HomeMy WebLinkAbout01/24/08 City Council NewsletterEUGENE CITY COUNCIL NEWSLETTER
January 24, 2008
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
CITY PROMOTES EARTH-SMART CHOICES AT GOOD EARTH HOME SHOW
READIN' IN THE RAIN KICKS OFF WITH FIRST FRIDAY @ THE DOWNTOWN LIBRARY
ODOT RELEASES WILLAMETTE RIVER BRIDGE ENVIRONMENTAL ASSESSMENT
FIRES PROVIDE OPPORTUNITY TO DELIVER PREVENTION INFORMATION
“WALKABOUT” IS POPULAR RECREATION ACTIVITY
AROUND THE CITY
City Promotes Earth-Smart Choices at Good Earth Home Show
Staff members from Public Works and Planning and Development have teamed up on an information
booth with the theme "Catch and Release" for this year's Good Earth Home, Garden and Living Show,
scheduled at the Lane County Fairgrounds January 25-27.The phrase -- applied to rainwater rather than
fishing, will be used playfully to share information on residential stormwater management techniques,
including rain gardens, planter boxes, rain barrels, permeable pavers and green roofs. These low-impact
development (LID) practices showcase practical and innovative ways to manage urban stormwater runoff
at its source. LID’s goal is to mimic the way water moves through an area before it is developed. Stop by
Booth #401 to see the display with ideas for homeowners, pamphlets, a clever give-away item, as well as
technical assistance from staff.
People interested in a hands-on activity can attend a green building presentation and solar home tour in
conjunction with the show. On Saturday, January 26, participants will meet at the Willamette Stage for an
overview on sustainable development from Rudy Berg of the Northwest EcoBuilding Guild, followed by
site visits to three innovative green projects in close proximity to the Fairgrounds. This is a chance to
walk through the unique, mixed-use development under construction at 3rd and Mill, tour Eugene's first
"zero net energy" home, and view a creative solution to optimize solar access for a new solar array.
Participants will be able to talk to owners and project managers and see how sustainable building can be
achieved with beautiful results. The session will lead off at 2:00 p.m. with the presentation of Mayor Kitty
Piercy's Bold Steps Award, honoring a local business that demonstrates how to integrate practices that
promote economic, environmental and social sustainability. The green building presentation and tour will
follow directly after the award presentation.
The City's Solid Waste and Recycling program will also be at the show, teaming up with OSU Lane
County Extension Service to provide information on backyard composting, worm bin composting and
compost tea in Booth #705. Compost specialist volunteers showcase affordable ideas on do-it-yourself,
low-cost compost bins, and emphasize sustainable backyard composting methods to divert food waste
from the landfill.
Come get informed and inspired! For more information on the tour, contact Jeannine Parisi, green
building analyst in Building & Permit Services, 682-5541 or jeannine.parisi@ci.eugene.or.us.For
stormwater management education questions or information, contact Kathy Eva, stormwater information
specialist in Public Works Engineering, 682-2739 or kathy.a.eva@ci.eugene.or.us. Information on solid
waste and recycling education can be directed to Anne Donahue, compost specialist in Planning and
Development, 682-5542 or anne.c.donahue@ci.eugene.or.us
EUGENE CITY COUNCIL NEWSLETTER PAGE 1
January 24, 2008
Readin' in the Rain Kicks Off With First Friday @ the Downtown Library
On your marks, get set, go! Readin' in the Rain 2008 takes off with a free Umbrella Opening the evening
of First Friday, February 1, at the Downtown Eugene Public Library.
Each winter, Readin' in the Rain invites
Eugene/Springfield to read and talk about one
book as a community. This year's choice is
inspired by the upcoming Olympic Track and Field
Trials. Run and get a copy of the compelling
biographyBowerman and the Men of Oregon: The
Story of Oregon's Legendary Coach and Nike’s
Cofounder. Author Kenny Moore, one of Bill
Bowerman’s world-class athletes, is a two-time
Olympic marathoner who went on to become a
senior writer for Sports Illustrated.
Readin' in the Rain begins February 1 at 5:30 p.m.
with lively performances by the coach's sons:
stories of Oregon told by Jon Bowerman and
tunes by Jay Bowerman's band, Quincy Street. At
7:00 p.m., award-winning author and Register-Guardcolumnist Bob Welch will share his insights about
the book he considers "the finest ever written about track and field."
Free events continue through February, including a reading by Kenny Moore with introduction by UO
President Dave Frohnmayer at the Hult Center on Wednesday, February 27, at 7:00 p.m. Tour the UO's
Bowerman Archives on Thursday, February 21, at 5:30 p.m. at the Knight Library, or drop in on one of the
discussion groups at local libraries, bookstores, or online at The Register-Guard
(www.registerguard.com/blogs/books).
Readin’ in the Rain is a collaborative project of the Eugene Public Library; Springfield Public Library;
University of Oregon Libraries; Barnes & Noble Booksellers; Tsunami Books; and the University of
Oregon Bookstore/Duck Store. Thanks also go to Deschutes Public Library, Pacific Northwest
Booksellers Association, Hult Center for the Performing Arts, North Eugene High School, and The
Register-Guard.For a complete calendar of events, visit www.read-rain.org or call Eugene Public
Library: 682-5450.
ODOT Releases Willamette River Bridge Environmental Assessment
The Oregon Department of Transportation (ODOT) has just
released its Environmental Assessment (EA) for the
replacement of the Willamette River Bridge on Interstate 5 in
compliance with the National Environmental Policy Act
(NEPA). An open house/hearing is scheduled for January 31
at two locations:
11:30 a.m. to 1:30 p.m. (drop-in) Eugene Public Library,
100 W. 10th Avenue, Bascom/Tykeson Room
5:30 p.m. to 7:30 p.m. (drop-in) Springfield City Hall, 225
Fifth Street, Library Meeting Room
The open house/hearing is an opportunity for the community
to learn more about the bridge replacement project, provide
comments on the Environmental Assessment and share concerns and ideas with the Community
Advisory Group (CAG) and Project Development Team (PDT). A court reporter will be available at both
meetings to receive formal testimony.
Public comment also can be submitted in writing through February 19, 2008. Following receipt of
comments, ODOT will develop responses and publish a Revised Environmental Assessment (REA)
anticipated in June 2008. The REA will respond to any additional information developed during the
comment period. For example, based on new information since publication of the EA, ODOT is now
EUGENE CITY COUNCIL NEWSLETTER PAGE 2
January 24, 2008
recommending constructing a noise wall on the east side of I-5 in the northern part of the project.
Comments, requests for a copy of the EA or to find a location to view it should be directed to Jim Cox,
ODOT NEPA Coordinator, 680 Cottage Street NE, Salem, OR 97301-2412, (503) 986-6612 or
jim.b.cox@odot.state.or.us.
The Willamette River Bridge was originally constructed in 1962. In 2002, cracks were discovered in the
existing structure. In 2004, construction was completed on a temporary structure as an interim solution to
avoid requiring a 200-mile detour for heavy trucks.The temporary structure is inadequate for long-term
transportation needs and does not meet standards for permanent interstate bridges. The project cost is
budgeted at $180 million, including design, construction and inspection of the bridge replacement and
roadway approaches, removal of the detour bridge and demolition of the existing bridge structure.
Funding for the project comes from the OTIA III State Bridge Delivery Program as part of the Oregon
Department of Transportation’s 10-year, $3 billion Oregon Transportation Investment Act and the federal
Safe, Accountable, Flexible, Efficient Transportation Equity Act: A Legacy for Users (SAFETEA-LU).
Construction is scheduled for completion by the end of 2012.
The design process for the replacement Willamette River Bridge is just beginning. Decisions about
bridge type and appearance have not been made yet. The design process is scheduled to begin in
spring of 2008 following ODOT’s hiring of a design team. The community will have opportunities to work
with the design team, CAG and PDT as bridge design concepts are refined and a bridge type is selected.
There are plenty of details left to be worked out beyond selecting the overall bridge type. Design features
include pier shape, railings, color, architectural elements above and below the deck, and textured surface
treatments.
Further project details (including a link to the Environmental Assessment) may be found at the project
web site: www.oregon.gov/ODOT/HWY/REGION2/I-5WRB.shtml.
The City of Eugene staff contact for the Willamette River Bridge is Chris Henry, transportation planning
engineer, (541) 682-8472 or chris.c.henry@ci.eugene.or.us.
Fires Provide Opportunity to Deliver Prevention Information
Eugene was unfortunate to experience several non-injury structure fires over the long MLK Holiday
weekend, but the silver lining was that media coverage of the incidents allowed firefighters to convey
important safety information to the community at large. As is common during the winter months, at least
two of the fires were caused -- either directly or indirectly -- by the need for home heating. In reporting on
the fires and in subsequent interviews, firefighters and Deputy Fire Marshals were able to explain just
how critical it is to keep flammable objects away from heat sources; to burn indoors properly; to keep
homes free of clutter; to have fireplaces, woodstoves, and chimneys professionally maintained; and to
dispose of ashes and debris safely. The Eugene Fire & EMS Department is prepared at all times to
deliver these and other safety messages to anyone who asks. Whenever there is media coverage of an
incident, it is the department's policy to seek to include in that coverage an explanation of how the
incident could have been prevented, for the benefit of the larger audience. In following this policy, the
department has confirmed its belief that non-preventable fires are, in fact, a fairly rare occurrence. For
more information, please contact Glen Potter, public information officer, at 682-7118.
“Walkabout” is Popular Recreation Activity
Recreation Services’ “Walkabouts” are tapping into a favored activity of
Oregonians. Research conducted for the 2008 Statewide Comprehensive
Outdoor Recreation Plan found that the most popular outdoor recreation
activity of Oregonians age 43 - 80 is walking.
The monthly Walkabouts all start at the Campbell Community Center on
selected Monday afternoons. Participants ride a Recreation vehicle to
different scenic location for 45-60 minute walk on relatively flat trails. In
typical Oregonian style, Walkabouts are held rain or shine.
The next Walkabout is February 4 from 1-3 p.m. The cost is just $2. For
information, contact Recreation Programmer Mel Mann at 682-6392.
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January 24, 2008