[{"_1":2,"_98":-5,"_99":-5},"loaderData",{"_3":4,"_26":27},"root",{"_5":6,"_17":10,"_18":19,"_20":21,"_22":10,"_23":-5,"_24":-5,"_25":10},"user",{"_7":8,"_9":10,"_11":10,"_12":-5,"_13":-5,"_14":15,"_16":-5},"roles",[],"isAuthenticated",false,"isPremium","planName","subscriptionStatus","featureFlags",{},"insightsBudget","isDevelopmentHost","userPreferences",{},"recaptchaSiteKey","6LcvOJcUAAAAAHsB-gPGfGktcRlKpH7OTIU_dMTD","isImpersonating","impersonation","affiliateStatus","isFreedomPortal","routes/v2/article/layout",{"_28":29,"_30":31},"notFound",true,"relatedArticles",[32,75,87],{"_33":34,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":40,"_41":42,"_43":44,"_45":46,"_47":48,"_49":50,"_51":52,"_53":54,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":60,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":66,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},"mediaId",6580009,"mediaKeyId","3170972-41d6a62e3404f88892543dcec1b6ec32","parentId",3170972,"title","Council approves Neighborhood Association charters after clarifying membership, virtual participation and communications","audioSeconds",695,"startMs",1014000,"endMs",1709000,"viewUrl","/Search/View?dp=1&key=3170972-41d6a62e3404f88892543dcec1b6ec32&start=1014&end=1709","thumbnailUrl","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/3170972-41d6a62e3404f88892543dcec1b6ec32/thumbnail_1014000.jpg","articleUrl","/articles/6580009/Eugene/Lane-County/Oregon/Council-approves-Neighborhood-Association-charters-after-clarifying-membership-virtual-participation-and-communications","mediaUrl","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6580009-36e15d71a94b65792f78afb08685e36a/orig.mp4?Expires=1770450798&Signature=GwBBgnrgXqUJwotYN23~FH80hPvY0E3BNX9Y5w~L79jTYpR-np7rkkBJG2YUBlnusfK~aMj3unevD5yu6y1am9X6m38GCqEuq4syYUk21wWB1XXJJRpAoQMLfDLL09xpDqiTQQJBVOPpxwY8ELQrZroRvHkINSIjqwR0umtvYjJYeZjCazF-6LLX-JEGM7a-ZuJcGuIwxN6nRBmZcmbhbxTONB7W3oNYWvbAj4x4jsceHRFdGMR8WEfAhC8JthiERqk38M60kUiarthQhe5pX4hmXgVSjjGMMX3CGP2KIgt5u1xLhJS6SpH-IS9qBZycoXrRnMzXyzycjFpOc0GSTA__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","author","City Council of Eugene, OR","date","2025-05-01T18:01:25.157Z","article","Eugene City Council discussed and approved revised Neighborhood Association charters on April 14 after one councilor pulled the item for questions. Councilors asked about membership requirements, participation for virtual attendees, and use of electronic communications. Staff described the city’s role supporting neighborhood associations and clarified that associations are community organizations that partner with the city rather than being municipal arms.

Why it matters: Neighborhood associations serve as conduits for community engagement. The charters set minimum membership requirements and outline how associations can run meetings, communicate and collect participation data. Councilors sought assurances about equitable resource distribution for outreach and whether virtual participation counted toward membership or voting.

Key points from the discussion:
- City staff said the minimum charter membership requirement is residents or property owners age 18 or older, but associations may opt to include nonprofits, businesses or employees at their discretion.
- On virtual participation, staff said many neighborhood associations already provide virtual access and that attendees who sign in virtually are typically added to attendance lists the associations use for voting. The city provides equipment, training and support for virtual meetings.
- Councilors asked whether neighborhood association communications are subject to public‑records or public‑meeting rules; staff and a councilor clarified that associations are not arms of the city and therefore are not required to follow public‑meeting or public‑records statutes in the same way city bodies are. However, the city treats neighborhood associations as integral partners in public engagement and provides resources based on submitted work plans.

Votes and outcome: The consent calendar was approved without Item C (Neighborhood Association Charters) by an 8‑0 vote. After council discussion, the separate vote on item C (approval of Neighborhood Association Charters) passed 8‑0.

Ending note: The council approved the charters while directing staff to continue supporting neighborhood association capacity for inclusive outreach, virtual access and communications training.","mediaType","Video","parentTitle","Eugene City Council Meeting: April 14, 2025.","oneSentenceSummary","Eugene City Council approved revised Neighborhood Association charters on April 14 after councilors asked staff to clarify membership rules, virtual participation and the city’s role in supporting neighborhood outreach.","taxTitle","Eugene , Lane County, Oregon","taxId",2848,"location","headline","","shortSummary",{"_33":76,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":77,"_41":78,"_43":79,"_45":80,"_47":81,"_49":82,"_51":83,"_53":84,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":85,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":86,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},6580014,"City budget debate centers on proposed fire‑service fee as residents demand vote, council warns of cuts without revenue",4279,3375000,7654000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=3170972-41d6a62e3404f88892543dcec1b6ec32&start=3375&end=7654","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/3170972-41d6a62e3404f88892543dcec1b6ec32/thumbnail_3375000.jpg","/articles/6580014/Eugene/Lane-County/Oregon/City-budget-debate-centers-on-proposed-fireservice-fee-as-residents-demand-vote-council-warns-of-cuts-without-revenue","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6580014-dc48777eaa24669ce03e559deda67833/orig.mp4?Expires=1770450798&Signature=mmVe8OEZUFQW5HDuUpC~IHA2MWVgVgjBL1Gl7KfqmKTe2tQrOQzyWe3eYB3Swgdtj6L-1-RYnJNzATFB0i0ZD~A0A48zB22LFVwh5~-zyVVF7JdfUP75a2Q0cP3oaRaxWlshjTeLIt3takifSZP1crBEcBw8efIPAjGhiHnJ-EOMFRQ57parkeyyAXjaRIkAwvTIf53n~CHgYT9168kEQDzfGC1GabphfmO1a16-fuWTscSYBoq7j9WDf0m17nOJ9n86vIsmoqc1E0jytpKgj3lxSuNY434x6kckxu2TPIqREunUXxcvEaEL-7Sgj6eg5ThOMn3vhdd-grC1vt0vNg__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","Eugene City Council discussion and a long public comment period on April 14 turned heavily to a proposed fire service fee the city says is needed to avoid roughly $11.5 million in general‑fund cuts. Opponents gathered tens of thousands of petition signatures to refer the fee to voters; supporters said the measure—or a similar revenue solution—is required to prevent layoffs and program cuts.

Why it matters: Council staff and several councilors described a range of planned reductions that would be necessary if the new revenue is not adopted. Speakers from business, nonprofit and resident groups said they prefer a public vote or a different, more transparent budgeting process; others urged immediate adoption to preserve services.

Details from the meeting: Councilors and staff described prior budget reductions and the limited options remaining. One councilor summarized the potential cuts, saying the city might eliminate the animal‑welfare program, close the library one to two days per week, reduce park maintenance, scale back homelessness and human‑services funding, cut youth sports, and close community centers or a fire station if the fee is not approved.

Public input: More than 8,400 people signed a petition to refer the ordinance to voters. Business leaders and the Chamber of Commerce urged repeal of the fee ordinance and proposed a collaborative approach that would realign spending and prioritize revenue growth. Several speakers asked the council to \"repeal the ordinance and pursue an alternative path\" that adopts a priority‑based budgeting process rather than adding a permanent fee without public approval.

Competing views in the record:
- Brittney QuickWarner, CEO of the Eugene Area Chamber of Commerce, said the chamber supports the city but urged the council to \"repeal the ordinance and instead take a strategic approach, aligning expenses with revenues through innovation and prioritization.\"
- Multiple public commenters said the fee would be a permanent burden and called for time‑limited revenues or ballot consideration.
- Councilors who support the fee emphasized the scale of the budget gap and said cuts would be severe without new revenue; one councilor asked residents to \"vote for the fire fee, which is essential to keeping CAHOOTS.\" (Councilors also noted CAHOOTS is funded through other city streams; restoring CAHOOTS without new revenue would be difficult, they said.)

Process and next steps: The ordinance has been referred to a public petition and will be decided according to the city’s procedures if the referral proceeds. Several councilors called for a broader, transparent budgeting process and for cooperation with community partners to seek alternative revenue or reprioritize expenditures.

Ending note: The meeting underscored divided public sentiment. Speakers from across the political and civic spectrum asked the council to either let voters decide or adopt a different, comprehensive budgeting approach that matches long‑term revenues to city services.","Public comment and council discussion on April 14 focused on a proposed fire service fee to close a projected general‑fund gap; community groups urged repeal or ballot referral while council members said failing to adopt new revenue would necessitate cuts to multiple city services.",{"_33":88,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":89,"_41":90,"_43":91,"_45":80,"_47":92,"_49":93,"_51":94,"_53":95,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":96,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":97,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},6580020,"Hundreds rally after White Bird/CAHOOTS notifies city it will cut services; council says it did not initiate termination",5939,1715000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=3170972-41d6a62e3404f88892543dcec1b6ec32&start=1715&end=7654","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/3170972-41d6a62e3404f88892543dcec1b6ec32/thumbnail_1715000.jpg","/articles/6580020/Eugene/Lane-County/Oregon/Hundreds-rally-after-White-BirdCAHOOTS-notifies-city-it-will-cut-services-council-says-it-did-not-initiate-termination","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6580020-5c8ae2fd20ce4a59ffbe3af988653c1e/orig.mp4?Expires=1770450798&Signature=jb0CWnP0T7PdC5gvZiflvfD5ORmoLdpB0yWnv7mSbiZmjaPWhv--2wehyfiVxJ6HagDI8qndFLDacsErS3OsbLL~c6j0HjsC~QX2CdHAazJvFtgG-ChDJbtCHcqFpf7HMpW~h6QZ0sfE4yH4fPNklvpobDREI3EbQSjU4uePWoGIqKRpsjNzQfzNhVoqu1vyS8BKE5f8F3wSgogcZR9TjLMul7AhU-MdhE~DYJg0uZ2-aqyKbaNPQpT~JILwbEA3SMhu-FPKiueJfDSelMARhk3wfHcYuUNliE0S6BpgqsWFWyalrUKr1Ce7zN~AS8HoAFYmviGqf2AF73DnCnsbsA__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","Mayor Knudson told a packed April 14 Eugene City Council meeting that White Bird Clinic informed the city on March 25 that it would reduce CAHOOTS services and lay off staff, and that the city did not initiate the program's discontinuation. \"The city of Eugene did not initiate the, the discontinuation of Kahoot's service within Eugene,\" the mayor said as the council opened a nearly three-hour public comment period dominated by appeals to restore the service.

Why it matters: CAHOOTS (a mobile crisis response program operated by White Bird Clinic) has been a visible part of Eugene’s nonpolice crisis response for decades. Speakers and councilors said the program’s abrupt reduction will leave a gap for unhoused residents and people in mental-health crisis, and will shift demand onto police, emergency medical services and county mobile crisis teams that speakers said are not full substitutes.

During a briefing before public comment, the mayor said the city and White Bird agreed to a mutual contract termination date aligned with White Bird’s April 7 staff layoff date and that the city is working to make Lane County Mobile Crisis Services (MCSLC) accessible to residents. \"Mobile crisis response, mobile crisis services do still exist within the city of Eugene and through the provision, of Lane County's mobile crisis services,\" the mayor said, adding Eugene Springfield Fire will coordinate with the county during the transition.

Public comment: Staff announced \"over 80 speakers\" signed up, and dozens addressed the council. Speakers who identified themselves as CAHOOTS workers, health-care professionals, nonprofit leaders, firefighters, family members and people who had personally received CAHOOTS assistance described life‑saving interventions, long relationships of trust, and operational differences between CAHOOTS and county mobile crisis teams.

Examples from the record:
- \"Thousands of lives have been saved in this community by Kahoots,\" said Rebecca Hill, identified as an adult mental‑health peer support specialist.
- A CAHOOTS worker said, \"Last week, Cahoots saw almost 80% of its staff laid off by Whitebird,\" describing the layoff as recent and severe.
- Ariel Myler, who manages a residential treatment program, told the council: \"We use Kahoots every single day... Our clients require services that CAHOOTS provides that the Eugene, police enforcement cannot.\"

Council reaction and next steps: Councilors repeatedly expressed support for CAHOOTS as a model but described limits on the city’s immediate authority. Councilor Groves said the city \"merely agreed with Kahoots to end the contract that they could no longer fulfill,\" and urged the community to continue engagement with city officials to stabilize White Bird and CAHOOTS. Councilor Yeh said she would press to understand options and asked staff to make information transparent so the public and councilors share the same facts.

Alternatives and gaps: Multiple speakers and at least one councilor noted that Lane County's mobile crisis service excludes some client groups and does not provide the same range of services (transportation, combined medical/substance‑use response, housing navigation) CAHOOTS provided. Researchers from the University of Oregon and the National Alliance to End Homelessness presented evidence that CAHOOTS‑style programs can reduce emergency and criminal‑justice interactions, but emphasized program features that differ from the county service.

What the council did: No final council action to fund or restore CAHOOTS was recorded on April 14. Councilors discussed the situation in public comments and asked staff for follow‑up; multiple speakers urged urgent, bridge funding and commitments that would restore CAHOOTS operations while longer‑term funding or management questions are resolved.

Ending note: The meeting closed after extended public comment and additional council discussion; councilors pledged to seek more information and to coordinate with county partners while many community members urged immediate funding to return CAHOOTS to full operation.","Mayor told an April 14 Eugene City Council meeting that White Bird Clinic notified the city on March 25 it would reduce CAHOOTS services and lay off staff; more than 80 public commenters urged the city to restore funding or find emergency support while councilors and staff described limited, nonidentical alternatives in Lane County.","actionData","errors"]

Article not found

Council approves Neighborhood Association charters after clarifying membership, virtual participation and communications

City budget debate centers on proposed fire‑service fee as residents demand vote, council warns of cuts without revenue

Hundreds rally after White Bird/CAHOOTS notifies city it will cut services; council says it did not initiate termination