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HomeMy WebLinkAbout02/14/08 City Council NewsletterEUGENE CITY COUNCIL NEWSLETTER February 14, 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 PROJECT HOMELESS CONNECT ELECTION UPDATE EUGENE AIRPORT CHOSEN FOR TSA PILOT PROJECT CITY OF EUGENE RECRUITING BICYCLE AND PEDESTRIAN ADVISORY COMMITTEE MEMBERS nd WALKING AND BIKING SUMMIT: A ‘CALL TO ACTION’ ANSWERED EUGENE’S 2 DIGITAL PHOTOGRAPHY CLASS USES FREE, DOWNLOADABLE SOFTWARE NEIGHBORHOOD SERVICES GRAND OPENING FIRE PREVENTION CONDUCTS U OF O GREEK HOUSING INSPECTIONS VICTORY SPEAKERS FOR CLIMATE CRISIS CHINESE FELLOW STUDIES EUGENE’S URBAN FORESTRY AND VOLUNTEER PROGRAMS AROUND THE CITY Project Homeless Connect Project Homeless Connect 2008 occurred on th February 7 and was a rousing community success because it provided critical services and helped educate the public about homeless people and their problems. At least 1,158 homeless and at-risk guests attended the event, a 151-person increase over last year. Examples of the 118 free services included medical, dental and optometry, wellness, bike repair, haircuts, benefit programs, housing, legal and confidential services. Guests and volunteers shared tables for a hot breakfast and lunch prepared by LCC culinary students. On exiting guests received coats, sleeping bags, blankets, toiletries, phone cards, back packs and other clothing. The event was co-sponsored by Eugene, Springfield, Lane County, United Way, and the Lane Events Center. LTD provided free bus rides and vouchers for follow-up appointments. There were over 175 cash sponsors and many more that provided in-kind donations, discounted products, and donations of give-a-way items. Over 900 community volunteers and service providers attended the event. Volunteers were often paired one-to-one with guests to ensure access to needed services. The final data for the event will be available in a closing report next month. The following are just a few examples of highlights based on preliminary data. All services were free. 251 haircuts provided Over 400 LTD bus vouchers for follow-up medical, dental, employment, & benefits appointments provided 100 people met with an attorney 48 spay/neuter vouchers for dogs and cats provided EUGENE CITY COUNCIL NEWSLETTER PAGE 1 February 14, 2008 119 reconditioned bikes traded for an unrepairable one or given away 150 bike helmets given away 698 consultations with affordable housing providers 90 people received information about applying for Social Security benefits 23 people registered to vote 69 consultations with veterans benefits providers 98 people had acupuncture or a massage For more information, please contact Richie Weinman, Planning and Development Department at 682- 5533 or richie.d.weinman@ci.eugene.or.us Election Update With three weeks remaining before the May 20 Primary Election filing deadline of March 6 at 5 p.m., the following candidates have completed the filing process for City Council and EWEB positions: Jim Ray for Mayor; George Brown for City Council Ward 1; Betty Taylor for City Council Ward 2; Bob Cassidy for EWEB Wards 2 and 3. In addition, prospective petitions have been filed, but signatures have not yet been turned in, by the following: Ian Goldfarb, Kitty Piercy, and Nick Urhausen for Mayor; Shimeon Greenwood for City Council Ward 1; John Crane and Andrea Ortiz for City Council Ward 7; Chris Pryor for City Council Ward 8; John Simpson for EWEB Wards 1 and 8; and Rich Cunningham for EWEB Wards 6 and 7. Jim Ray and Shimeon Greenwood have pledged to participate in the Voluntary Campaign Finance Program. For more information, contact City Recorder Mary Feldman at 682-8353. Eugene Airport Chosen for TSA Pilot Project The Eugene Airport has been chosen to participate in a new TSA pilot project involving airport employee screening procedures. The pilot will be in place at seven airports across the country starting in May 2008. All employees who work in the seven selected airports will be subject to the new procedures. Congress allocated up to $15 million for the pilots – required under the Omnibus Appropriations Act passed in January 2008. The legislation mandates 100 percent employee screening be evaluated at three airports and alternative employee screening at four other airports – up to 90 days at each location. TSA worked with airport industry stakeholder groups to develop the pilots and the criteria for selecting participating airports. More than 100 airports applied to participate. The selected airports are Boston's Logan International, Denver International, Jacksonville (Fla.) International, Kansas City (Mo.) International, Eugene (Ore.), Southwest Oregon Regional (North Bend, Ore.), and Craven Regional (New Bern, N.C.). TSA is required to report to Congress before September 1, 2008, on the cost and effectiveness of the pilot programs at each airport. Using multiple screening methods will help TSA determine the most effective airport-employee security screening system and the operational impact, if any; these systems have on participating airports. After the pilots are evaluated, TSA, working with our partners, will make a determination about program implementation. For more information contact Cathryn Stephens, director of marketing & public relations, at 682-5430 or cathryn.e.stephens@ci.eugene.or.us. City of Eugene Recruiting Bicycle and Pedestrian Advisory Committee Members The vision of Eugene’s new Pedestrian and Bicycle Strategic Plan is: “Eugene is a place where walking and biking are integral to the community’s culture, where the city’s livability, sustainability and overall quality of life are enhanced by more people walking and biking and where these activities are safe, convenient and practical options for everyone.” To help bring that vision to life, the City of Eugene is forming a new Bicycle and Pedestrian Advisory Committee (BPAC). EUGENE CITY COUNCIL NEWSLETTER PAGE 2 February 14, 2008 Members of the BPAC will advise the Public Works Department’s Transportation Planning staff and partner organizations on implementing the strategic plan. BPAC members also will provide feedback on bicycle and pedestrian-related projects and represent their constituents’ interests in transportation planning decisions. The committee will consist of 10 to 14 community members selected through an application process open through the end of February 2008. The committee will hold its first meeting in March 2008. Members will be selected to ensure broad community representation, skills and interests. For more information about the BPAC, contact Transportation Planner David Roth at 682-5727 or at . Applications for the BPAC are available at www.eugene-or.gov/walkbike or david.f.roth@ci.eugene.or.us by contacting David Roth. nd Walking and Biking Summit: A ‘Call to Action’ Answered Eugene’s 2 On January 26, more than 140 participants braved the elements to attend Eugene’s second Walking and Bike Summit. The summit was the culmination of a 16-month long planning effort that began with the first Walking and Biking Summit in October 2006. Since then there have been numerous community engagement activities including workshops, focus groups, stakeholder interviews, a departmental advisory committee that met monthly, and an open house to share and get feedback on the final draft of the Pedestrian and Bicycle Strategic Plan. At the summit, which took place at South Eugene High School, participants greeted each other warmly and chatted while sipping coffee and munching on bagels and cream cheese that were kindly donated by Springfield Creamery, Full City Coffee and Bagelsphere. They visited 10 different booths sponsored by community groups, including one on the new Delta Ponds Pedestrian and Bike Bridge project. Mayor Kitty Piercy kicked off the summit praising Eugene’s current facilities. She challenged the community to demand better by working collaboratively and to “strive for gold.” Mayor Piercy pledged her support, and urged others to join in implementing the new Pedestrian and Bicycle Strategic Plan which was released at the summit. Matt Peterson, a graduate student at the University of Oregon, reminded the participants that “today is not about what the City can do for walking and biking in Eugene; it is about what we, the community, can do, whether that means we as students, we as people who live in Eugene, or even we as businesses and community groups.” A Call to Action seemed to be the theme of the day. Participants rolled up their sleeves in smaller breakout groups and kicked off the planning of three high priority action items contained in the plan: developing a Share the Road plan for the community of Eugene; getting more children to walk and bike to school and to be active; developing a signature walking and biking event for Eugene. More information about the summit and the action items is available at www.eugene- or.gov/walkbike or by calling Transportation Planning Technician Lindsay Selser at 682-5094. Digital Photography Class Uses Free, Downloadable Software The City’s Senior Program offers a number of computer classes, from the basics to more advanced applications, such as a digital photography class that will be held on Monday, Feb. 25, from 6:30-8:30 p.m. at Campbell Community Center. The class will use Picasa, free software downloadable from the Internet, which makes working with digital photos easy and fun! For a registration fee of just $8, participants learn how to locate and organize photos on their computer, edit and add special effects to photos with a few simple clicks, and how to share their photos with others through email, prints and on the web. EUGENE CITY COUNCIL NEWSLETTER PAGE 3 February 14, 2008 The Senior Program also offers computer classes on eBay, Craigslist, and Facebook. For more information call Sue Harnly at 682-6393. Neighborhood Services Grand Opening Neighborhood Services opened its doors last Friday to a warm reception with neighborhood leaders, the mayor, and City staff. Party goers mingled, learned to juggle and hoola-hoop with Recreation’s Circus Arts program, participated in a group mural project with the Arts for All Program and listened to marimba performed by Shamwari. The Neighborhood office is designed to be an overall resource for Neighborhood Associations across Eugene; open for access to staff, resources and the City, and to increase the ability for neighborhoods to collaborate. If you missed the grand opening, don’t be shy; feel free to drop in for a visit. The office is located on the first floor of the Atrium Building (99 West 10th Ave.) and is open between 7:30 am and 5:00 pm. For more information contact Isaac Markehe, Neighborhood Services Manager at 682-6243 or via e-mail isaac.r.markehe@ci.eugene.or.us Fire Prevention Conducts U of O Greek Housing Inspections Fire safety at the University of Oregon's fraternities and sororities reached a new level of enforceability this year as the University made fire inspections a condition of continued certification. Inspectors from the Eugene Fire Marshal's Office recently completed an initial round of inspections of the 20 Greek houses on or near campus, working with building owners, alumni, and residents to ensure that fire codes are met and fire safety systems are properly maintained. Issues addressed include smoke alarms, fire extinguishers, stove hood systems, fire sprinklers, fire doors, and clear and sufficient egress. The houses are also required to have exterior fire escapes checked by a registered engineer. Prior to the inspections, residents are provided a pre-inspection checklist so that they can be prepared for the walk-through. Typically, houses are given 30 days (or less, depending on severity) to correct any violations or deficiencies noted. Mitigation is occurring at this time, and a round of reinspections will follow in the coming weeks. The Fire Marshal's Office will also offer a fire safety academy for fraternity and sorority members later this month. The U of O is among the first universities in the U.S. to institute this requirement, adding a level of safety for approximately 1,000 students who are members of the Greek system. For more information, please contact Sandra Johnston, Deputy Fire Marshal, at 682-5420. Victory Speakers for Climate Crisis "Do you know how to survive on a 'different' planet?" asks Mary Wood, Philip H. Knight Professor of Law at the University of Oregon. "That's the way scientists describe the earth in the coming decades unless bold action is taken now to cap rising greenhouse gas emissions." Professor Wood offers an engaging free talk, Victory Speakers for Climate Crisis, at 2 p.m. on Sunday, Feb. 17, at the Downtown Eugene Public Library. She urges a national climate defense involving all levels of government, asserting that "the U.S. government's current neglect of climate crisis is akin to sitting idle during an attack on American soil." Wood provides expert information and encourages individuals to follow the World War II model of Victory Speakers, this time uniting worldwide for "a planetary patriotism to demand government action on the climate crisis." "Recent projections by the United Nations and leading scientists worldwide warn that the earth is at the threshold of a catastrophic tipping point," she explains, "with global temperatures rising as much as 11 EUGENE CITY COUNCIL NEWSLETTER PAGE 4 February 14, 2008 degrees F. by the end of the century if swift action is not taken. As a sovereign trustee of natural resources, government is accountable for protecting the atmosphere so humans can continue to survive and prosper on this planet.” For more information, call Eugene Public Library at 682-5450. Chinese Fellow Studies Eugene’s Urban Forestry and Volunteer Programs Dr. Linsen Zhao, International Fellow from China studying at the World Forestry Center in Portland, visited Eugene for three days last week to learn how the City’s urban forestry and volunteer programs work with citizen groups to improve the environment. Dr. Zhao is a professor at the Southwest Forestry College in Kumming, the capitol city of Yunnan province in southwest China. Dr. Zhao discussed China’s “Grain for Green” national program to convert poor agricultural land with steep slopes to forest cover in order to slow soil erosion and desertification. In addition to China’s work to improve its economy and reduce poverty, the Grain for Dr. Linsen Zhao talks to McKenzie River Trust Volunteer Coordinator Katie Mader at StreamTeam planting. Green project is a good example of China’s new focus on addressing environmental issues. Dr. Zhao also discussed his interest in finding new ways to further inspire a growing spirit of volunteerism in China. During his visit, Dr. Zhao attended the Tree Stewards volunteer tree pruning training class and a West University Neighborhood meeting. He also met with Parks and Open Space urban forestry and volunteer programming staff, and Phil Carroll, former President of the Eugene Tree Foundation (ETF). On his last day Dr. Zhao helped plant trees and talked to volunteers at both a NeighborWoods and ETF planting project on Harlow Road and at Stream Team’s East Alton Baker Park tree planting project. “I’m deeply impressed by your passion and dedication to the environment and landscape,” said Zhao. “I read on your website before I came about what a livable city Eugene is, with lots of tree canopy. In my short time here I found the reason for that – the passion of dedicated people and the harmonious collaboration between government agencies and non-government organizations and local citizens. I talked to many local people, young and old, who all said they were proud to live in such a beautiful city. Eugene is what it is due to the efforts of all the people.” For more information about Dr. Zhao’s work, visit http://wfi.worldforestry.org/fellowship-4.htm or call Mark Snyder at 682-4819. EUGENE CITY COUNCIL NEWSLETTER PAGE 5 February 14, 2008