City Council - Regular Meeting

Heat. Heat. Heat. Heat. Heat. Heat.

Yeah. Hey. Heat. Heat. Heat. Heat. Heat. Heat.

Heat. Heat.

and welcome to the April 13th, 2026 6 city council interviews for the 2026 boards and commissions annual appointment process. Thank you for joining us in this hybrid meeting format. For work sessions like this one where there is no opportunity for public comment, those wishing to access the meeting can do so by watching the live stream available on our website, the broadcast on channel 21, or by calling in to one of the phone numbers listed for this meeting on the public webcasts and meeting materials web page. In case of a medical emergency, an automated external defibrillator is located on the counter behind staff located to the left on the west side of the room. In case of an emergency evacuation, emergency exits are through the double doors located at the back of the room. The doors to the patio can also be used as needed. Thank you again for joining us. I call the April 13th, 2026 city council work session to order. Tonight's meeting is an opportunity for the council to hear from selected applicants to the city's city council nominated boards and commissions. Each candidate will have three minutes to present their qualifications and reasons for applying. Additionally, planning commission candidates will be asked to respond to three predetermined questions following their statements. Our meeting moderator will announce each of the candidates when it is their turn to speak. Before we begin, I would like to thank all of our community members that took the time to apply to serve on a board or commission this year. Tonight, we will hear applicant statements from the following boards and commissions: budget committee, Civilian Review Board, Human Rights Commission, Planning Commission, and the Toxics Board. Please note that council is not scheduled to make appointments until June 8th, 2026. Staff, can you please announce our first two speakers?

Thank you, counselor. Our first two speakers for budget committee are Tim Black and DJ Kelly Quattroi. Um but before before Tim starts, let me read my little spiel here. Got out of order. Um if you are providing your statement to council via Zoom this evening, please take take this time to ensure that your screen name in Zoom matches the first and last name on your application. We will announce two speakers names at a time. When you are providing your testimony via Zoom, when it is your turn, we will announce your name and allow you to speak. When you are announced as the next speaker and physically in the room, please move to the seat in the front row designated for the next speaker. When it is your turn, you may come to the podium. You will have 3 minutes to speak. If you are watching the meeting, the timer should be visible. The timer will flash red when you have 15 seconds to complete your comments. Your microphone will be muted at the 3minut mark. All right. And as I said previously, our first speakers are Tim Black, followed by DJ Kelly Quattroki. Good evening. For the record, I'm Tim Black. I live in W 2. Um, members of the council, thank you for this opportunity and for considering me for the budget committee. Um, applying for a city committee is a first for me, although I had never envisioned going first, but I guess somebody has to go first. um successfully have two daughters through 4J and as of this fall I'm an empty neester. I'm out of excuses. So here I am finally ready to to apply and and do my time. Uh I would bring to the committee 30 plus years of professional and and personal experience and connections in this community uh starting at the city which included working with the neighborhood program was a great job. Then at the UFO and government affairs and the president's office and most recently at St. fence in Nepal which was six winters of leading Egan warming center before my current position of advocacy and policy. Um this

is a a really important uh time in our community facing state cuts, federal cuts and even more uncertainty u at the at the federal level, the tag report and its recommendations and of course a new city manager and she's going to want to establish her vision and establish a role for the budget committee. So, we'll all be learning uh together and the work of the committee is really important uh because of course how we do our budget really shows our community values. I'd like to share just two things that I learned and came to believe especially in my time um with with Egan warming center and St. Vincent Paul and these are things that I would carry into um my time on the budget committee if I'm selected. First, uh each and every day is is a lesson in non-judgment. Second, I really came to believe that the cheapest thing we can do for taxpayers is also the most compassionate, and that's to provide basic housing and support services for people before they fall further through those safety nets. Suddenly, they're very expensive, both in cost and emotionally for our community. Um, and I'll just end with some advice that I'd give myself and certainly advice that I would continue to give myself if I were selected. Always assume best intentions. do way more listening than talking, but don't be afraid to ask stupid questions. We are all more alike than we are different. And finally, I can and we all can make a difference in our community. So, thank you again for this opportunity. Appreciate it.

Thank you, Tim. Our next speakers are DJ Kelly Quattroki, followed by Zachary Mullholland. Hello counselors. My name is DJ Kelly. I am a resident of Ward 7 and I the budget committee. I have a um combination of professional experience and education that provides me with a unique perspective that would be helpful to join the budget committee. First, I am a small business owner here in town and have been keeping apprised of the needs of that lens. I think that the um needs of business and residents actually aren't in competition. They can work easily in tandem as long as there are people willing to have those conversations. Also, professionally, I've been the director of housing at a small college and oversaw a $2.5 million housing budget with full oversight and opportunities to creatively increase revenue while decreasing expenses. I'm also currently taking classes in a graduate certificate. And honestly, one of the classes I'm taking literally right now is a public and nonprofit financial management class. So, I am learning a lot right now. Um, because of this class, my experience, um, I'm not intimidated by the budgeting process. It's, uh, something that I'm finding more and more excitement within and I'm enjoying working with others collaboratively about. I submitted my application for multiple reasons um, but we'll highlight two. one um and you can tell what an organization values by where it puts its money. Budget crisis, we know this. And it's moments like this that leaders get to step in and show who they are and what they believe. And I'd like to be part of that for Eugene. It is hard, but it's needed, and I I am fully aware of that reality going into this committee. Secondly, I hold a number of different intersectional identities that could be

unique on the board and helpful. Um, I am queer. I am mixed race Mexican-American. I grew up under the poverty line in rural southern Oregon and am now uh owning my own business and working on my own. I have a bachelor's degree and a master's degree that I paid for on my own as well. I don't say all of that to brag, but I say that to help you all understand who I am. That I have understood what it means to work hard. I understand what it means to not be centered in the work. And yet, I'm still here. I want to be a part of solutions instead of just complaining about them. If you have any questions, please let me know. But thank you so much for your time.

Thank you, DJ. Our next speakers are Zachary Mullholland followed by Amy Riker. Hello, council. Uh, thank you for the chance to speak with you here tonight. Uh, I've been incredibly honored to serve on the budget committee for the city of Eugene back to Bethl Community Neighborhood Association board before that. Uh, I'm especially proud of the work that we did to protect funding for libraries, for animal services, and uh, sorry, for homeless services, and for the animal shelter. Uh, and I would be honored to continue serving on the budget committee. Uh, a top priority for me will be increasing investments in the poorest parts of our community so that a rising tide truly lifts all boats and I will work to ensure that continued funding for critical services like libraries, the animal shelter and homelessness services continues. Thank you very very much for your consideration. I know all of you if you have any questions for me, I'm open anytime.

Thank you Zachary. Our next speakers are Amy Riker, followed by Emily Yates. Good evening, council members. My name is Amy Riker. I live in Ward 2, and I'm happy to provide this testimony tonight in support of my appointment to the budget committee. Uh for the last five years, I've served as a leader with Lane Transit District. In my current role as chief performance officer, I oversee enterprise strategy, performance measurement, and major operational and technology initiatives. I'm responsible for operational and capital budgeting and help support our strategic reporting on our $273 million combined capital and operational annual budget. In addition, I serve as board president of a local nonprofit focused on connecting youth to nature, which has deepened my experience with community centered governance and missiondriven resource allocation. As a public servant, deeply immersed in financial oversight, I'm keenly aware of the critical role the budget committee plays in determining public funding decisions that translate into outcomes like connecting people to work, healthcare, education, and recreational opportunities in the community. My work is focused on ensuring those decisions are both data informed and grounded in community priorities. What draws me to the city of Eugene budget committee is the opportunity to further contribute to decisions that shape the daily lives of people in the city. Public budgets are more than numbers. They reflect our values and our responsibility to the community. I spent my career helping organizations move from intention to execution and I see this as an opportunity to support the city and doing that thoughtfully and transparently. I bring a combination of analytical rigor and human- centered thinking and I'm comfortable working with complex financial and operational data, but I also ground that work in real world impact, asking not just are we spending effectively, but is this improving outcomes for our community.

That includes thinking about long-term well-being like access to green space, youth development, and the kinds of investments that help people and communities thrive over time. If selected, I would approach this role with curiosity, compassion, and a strong commitment to public service. I'm particularly interested in supporting clarity in how budget decisions are communicated and ensuring that investments align with both strategic priorities and community needs. I also believe in balancing fiscal responsibility with long-term thinking, recognizing that some of the most important investments we make today will have long lasting impacts on people and places into the future. I care deeply about this community. Eugene is not just where I work. It's where I live, where my family is rooted, and where I want to contribute in a meaningful way beyond just my professional role. Thank you for your time and consideration. I'd be honored to serve.

Thank you, Amy. Our next speaker is Emily Yates. Before we move on to civilian review board, the first there will be Eric Jura.

Hello, councilors and city of Eugene staff. Thank you for the opportunity to speak about my interest in joining the city of Eugene budget committee. My name is Emily Yates and I am a resident of Ward 8. Uh I have lived in Eugene for the past 16 years, spending that time working alongside individuals and families in affordable housing. I currently manage the housing services team at Laurel Hill Center. In this role, I oversee a team that finds housing and provides long-term housing support support to folks living with severe and persistent mental illness. facilitates various short-term rental assistance and provides street outreach for some of our most vulnerable unhoused neighbors. Outside of my professional work, I've built a strong and supportive community network that includes a small but thriving microeconomy, a holiday giving program that provided 98 food boxes to families last year, and spaces for people to connect with one another. Over the past several years, I've listened closely to community frustrations with about social issues, infrastructure, and what is often perceived as inaction. In these conversations, I've noticed a common thread. Many people do not understand the realities of budget constraints. While it is no secret that resources are limited, the complexity of funding sources, earmarks, and restrictions often get lost. As affordable housing is a system that I see that I am in daily, I see there how this disconnect shapes frustration. Many people care deeply and are working hard, but rising costs, funding limitations, and funding limitations narrow what's possible. The public often sees where efforts fall short, but not the difficult trade-offs behind those decisions. I believe the same is true for our city government. From what I've observed and heard, there's a shared vision that includes things like a city with strong parks, vibrant downtown, and a high quality services. Budget constraints do not reflect a lack of commitment. They

reflect difficult choices. I want to serve on the budget committee to better understand those choices and the fiscal realities behind them and to help bridge the gap between city leaders and residents. Eugene is full of people who are passionate about this community and I want to help channel that passion into informed constructive engagement. I would bring both my professional experience working with community members who rely on public resources and my personal perspective as someone who deeply values this city and all it has to offer. To keep Eugene moving forward with the values that so many of us share and values that I've seen this council uphold, it's essential that community voices are part of the conversation. I see the budget committee as a place where I can help make that happen. Thank you for your time and consideration.

Thank you, Emily. That concludes our group of budget committee candidates. We are moving on to civilian review board. Our first candidate is Eric Jura, followed by Elise Josephson. Good afternoon, city council. My name is Eric Jura and my family and I live in the loud and proud Bethl neighborhood and I'm here to seek appointment to the civilian review board. I have lived in Eugene for two and a half years during which time I've I uh I serve on the uh as treasurer of the active Bethl community. Um I serve on the Eugene airport advisory committee. I am the neighborhood representative for the MUPI review panel. Um I produce programs for the City Club of Eugene. um and I tutor at the Shastel Middle School. Much of my professional and civic life has centered on public service, governance, and accountability. Through that work, I've developed experience evaluating complex issues, weighing evidence carefully, and making decisions that must balance competing public interests. I believe those are essential skills for effective service on the CRB. I applied because I care deeply about maintaining public trust in our institutions, especially those responsible for public safety. In Eugene, we hold high expectations for our police, and rightly so. At the same time, we must recognize the complexity and difficulty of EPD work. The Civilian Review Board plays a critical role in maintaining that balance, ensuring accountability when standards are not met while also reinforcing fairness, transparency, and professionalism. Importantly, the CRB is part of a broader framework of community oversight. The Police Commission helps shape policy and long-term direction, and the Human Rights Commission brings forward the perspectives of communities who may experience policing differently.

Together, these bodies help maintain public trust, and the CRB role CRB's role in reviewing individual cases is a key part of that overall system. If appointed, I would approach each case with an with an open mind and a commitment to fairness. My focus would be on the facts, on applicable policy, and on whether actions align with both departmental standards and community expectations. Consistency and credibility in this process are essential. The public must trust that reviews are thorough and impartial and officers must trust that they are being fal ver evaluated fairly and based on clear standards. I also believe the CRB can contribute beyond individual cases case review by identifying patterns or system systemic issues over time and supporting continuous improvement. And just as importantly, it can help communicate clearly with the public about how oversight works and why decisions are made. Ultimately, I see this role as one of helping to uphold public trust, helping ensure that our systems of oversight functioned effectively, fairly, and transparently. Thank you for your consideration, and I would be honored to serve.

Thank you, Eric. Our next candidates are Elise Josephson, followed by Mahindrakumar.

Counselors, my name is Elise Josephson, and I am asking for your vote to be reappointed to the Civilian Review Board, where I currently serve as the vice chair. As you know, the CRB serves a critical role in police oversight in our community, allowing members of the public to see firsthand the internal affairs files of EPD by public comment regarding police investigations of alleged misconduct, the misconduct them itself, and ultimately the adjudication. I'm passionate about continuing the work that the CRB is doing right now. In light of federal policing in Oregon and across the country, many members of our community are wondering, what are we doing here in our city to make sure that we are being treated fairly. I'm proud of the work we've been doing on the CRB this year, reviewing EPD interactions with Department of Homeland Security officers to make sure that we are upholding Oregon sanctuary promise here in our city. And we were. Law enforcement has played a varied role in my life. Some of my first memories of government are at 5 years old watching my dad testify as a police officer in Medford Municipal Court. When I was 16, I had a very different interaction. My mom was arrested and I watched as time ticked on and on and on to an eventual march to a plea for a lesser included charge. Today, I have yet another view on law enforcement. While I'm here only in my personal capacity, I have the honor of serving as a prosecutor across the state of Oregon, helping to get victims justice when in reality, the criminal courts are often victim's only recourse in our modern society.

In Oregon, we hold officers to high standards, but unfortunately, officers don't always meet those standards. When they don't, it's critical that we hold them accountable so that members of our community can trust that officers are doing their best to make sure they are safe. The way work of the CRB lies between what I saw when I was 16 and what I see every day in my current job. Officers doing their best address tough situations facing our communities. I hope to be able to continue the work to make sure that we have fair, transparent policing in Eugene. And I would be honored to have your vote to be reappointed to the civilian review board. Thank you.

Thank you, Elise. Our next speakers are Mahindrakumar followed by Emily Sanderford.

Good afternoon, city council. My name is Mahindra Kumar and I would like to be a member. Currently finishing up a PhD in sociology at the UO where my research has focused on mobile crisis response, the experiences of homeless services workers and what I have come to consider broadly the experiences of the helpers. I came here about six years ago after working in an array of different social service roles from working in group homes during community college and driving shelter vans to case management for a transitional housing program. I've also previously served on the executive board of the graduate student union at the UO um as VP of external relations. I'm twice an immigrant. My parents um were economic migrants from India moving from Kuwait where I was born. And I later came to the US when I was 8 years old, the first Memorial Day weekend after 9/11, where my mom later as the bread winner of the family worked nights as a nurse to support us. This kind of led to the situation where I came to be impacted by the justice justice system at a young age. Um causing me to drop out of high school and intermittently spend time at various youth facilities. This lived experience greatly impacted my career and dedication to service in various social work roles where I supported people who had similar struggles. Now, not all cities have civilian review boards. Eugene CRB operates in a city that's characterized by its very active local politics and diverse community interests. My understanding of the role of the civilian review board is that it exists as an auxiliary arm to review some of the police auditor's offices work. it means to review that work and provide some of the recommendations um to the police commission and the EPD. The idea around these efforts is to increase transparency. Um I also want to put in my hat to give some frontline witness to the role of outreach workers

at the park, specifically people doing feed sharing food. um my experience as an outreach worker at Neighbors Feeding Neighbors. Um they're a group that provides hot breakfast, beverage service, and takeaway lunch um Wednesday through Saturday 9:30 to 10 or until they run out of food. Um they serve about 150 guests on Saturdays during the winter months and up to 200 people. Um and they've been in continuous service for about 11 years um through COVID, wildfires, snow, or ice storms. In 2024, they served about 38,000 meals on 212 service days. Now, austerity, severed funding, social service institutions closing left and right. This reduces the uh the efficacy of the work that this group is doing. And they're also the guests that they're serving are disproportionately impacted by quality of life policing. representation on the board with experiences to these issues and addressing complaints as they arise can benefit from workers who have seen these things happen.

Thank you, Mahindra. Our next candidates are Emily Sanderford followed by Christine Silver.

Good evening, members of the city council and fellow community members. My name is Emily Sanderford and I'm here to express my interest in serving for the civilian review board as many of us are. Um, I feel that the health of our city depends on the transparent, accountability, and trustbased relationship between law enforcement and our community. Um, I want my kids to grow up in Eugene and I want them to know that transparency isn't just a buzzword, but it's a daily practice. A little bit about me and my background. I've lived in Eugene for 13 years. Before that, I was getting my bachelor of science in cell and molecular biology and my masters in forensic science. Um, since moving to Eugene, I've started a family and I've been working in the legal field. I believe with my foundation in the sciences, I am trained to prioritize evidence over assumption, which I think is the key in this. Um, complimenting this in my experiment uh experience in the legal field, I understand the importance of the law and how to help hold people accountable for their actions. I also can ensure that the process remains impartial and thorough. Beyond my professional life, I am a mother and an active community volunteer. Currently, I am um the managing the digital outreach and website for nonprofit child care center. And this experience has taught me that communication is the bridge to trust. And I believe that the CRB is that bridge and that it allows accountability and accessibility in building uh public confidence between our government and the people. I applied for this position because my sense of civic duty, the belief that we each have a responsibility to contribute to the collective good of our city. I also recognize that this work on this board requires a deep capacity for empathy. And while a review must be objective, we mustn't lose sight of the human impact behind each and every case file. As a parent, I have a direct stake in the long-term safety and equity of Eugene. I want to contribute to the system where

every resident feels the oversight is not just a concept but a reality. I care deeply for this community and I'm not just looking for a seat at the table. I'm looking for a way to use my um logic, advocacy, and community spirit in its best way possible. Thank you for your time and your consideration.

Thank you, Emily. Our next candidates are Christine Silver followed by Kimberly Vorhees. Council members, thank you for having me. My name is Christine Silver and I'm here regarding the Civilian Review Board. I've been asking myself, how can I serve? There's elected office. There's volunteering for nonprofits, but I I didn't know. And then I was selected for the current leadership Eugene Springfield program. And over the last months, we have learned a lot about the community and how things work in the government. And I learned a lot about boards and commissions. And when I read the description for the CRV, I said, "That is it right there. That's how my skills could be used. That's important to me." So, what are those skills and where do they come from? I've run my own business for 21 years, working with leaders at all levels as a coach and trainer, specializing in performance management, setting goals and expectations, giving feedback positive to negative on performance, doing problem solving, evaluating performance, writing 360deree reviews and board reports. I'm also a conflict mediator and before I started my business, I had a career in human resources. The theme through all these years of professional experience is objectivity. I have to be objective and I'm good at separating the facts from the feelings from the observations from the assumptions and interpretations. I ask good questions and my clients tell me that I'm a good summarizer. So I am oh I'm also a CASA a courtappointed special advocate and the it's the same thing there. I have to be objective. In fact I could walk into a family home and say you know the standards here don't meet my standards but that is not relevant.

There's an established standard. So what is that standard? What am I seeing? Is there a gap? What's the impact? And then when it's appropriate for me to make a recommendation, it's based on substance. So that's what I'm about. It's making the observations, being concrete, being objective. I believe that these skills could be useful for the review board. I would be delighted to be appointed and I appreciate you're hearing my statement. Thank you. Thank you, Christine. Our next candidates are Kimberly Vorhees, followed um and that'll conclude civilian review board. Silky Booker will then speak for Human Rights Commission.

Council members, my name is Kimberly Vorhees and I am applying for a position on the Civilian Review Board. My interest in law enforcement, particularly here in Eugene, began through my son who is preparing to graduate from college and is exploring a career in policing. His interest led me to learn more and last year I attended the Eugene Police Department's Citizens Police Academy. Through that experience, I gained a clearer understanding of both the complexity of the work and the challenges unique to our community. During a ride along, I witnessed an overdose involving the same adolescent for the second time that evening at Monroe Park. Later, I observed an officer respond with patience and compassion to a 14-year-old repeat shoplifter at Valley River. Those moments stayed with me. Showed me how often officers are making decisions in difficult, high stress situations that require both judgment and empathy. They also made clear how easy it is for only part of an interaction to be seen or understood. In an environment where encounters are frequently recorded and shared, context matters. I believe accountability is strongest when decisions are evaluated based on the full set of facts. That's what led me to take a closer look at how those reviews actually happen in Eugene. Seeing how internal affairs and the police auditor's office approach investigations reinforced for me the importance of a fair and independent review process. And that's what led me to pursue a role on the civilian review board. If appointed, I would approach the role with neutrality and discipline.

My focus would be to review each case on its merits, ensure investigations are thorough and fair, and look for patterns that may indicate opportunities for improved training, policy refinement, and community and/or community engagement. I value accountability. And I also recognize the importance of supporting systems that help officers succeed in doing their jobs well. I believe the review board plays an important role in balancing those priorities. Thank you for your time and consideration. Thank you, Kimberly. That concludes our civilian review board candidates. Uh our next candidates are Dr. Silky Booker, followed by Leon Boat for Human Rights Commission. Give me a moment while I promote Dr. Booker to panelist. Dr. Booker, we're ready when you are.

Can you see me? Yes.

All right. Council members and support staff, thank you for the opportunity to speak to you this evening. I'm Dr. Silky Booker and I'm here today following my application to continue serving on the Human Rights Commission. I've served on served on multiple Eugene commissions and subcommittees since 2022, including the Eugene Police Commission and the Human Rights Commission. In September 2025, I was honored to be elected chair of the human rights commission. These roles have given me practical experience and a deep commitment to advancing equity, accountability, and community trust. On the police commission, I work directly with officers, administrators, and residents to strengthen oversight and build clearer channels for community input. That experience taught me how critical transparency and fair processes are to the public safety and public confidence. Now, as chair of the human rights commission, I bring those lessons forward with urgency and hope. Our commission's work touches the dignity of every person, protecting civil rights, addressing discrimination, and promoting equitable access to opportunity. I believe human rights are not an abstract idea but a daily practice of how we treat each other at work, at school, in our neighborhoods, and in our public institutions. In the words of James Baldwin, no label, no slogan, no political party or skin color, and indeed no religion is more important than a human being. If reappointed, I will I will continue to focus on three practical priorities. One, improve access and responsiveness. simplify how residents file concerns, ensure timely communication, and track outcomes transparently. Two, strengthen prevention through education, expand workshops for schools, employers, and community groups on rights and deescalation. And three, community partnerships. Coordinate with neighborhood groups, service providers, and public safety to

ensure policies reflect lived experience and produce measurable results. Tonight, I ask you to join me in a simple commitment to show up, listen before we judge, learn before we legislate, and act with humility and courage. Real change requires partnerships between government, community, organization, businesses, and everyday citizens. When we partner, we turn frustration into solution, and promise into reality. I ask for your support to continue serving so we can continue to build a more just, inclusive, and accountable community together. I look forward to listening, learning, and leading alongside you to build a more just and inclusive community for everyone. And I leave you with this. Human rights is everyone, everyday, everywhere. Thank you for your consideration.

Thank you, Dr. Booker. Our next candidates are Leon Boat, followed by Sarah Connors. Good evening, members of the city council. My name is Leon Boat. I'm a resident of Eugene and county since July last year. Um I'm an incoming graduate student in prevention science uh at University of Oregon and I'm a active advocate for greater accessibility and independence everywhere for people with disabilities. I'm here today because accessibility is a human right. Um, here in Eugene, I appreciate that there's been talk about the values of inclusion and but for neighbors with disabilities, those values are only as solid as the pavement beneath them. Since arriving in this beautiful city, as I have navigated our community with my husband, who is a full-time power wheelchair user and also a mental health counselor here in Eugene, um we have frequently encountered sidewalks with streaks and splashes of bright yellow paint. Reading about Eugene's sidewalk repair pilot that was apparently launched last year confirmed what I had assumed that the paint marks um that the paint marks vertical offsets and defects that are deemed dangerous. I think it's great that the city has been trying to do something about this, but awareness is not access. The yellow paint tells us that the city is aware of the hazard and it it tells us your intentions. Absolutely. And I think that's great, but the paint doesn't fix the concrete. And it seems that the affforementioned pilot program is still not quite reaching enough property owners. And when we mark a barrier, but we don't enforce its

removal, we're essentially prioritizing liability over lived reality. Again, awareness is not access. Beyond cracks and heaves in the sidewalks, we've also encountered curb cuts too steep to climb safely up and down from the street and parking lot aprons so steep they scrape the undercarriage of a wheelchair accessible van. Those are very expensive. Um there there these aren't just inconveniences, they're barriers to participation in public life for people with disabilities especially. I recognize the pressure points our leadership faces. I I know the primary burden of sidewalk maintenance rests on property owners. I I also acknowledge the work being done through the city's ADA transition plan, which I can tell has made a lot of headway in making Eugene more accessible over the past decade. Um, however, we need a concerted effort of collaboration between our commissions. Um, as a member of the Human Rights Commission, I would want to be a resource for these solutions, possibly, for instance, by identifying accessibility grants. Um, so I ask for your support in joining a commission to help turn our city's awareness into

Thank you, Leon. Our next candidates are Sarah Connors, followed by Mahindra Kumar. Uh hello, my name is Sarah Connors. I live in ward five. Uh I've been a middle school teacher for the last 12 years. I currently teach at Ky Young Middle School. I teach technology classes to sixth, seventh, and eighth grade students. I also serve on the equity and inclusion team and multi-tered systems of support team where strategies to serve where we strategize to serve our hardest to reach students. In college, I was a non-traditional student who returned to college after being in the workforce. I was a single parent. I lived in Haska housing. I survived because of our safety net, and it's what allowed me to graduate and become a teacher. I am grateful that we have such safety nets to help people who are struggling. I applied to be on this commission because I see that human rights are currently under attack. I have many trans people in my life, both in my personal life and in my classrooms. I see what is happening in other states and I am concerned that it might come here as well. I also see that other gra other groups are under attack as well. If you are queer, if you are any color but white, if you don't fit into a particular mold, then you may soon be targeted. I recently had a good friend and her husband immigrate to Nova Scotia because they worry that the climate here is becoming unsafe for them. And I hate to say it, but I understand and I agree with them that leaving while they can may still be the best may be the best possible choice. I worry about my students. I worry when students and parents skip school sponsored activities because they are concerned that they might be targeted by ICE. I worry when my school shares their ICE action plan and it relies on people playing by the rules. I wonder what will happen when a situation arises where not everyone plays by the rules. How will we

keep our children safe? And how will we continue to provide them with an education? Education is the great equalizer. Education is what allowed me to go from a struggling single parent living in government housing to an educator who lives and participates in our community. The American activist Jane Adams said, "The good we secure for ourselves is precarious and uncertain until it is secured for all of us and incorporated into our common life." I believe this and that is why I want to join the commission. I want the good that I have in my life to be secured and available to everyone else in our community and I want it to be protected for everyone. I believe the commission will benefit from having people on it who are embedded in the community. People who work with kids, their families, and have a deep belief in equity and the right of everyone to feel safe and welcome in this community. I love you, Jean. Um, so that's what I offer and I would be honored to bring it to this work. Thank you.

Thank you, Sarah. Our next candidates are Mahindrakumar followed by Debbie Williamson.

Hello. Um hi again Mahindra. I am residing in W 2. I used to live in W three. Um I my pathway here to study u the experiences of social workers, the experiences of those on the front line and those at the administrative level. It really began when I started working with adults with disabilities. Um, and then when I worked in group homes and then later on as a case manager at a transitional housing program when I saw those same kids who were aging out of the group home, I realized that no matter how much my efforts um, you know, no matter what I could do, there was a common throughine and that was a lack of affordable housing. I didn't have a house in my toolkit. Um later on during my time as a graduate student and a tenant support specialist um in the Springfield Eugene Tenant Association, I considered some of the unique aspects um of what Eugene was going through in its rapid transition during the pandemic. Um even my even my own students um housing insecurity seems to be a common thread, the brutality of poverty making it hard to do so many other things. And so with regards to my role with neighbors being neighbors, it's something that we see is um a common through line in the work that we're doing. A lot of people that are showing up to the line are housed. A lot of them are living at dust to dawn. Um I want to say here that in 2025, we served over 51,000 meals on 217 service days. That represents a 35 increase 35% increase over the 38,000 meals served um over the 212 days in 2024. In February itself, we served 3800 meals on 17 service days, including the President's Day holiday. Again, another 35% increase over the 2,800 meals served in February of last year. These activities mean more than feeding people. their central location in the downtown core, which has long been home

to many unhoused neighbors. It's allowed other providers of mutual aid, mainly in the name of medical care, to join them and function as a public health node during a time of dysfunction. Right? We don't have a emergency room in the city of Eugene anymore. In February, Occupy Medical held two medical clinics. We organized premed students to do blood pressure checks. Um, ISCE provided hygiene items. Other groups held medical clinics, providing Narcan and other useful items, were providing clothing and other food pantry items. This this is to say that during a time when social service institutions are experiencing austerity, um severed funding, groups like these are a band-aid, but they are on the front lines of a lot of these acute needs of people and the present suffering on the streets of Eugene. Um, I think the commission would benefit from some more representation of from the front line of those who are witness to these happenings on the streets and voice the concerns of the helpers to a broader governing body. Thank you.

Thank you, Mahendra. Our next and final candidate for human rights commission is Debbie Williamson. Then we will move on to toxics board starting with Francesca Negri. Good evening, city council. My name is Debbie Williamson and I am here tonight as a potential candidate for Eugene's Human Rights Commission. I'm here because the human in me sees the human in you. I'm increasingly concerned that not all our neighbors are able to say that. I was asked to spend three minutes talking about myself, but since I thoughtfully answered all the questions in the application, I'll just sum it up to say that I'm a straight, cisgendered white woman who has spent a great deal of time decolonizing her mind. I want to use the privilege afforded to me to protect the human rights of our neighbors, which are regularly violated by pillars of power, ICE being one of our greatest threats. I am very concerned for our beloved trans community. The Lmin Institute for Genocide Prevention has declared that the United States is committing genocide against trans people. So far in 2026, over 700 anti-trans bills have been introduced across the country. I'm very concerned for our immigrant community. They are being terrorized by the federal government. If you don't believe me, then please start listening to them. attend the next day without an immigrant event on May 1st and hear from them directly. Our neighbors are scared. And now the federal government wants to build a fence around the public building where ICE operates from. Good things do not happen behind fences. Now, I'm sure all of you will tell me that the city has no control over the fence as it is federal property. But this fence impacts Eugene human rights. This fence will make it harder for our immigrant neighbors to be safe. Offense makes it more difficult for legal observers to document ICE kidnappings. Offense prevents citizens from using their First Amendment rights, from

bearing witness. So although it may not be within the city's control to stop the fence, it is in your power not to be quiet about it, not to cooperate with it, for EPD to provide the documents requested by the CLDC, to care about people more than property. We are at a pivotal moment in our nation's development. What we do in the face of authoritarianism will determine what happens to our rights, especially our human rights. I applied to be a part of the HRC so I can be the change I wish to see because the human in me sees the human in everyone. I hope the city of Eugene will say the same. Thank you.

Thank you, Debbie. Moving on to the toxics board. Our next candidate is Francesca Negri. Then we will move on to planning commission with Ethan Clevenger. Good evening council council members. Um my name is Francesca Negri and I want to thank you for inviting me here today to share with you my reasons for applying to the toxics board. After retiring from a 32-year career in public service, the last eight of which I spent as chief deputy director for California's Department of Toxic Substances Control or DTSC. My husband and I moved to Eugene. We had spent years visiting family here in Oregon and had grown to love the beautiful landscapes, the people, and of course the best track town in the nation. My core belief is that every person, no matter who they are, what zip code they live in, or what street they live on, has the right to clean air, to clean water, and to clean soil, equal access to thrive in a healthy environment. We know that idea does not exist for many in our community. And my reason for applying to this board is to support the implementation of Eugene's right to know program and the desire to engage our community in this endeavor. As chief deputy director, I oversaw the day-to-day operations of a state agency aligned with the same goals that you have, which is protecting the people, communities, and the environment from the effects of hazardous substances used by many businesses in our community. These businesses that contribute to our economic fatality. That oversight included uh DTSC's hazardous waste management program which issues permits to businesses treating, storing, and transporting hazardous materials, and a site mitigation and restoration program, which is responsible for overseeing the cleanup of contaminated land and restoring it for useful purpose. grateful to be part of multiple cleanup projects that benefited communities.

Ones that employed locals on the projects, repurposed land for things like grocery stores and green spaces, things we take for granted but are missing in many communities, particularly those located in industrial areas. I developed the project team for DTSC's Exide Residential Cleanup Project, the largest lead remediation project in California's history. Over 6,000 residences, schools, and daycarees have been cleaned up under a plan developed in 2017. Had the unique experience of working with various groups with disperate views to achieve common goals, such as when I worked with a team to modernize DTSC's fee structure. We worked with businesses, environmental justice advocates, community members, and the legislature before bringing a final fee reform package to the legislature, which they passed and the governor signed in 2021. Finally, I also provided oversight of DTSC's Office of Environmental Equity. Um, the goal was to ensure that the most impacted by pollution have a voice in DTSC's policy development, permit decisions, and cleanup standards. I hope to bring this experience to the board and to engage in conversations that support your vision of providing a safe and clean environment for all in Eugene. And I

thank you, Francesca. Moving on to the planning commission. Our I believe only speaking candidate tonight is Ethan Clevenger.

Uh good evening counselors. My name is Ethan Clevenger. I um currently reside in Ward One. I own uh two small businesses, one in professional services and the other a retail store. Um, my wife and I own our home in Jefferson Westside and we directly manage the rental of the home we used to live in in Bethl. Um, we are also now foster parents. um kind of you um I'm sure many of you can relate and I'm sure this is not unique to Eugene, but you've probably found that Eugene uh can be a challenging city to live in at times and it often feels like uh the problems that we face are outsized for a community our size and with our resources. Um and as great as it is to sit around and complain about that, uh I have in my uh almost decade here in Eugene looked for ways to contribute to that. uh contribute to solutions and uh is how I found myself with a footprint in downtown Eugene. Uh an opportunity to uh put myself into a position to help make that particular part of our city better. Um I have spent the better part of the last two years participating in the local government affairs council at the Eugene Chamber, a room I was not sure that I would um find uh suited u my own nature. Um but what I have found uh is that I am consistently surrounded by insightful individuals who have engaged with policy work uh for a long time and uh this is by by engaging uh with these folks every week I've gained new perspectives uh accordingly. The common wisdom common go uh goes do not be the smartest person in the room. Uh and uh we've in that room I've had the opportunity to grapple with evolutions in our city's urban growth strategies. Uh I've had the opportunity to uh to to grapple with different opportunities we've had for infill zoning in our city

to create additional housing. I've had the opportunity to see what the UFO has planned uh for for their parcel of our city. Um, and in addition to that experience, I spent uh a summer campaigning for uh the Eugene City Council. Uh, an experience during which I knocked on a great many doors and heard from our community how it is that that planning work impacts them. Specifically, housing was a and continues to be an important priority. uh if you're if you're interested in that work. And uh we hear from people who are concerned about the property they already have, people who don't have a place to call home. Um people who barely afford the place they call home. And uh the planning commission's work uh very clearly touches on all of those things. Uh I look forward to arriving prepared and informed to do the good work on uh the planning commission and I look forward to finding opportunities uh to remove roadblocks and find opportunity in what uh current blight and stalled property.

Thank you Ethan. Please remain at the podium for the supplemental questions. Um there will be we will allow a two-minute answer for each supplemental question. Hi Ethan. What key issues would you hope to address as a member of the planning commission?

I think I think broadly uh it's how do we create more housing in our community? Um and uh to the extent that I can I I look forward to bringing ideas to planning commission uh for kind of to plant within city staff's heads and to encourage investigation of but I also know that planning commission has its own kind of itinerary and the city has its own itinerary of of work that's already underway and I look forward to participating curation and and and uh ideation on those policies those through to um and I can only hope that at the end of my time there that I feel as though we have made housing more within reach for uh people who live here and perhaps pressed pause on runaway cost of housing in our community long enough for the earning potential of the average Eugeneian to catch up. As a group, the planning commission often works on lengthy processes and decisions. Describe your skills, experience, and approach that will assist you in working in a constructive collaborative manner. Um, I feel like I have offer can offer a couple of perspectives on that. Um I I have one hat that I wear at Downtown Eugene Merchants where I am um in a kind of sole leadership role and that's um that's often a challenging role where you feel like you're talking at people and and just kind of making decisions and you hope that everyone is excited about them. Um fortunately, you know, positive feedback, but it's very different than than group work. Um and so in group work, uh I really don't want to talk about not being the smartest person in the room. I really do believe there's a lot to be learned from the folks around me. And so I I

frequently look for opportunities to hold my questions and speak last rather than first and from other folks in the room to inform uh form what I bring to the table. Um being prepared is a big part of group work. Nothing like showing up to a meeting and you haven't read the agenda or um done done the prep work. Um I I am a consistent attendee at the commitments that I have made thus far. Uh showing up weekly um regardless of kind of what an attendance policy may be. And so that consistency and that prep work I think will also be quite critical to a meaningful member of the planning commission. Planning Commission must often consider and balance complex issues when reviewing planning documents and making land their opinion. What are the most important factors for the planning commission to in these efforts? Um I I think the incentive planning commission has control over these things. Um right now I I hear from folks who who view relationship between planning department and developers in our community as quite adversarial. Um I hear from folks who this is not news to you um folks in the development community who find the city of Eugene within um and uh so I think it's important for us to consider that experience and and ways we can whatever we implement it is like simple it is uh something that that folks can adhere to uh without undue burden. Uh I think this is evidenced by this I mean often evidenced by our RFP process

defined as a a property that got exactly one bid. Um and I would like for us to be a city where that process competitive and where developers feel like be it public or private opportunities they are eager to take advantage of them and to put new housing onto our market. Um of course uh it's also important for us as a city to do that in a fiscally responsible way. So um that is I think the red, right? Um, and so those are those are I think the wrong way about considering my microphone is going.

Thank you, Ethan. Council President, that was our final candidate for planning commission. Thank you, Cherish. Um, are there any questions from city council? Seeing none, I now close the April 13th, 2026 city council work session. Thank you all for coming.