08/27/09 - City Council Newsletter

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dependent on food handouts. Although feeding and interacting with waterfowl can be enjoyable, it can also cause long-term health problems for these animals, potential health risks to humans, and environmental degradation. For more information contact Rob Hallett, Parks and Open Space Turf and Ground Supervisor, at 682-4935, 968-7677 or rob.hallett@ci.eugene.or.us. Additional information about the project is located at www.eugene- or.gov/waterfowlmanagement. Stormwater Survey Reflects Several Changes in Opinion and Behavior Results are in from this year’s biannual stormwater opinion survey. The survey has been conducted biannually since 1993. It is used as a tool to determine changes in attitudes and opinions of city residents regarding the City of Eugene’s stormwater management program. A local market research firm conducted the survey, which polled 415 Eugene residents through phone interviews using a random list of Eugene residents. The survey asked participants a range of questions about their awareness, knowledge and opinions about stormwater-related programs and issues. While most categories tend to have minor or no fluctuations, several saw notable changes. This year, 73% of residents were aware that the stormwater system is separate from the wastewater system, compared to 67% in 2007. And, 69% knew that the stormwater system empties directly into local waterways. Regarding stormwater user fees, 42% felt they pay the right amount in user fees – an increase of 8% compared to two years ago. On the same question, 23% felt that they pay too much, 5% felt they pay too little, 23% didn’t know what they pay and 7% didn’t know if it’s the right amount. The most dramatic shift is in the use of weed killing chemicals such as Roundup or Weed & Feed. Fifty percent reported that they use yard chemicals – a 21% increase from the 2007 survey. Asked whether Eugene is giving the right amount of attention to protecting local waterways, 49% said yes (compared to 44% in 2007), 22% said no, and 26% say they didn’t know. Educating and informing community members about stormwater pollution and ways to protect local waterways is a best management practice in the City’s Comprehensive Stormwater Management Plan (SWMP) and the City’s municipal stormwater permit. The plan was approved in 1993 by the City Council to meet Environmental Protection Agency requirements to protect waters of the state. The City’s stormwater permit is approved and regulated by the Department of Environmental Quality. An executive summary of survey results is available at www.eugene-or.gov/stormwater. For more information about the survey, contact Kathy Eva, public information specialist for the Stormwater Management Program, at 682-2739 or e-mail Kathy.a.eva@ci.eugene.or.us. Fall Recreation Guides in the Mail The fall Recreation Guide includes a wide variety of ways Eugene residents can have fun, learn something new, improve their health, make friends, and build community. The guide will arrive in city resident mailboxes this week. The cover of the new guide features adult soccer players from one of the Recreation Division’s many adult leagues that annually attract more than 100,000 participants. For the first time, this guide also includes full descriptions for all Adult Service Program activities. Previously, the guide contained only brief or headline descriptions for most adult programs and full descriptions were included in two separate guides, the Campbell Courier and Barnies’ news. With this change, the activities offered by Adult Services will be more visible and the need to publish separate guides is eliminated. One of the new activities offered this fall is Argentine Tango for Persons with Parkinson’s disease. Research shows that some movements of the Tango are especially helpful to individuals living with that disease. Also this fall, a sampler of free, one-day adult exercise and art classes are being offered in early September so patrons can try out an activity before signing up for an entire class. One of three patron stories in the fall guide tells how staff at Petersen Barn Community Center helped a young girl avoid bad behaviors. EUGENE CITY COUNCIL NEWSLETTER PAGE 3 August 27, 2009