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City manager: petition for 'Eugene Clean Energy Fund' circulating; signatures due July 27
Summary
City staff told the Eugene City Council on July 15 that a petition to create a Eugene Clean Energy Fund is circulating, petition sheets must be submitted by July 27 and petitioners need 8,726 valid signatures for automatic placement on the November ballot; staff outlined verification and 20-day presentation requirements post-certification.
The city manager updated the Eugene City Council on July 15 that an initiative petition to establish a "Eugene clean energy fund" is currently circulating and that completed petition sheets must be submitted to the city recorder by July 27.
Staff said petitioners must collect 8,726 valid signatures to qualify for the ballot. Once submitted, the city and county have a combined 30 days to verify and validate the sheets; Aug. 5 is the last day for a certified petition to automatically qualify for the November election.
Councilors asked what options the city would have if the petition qualifies, and staff listed four: adopt the ordinance as proposed by the petition, vote to urge adoption or defeat (a statement to voters), place an alternative competing measure on the ballot (with a Sept. 3 filing deadline for competing measures), or do nothing. Staff clarified that the council must be presented options within 20 days after the recorder certifies an initiative petition per city code, and that a special meeting could be called to meet that requirement during the council break.
Councilor Keating disclosed that he had signed the petition and said he would likely urge adoption if it qualifies. "I signed the petition," Keating said, adding that he hopes voters "recognize the merit" of the proposal.
No formal council action was taken on July 15; staff will return with options if the petition is certified.
