HomeMy WebLinkAboutJuly 17, 2014 - 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
July 17, 2014
IN THIS EDITION
PUBLIC WORKS PRESERVES HERITAGE TREES ON HIGH STREET
BESTSELLING AUTHOR J.A. JANCE AT EUGENE PUBLIC LIBRARY
OREGON DRAGON BOAT RACE ON JULY 19 TO BENEFIT VETERANS
VARIETY OF CITY PROJECTS BENEFIT PEOPLE WHO WALK AND BIKE
EUGENE SUNDAY STREETS DOWNTOWN EXPECTED TO DRAW THOUSANDS TO ANNUAL EVENT
“WE CAN!” MAKE THE WORLD JUNIOR CHAMPIONSHIPS SUSTAINABLE
AROUND THE CITY
Public Works Preserves Heritage Trees on High Street
Recently, Public Works discovered that several heritage-class giant sequoia trees
(Sequoiadendron giganteum) at 1550 High Street had significantly damaged the
sidewalk, creating a violation of Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) standards
for safe walking surfaces. The giant sequoias had exceeded their growing space,
creating a multitude of challenges for repairing the walkway to ADA standards. In
consideration of the complexity of repairs required, the trees were posted with a
notice of potential removal that allowed the public to comment.
The community’s response to the potential removal was overwhelmingly in favor
of saving the trees, which led staff to meet the stakeholders onsite to discuss
possible solutions and explain the City’s process when tree root and sidewalk
conflicts occur. After receiving this public input, Public Works staff designed a
creative walkway that preserves the trees by bridging over the existing roots,
while at the same time extending the elevated portions of the walkway further to
the south to meet ADA requirements for safe walking surfaces. This innovative
solution should provide for safe, walkable sidewalks for at least the next 10 years.
Though a creative design worked for this particular location, not all conflicts
between street trees and sidewalks are able to be resolved in this way, due in part
to the surrounding environment, available right-of-way, and a number of other
key factors. This situation highlights the challenges that the City sometimes faces
in trying to meet the dual goals of a vibrant street tree canopy and safe, walkable
sidewalks for all community members.
The sidewalk removal and installation was performed by the Public Works surface
maintenance team. For more information, call Urban Forestry Supervisor Chris
(Top) Forms are placed to bridge
tree roots. (Above) Finished
Girard at 541-682-4824.
sidewalk has ADA-compliant slope.
Bestselling Author J. A. Jance at Eugene Public Library
New York Times bestselling author, J. A. Jance, is visiting Eugene on tour with her just-released book, “Remains of
Innocence.” Jance’s “Joanna Brady” series, at over 15 novels, has earned an enormous and devoted following of suspense
fans who eagerly anticipate each new installment. The series features a tenacious Cochise County, Arizona, sheriff and her
search for justice in the sparse, beautiful American Southwest.
EUGENE CITY COUNCIL NEWSLETTER PAGE 1
July 17, 2014
In “Remains of Innocence,” Sheriff Joanna Brady is confronted with two deaths, 2,500 miles apart, a mysterious fortune
discovered hidden in a reclusive woman’s home, and the pressing need to figure out how these events are connected –
before more people are murdered.
J. A. Jance is the bestselling author of the J. P. Beaumont series, the Joanna Brady series, the Ali
Reynolds series, and four interrelated thrillers about the Walker Family. More than 20 million
copies of her books are in print. Born in South Dakota and brought up in Bisbee, Arizona, Jance
lives in Seattle, Washington, and Tucson, Arizona. Books will be available for sale and signing
courtesy of Barnes and Noble.
For more information, please visit www.eugene-or.gov/library or call the Eugene Public Library at
541-682-5450.
Oregon Dragon Boat Race on July 19 to Benefit Veterans
Twelve teams are ready to compete in the first dragon boat race in Lane County and, in so doing, support local wounded
veterans in their recovery. Adaptive Recreation Services has teamed up with local organizations to present the Heroes-2-
Oregon Dragon Boat Paddle Challenge on Saturday, July 19, on
Dexter Lake from 9 a.m. - 2 p.m. Each of the18-member teams
will paddle a 40-foot dragon boat on a prescribed 250-meter
course out and back in three heats; rankings will be determined
by time. The event is free for spectators.
Proceeds will benefit local wounded veterans, helping them
regain an active lifestyle by attending the National Veterans
Summer Sports Clinic where they can not only strengthen their
bodies, but also overcome and improve their overall being and
sense of self-worth.
Eugene, Cascades and Coast Sports Commission, and the Emerald City Dragon Boat Club, partnered with Adaptive
Recreation to bring the sport of dragon boating to Lane County, while fundraising for a great cause. Guarantee RV Super
Centers is sponsoring the race. For more information, contact Andy Fernandez at 541-682-6306.
Variety of City Projects Benefit People Who Walk and Bike
People who walk and bike in Eugene will find the going easier and safer, thanks to a series of projects being constructed
this summer.
Construction is underway on a pedestrian and bicycle improvement omnibus project funded by the 2012 voter-approved
bond measure to fix city streets and improve
transportation facilities. Already completed is a bicycle
ramp at 24 Place to improve access from Amazon
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Parkway north of 24 Place. Other projects scheduled to
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be completed this summer include curb ramps, a
pedestrian island and pedestrian-activated flashing lights
(the 10th of this type of crossing in Eugene) on Green
Acres Road between Applewood Lane and Delta Oaks
Drive, a ramp to connect the sidewalk to the parking lot at
Amazon Community Center, widened passageways for
bicycles and pedestrians at two of the gated entrances to
the Lane County Fairgrounds, and a new pedestrian-
activated red light on 30 Avenue near University Street.
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Total cost of the five projects is approximately $240,000.
Last week, a crew from Wildish finished concrete work on a new
Wildish Construction is the general contractor.
pedestrian crossing island on Green Acres Road.
Meanwhile, nearly 500 sidewalk access ramps are being constructed or improved to meet the standards of the Americans
with Disabilities Act. The Public Works Department’s pavement preservation program (PPP) is installing 474 new or
upgraded ramps in conjunction with major street repair projects this year. The program is also constructing 551 feet of
new sidewalk infill and accessible pedestrian signal upgrades at four intersections. Funds for PPP projects come primarily
from the City’s street bond measure and the local motor vehicle fuel tax.
EUGENE CITY COUNCIL NEWSLETTER PAGE 2
July 17, 2014
The Public Works Maintenance Division is also retrofitting 19 ramps on six intersections. The primary source of funding for
these ramp repairs comes from Eugene’s Community Development Block Grant program.
For more information about the bond-funded projects or access ramp improvements, contact Project Manager Katie
Marwitz at 541-501-0380 or PPP Manager Jenifer Willer at 541-501-0376.
Eugene Sunday Streets Downtown Expected to Draw Thousands to Annual Event
This summer marks the fourth year of Eugene Sunday Streets, a free event that focuses on building community and
promoting active lifestyles. On two Sundays -- July 20 and September 21 -- from noon to 4 p.m., people will be able to walk,
roll, bike, and dance in the streets along a car-free route. The
first event will be held along 5th Avenue and at the new WJ
Skatepark + Urban Plaza in Washington Jefferson Park, and
the second event will be held in the Harlow neighborhood.
Sunday Streets Downtown is presented by the City of Eugene
with support from the Summer in the City program and
Point2Point Solutions at Lane Transit District. The routes in
Washington Jefferson Park, and 5th Avenue near Pearl Street,
will feature activity centers. The activity center at
Washington Jefferson Park will include a skateboard clinic at
the new skatepark, roller derby lessons and free scrimmage,
learn-to-bike lessons, and a pedal-powered music stage
featuring the Chumlo Bros., Soulicious, Calongo and Olive
DelSol. The City of Eugene, in partnership with the FireMed
program, will be giving away over 350 free helmets, sized
toddler to adult. The Helmet Giveaway begins at 2 p.m. at the
WJ Activity Center.
Participants enjoy car-free activities on Hilyard Street in 2012
The 5th Avenue at Pearl Block Party, a partnership with a number of local businesses, will feature yard games by
Playground Sports, Bike Shop Expo, and live musical performances by the North Eugene Ukulele Orchestra.
With no designated start or finish, the two-way, car-free route can be enjoyed by foot, bicycle, roller skates, or dancing, at
everyone’s own pace. The event is designed to get the entire community outside, having fun and enjoying healthy activities
in Eugene’s public spaces while showing how easy it is to get around by human-powered transportation.
To volunteer or learn more about Eugene Sunday Streets, go to www.eugenesundaystreets.org or call 541-501-0390.
“We Can!” Make the World Junior Championships Sustainable
The City’s Waste Prevention team is partnering with TrackTown USA to implement
sustainable practices at the upcoming IAAF World Junior Championships (WJC).
The track and field event, which will take place July 22 - 27, is seeking an Evergreen
certification through the Council for Responsible Sport, whose stringent
requirements include recovering 75 percent of materials rather than sending them
to the landfill. Volunteers on the sustainability crew will engage fans about
Eugene’s efforts to prevent waste, while top-sorting materials into their respective
bins.
Additionally, Waste Prevention staff are planning a “Sustainability Scavenger Hunt”
that will take place for the duration of the event (July 22 - 27). Ticketed guests who
visit the We Can! booth at the WJC (located in the Market Street area of the venue)
will have a chance to search for clues about Eugene’s sustainable efforts. Clues
include riding public transit, visiting businesses that participate in Love Food Not
Waste, fixing a flat tire at the UO Bike Barn, and more! Participants will take photos
of themselves while completing clues; anyone who finishes the hunt will receive the
grand prize: a commemorative medallion made from locally salvaged wood.
For more information about waste prevention for events, please contact Waste
Prevention and Green Building Coordinator Jimmy Trasport at 541-682-6842.
EUGENE CITY COUNCIL NEWSLETTER PAGE 3
July 17, 2014