HomeMy WebLinkAboutNovember 6, 2014 - City Council Newsletter
City of Eugene
125 East 8 Avenue, 2 Floor
thnd
Eugene, Oregon 97401
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(541) 682-5414 (FAX)
www.eugene-or.gov
EUGENE CITY COUNCIL NEWSLETTER
November 6, 2014
IN THIS EDITION
‘WALK YOUR WHEELS’ MESSAGE HITS THE STREETS
WELL-INFORMED PUBLIC READY FOR LEAF SEASON TO BEGIN
ROOSEVELT YARD GETS FRIENDLY FACELIFT
EUGENE PUBLIC LIBRARY RANKED IN TOP THREE PERCENT IN U.S. FOR COST-EFFECTIVE SERVICE
EUGENE GARNERS HEALTH AND SAFETY AWARDS
CLEAN WATER E-NEWS FOR EUGENE
AROUND THE CITY
‘Walk Your Wheels’ Message Hits the Streets
A news event, and a preventable bicycle-pedestrian crash on Wednesday, Nov. 5, should raise awareness of a “Walk Your
Wheels” campaign in the downtown area. Round disks are being installed by Central Service Facilities staff on sidewalks in
the downtown area. The new sidewalk
signage clarifies where people
skateboarding and biking must walk,
and not ride, on the sidewalk in a
designated area downtown.
The walk-zone protects people walking
in the more congested area that extends
within the area bounded by the eastern
sidewalk along Lincoln Street between
8 and 13 avenues, the northern
thth
sidewalk along 8 Avenue between
th
Lincoln and Pearl streets, on either side
of Willamette Street between 7th and 8th avenues, the eastern sidewalk along Pearl Street between 8th and 13 avenues,
th
on either side of Broadway between Pearl and High streets, and on the northern sidewalk along 13th Avenue between
Pearl and Lincoln streets.
The importance of protecting pedestrians in this area was painfully illustrated by an incident that occurred at 2 p.m.,
Wednesday. An eight-year-old boy was holding the door open for his mother at the Willamette Store, 1077 Willamette,
after purchasing a soda. A 29-year-old bicyclist was riding northbound on the sidewalk and struck the boy from behind,
knocking him to the ground. Medics responded and evaluated the child’s injuries before releasing him to his mother. The
bicyclist was arrested and charged with violation of the walk-zone ordinance and several other crimes.
The new zone makes it easier for people to know they’re in a walk-zone. Riding skateboards or bicycles on sidewalks inside
the zone is a violation of Eugene Code 5.450(2), and violators are subject to a maximum $50 fine. On July 28, the Eugene
City Council approved the new skateboard and bicycle downtown no-sidewalk-riding zone that went into effect on Aug. 29,
2014. Since that time, police have been issuing warnings, and once warned, citations. In the next several days, the disk
signage will be installed on the sidewalks in the downtown area to alert people skateboarding and bicycling that they have
entered the no-sidewalk-riding zone and must walk their bikes and carry their skateboards. Materials have also been
produced to provide a map of the new zone and other helpful information about the new rules.
More details on the new laws can be found on the project website at www.eugene-or.gov/bikeskatelaws. For more
information, contact Melinda McLaughlin, public information director for the Eugene Police Department, at 541-682-5124.
EUGENE CITY COUNCIL NEWSLETTER PAGE 1
November 6, 2014
Well-Informed Public Ready for Leaf Season to Begin
After nearly a month of pre-season public information, Eugene’s annual leaf collection and delivery program will officially
begin on Monday, Nov. 10. Communications were initiated in mid-October with a television ad funded through a “Tech
Bridge” grant from the City’s telecommunications program. The
ad included messaging about the importance of not putting
leaves in the street early. Doorhangers have been used to notify
specific property owners if they place leaves in the street early;
compliance with the doorhangers has been notable.
Postcards were mailed to nearly 7,000 homes, businesses and
yard-care services emphasizing the need to keep leaves out of
bike lanes and reminding people that they are liable if injuries
or damages result from placing leaves in the street. Postcards
also were mailed to residents in the River Road area north of
Maxwell Road and east of River Road. Eugene Public Works is
now providing street services, including leaf collection, to all
River Road properties south of Beltline through a new intergovernmental agreement with Lane County designed to
improve operational efficiencies and make it easier for residents to know which agency to call if street services are needed.
One of the questions asked most frequently by residents is, “When will the leaves on my street be picked up?” A new app on
the leaf program web site, www.eugene-or.gov/leaf, lets people enter their address and receive specific and detailed
information about which collection zone they’re in and when collection is scheduled. Other online services include an
electronic leaf delivery request form, real-time mapping of leaf collection crews, and a handy link to the increasingly
popular iBikeEugene app that lets cyclists report safety hazards in bike lanes as they are on the go.
Public Works crews will focus collection efforts in Eugene’s central zone for the first week, then branch out into three other
zones – west, south, and north. The crews are scheduled to continue working in these zones through Dec. 26, and then do a
second round of collections through Jan. 23.
Leaf deliveries are an important strategy in managing the volume of leaves collected in Eugene each year. Last year, 74
percent (13,790 cubic yards) of the total 18,636 cubic yards of leaves collected from Eugene streets were delivered to
private properties. About 2,000 cubic yards of leaves went to community gardens, and no leaves went to the local landfill.
For more information, contact Eric Johnson, surface operations manager at Public Works Maintenance, at 541-682-4904.
Roosevelt Yard Gets Friendly Facelift
A new sight awaits those headed down the Chambers Connector onto Roosevelt Boulevard. A quick glance to the left
reveals that the administration building in the Public Works Roosevelt Yard campus has enjoyed a recent facelift. The
building was in need of maintenance before rain damage, rust and decay
led to more costly repairs in the future. Staff used this opportunity to
also meet the goals of the recent “Diversity and Equity Strategic Plan
Inclusive Environment Self-Assessment.” The assessment recommended
additional accessibility and way-finding improvements to the facility.
The result is a more visible, friendly and welcoming environment for
staff and visitors.
Over the summer, a wider, automated Americans with Disabilities Act
(ADA) pedestrian access was installed and wider sidewalks were
constructed to replace narrow, cracked walkways. The administration
building was painted in a nature-inspired color palette to reflect the
department’s dedication to the great outdoors. While remaining neutral
and energy-efficient, the building colors vary from the other buildings on
campus, making it easier for visitors to locate the main office. The Public
Work’s vision statement - “Making lives better through the services we provide each day” – was painted on the front of the
building. This bold statement welcomes the public and reflects the department’s strong commitment to the Eugene
community. Further enhancing the welcoming environment, the street address, building number, Public Works’ core
values, and two City logos were painted on the building. Additional planned improvements include an ADA-accessible front
door to the main office and expanding the building numbering system to the other buildings on the campus.
EUGENE CITY COUNCIL NEWSLETTER PAGE 2
November 6, 2014
For more information about the enhancements to the Roosevelt Yard, contact Right-of-Way Technical Supervisor Wayne
Masoner, at 541-682-4883 or wayne.e.masoner@ci.eugene.or.us.
Eugene Public Library Ranked in Top Three Percent in U.S. for Cost-Effective Service
In its 2014 rankings, Library Journal has named the Eugene Public Library a “Star Library” for the fifth 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.
“Eugene Public Library has worked hard to develop increasingly efficient and cost-
effective practices while continuing to provide the community with superior services,”
says Eugene Public Library Director Connie Bennett. “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 2014,” examined 7,586
public libraries. Only 258 libraries, including the Eugene Public Library, received a Star
Library designation. The Eugene Public Library’s delivery of services per capita was evaluated against public libraries with
comparable budgets.
The Library Journal Index of Public Library Service 2014 is based on 2012 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 over 3,500 visitors per day and processes nearly three million check-outs per year. The
Library’s three locations deliver more than 1,300 programs per year, ranging from storytimes to classes to entertainment;
approximately 49,000 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 www.eugene-or.gov/library or call 541-682-5450.
Eugene Garners Health and Safety Awards
Healthiest Employer Award: For the fifth year in a row, the City of Eugene was named one of
Oregon's top ten healthiest employers of its size by the Portland Business Journal. The mission of the
Healthiest Employer program is to reward companies that are demonstrating innovation and
leadership in their workplace wellness initiatives. Organizations were assessed in six key categories:
culture and leadership commitment; foundational components; strategic planning; communications
and marketing; programming and interventions; and reporting and analysis.
LOC/CIS Safety Award: The City of Eugene was presented a silver safety award at the 2014 League of Oregon Cities (LOC)
annual conference. The award is a joint recognition from LOC and Citycounty Insurance Services (CIS) for excellence in
safety performance and low employee injury rates. The City has received an award annually since 2001. For more
information, contact Risk Services Director Myrnie Daut, Central Services, at 541-682-5790.
Clean Water E-News for Eugene
A new Raindrop to River e-newsletter made its debut this week, providing brief, timely articles
related to healthy waterways and stormwater programs in Eugene. Raindrop to River is
designed to complement the content in the annual print newsletter, Stormwater Connections.
The e-news format allows the City to address seasonal or local concerns in a timely fashion and
to appeal to modern readers who are looking for quick, easy-to-access tips on ways to protect
local waterways and their families from common pollutants.
To subscribe to Raindrop to River, go to the “Stay Connected” link at the top of any City web
page, enter your e-mail address, and scroll to the Raindrop to River entry, or visit
happyrivers.org and click on the Raindrop to River link. For more information, contact Jeffrey
Flowers, visual communications specialist, at 541-682-8482.
EUGENE CITY COUNCIL NEWSLETTER PAGE 3
November 6, 2014