HomeMy WebLinkAbout12/05/13 - City Council Newsletter
City of Eugene
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Eugene, Oregon 97401
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(541) 682-5414 (FAX)
www.eugene-or.gov
EUGENE CITY COUNCIL NEWSLETTER
December 5, 2013
IN THIS EDITION
TRANSPORTATION OPTIONS COORDINATOR RECOGNIZED AS RISING BUSINESS STAR
CITY RECEIVES FEDERAL FUNDING TO MAKE ROOFTOP SOLAR ENERGY EASIER AND LESS EXPENSIVE
BETHEL SCHOOLS LOVE FOOD, NOT WASTE!
WINTER/SPRING RECREATION GUIDE CONTAINS 88 PAGES OF FUN
EUGENE PUBLIC LIBRARY SURVEY SHOWS HIGH LEVEL OF SATISFACTION
INTERNATIONAL HUMAN RIGHTS DAY: DECEMBER 10
AROUND THE CITY
Transportation Options Coordinator Recognized as Rising Business Star
Lindsay Selser was recognized as one of Eugene’s “20 Under 40 Rising Business Stars” by The Register-Guard’s Blue Chip
Magazine at an awards ceremony Tuesday evening. Selser was recognized for her role as the City’s transportation options
coordinator. She was instrumental in the creation and management of Eugene Sunday Streets
and Smart Trips, two programs focused on increasing walking, biking, transit use and
carpooling. Selser was also recognized for her community service as a volunteer at
Womenspace, board secretary for Sexual Assault Support Services, and vice president of
Southeast Neighbors.
When asked about what motivates her, Selser said, “My passion for my work is just really about
service. Working for the public, you want to provide the best service possible. I do see walking
and biking as the solution to many of our problems. Both of my parents were in public service. I
don’t really even know what any other model would look like. It was a natural fit for me.”
For more information, contact City Engineer Mark Schoening at Mark.a.schoening@ci.eugene.or.us.
City Receives Federal Funding to Make Rooftop Solar Energy Easier and Less Expensive
The City of Eugene is one of 10 participating jurisdictions in the Pacific Northwest Solar Partnership proposal that was
awarded funding through the U.S. Department of Energy’s Rooftop Solar Challenge II grant program. The initiative seeks to
make it easier and more affordable for Americans to go solar by streamlining the permit processes, updating planning and
zoning codes, improving standards for connecting solar power to the electric grid, and increasing access to financing.
“With local governments leading the way, the Pacific
Northwest Solar Partnership will provide an example
of how a region with low electric prices and seasonal
solar resource can accelerate solar installations,” said
Jennifer Grove, from Northwest SEED, a regional non-
profit that is leading the team for the grant awardee,
the Washington State Department of Commerce.
Over the past several years the City of Eugene has:
streamlined its permit process for solar installations;
offered permitting incentives and promotional support for Solarize Eugene;
promoted renewable energy through the Green Building Incentive Program, and
highlighted local projects with solar installations through the Green Homes Tour.
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December 5, 2013
The City of Eugene will receive $10,500 from the $2 million federal grant, to share these successes and help replicate
programs across other jurisdictions in Oregon and Washington.
For more information on the grant, visit http://nwsolarcommunities.org/. For more information on the City’s Green
Building programs and permitting in general, visit www.eugene-or.gov/bps or contact Waste Prevention and Green
Building Manager Ethan Nelson at 541-682-5224
.
Bethel Schools Love Food, Not Waste!
This fall, two Bethel schools began turning their lunchtime leftovers into
nutrient-rich compost that local gardeners can use for next year’s crops.
Willamette High School and Shasta Middle School joined the Love Food Not
Waste commercial compost program to recycle their cafeteria food waste
into compost. All food scraps go to Rexius Forest By-Products, where they
are turned into nutrient-rich soil within 90 days.
This pilot project is part of a larger partnership between the Bethel School
District and City of Eugene to advance the community’s livability goals
contained within Envision Eugene while reducing operational costs.
For more information, contact Stephanie Scafa or call 541-682-5652.
Winter/Spring Recreation Guide Contains 88 Pages of Fun
The Eugene Recreation Guide arrives this week with hundreds of listings of fun, healthful, and entertaining things to do for
all ages from January through May – including spring break camps!
The cover of the new guide features a father and daughter playing disc golf – one of the
fastest growing sports in the U.S. – on the new course in Alton Baker Park. The guide
contains hundreds of recreational opportunities for all ages, including outdoor activities,
family events, classes in subjects ranging from Archery to Zumba, health and wellness and
life-long learning programs, swimming, regional trips, adult leagues, and social activities for
every age and ability.
In addition, it’s not too early to enroll a child in one of the spring break camps offered for
children in kindergarten through age 17.
Beginning Monday, Dec. 9, check out the 88-page virtual Recreation Guide at www.eugene-
or.gov/recguide or pick up a paper copy at any City community center, pool, or library
branch, as well as many other public locations. Those on the mailing list can expect to
receive a guide next week. Online registration is now underway for most activities.
For more information, call Library, Recreation, and Cultural Services Marketing and Public
Information Manager Kathy Madison at 541-682-6342.
Eugene Public Library Survey Shows High Level of Satisfaction
This fall, more than 1,300 Eugene Public Library users responded to the Library’s request for public opinion in an
anonymous survey. The Library sought this feedback to assist staff in making informed decisions that best serve the
community.
The results paint an upbeat picture of user satisfaction with the Library. When asked for
three words to describe the Eugene Public Library, participants’ top answers were:
books, friendly, helpful, convenient, beautiful, fun, community, welcoming, and free.
Ninety-three percent chose “generally positive” as their feeling about the Library.
Fully 94 percent of respondents said it is easy to find what they need at the Library.
When asked if they feel welcomed by Library staff members, 83 percent responded
“always” or “almost always.” Additionally, 78 percent said that they always or almost
always get the help they need from staff.
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December 5, 2013
“Books” are named by the Library service respondents as most important to the community. The rest of the top 10 are:
Internet access on Library computers; storytimes and helping young children learn reading skills; movies on DVD; offering
a public gathering place and community center open to everyone; printed copies of newspapers and magazines; classes and
events for children and families; a quiet place to read or study; reference and research help in person or by phone; and, tied
for 10 place: music on CD and wireless Internet access (wi-fi) for use with personal devices.
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According to Library Director Connie Bennett, “These survey results show that Eugene Public Library successfully
understands and meets our community’s needs and expectations. This year, Eugene Public Library received a Star Library
rating, which means we’re in the top three percent of U.S. libraries for cost-effective delivery of key library services. That
national honor tells us we’re excelling by professional standards. Above and beyond that, though, it’s crucial to know we’re
in alignment with Eugeneans’ wishes.”
The Library invited people of all ages to complete the survey, which was available online, onscreen at Library computers,
and on paper, in a choice of English or Spanish. For more information about the survey, or to provide additional feedback,
contact the Eugene Public Library’s Customer Experience Manager LaVena Nohrenberg at 541-682-8314.
International Human Rights Day: December 10
On Tuesday, Dec. 10, the Human Rights Commission will join with communities
around the world to host an event to teach about and celebrate the Universal
Declaration of Human Rights. Attendees will gain insight into how the Universal
Declaration of Human Rights affects local issues and efforts to secure basic
needs, such as housing. The celebration will be held from 6 -8 p.m. in the
Bascom/Tykeson Room of the Eugene Public Library.
The International Human Rights Day event will feature a proclamation from
Mayor Kitty Piercy, a keynote address by Reverend Dan Bryant, and remarks
from Alley Valkyrie, Paulette Ansari, and Michael Carrigan. Entertainment will
be provided by NAACP ACT-SO students, folk musician Sam Brown, pianist
Priscilla Dantas, violinist Juli Kim, and singer Maggie Peake. There will also be
informational tabling by local service and advocacy agencies.
Refreshments will be served following the program. The International Human Rights Day Celebration is free and open to
the public and elected officials, and City staff are encouraged to attend.
For more information, visit eugene-or.gov/hrc or contact Equity and Human Rights Analyst Lindsey Foltz at
Lindsey.m.foltz@ci.eugene.or.us or 541-682-5619.
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December 5, 2013