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HomeMy WebLinkAbout260608 MTGMINUTES Eugene City Council Meeting Eugene, Oregon 97401 June 8, 2026 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 June 8, 2026, meeting of the Eugene City Council in hybrid in- person and virtual format at 500 E. 4th Avenue, North Building, Eugene, OR 97401. 1. PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE The Pledge of Allegiance to the Flag was led by Zev Wacks, member of the Youth Advisory Council (YAC), in honor of Flag Day on June 14. 2. CEREMONIAL MATTERS Mayor Knudson introduced proclamations for Eugene LGBTQ+ Pride Month, National Gun Violence Awareness Day, National Cancer Survivors Day, Last Day of School, Juneteenth, World Refugee Day, and Summer Solstice Day. Additionally, Goush Shaik, YAC member, provided a summary of the Youth Advisory Council Annual Report. 3. COMMITTEE REPORTS AND ITEMS OF INTEREST • Mayor Knudson -noted appreciation for the graduating members of the Youth Advisory Council. • Councilor Groves -shared updates from the Intergovernmental Relations Committee regarding legislative priorities and policies and preparation for the upcoming legislative session. • Councilor Clark -noted receiving notice of a potential building permit fee increase; stated concern about increasing permit fees during a housing shortage; stated permit costs should be reduced to encourage housing production; noted declining numbers of single-family permits; asked the City Manager to consider discounting fees instead. • Councilor Yeh -noted a recent visit to the Ko-Kwel Wellness Center on River Road; noted her attendance at a ceremonial girder signing for Slocum Orthopedics' new ambulatory surgery center; stated gratitude for the Human Rights Commission's Chair Silky Booker's service and noted his departure for family reasons. • Councilor Zelenka -stated congratulations to elected and re-elected officials following the recent election; noted Jennifer Smith won by a significant margin and candidates supported by the Chamber of Commerce had limited success; asked for Smith be invited as an observer to the upcoming financial retreat to support her transition into 2027 decision-making. 4. CONSENT CALENDAR 1 A. Approval of City Council Minutes MINUTES -Eugene City Council Meeting June 8, 2026 Page 1 B. Approval of City Council Tentative Agenda Council Discussion: • Councilor Kashinsky-requested to pull the minutes for the April 27, 2026 Work Session from Consent Calendar 1 in order for staff to make a correction regarding a misattributed comment. MOTION: Councilor Leech, seconded by Councilor Kashinsky, 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. 5. ACTION: Appointments to Boards, Commissions and Committees City Manager Haruyama introduced the topic and provided background information. MOTION: Councilor Leech, seconded by Councilor Kashinsky, moved to appoint Emily Yates to the Budget Committee for a four-year term beginning July 1, 2026, and ending on June 30, 2030. VOTE: 8:0 PASSED IN FAVOR: Kashinsky, Keating, Zelenka, Yeh, Clark, Evans, Leech, and Groves. OPPOSED: None. MOTION: Councilor Leech, seconded by Councilor Kashinsky, moved to appoint DJ Kelly-Quattrocchi to the Budget Committee for a four- year term beginning July 1, 2026, and ending on June 30, 2030. MOTION TO SUBSTITUTE: Councilor Zelenka moved to substitute Tim Black. Motion not seconded. VOTE ON MAIN MOTION: 8:0 PASSED IN FAVOR: Kashinsky, Keating, Zelenka, Yeh, Clark, Evans, Leech, and Groves. OPPOSED: None. MOTION: Councilor Leech, seconded by Councilor Kashinsky, moved to reappoint Elise Josephson to the Civilian Review Board for a three- year term beginning July 1, 2026, and ending on June 30, 2029. VOTE: 8:0 PASSED IN FAVOR: Kashinsky, Keating, Zelenka, Yeh, Clark, Evans, Leech, and Groves. OPPOSED: None. MOTION: Councilor Leech, seconded by Councilor Kashinsky, moved to appoint Amanda Walkup to the Civilian Review Board for a three- year term July 1, 2026, and ending on June 30, 2029. MINUTES -Eugene City Council Meeting June 8, 2026 Page 2 VOTE: 8:0 PASSED IN FAVOR: Kashinsky, Keating, Zelenka, Yeh, Clark, Evans, Leech, and Groves. OPPOSED: None. MOTION: Councilor Leech, seconded by Councilor Kashinsky, moved to appoint Kimberlee Voorhies to the Civilian Review Board for a partial term beginning July 1, 2026, and ending on June 30, 2027. VOTE: 8:0 PASSED IN FAVOR: Kashinsky, Keating, Zelenka, Yeh, Clark, Evans, Leech, and Groves. OPPOSED: None. MOTION: Councilor Leech, seconded by Councilor Kashinsky, moved to appoint Christine Silver to the Civilian Review Board for a partial term beginning July 1, 2026, and ending on June 30, 2028. VOTE: 8:0 PASSED IN FAVOR: Kashinsky, Keating, Zelenka, Yeh, Clark, Evans, Leech, and Groves. OPPOSED: None. MOTION: Councilor Leech, seconded by Councilor Kashinsky, moved to appoint Sara Connors to the Human Rights Commission for a three- year term beginning July 1, 2026, and ending on June 30, 2029. VOTE: 8:0 PASSED IN FAVOR: Kashinsky, Keating, Zelenka, Yeh, Clark, Evans, Leech, and Groves. OPPOSED: None. MOTION: Councilor Leech, seconded by Councilor Kashinsky, moved to appoint Mahindra Kumar to the Human Rights Commission for a three-year term beginning July 1, 2026, and ending on June 30, 2029. VOTE: 8:0 PASSED IN FAVOR: Kashinsky, Keating, Zelenka, Yeh, Clark, Evans, Leech, and Groves. OPPOSED: None. MOTION: Councilor Leech, seconded by Councilor Kashinsky, moved to appoint Leon Bate to the Human Rights Commission for a three- year term beginning July 1, 2026, and ending on June 30, 2029. VOTE: 8:0 PASSED IN FAVOR: Kashinsky, Keating, Zelenka, Yeh, Clark, Evans, Leech, and Groves. OPPOSED: None. MOTION: Councilor Leech, seconded by Councilor Kashinsky, moved to reappoint Tiffany Edwards to the Planning Commission for a four- year term beginning July 1, 2026, and ending on June 30, 2030. MINUTES -Eugene City Council Meeting June 8, 2026 Page 3 VOTE: 8:0 PASSED IN FAVOR: Kashinsky, Keating, Zelenka, Yeh, Clark, Evans, Leech, and Groves. OPPOSED: None. MOTION: Councilor Leech, seconded by Councilor Kashinsky, moved to appoint Ethan Clevenger to the Planning Commission for a four- year term beginning July 1, 2026, and ending on June 30, 2030. MOTION TO SUBSTITUTE: Councilor Zelenka moved to substitute Thomas Hiura. Motion not seconded. VOTE ON MAIN MOTION: 7:1 PASSED IN FAVOR: Kashinsky, Keating, Yeh, Clark, Evans, Leech, and Groves. OPPOSED: Zelenka. MOTION: Councilor Leech, seconded by Councilor Kashinsky, moved to appoint Francesca Negri to the Toxics Board for a three-year Advocacy Representative term beginning July 1, 2026, and ending on June 30, 2029. VOTE: 8:0 PASSED IN FAVOR: Kashinsky, Keating, Zelenka, Yeh, Clark, Evans, Leech, and Groves. OPPOSED: None. MOTION: Councilor Leech, seconded by Councilor Kashinsky, moved to appoint Sorrel Arends to the Historic Review Board for a four-year term beginning July 1, 2026, and ending June 30, 2030. VOTE: 8:0 PASSED IN FAVOR: Kashinsky, Keating, Zelenka, Yeh, Clark, Evans, Leech, and Groves. OPPOSED: None. MOTION: Councilor Leech, seconded by Councilor Kashinsky, moved to appoint Stephanie Herra to the Historic Review Board for a four- year term beginning July 1, 2026, and ending June 30, 2030. VOTE: 8:0 PASSED IN FAVOR: Kashinsky, Keating, Zelenka, Yeh, Clark, Evans, Leech, and Groves. OPPOSED: None. MOTION: Councilor Leech, seconded by Councilor Kashinsky, moved to appoint Emily Sanderford to the Police Commission for a partial term beginning July 1, 2026, and ending on June 30, 2028. VOTE: 8:0 PASSED IN FAVOR: Kashinsky, Keating, Zelenka, Yeh, Clark, Evans, Leech, and Groves. OPPOSED: None. MINUTES -Eugene City Council Meeting June 8, 2026 Page 4 MOTION: Councilor Leech, seconded by Councilor Kashinsky, moved to appoint Nick Haile to the Whilamut Citizen Planning Committee for a partial term beginning July 1, 2026, and ending on June 30, 2027. VOTE: 8:0 PASSED IN FAVOR: Kashinsky, Keating, Zelenka, Yeh, Clark, Evans, Leech, and Groves. OPPOSED: None. MOTION: Councilor Leech, seconded by Councilor Kashinsky, moved to appoint Thomas Holser to the Whilamut Citizen Planning Committee for a three-year term beginning July 1, 2026, and ending on June 30, 2029. VOTE: 8:0 PASSED IN FAVOR: Kashinsky, Keating, Zelenka, Yeh, Clark, Evans, Leech, and Groves. OPPOSED: None. MOTION: Councilor Leech, seconded by Councilor Kashinsky, moved to appoint Marco Longoria to the Whilamut Citizen Planning Committee for a three-year term beginning July 1, 2026, and ending on June 30, 2029. VOTE: 8:0 PASSED IN FAVOR: Kashinsky, Keating, Zelenka, Yeh, Clark, Evans, Leech, and Groves. OPPOSED: None. MOTION: Councilor Leech, seconded by Councilor Kashinsky, moved to reappoint Michael Johnston to the Lane County Regional Air Protection Agency for a three-year term beginning July 1, 2026, and ending on June 30, 2029. Council Discussion: • Councilor Keating -as the Chair of the Lane Regional Air Protection Agency (LRAPA), noted his support for the reappointment of Michael Johnston. VOTE: 8:0 PASSED IN FAVOR: Kashinsky, Keating, Zelenka, Yeh, Clark, Evans, Leech, and Groves. OPPOSED: None. MOTION: Councilor Leech, seconded by Councilor Kashinsky, moved to reappoint Dylan Plummer to the Lane County Regional Air Protection Agency for a three-year term beginning July 1, 2026, and ending on June 30, 2029. Council Discussion: • Councilor Keating -noted his support for the reappointment of Dylan Plummer. MINUTES -Eugene City Council Meeting June 8, 2026 Page 5 VOTE: 6:2 PASSED IN FAVOR: Kashinsky, Keating, Zelenka, Yeh, Evans, and Leech. OPPOSED: Clark and Groves. MOTION: Councilor Leech, seconded by Councilor Kashinsky, moved to appoint Nicole Ngo to the Lane County Regional Air Protection Agency for a three-year term beginning July 1, 2026, and ending on June 30, 2029. Council Discussion: • Councilor Keating -noted his support for the appointment of Nicole Ngo. VOTE: 8:0 PASSED IN FAVOR: Kashinsky, Keating, Zelenka, Yeh, Clark, Evans, Leech, and Groves. OPPOSED: None. MOTION: Councilor Leech, seconded by Councilor Kashinsky, moved to appoint Dan Carol to the Riverfront Urban Renewal Advisory Committee for a two-year term beginning July 1, 2026, and ending on June 30, 2028. VOTE: 8:0 PASSED IN FAVOR: Kashinsky, Keating, Zelenka, Yeh, Clark, Evans, Leech, and Groves. OPPOSED: None. MOTION: Councilor Leech, seconded by Councilor Kashinsky, moved to appoint Phil Farrington to the Riverfront Urban Renewal Advisory Committee for a two-year term beginning July 1, 2026, and ending on June 30, 2028. VOTE: 8:0 PASSED IN FAVOR: Kashinsky, Keating, Zelenka, Yeh, Clark, Evans, Leech, and Groves. OPPOSED: None. MOTION: Councilor Leech, seconded by Councilor Kashinsky, moved to appoint Joe Moll to the Riverfront Urban Renewal Advisory Committee for a two-year term beginning July 1, 2026, and ending on June 30, 2028. VOTE: 8:0 PASSED IN FAVOR: Kashinsky, Keating, Zelenka, Yeh, Clark, Evans, Leech, and Groves. OPPOSED: None. MOTION: Councilor Leech, seconded by Councilor Kashinsky, moved to appoint Dana Siebert to the Riverfront Urban Renewal Advisory MINUTES -Eugene City Council Meeting June 8, 2026 Page 6 Committee for a two-year term beginning July 1, 2026, and ending on June 30, 2028. VOTE: 8:0 PASSED IN FAVOR: Kashinsky, Keating, Zelenka, Yeh, Clark, Evans, Leech, and Groves. OPPOSED: None. Council Discussion: • Mayor Knudson -stated the night's motions are the conclusion of the annual Boards and Commissions process that began in January; noted hundreds had applied for spots on the City's Boards and Commissions; noted she had personally interviewed 18 applicants. • Councilor Keating -stated he would prefer a process that allowed more candidates to make it to the final interview round; recommended a change to the process to allow candidates who received a minimum of three votes to move to the final round rather than the current threshold of four votes. 6. ACTION: An Ordinance Concerning Increased Public Health Standards Coordination; Amending Sections 9.0500, 9.2460, 9.2461, and 9.4165 of the Eugene Code, 1971; and Providing an Effective Date. City Manager Haruyama introduced the topic and provided background information. MOTION: Councilor Leech, seconded by Councilor Kashinsky, moved to adopt an Ordinance Concerning Increased Public Health Standards Coordination; Amending Sections 9.0500, 9.2460, 9.2461, and 9.4165 of the Eugene Code, 1971; and Providing an Effective Date, included as Attachment A to this Agenda Item Summary. MOTION TO SUBSTITUTE: Councilor Evans, seconded by Councilor Clark, moved to substitute in this motion from Version 3 to Version 4. Council Discussion: • • • Councilor Groves -noted he was one of the Councilors who originally moved this motion forward; stated the original motion was made in response to pollution caused by JH Baxter and other heavy industry; noted the current version of the ordinance would regulate businesses that do not qualify as heavy industry; stated support for Version 4 to ease requirements on small businesses. Councilor Clark -stated support for Version 4 as endorsed by the Planning Commission; noted Version 3 is more complicated than just checking a box as some have implied; stated Version 4 protects neighbors while minimizing the burden on small businesses. Councilor Keating -read a letter from the Lane Regional Air Protection Agency (LRAPA) in favor of Version 3; noted he would vote against the motion to substitute Version 4. • Councilor Kashinsky-noted that some issues will never have perfect solutions; noted a preference for focusing requirements on use rather than zone; stated attestation helps applicants discover needed air or water quality permits early and improves coordination; stated support for Version 3. MINUTES -Eugene City Council Meeting June 8, 2026 Page 7 • Councilor Zelenka -stated Version 3 will help businesses by providing early notice about permit needs; noted attestation only requires confirming research, not obtaining a permit; noted developers bear responsibility for understanding permit requirements, not City staff. • Councilor Groves -encouraged colleagues to review the list of occupancies and uses requiring the attestation process. VOTE ON MOTION TO SUBSTITUTE: 3:5 FAILED IN FAVOR: Clark, Evans, and Groves. OPPOSED: Kashinsky, Keating, Zelenka, Yeh, and Leech. VOTE ON MAIN MOTION: 7:1 PASSED IN FAVOR: Kashinsky, Keating, Zelenka, Yeh, Clark, Evans, and Leech. OPPOSED: Groves. 7. PUBLIC COMMENT 1. Lin Woodrich -spoke in favor of a comprehensive plan for the Bethel area. 2. Jim Neu -spoke in favor of a local initiative petition trying to make it to the ballot. 3. Jennifer Linnaea -spoke about the increase in unanswered welfare check calls since the closure of Crisis Assistance Helping Out On The Streets (CAHOOTS). 4. Linda Ague -spoke about effects of passing the Eugene library levy. 5. Robert Brock -spoke about culture and management issues at Eugene Police Department (EPD). 6. Justin Filip -spoke about culture and management issues at EPD. 7. Robert Parrish -spoke in favor of reestablishing a program like CAHOOTS. 8. Dru Winters -spoke about culture and management issues at EPD. 9. Jacob Trewe -spoke in favor of reestablishing a program like CAHOOTS. 10. Travis Pendergrass -spoke about culture and management issues at EPD. 11. Leonardo Difranco -spoke about culture and management issues at EPD. 12. Thea Abbatoy -spoke about culture and management issues at EPD. 13. Roger Knudson -spoke against climate hushing. 14. Patricia Hine -spoke in favor of climate action. 15. Jay Smith -spoke about culture and management issues at EPD. 16. Curtis Blankinship -spoke in favor of restorative justice. 17. Athena Aguiar -spoke in favor of reestablishing a program like CAHOOTS. 18. Blair Hickok -spoke about strategies to reduce homelessness. 19. Lauren Olson -spoke about experiences with police. 20. Jo Martorana -encouraged Council to address community concerns. 21. David lgl -spoke about local history. 22. Josh Easterlund -spoke in favor of decriminalizing psychedelics. 23. Wyn Manselle -spoke in favor of the transparent use of surveillance technology. 24. Shelly Devine -spoke against racism and bigotry. Council Discussion: • Councilor Keating -stated the Human Services Commission would be interested in hearing data about gaps caused by the CAHOOTS closure; noted he had initiated a work session poll to change filing deadlines for minor and serious MINUTES -Eugene City Council Meeting June 8, 2026 Page 8 misconduct complaints received by the Police Auditor's office; spoke about the effort to create a Eugene Clean Energy fund. Mayor Knudson adjourned the meeting at 9:27 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 June 8, 2026 Page 9