Item C:Adoption of Resolution 5018 Authorizing Exception to the Limited Neighborhood Recognition Policy for the River Road and Santa Clara Community Organizations and att A

Home Browse Search

The Transition Project began as an effort to address long-standing governance and service delivery issues in the River Road and Santa Clara communities. To make progress on these issues, the City of Eugene hired a consultant in April 2004, to improve communication among residents, community organizations, special districts, the City of Eugene and Lane County, and to prepare a transition plan for the unincorporated areas. Additional goals were identified during the process that included creating a vision for the future of these communities, identifying ways to preserve the unique character of the areas and amending the 1986 River Road – Santa Clara Urban Facilities Plan. In 2006, the City Council accepted the River Road and Santa Clara Transition Project Final Report. In 2007, the City entered into a memorandum of understanding with the community organizations authorizing the use of $40,000 of remaining River Road/Santa Clara Special Assessment Bond funds for projects that implement strategies and actions of the Transition Report. To date, approximately $1,000 of this funding has been awarded. The work of organizing community support and implementing the report’s findings was left to the River Road and Santa Clara community organizations. The neighborhood groups have made some progress on recommendations independently, and have recently renewed efforts in a coordinated fashion to move forward on a transition plan. A key conclusion of the project consultant was that future success will hinge on addressing the levels of distrust in the communities and engaging the “radical middle” of civic- minded individuals with a willingness to collaborate on creative solutions. The report strongly recommended that a broad outreach and education effort be pursued, which would be the focus of a SNAP. This would be followed by a statistically valid public opinion survey to provide community input for moving forward on the vision, goals, strategies and actions of the Transition Report. The survey is seen as important for the credibility of the transition process. A SNAP would provide this transition initiative-focused support from Neighborhood Services to assist with goal-setting and work plan development. The strength of the SNAP process is a problem-solving approach that emphasizes collaboration, capacity-building and the need for involvement of all affected stakeholders. Trainsong Neighbors successfully piloted the first SNAP, which resulted in a two-year work plan that reflects neighborhood interests, identifies opportunities to link with City of Eugene and community resources, and improves the leadership abilities of the group. If the River Road and Santa Clara community organizations were to participate in a future SNAP, staff would assist members in designing and implementing a broad public engagement effort in preparation for conducting the survey. The costs of the survey and other strategies would be borne by the remaining Special Assessment Bond funds approved by the council in 2007. Because these organizations have access to other funds, they would not receive all SNAP benefits. Neighborhood Services currently budgets $5,000 as a grant to participating associations to aid in implementation of SNAP action items, and River Road and Santa Clara would not be eligible for such a grant. A SNAP could help forge positive relationships and reduce community distrust —objectives that are critical to laying the foundation for discussion about transition issues, including annexation. This project is considered timely given that it coincides with the Envision Eugene process and could facilitate an update to this area’s refinement plan. Without the assistance of a SNAP, the community organizations plan to move forward with this work within their own limited resources and capacities. However, conducting the outreach and education envisioned by the Transition Report will prove challenging for these neighborhood volunteers. Z:\CMO\2010 Council Agendas\M101213\S101213C and att A.doc