HomeMy WebLinkAboutCC Minutes - 07/09/12 MeetingMINUTES
Eugene City Council
Council Chamber —City Hall
777 Pearl Street — Eugene, Oregon
July 9, 2012
7:30 p.m.
COUNCILORS PRESENT: George Brown, Pat Farr, Betty Taylor, Andrea Ortiz, Mike Clark, Chris Pryor,
Alan Zelenka.
COUNCILORS ABSENT: George Poling
Her Honor Mayor Kitty Piercy called the July 9, 2012, regular meeting of the Eugene City Council to order.
1. PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE TO THE FLAG AND READING OF THE DECLARATION OF
INDEPENDENCE
In recognition of Independence Day on July 4, John Brown, Ron Schmaedick, and Charlie Henry read the
Declaration of Independence and the led those in attendance in reciting the Pledge of Allegiance to the Flag.
2. CEREMONIAL MATTERS
John Ostrowski, former director of Public Works at Vancouver, Washington, presented Mayor Piercy with a
plaque recognizing Public Works' reaccreditation by the American Public Works Association.
After brief remarks from Public Works Director Kurt Corey, Public Works employees Carla Spangler and
Gary McNeel were recognized for their efforts in achieving reaccreditation.
3. PUBLIC FORUM (27 participants)
Mary Salinas spoke about the homeless and paid tribute to those who have died.
Shelley Deadmond, spoke about a new home biogas start-up business.
Helen Liguori supported the recommendations of the Opportunity Eugene task force.
Carol Berg - Caldwell complimented the new Municipal Court facility.
Mark Robinowitz spoke about energy literacy and said money was being wasted on growth policies.
David Ivan Piccioni spoke about global energy issues and challenges.
Mike Brinkley, Sierra Club, spoke in support of an ordinance banning single -use plastic bags.
Irene Ferguson spoke about taking responsibility for the coal train decision.
Jere Rosemeyer cited three recent train derailments as evidence of the need for the coal train resolution.
Jerry Smith supported homeless services that encourage self - sufficiency.
Eugene Drix praised the work being down downtown, the Olympic Trials, and Oregon Country Fair.
Bob Granger supported the ban on single -use plastic bags.
Robin Bloomgarden said more action should be taken on the Opportunity Eugene recommendations.
Michael Carrigan asked the council to take action on the Opportunity Eugene recommendations.
Ashley Miller, Oregon League of Conservation Voters, supported the ban on plastic bags.
Randy Cain spoke about homelessness, police actions, and the coal train resolution.
Allen Hancock, Oregon League of Conservation Voters, supported the ban on plastic bags.
MINUTES— Eugene City Council July 9, 2012 Page 1
Regular Meeting
Sasha Luftig, Oregon League of Conservation Voters, supported the ban on plastic bags.
Sabra Marcroft asked the council to look at challenges as opportunities.
Shawn Miller supported the ban on single -use plastic bags and implementing a fee on paper bags.
Howard Bonnet, Sustainability Commission, supported the three environmental resolutions.
Jordan Chesnut spoke in favor of the coal train resolution.
Noah Dewitt reported that the effects of climate change are growing with each generation.
Kate Kelly introduced the "bag monster" and related some statistics about the use of plastic bags.
Kevin Matthews complained about the manner with which the City Hall discussion was occurring.
Sarah Higginbotham, Environment Oregon, provided statistics on the use of plastic bags.
Louisa Hamachek supported the quick implementation of Opportunity Village.
Councilor requests:
Councilor Zelenka indicated he would request a work session to consider referring to the voters an advisory
question on corporate personhood.
4. CONSENT CALENDAR
a. Approval of City Council Minutes
b. Approval of Tentative Working Agenda
MOTION AND VOTE
Councilor Brown, seconded by Councilor Farr, moved to approve the items on the Consent Calendar.
PASSED 7 -0
5. ACTION:
Adoption of a Resolution Calling a City Election on November 6, 2012, for the Purpose of Referring to
the Legal Electors of the City of Eugene a Measure Authorizing the Issuance of a Maximum of
$43,000,000 of General Obligation Bonds to Fund Street Preservation Projects and Bicycle and
Pedestrian Projects
MOTION AND VOTE
Councilor Brown, seconded by Councilor Farr, moved to approve a resolution calling a City Election on
November 6, 2012, for the purpose of referring to the legal electors of the City of Eugene a measure
authorizing the issuance of a maximum of $43,000,000 of General Obligation bonds to fund street
preservation projects and bicycle and pedestrian projects. PASSED 7 -0 (Poling absent)
6. ACTION:
Approval of Motions Relating to Production of a Voters' Pamphlet for the November 6, 2012, Election
MOTION AND VOTE
Councilor Brown, seconded by Councilor Farr, moved to direct the City Manager to publish and distribute a
local voters' pamphlet for the election scheduled for November 6, 2012, on a GO bond to fund street
preservation, and to authorize the expenditure of funds from the General Fund contingency account that are
required to produce that voters' pamphlet. PASSED 7:0 (Poling absent)
MOTION AND VOTE
Councilor Brown, seconded by Councilor Farr, moved to appoint councilors Pryor, Zelenka, and Brown to the
voters' pamphlet proponent committee for the Street Preservation GO Bond ballot measure. PASSED 7:0
(Poling absent)
MINUTES— Eugene City Council July 9, 2012 Page 2
Regular Meeting
7. ACTION:
Resolution 5064 in Support of Reducing Greenhouse Gas Pollution under the Clean Air Act
MOTION AND VOTE
Councilor Brown, seconded by Councilor Ortiz, moved to adopt Resolution 5064 in support of reducing
greenhouse gas pollution under the Clean Air Act. PASSED 5:2 (councilors Clark and Farr opposed;
Councilor Poling absent)
8. ACTION:
Resolution 5065 to Oppose the Transport of Coal for Export through Eugene
The council discussed the reported health issues and other dangers caused by the transport of coal through
populated areas. Concerns were raised that more information and perspectives were needed before making a
decision.
MOTION AND VOTE
Councilor Clark, seconded by Councilor Pryor, moved to postpone consideration of the resolution until after
council has had a work session on it. A friendly to hold the work session on July 16 was accepted. PASSED
7:0 (Councilor Poling absent)
9. ACTION: Corporate Personhood Resolution
MOTIONS AND VOTE
Councilor Taylor, seconded by Councilor Brown, moved to direct the City Manager to bring back to the
council on July 23 a resolution referring to the voters an advisory question on amending the U.S. Constitution
on corporate personhood. PASSED 7:0 (Councilor Poling absent)
Mayor Piercy adjourned the meeting at 9:45 p.m.
Respectfully submitted,
Beth Forrest
City Recorder
MINUTES— Eugene City Council July 9, 2012 Page 3
Regular Meeting