HomeMy WebLinkAboutCity Council Newsletter - 11/15/07EUGENE CITY COUNCIL NEWSLETTER
November 15, 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
CAR SEAT CLINICS RESUME AT WHITEAKER FIRE STATION
ANNUAL HOLIDAY BAZAAR RAISES FUNDS FOR SENIOR PROGRAM
BURN-TO-LEARN SCHEDULED FOR SUNDAY
NEW MONROE-FRIENDLY BIKEWAY LINKS NORTH AND SOUTH EUGENE
INFILL COMPATIBILITY STANDARDS AND OPPORTUNITY SITING TASK TEAMS BEGIN MEETING
REINING IN THE RAIN: STORMWATER CONNECTIONS NEWSLETTER BEING DELIVERED
CITIZEN COMMITTEE PRESENTS RECOMMENDATIONS ON RASOR PARK PROJECT
2007-08 HULT PRESENTS THEME IS “WHERE THE WORLD MEETS”
AROUND THE CITY
Car Seat Clinics Resume at Whiteaker Fire Station
The Whiteaker Fire Station at 2nd and Chambers will once again serve as the site for child safety seat
clinics for local residents, thanks to a grant from Kohl's department stores. The first clinic in the new
series is scheduled for this Friday, November 16, from 5 to 7:30 p.m. The safety seat clinics were
formerly operated by Lane County, but were stopped two years ago due to funding constraints. The new
series will be administered by Sacred Heart Medical Center, and funded by the “Kohl's Cares for Kids”
grant program, which is contributing $13,000 this year.
At the free clinics, which have been very popular locally, families drive into the station bay where trained
experts make sure that child safety seats are installed correctly. In the years that the clinics were
available (1999-2005), child injuries attributable to incorrectly installed safety seats dropped from 93 in
1999 to only 25 in 2003. In 2004, more than 400 safety seats were inspected as part of the program. As
funding allows, Sacred Heart hopes to be able to provide safety seats to low-income families, in addition
to providing the inspections. For more information, please contact Glen Potter, Fire & EMS Public
Information Officer, at 682-7118.
Annual Holiday Bazaar Raises Funds for Senior Program
Recreation’s Senior Program kicks off the holiday season with its annual holiday bazaar at the Campbell
Center from 9 a.m. – 3 p.m. on Saturday, November 17. The proceeds from the event go to the center’s
trust fund and will be used to purchase major equipment items not covered by the City’s General Fund.
Last year, the bazaar raised more than $4,000.
The sale includes crafts, quilts, wooden items, pies, baked goods, and of course, the center’s famous
Sweet Hot Mustard. There’s also a raffle and silent auction. Many of the sale items are made by seniors
who are regular patrons of Campbell Center. The raffle and silent auction items are donated by local
businesses. For information, contact Yvaughn Tompkins, 682-6315.
Burn-to-Learn Scheduled for Sunday
This Sunday, November 18, Eugene Fire & EMS crews and crews from Santa Clara Rural Fire Protection
District will conduct a burn-to-learn exercise on a donated house at 190 River Loop 1 (weather and air
quality conditions permitting). In addition to providing valuable live fire experience and a joint training
opportunity in the field, the drill will allow firefighters to gain experience in using the department's new
thermal imaging cameras and other new fire suppression equipment. It will also offer a range of specified
EUGENE CITY COUNCIL NEWSLETTER PAGE 1
November 15, 2007
developmental opportunities for probationary firefighters and firefighters seeking promotion to Engineer or
Company Officer.
Although the donated structure is on a large lot and is somewhat isolated from nearby structures,
neighbors have been notified of the upcoming exercise and the department is taking steps to see that
their concerns are addressed satisfactorily. The burn is scheduled to begin at approximately 9 a.m. and
be completed by approximately 1 p.m. Fire officials do not anticipate any need for traffic control. For
more information, please contact Training Chief Lance Lighty at 682-7131.
New Monroe-Friendly Bikeway Links North and South Eugene
Eugene has a new north-south
bike route with the substantial
completion of the Monroe-Friendly
bikeway project. The bikeway
runs from the West Bank Trail
along the Willamette River at
Owen Rose Garden down Monroe
th
Street to 13 Avenue, past the
east side of the Lane County
Fairgrounds, and then up Friendly
th
Street to 28 Avenue. More than
70 pavement markers were
placed on the street surfaces to
guide cyclists and remind riders
and drivers that the streets are
designated for shared use.
A cyclist rides past the newly realigned intersection of Monroe Street and Blair Blvd.,
Informative signs also have been
guided by a white reflective pavement marker. Other bikeway elements include destination
posted at intersecting bike paths
th
signage and inlaid decorative tiles at 8 and Monroe.
and major cycling routes.
Another feature of the $440,000 bikeway project was the realignment of Monroe Street and Blair
th
Boulevard to create a safer intersection in the area of 8 Avenue. Earlier this summer, two
th
“speed tables” were constructed on Monroe Street between Eighth and 13 avenues, slowing down traffic
to further increase safety. The neighborhood and local businesses also got a chance to make some
th
improvements, especially in new public spaces at 8 and Monroe. Eleven brick-bordered art tiles were
embedded in the new sidewalk, and additional landscaping will be added soon through a neighborhood
matching grant.
John Bonham, the project manager, said he was pleased with the quality of work done by the contractor
and subcontractors. He also expressed thanks to travelers and local business owners for being patient
th
while the intersections around 8 and Monroe were closed for construction. Lee Shoemaker, the City’s
bicycling and pedestrian coordinator, said the value of the new bikeway will grow as more cyclists realize
that the improved route is in place. “A bicycle-friendly route between south Eugene and the Willamette
River has been part of Eugene’s bike plan for almost 30 years,” Shoemaker said. “It’s great that we were
able to line up state and local funding to make this vision a reality.” Cyclists who have ideas for fine-
tuning the route, for example, by adding more markers, are encouraged to contact Shoemaker at 682-
5471. For more information about the bikeway project, contact John Bonham at 682-5300.
Infill Compatibility Standards and Opportunity Siting Task Teams Begin Meeting
Infill Compatibility Standards and Opportunity Siting are high-
priority City Council projects stemming from Eugene’s Growth
Management Policies. Together, the projects aim to find better
ways of balancing residential growth with preservation of
neighborhood character. On October 8, the Planning Division
hosted a public workshop on infill and residential growth issues
that drew more than 110 participants. At the workshop, City
staff presented an update on the Infill Compatibility Standards
and Opportunity Siting projects, speakers from the Planning
Commission, Neighborhood Leaders Council, and
development community made comments, and attendees
EUGENE CITY COUNCIL NEWSLETTER PAGE 2
November 15, 2007
broke into small groups to discuss their hopes and fears for the projects and comment on the proposed
composition of citizen Task Teams to move the projects forward. Based on the meeting outcome, the
following approach is being used:
Infill Compatibility Standards
The Infill Compatibility Standards Task Team will work to identify the potential adverse impacts of
residential infill in different areas of the city as well as the desirable attributes of infill development, and
produce recommendations for regulatory standards or other tools to encourage positive outcomes and
prevent negative impacts.
Each City-acknowledged Neighborhood Association has been invited to send a representative to
the Task Team (through their executive board).
Five additional members will be added representing the perspectives of builders, developers, and
designers of market-rate and affordable infill housing.
The Housing Policy Board has been invited to send a representative.
The Planning Commission will be asked to approve the final composition of the Task Team on
November 19.
The Infill Task Team will hold its first meeting on November 26 from 5:45 p.m. to 7:45 p.m. in the Singer
Room of the Eugene Public Library. The team will be asked to finalize a project goal statement and
develop a work plan for the next 10 months, leading to recommendations for consideration by the
Planning Commission and City Council in late 2008.
Opportunity Siting
The Opportunity Siting Task Team will work to identify barriers to the construction of high-density housing
and potential incentives to facilitate its construction, and produce recommendations on the location,
attributes, and approval process of potential opportunity sites.
Staff is recruiting interested people with experience and perspectives on the following high-
density residential development in Eugene, both affordable and market rate; architecture and
landscape architecture; urban economics; construction; financial/market analysis; neighborhood
representation; and housing policy.
The Planning Commission will be asked to approve the final composition of the Task Team on
November 19.
The Opportunity Siting Task Team will hold its first meeting on November 29 from 1:30 p.m. to 3:30 p.m.
th
in the Saul Room of the Atrium Building at 99 West 10 Avenue. The team will be asked to finalize a
project goal statement and develop a work plan for the next 10 months, leading to recommendations for
consideration by the Planning Commission and City Council in late 2008.
For more information, contact Terri Harding, senior planner in the Planning Division, at 682-5635 or
terri.l.harding@ci.eugene.or.us. Or, visit the project web pages at www.eugene-or.gov/infill and
www.eugene-or.gov/oppsiting.
Reining In The Rain: Stormwater Connections Newsletter Being Delivered
Rain garden basics, water and property protection issues, and tips for storing and collecting leaves are
just a few of the stories in the upcoming Stormwater Connections. The fall issue will be in the mail to
Eugene residents next week.
EUGENE CITY COUNCIL NEWSLETTER PAGE 3
November 15, 2007
Rain gardens were originally created to mimic natural water retention areas. Compared to a patch of
lawn, these gardens allow 30 percent more water to soak into the ground and replenish groundwater
supplies. Pollutants are reduced as plants and soil to provide natural filtration for water traveling to local
streams and rivers.
As seasonal wind gusts and rain swirls around broad-leaf trees, leaf-plugged storm drains can cause
localized flooding. Combined with piles of leaves left out for collection crews, fallen leaves can create a
challenge for anyone traveling by foot, wheelchair, bicycle or car. To address these hazards, tips for
creating safer passage along local streets and ensuring leaf pick-up on scheduled routes are included.
Although it’s been more than 10 years since localized flooding was a problem, evidence from other
communities indicates that it’s challenging to predict when the next flood will occur. Residents should
know if their property is located in a Special Flood Hazard Area and what discounts are available on flood
insurance premiums. An extensive article — including a map, floodplain information services, and
preparedness tips — answers many frequently asked flood-related questions.
Healthy stream conditions help keep the local watershed vibrant and teeming with life. A proposal to
improve water quality along certain waterways has been scheduled for mid-January with the Eugene
Planning Commission.
“Fresh or salty, it’s nothing new” informs readers about water history and the limited fresh water available
for local use. Kids (and adults) will find some interesting water facts along with suggestions on how to
care for the water they use on “Lily’s Page.”
Keeping community members educated and informed about stormwater pollution and ways to protect
local waterways is a best management practice in the City’s Stormwater Management Plan (SWMP).
Articles in Stormwater Connections typically address seasonal or current issues and provide one page of
interest for younger residents. The semi-annual newsletter is produced by the Stormwater Management
Program to increase awareness of surface water and natural resource issues in the community. Copies
of the newsletter are available in the Council Office. For more information or additional copies of the
newsletter, contact Kathy Eva, public information specialist for the Stormwater Management Program, at
682-2739.
Citizen Committee Presents Recommendations on Rasor Park Project
The Citizen Advisory Committee (CAC) for
the Rasor Park Mixed-Use Center project
delivered a recommendation to Planning
Commissioners on Tuesday, November 13,
that unanimously approved further planning
in the study area with the current overlay
zone as a baseline. Carrying the title
“Empowering Innovation: Vital
Neighborhoods as Sustainability Engine,”
the recommendation supports density at a
minimum of 12-units-per-acre in designated
mixed-use areas, while strongly
encouraging a “community-based vision
and decision making approach.” Members
of the CAC attended the meeting to
personally present their recommendation
and to engage in a dialogue with
commissioners about how the project
should proceed. The culmination of an intensive two month effort, this unique process gave citizens the
opportunity to write and present a recommendation directly to the Planning Commission as to how the
values and character of their neighborhood could be injected into the planning process.
Beginning in early September, the CAC met nine times over a nine-week period, including a four-hour
retreat on a Saturday, at Wayne Morse Ranch. Its charge was to make a recommendation as to whether
the project should proceed and, if so, what important components needed to be included. Although
comprised of eight members, CAC members were tasked with incorporating not only their own thoughts,
EUGENE CITY COUNCIL NEWSLETTER PAGE 4
November 15, 2007
but all of the public input received to-date. Membership included representatives from the River Road
Community Organization and the Whiteaker Community Council. Their recommendation encourages
creation of a Neighborhood Sustainability Plan that addresses components of the environment (planning
for Willamette River, etc.), economy (neighborhood economic sustainability) and social factors (quality of
life, etc.). Planning Division staff will now begin working with the CAC members to design the next phase
of the project and the steps needed to move toward a citizen-empowered public process. Funding
assistance for this project has been provided by the Oregon Department of Transportation’s
Transportation Growth Management program. For more information, contact Jason Dedrick by phone at
682-5451, or via e-mail jason.p.dedrick@ci.eugene.or.us or Ken Guzowski by phone at 683-5562, or via
e-mailken.j.guzowski@ci.eugene.or.us.
Hult Presents
2007-08 Season is “Where the World Meets”
Hult Presents, the Hult Center for the Performing Arts’ own programming
series, is proud to announce the 2007/08 season, with the theme, “Where the
World Meets.” Tickets are on sale now – just in time for holiday giving – and
make a wonderful and sustainable gift!
The presenting mission of Hult Presents is to enrich the cultural life of the
community by providing a broad selection of performances by local, regional,
and international artists. Providing reasonable access to events, including
community outreach programs and arts educational activities, is an important
goal. Programs are selected based on the following criteria: uniqueness, quality
level, accessibility, outreach opportunities, audience development, and
community support.
The six 2007/08 Hult Presents season events will take place in the Silva
Concert Hall and offer exciting performances from around the world and the
United States. This year’s series offers events for the whole family and the MySpace and Facebook
generation, too! It promises to be a phenomenal season! Hult Presents “Where The World Meets”:
The first event of the season is the Lion King’s Tony Award® -winning choreographer Garth
Fagan Dance on Saturday January 26, visiting from New York.
The mammoth drums and high-tech special effects of Jigu! Thunder Drums of China is an event
for the whole family on Wednesday, March 5.
From the Netherlands, 4-ISH will be street dancing, skating (including a half pipe on the Silva
Stage), and much more on Wednesday, March 12.
Welcome the colorful and exciting performers of Peru Negro from Peru on Saturday, March 22,
Afro-Peruvian world music and dance.
Perfect for the election year, don’t miss Capitol Steps from Washington D.C. on Wednesday, April
23. Musical political satire hitting both sides of the aisle and unbelievably funny!
TAP KIDS from New York is a hip, young and uplifting performance on Saturday, May 10.
Tickets range from only $14 to $32, and all shows offer youth and student discounts from $4 to $6. For
ticket information and reservations, please contact the Hult Center Ticket Office at 682-5000.
EUGENE CITY COUNCIL NEWSLETTER PAGE 5
November 15, 2007