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how best to use it. City and CPW staff and volunteers will use the survey to collect data from across the <br />community, targeting those who have not engaged in the traditional NA structure. Neighborhood associations are <br />also encouraged to participate in this survey by implementing it in their local neighborhoods. Survey <br />implementation will begin in July and continue through September 2009. For more information, contact Lorna <br />Flormoe at 682-5670 or lorna.r.flormoe@ci.eugene.or.us. <br /> <br />Eugene Enjoys Relatively Safe Fourth of July Weekend <br />th <br />Eugene Fire & EMS crews responded to 29 fire calls, including several mutual aid calls in Springfield, over the 4 <br />of July holiday weekend, July 2-5. Of these, 18 were either definitely, or possibly, caused by careless use of <br />fireworks. Fortunately, most of the fires burned only grass or debris; no fire-related injuries were reported and <br />property damage was, for the most part, minor. The most serious fire occurred on the afternoon of July 4, causing <br />an estimated $250,000 damage to a River Road area residence. That fire was attributed to spontaneous <br />combustion of rags soaked with deck refinishing liquids. Despite the absence (to-date) of any catastrophic <br />fireworks-related incident, firefighters remain vigilant to the common causes of fires during warmer weather, which <br />are negligent handling and disposal of smoking materials and incomplete extinguishment of outdoor cooking fires, <br />among others. Suppression crews and fire prevention officials are taking every opportunity to communicate fire <br />safety information to groups and individuals as the region’s “fire season” begins. For more information, contact <br />Public Information Officer Glen Potter of the Fire & EMS Department at 682-7118. <br /> <br />First-Time Homebuyers Get Boost from City Loan Program <br />Federal funds for Eugene’s Homebuyer Assistance Program (HAP) are now available for low-income residents <br />who want to purchase their first home in Eugene. HAP loans are interest-free, and no payments are made until the <br />borrower sells or no longer occupies the home. Loans of up to $10,000 are available to help with the down <br />payment and other costs related to the purchase of an "approved" home in Eugene. Since 1998, when the program <br />started, the City has awarded an average of 30 loans each year. <br /> <br />To be eligible for the loan, homebuyers must: <br />? <br /> Be a first-time homebuyer meaning they have not owned their primary residence within the past three <br />years; <br />? <br /> Be pre-qualified for a home loan by a lending institution (bank, credit union, mortgage company, etc); <br />? <br /> Successfully complete an approved home ownership preparation program, such as The ABC's of Home <br />Buying sponsored by the Neighborhood Economic Development Corporation (NEDCO); <br />? <br /> Buy a house within the Eugene’s city limits; and <br />? <br /> Have a household income within HUD guidelines ( = 80% of Area Median Income). <br /> <br />HAP loans are funded through a grant from the Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) and are <br />reserved on a "first come, first served" basis. To learn more about the program, contact Bob Briscoe at 541-682- <br />5446 or Bob.Briscoe@ci.eugene.or.us. <br /> <br />Gallery at Airport Features Japanese Festival Doll Exhibition <br />Passengers at the Eugene Airport will be able to enjoy a new exhibit at the Gallery at the Airport featuring <br />th <br />Japanese festival dolls from the late 18 Century. These elaborately costumed dolls were displayed for Tango no <br />Sekku, Japan’s traditional Boys’ Day Festival. The festival dates back to ancient times and was a day to celebrate <br />the health of boys and of the community. The festival is celebrated on May 5 and has become Children’s Day, a <br />day to honor children and celebrate their happiness. <br />The Eugene Airport is embarking on a new partnership to <br />continue the tradition of featuring high-quality exhibits at <br />the Gallery at the Airport (GATA). Guided by long-time <br />GATA supporters Randy Stender and Dottie Chase, a <br />consortium of local non-profit arts organizations will curate <br />four exhibits a year. Participating organizations include the <br />Downtown Initiative for the Visual Arts (DIVA), Emerald Art <br />Center, Jordan Schnitzer Museum of Art at the University <br />of Oregon, and Lane Community College – Division of <br />Arts. GATA opened in 1994 at the Eugene Airport as an <br />artistic greeting for passengers, presenting the region as <br />rich in cultural assets, and supporting the visual arts and <br />creative work of regional artists. The gallery was <br />previously managed by Lane Arts Council, but budget <br /> <br />EUGENE CITY COUNCIL NEWSLETTER PAGE 3 <br />July 9, 2009 <br />