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Home My WebLink About260427 WSMINUTES Eugene City Council Work Session Eugene, Oregon 97401 April 27, 2026 5:30 p.m. Councilors Present: Eliza Kashinsky, Matt Keating, Alan Zelenka, Jennifer Yeh, Mike Clark, Greg Evans, Lyndsie Leech, and Randy Groves Mayor Kaarin Knudson opened the April 27, 2026, work session of the Eugene City Council in a hybrid format at 500 E 4th Avenue, North Building, Eugene OR 97401. 1. WORK SESSION: Parks and Recreation Bond and Levy Update City Manager Jenny Haruyama introduced Craig Carnagey, Parks and Open Space Director, Peter Chavannes, Recreation Services Director, and Emily Proudfoot, Principal Landscape Architect, to provide an annual update about the accomplishments with the bond and levy funding. Councilor Discussion: ■ ■ ■ Councilor Evans -stated appreciation for improvements at Echo Hollow Pool; asked what category the maintenance of State Street Park and Irwin Park falls under; asked how the levy supports park safety and responses to illegal activity; stated concern about lighting delays and ongoing safety issues encountered by residents. Councilor Zelenka -stated appreciation for the extensive project progress; noted high usage of pools compared to athletics facilities; stated he was impressed with the data around graffiti and garbage removal; noted camping in parks has declined by approximately 43 percent; noted over 90 percent of residents consider parks essential to their quality of life. Councilor Groves -noted appreciation for cleaner, safer parks and for lighting improvements; noted Ward 8 lacks a community center, pool, or dog park; asked when progress on these community facilities might begin; stated appreciation for fire mitigation and safety work in natural areas; noted ongoing concerns about wildfire risk at Wild Iris Ridge and difficulties with access for emergency response. ■ Councilor Leech -noted appreciation for the proactive approach to park safety; asked for an update on the Seabert Garden construction timeline; noted she is looking forward to the Santa Clara Park opening. ■ Councilor Keating -noted prior advocacy for increased lighting; asked about collaboration with dark-sky organizations to ensure responsible lighting design; asked about habitat restoration at Tugman Park and engagement with volunteer groups such as the Tugman Tuggers; asked about safety training and equipment for park cleanup teams; noted interest in volunteer cleanup MINUTES -Eugene City Council Work Session April 27, 2026 Page 1 programs; asked whether the ParkWatch reporting system is funded through bond dollars. • Councilor Yeh -stated ongoing appreciation for Umso Park; noted interest in understanding service gaps in the community and how recreation programming could expand to meet them. • Mayor Knudson -noted the importance of fuels mitigation work across natural areas; noted over 1200 acres in 25 parks have undergone fire-risk reduction; stated interest in future updates about westward and south-of-the-Butte trail expansions and related partnerships. 2. WORK SESSION: City Council Operating Agreements, Additional Topics City Manager Jenny Haruyama introduced Katie LaSala, City Recorder, to discuss possible changes to the Council Operating Agreements. Councilor Discussion: • • • • • • • • • Councilor Clark -asked how "substantive" would be defined for the purpose of restricting the ability to introduce unplanned motions; stated concern that subjective terms could lead to inconsistent application. Councilor Keating -stated Robert's Rules of Order already allows motions at any time; stated requiring a full speaking round before motions contradicts established procedure; noted debate can be ended by two-thirds vote; believes the proposed rule would be unwieldy. Councilor Groves -stated his concern arose from a prior instance where several Councilors were waiting to speak when a substantive unplanned motion was made; stated the introduction of this motion prevented Councilors from speaking and limited representation for their constituents; stated support for allowing all Councilors at least one opportunity to speak before a substantive unplanned motion is introduced. Councilor Zelenka -noted flexibility is important but premature motions can disrupt discussion; suggested a process that allows Councilors to signal intent to make a motion while preserving the speaking queue. Councilor Kashinsky -noted agenda items often operate under strict time limits; stated requiring full rounds may delay time-sensitive motions; noted existing procedural tools such as postponement could address the concerns raised by this proposed change. Councilor Clark -asked the City Attorney for clarification on the Mayor's discretion to declare motions out of order; noted past instances in which presiding officers used procedural power inconsistently. Councilor Yeh -stated Councilors already have tools for extending discussion; stated concern that new rules would add unnecessary complexity. Councilor Leech -stated she did not intend to bring the proposed motion forward due to lack of support. Councilor Zelenka -stated the core issue is whether Councilors should be able to speak once before a motion is made; noted preserving order through the first round would support thorough discussion. MINUTES -Eugene City Council Work Session April 27, 2026 Page 2 • Councilor Groves -reiterated his intent is fairness and ensuring discussion does not end before Councilors have an opportunity to ask questions and speak on behalf of their constituents. • Councilor Keating -stated procedural tools already exist for handling premature motions; provided examples of unnecessary delay that could result from the proposed rule. • Councilor Kashinsky-stated limited time in 45-minute agenda slots, combined with lengthy presentations and multiple Councilor rounds, often prevents completing a full first round; noted requiring a full round before motions could delay action on time sensitive matters. • Councilor Clark -asked whether the rule would apply to motions listed in an agenda item summary. • Councilor Zelenka -stated the core question is whether all Councilors should speak before a motion is made; noted any Councilor can currently interrupt discussion by introducing a motion; stated completing a first round allows everyone to ask clarifying questions before motions are considered. • Councilor Yeh -stated Councilors could use motions to postpone if additional discussion is needed; stated the proposed rule is unnecessary. MOTION: Councilor Groves, seconded by Councilor Zelenka, moved to add the following sentence to Section 7.02, of the Operating Agreements: "Notwithstanding Section 7.01, generally, substantive motions not on the agenda should be made after all Councilors have had an opportunity to discuss the agenda item through the first round." VOTE: 3:5 FAILED IN FAVOR: Zelenka, Evans, and Groves. OPPOSED: Kashinsky, Keating, Yeh, Clark, and Leech. Councilor Discussion: • Councilor Zelenka -stated randomizing opponents' testimony is unfair for quasi-judicial land use public hearings; noted applicants may organize their testimony while opponents are constrained by randomized order; stated removing randomization would improve clarity and fairness for these specific hearings. • Councilor Clark -asked why quasi-judicial procedures give applicants structured time while opponents are randomized; noted he would prefer additional information before supporting a change. The meeting was adjourned at 7:01 p.m. MINUTES -Eugene City Council Work Session April 27, 2026 Page 3 Respectfully submitted, a City Recorder (Recorded by Cherish Bradshaw) Link to the we beast of this City Council meeting here. MINUTES -Eugene City Council Work Session April 27, 2026 Page 4