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HomeMy WebLinkAbout260527 WSMINUTES Eugene City Council Work Session Eugene, Oregon 97401 May 27, 2026 12:00 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 May 27, 2026, meeting of the Eugene City Council Work Session in a hybrid in-person and virtual format at 500 E. 4th Avenue, North Building, Eugene, OR 97401. 1. EXECUTIVE SESSION: Pursuant to ORS 192.660(2)(i)(Review and Evaluate Employment Related Performance) 2. WORK SESSION: Police Auditor Performance Evaluation Mayor Knudson introduced Keri Beraldo, Employee Resource Center Director, who provided a brief introduction and noted this work session offered Council an opportunity to complete the annual performance evaluation of Police Auditor Craig Renetzky. Councilor Discussion: • • • • Councilor Leech -stated appreciation for the Police Auditor's steady leadership during a complicated period; noted the clarity of his communication with Council during tense situations; stated the independent oversight structure strengthens community understanding and stated gratitude for ongoing responsiveness. Councilor Groves -stated appreciation for the Auditor's strong credentials and credible work over the past nine months; asked for the Auditor's impressions of departmental leadership and organizational culture and noted interest in how internal reporting practices support accountability. Councilor Kashinsky -stated appreciation for the Auditor's proactive communication; noted his efforts have supported shared understanding between Council, community members, and the public. Mayor Knudson -stated appreciation for the Police Auditor's clear and consistent communication; noted the value of helping the community understand the importance of an Independent Police Auditor who operates separately from the Police Department; stated this independence provides an accessible avenue for community engagement on public safety concerns and supports alignment with local policies and values; stated appreciation for the Auditor's earlier collaboration to articulate a unified explanation of the three avenues of public-safety support: elected officials, the Mayor, and the Police Auditor; noted integrity and transparency MINUTES -Eugene City Council Work Session May 27, 2026 Page 1 across those roles form a dynamic system that benefits the public; stated appreciation for the Auditor's willingness to acknowledge ongoing opportunities for improvement. • Councilor Zelenka -stated the transition to a new Auditor had been smooth; stated his belief the Auditor was performing excellent work; noted the recent incident involving a police officer was handled well; asked whether any aspects of that response could have been approached differently; stated interest in understanding next steps for training related to department culture; stated appreciation for how the Auditor managed a challenging early situation. • Councilor Kashinsky -stated support for treating council-appointed employees consistently with how other City employees are treated; stated because the Police Auditor is already at the top of the established salary range, she does not support providing a merit increase; stated her position is not a reflection of his performance, which she stated has been excellent; asked whether teaching at the University would involve one or two classes outside City work hours; noted the employment agreement specifies the Auditor must serve exclusively as a City employee; asked whether an amendment to the agreement would be required; stated interest in adding a narrowly tailored allowance to the agreement to permit teaching specifically, without authorizing broad outside employment. • Councilor Leech -stated appreciation for the Auditor's work and noted the timing of a merit increase discussion was significant; stated the Auditor has served for less than one year and was placed at the top of the established salary range at the time of hire; noted next year's full performance review would be a more appropriate point to reevaluate the range; stated support for the Auditor's interest in teaching; stated her intent to including an additional provision to the motion; stated interest to amend the employment agreement to allow limited outside employment to specifically permit teaching rather than broader forms of outside work. • Councilor Keating -stated appreciation for the Auditor's transparency, accessibility, and outreach plans; stated concern about discussing potential contract amendments without prior notice; stated interest in revisiting the topic of outside employment in a future year; asked about potential changes to complaint-submission timelines and noted openness to extending access to the process. • Councilor Yeh -stated support for allowing the Auditor to share his expertise through teaching and noted such engagement could benefit the community; stated appreciation for his work; stated support for the proposed amendment allowing limited outside employment. • Councilor Zelenka -noted allowing the Auditor to teach would benefit the community; noted confidence in the Auditor's ability to manage his time appropriately. MOTION: Councilor Leech, seconded by Councilor Kashinsky, moved to recognize Auditor Renetzky's positive contribution to the City and to authorize the Council MINUTES -Eugene City Council Work Session May 27, 2026 Page 2 President to execute an agreement amendment allowing for outside employment for local teaching purposes. Councilor Discussion: • Councilor Keating -stated mixed feelings about the proposed amendment, noting both initial reservations and potential community value; stated he would vote against the motion because of the timing of the proposal but acknowledged potential long-term benefits. • Councilor Clark -stated support for allowing the Auditor to teach, noting that engagement with the University could strengthen connections between the City and the University and could support broader conversations about oversight of campus law-enforcement operations. IN FAVOR: Kashinsky, Zelenka, Yeh, Clark, Evans, Leech, and Groves. OPPOSED: Keating 3. WORK SESSION: Intergovernmental Relations 2026 Legislative Summary City Manager Jenny Haruyama introduced the topic and Ethan Nelson, City of Eugene Intergovernmental Relations Manager and provided background on legislative priorities, state session outcomes, federal advocacy work, and the regional United Front partnership. Councilor Discussion: • Councilor Keating -asked for an update on behavioral health stabilization center funding; asked what strategies could assist in advancing future legislation related to threats against public officials. The meeting was adjourned at 1:23 p.m. Respectfully submitted, Katie LaSala City Recorder (Recorded by Rosa Roach) Link to the web cast of this City Council meeting here. MINUTES -Eugene City Council Work Session May 27, 2026 Page 3