12/11/08 City Council Newsletter

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Lane County authorized $1.6 million for project funding. Actual construction was done in two phases, with the second phase reaching substantial completion this month. Among the transportation improvements completed during the two phases: the construction of a new Hilyard Street extension, a new roadway on the east side of the federal courthouse, a multi-use path next to the railroad tracks, new and upgraded signals at several locations, th wider sidewalks, decorative streetlights and the repaving of Franklin Boulevard/Broadway/Mill Street from 11 Avenue to High Street. For more information about the event or the project, contact Michelle Cahill, principal civil engineer in Public Works Engineering, at 682-6855. Bounty of Activities in Winter/Spring Recreation Guide The Winter/Spring Recreation Guide that will be delivered to Eugene residents this month contains more than 60 new classes and activities - from Dino Art to bicycle repair, from outdoor adventures and activities commemorating th Oregon’s 150 birthday to spring break camps. There is something for everyone. The 80-page book includes a number of free activities such as family fun nights at Petersen Barn and Sheldon Center and Pool, as well as the popular April Pools Day community event. It lists dozens of new art opportunities for children, youth and families, provided in partnership with the UO Youth Enrichment Program, and offers an intergenerational spelling bee and scavenger hunt. Registration for Adult Athletics’ winter ultimate frisbee and soccer teams is underway and, new this year, the Athletics Program is offering open gym for basketball and volleyball. Returning winter activities include the Outdoor Program’s Alpine Adventures Adaptive Skiing, the area’s premier downhill ski program for youth and adults experiencing physical disabilities, and the “way-popular” Splash Dances for middle school students. For more information, contact Craig Smith at 682-5334. Public Comment Period Extended for Neighborhood Services The Neighborhood Services Program Assessment Steering Committee unanimously approved extending the st public comment deadline through December 31 for the recently completed report evaluating the Neighborhood Services Program. The extension was granted to allow more time for neighborhoods to review and provide feedback on the report’s 22 recommendations. All public comment will be synthesized and included in an appendix to the report and used to inform decisions regarding implementation of the findings. Public comment was elicited through an announcement in the Register-Guard, contact with City staff, neighborhood leaders and other residents interviewed or surveyed as part of the assessment and the Neighborhood Services website. Nearly all of the comments received to-date have come from neighborhood leaders or neighborhood associations. The Neighborhood Leaders Council also provided a coordinated response on a subset of the recommendations. The report, background on the project, and information on how to provide feedback, can be found on the project website at http://www.eugene-neighborhoods.org. Public comments will also eventually be available for viewing at the website. For additional information contact Neighborhood Services Manager Michael Kinnison at 682-5009. Statewide Permit Fee Changes January First The State of Oregon, Building Codes Division and other local jurisdictions are working to make the permit process more user-friendly for customers - a reason many voters gave for supporting State Ballot Measure 63. The measure would have exempted all residential work valued at or below $35,000 per year from the permit process. BM63 failed by a margin of nine percent statewide; only three percent in Lane County. Building divisions are working with customers to fully understand the issues and concerns that resulted in such a close vote in November. Staff also realizes more work is needed to help the public better understand the benefits received from ensuring their construction work meets current building code standards, from health and life safety issues, to better insurance rates and an easier resale experience. One step the State of Oregon is taking is the adoption of new rules creating consistent forms and fee structures across the state. The new fee methodology will allow contractors to more easily prepare bids and estimate permit costs; using uniformly-created application forms should increase ease and predictability as contractors move between some of the more than 135 jurisdictions across Oregon. Changes must be in place by January 1, 2009. What does this mean for Eugene? Fees will now be based on national construction values, with a required annual inflationary adjustment to the Construction Value Data Table. Additionally, a range of one-time fee changes will be needed to bring Eugene into compliance with the rules. Generally, new commercial projects will pay an increased fee while the fee for a new home remains essentially unchanged. In addition to mandated changes, staff proposes a four-percent increase in Public Works- related fees to meet cost recovery goals. These fees were last increased January 1, 2008. A complete copy of proposed fee changes will be distributed to the Mayor and council this week. Customers and the public are invited to comment on the fee proposal through Sunday, December 28. Written testimony must be delivered to the th Building Permit Services Division at 99 W. 10 Avenue, or submitted via e-mail to the Division’s Financial Services Manager Shelly Warren at shelly.warren@ci.eugene.or.us. For more information, contact Shelly Warren at 682-5513. EUGENE CITY COUNCIL NEWSLETTER PAGE 2 December 12, 2008