HomeMy WebLinkAbout250922 WSMINUTES
Eugene City Council
Work Session
Eugene, Oregon 97401
September 22, 2025
5:30 p.m.
Councilors Present: Eliza Kashinsky, Matt Keating, Alan Zelenka, Jennifer Yeh, Mike Clark,
Lyndsie Leech, and Randy Groves
Councilors Absent: Greg Evans
Mayor Knudson opened the September 22, 2025, work session of the Eugene City Council in a
hybrid format at 500 E 4 th Avenue, North Building, Eugene OR 97401.
1. WORK SESSION: Library Local Option Levy
City Manager Sarah Medary introduced Josh Bates, Executive Director for Library,
Recreation, and Cultural Services, and Angela Ocana, Library Services Director, who
provided background on the expiring library levy, which will sunset in June 2026.
Councilor Discussion:
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Councilor Clark -requested clarification on whether survey respondents
expressing interest in a Santa Clara branch were city or county residents; asked
for data on library cardholders in Santa Clara and whether they reside within
city limits; emphasized the importance of equitable service delivery and
expressed concern about extending services to non-city residents without
equivalent financial contribution.
Councilor Keating -requested information on Wi-Fi hotspot lending; asked
about the impact ofremoving library fines; asked about the Dolly Parton
Imagination Library and its potential for statewide expansion; asked whether
the 2023 ordinance prohibiting camping near the library improved accessibility
and safety; suggested exploring drop-off and pick-up locations similar to
Amazon lockers; asked what service reductions might occur if the levy is not
renewed.
Councilor Groves -expressed appreciation for the information within the
presentation and acknowledged the importance of the levy renewal; noted the
lack of services in Southwest Eugene and suggested exploring low-cost service
expansions such as pick-up boxes; noted concerns about service equity in
unincorporated areas; noted he would have additional questions at the next
work session regarding financing.
Councilor Zelenka -noted strong community support for the library,
referencing the 77 percent approval rate in the last levy vote; stated the
decision to lower the levy rate in 2020 led to service cuts; noted the need to
consider inflation and rising costs in future levy planning.
MINUTES -Eugene City Council
Work Session
September 22, 2025 Page 1
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Councilor Kashinsky -asked how future levy language could balance
accountability with operational flexibility; asked whether the library still
needed to restore services to Fiscal Year (FY) 2009 levels.
Councilor Yeh -spoke in favor of levy language that allows operational
flexibility; noted concern about potential cuts to branch libraries and
emphasized the importance of maintaining access across the city; stated that
libraries contribute to public safety and democratic engagement; encouraged
staff to share council's appreciation with library employees.
Mayor Knudson -asked how the library's work fits into the City's broader
operational efficiency analysis.
2. WORK SESSION: City Manager Recruitment Stakeholder Feedback
Central Services Director, Mia Cariaga, introduced Valerie Phillips and Jeff Mori with
recruiting firm Bob Murray and Associates, to discuss the job posting and public
engagement process.
Councilor Discussion:
• Councilor Kashinsky -noted concerns that the small number of external
stakeholders interviewed may not reflect the full diversity of community
perspectives.
• Councilor Zelenka -asked whether union labor representatives were included
in the interviews; asked for clarification on the term "activist-driven"; asked if
interviewees identified communication as a top concern.
• Councilor Leech -asked about the next steps in the recruitment process and
whether her submitted edits had been incorporated into the recruitment
materials.
• Councilor Groves -noted concern about the limited number of stakeholders
involved in the process; stated the importance of engaging a broader range of
community voices, including labor and neighborhood groups; noted alignment
between stakeholder feedback and his priorities.
• Mayor Knudson -noted the upcoming October 20 public engagement events;
stated the importance of community involvement in the recruitment process.
The meeting was adjourned at 6:45 p.m.
Respectfully submitted,
Katie LaSala
City Recorder
(Recorded by Cherish Bradshaw)
Link to the web cast of this City Council meeting here.
MINUTES -Eugene City Council
Work Session
September 22, 2025 Page 2