HomeMy WebLinkAbout11/14/13 - 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 14, 2013
IN THIS EDITION
(SUB)URBAN PROJECTIONS INVITED TO TEDX
EUGENE PUBLIC LIBRARY RANKED IN TOP THREE PERCENT IN U.S. FOR COST-EFFECTIVE SERVICE
RISK SERVICES RECOVERS COSTS FOR CITY
AROUND THE CITY
(sub)Urban Projections Invited to TEDx
This Saturday, Nov. 16, Cultural Services Public Art Program and the (sub)Urban Projections team will be headed to TEDx
(Technology, Entertainment, Design) in Salem. TEDx is a program of local, self-organized events which bring people
together to share a TED-like experience. TEDx Salem
is about the intersection of illumination and art.
The (sub)Urban Projections project is a partnership
between the City of Eugene and the University of
Oregon. The team, comprised of Isaac Marquez,
public art manager, and UO past and present
students, will be leading three breakout sessions
throughout the day highlighting Eugene’s cutting
edge digital art and media festival. (sub)Urban
Projection’s third year of programming is now under
development with anticipated festival dates ranging
from late January to early February 2014.
For more information about TEDx and (sub)Urban
Projection, visit http://suburbanprojections.com,
http://tedxsalem.us/ or
https://www.facebook.com/pages/subUrban-Projections. For more information about the Cultural Services Public Art
Program, please contact Isaac Marquez at 541-682-2057.
Eugene Public Library Ranked in Top Three Percent in U.S. for Cost-Effective Service
In its 2013 rankings, Library Journal named the Eugene Public Library a “Star Library” for the fourth time. The designation
means the Eugene Public Library ranks among the top three percent of public libraries nationwide for excellence in cost-
effective delivery of key services.
According to the Eugene Public Library’s Director Connie Bennett, “Especially during these
difficult economic times, Eugene Public Library has worked hard to develop increasingly
efficient and cost-effective practices while continuing to provide the community with superior
services. This Star Library rating confirms that we’re returning a very high value in services for
each dollar our community invests in the Library. Compared objectively nationwide, Eugene
Public Library stands out as a top performer.”
The Library Journal study, the Index of Public Library Service 2013, examined 7,573 public libraries. Only 263 libraries,
including the Eugene Public Library, received a Star Library designation. The Library Journal evaluated the Eugene Public
Library’s delivery of services per capita against public libraries with comparable budgets.
EUGENE CITY COUNCIL NEWSLETTER PAGE 1
November 14, 2013
The Library Journal Index of Public Library Service 2013 is based on 2011 data reported by libraries to the Institute of
Museum and Library Services. The libraries were judged on four factors: number of visits, circulation (number of items
borrowed), program attendance, and public internet computer use. The Eugene Public Library serves approximately 4,000
visitors per day and processes nearly three million check-outs per year. The Library’s three locations provide more than
900 programs per year, ranging from storytimes to classes to entertainment; over 45,000 community members of all ages
benefit from these free events. The Library’s internet and database computers provide about 21,000 user-sessions each
month.
For more information about the Eugene Public Library, visit http://www.eugene-or.gov/library or call 541-682-5450.
Risk Services Recovers Costs for City
In FY13, the Central Services Risk Services Division saved over $850,000 through claim recoveries, cost containment
strategies and grants in the following areas:
Damage to City Property - $212,882 was recovered by Risk Services staff for the cost of City property damaged by third
parties including City vehicles, fire hydrants, trees, street lights, traffic signals and traffic signs. The funds collected are
returned directly to the affected City work units to offset expenses for the damage. Approximately $845,000 has been
recovered over the past five years.
Workers’ Compensation Program - $390,207 in savings was realized from medical bill audits and the State of Oregon
Workers’ Compensation Division’s Employer at Injury Program. A total of $2.2 million has been saved through these two
programs over the past five years.
Emergency Management Program Grant (EMPG) - $264,926 was received in FY13 from the Department of Homeland
Security which reimburses up to 50 percent of eligible Emergency Management Program expenses. Since FY11 the City has
received $589,266 in EMPG funding.
For more information, contact Jan Bergquist, Central Services, Risk Services Division, at 541-682-5662.
EUGENE CITY COUNCIL NEWSLETTER PAGE 2
November 14, 2013