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Home My WebLink AboutCC Minutes - 04/22/13 MeetingEugene City Council Harris Hall, 125 East 8 th Avenue Eugene, Oregon 97401 Councilors Present: George Brown, Betty Taylor, Alan Zelenka, Greg Evans, George Poling, Mike Clark, Chris Pryor, Claire Syrett Mayor Piercy opened the April 22, 2013, City Council meeting. A moment of silence was observed for Officer Chris Kilcullen killed two years ago today, and for the victims of the Boston bombings. The members of the University of Oregon Women's Track Team were honored for winning the 2013 NCAA Women's Indoor Track Championship. Lee l]evcau, Ward 7, wanted the camping policy so that sleeping outside ixlegal. Dennis Maricle, asked the council 10 modify its policy oo sleeping on public land iulegal. Barb Prentice, noted that a female offiuccmust berequested prior toau arrest search. Jerry Smith, expressed support for legalizing outdoor sleeping. Lawrence Siukind, asked council to modify the sleeping ban, and provide bathrooms/garbage service. 1.euboRoboettc" said police should arrest criminals, not go after homeless people. Ted Drummond, asked the council to help homeless people. Jill Davidson, encouraged community to help homeless people. Gwendolyn Iris, asked why Grateful Dead concert created an emergency, when homelessness doesn't. Alley Valkyrie, related historical information about homeless vets locating in Sladden Park. Terrill Purvis, asked the council 10 help homeless people. David Ivan Piccione, requested that council change its policy so sleeping is legal. Michael Carrigan, said there are common sense solutions to address homelessness. Mark Hubbell, voiced frustration about the homeless situation and said he hopes for change. IdboJ, said o1copiug is u protected constitutional right. Mary Sharon Moore, voiced concern about the sleeping ban and requested a change to the policy. Joella Ewing, asked that the camping policy be changed so that sleeping is legal. Ann Kelvin, noted that Opportunity Village will only house 30 people; more is needed. Robin Bloomgarden, noted that Ordinance. 2446 permitted camping in parks. Emily Semple, said people need to sleep and asked council to reflect on their situations. Jennifer Adams, asked the council to help the homeless. Jason Wellman, said the recent homeless arrests violated Article 25 of the constitution. Wayne Martin, noted the recent visit by the Dalai Lama, and requested a change to camping laws. Jennifer Freuzuc, asked the City change its policy regarding use of female officers for search. Scotty Percy, said the arrests under bridge were illegal, and violated policy and code. Jean Stacey, asked the council tomake changes ao homeless people can live freely. John Monroe, said bad behavior has been our history, and EPD's actions are no different. Hedin Manus Bmoh, said history of social cleansing in Eugene ie now being repeated. Helen Liguori, noted that camping was once allowed in Alton Baker Park for Grateful Dead concert. Sabra Marcroft, noted it was Earth Day and asked everyone to work together. M. BroukcRohotahnvv, supported efforts to change the camping law. Reagan Clark, voiced concern about economy, homelessness, and inadequate housing. Joe Tyndall, said homelessness needs to be addressed; asked council to set aside a piece of land. Heather Marek, said the camping law criminalizes sleep, and is unequally enforced. 3. CONSENT CALENDAR A. Approval of City Council Minutes B. Approval of Tentative Working Agenda MOTION AND VOTE: Councilor Poling, seconded bv Councilor Pryor, moved toapprove the hcma on the Consent Calendar. PASSED 8:0. 4. ACTION: 201304 Funding Allocations for Federal Community Development Block Grant and HOME Investment Partnerships Programs Several concerns were raised about what some councilors /ekvvao on inordinately high administration fee. Staff explained that the fee supports many aspects of the program and has remained steady at its current rate for the last decade, with no increase, despite increased workload. MOTION AND VOTE: Councilor Poling, seconded hv Councilor Pryor, moved h/ approve the One-Year Action Plan for use of Federal CDBG and Home funds in fiscal year 2013-14. PASSED: 8:0. 5. ACTION: Ratification of Intergovernmental Relations Committee Actions w[March 13, March 20 and April 3, 2013 MOTION AND VOTE: Councilor Poling, seconded bv Councilor Pryor, moved that the council take u position of support, Priority lou Council Bill BJ8.PASSED: 71, Councilor Clark MOTION: Councilor Poling, seconded hv Councilor Clark, moved that the City Council take u position of Support Priority 2onSenate Bill 670. (It was noted that potential loss ofrevenue iauconcern and asked staff for information about what the revenue loss details might bc] MK)Tl()N AND VOTE: Councilor Zelenka, seconded hv Councilor Pryor, moved to table this item. PASSED: 5:3, Councilors Poling, Clark and Brown opposed. Staff noted one correction iuthe Agenda Item : BB2857 should be listed an Priority l support, not opposed. M[/Tl()N AND VOTE: Councilor Poling, seconded hv Councilor Pryor, moved tn ratify the lGR Committee's unanimous actions taken utthe meetings on March i3, March 20 and April Meeting adjourned at 9:40 p.m. FA Respectfully submitted, Pkp Michelle Mortensen, Deputy City Recorder Eugene City Council Uarris Hall, 125 East 81h Avenue Eugene, Oregon 97401 Councilors Present: George Brown, Betty Taylor, Alan Zelenka, Mike Clark, Greg Evans, Chris Pryor, Claire Syrett Councilors Absent: George Poling Mayor Piercy opened the April 24, 2013, work session of the Eugene City Council. Noting the importance of the homeless camping issue, City Manager Jon Ruiz said Planning staff would reschedule the Metro Plan Boundary Adjustment Proposal item. I I I I I I City Attorney Glenn Klein explained that the current MUPTE suspension expires in June 2013. To avoid a gap in program activity, council action needs to be taken to either implement a new program or extend the suspension date of the current program until changes can be made. MOTION: Councilor Brown, seconded by Councilor Taylor, moved to direct staff to extend the MUPTE suspension until October 1, 2013. SUBSTITUTE MOTION and VOTE: Councilor Syrett, seconded by Councilor Clark, moved to substitute to extend the suspension until the end of July 2013. PASSED 5:2, councilors Brown and Taylor opposed. VOTE ON MAIN MOTION AS AMENDED: PASSED 5:2, councilors Brown and Taylor opposed. Councilor Brown asked when the council would receive the City Manager's recommendation on the MUPTE application for "The Hub" student housing project. The City Manager indicated he would have an answer soon. Acting Parks and Open Space Director Mark Schoening gave a presentation that highlighted some of the challenges his division has related to homeless camping in parks, wetlands or sensitive environmental areas and in open spaces impacted by campers. • Take incremental, deliberate steps in addressing homeless issues(s). • Consider allowing dusk to dawn safe sleeping on vacant city-owned land that is not environmentally sensitive. • Allow a trial period to see if the proposed changes will help address issues for homeless people. • Explore potential for private property owners to help address this problem by allowing MINUTES — Eugene City Council April 24, 2013 Page I Work Session camping on their property. • Work collaboratively (network) with local businesses, faith communities, etc. to partner in efforts to place more homeless people on private land or at authorized locations. • Transition homeless people into new areas in a sensitive and humane way. • Acknowledge that sanitation is a real problem. • Important to strike a balance between impact and addressing needs. MOTION and VOTE: Councilor Pryor, seconded by Councilor Evans, moved to extend the meeting by 10 minutes. PASSED 7:0. MOTION: Councilor Zelenka, seconded by Councilor Syrett, moved to direct the City Manager to bring back an ordinance that would allow people to sleep undisturbed and camp overnight from 10 p.m. — 7 a.m. on vacant City of Eugene-owned lands, but not including improved park land or sensitive environment open spaces, with staff to bring back a specific list of allowable sites, and on religious institution or non-profit organization properties if they allow it. This shall be a pilot program for 120 days and council shall then review the pilot program and assess whether or not to continue the ordinance. A friendly amendment to include commercial and industrial properties if they allow it was accepted. MOTION TO TABLE AND VOTE: Councilor Taylor, seconded by Councilor Clark, moved to table the discussion until the May 8 City Council meeting. FAILED: 2:5, councilors Taylor and Clark in favor. Councilor Clark requested the following information: 1. What kind of liability would the City have if it allowed public camping on City-owned property? 2. Where would the money come from to pay for the services needed to support a camping effort? The meeting adjourned at 1:40 p.m. Respectfully submitted, Michelle Mortensen Deputy City Recorder MINUTES — Eugene City Council April 24, 2013 Page 2 Work Session