01/20/11 - City Council Newsletter

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Ivy Removal at Alton Baker Park Makes Room for Native Plants The Public Works Parks and Open Space Division is employing a contractor to continue with the challenging task of hand-pulling English ivy along the Willamette River in portions of Alton Baker Park. English ivy is not native to this area, though it has become quite widespread in Western Oregon due to its frost hardiness, bird-dispersed seeds, and ability to “out compete” native vegetation and form a monoculture. Not only can this evergreen vine climb old buildings, but it also climbs – and eventually can topple – very tall trees. Currently, the ivy removal along the Willamette River is focused on the north bank near the Frohnmayer Bridge (formerly the Autzen Footbridge). This is an area of huge trees typical of a riparian forest in the area, including cottonwoods, maples and incense-cedars. The understory is a variety of native flowering shrubs and boasts a lush display of wildflowers in the spring. All of the vegetation and habitat in this area is being overgrown with English ivy, and if no actions were taken, most of this valuable community asset would be lost. The Parks and Open Space Division has undertaken significant English ivy removal in other locations, such as Skinner Butte, Contracted crew pulls ivy along Willamette River Hendricks Park, and Wayne Morse Family Farm, and has discovered that in the seasons immediately following removal, the native vegetation that had been suppressed by the blanket of ivy quickly recolonizes the area. This method of ivy removal has been the most efficient, cost effective, and safe way to reclaim these areas. For more information, please contact Ryan Turner, natural resources maintenance specialist, at 541-682-4843. Epark Launches Parking Survey for Downtown Businesses The City of Eugene is seeking input from local business owners about how the expanded downtown free parking program is working. The City is partnering with the University of Oregon’s Community Planning Workshop to administer a series of business perception surveys during the two-year program. Postcards inviting businesses to participate will go out this week. Downtown business owners in businesses next to the new on-street free parking program area who are interested in providing feedback can www.Surveymonkey.com/s/EugeneParking register at . The Community Planning Workshop will send the registrant an online survey within a month. Epark manages downtown, campus, and neighborhood parking, including the operation of off-street parking facilities, code enforcement, and Municipal Court services. For more information, please call 541-682-5729 or go to parking@ci.eugene.or.us. City Home Show Booth Promotes Family and Food Friendly Landscapes “Recipes for Healthy Living” is the focus of a City of Eugene information booth at this year's Good Earth Home, Garden and Living Show, scheduled at the Lane County Fairgrounds, Jan. 21 - 23. Attendees who stop by booth 510 will find tips on how to create a healthy landscape for families, prepare backyard compost, grow vegetables and tend chickens in the urban environment, plus information on participating in the Climate Masters at Home Program. Visitors who participate in a short survey can enter a drawing for practical prizes. Staff will be on hand to answer questions and provide handouts. The booth is a collaborative effort between the Public Works Stormwater Management Program and Planning and Development’s Waste Prevention and Green Building Program. For more information, contact Stormwater Information Specialist Kathy Eva, in Public Works Administration, at 541-682-2739 or kathy.a.eva@ci.eugene.or.us. EUGENE CITY COUNCIL NEWSLETTER PAGE 2 January 20, 2011