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HomeMy WebLinkAbout11/07/13 - City Council Newsletter City of Eugene 125 East 8 Avenue, 2 Floor thnd Eugene, Oregon 97401 (541) 682-5010 (541) 682-5414 (FAX) www.eugene-or.gov EUGENE CITY COUNCIL NEWSLETTER November 7, 2013 IN THIS EDITION DONATION OPPORTUNITY FOR COFFEE MUGS “MUSCLE & MAYHEM” AUTHOR LAUREN CHOUINARD AT EUGENE PUBLIC LIBRARY EUGENE FIREFIGHTERS HELP WITH VETERANS’ HOUSING PROJECT THE GRACE OF SILENCE: FACILITATED BOOK DISCUSSIONS EUGENE SEEKS NEW MEMBERS FOR BICYCLE AND PEDESTRIAN ADVISORY COMMITTEE CLASS TEACHES STUDENTS TO GIVE BACK EUGENE READY IF OLD MAN WINTER COMES KNOCKING IT WAS A DARK AND STORMY NIGHT IN WEST EUGENE LEAF SEASON UPON US DANCE THEATRE OF HARLEM PERFORMS AT THE HULT COMMENTS SOUGHT ON THREE PROPOSALS TO CHANGE SKATEBOARD AND BIKE LAWS IN EUGENE AROUND THE CITY Donation Opportunity for Coffee Mugs Mayor Kitty Piercy recently attended the grand re-opening of St. Vincent de Paul’s (SVDP) Service Station. While there, she learned that SVDP has purchased a commercial dishwasher and is hoping to obtain 200-300 coffee mugs so they can stop using disposables. To help address this need, the City Manager’s Office will be collecting new or used coffee mugs for SVDP until Friday, Nov. 15. Donations are greatly appreciated! For more information, contact Dawn Branham at 541-682-8340. “Muscle & Mayhem” Author Lauren Chouinard at Eugene Public Library Join author Lauren Chouinard at the Downtown Eugene Public Library at 6 p.m. on Thursday, Nov.14, for a talk about his book “Muscle and Mayhem: The Saginaw Kid and the Fistic World of the 1890s.” Admission is free. George Henry Lavigne, known as the Saginaw Kid, was the lightweight world boxing champion from 1896 to 1899. Learn about this colorful figure and the early days of boxing when the Queensberry Rules – featuring gloved fists and timed rounds – began to transform boxing from its rough-and-tumble roots into a legitimate sport. “Muscle and Mayhem” tells the life story of the sometimes troubled Kid, including his dozen arrests, bouts with alcohol, trips to the insane asylum ,and sudden death at age 58 of a heart attack. Nevertheless, Kid had an impressive record as a professional fighter: 34 wins (21 by knockout), 10 no decisions, six losses (four by KO) one no contest, 11 draws, and 21 exhibitions. Lavigne was inducted into the Ring Hall of Fame in 1959, the Michigan Boxing Hall of Fame in 1965, the International Boxing Hall of Fame in 1998 and the Saginaw County Sports Hall of Fame in 2002. Known for his toughness and indomitable will as a fighter, Kid fought some extraordinary matches against the best pugilists of the time. In addition to his overall love of sport, author Lauren Chouinard became interested in this subject due to family stories about Kid Lavigne, his mother’s “second cousin a few times removed.” Previously, Chouinard opened Pacific Nautilus, a health and fitness club; wrote “Get off Your But,” a guide to getting in shape by overcoming excuses; and served as the director of Human Resources at the City of Eugene. For more information, contact the Public Library at 541-682-5450 or www.eugene-or.gov/library. EUGENE CITY COUNCIL NEWSLETTER PAGE 1 November 7, 2013 Eugene Firefighters Help with Veterans’ Housing Project On Oct. 27, firefighters from Eugene Springfield Fire volunteered their time to help with the Veterans’ Housing Project (VHP). In coordination with City Manager Jon Ruiz and his wife Barb, who also volunteered at and helped organize this event, off-duty firefighters from IAFF Local 851 and the crew from Station 2 demolished several walls in the house and prepped the curb for a driveway. In addition, the on- duty crews conducted a training exercise on electrical wiring found in older homes. This is the second time that Eugene firefighters have lent a hand to this cause. This is the fifth house in the Veterans’ Housing Project, and it is well on its way to completion for the next veteran and his/her family to move in early next year. The effort is being led by Mica McOmber of Mica McOmber Construction. This two-bedroom/one-bath house was obtained from Lane County, but needed to be relocated to a new lot. After a harrowing journey through the Lane County fairgrounds - thank you Ram Jack – the house was set on a new foundation, thanks to L&L Foundation, Eugene Sand & Gravel and Gemini Concrete Pumping. The project is being funded in part due to a generous donation from the Home Depot Foundation and the Donna Sheppard Foundation, as well as a loan through the Renter Rehab program with the City of Eugene. Local businesses and community volunteers are welcome to join in the remodel efforts with their sweat labor or provide donations of building supplies. To become a part of this project, please contact Kathy Wilson at 541-743-7147 or kwilson@svdp.us. The VHP is a collaborative effort of private, public and non-profit organizations including the City of Eugene, Eugene Water & Electric Board (EWEB), St. Vincent de Paul and the Home Builders Association of Lane County to provide affordable housing as military men and women transition back into the community after deployment. Maintaining financial and social self-sufficiency upon arriving in the community is out of reach for some veterans. Providing affordable housing for up to two years can ease the burden of transition, and allow time to financially and socially stabilize their families. For more information, please visit www.veteranshousingproject.org. The Grace of Silence: Facilitated Book Discussions The City of Eugene’s Equity and Human Rights Office offers an opportunity for City staff, elected officials, and board, committee and commission members to engage in thought and discussion on race and identity while discussing NPR special correspondent Michele Norris’ recently published book “The Grace of Silence.” Tina Gutierez-Schmich, the mediation/dispute resolution specialist for the Center on Diversity and Community at the University of Oregon, will facilitate two, stand-alone discussions. One will be held at 9 a.m. on Wednesday, Nov. 20, the other at 9 a.m. on Monday, Nov. 25. Michelle Norris will also be in Eugene to give a public lecture about race and identity on Nov. 13 at the University of Oregon. Click here for information on this community activity. Space is limited so early registration is recommended. The deadline to register is Friday, Nov. 15. For more information, or to register to participate in a facilitated book discussion, contact Equity and Human Rights Analyst Lindsey Foltz at Lindsey.m.foltz@ci.eugene.or.us or 541-682-5619. Eugene Seeks New Members for Bicycle and Pedestrian Advisory Committee The City of Eugene seeks residents who are interested in serving on the Bicycle and Pedestrian Advisory Committee (BPAC). BPAC advises City staff, community organizations, and partner agencies on implementation of the Pedestrian and Bicycle Strategic Plan. The panel also represents community and constituent interests in transportation planning decisions, and provides feedback to staff on projects relating to walking and bicycling. Applicants must reside within Eugene’s urban growth boundary. EUGENE CITY COUNCIL NEWSLETTER PAGE 2 November 7, 2013 BPAC members play a vital role in implementing the Pedestrian and Bicycle Master Plan, which will shape the future of the pedestrian and bicycling system for the next 20 years and make Eugene an even greater place for people who walk and bicycle. Applications are available at www.eugene-or.gov/bpac, by emailing Bicycle and Pedestrian Coordinator Lee Shoemaker at lee.shoemaker@ci.eugene.or.us, or by picking up an application at City of Eugene Engineering, 99 East Broadway, Suite 400. The deadline for submitting applications is Nov. 22. For more information, contact Shoemaker at 541-682-5471 or lee.shoemaker@ci.eugene.or.us. Class Teaches Students to Give Back Dr. Seuss famously wrote in the The Lorax, “Unless someone like you cares a whole awful lot, nothing is going to get better. It’s not.” Adaptive Recreation, KindTree-Autism Rocks, and STiLE have partnered on a class that teaches individuals with disabilities about making things better in the local community. Each Friday, for 10 weeks, students in the class, Get Up, Give Back are given safe, educational and fun opportunities to learn and practice life skills, while volunteering. Participants learn new skills about interviewing and resumes, increase self-awareness, and experience community integration opportunities. Projects have included creating and delivering appreciation items to veterans and assisting the Parks and Open Space Division on a project in Alton Baker Park (pictured). Staff supports participants as they work to gain a greater understanding of serving and their own work interests, while practicing pre-job skills. For more information, contact Senior Recreation Programmer Shayle Wigger at 541-682-6307. Eugene Ready if Old Man Winter Comes Knocking Meteorologists are hedging their bets when it comes to predicting this winter’s weather, but Eugene is prepared for the cold stuff if it comes. Last week, the City updated its ice-snow web page with a 2013 map showing ice-snow emergency routes and reminding residents to not park or abandon vehicles on priority routes during ice-snow emergencies. The map and related information can be found at www.eugene-or.gov/icesnow. Internal plans and procedures are already in place to mobilize crews and equipment if a winter storm hits Eugene. This week, the Eugene Police Department issued a news release offering cold weather driving tips. The fundamental message in the 16 tips and in the information provided on the ice-snow emergency page is to use caution and good sense when driving in bad weather. For more information about ice-snow emergency preparations, contact Public Works Surface Operations Manager Eric Johnson at 541-682-4904. It was a Dark and Stormy Night in West Eugene Petersen Barn Community Center hosted the annual Boo Barn on Halloween for more than 400 parents, children and community members. Visitors to the free event were treated to a fun sensorium complete with boxes filled with creepy contents to feel sight-unseen and specimen jars, a loft “haunted” by a giant penguin, anappropriately stern teen court judge and a gleefully “mad” recreation leader. Halloween stories told by staff members in a temporary corn maize introduced dozens of children and youth to the joys of almost-scary ghost stories, and carnival games and crafts provided the customary treats. Revelers were also encouraged to strut their stuff on the costume catwalk. Boo Barn is one example of Petersen Barn’s commitment to provide safe, low-cost activities for all members of the family upon which residents can build relationships with each other and their city government. Other such events at Petersen Barn are the First Friday Family Fun Nights that typically draw 100 parents and children from the neighborhood for crafts, games, and a simple dinner; the We Are Bethel Celebration, held in June, and attended by 1,000-1,200 Bethel residents who enjoy fun, educational activities, youth entertainment, an annual salute to a neighborhood leader, and more. EUGENE CITY COUNCIL NEWSLETTER PAGE 3 November 7, 2013 Also, Fun for All, the free summer playground program, is a city-wide program that is organized by Pete Barn staff. It drew some 12,000 youth age seven and older to six neighborhood sites all summer long for games, art, fun physical activities, and lunch, provided by Food for Lane County. For more information about free/low-cost family events hosted by Petersen Barn, contact Senior Recreation Programmer Peter Chavannes at 541-682-6359. Leaf Season upon Us Eugene’s 2013 leaf collection and delivery program officially begins Nov. 12 and includes some new features that are designed to improve service. The biggest change will be the way collection crews and equipment are deployed around the city. After an initial focus on the central Eugene area beginning on Nov. 12, three crews will branch out into three “zones:” north Eugene, south Eugene, and west Eugene. Each crew will have the staffing and equipment needed to collect and deliver leaves and sweep streets after the leaves have been picked up. This will put resources closer to neighborhoods and allow unimproved streets (typically those without curbs and gutters) to be picked up during the first round of collections, rather than waiting until the second round, which begins Dec. 23 in central Eugene and Dec. 30 in the north, south and west zones. Detailed collection schedules will be established in each zone; for the most current scheduling information, go to www.eugene-or.gov/leaf. One thing that won’t change is the City’s emphasis on bike lane and sidewalk safety during leaf season. Two leaf vacuums have been deployed since late October with a priority on maintaining bike lanes. Public Works has worked collaboratively with the City’s Facilities Division and Downtown Eugene Inc. (DEI) on strategies to better manage leaves on downtown sidewalks and streets. Targeted mailings have been sent out to nearly 1,600 residents whose property abuts curbside bike lanes reminding them that property owners are liable for any injuries or damage that result from placing materials in the street. In terms of mobile and web-based communications, the City continues to provide an interactive map that shows which priority bike lanes are currently being swept and which lanes have been swept in the past several days. An online (and mobile) bike-lane service request form can be used to report safety hazards such as leaves, dirt, glass, vegetation or other debris. There is also an online leaf delivery request form. As always, residents are asked to consider recycling leaves as compost or mulch material or use a yard debris container for small amounts of leaves. For those who place leaves in the street, keep leaf piles clean (70 percent of the leaves collected are delivered back to residents who want leaves for garden mulch and compost material). For more information, contact Public Works Surface Operations Manager Eric Johnson at 541-682-4904. Dance Theatre of Harlem Performs at the Hult The Hult Center provided the perfect setting for over 1,500 Eugene-area students to attend a youth education and outreach performance by the Dance Theatre of Harlem last Friday, Nov. 1. America’s foremost African- American Ballet Company was brought to the community by Eugene Ballet Company. Saturday evening featured a full performance and a full house in the Silva Concert Hall. This was the only Pacific Northwest appearance by the renowned dance troupe. For more information, contact Marketing and Public Relations Manager Libby Tower at 541-682-8380. EUGENE CITY COUNCIL NEWSLETTER PAGE 4 November 7, 2013 Comments Sought on Three Proposals to Change Skateboard and Bike Laws in Eugene The City of Eugene will hold a public open house on Monday, Nov. 18, from 5:30 to 7:00 p.m. at the Eugene Public Library Bascom-Tykeson Room to present three proposed changes to City bike and skateboard laws. The session will include a staff presentation followed by questions and comments from the public. Proposal 1 Allow electric-assisted bicycles to be ridden on off-street, shared-use paths. Currently, City Code does not allow electric- assisted bicycles to be ridden on off-street, shared-use paths with the electric-assist device engaged although electric bikes are considered bicycles under state law. Eugene’s prohibition is inconsistent with other cities in Oregon. Electric-assist bicycles are increasingly popular because they allow users to travel for longer distances, carry more cargo on their bikes, and to get an extra boost when needed. Proposal 2 Expand the downtown bicycle and skateboard “no sidewalk riding” zone to cover new areas where pedestrian safety concerns have been expressed by the public. Several alternative zones will be presented for consideration inside the area bounded by 6 Avenue, High Street, 13 Avenue and Charnelton Street. This proposal is intended to improve public safety thth in high-pedestrian areas. Proposal 3 Allow skateboards to be ridden on city streets. Currently, skateboards cannot be ridden in the portion of a street designated for automobile traffic, except when crossing a street in a crosswalk or at a right angle. Skateboarding is completely prohibited in areas of downtown Eugene and near the University of Oregon, where it is also banned on the sidewalks. This proposal would make skateboarding a more viable transportation option, especially in areas where it is illegal to ride in the street and on the sidewalk. Skateboarding is increasing as a travel option and the new WJ Skate Park will generate more demand for skateboarding from current residents and visitors from out of the area. The public input received at this open house will be used to help determine what changes to the code will be recommended to the City Council at a work session in 2014.For more information about the open house or these proposals, contact Bicycle Pedestrian Coordinator Lee Shoemaker at lee.shoemaker@ci.eugene.or.us or 541-682-5471. EUGENE CITY COUNCIL NEWSLETTER PAGE 5 November 7, 2013