IGR committee tightens Eugene’s legislative policy document ahead of December adoption

Nathan Nelson, the city’s Intergovernmental Relations manager, led the committee through a line‑by‑line review of the draft state and federal legislative policy document, describing the edits as mainly reorganizations and clarifications rather than substantive new positions.

Nelson said the staff used color coding to show changes: blue text for reorganized language, red for clarified statements, italic for proposed additions and strikethrough for proposed deletions. He said most items were existing council directives distilled into a clearer policy format and that the committee’s role was to provide direction so staff can finalize a clean package for December.

On housing, staff proposed keeping a broad definition of "affordable housing" rather than locking the language to a specific area median income (AMI) threshold. Councilor Chris Evans asked for clarification: "How are we defining affordable housing in that specifically section b?" Nelson replied the broad phrasing gives flexibility to weigh in on programs that serve a range of income levels.

Committee members debated a proposed addition to support "robust funding for the statewide shelter program," which Nelson described as direction to advocate for increased funding during the remainder of the biennium and into future budgets. Members also discussed renter protections and the tenant opportunity to purchase (TOPA), with staff noting TOPA is not currently in the phase being finalized and that a separate work session is the appropriate forum.

On property tax reform, staff reported council has not given firm direction. Nelson recommended narrowing any policy language to participation in Representative Nathanson’s task force on Measure 5/50 impacts and said the item could remain in the priorities document rather than the policy document until council provides further guidance.

Other edits approved for return in December included removing outdated broadband authority language, tightening economic development language to support industrial land supply and bioscience/manufacturing sectors, clarifying public safety positions on local bargaining and unfunded mandates, and adding an extended producer responsibility position for battery recycling (staff will follow up on whether EV battery recycling is included). Nelson told the committee the goal is to bring an adopted packet to the full council in January, with IGR taking a formal vote at the December meeting.