Election 2024: Eugene City Council candidate Q&A with Lisa Warnes and Matt Keating

This is part of a series of stories on the candidates running in the May 21 primary election, with question-and-answer articles scheduled to be published each day through the rest of April. Ballots must be mailed to voters by May 1.

The elections for the Eugene City Council are approaching with ballots due May 21. Two candidates have registered to run for Ward 2 on the Eugene City Council — incumbent Matt Keating and Lisa Warnes.

City Council Ward 2 represents south Eugene. With two candidates on the ballot for the seat, May’s primary election outcome will decide which candidate runs uncontested in the November general election.

The Register-Guard asked each of the candidates a series of questions and asked them for biographical information. Candidates are listed alphabetically.

Eugene City Council Ward 2 candidates' biographical info

Matt Keating

Part of Town: Matt and his wife, Becca, live in southeast Eugene, between Agate and Onyx on E. 31st AvenueOccupation: Chief of Staff to Sen. James Manning, Eugene city councilorRelevant Professional or Service-Related Positions: City Council President, KLCC Public Radio Foundation Board, Eugene Public Library Foundation Board Member emeritus, Democratic National Committeeman, Democratic Municipal Officials Board of Directors, LCC board member (2013-2021)

Lisa Warnes

Part of Town: Lisa Warnes has deep roots in south Eugene. She has lived in Ward 2 for more than 40 years.

Occupation: Residential construction contractor, business owner

Prior Governmental Experience: Former member of city of Eugene Planning Commission, former vice-chair of SE Neighbors neighborhood group, liaison to Neighborhood Leaders Council, community and neighborhood leader in Vision for Intact Ecosystems and Watersheds, successfully preserved the Amazon Creek Headwaters area as a public park.

Questions for Eugene City Council Ward 2 candidates

The Register-Guard began all questions to city councilors with "What strategies or policies would you support to …" Here are their answers, word for word.

Increase housing affordability and/or supply in Eugene?

Keating: Especially with significant airport expansion on the horizon, I support the creation of a new Urban Renewal District along 6th/7th and Hwy 99. Improving the beauty of and bolstering housing stock along that corridor as the gateway to our community is key.

More broadly, I support a suite of Affordable Housing investments; missing-middle housing, co-op, and workforce housing at all income levels.

I applaud Council's historic housing investments Downtown and near the new City Hall, and I continue to champion building up–not out–along transportation corridors while protecting our UGB’s forested areas to the south and farmland to the north.

Warnes: The city should focus its efforts on generating truly affordable housing for lowest income residents who need it most. I support the use of grants, subsidies and incentives to generate housing that meets permanent, or long-term, affordability criteria. By making public investments in permanent affordable housing, we can continue adding to the affordable housing stock, rather than allowing it to become depleted as units convert to market-rate housing. The supply and pricing of market-rate housing is a complex national issue; however, Eugene has recently made numerous changes to reduce regulations to make local construction less expensive.

Reduce homelessness in Eugene?

Keating: I support policy and investments in programs that keep people housed. And I long to find permanent locations for Egan Warming Centers.Yes, Affordable Housing is key, but investing in transitional housing, redefining “emergency shelter” to access vital federal and state funds, and supporting service providers who provide mental health/wraparound services is crucial.Sanctioned “Safe Sleep Sites” and “Rest Stops” such as Nightingale on 34th/Hilyard must be replicated as they boast a successful 70% re-homing rate connecting folks to more permanent, safe, supported housing.Community Supported Shelters, connecting unhoused persons to critical housing services, must be fully supported.

Warnes: To reduce homelessness, we must have a concerted and coordinated effort by all the agencies and non-profit groups in the region to efficiently and effectively deploy resources from Federal, County, City, and charitable sources. This approach has been used effectively to reduce long-term homelessness in cities like Houston, TX. Reports from Portland and Multnomah County indicate that we need to do better tracking and monitoring of our homeless population to understand what works and what doesn’t.

Improve Eugene's economic development?

Keating: I support attracting living-wage jobs and recognize the vital need for workforce housing so residents can live, work, play – and stay in Eugene.We must build up, not out. Our forests to the south and farmland to the north are too precious to sacrifice. As such, the building of commercial on the bottom, mixed-economy residential on the way up – especially along transportation lines – will bolster economic growth, promote Affordable and mixed-economy housing, reduce traffic, and encourage walkable communities.We must celebrate responsible local businesses who champion pro-labor policy. Bottom line: to stimulate the economy, workers must earn a living wage.

Warnes: As a small business owner, I understand the challenges local businesses face. We must ensure that Eugene’s local and small businesses could operate in a fair and level environment that isn’t favoring large, out-of-town businesses. Eugene’s businesses prosper when Eugene’s residents do well and enjoy a quality environment and livable neighborhoods with good schools. Investments in Eugene’s neighborhoods, infrastructure, and schools are a great way to support local businesses.

Increase access to mental health resources in Eugene?

Keating: The construction of a Behavioral Health Stabilization Center is a necessity.

The establishment of a behavioral health stabilization center will be a game changer, allowing access to trusted service providers, and connecting folks in a crisis with professionals in a setting that isn’t punitive like jail or costly like the hospital.

We should marshall resources at all levels of government to destigmatize mental health and increase access. Through 2-1-1, 9-8-8, on our municipal website, and as past Chair of the Human Services Commission, I continue to support removing barriers and prioritizing access to equitable, affordable mental health services.

Warnes: Access to resources for mental health and drug addiction treatment is an important part of addressing both our homelessness crisis and our public safety. These services are provided through the County and State; however, we must do more to improve access to treatment. I will advocate for increased funding, resources, and access for mental health and drug addiction.

Improve public safety in Eugene?

Keating: I’m proud to be a pro-public safety progressive endorsed by first responders: the Eugene Police Employee Association and Lane Professional Firefighters.

Both organizations can count on me to communicate, collaborate, and give them the support to keep our community safe.

Recently, here in South Eugene, squatters overran a vacant home and threatened neighbors with extreme violence, even propositioning youth near Spencer Butte Middle School. I immediately contacted Chief Skinner and subsequently EPD and Code Enforcement took swift action.

I thank the neighbors for their vigilance and Chief Skinner for his leadership. The safety of our community–our kids in particular–is paramount.

Warnes: Eugene’s downtown must be restored to the vibrant, welcoming and safe place we all want it to be. We need a long-term commitment to increased safety patrols downtown, combined with an increased effort to promote downtown businesses and special programs that attract more people to the area. Much of the theft and violence in Eugene is connected with the scourge of opioid and methamphetamine drug addiction leading to poverty, desperation and homelessness. Increased treatment resources are needed, as described above, to alleviate this problem.

Alan Torres covers local government for the Register-Guard. He can be reached over email at atorres@registerguard.com or on X @alanfryetorres.

This article originally appeared on Register-Guard: Election Q&A: Eugene City Council candidates Keating, Warnes