HomeMy WebLinkAbout01/31/08 City Council NewsletterEUGENE CITY COUNCIL NEWSLETTER
January 31, 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
PUBLIC WORKS BEGINS CLEAN-UP IN WAKE OF WINTER STORM
WORKSHOP INVITES PUBLIC FEEDBACK ON “BUDGETING FOR OUTCOMES”
STAFF, CITIZENS, BUSINESS PARTNERS RECOGNIZED AT FIRE & EMS CEREMONY
BEAM DEVELOPMENT - WEST BROADWAY PROJECT
ALTERNATIVE EDUCATION FAIR AT EUGENE PUBLIC LIBRARY
LIBRARY COMPUTER WORKSHOPS: FIND NEWSPAPER AND MAGAZINE ARTICLES
SKI TRIP HONORS “HEROES IN EUGENE”
AROUND THE CITY
Public Works Begins Clean-Up in Wake of Winter Storm
Public Works’ crews on Thursday began the clean-up phase of a winter storm response that began
Sunday and continued for several days as cold fronts dropped more than a half-foot of snow on many
streets in the city.
Public Works activated its Emergency Command Center on Sunday morning following a heavy snowfall
that surprised even the National Weather Service. At 1 p.m. Sunday, a snow/ice emergency was
declared, putting into effect a parking ban on all priority routes in the city. The parking ban, which is
authorized under City Code, is intended to allow emergency vehicles, buses and other essential traffic to
move safely around town during snow and ice storms. The ban was lifted late Monday afternoon after
warming temperatures and round-the-clock plowing cleared most lower-elevation streets. Crews then
shifted their attention to the less-traveled streets in the hilly areas. Tuesday night and early Wednesday
morning brought more snow and freezing temperatures, and crews quickly responded by sanding high-
priority routes and continued plowing in the hills. Temperatures warmed up again Wednesday afternoon,
and stayed above freezing overnight, resulting in bare pavement on most streets by Thursday morning.
Over the course of the event, plows and sanders traveled more than 1,100 miles.
The clean-up phase includes sweeping up the more than 230 cubic yards of sand that was applied for
traction during the storm response. Emergency response crews debriefed the event and began cleaning
and storing plows, chains and other equipment in preparation for the next storm. Response costs –
including overtime, sand, and fuel – haven’t yet been totaled. The costs will be paid through the Road
Fund, which pays for street operations and maintenance activities. Another indirect cost of the storm will
be further deterioration of pavements on city streets. Freeze/thaw cycles and standing water in the form
of snow and ice ravage street surfaces, and a new crop of potholes will appear as surely as the daffodils
in spring. For more information, contact Public Works Maintenance Director, Jeff Lankston, at 682-4800.
Workshop Invites Public Feedback on "Budgeting for Outcomes"
A public workshop on theFY09 City Budget will be held on Monday, February 4, 2008, from 4:30-6:30
p.m. in the Bascom-Tykeson Room of the Eugene Downtown Library. Residents are invited to drop in
and learn about the new process which organizes City services around the council's five vision
statements for Eugene. Participants will provide feedback on the visions, the factors required to achieve
the community's desired outcomes, and the results they expect from their city government. Comments
received will be distributed to the City Manager and the Budget Committee for their consideration when
developing the FY09 budget. Free child care will be provided for participants. For more information,
contact Budget Manager, Kitty Murdoch, and City budget staff at 682-5021.
EUGENE CITY COUNCIL NEWSLETTER PAGE 1
January 31, 2008
Staff, Citizens, Business Partners Recognized at Fire & EMS Ceremony
A crowd of about 200 gathered at the City's Emergency
Services Center last week to be a part of the Fire & EMS
Department's 2008 Awards & Recognition Ceremony. The
department wishes to thank Councilors Clark and Poling for
attending and Mayor Piercy for forwarding a statement.
At the ceremony, Fire & EMS Chief, Randy Groves,
administered oaths of office to the department's three new
Deputy Chiefs (Joe Zaludek, Denise Giard, and Karen
Brack, left to right) and to a captain, two deputy fire
marshals, a lieutenant, two engineers, and one medic.
Awards and commendations were presented to staff who
served above and beyond the call of duty, and to citizens
who assisted the department in its mission.
The ceremony also featured several awards to local businesses who worked in partnership with Fire
& EMS to help promote a safe community, including the department's new Corporate Partnership Award,
which will be presented to only one business each year. The 2008 winner of this prestigious award (a
large framed photomontage with engraved text, logo, and department patch) was B & R Auto Wrecking,
which over the years has donated approximately 1,000 salvaged vehicles for the department to use in fire
suppression and extrication training. The department congratulates all who received awards,
commendations, and promotions. For more information, please contact Cinimint Harper, senior
administrative specialist, at 682-7120.
Beam Development - West Broadway Project
Beam Development has been working with Portland-based
Ankrom Moisan Architecture to develop conceptual designs for
the redevelopment of the Centre Court building and adjacent
pit. Images can be viewed at www.beam-eugene.com, a
website dedicated to Beam’s downtown Eugene project. For
additional information, contact Denny Braud, Planning &
Development, 682-5536 (denny.braud@ci.eugene.or.us).
Alternative Education Fair at Eugene Public Library
Kids, teens, and parents gather to learn about options at the
12th annual Alternative Education Fair from 1 – 4 p.m., on Saturday, February 2, at the Downtown
Eugene Public Library.
Co-sponsored by the Eugene Waldorf School and Eugene Public Library, this popular event is a great
opportunity to find out about a variety of alternative education programs in Eugene and throughout Lane
County. See displays and meet staff and student representatives from local private schools, charter
schools, Eugene School District 4-J alternative programs, and home-schooling organizations. For more
information, call the Eugene Public Library at 682-8316.
Library Computer Workshop: Find Newspaper & Magazine Articles
How many articles have you clipped, then misplaced?Not to mention the articles you didn't clip, because
at the time you didn't know you'd wish you had them now. Discover how easy it is to get your hands on
those pieces and much more with premium online tools available free through the Eugene Public Library.
Get a user-friendly introduction at Find Newspaper & Magazine Articles, a free, hands-on computer
workshop Saturday, February 9, 10 a.m. - noon, at the Downtown Library.
Explore EBSCO, a searchable database of articles and other information published in thousands of
newspapers, magazines, and journals. Learn how to search to get the best results quickly; how to
identify the source; how to print, save, or e-mail articles. Discover the many publications EBSCO draws
from and how it can help you find information, interviews, and opinions on any topic, whether for work,
school, a hobby, entertainment, or just plain curiosity. Basic computer and Internet skills required. For
further information, call 682-5450 and then press 2.
EUGENE CITY COUNCIL NEWSLETTER PAGE 2
January 31, 2008
Ski Trip Honors “Heroes in Eugene”
Eugene Recreation’s Adaptive Recreation, Oregon Adaptive Sports,
and Hoodoo Ski Resort have teamed up to say 'THANKS' to local
disabled veterans with a special ski package February 9 and 10.
In recognizing the hard work and sacrifice of disabled veterans, the
three organizations are offering a package that includes use of
adaptive ski equipment, one day of skiing with adaptive ski
instructors, one night’s lodging for two, transportation and all meals.
The program is open only to veterans with a physical disability. The
cost is just $35. Space is limited. For information, call Patty Prather
at 682-5311.
EUGENE CITY COUNCIL NEWSLETTER PAGE 3
January 31, 2008