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Home My WebLink About251208 MTGMINUTES Eugene City Council Meeting and Eugene Urban Renewal Agency Meeting and Eugene City Council Public Hearing Eugene, Oregon 97401 December 8, 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 December 8, 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. CEREMONIAL MATTERS Mayor Knudson mentioned proclamations for GivingTuesday, International Day of Persons with Disabilities, International Volunteer Day, Human Rights Day, and Winter Solstice Day. 2. COMMITTEE REPORTS AND ITEMS OF INTEREST • Councilor Leech -thanked the City Manager for ending the City's contract with Flock automatic license plate reader (ALPR) cameras; noted the community impacts of federal actions targeting and detaining community members without due process; stated intent to begin the process of adopting a resolution similar to other cities that have declared emergencies in response to these federal actions; noted Eugene is a sanctuary city; noted the City has an Office of Equity and Community Engagement (OECE) and a Human Rights Commissions (HRC); noted the City Attorney's Office has successfully challenged the federal government's attempts to take away grant funding. MOTION: Councilor Leech, seconded by Councilor Keating, moved to direct the City Manager to: 1) explore potential funding needs of local non-profit agencies assisting impacted immigrant communities; and, 2) work with Council leadership to draft a resolution reaffirming Council's support for the city's immigrant communities and acknowledging the crisis being caused by the federal immigration enforcement actions within those communities. The draft resolution will be circulated via council poll prior to being placed on the agenda. Council Discussion: • Councilor Groves -noted he would support a resolution; asked about the funding commitment given the City's financial situation; stated he would like to ease the burden on Eugene's immigrant community. MINUTES -Eugene City Council Meeting December 8, 2025 Page 1 • Councilor Clark -noted strong concerns about potential budget impacts; spoke about his family's immigration story and the importance of protecting civil rights; noted the importance of humanitarian support. • Councilor Kashinsky -confirmed budget impacts will be addressed after research and supplemental budget discussions. • Councilor Yeh -stated we all have an immigration story; stated attaching funding to the resolution is critical because it turns values into tangible impact; stated that while immigration enforcement isn't the City's role, supporting residents during hardship is. • Councilor Zelenka -stated the actions of Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) are harmful and dictatorial; noted losing a family member that is also the primary income earner is a humanitarian issue. • Councilor Keating -shared an example of a local family impacted by federal actions; stated the City has a responsibility to speak out and act; asked to explore mechanisms for additional funding to support nonprofits aiding affected families. • Councilor Clark -Asked for confirmation that the motion directs the City Manager to return with further information for council discussion, rather than making an immediate spending decision. VOTE: 8:0 PASSED IN FAVOR: Kashinsky, Keating, Zelenka, Yeh, Clark, Evans, Leech, and Groves. OPPOSED: None. • Councilor Groves -shared updates from the Intergovernmental Relations Committee regarding legislative priorities and policies and preparation for the upcoming legislative session; thanked City Manager Medary for her years of dedicated service. • Councilor Keating -thanked the City Manager and Police Chief for ending the City's contract with Flock ALPR cameras; thanked community members for sharing their expertise and testimony about the Flock cameras; thanked Councilors Leech and Yeh for working with the mayor of Hillsboro to understand how to enact a state of emergency around immigration enforcement; noted he recently presented at an American Civil Liberties Union (ACLU) community town hall, along with Oregon State Senator Floyd Prozanski and Speaker of the Oregon House of Representatives Julie Fahey; stated his appreciation for the retiring City Manager Sarah Medary. • Councilor Zelenka -thanked the City Manager for ending the City's contract with Flock ALPR cameras; noted he is working on a work session poll around a mass surveillance policy; thanked the City Manager for her service. • Councilor Yeh -thanked City Manager Medary for her service. • Councilor Clark -thanked former City Manager Ruiz for hiring Sarah Medary; thanked City Manager Medary for her leadership during challenging times. • Councilor Evans -noted gratitude for Medary's outstanding leadership as city manager; thanked her for offering support and encouragement to his daughter during difficult times. • Councilor Leech -thanked City Manager Medary for her service; reflected on council's sadness and excitement about her retirement. MINUTES -Eugene City Council Meeting December 8, 2025 Page 2 • Mayor Knudson -thanked City Manager Medary for being an extraordinary leader and colleague who built a strong team and guided the city through complex challenges. • Councilor Groves -asked if the City will have to pay back a portion of the grant used to pay for the Flock cameras. Mayor Knudson left the meeting. 3. Public Hearing and Action: Resolution Adopting the City's First 2025-2027 Supplemental Budget; Making Appropriations for the City of Eugene for the Biennium Beginning July 1, 2025, and Ending June 30, 2027 City Manager Sarah Medary introduced the topic and provided background information. Councilor Evans opened the public hearing. 1. Tim Black-spoke in favor of the resolution. 2. John Barofsky-spoke in favor of the resolution. 3. Tai Pruce-Zimmerman -spoke in favor of the resolution. 4. Brittany Quick-Warner -spoke in favor of the resolution. 5. Stefan Strek -spoke against the resolution. Councilor Evans closed the public hearing. Council Discussion: ■ Councilor Zelenka -noted the City is audited every year by an independent third-party accounting firm and has received a clean audit for the last 29 budgets. MOTION: Councilor Leech, seconded by Councilor Zelenka, moved to adopt a resolution adopting a supplemental budget, making appropriations for the City of Eugene for the biennium beginning July 1, 2025, and ending June 30, 2027, as amended. MOTION TO AMEND: Councilor Leech, seconded by Councilor Zelenka, moved to amend the supplemental budget to add $50,000 to Council contingency, taking the funds from reserve for revenue shortfall. Council Discussion: ■ Councilor Leech -thanked her fellow councilors for passing a resolution acknowledging the crisis of federal agents arresting, detaining, and deporting people; noted the funds would be set aside for local non-profit agencies assisting impacted immigrant communities; stated the funds can revert to reserves if the resolution changes or fails. ■ Councilor Clark -asked about the nature of the contingency fund over the last few years; noted concern about tight budget constraints and the city's financial situation. MINUTES -Eugene City Council Meeting December 8, 2025 Page 3 • Councilor Groves -stated the need for a deliberate approach and transparency when moving these funds; noted community concerns about rising taxes and fees; noted the humanitarian importance of providing these funds but personally feels private donations should play a role; stated he will support the motion; noted he will want detailed information on the funds intended use and overhead costs before approving spending. • Councilor Kashinsky -noted the motion will slightly reduce the amount going into reserves, which are already below target; stated $50,000 is a very small amount compared to the overall budget; stated the necessity of having contingency funds available given federal actions harming communities. • Councilor Clark-asked if there are any known cases where similar resolutions have led to financial penalties or negative consequences from the federal government due to political disagreements. VOTE ON MOTION TO AMEND: 8:0 PASSED IN FAVOR: Kashinsky, Keating, Zelenka, Yeh, Clark, Evans, Leech, and Groves. OPPOSED: None. VOTE ON MAIN MOTION AS AMENDED: 8:0 PASSED IN FAVOR: Kashinsky, Keating, Zelenka, Yeh, Clark, Evans, Leech, and Groves. OPPOSED: None. Councilor Evans closed the meeting of the Eugene City Council and convened a meeting of the Eugene Urban Renewal Agency. 4. Public Hearing and Action: Resolution Adopting the Urban Renewal Agency's (URA) First 2025-2027 Supplemental Budget; Making Appropriations for the URA of the City of Eugene for the Biennium Beginning July 1, 2025, and Ending June 30, 2027 Agency Director Sarah Medary introduced the topic and provided background information. Councilor Evans opened the Public Hearing. 1. John Barofsky -spoke in favor of the resolution. 2. Stefan Strek -spoke against the resolution. Councilor Evans closed the Public Hearing. Council Discussion: • Councilor Leech -stated by law the City's budget must be balanced. MOTION: Councilor Leech, seconded by Councilor Zelenka, moved to adopt a resolution adopting a supplemental budget, making appropriations for the Urban Renewal Agency of the City of Eugene for the biennium beginning July 1, 2025 and ending June 30, 2027. MINUTES -Eugene City Council Meeting December 8, 2025 Page 4 VOTE: 8:0 PASSED IN FAVOR: Kashinsky, Keating, Zelenka, Yeh, Clark, Evans, Leech, and Groves. OPPOSED: None. Councilor Evans closed the meeting of the Eugene Urban Renewal Agency and convened a meeting of the Eugene City Council. 5. CONSENT CALENDAR 1 A. Approval of City Council Minutes B. Approval of City Council Tentative Agenda C. Interim Appointment to the Human Rights Commission MOTION: Councilor Leech, seconded by Councilor Zelenka, 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. 6. PUBLIC COMMENT 1. Cynthia Cannon-Pointdexter -spoke on behalf of the HRC about Human Rights Day on December 10th. 2. Lin Woodrich -spoke in favor of implementing public health standards. 3. Mark Siemens -spoke against the Amazon E-Commerce facility. 4. Rusty Rexius -thanked retiring City Manager Sarah Medary for her service. 5. Debra McGee -spoke against the Amazon E-Commerce facility. 6. Laura Ray -spoke in favor in favor of declaration of emergency in response to actions by ICE. 7. Tom Peck-spoke against the Amazon E-commerce facility. 8. Geoffrey Gordon -spoke about the cancellation of the Flock contract. 9. Rayna Safron -spoke about struggles experienced by the local immigrant community and against the Amazon E-Commerce facility. 10. Stan Taylor -spoke against the Amazon E-Commerce facility. 11. Scott Lambert -spoke against ALPR technology and against the Amazon E- Commerce facility. 12. Charmane Landing -spoke against the Amazon E-Commerce facility. 13. Faye Rachford -spoke against the Amazon E-Commerce facility. 14. Mark Peabody-spoke against the Amazon E-Commerce facility. 15. Josh Easterlund -spoke in favor of decriminalizing psychedelics. 16. Lucy Vinis -thanked retiring City Manager Sarah Medary for her service. 17. Nancy Ahnert -spoke against the Amazon E-Commerce facility. 18. Kamryn Stringfield -spoke against the council-manager form of government. 19. Ruth Wren -spoke against the Amazon E-Commerce facility. 20. Ken Willis -spoke in favor of a Technology Review Board. 21. Francis Starr Oleary-spoke against the Amazon E-Commerce facility. 22. Alison Dogwood -spoke against the Amazon E-commerce facility. MINUTES -Eugene City Council Meeting December 8, 2025 Page 5 23. Kristin Kessler -spoke in favor of removing the deactivated Flock cameras. 24. Danny Patch -spoke about issues with traffic. 7. CONSENT CALENDAR 2 A. A Resolution Annexing Land to the City of Eugene (Assessor's Map 17-03-08- 44, Tax Lot 05700, Located at 2488 Devon Avenue (City File: A 25-10) MOTION: Councilor Leech, seconded by Councilor Zelenka, moved to approve the items on Consent Calendar 2. VOTE: 8:0 PASSED IN FAVOR: Kashinsky, Keating, Zelenka, Yeh, Clark, Evans, Leech, and Groves. OPPOSED: None. Councilor Evans adjourned the meeting at 9:54 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 Meeting December 8, 2025 Page 6