City Council Newsletter - 10/26/06

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The primary NRPEMS objectives are: ? Unite all persons concerned with ethnic minorities in the park and recreation movement, including municipal, private, voluntary, institutional, church, educational, commercial, tourism and industrial organizations. ? Serve as an exchange medium of information on all ethnic minority matters pertaining to leisure programs and activities. ? Perpetuate racial sensitivity in all participants to ensure that minorities in influential positions are represented adequately within the professional association. ? Reflect an accurate history and culture of minorities through leisure action programs. Ms. Jones’ extensive leadership experience and accomplishment in the areas of minority support, parks, and recreation will help ensure that the NRPEMS vision and mission will be realized. For more information, contact LRCS Executive Assistant Maureen Robeson at 682-6065. Park Blocks Vision for the Future A Master Plan for the downtown Park Blocks is now available. In development since last spring, the Eugene Park Blocks Master Plan provides a vision for the future of Eugene’s most vital downtown urban open space. The Master Plan builds on a series of public involvement and visioning processes, beginning with the Park Blocks Placemaking process in 2000. The Master Plan is intended to be a guide that will enable the decisions made concerning improvements to the Park Blocks and surrounding areas to be consistent, organized, and supporting the future vision for the Park Blocks. The Park Blocks Master Plan was developed by an advisory committee composed of representatives from Downtown Eugene, Inc., Downtown Initiative for the Visual Arts, Downtown Neighborhood Association, Lane County Farmers Market, and Saturday Market, as well as staff from Lane County and the City of Eugene. In addition to meeting with interested groups, the Master Plan benefited from input received at two public meetings held to inform the planning process. The Master Plan is available through the City of Eugene web site at: http://www.eugene- or.gov/portal/server.pt?space=CommunityPage&cached=true&parentname=CommunityPage&parentid= 0&in_hi_userid=2&control=SetCommunity&CommunityID=210&PageID=1727 For additional information about the Park Blocks Master Plan, please contact Glen Svendsen, Facility Management Division Manager, at 682-5008 or by email to glen.l.svendsen@ci.eugene.or.us. Eugene’s 2006 Leaf Program Begins October 30 Each year, the Eugene Public Works Department collects more than 15,000 cubic yards of leaves in an effort to keep leaves from plugging the storm drainage system and degrading water quality in local streams. With that volume of material on city streets, it’s important that local residents pay attention to some important leaf disposal tips: ? Consider using leaves as compost or mulch rather than piling them in the street. ? Pile leaves well away from catch basins. If a catch basin does plug, scrape the leaves away from the grate. ? Remove leaves from sidewalks. Wet, slippery leaves are a hazard to pedestrians. ? Avoid putting leaves in bike lanes. If leaves are deposited in a bike lane, place them in rows so they do not block the flow of water, and leave at least half the bike lane clear. ? Place leaves so they do not obstruct the flow of traffic. Piles that even partially block a traffic lane can cause motorists to swerve into oncoming traffic. ? Leave at least 15 feet between leaf piles and parked cars. ? Keep leaf piles clean. Don’t mix leaves with branches, rocks, or lawn clippings because that makes it difficult to reuse the leaves for mulch or compost. ? Wait to put leaves in the street until the weekend before the scheduled pickup date. Leaves placed in the street too early tend to blow around or get washed into storm drains. EUGENE CITY COUNCIL NEWSLETTER PAGE 2 October 26, 2006