Item 3: Resolution Initiating Celebration of Eugene@150

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ECC UGENE ITY OUNCIL AIS GENDA TEM UMMARY Action: Adoption of Resolution Initiating Celebrations Acknowledging the th 150 Anniversary of the Incorporation of Eugene Meeting Date: April 9, 2012 Agenda Item Number: 3 Department: Central Services Staff Contact: Jan Bohman www.eugene-or.gov Contact Telephone Number: 541-682-5587 ISSUE STATEMENT Eugene’s founders first took action to form a city in the year 1862, filing papers for incorporation of Eugene. A staff team, together with community members and partners, has begun planning events and th activities to celebrate Eugene’s 150 “birthday” throughout 2012. The resolution expresses the City Council’s acknowledgement of the anniversary and support for community celebration of the event. BACKGROUND The year 1862 has traditionally been given as the date of Eugene’s first incorporation and it is clear Eugene’s founders first took action, filing papers to form a city in that year. Many resources also refer to a second subsequent incorporation and renaming in 1864. A well-used historic resource, Walling’s “Illustrated History of Lane County, Oregon,” 1884, describes it in this way, “the town of Eugene City was duly incorporated by an act of the legislature approved October 17, 1862. Thus it remained until the city act to incorporate the [italics in original] of Eugene was approved October 22, 1864, and by a vote of twenty-seven to one a new charter was adopted on November fourteenth of that year, the people apparently, taking but little interest in the matter, as the small vote exemplifies.” The staff team’s approach is that this is a collaborative community celebration. City staff is planning some specific events and activities, and will provide supporting information and material for community members and groups that plan other activities. The intention is for people from all parts of the community to get involved and help to acknowledge, honor and celebrate all the things that make Eugene a great place to live. An encouraging level of interest has already emerged. Public information on activities planned so far began to be distributed this week. The first major activity is one being led by community partner Ninkasi. The brewery has produced a commemorative beer, named “Commonwealth,” and is donating all proceeds to benefit City of Eugene Cultural Services and FOOD for Lane County. The beer is available on shelves now and will be officially released at FOOD for Lane County’s Chefs’ Night Out event on April 10. Given the City’s budget situation, and the general economic climate for City partners and the community, staff is being realistic and frugal in making plans, working to leverage existing budgets and rededicate already planned activities toward this theme. For example, the City’s first major Eugene@150 event will be the kickoff of Summer in the City. That event was budgeted and planned S:\CMO\2012 Council Agendas\M120409\S1204093.doc