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Home My WebLink About04/03/08 City Council Newsletter EUGENE CITY COUNCIL NEWSLETTER April 3, 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 FIRE DEPARTMENT URGES CLEAR HOME AND BUSINESS ADDRESS NUMBERING SPRING BRINGS FLURRY OF CURB RAMP IMPROVEMENT PROJECTS PROCESS TO ENGAGE COMMUNITY ON BAILEY HILL ROAD SAFETY IMPROVEMENTS SPRING GREEN BUILDING EDUCATIONAL EVENTS FRIENDS OF THE LIBRARY BOOK SALE – APRIL 12 AND 13 nd TRAFFIC CALMING WORKSHOPS SLATED FOR FILLMORE STREET AND 32 AVENUE CHALLENGE COURSE FACILITATORS HELP BUILD CONFIDENCE AND TEAMS AROUND THE CITY Fire Department Urges Clear Home and Business Address Numbering A recent local house fire to which Eugene Fire & EMS responded has again demonstrated the need to make everyone aware of the importance of clear, visible address numbering for all homes and businesses. In this recent case, fire engines responded to the vicinity of the address of the reported fire, but were not immediately able to determine exactly which structure was affected due to poor visibility of house numbers. Although the ultimate outcome was successful, there was a slight delay, which could have been critical under other circumstances. Fire officials recommend numbers at least four inches in height, of a color contrasting with the background, placed so as to be clearly visible from the road fronting the property. For businesses, placing the numbers on glass is not recommended as it provides no contrasting background and the numbers do not stand out, especially at night. Instead, placement on a solid structural element is recommended. The above standards are required by the Oregon International Fire Code for new structures, but for existing structures, the cooperation of citizens is the best safeguard. For more information, please contact Doug Perry, Assistant Fire Marshal, at 682-5411. Spring Brings Flurry of Curb Ramp Improvement Projects Curb ramp improvements will soon be under way at a number of locations around Eugene in an ongoing effort to provide connectivity in the City’s sidewalk system and accommodate people with disabilities. The curb ramp projects are managed by the Public Works Maintenance Division and are funded primarily through the Community Development Block Grant (CDBG) program. Since the implementation of Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act of 1973 and the subsequent adoption of the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA), the City of Eugene has made accessibility improvements to City-owned facilities including transportation infrastructure such as intersections and mid-block crossings that don’t have any type of curb ramps. CDBG funds are only used for the installation of new ADA- compliant curb ramps, and not for upgrading existing ramps. For FY08, $60,000 in CDBG funding was approved for ADA-compliant curb ramp installations. The prioritization of ramp locations takes into account public input, recommendations from the Human Rights Commission, proximity to schools, hospitals and public places, and neighborhood connectivity. Many of the City’s more than 10,000 curb ramps meet ADA standards, but some gaps still exist. At an average cost of $1,500 per single ramp and $2,500 per double ramp, the Public Works Maintenance Division is able to install dozens of curb ramps annually. This year’s CDBG curb ramp program totals EUGENE CITY COUNCIL NEWSLETTER PAGE 1 April 3, 2008 more than 30 installations throughout Eugene. The majority of installations will take place during the spring construction season, using both contract and Public Works Maintenance labor. Sitework Construction, an area contractor, is installing 26 ramps at nine intersections. That work is scheduled to be completed by early June. Other locations are being constructing using staff resources from the surface operations section. Along with CDBG projects, surface operation staff is also upgrading several existing curb ramps that do not meet current ADA standards. For more information about curb ramp improvements, including details about specific locations, contact Project Manager Wayne Masoner at 682-4883. Process to Engage Community on Bailey Hill Road Safety Improvements City of Eugene Transportation planning staff is initiating a process designed to engage the community in a dialogue on the topic of safety improvements on Bailey Hill Road in west Eugene. A series of three public workshops will begin on Wednesday, April 9, at the Churchill High School library from 6:00 to 8:00 p.m. Two additional workshops will be held on May 7 and June 4. The first public forum will provide participants with background information about the project and a summary of existing conditions on Bailey Hill Road. Staff will present the concept of a “road diet,” a design treatment that may be applied to the section of Bailey Hill Road th between West 18 Avenue and Warren Street. Neighbors, business and property owners and nearby stakeholders have been invited to participate in a collaborative effort to make Bailey Hill Road looking south Bailey Hill Road safer and more functional for all users. Additional project information can be accessed at www.eugene-or.gov/pwprojects or by contacting David Roth, Associate Transportation Planner at david.f.roth@ci.eugene.or.us, or 682-5727. Spring Green Building Educational Events The City continues to partner with community groups in coordinating various presentations on green building strategies. The first presentation was held on Wednesday, April 2, and focused on rainwater harvesting with the local chapter of the Northwest Ecobuilding Guild and the City's Green Building Program. The next presentation is scheduled for Wednesday, April 8, and will focus on recycling efforts in conjunction with construction and deconstruction. The April 8 session, a panel presentation and discussion on Deconstruction Methods and On-Site Waste Management, is in collaboration with the Eugene Branch of the Cascadia Green Building Council. A 2002 analysis of the waste stream showed that construction and demolition debris made up over 25 percent of Eugene's landfill waste - that's the equivalent of about 34,000 tons a year. With the recent increase in Lane County disposal fees, it makes even more sense to divert recyclable construction and remodeling debris from the landfill. Fortunately, there are several options readily available to keep useful materials from ending up at the dump and representatives from BRING, EcoSort, Essex General Construction, and Building and Permit Services Division will explain how. This presentation will be at noon in the Library Singer Room. For more information on green building strategies and events, please contact Green Building Analyst Jeannine Parisi, Planning and Development Department, 682-5541. Friends of the Library Book Sale – April 12 and 13 th Celebrate National Library Week among Friends! The 30 Annual Friends of Eugene Public Library Book Sale is slated for Saturday, April 12, 9:00 a.m. – 6:00 p.m. and Sunday, April 13, 9:00 a.m. – 4:00 EUGENE CITY COUNCIL NEWSLETTER PAGE 2 April 3, 2008 p.m., at the Lane County Fairgrounds' Performance Hall. All proceeds support Eugene Public Library programs and services. Parking and admission are free. According to Book Sale organizer Jane Gilbert, "Eugene loves to recycle, and the Book Sale recycles information and entertainment throughout the community. Donations have been at record levels this year, so there’s sure to be something for everyone." Choose from more than 80,000 books, DVDs, CDs, recorded books, and videos at bargain prices. Most hardbound and large paperback books are priced at just $1.50, with small paperbacks only $1. Look for rare and specialty items in the “individually priced” area and recent bestsellers in the “good-as-new” area. The teen section includes graphic novels, and the children's area has lots of books, videos, and more. The Book Sale is the Friends' major fundraiser. More than 300 volunteers work on the Book Sale, many year-round. In 2007, the event took in more than $90,000 to support Eugene Public Library programs and services. For more information, call Eugene Public Library at 682-5450. ththnd Traffic Calming Workshops Slated for Fillmore Street (19-24), 32 Avenue (Alder-Onyx) Public Works engineering staff will be meeting with neighbors in the coming weeks to develop two new thth traffic calming projects. One project is on Fillmore Street between 19 and 24 Avenues and the other nd project is on 32 Avenue between Alder and Onyx streets. Staff invites neighbors to help plan traffic calming elements for these neighborhood streets. The projects are intended to reduce speeds of motorists in response to requests by residents in the area. Two traffic calming workshops are planned for each project. At the first workshop, neighbors will learn more about traffic calming and review some initial ideas that could be used to slow down traffic. Staff will then refine a plan for review at the second workshop. At the second workshop, neighbors will review a refined design for traffic calming improvements and provide final comments. Then, engineering staff will finalize the design and build it. The dates and locations of the workshops are as follows: thth Fillmore Street (19-24) ? Traffic Calming Workshop #1, Tuesday, April 8, 7:00 to 9:00 p.m. ? Traffic Calming Workshop #2, Thursday, May 1, 7:00 to 9:00 p.m. Location for both Fillmore Street workshops is the Arts and Technology Academy Library, 1650 West 22nd Avenue (Westmoreland Park). nd 32 Avenue (Alder-Onyx) ? Traffic Calming Workshop #1, Tuesday, April 15, 7:00 to 9:00 p.m. ? Traffic Calming Workshop #2, Wednesday, May 7, 7:00 to 9:00 p.m. nd Location for both 32 Avenue workshops is Hilyard Community Center Classroom, 2580 Hilyard Street. For additional information, please contact: Lindsay Selser, Transportation Planning Technician, at 541-682-5094 or lindsay.r.selser@ci.eugene.or.us. Challenge Course Facilitators Help Build Confidence and Teams Challenge Course Facilitators receive comprehensive training that teaches them to guide groups through Spencer Butte Challenge Course programs, which help individuals gain self-confidence, and groups of friends, co- workers, or classmates develop teamwork. They learn technical safety skills and develop their ability to design, deliver, and debrief adventure-based experiential education activities. Registration is now open for the training, which includes four weekday evenings (April 15, 17, 22 and 24) and four full weekend days (April 19, 20, 26 and 27) over a two- week period. The cost is $250, and includes the Spencer Butte Challenge Course manual. Successful registrants who are hired as City of Eugene facilitators will receive a $125 rebate and their EUGENE CITY COUNCIL NEWSLETTER PAGE 3 April 3, 2008 group or organization may get a discount for using the course. For further information, please contact Kellie Nemke at 682-5239. THIS WEEK COUNCIL BREAK: March 13 - April 9 NEXT WEEK 04/07 M Noon JS Housing Policy Board McNutt Room ** 04/09 W Noon All Council Lunch Work Session McNutt Room 04/10 Th 5:30pm MC, BT Police Commission McNutt Room UPCOMING 04/14 M 5:30pm All Council Dinner Work Session McNutt Room 04/14 M 7:30pm All Council Meeting Council Chamber 04/15 T 6:00pm MC Human Rights Commission McNutt Room 04/16 W Noon All Council Lunch Work Session McNutt Room 04/21 M 5:30pm All Council Dinner Work Session McNutt Room 04/21 M 7:30pm All Council Public Hearing Council Chamber 04/23 W Noon All Council Lunch Work Session McNutt Room 04/23 W 1:30pm BT, AO, GP IGR Committee McNutt Room 04/28 M 5:30pm All Council Dinner Work Session McNutt Room 04/28 M 7:30pm All Council Meeting Council Chamber 04/30 W Noon All Council Lunch Work Session McNutt Room ABSENT: Ortiz 04/30 M 7:30pm All Budget Committee (tentative) EPL-Bascom/Tykeson ABSENT: Ortiz May------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------ 05/05 M 5:30pm All Budget Committee (tentative) EPL-Bascom/Tykeson 05/07 w 5:30pm All Budget Committee (tentative) EPL-Bascom/Tykeson 05/08 Th 5:30pm MC, BT Police Commission McNutt Room ** 05/12 M 5:30pm All Council Dinner Work Session McNutt Room 05/12 M 7:30pm All Council Meeting Council Chamber 05/13 T Noon All Jointed Elected Officials Meeting McNutt Room ABSENT: Poling 05/14 W Noon All Council Lunch Work Session McNutt Room 05/14 M 5:30pm All Budget Committee (tentative) EPL-Bascom/Tykeson 05/19 M 7:00pm All Budget Committee Public Hearing Council Chamber 05/19 M 8:00pm All Council Public Hearing Council Chamber 05/20 T 5:30pm All Budget Committee McNutt Room 05/20 T 6:00pm MC Human Rights Commission McNutt Room ** -2 05/21 W Noon All Council Lunch Work Session McNutt Room ** 05/21 W 5:30pm All Budget Committee (tentative) EPL-Bascom/Tykeson 05/27 M 5:30pm All Council Dinner Work Session McNutt Room 05/27 M 7:30pm All Council Meeting Council Chamber 05/28 W Noon All Council Lunch Work Session McNutt Room June------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------ 06/04 W Noon All Council Lunch Work Session McNutt Room ** 06/09 M 5:30pm All Council Dinner Work Session McNutt Room ** 06/09 M 7:30pm All Council Meeting Council Chamber ** 06/11 W Noon All Council Lunch Work Session McNutt Room ** 06/12 Th 5:30pm MC, BT Police Commission McNutt Room ** 06/16 M 7:30pm All Council Public Hearing Council Chamber ** 06/17 T 6:00pm MC Human Rights Commission McNutt Room ** 06/18 W Noon All Council Lunch Work Session McNutt Room ** 06/23 M 5:30pm All Council Dinner Work Session McNutt Room ** ABSENT: Piercy 06/23 M 7:30pm All Council Meeting Council Chamber ** EUGENE CITY COUNCIL NEWSLETTER PAGE 4 April 3, 2008 ABSENT: Piercy 06/25 W Noon All Council Lunch Work Session McNutt Room ** ABSENT: Piercy ** Denotes changes or additions to calendar UNAVAILABLE FOR CITY COUNCIL BUSINESS Ortiz: April 30 - May 2 Taylor: May 5 - 8; May 29 - June 1 Piercy: June 21 - 25 EUGENE CITY COUNCIL NEWSLETTER PAGE 5 April 3, 2008