HomeMy WebLinkAboutCC Minutes - 09/26/2012 Work SessionMINUTES
Eugene City Council
Bascom/Tykeson Room, Eugene Public Library
100 W. W h Avenue — Eugene, Oregon
September 26, 2012
Noon
COUNCILORS PRESENT: George Brown, Pat Farr, Betty Taylor, Mike Clark, Chris Pryor, George
Poling, Alan Zelenka, Andrea Ortiz
Her Honor Mayor Kitty Piercy called the September 26, 2012, Work Session of the Eugene City Council
to order.
A: WORK SESSION: WEST EUGENE EMX EXTENSTION
City Manager Jon Ruiz provided background on the topic and shared historical data, route information,
transportation options and long -term guiding documents and plans
Councilor Brown, seconded by Councilor Farr, moved to approve LTD's construction of the
West Eugene 6 th /7 /11 EmX Corridor.
Councilor Poling stated that he would offer a substitute motion, noting that the Federal Transit Authority
(FTA) was looking for support for the project and a vote would indicate how all residents who live within
the LTD district feel about this proposed line.
Councilor Poling, seconded by Councilor Clark, moved to substitute to direct the City Manager to
inform LTD that the City Council will approve the W. 11th EmX route /corridor if, and only if,
LTD refers to its voters the question of whether the W. 11th extension be built and a majority of
the votes approve the ballot measure.
The council discussed the merits of the motion and stated their reasons for supporting or not supporting it.
Those in opposition expressed support for the EmX concept and the public process this issue has been
vetted through.
Councilors in support noted that controversial decisions of this magnitude should be put to a public vote
The motion to substitute failed 3:5, councilors Brown, Ortiz, Pryor, Taylor and Zelenka opposed.
The council returned to original motion. Councilors discussed their strong support for public transit in
general and agreed that many of the suggestions for improving the public process and the implementation
of the West Eugene corridor should be considered. Attention should continue to be paid to mitigating any
impacts on businesses affected by construction.
Mayor Piercy thanked everyone for their involvement and called for the vote.
The motion passed 7:1, Councilor Poling opposed.
MINUTES – Eugene City Council September 26, 2012 Page 1
Work Session
B. WORK SESSION: OPPORTUNITY EUGENE FOLLOW -UP
Community Programs Analyst Michael Wisth provided an update on funding, social services, shelter, and
other issues facing homeless persons in Eugene. He asked council for guidance on how site selection for
some sort of homeless camp might occur, noting there are a number of variables, choices, factors and
selection criteria, including:
• Land site issues — regulatory issues/concerns
• Target population - Who are we serving? What populations will we focus on?
• Type of shelter - permanent, temporary or short-term, emergency?
• Consideration of existing services - add new programs or work toward a balance?
Mr. Wisth outlined the next steps which will include a work session on October 17 to review site analysis,
followed by a refinement of options, and further discussion in November to finalize direction.
Councilor Comments, Questions and Concerns:
• Impacts of one large camp — should remain on table as an option.
• Extension of car camping ordinance - City Manager Ruiz asked for head nods to determine if
councilors were in favor of extending the car camping ordinance. A majority of councilors
supported that extension.
• Illegal camping spots - problems with these sites need to be dealt with appropriately.
• Target population — support for helping both individuals and families with children was
expressed.
• Social service funding - more attention should be focused on identifying sustainable funding.
• Notification of property owners of prospective sites.
• Short-term, cold weather option needed — implementation of longer -term plan to follow.
• Use of old Armory Building at 13` and Chambers.
• More information needed - weigh passion, enthusiasm, excitement against experience and
caution.
The council generally agreed to narrow the list of options down to those sites the City has control over
and several councilors also advocated a smaller -scale pilot project.
In response to concerns that no specific sites had been identified, Mr. Ruiz said he asked Mr. Wisth not to
bring a site list to the City Council because there were too many factors to consider and the list was
several hundred sites in number. He asked the City Council to help staff narrow down the elements
related to site selection. Council agreed to the request.
ADJOURN: The meeting adjourned at 1:35 pm.
Respectfully Submitted,
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Michelle Mortensen
Deputy City Recorder
MINUTES — Eugene City Council September 26, 2012 Page 2
Work Session