HomeMy WebLinkAbout251124 MTGMINUTES
Eugene City Council
Meeting
Eugene, Oregon 97401
November 24, 2025
7:30 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 November 24, 2025, meeting of the Eugene City Council in
hybrid in -person and virtual format at 500 E. 4th Avenue, North Building, Eugene, OR
97401.
1. COMMITTEE REPORTS AND ITEMS OF INTEREST
• Councilor Yeh - noted her recent attendance at a Highway 99 walk audit and town
hall hosted by the American Association of Retired Persons (AARP); reported on the
recent Police Commission meeting.
• Councilor Keating - noted his recent attendance at the National League of Cities' City
Summit conference; noted his participation in sessions on housing, artificial
intelligence (AI), advocacy with federal, state, and county partners, and immigration
policy.
• Councilor Zelenka - noted his attendance at the recent Public Safety Coordinating
Council (PSCC); noted they had restored full parole funding in Lane County.
• Mayor Knudson - noted her attendance at the Highway 99 town hall; noted her
attendance at the recent Lane County Deflection Program graduation; provided an
update from the Poverty and Homelessness Board.
2. PRIORITY GOAL ACTION: Adoption of a Resolution Discontinuing a Low -Income
Rental Housing Property Tax Exemption for Reveille on 6th Avenue in Eugene,
Oregon and Repealing Resolution No. 5396
Assistant City Manager Kristie Hammitt introduced the topic and provided background
information.
MOTION: Councilor Evans, seconded by Councilor Leech, moved to
adopt A Resolution Discontinuing a Low -Income Rental Housing
Property Tax Exemption for Reveille on 6th Avenue in Eugene, Oregon
and Repealing Resolution No. 5396.
VOTE: 8:0 PASSED
IN FAVOR: Kashinsky, Keating, Zelenka, Yeh, Clark, Evans, Leech, and
Groves.
OPPOSED: None.
3. CONSENT CALENDAR 1
A. Approval of City Council Minutes
• October 8, 2025 Work Session
MINUTES - Eugene City Council November 24, 2025 Page 1
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• October 13, 2025 Work Session
B. Approval of City Council Tentative Agenda
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.
4. ACTION: An Ordinance Extending the Term of Ordinance No. 19775 and
Ordinance No. 20397 Granting to Comcast of Oregon, II, Inc. a Franchise for
Operation of a Cable Telecommunications System
Assistant City Manager Kristie Hammitt introduced the topic and provided background
information.
Council Discussion:
■ Councilor Groves - asked if 18 months will provide sufficient time to resolve the
franchise agreement negotiations.
MOTION: Councilor Evans, seconded by Councilor Leech, moved to
approve An Ordinance Extending the Term of Ordinance No. 19775
and Ordinance No. 20397 Granting to Comcast of Oregon II, Inc. a
Franchise for Operation of a Cable Telecommunications System.
VOTE: 8:0 PASSED
IN FAVOR: Kashinsky, Keating, Zelenka, Yeh, Clark, Evans, Leech, and
Groves.
OPPOSED: None.
5. ACTION: Transient Lodging Tax Code Amendment
Assistant City Manager Kristie Hammitt introduced the topic and provided background
information.
MOTION: Councilor Evans, seconded by Councilor Leech, moved to
adopt an ordinance concerning Transient Lodging Tax and Amending
Sections 3.775, 3.780, and 3.798 of the Eugene Code, 1971.
VOTE: 8:0 PASSED
IN FAVOR: Kashinsky, Keating, Zelenka, Yeh, Clark, Evans, Leech, and
Groves.
OPPOSED: None.
6. ACTION: Urban Growth Strategies Initiation of 2026 Adoption Process
Assistant City Manager Kristie Hammitt introduced the topic and provided background
information.
MOTION: Councilor Evans, seconded by Councilor Leech, moved to
initiate the proposed 2026 package of land -use plan and code
amendments for Urban Growth Strategies, including: amendments to
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Meeting
the Envision Eugene Comprehensive Plan; adoption of a parcel
specific Land Use Designation Map; amendments to the Eugene -
Springfield Metropolitan Area General Plan and adopted refinement
plans; and amendments to Chapter 9 of the Eugene Code to remove
barriers and increase development capacity for housing and jobs, to
encourage compact development, and to designate Climate -Friendly
Areas.
Council Discussion:
■ Mayor Knudson - stated prior council discussion focused on workforce housing
actions; asked how those actions fit into the upcoming urban growth strategy
work.
VOTE: 8:0 PASSED
IN FAVOR: Kashinsky, Keating, Zelenka, Yeh, Clark, Evans, Leech, and
Groves.
OPPOSED: None.
7. PUBLIC COMMENT
1. Ralph Liam McDonald - asked Council to solicit an opinion from the Oregon
Attorney General regarding the legality of Flock surveillance.
2. Lin Woodrich - spoke in support of public health standards.
3. Kristina Beggen - spoke against the Amazon E-Commerce facility and use of Flock
technology.
4. Bill O'Brien - spoke against the Amazon E-Commerce facility.
S. Anna L - spoke against Immigration and Custom's (ICE) actions and use of Flock
technology.
6. Lucienne Fischer - spoke against the Amazon E-Commerce facility and use of Flock
technology.
7. Hudson Lazzara - spoke against the Amazon E-Commerce facility and use of Flock
technology.
8. Glenn 0. - spoke against ICE's actions and use of Flock technology.
9. Madison Fowler - spoke against the Amazon E-Commerce facility and use of Flock
technology.
10. Shelly Devine - spoke against ICE, the Amazon E-Commerce facility, and use of Flock
technology.
11. John Brockman - spoke against the Amazon E-Commerce facility.
12. Mark Peabody - spoke against the Amazon E-Commerce facility.
13. Sue Craig - spoke against the Amazon E-Commerce facility.
14. Nancy Ahnert - spoke against the Amazon E-Commerce facility.
15. Scott Lambert - spoke against the Amazon E-Commerce facility and use of Flock
technology.
16. Howard Newman - read a poem against the Amazon E-Commerce facility.
17. Cody Rosenberg - spoke against ICE's actions and use of Flock technology.
18. Hannah Deebert - spoke against the Amazon E-Commerce facility and use of Flock
technology.
19. Drusilla Winters - spoke against the Amazon E-Commerce facility.
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20. Josh Easterlund - spoke in favor of decriminalizing psychedelics.
21. Steve Yamamori - thanked Council for supporting the Reveille project.
22. Debra McGee - spoke against the Amazon E-Commerce facility.
23. Francis Starr OLeary - spoke against the Amazon E-Commerce facility and use of
Flock technology.
24. Clare Nelle - spoke against the Amazon E-Commerce facility and use of Flock
technology.
25. Charmane Landing - spoke against the Amazon E-Commerce facility.
26. Kamryn Stringfield - spoke in favor of declaring a state of emergency related to the
impacts of federal immigration enforcement.
27. Faye Rachford - spoke against the Amazon E-Commerce facility.
28. Ken Willis - spoke against the use of Flock cameras.
29. Brenda Kame'enui - spoke against the Amazon E-Commerce facility.
30. Bernadette Ross - spoke against the Amazon E-Commerce facility.
31. Stan Taylor - spoke against the Amazon E-Commerce facility.
32. Will Gibboney - spoke against ICE, the Amazon E-Commerce facility, and use of
Flock technology.
33. Lynda Lanker - spoke against the Amazon E-Commerce facility.
34. Kelly Johnson - spoke in favor of the City investing in the arts.
35. William (Chico) Schwall - spoke against the actions of ICE.
36. Ruth Wren - spoke against the Amazon E-Commerce facility.
37. Wyn Manselle - spoke against ICE, the Amazon E-Commerce facility, and use of
Flock technology.
38. Danny Revell Huffsmith - sang against Flock cameras.
39. Mary Moffat - spoke against the Amazon E-Commerce facility.
40. Erica Lyon - spoke against the Amazon E-Commerce facility.
Council Discussion:
■ Councilor Keating - noted appreciation for community turnout and passionate
testimony opposing ICE raids; noted collaboration with partners from Hood
River, Washington, and Ashland to advance a resolution strengthening sanctuary
laws; stated the judiciary committee is discussing automated license plate reader
technology; noted gratitude to staff and community members for their ongoing
work and participation.
■ Councilor Leech - asked how the City could declare a state of emergency in
response to ICE detaining community members; requested that information be
provided in a memo.
■ Mayor Knudson - noted appreciation for community members working for
decades to protect farm workers, migrants, and Spanish-speaking residents;
thanked everyone who gave public comment and those who reached out through
other channels.
Mayor Knudson adjourned the meeting at 9:29 p.m.
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Respectfully submitted,
Katie LaSala
City Recorder
(Recorded by Cherish Bradshaw)
Link to the webcast of this City Council meeting here.
MINUTES - Eugene City Council November 24, 202S Page S
Meeting