Loading...
HomeMy WebLinkAboutCity Council Newsletter - 12/13/07EUGENE CITY COUNCIL NEWSLETTER December 13, 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 REPORT DESCRIBES HOW DEPARTMENT “ENRICHES YOUR LIFE” FIRE PREVENTION STAFF PREPARES FOR NEW YEAR'S EVE INSPECTIONS HULT CENTER’S ASSISTIVE LISTENING SYSTEM IMPROVED AROUND THE CITY Report Describes How Department “Enriches Your Life” Having produced some 8,500 events attended by more than a million people this year, the Library, Recreation and Cultural Services (LRCS) Department 2007 annual report proudly boasts that “LRCS enriches your life.” Published this week, the report also articulates how its services fulfill the City Council vision statements: a safe community; sustainable development; accessible and thriving culture and recreation; effective, accountable municipal government; and fair, stable and adequate financial resources. The 16-page document includes statistical reports on the department’s performance for fiscal year 2007, including five-year comparisons. Additionally, narratives describe the department’s achievements during the calendar year, with major accomplishments called out. An iconic photo of the Hult Center for the Performing Arts dominates the cover of the annual report, just as the city’s Cultural Policy Review and the Hult’s 25-year anniversary dominated LRCS’s year. The report is full of photos of patrons, activities, and events, with spotlights on selected patrons and staff. The back cover contains a partial listing of the thousands of LRCS performances and events produced in 2007. In the interest of sustainability, only a small number of reports were published this year. Those with computer access are encouraged to view the report online at www.eugene-or.gov/LRCS. For information, contact Kathy Madison at 682-6342. Fire Prevention Staff Prepares for New Year’s Eve Inspections In what has become a popular and well-received service to the community, Eugene Fire Prevention staff, accompanied by line fire crews, will once again conduct on-site inspections of commercial celebration venues on New Year’s Eve. This will be the third year for the nightclub inspections locally. The program began in 2005 after firefighters responded to an incident at a nightclub and observed possible fire code violations. Soon after, Fire Prevention personnel decided to make the New Year’s Eve inspections on a regular basis. More than 30 local night spots will receive notification letters and fire safety checklists prior to the big night. Of particular interest to inspectors will be adequate and unblocked provision of exits, fire-safe decorations, exit lighting, and prevention of overcrowding. The reaction has been positive from nightclub EUGENE CITY COUNCIL NEWSLETTER PAGE 1 December 13, 2007 proprietors who are anxious to provide their patrons with a festive, problem-free experience. Only a modest number of violations are found in a typical round of inspections and, in most cases it has been possible to mitigate them on the spot. For more information, please contact Assistant Fire Marshal Doug Perry, 682-5887. Hult Center’s Assistive Listening System Improved In order to continue to give excellent service and support to its patrons, the Hult Center has provided an assistive listening system (ALS) for people with hearing impairments for almost all of the 25 years the facility has operated. Recently, the operations staff updated the Hult’s ALS to a new, stationary infrared (IR) system that broadcasts in stereo and provides a descriptive listening channel. Denny Conn, head audio engineer for the Hult Center, said, “We brought in key potential users of the system to hear how it sounded and test how easy it was to use. All were very impressed with the quality of the new Listen system.” For more information, contact Billie Moser, 682-8380. EUGENE CITY COUNCIL NEWSLETTER PAGE 2 December 13, 2007