Data centers are a hot-button issue in local government. So hot, in fact, that leaders are looking for ways to be more transparent. 

One way: non-disclosure agreements, commonly called NDAs. Tech companies often employ them when considering locating in a region, as they begin behind-the-scenes inquiries and discussions with local agencies. When agencies sign the confidentiality agreements, they’re essentially blocked from sharing information with the public. 

In Eugene, city officials have decided to ban confidentiality agreements for data centers. 

Lane County officials are interested in a similar move, and county staff agreed Tuesday to begin researching the issue and return with options at the request of Commissioner Heather Buch.

Data centers also have attracted statewide and national attention. 

In Salem, city officials faced blowback after a tech company’s interest in coming to Oregon’s capital city stayed under wraps for more than a year.

Gov. Tina Kotek’s Data Center Advisory Committee recently released a report raising concerns about tax breaks and water usage, the Oregon Capital Chronicle reported. 

The report doesn’t make any recommendations and seeks public input by 5 p.m. Oct. 24. Go here to read the report and submit comments. 

The stabilization center, a ban on corporate medicine and Lane County’s $275K settlement

Stabilization center: Lane County has been planning a stabilization center for years and mapping out plans to serve people in behavioral health crises. The proposal is facing a key hurdle: an annexation request facing Springfield councilors.

Corporate practice of medicine: A bill has been introduced in Congress banning the corporate practice of medicine. Events in Eugene played a role in the bill’s rise in Congress. 

Settlement details: Lane County cut a six-figure settlement with its former county counsel. We got a copy of the agreement and have a story about its terms.

Friendly weekly reminder: Be sure to catch the Oct. 1 gubernatorial debate in Eugene between Democratic Gov. Tina Kotek and state Sen. Christine Drazan. Here are the details on how to watch the debate, which Lookout is co-sponsoring with other media outlets.  

— Ben Botkin

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Inside Eugene City hall with Grace chinowsky

Parking rates: The city of Eugene has proposed increasing the cost to park in garages, lots and on the street near downtown and campus.

Choosing life over the English Channel: Robin Mayall, the city of Eugene’s IT director, spent 14 hours facing wind, waves and jellyfish stings during her August attempt to swim the 21-mile passage. She spoke with Lookout about why she decided to climb out of the water just a half-mile from the coast of France.

UO workers vote to strike: About 97% of voting classified staff members at Oregon’s seven public universities said they want to strike at the end of the month.

Checking in on Springfield With lillian Schrock-Clevenger

Annexation: After appearing to lean toward denying an annexation request for a planned behavioral health campus, city councilors last week directed staff to move forward with discussing the application. The council plans to meet in a future work session to discuss related transportation and stormwater issues. The topic is not on this week’s regular meeting agenda. 

beyond lane county

Governor’s race poll: Republican Christine Drazan has a slim lead over Gov. Tina Kotek, but it’s within the poll’s margin of error, so the race could be a toss-up, the Oregon Journalism Project reports. 

Food stamp errors: In a twist, Oregon’s high error rate with food stamp applications is saving the state money. The Oregon Journalism Project breaks down how the Trump administration’s system makes that possible.

Medicaid mixup: Speaking of errors, a state audit found Oregon’s Medicaid program erroneously paid out as much as $4 million. 

Public Meetings this week

Monday

  • The Eugene City Council will hold a public hearing at 5:30 p.m. on a proposed ordinance requiring people selling their homes to obtain a home energy score, which assesses a residence’s physical and mechanical features to gauge its energy use on a scale of 1 to 10. 
  • The Springfield City Council will hold an executive session at 6 p.m. to discuss property and review confidential records per law practitioner-client privilege. 
  • The Springfield City Council will have a regular meeting at 7 p.m. to discuss a property proposed for development in Glenwood.

Wednesday

  • The Eugene City Council will meet at noon for virtual work sessions on street and sidewalk repairs.
  • Members of the Springfield City Council will meet as the Finance and Judiciary Committee at 3 p.m.

Thursday

  • Eugene city staff will hold a meeting to discuss with the public plans for soil remediation at Trainsong Park at 6 p.m. at Lion of Judah Christian Center, 2600 Wood Ave., Eugene. The meeting appears to be in-person only.

Do you have story ideas or tips? Send them our way: ben@lookoutlocal.com | grace@lookoutlocal.com | lilliansc@lookoutlocal.com

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Ben Botkin covers politics and policy in Lane County. He has worked as a journalist since 2003, most recently at the Oregon Capital Chronicle, where he covered justice, health and human services and documented regional efforts to combat fentanyl addiction. Botkin has worked in statehouses in Idaho, Nevada, Oklahoma and, of course, Oregon. When he's not working, you'll find him road tripping across the West, hiking or surfing along the Oregon Coast.

Grace Chinowsky graduated from The George Washington University with a degree in journalism. She served as editor-in-chief of the university’s independent student newspaper, The GW Hatchet, and interned at CNN and MSNBC. Grace covers Eugene’s city government and the University of Oregon.