HomeMy WebLinkAboutItem 2A: Approval of City Council Minutes
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Approval of Council Minutes
Meeting Date: October 22, 2012 Agenda Item Number: 2A
Department: City Manager’s Office Staff Contact: Kris Bloch
www.eugene-or.gov Contact Telephone Number: 541-682-8497
ISSUE STATEMENT
This is a routine item to approve City Council minutes.
SUGGESTED MOTION
Move to approve the minutes of the October 8, 2012, Work Session, and October 8, 2012, Regular
Meeting.
ATTACHMENTS
A. October 8, 2012, Work Session
B. October 8, 2012, Regular Meeting
FOR MORE INFORMATION
Staff Contact: Kris Bloch
Telephone: 541-682-8497
Staff E-Mail: kris.d.bloch@ci.eugene.or.us
S:\CMO\2012 Council Agendas\M121022\S1210222A.doc
ATTACHMENT A
M I N U T E S
Eugene City Council
Bascom/Tykeson Room — Eugene Public Library
th
100 West 10 Avenue—Eugene, Oregon
October 8, 2012
5:30 p.m.
COUNCILORS PRESENT: George Brown, Pat Farr, Betty Taylor, Mike Clark, Chris Pryor, George
Poling, Alan Zelenka
COUNCILORS ABSENT: Andrea Ortiz
A. Work Session: Panel Discussion on the Transport of Coal for Export through Eugene
Mayor Piercy opened the meeting, turning the floor over to Central Services Executive Director Kristie
Hammitt and Sustainability Liaison Babe O’Sullivan who introduced the four guest panelists: Reedsport
Mayor Keith Tymchuk, Dr. Andy Harris, Physicians for Social Responsibility, Ross MacFarlane, Climate
Solutions Mission, and David Koch, Oregon International Port of Coos Bay.
Each person spoke or presented information for about 10 minutes, sharing their perspective on coal use as
an energy form, the transport of coal through the area, market demands, impacts and side effects of
shipping coal, climate impacts of both shipping and burning coal as a fuel, reliance on fossil fuels in
general, job impacts related to both supporting and not supporting coal transport, costs of coal processing,
economic impacts of repeated budget reductions, and environmental and health concerns.
The Mayor and councilors asked a variety of questions, attempting to gather as much information as
possible. Some of the questions, thoughts and comments are listed below.
Is there a Cumulative Environmental Impact Statement (EIS)? No, not yet.
What about the larger issue of impact to the whole northwest? Limited information at this time.
Why not look at the entire shipping routes, and why not look at all the cargos? Coos Bay has done this
and more study is needed. Coos County will look at the entire picture, with a full EIS.
How long would the study and discussion of coal transport impacts be? Six months, longer? Maybe 2
years? Senator Wyden asked for an in-depth study of environmental and other impacts of fossil fuel
transport.
Regarding dust escaping cars, what safety measures are currently in place? Covered cars, extra tariff
costs, covered processing facilities, use of chemical suppressants to reduce dust loss as the trains
move.
Regarding the Coos Bay rail lines, what kinds of cargo are shipped? Surely not just coal. A variety of
things, but coal is an important commodity for the rail system.
What is the number of miles the coal would be shipped through Oregon? Anywhere from 1,000 to
1,700 miles total.
Concerns expressed about transporting “big coal” and the ultimate impact of burning coal as an energy
source.
Concerns were raised about the global impacts of coal use and the catastrophic impact to the
Earth/air/water.
A comprehensive EIS is important and should be done.
MINUTES – Eugene City Council October 8, 2012 Page 1
Work Session
Federal regulations are in place for compounds and elements that negatively impact the general
public, such as leaded fuel and paint, DDT, etc. and the full impacts of coal should be regulated
locally in the same way.
Communities around the nation are also facing budget issues and many are speaking out about the
economic impacts of not buying and supporting coal use and transport. Jobs can be created in other
industries that are healthier than coal transport.
Concerns about trains blocking roads and intersections for long periods of time and delaying
emergency response vehicles.
Concerns about coal dust impacts, global warming, danger to people living along the shipping paths.
Some felt that new jobs, new opportunities, economic prosperity were at risk if this opportunity isn’t
accepted and they reiterated that transport can be accommodated safely.
A need to find the balance between long term effects of coal use and transport and job opportunities.
Concerns about the “collision of values where no one is wrong – and all things are important.”
Concerns about quality of life vs. quality of livelihood and wanting to “do no harm.”
Thanks to all the presenters and community members who attended – the information is good.
More information is needed, more studies, more data.
What things could cause harm in this opportunity? More discussion is needed.
Several councilors said they want to support the south coast, a neighboring community, but many had
concerns about the risk to Eugene’s community and residents between the Coast and Eugene.
Regarding the overall shipping items that go in and out of the Port of Coos Bay, coal is about seven
percent of the total products – that was not confirmed, but wasn’t denied either.
Concerns about the 150+ rivers and bridges the coal trains would travel over.
Derailing concerns, coal dust coating the rail lines, creating hazards to everyone.
Building coal handling facilities is expensive.
This is greed-driven by those who stand to make the biggest profits.
Dangers to elderly, young, problems with asthma, bronchitis and other respiratory conditions.
Public health is more important than almost anything else.
This is a balancing act.
ADJOURN:
The meeting adjourned at 7:05 pm.
Respectfully Submitted,
Michelle Mortensen
Deputy City Recorder
MINUTES – Eugene City Council October 8, 2012 Page 2
Work Session
ATTACHMENT B
M I N U T E S
Eugene City Council
Bascom/Tykeson Room, Eugene Public Library
th
100 W. 10 Avenue—Eugene, Oregon
October 8, 2012
7:30 p.m.
COUNCILORS PRESENT: George Brown, Pat Farr, Betty Taylor, Mike Clark, Chris Pryor, George
Poling, Alan Zelenka, Andrea Ortiz (via conference phone)
COUNCILORS ABSENT:
Her Honor Mayor Kitty Piercy called the October 8, 2012, Regular Meeting of the Eugene City Council
to order.
1.
CEREMONIAL MATTERS
Library, Recreation and Cultural Services employee Kim McManus was honored by Mayor
Piercy for receiving the 2012 Fitness Leadership Award.
Mayor Piercy read aloud a proclamation for “Housing America Month.”
2. APPROVAL OF CONSENT CALENDAR
MOTION AND VOTE: Councilor Brown, seconded by Councilor Farr, moved to approve
the items on the consent calendar. PASSED 8:0.
3. ACTION:An Ordinance Concerning Exempting Certain Law Enforcement Personnel
from Bicycle Operating Rules and Amending Section 5.400 of the Eugene Code, 1971
MOTION AND VOTE: Councilor Brown, seconded by Councilor Farr, moved that the City
Council adopt Council Bill 5076 concerning exempting certain law enforcement personnel
from bicycle operating rules. PASSED 8:0.
4. PUBLIC FORUM (47 participants)
Ellen Nelson wants Eugene to allow overnight camping on UO game nights.
o
Kate Adams spoke against coal trains, citing environmental concerns.
o
Jerry Smith, Ward 2, opposed coal trains and talked about homelessness and crime.
o
Moshe Immerman, opposed the Downtown Public Safety Zone, citing constitutionality issues.
o
David Ivan Piccioni, opposed the DPSZ.
o
rd
Charles Hibberd, business owner, supported use of coal in 3 world countries.
o
Elena Montenegro opposed the DPSZ.
o
Cheryl Crumbley opposed coal trains, citing health and property value concerns.
o
Robin Bloomgarden, Ward 7, opposed the DPSZ, expressing human rights concerns.
o
Ken Silverman, Ward 3, spoke against coal trains, citing environmental concerns.
o
Phil Crowe opposed the DPSZ, citing human rights concerns.
o
Conner Horner supported restoring electricity in parks blocks.
o
Michael Carrigan, Ward 7, opposed the DPSZ, and expressed concern about the homeless.
o
Dan Weiner, Ward 1,said he wants LTD to do more route testing of standard buses.
o
Jean Stacey, Ward 1, opposed the DPSZ, citing homeless concerns.
o
MINUTES – Eugene City Council October 8, 2012 Page 1
Regular Meeting
Alley Valkyrie, Ward 1, opposed the DPSZ.
o
John Monroe, Ward 1, opposed the DPSZ, citing legal issues.
o
Juan Carlos Valle, Ward 2, spoke in support of Opportunity Eugene and against coal trains.
o
Aaron Baker, former railroad employee, supported coal trains for jobs.
o
Betty Snowden supported the DPSZ for safety reasons and provided anecdotal experience.
o
Sue Sierralupé, Ward 1, opposed the DPSZ, citing human rights concerns.
o
Loretta Huston opposed coal trains, noting her environmental concerns.
o
Ernie Niemi opposed coal trains for environmental reasons.
o
Scotty Perey opposed the DPSZ and voiced concerns about homelessness.
o
Howard Bonnett, Ward 3, opposed coal trains and coal use.
o
Lynn Anderson opposed coal trains, citing health concerns and lower property values.
o
Joanne Gross, Ward 6, opposed coal trains, citing environmental and health concerns.
o
Jack Dresser, research scientist, opposed coal trains for environmental reasons.
o
Ann Kelvin, Ward 2, opposed the DPSZ, citing homeless concerns.
o
Misha Seymour, opposed the DPSZ saying people are being denied their human rights.
o
Gerry Rempel, Ward 1, opposed coal transport and use, citing environmental concerns.
o
Jordan Chestnut, Ward 1, opposed coal transport and use.
o
Noah DeWitt, Ward 1, opposed coal transport and use for environmental reasons.
o
Carla Hervert supported Alan Zelenka’s resolution opposing coal trains.
o
Bob Macherione, Ward 5, opposed the DPSZ, saying it’s unconstitutional.
o
th
Sabra Marcroft, Ward 7, read the 9 Circuit Court Ruling related to property rights of homeless.
o
Cameron Hubbe opposed coal trains.
o
Joe Tyndall spoke in support of homeless people and against coal trains.
o
Gregory Walker opposed the DPSZ saying no study has been done.
o
Heather Marek opposed the DPSZ saying no data has been gathered.
o
Dennis Gabrielson supported the use and transport of coal.
o
Jennifer Turner opposed the DPSZ, citing a lack of data.
o
Jim Davidson opposed the DPSZ, citing homeless and youth concerns.
o
Celeste Edman, Ward 4, local business owner, spoke in support of the DPSZ.
o
Marina Hajek spoke in support of increasing the minimum driving age, citing safety reasons.
o
Karen Beasley opposed coal train transport for safety and environmental reasons.
o
Donna Cowan opposed diesel exhaust from idling trains and opposed coal trains.
o
5. ACTION: An Ordinance Extending the Sunset Date for the Downtown Public Safety Zone;
Amending Sections 4.875 and 4.876 of the Eugene Code, 1971; Providing for Court-
Appointed Attorneys; and Providing for an Effective Date
MOTION: Councilor Brown moved, seconded by Councilor Ortiz, to not adopt Council Bill
5077, which would cause the Downtown Public Safety Zone (DPSZ) Ordinance to sunset on
November 30, 2012.
SUBSTITUTE MOTION AND VOTE: Councilor Clark, seconded by Councilor Poling,
moved to substitute the revised ordinance proposed by Mayor Piercy. PASSED, 5:4,
councilors Brown, Taylor, Zelenka and Ortiz opposed; Mayor Piercy broke the tie in favor.
VOTE ON MAIN MOTION AS SUBSTITUTED: PASSED 5:4, councilors Ortiz, Taylor,
Zelenka, and Brown opposed, Mayor Piercy broke tie in favor.
MOTION AND VOTE: Councilor Pryor, seconded by Council Farr, moved that the City
Manager create a committee, with council input, to develop a path to end the DPSZ that
would involve social services, public safety, prevention and enforcement, and that the City
MINUTES – Eugene City Council October 8, 2012 Page 2
Regular Meeting
Manager include a role for the Human Rights Committee in developing or reviewing this
path. PASSED 5:3, councilors Ortiz, Taylor and Brown opposed.
ADJOURNED:
The meeting adjourned at 9:59 p.m.
Respectfully Submitted,
Michelle Mortensen
Deputy City Recorder
MINUTES – Eugene City Council October 8, 2012 Page 3
Regular Meeting