07/02/09 - City Council Newsletter

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Ready to Lead: Training Workshops Support Neighborhood Leaders On July 14, neighborhood association leaders from across Eugene will gather for the first of two Neighborhood Leader Training workshops to be held this summer. Building on the previous semi-annual training for new neighborhood leaders, the revised and expanded Neighborhood Leader Training is open to all neighborhood chairs, boards, committee members and residents interested in becoming more active in their neighborhood association. Workshop topics will include the role of the City’s Neighborhood Services Program in providing support for neighborhood associations, a brief overview of Eugene’s City government and municipal processes, how to effectively engage in City issues and processes, and tools for effective neighborhood leadership. A handbook that accompanies the training will be provided to each neighborhood association and will be available on the Neighborhood Services website. Providing training for neighborhood leaders has been a City priority throughout several recent outreach activities including the Neighborhood Empowerment Initiative, the 2007 and 2009 Neighborhood Summits, and the Neighborhood Services Program Assessment. Topics for future trainings include best practices for neighborhood associations, creating effective newsletters, neighborhood community outreach, and Planning 101 (an in-depth look at land use planning in Eugene and how to effectively participate in land use processes). For more information about training opportunities for current and future neighborhood leaders, contact Neighborhood Planner Rene Kane at 682-624 or rene.c.kane@ci.eugene.or.us. Sheldon and Echo Hollow Pools Recognized for Programming Excellence The United States Water Fitness Association (USWFA) has ranked two City of Eugene swimming pools as among the top in the nation for their programming excellence. USWFA makes the annual awards to encourage the development and recognition of outstanding aquatics programs in both for-profit and non-profit facilities. Echo Hollow Pool and Fitness Center and Sheldon Pool and thth Fitness Center were ranked 11 and 12 in the nation among public pools for the quality of their aquatics programs. On a statewide basis, USWFA ranked programming at Echo Hollow and Sheldon number one and two in the state of Oregon. The two pools were also noted for their swimming instruction, special events, and Junior Aquatics Leaders programs. Additionally, Echo Hollow was recognized specifically for its Masters swimming program and water shows. Sheldon Pool was recognized for its exercise, competitive swimming, outreach to youth programming, and its overall changes and improvements. The United States Water Fitness Association is a non-profit, educational organization committed to excellence in educating and promoting aquatics, including water exercise. For more information, contact Rich Fay at 682-5331. Ridgeline Trail Repairs Scheduled for Summer Parks and Open Space staff will repair three sections of the Ridgeline Trail this summer. These high priority projects will improve user experience, reduce trail erosion, enhance trail longevity, and improve long-term accessibility of the trails for maintenance work. The first project underway involves resurfacing several segments of the Amazon Headwaters Trail. The resurfacing work is scheduled to be completed in mid-July. Beginning in August, two projects will realign segments of steep and eroded trails at Spencer Butte and Mt Baldy parks. A half-mile segment of the trail on the south side of Mt. Baldy, and a three-quarter-mile segment of the Spencer Butte Main Trail will be impacted during the project while a contractor transports gravel and supplies. Prior to these trail maintenance activities, staff will install temporary signs to inform trail users of the upcoming work. The public should consider avoiding these segments when work is in progress to minimize EUGENE CITY COUNCIL NEWSLETTER PAGE 2 July 2, 2009