CC Newsletter - 01/12/06 - Laserfiche WebLink

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Information about the council’s work is maintained at www.ortcc.org. The web site provides agendas and meeting minutes, and now includes the 2005 Council exit report (http://www.ortcc.org/PDF/ORTCCExitReport05.pdf). More information about the work of the ORTCC is available by contacting Pam Berrian at 682-5590. Conversion of 10th Avenue to Two-Way Traffic to be Completed Thursday The one-block section of 10th Avenue between Olive and Willamette streets will be converted to two-way traffic on Thursday, Jan. 12, marking the completion of a project to convert the entire length of 10th Avenue in the downtown area to two-way operation. Eugene Public Works worked with Lane Transit District (LTD) to accomplish the conversion, which fulfills a goal of the City's Central Area Transportation th Study. The final step is the activation of a new signal head to direct westbound traffic on 10 Avenue at Olive Street. Public Works met several times with members of the Lane Independent Living Alliance and other groups interested in traffic control in the area of 10th Avenue and Olive Street to come up with a solution that meets the traffic operation needs of the city and also provides a safe crossing for pedestrians, particularly those with disabilities. As part of the education around pedestrian safety, a news release announcing the completion of the conversion and reminding motorists that the speed limit on downtown streets such as 10th Avenue is 25 mph was issued. For more information, contact Traffic Engineer Tom Larsen at 682-4959. Siberian Dreams at McMillan Art Gallery An exhibit of Russian art entitled “Siberian Dreams,” sponsored by the Eugene-Irkutsk Sister City Committee will be shown at the Adell McMillan Gallery in the Erb Memorial Union on the University of Oregon campus. “Siberian Dreams” includes both traditional and contemporary artwork styles and genres, reflecting the influences of Native Siberian culture in the current art scene. The exhibit uses artwork to explore elements common in the myths, legends, and folklore of both Native American and Native Siberian cultures. The Eugene-Irkutsk Sister City Committee (EISCC) has used visual art exhibits and exchanges as a means of accomplishing its mission “to utilize the Sister City relationship to create greater understanding, appreciation, and friendship between the people of the United States and Russia.” The opening reception is Thursday, January 12 at 6:30 p.m. The show runs from January 9 through January 29. For more information on the exhibit contact Adam Howard, visual arts coordinator, Cultural Forum, farwest@uoregon.edu. For more information on the Eugene-Irkutsk Sister City Committee, contact Mary Walston at 682-5406, or mary.f.walston@ci.eugene.or.us. Bikeways, Library Rate High in Community Survey City residents gave high marks to the City’s bikeway system and library in the latest edition of the annual Eugene Community Survey. The City does an above average job of providing a bikeway system, according to 86% of respondents, while 80% feel that the library is above average. Three-quarters (74%) of respondents are satisfied or very satisfied with the overall level of services provided by the City of Eugene. The most highly-rated services (4.0 and above, on a scale of 1 to 5 where 1 is poor and 5 is excellent) were the bikeway system (4.4), library services (4.3), fire and rescue services (4.2), the Hult Center (4.0) and emergency medical services (4.0). The lowest-rated services (under 3.0) were providing leadership for the City (2.9), preventing crime (2.8), planning and managing growth (2.6), managing tax dollars (2.6), the land use application process (2.4) and the building permit process (2.2). It is important to note that this is not a user survey; respondents rate services whether they use them or not. The most widely-used service among respondents was the park system, with 80% of respondents EUGENE CITY COUNCIL NEWSLETTER PAGE 2 March 3, 2006