On the Agenda: Measure 110 reform, Springfield parking minimums, PeaceHealth closure

Alan Torres, Eugene Register-Guard
·5 min read
Eugene city councilors will hold work sessions this week to consider a set of code amendments that would make it easier for them to impound cars people experiencing homelessness camp in.
Eugene city councilors will hold work sessions this week to consider a set of code amendments that would make it easier for them to impound cars people experiencing homelessness camp in.

This week the Eugene City Council will hold work sessions to consider a set of code amendments that would make it easier for them to impound cars people experiencing homelessness are camping in and vote on whether to formally advocate for reform to Measure 110, the state ballot measure that decriminalized drug possession.

The Springfield City Council will hold public hearings to discuss updates to stormwater standards and to get rid of the city's parking minimums. They will hold these hearings twice: once at a joint meeting with Lane County commissioners and again separately.

Lane county commissioners will hear updates on health in Lane County and the PeaceHealth hospital closure and discuss proposed county charter amendments.

The Eugene Water & Electric Board commissioners will discuss suggestions to encourage electrification of rental housing, the utility's budget and rates and vote on new standards to encourage electric vehicle adoption and demand response.

Eugene City Council

To watch: Meetings stream online at bit.ly/Eugene-meetings and are broadcast on Comcast channel 21.

To listen: Dial any of the following numbers and use the meeting ID and passcode.

  • 1-253-215-8782

  • 1-346-248-7799

  • 1-669-900-6833

  • 1-301-715-8592

  • 1-312-626-6799

  • 1-929-205-6099

  • 833-548-0282 (toll free)

WORK SESSION

When: Noon, Wednesday, Nov. 8

What: Eugene city councilors will hold a work session where they will discuss "persistent violators," people who are ticketed multiple times under rules city council passed in April outlining places people experiencing homelessness can't camp. City staff have proposed code amendments to make it easier for the city to impound cars. These will have to go through a public hearing before being adopted.

Next city councilors will discus "open-air drug use" in Eugene and vote on whether the city will formally ask the state to reform Ballot Measure 110.

Link: https://eugene-or-gov.zoom.us/j/81817289383

Meeting ID; Passcode: 818 1728 9383; council9

Springfield City Council & Lane County Board of Commissioners

To watch: Springfield's system requires registration to watch and to participate in meetings. Use the links for meetings to register and get information to attend.

To listen: Dial 1-971-247-1195 or 1-877-853-5247 and use the meeting ID.

To attend: The joint meeting will be held in the Council Chambers of Springfield City Hall, 225 Fifth St., Springfield.

To comment: There will be instructions during the meeting for speaking during the public hearing.

Register: https://us06web.zoom.us/webinar/register/WN_9XMavyEaSvuPtsUJRbZSwg

Meeting ID: 868 0472 5567

WORK SESSION

When: 6 p.m. Monday, Nov. 6

What: At a joint meeting that will be the first in the newly renovated Springfield Council Chambers, Springfield city councilors and Lane County commissioners will hold three public hearings: one on proposals to update Springfield's stormwater requirements, one to remove its parking requirements and one on "minor amendments" to the city's code.

Springfield City Council

When: 7 p.m. Monday, Nov. 6

What: Following the joint meeting, Springfield city councilors will accept an award in "communications excellence" for its clean water education program. Then they will hold additional public hearings for the three code amendments discussed in the joint meeting.

Lane County Board of Commissioners

To attend: Board of Commissioner meetings begin at 9 a.m. in Harris Hall, 125 E. Eighth Ave., unless otherwise noted. Doors to Harris Hall open at 8:45 a.m.

To watch: County meetings stream at bit.ly/LaneCounty-meetings.

To comment: When there’s a chance to comment, individuals must register to do so virtually. After registering, people will get information on how to attend.

Those who go to the meeting in person should sign up on the sign-in sheet by the entry door.

There will be instructions during the meeting for speaking during public hearings and making public comments.

People also can email diana.jones@lanecountyor.gov with public comments by noon Monday. The subject line should include “PUBLIC COMMENT FOR MEETING DATE 11/7/2023.”

MORNING SESSION

When: 9 a.m. Tuesday, Nov. 7

What: Lane county commissioners will hear a report on the status of health in Lane County. Then they will hold public comment. Next commissioners will hear an update on the PeaceHealth hospital closure. Then they will vote to set a public hearing to hear feedback on a proposal to give a portion of county-owned road to the Siuslaw National Forest.

MORNING SESSION

When: 9 a.m. Wednesday, Nov. 8

What: Lane county commissioners will discuss charter amendments proposed by the county charter review committee. The biggest changes proposed are to soften the current geographic labels of commissioner districts and establish an independent committee for redistricting. All recommended charter amendments will have to go through commissioners and voters before being implemented.

Eugene Water & Electric Board

To watch: Meetings stream online over Microsoft Teams at https://tinyurl.com/EWEB-Board-Meeting-11-07-23 and can be viewed afterward at eweb.org/about-us/board-of-commissioners/public-meetings.

To attend: EWEB meetings are held in EWEB’s Roosevelt Operations Center at 4200 Roosevelt Blvd., Eugene.

To comment: Fill out the form to provide testimony over the phone or submit written testimony by 2 p.m. Tuesday, Oct. 3 or complete a "request to speak" form in person.

REGULAR SESSION

When: 6:15 p.m., Tuesday, Nov. 7

What: EWEB commissioners will hear updates from General Manager Frank Lawson on ideas to encourage electrification of rental housing and on updates to its procedure for contracts. Next they will hear public comments.

Then commissioners will hear an update on the utility's proposed 2024 budget and rates and give direction to staff. Under the proposed rate increase, the average home's electricity bill will increase from $179.02 to $190.12 per month and the average water bill will increase from $40.21 to $43.30 per month.

After a break, EWEB commissioners will vote on new standards to encourage electric vehicle adoption and demand response. Then they will hear a report on the utility's operational and strategic goals for Q3 2023.

Alan Torres covers local government for the Register-Guard. He can be reached at atorres@registerguard.com or on twitter @alanfryetorres.

This article originally appeared on Register-Guard: Eugene City Council to vote on advocating for Measure 110 reform