HomeMy WebLinkAboutCity Council Newsletter - 10/25/07EUGENE CITY COUNCIL NEWSLETTER
October 25, 2007
City of Eugene
777 Pearl Street, Room 105
Eugene, Oregon 97401-2793
(541) 682-5010
(541) 682-5414 (FAX)
www.eugene-or.gov
IN THIS WEEK’S EDITION
ICE/SNOW EMERGENCY ROUTE TO BE PUBLISHED ON SUNDAY
EUGENE’S 2007 LEAF PROGRAM BEGINS OCTOBER 29
SEVERAL EUGENE RECREATION HALLOWEEN EVENTS ON TAP
HIGH-ENERGY FIRST FRIDAY AT DOWNTOWN LIBRARY
AROUND THE CITY
Ice/Snow Emergency Routes to Be Published on Sunday
The Public Works Department will run its annual notification of ice/snow emergency routes in
The Register-Guard on Sunday, October 28. During winter storms – sleet, freezing rain, or
icy weather – or when one inch or more of snow accumulates on streets, the City may ban
parking along priority routes. Prohibiting onstreet parking and towing stranded vehicles on
priority routes allows emergency vehicles to move safely and assists with snow- and
ice-removal operations. The code-required notice also reminds property owners that
they are responsible for keeping sidewalks free of ice and snow in front of their homes
and businesses. For more information on Eugene’s ice-snow emergency plan, contact Public
Works Surface Operations Manager Eric Johnson at 682-4904.
Eugene’s 2007 Leaf Program Begins October 29
Eugene’s annual leaf collection program begins October 29, and this year
there is a strong emphasis on cyclist safety when leaves are piled in the
street. This message has been shared with the Neighborhood Leaders
Council and is in neighborhood newsletters and newspaper and TV ads
scheduled to begin running this weekend.
Each year, the Eugene Public Works Department collects more than 15,000
cubic yards of leaves in an effort to keep leaves from plugging the storm
drainage system and degrading water quality in local streams. Here are eight tips for safely disposing of
leaves:
Consider using leaves as compost or mulch rather than piling them in the street.
Avoid putting leaves in bike lanes. If leaves are deposited in a bike lane, place them in rows so they
do not block the flow of water, and leave at least half the bike lane clear.
Remove leaves from sidewalks. Wet, slippery leaves are a hazard to pedestrians.
Place leaves so they do not obstruct the flow of traffic. Piles that even partially block a traffic lane
can cause motorists to swerve into oncoming traffic.
Pile leaves well away from catch basins. If a catch basin does plug, scrape the leaves away from the
grate.
Leave at least 15 feet between leaf piles and parked cars.
Keep leaf piles clean. Don’t mix leaves with branches, rocks, or lawn clippings because that makes it
difficult to reuse the leaves for mulch or compost.
Wait to put leaves in the street until the weekend before the scheduled pick-up date. Leaves placed
in the street too early tend to blow around or get washed into storm drains.
EUGENE CITY COUNCIL NEWSLETTER PAGE 1
October 25, 2007
Public Works Maintenance crews follow a regular collection schedule. Improved streets with storm
drainage systems receive first priority for leaf removal. Leaf collection on unimproved streets normally
occurs during the second round. Bike lanes along arterials are picked up weekly. Eugene’s 2007/2008
leaf collection schedule is as follows:
Round 1
West Eugene--October 29 to November 2
Central Eugene--November 5 to November 9
North Eugene--November 12 to November 16
Southeast Eugene--November 19 to November 30
Southwest Eugene--December 3 to December 7
Round 2
West Eugene--December 10 to December 14
Central Eugene--December 17 to December 28
North Eugene--December 31 to January 11
Southeast Eugene--January 14 to January 18
Southwest Eugene--January 21 to January 25
Additional information is available by calling the Leaf Program hotline at 682-5383, or by visiting the web
atwww.eugene-or.gov/leaf. For more information, call Ed Lee, Public Works Maintenance supervisor, at
682-4835.
Several Eugene Recreation Halloween Events on Tap
Youth and Family Services is offering two events for families looking
for Halloween fun. The “House of Spiders” will be held from 4-7 p.m. at
the River House Community Center and the “Booo Barn” will be held
from 5-7:30 p.m. at Petersen Barn Community Center. Both events are
free. The “Visitors” will play blue grass music at the House of Spiders
while the Booo Barn will feature carnival games and fall crafts.
Recreation’s Senior Program will hold a bewitching Halloween
luncheon from 11:59 a.m. – 1 p.m. at Petersen Barn Community
Center on Oct. 31. Scary stories will be told and costumes are
encouraged. Prizes will be awarded for the most creative costumes.
Adaptive Recreation’s Halloween Dance, scheduled for November 2 at
the Hilyard Community Center, is sold out. Designed for individuals with disabilities, the evening will
include music, dancing and other activities. For information about any of the Halloween events, contact
Kathy Madison at 682-6342.
High-Energy First Friday at Downtown Library
Tap your toes or get up and dance to the hot swing jazz
of the 1920s with Sweet Papa Low Down, free for First
Friday, November 2, 6 p.m., at the Eugene Downtown
Public Library. This upbeat music is highly spontaneous
and energetically improvisational. Featuring the
combined musical talents of Chris Bonthron on guitar,
Sue Hunnel on fiddle, Tim Heaton on “the big doghouse
bass,” and Wade Barnett on guitar and vocals, Sweet
Papa Low Down delights audiences with polished
arrangements of timeless standards.
At 7 p.m., meet Adventure Dad! Joe “Metal Cowboy”
Kurmaskie presents a captivating, funny, multimedia talk
about his young family’s bike trips across the United
States and Canada. Together, they’ve pedaled more than 4,000 miles across 17 states and through 12
mountain passes. See photos, hear stories, and check out their 14-foot bike-and-trailer rig.
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October 25, 2007
Inspired by the motto “No Child Left Inside,” Kurmaskie aims “to show all parents that you can have a
great outdoor family vacation regardless of age or ability. You don't have to ride across Canada like we
are but you can absolutely enjoy a weekend of riding and camping, even if it's only 10 miles a day. Your
family will grow closer and stronger -- and you get to know your kids again.”
The Boston Globe calls Kurmaskie’s most recent book, Momentum Is Your Friend," an infectious
celebration of life." The Arizona Star describes him as “David Sedaris trapped in the body of Lance
Armstrong." For more information,contacttheEugene Public Library at 682-5450, www.eugene-
or.gov/library.
EUGENE CITY COUNCIL NEWSLETTER PAGE 3
October 25, 2007