The URL can be used to link to this page

Home My WebLink AboutCC Minutes - 05/14/12 Work SessionMINUTES Eugene City Council McNutt Room —City Hall 777 Pearl Street—Eugene, Oregon May 14, 2012 5:30 p.m. COUNCILORS PRESENT: George Brown, Pat Farr, Betty Taylor, Andrea Ortiz, George Poling, Alan Zelenka, Chris Pryor, Mike Clark. Her Honor Mayor Kitty Piercy called the May 14, 2012, work session of the Eugene City Council to order. A. COMMITTEE REPORTS Mr. Pryor reported that the Housing Policy Board (HPB) had one remaining land bank site. The HPB planned to fund property renovations this year, which could involve the purchase and renovation of foreclosed properties that would then be used for affordable housing. Ms. Ortiz reported on the Public Safety Coordinating Council's Juvenile Justice Committee, which had been discussing the issue of disproportionate minority contacts and the lack of beds at John Serbu Youth Campus. She referred the council to an article she provided that indicated one child in three had some form of police contact before they reached age 23. Ms. Ortiz noted that the "Rites of Passage" summer academies would again take place at Lane Community College this year. Mr. Brown reported that the Metropolitan Wastewater Management Commission's ecosystem restoration riparian shade projects encountered a temporary funding snag as the agency learned that administrative expenses could not be paid for by the Environmental Protection Agency grant. The projects were intended to lower water temperatures before water passed the wastewater treatment plant to prevent high water temperatures that harmed fish. Mayor Piercy reported on the recent Lane Area Commission on Transportation (ACT) meeting, saying State Senator Floyd Prozanski provided a presentation on a proposed Territorial Road intended to enhance safety conditions on the road and sought feedback on the project from the ACT. The ACT had learned that the Oregon Department of Transportation (ODOT) was seeking to break down its program `silos" and had combined two grants programs and formed an Active Transportation Section to integrate programs and funding sources to promote multi -modal and sustainable transportation solutions. ODOT was also taking a new approach to prioritization of projects in the State Transportation Improvement Program that expanded the role of the ACT and shifted the agency's focus from highways to more multi - modal needs. Mr. Farr reported on the recent dedication ceremony for two homes being renovated to house returning veterans, and noted that City Jon Manager Ruiz was instrumental the renovations happen. The project was the result of a partnership between St. Vincent de Paul, the Bethel School District, the Lane County Homebuilders Association, and the City of Eugene. MINUTES— Eugene City Council May 14, 2012 Page 1 Work Session Ms. Taylor was happy to hear of ODOT's shift in focus. She said everyone should ride the train when they got the chance and suggested that all the councilors should go by rail when traveling to the upcoming League of Cities meeting in Salem. Ms. Taylor expressed a wish that the City could return the foreclosed properties mentioned by Mr. Farr to their original owners. Ms. Taylor asked Assistant City Manager Sarah Medary to follow -up on a constituent inquiry about why the Fire Department purchased fuel where it did and if there was a City policy governing such purchases. Ms. Taylor had attended a recent meeting of the Southeast Neighbors and reported there was a good turnout because residents were upset to hear about the possible development of a parcel containing the Amazon headwaters, which Ms. Taylor considered vital to the community's air and water. Mayor Piercy requested information on the proposed development mentioned by Ms. Taylor. Mr. Poling reported that State Representative Nancy Nathanson had provided a synopsis of the last legislative session at the recent meeting of the Harlow Neighborhood Association and Eugene Water & Electric Board (EWEB) Commissioner John Brown discussed the utility's proposed rate increase and encouraged residents to offer public input to the EWEB board. Those present also heard a report on the success of the Harlow Serves food program. Recently retired Police Captain Rich Stronach was recognized by the neighborhood association for his efforts, and the association elected Jennifer Yeh as its new chair, Mark Callahan as vice chair, and Chelsea Clinton as secretary- treasurer. Mr. Poling said that in lieu of cancelled National Night Out, the Harlow Neighborhood Association would hold its annual parry at the North Park Community Church on June 16. He announced the grand opening of Willakenzie Crossing on June 26. Mr. Pryor announced that the City's Intergovernmental Relations Director Brenda Wilson had been hired as the Lane Council of Governments' new executive director and she would start in her new position on July 1. Ms. Ortiz reported that she had toured North Seneca Road with City Manager Ruiz and staff was working toward a resolution of the drainage issues affecting the street. She reported that the Trainsong Neighbors were interested in beautifying the City -owned corner at Roosevelt and Garfield formerly occupied by a grocery store and she had toured the site with some neighbors to discuss options. She said the neighbors living near Ferndale Park were pushing to get that park developed and she promised to share their concerns with Parks and Open Space Manager Johnny Medlin. She had recently learned Mr. Medlin would be retiring soon. Mr. Zelenka announced the June 15 meeting of the Fairmount Neighbors and the June 16 meetings of Laurel Hill Valley Citizens and South University Neighborhood Association. Mr. Brown reported that he had joined Mayor Piercy in greeting the Sister City Delegation from Kathmandu and accompanied participants on a portion of their tour. He emphasized that the delegation was here to learn, and shared the group's itinerary, which included the County transfer station in Glenwood and Short Mountain Landfill. Mayor Piercy shared some gifts from the delegation and encouraged residents to view the gifts the City had received from its sister cities, which were displayed in the Council Chamber. MINUTES— Eugene City Council May 14, 2012 Page 2 Work Session Mayor Piercy reported that a large delegation from Nashville, Tennessee had visited Eugene to see the EmX system. Assistant City Manager Sarah Medary reported that City Manager Ruiz was in Washington, DC, with Police Chief Pete Kerns and the family of fallen officer Chris Kilcullen representing Eugene in Washington for National Police Week. Officer Kilcullen's name was added to the national memorial. B. WORK SESSION: Tri- Annual Report to City Council from Police Auditor Police Auditor Mark Gissiner led the council through a PowerPoint presentation with highlights from his tri- annual report. Councilors asked questions clarifying Mr. Gissiner's presentation and thanked him for his service. C. EXECUTIVE SESSION Pursuant to Oregon Revised Statute 192.660(2)(h), the Eugene City Council met in executive session. Mayor Piercy adjourned the meeting at 7:13 p.m. Respectfully submitted, 18 &t� I A,,A Beth Forrest City Recorder (Recorded by Kimberly Young) MINUTES— Eugene City Council May 14, 2012 Page 3 Work Session