Eugene council hears large public outcry over surveillance, housing funding

The Eugene City Council meeting on Tuesday became a focal point for two pressing local debates, drawing extensive public comment on surveillance technology and housing affordability. Forty nine people signed up to speak, many urging councilors to permanently remove or shut off Automated License Plate Readers that remain physically installed around the city. Speakers described the cameras as "offensive" to visitors and said they pose threats to civil liberties, with some calling for quick action before City Manager Sarah Medary leaves office.

The cameras, commonly known by the vendor name Flock, have provoked controversy in neighborhoods and among civil liberties groups who argue the devices enable broad tracking of movement. Councilors listened as residents pressed for a clear timeline and policy decision on the cameras, while officials acknowledged the need to balance public safety tools against privacy protections and community trust.

The meeting also drew concern about a separate rumor regarding a large package distribution center at the Eugene airport, an operation that some attendees alleged would be run by Amazon. Residents raised questions about potential impacts on local jobs, traffic patterns and neighborhood quality of life if such a facility were to be developed. City staff did not confirm any specific agreements during the session, but councilors were urged to monitor the situation closely and to seek additional information.

Housing emerged as the other central theme. Developers and housing advocates told the council that Eugene should pursue state funds available through the Moderate Income Revolving Loan program, and they recommended the city adopt internal processes to access that money. Councilors requested follow up briefings on the MIRL program and signaled interest in further discussion about what administrative steps or partnerships would be necessary to compete for funding. Advocates stressed that without proactive measures the city could miss opportunities to increase the stock of homes affordable to people earning moderate incomes.

For Lane County residents, the meeting underscored immediate policy choices with concrete neighborhood effects. Decisions about the future of license plate readers will shape how law enforcement uses digital tools, how visitors and residents experience the city, and how community values around privacy are enforced. Choices about pursuing MIRL funds will affect the pace and scale of new housing projects targeted at middle income households, with implications for renters, homebuyers and local construction employment.

The council meeting closed with staff noting the schedule for upcoming sessions and promising further briefings on both surveillance technology and the MIRL program. For more background and original reporting see the Daily Emerald coverage republished by UWire on November 11, 2025.