Randy Groves Mayor Knudson opened the April 28, 2025, meeting of the Eugene City Council in hybrid in- person and virtual format at 500 E. 4th Avenue, Eugene, OR 97401, North Building. 1. COMMITTEE REPORTS AND ITEMS OF INTEREST MOTION: Councilor Clark, seconded by Councilor Groves, moved to direct the City Manager to schedule a public hearing on an unlawful transfer on vehicular portions of the right-of-way ordinance. Council Discussion: • • • • • Councilor Clark -noted Council has previously held work sessions and a public hearing on this topic; stated sending this item to public hearing would save time by eliminating the extra step of having another work session. Councilor Zelenka -stated it is well-established that anti-panhandling laws are unconstitutional; stated he is opposed to anti-panhandling laws; noted Springfield has given zero citations despite passing a similar ordinance. Councilor Kashinsky -believes the proposed ordinance would have minimal impact on traffic safety; noted concerns about dedicating time to an issue that does not significantly contribute to traffic accidents in the City. Councilor Groves -stated the ordinance is to prevent drivers and passengers from transferring goods or money to pedestrians on sidewalks or in the street, and is not specific to panhandling; noted while unhoused people make up about three percent of the state's population, they represent 21 percent of vehicle fatalities; stated the ordinance is not unconstitutional; noted the ordinance would discourage dangerous behaviors. Councilor Keating -noted he would likely support an ordinance like this but did not support the motion at this time; spoke in favor of following the established process. VOTE: 3:5 FAILED IN FAVOR: Clark, Evans, and Groves. OPPOSED: Kashinsky, Keating, Zelenka, Yeh, and Leech. • Councilor Zelenka -noted the recent passing of community member Bob Cassidy. • Mayor Knudson -noted her attendance at the Eugene Marathon and related events. • Councilor Keating -noted his sadness at the passing of Bob Cassidy; offered condolences to his friends and family; noted the recent tragic passing of Sharon Schuman; noted the recent passing of Moses Ross; asked for a moment of reflection. 2. CONSENT CALENDAR 1 A. Approval of City Council Minutes • February 24, 2025 Work Session • March 10, 2025 Work Session • March 10, 2025 Meeting • April 9, 2025 Work Session B. Approval of City Council Tentative Agenda C. Authorizing the City Manager to Execute Contracts to Take on Debt for a Clean Water State Revolving Fund Loan MOTION: Councilor Evans, seconded by Councilor Leech, moved to approve the items on Consent Calendar 1. VOTE: 8:0 PASSED IN FAVOR: Kashinsky, Keating, Zelenka, Yeh, Clark, Evans, Leech, and Groves. OPPOSED: None. 3. ACTION: An Ordinance Adopting Hazardous Substance User Fees Council Discussion: • Councilor Groves -asked about the possibility of working with the state to streamline the process for reporting businesses. MOTION: Councilor Evans, seconded by Councilor Leech, moved to adopt An Ordinance Adopting Hazardous Substance User Fees as provided in Attachment A to this AIS. VOTE: 8:0 PASSED IN FAVOR: Kashinsky, Keating, Zelenka, Yeh, Clark, Evans, Leech, and Groves. OPPOSED: None. 4. PUBLIC COMMENT 1. Lin Woodrich -spoke about the need for a police substation in Bethel. 2. Tiffany Edwards -spoke about the process for a temporary service fee. 3. Athena Aguiar -spoke in favor of decriminalizing psychedelics. 4. John Barofsky -spoke about the importance of the 2025 HUD Annual Action Plan for Affordable Housing and Community Development. 5. Alex Chamberlin -spoke in favor of including funding for Crisis Assistance Helping Out On The Streets (CAHOOTS) in the budget. 6. David Igl -spoke about local historical figures. 7. Kerri Minicucci -spoke about Jeffrey Epstein and human trafficking. 8. Alison Hunter -spoke about experiences with the local housing market as a disabled person. 9. Alan (Alfredo) Gormezano -spoke about local street safety measures and the need for housing. 10. Jacob Trewe -spoke in favor of reinstating the CAHOOTS contract. 11. Steve Gilbert -spoke about troubles with the local unhoused population. 12. Misty Bowman -spoke in favor of dark skies. 13. Sarah Boom -spoke about federal immigration policies. 14. Curtis Blankinship -spoke about local needs for federal funds. 15. Robin Bloomgarden -spoke about the need for notifications in case of emergencies and trouble parking downtown. 16. Rich Locke -spoke against the Eugene Toxics Right-to-Know program. Council Discussion: • Councilor Kashinsky -noted the budget does not usually list specific contracts; noted CAHOOT would be found under the materials and services line item or alternative response under the fire department. • Councilor Groves -noted he is in favor of retaining CAHOOTS; noted he is working with CAHOOTS to find a way forward; noted panhandling is dangerous not just for the driver and the pedestrian, but for other cars on the road as well. • Mayor Knudson -noted her appreciation for comments from members of the business community; noted the importance of reducing light pollution during annual bird migrations; spoke about the benefits of curb extensions. Mayor Knudson adjourned the meeting at 8:38 p.m. Respectfully submitted, Katie LaSala City Recorder (Recorded by Cherish Bradshaw) Link to the web cast of this City Council meeting here.