HomeMy WebLinkAboutCity Council Newsletter - 12/20/07EUGENE CITY COUNCIL NEWSLETTER
December 20, 2007
City of Eugene
777 Pearl Street, Room 105
SPECIAL TWO-WEEK EDITION
Eugene, Oregon 97401-2793
(Next newsletter - January 3, 2008) (541) 682-5010
(541) 682-5414 (FAX)
www.eugene-or.gov
IN THIS WEEK’S EDITION
EUGENE AGAIN OREGON’S SECOND LARGEST CITY
HIGHLANDS CONDOMINIUMS ON WAY TO BECOMING "FIREWISE COMMUNITY"
CITY’S RECREATION GUIDE OFFERS ACTIVITIES FOR ALL
PLANNING COMMISSION TO CONSIDER WATER QUALITY OVERLAY ZONE
FREE WINTER BREAK FUN AT EUGENE PUBLIC LIBRARY
AROUND THE CITY
Eugene Again Oregon’s Second Largest City
According to Portland State University’s Population Research Center, after two years of trailing slightly
behind Salem in population, Eugene has again claimed the title as Oregon’s second largest city.
Eugene’s certified population as of July 1, 2007, is 153,690. Salem’s population is 152,290. Portland
remains the state’s largest city with a population of 568,380.
In 2005, Salem’s population surpassed that of Eugene by about 1,000 people. That lead has steadily
dwindled until this year when Eugene’s population grew by more than 5,000 people, compared to Salem’s
growth of only about 3,000 people.
The Population Research Center prepares annual population estimates for cities and counties in order to
distribute state tax revenues. In preparing these annual estimates, it relies on data from the registration
of births and deaths, estimates of net migration (in-migrants minus out-migrants), school enrollment,
employment and labor force figures, state income tax exemptions, voter registration, Medicare data,
annexation records, and changes in housing stock.
The Population Research Center population estimates are released annually by December 15. An
annual publication entitled the Oregon Population Report is released the following March. The reports
may be viewed on the web at:http://pdx.edu/prc/annualorpopulation.html. For more information, please
contact Kurt Yeiter, Planning and Development Department, at 682-8379 or via e-mail
(kurt.m.yeiter@ci.eugene.or.us).
Highlands Condominiums on Way to Becoming "Firewise Community"
Fire Prevention personnel from the Eugene Fire Marshal's Office, accompanied by staff from the Oregon
Department of Forestry, conducted a fire safety assessment of the Highlands Condominiums in South
Eugene last week with representatives of the homeowners' association, who are hoping to make the
complex Eugene's first "FireWise Community" as recognized by ODF. FireWise is a nationally
recognized program supporting local, state, and federal agencies and community planning efforts to
provide defensible space and other fire protection measures around structures in the urban-rural interface
area, in order to increase the likelihood of structural survival in the event of a wildfire incident.
At the Highlands assessment, homeowners were given information on limbing trees in order to provide at
least 10 feet of clearance, cutting back shrubs and ladder fuels, keeping at least 30 feet of clear space
around structures, providing adequate access for emergency vehicles, and having a second means of
egress. Residents of the complex are already making progress on these important fire safety steps, and
plan to submit a formal application to be certified as a "FireWise Community" in the near future. Anyone
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January 10, 2008
interested in learning more about the program is encouraged to contact Deputy Fire Marshal Sandra
Johnston at 682-5420.
City’s Recreation Guide Offers Activities for All
The City of Eugene’s newest Recreation Guide that will soon begin arriving
in mailboxes contains activities, classes and programs for all ages. This
guide combines winter and spring seasons, including activities occurring
from January 1 through May 31, in aquatics, child care, outdoor
adventures, adaptive recreation, team athletics, arts, youth and family,
spring break camps, and adult programs.
Among the hundreds of offerings are:
a class in tape sculpture, a new art movement, for youth age 8-12;
a free fly fishing festival for all ages;
a springboard diving class for ages 8 and up;
a course on GPS (Global Positioning Systems) for ages 18 and up;
a line dance class for adults and seniors, and
an adapted scuba diving class for people with physical disabilities.
Some of the returning programs are Kid City Adventures day care and
RecZone after-school care, activities for no-school days, teen leadership
programs, alpine ski adventures, land and water fitness classes for all
ages, and a series of talks on topics of interest to adults age 55 and up.
The Recreation Guide is also available at any Eugene community center, swimming pool, Downtown or
. For information, contact Kathy Madison at
branch libraries and online at www.eugene-or.gov/rec
682-6342.
Planning Commission to Consider Water Quality Overlay Zone
This week, notices of an upcoming Eugene Planning Commission
public hearing were sent to owners of approximately 614
properties that would be affected by a proposal to protect water
quality in certain local waterways. On January 15, 2008, the
commission will hold a public hearing to consider the proposal to
establish a Water Quality Overlay Zone and apply the overlay to
properties within Eugene city limits that contain or are adjacent to
waterways identified as important to protect for their water quality
functions, and are otherwise unprotected. The proposal also
includes provisions for applying the overlay zone to identified
properties currently located outside the Eugene city limits but inside the urban growth boundary, if and
when the owner chooses to annex to the city.
At the heart of the effort is the recognition that waterways provide significant benefits and that land
development practices can have water quality impacts. The proposal also responds to federal Clean
Water Act provisions that require Eugene to bring any “water quality impaired” waterways into compliance
with state and federal water quality regulations. The Willamette River, Amazon Creek, Amazon Diversion
Channel, A3 Channel and Willow Creek are all listed as “water quality impaired” waterways on the
Environmental Protection Agency’s 303(d) list. Local plans and policies also seek to protect waterways
for their water quality benefits including treatment capabilities.
The current proposal is a revision to one initially presented to property owners, interested persons and
the general public in June 2006. Significant revisions were made as a result of issues raised during initial
public outreach. The current proposal would apply Water Quality Waterway protections only to the
original waterways of concern that are not otherwise protected by Goal 5 natural resource protections.
Proposed setback widths for water quality have been adjusted to be comparable to existing Goal 5
natural resource setback widths. The outcome of the Water Quality Protected Waterways proposal would
be a system of waterways that are protected from further water quality degradation caused by uses and
development activities within and adjacent to them.
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The Planning Commission public hearing is scheduled for 6 p.m. on Tuesday, January 15, in the Atrium
Building (Sloat Room). The commission will make recommendations to the City Council regarding
adoption of the proposed regulations. The City Council public hearing is tentatively planned for April
2008.
or contact Therese Walch,
For more information, visit the City’s Web site: www.eugene-or.gov/wqpw
project manager, at 682-8647.
Free Winter Break Fun at Eugene Public Library
Kids and families delight to the fantastic feats and wonders of Invincible Vince's Magic Show,perfect for
ages 5 and up. Eugene Public Library hosts free performances at 2 p.m. on Wednesday, December 26,
at Sheldon Community Center; Thursday, December 27, at Bethel Branch Library; and Friday, December
28, at the Downtown Library (for the Downtown show, pick up free tickets starting at 1:30).
Hear all about The Mouse That Barkedand more at the Downtown Library on Friday, January 4, at 2 p.m.
(free tickets available at 1:30). In this bilingual program, storyteller Rick Huddle tells tales he has
gathered in Mexico, Cuba, and Costa Rica. Plus, sing along with traditional songs accompanied by la
guitarra. This program is recommended for ages 5 and up.
There’s fun for teens, too! The Downtown Library presents its first-ever, all-gaming event, TGA: Teen
GamingAfternoon, on Thursday, January 3, 1– 3 p.m. This free get-together features PS2 video games
including Guitar Hero 2. According to Teen Librarian Traci Glass, "We'll supply everything -- but you can
bring your own controllers if you want to. And, of course, bring your friends." For more information, call
the Eugene Public Library, 682-8316.
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