HomeMy WebLinkAboutCity Council Newsletter - 11/21/07EUGENE CITY COUNCIL NEWSLETTER
November 21, 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
BROADWAY REOPENED AT WILLAMETTE WITH DECORATIVE CONCRETE REPAIRS
CITY’S BUSINESS LOAN PROGRAM FINANCES LICENSED DAY CARE CENTER
TOYS FOR TOTS CAMPAIGN KICKS OFF
CITYWIDE ONLINE CALENDAR AVAILABLE
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BETHEL TEEN COURT CELEBRATES 10 ANNIVERSARY
BAZAAR RAISES FUNDS AND SPIRITS
AROUND THE CITY
Broadway Reopened at Willamette with Decorative Concrete Repairs
The much-anticipated repair at the broken brick
surface at Broadway and Willamette is
complete. Broadway at Willamette Street is
part of the brick plaza designed by local artist,
Scott Wylie. This portion of Broadway was built
for pedestrian use in 1996, but opened to
vehicle traffic by citizen vote in 2002.
Out of respect for the art, and in an effort to
minimize the construction costs in 2002, the
brick structure of Broadway was retained.
However, the designed-for-pedestrians
roadway required an escalating level of
maintenance to keep it functional. Ultimately,
the City gained an additional five years of life
from the artistic brick surface.
In fall 2006, Public Works Engineering met with the Lane Arts Council to collaborate on a sustainable,
artistic solution for the failing bricks on Broadway. The consensus was to replace the maintenance-
intensive bricks with a decorative concrete structure that would match the artistic intent of the original
brick plaza.
To accomplish the goal, Public Works Engineering hired Wylie to ensure that the concrete project
blended with his original design and met the high quality expected of the intersection of two Great
Streets. Additionally, the City contracted the construction by soliciting proposals, rather than using the
standard low bid method. Brown Contracting, Inc., of Eugene was awarded the work in the fall of 2007.
Construction of the decorative concrete began on September 24 and was substantially completed on
November 19. Construction was phased to minimize interruption to traffic, and sidewalks remained open
at all times. Brown Contracting will conduct final touches on the project site in the next couple of weeks,
weather permitting, which should not necessitate any further road closures. For more information,
contact Project Manager Patrick Cox at 682-6854.
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November 21, 2007
City’s Business Loan Program Finances Licensed Day Care Center
Based on a referral from Mayor Piercy, the City’s Emerging Business Loan Program, administered out of
the Planning and Development Department, recently provided a $75,000 loan to Playdates, LLC, a start-
up licensed child care business located in the commercial building just off Delta Highway on Goodpasture
Island Road (former location of Lights for Music, Fox TV, and Burch’s Shoes). The loan will allow the
owners to move forward with their project, which will create jobs and provide much-needed child care
services to the community.
Started over 20 years ago, the self-sustaining revolving loan fund is designed to create jobs for the
community and leverage private investment. Since July 1, the City has approved seven local business
loans totaling $705,000, which will lead to the creation of 38 jobs and leverage an additional $7,116,300
in private investment. In addition to Playdates, loan recipients thus far include ES&A Sign, Eyes of the
World Optical, West Side Glass, Precision Machine & Manufacturing (manufacturer of rotary airlocks,
also known as feeders and rotary valves), Panfilof & Daughters (a start-up manufacturer of gymnastics
products), and La Perla (a new, authentic Italian Pizza restaurant).
For more information, contact Amanda Nobel, Community Development Division loan analyst, at
682-5535 or via e-mail (amanda.r.nobel@ci.eugene.or.us).
Toys For Tots Campaign Kicks Off
This year's Toys for Tots campaign is officially underway as local firefighters and police once again team
with the U.S. Marine Corps Reserve to bring holiday smiles to less-fortunate kids. This Sunday,
November 25, the campaign is offering the always-popular Bring a Toy/Ride a Firetruck Day in the
parking lot at Shopko on Coburg Road. At the event, which goes from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m., a dazzling array
of modern and antique emergency vehicles will be on display, and families who donate a toy will get a
free ride! Later, on December 7 and 8, Lane County Ice will host two Toys for Tots nights to help with the
drive. And, as always, anyone can bring a new, unwrapped toy to any fire station in Eugene or
Springfield, to the Marine Reserve Center at 1520 W. 13th Ave., or to any Pacific Cascade Federal Credit
Union branch. Toys will be accepted through December 15.
Organizers in Eugene Fire & EMS would like to acknowledge with gratitude the participation of Springfield
Fire & Life Safety, Eugene Police Department, Lane County Sheriff's Office, and the faculty and staff of
Cesar Chavez Elementary School in the Toys for Tots campaign. Last year, the effort brought holiday
cheer to more than 5,000 youngsters in this area alone, and with the community's support, there will be
even more smiles this year. For more information, please contact Engineer Matt Reger, Eugene Fire &
EMS, at 682-7100.
Citywide Online Calendar Available
One of the top requests from the public when asked for feedback on the portal was that there be a
Citywide calendar, with all City-sponsored meetings and events available in one place.
The ISD eGov Team is currently implementing such a calendar that now appears on the City’s home
page (www.eugene-or.gov). To see the calendar, go to the home page and click Calendar of Events to
see a calendar that includes meetings and events from the Library, Recreation, City Manager’s Office,
Planning and Development, and others. It is no longer necessary to go to individual portal pages in order
to see a calendar of events; everything is now combined into one calendar on the home page.
The first phase of the project was getting the combined calendar up and running on the home page. Now
that that work is complete, the next step will be working with employees in various divisions to create
individual calendars on the division home pages.
A big thank you to the “Calendar Administrators” for their work entering all their meetings and events, as
well as for their feedback about what the calendar should look like and how it should work. They will
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November 21, 2007
maintain the calendar by adding meetings and events on an on-going basis. Check out the calendar
when you get a chance! For further information, please contact Janie King, Information Services Division,
682-5256.
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Bethel Teen Court Celebrates 10 Anniversary
Youth ages 12-17 gain experience in decision-making, communication, law, and ethics when they act as
jurors, case presenters, defendant advisors, bailiffs and court clerks at Teen Court. At neighborhood
peer hearings, Teen Courts recommend consequences for qualifying nonviolent juvenile offenders and
the courtroom outcomes are recognized by the Lane County Department of Youth Services. Teen Court
volunteer hours apply toward most school community service requirements.
Teen Court also gives youthful defendants an opportunity to take responsibility for nonviolent juvenile
offenses and regain a clean juvenile record. (Participation by defendants is voluntary and limited to those
admitting guilt.)
The Bethel Teen Court program, which meets at Petersen Barn Community Center, was launched in
1997 with grant money provided through Eugene Community Partnership with support from Bethel Village
Family Center, Bethel School District staff and Eugene Police school officers. A year later, the City
established a budget for Bethel Teen Court. The program proved so popular that in 1999, Bethel
volunteers helped to establish a West Eugene Teen Court, which meets at Churchill High School.
In 2004, Lane County Department of Youth Services released a three-year study that showed peer court
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was significantly effective in preventing recidivism. On October 11, 2007, the 1,000 Teen Court case
was heard in Bethel Teen Court.
Over the course of the 10 years, more than 13,550 people attended hearings, Teen Court members
volunteered more than 21,000 hours, and defendants put in more than15,800 hours of community
service. For information, contact Bruce Steinmetz, 682-6376.
Bazaar Raises Funds and Spirits
The annual Holiday Bazaar, held at Campbell Community Center, attracted more than 350 people on the
opening day, November 17. To date, more than $3,000 has been raised through the bazaar, which
benefits the center’s trust fund. The money will be used to purchase major equipment that is not covered
by the City’s General Fund.
Preparing for the bazaar each year requires tremendous support from the center’s patrons. Many of
them hand-craft the items sold, such as quilts, hats, pies and baked goods. Others go to work soliciting
goods and services that are donated by local businesses. All of the effort advances elements of the
program’s mission by assisting individuals to be active and productive, maintaining social ties, and
strengthening support networks and quality of life.For information, contact Yvaughn Tompkins, 682-
6315.
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November 21, 2007