The URL can be used to link to this page

Home My WebLink About05/01/08 City Council NewsletterEUGENE CITY COUNCIL NEWSLETTER May 1, 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 TH OPEN HOUSE AT WESTTOWN ON 8 DURING FIRST FRIDAY ARTWALK EUGENE AIRPORT IMPACTED BY STRESSED AIRLINE INDUSTRY STUDENTS RECEIVE SERIOUS PROM NIGHT WARNING "PROTECT YOURSELF FROM IDENTITY THEFT" TALK AT EUGENE PUBLIC LIBRARY POLICE AND FIRE HOST 60 FOR KIDS-TO-WORK DAY AIR CARGO BUILDING CONSTRUCTION NEIGHBORS INVITED TO PLANNING WORKSHOP FOR CITY CENTER SKATEPARK ART SHOW HIGHLIGHTS WORK OF ART CAREERS PROGRAM STUDENTS AROUND THE CITY th Open House at WestTown on 8 During First Friday ArtWalk th WestTown on 8, a new mixed-income development in downtown Eugene, will host an open house as a part of the First Friday ArtWalk on May 2nd. One of the development’s live-work units will showcase the work of artists James Schauer and Shelly Fredenberg starting at 5:30 p.m. WestTown on thth 8 is located at 265 West 8 Avenue next to the WOW Hall. The developer, Metropolitan Affordable Housing Corporation, aligned an array of city, state, and federal th resources to make this project possible. The site for WestTown on 8 was purchased through the City’s Landbanking for Affordable Housing Program and awarded to the developer in 2005. In addition, the City of Eugene contributed federal HOME funds, system development charge waivers, a 20-year local tax exemption, and a short-term loan. For additional information, contact Housing Finance Analyst, Stephanie Jennings, at 682-5529. Eugene Airport Impacted by Stressed Airline Industry Barring lower fuel prices and an economic turnaround, United Airlines mainline service on the San Francisco route will not be retained at the Eugene Airport after August. September 1, 2008, regional jets will return with six daily roundtrips on that route.Previously there were seven nonstop flights a day to San Francisco. The larger Boeing 737 jets returned to the Eugene Airport March 29. Officials with the Eugene Airport and community partnership organizations worked together in developing a marketing proposal that won the increase in service. The 737 service was supported by the market and was competitive in loads compared to other airports. EUGENE CITY COUNCIL NEWSLETTER PAGE 1 May 1, 2008 United Airlines planners recently made the decision to substantially reduce capacity due to high fuel prices and a softening economy. This includes the sale of 30 mainline aircraft. “This decision is very disappointing,” said Eugene Airport Director Tim Doll, “but it’s not surprising given the extreme stress of the airline industry as a whole.” One Horizon Air flight to Seattle will also be dropped in late June. No other reductions in air service are known at this time. Airport officials will continue to work to sustain air service on routes supported by consumer demand. For more information contact Director of Marketing and Public Relations, Cathryn Stephens, at 682-5430, or via email cathryn.e.stephens@ci.eugene.or.us. Students Receive Serious Prom Night Warning Prom season is here, and with it comes the temptation for high schoolers to give in to peer pressure and engage in unsafe behavior -- in particular drinking and driving. Eugene Fire & EMS personnel teamed with other emergency response agencies last week to provide a demonstration of what the consequences might be to the assembled student body at Churchill High School. Called "Operation Prom Night," the demonstration involved a simulated motor vehicle accident with severe injuries and at least one fatality, the result of distracted and alcohol-impaired teen driving.As students stared at the realistic wreck, firefighters used the "Jaws of Life" to extricate victims and tended to the injured. A Life Flight rescue helicopter circled above. A real-life accident victim, Churchill student Brooke Frank, was brought forward in her wheelchair as a close-to-home example of what the warning was all about. Media coverage of the demonstration helped broadcast the message to the rest of the community. Eugene's firefighters and medics hope that, because of this warning and any others that can be given, lives will be saved between now and summer. For more information, please contact District Chief Scott Bishop at 682-7100. "Protect Yourself from Identity Theft" Talk at Eugene Public Library Concerned by recent news about online phishing and other scams? Knowledge is power! Get informed at a free presentation, "Protect Yourself From Identity Theft," Saturday, May 10, 3:00 p.m., at the Downtown Eugene Public Library. Frances Powell of the City of Eugene Police Department will explain what identify theft is and the practical steps to take to prevent it. She will also provide information about how to respond to identify theft or consumer fraud, including how to clear financial records and where to go for help. For more information, contact the Eugene Public Library, 682-5450. Police and Fire Host 60 Kids for Kids-to-Work Day The Eugene Police Department and Eugene Fire & EMS Department take a special approach to the annual Take Our Daughters and Sons to Work Day, which was observed nationwide last Thursday. Because emergency response personnel cannot be accompanied by children while on the job, the two departments organize job-related activities, demonstrations, and tours for the childrenof employees. This year, a record 60 kids registered and were shown through the Whiteaker Fire Station, 9-1-1 Center, City Hall, police forensics lab, property control unit, and other Fire and Police workplaces. They saw demonstrations of the police K-9 unit, police defensive tactics, a fire ladder truck, and, with careful supervision, they were allowed to douse a real fire with a real fire hose and check out some SWAT team equipment. At midday there was a barbecue lunch prepared by high-ranking police and fire officials. Many staff members in both departments -- some on their own time -- went above and beyond to help make the day's activities positive, educational, and enjoyable. The departments are pleased to have had the opportunity to provide these young people with a window into our working lives, and look forward to EUGENE CITY COUNCIL NEWSLETTER PAGE 2 May 1, 2008 another successful event next year. For more information, please contact Kerry Delf in Police at 682- 5197 or Glen Potter in Fire at 682-7118. Air Cargo Building Construction Construction of a new Air Cargo Building, with adjoining ramp area, is well underway at the Eugene Airport. The project is the first LEED Certified green building constructed by the City of Eugene. It is set for completion in late May, with occupancy by early July. The 11,000 square foot energy efficient facility features metal- construction with separate office and warehouse space for air cargo operators. A land-side truck dock, parking lot and access road is also part of the warehouse facility. A new air cargo ramp expansion of approximately 7,500 square yards is already complete. Some of the LEED Certification qualifications that will be employed in the project include sourcing building materials from 500 or fewer miles away, using building materials from renewable resources, and a commissioning plan that includes healthy building standards. The Eugene Airport has provided air cargo service since the start of commercial air service in 1943. Since that time, air cargo needs have increased significantly, and the airport has continued to be home of a thriving air cargo industry. Air cargo operations at the airport are projected to increase by at least 35% over a 20-year span ending in 2017. Total air freight handling at the Eugene Airport is projected to increase from 3 million pounds to 7.6 million pounds during this same period of time. With increased air cargo capacity provided by this project, the Eugene Airport will be able to take a share of the projected increases in air cargo at Portland International Airport. The PDX master plan update shows constraints and suggests that some air cargo operations be shifted to other airports to reduce development impacts on adjacent communities. Funding for this project came from the Federal Aviation Administration and ConnectOregon, a lottery- bond-based initiative, to invest in air, rail, marine and transit infrastructure. The State of Oregon program works to ensure Oregon's transportation system is strong, diverse and efficient. For more information contact Director of Marketing and Public Relations Cathryn Stephens, at 682-5430 or cathryn.e.stephens@ci.eugene.or.us. Neighbors Invited to Planning Workshop for City Center Skatepark This Tuesday, May 6, from 6:30 to 8:00 p.m., interested parties are invited to discuss options for locating a new, regional skatepark in Washington/Jefferson Park. The public workshop will be held at the Campbell Center, located at 155 High Street in Eugene. The focus of the first workshop will be to share information about the project and gather community input regarding several alternative locations for the proposed skatepark. Eugene has been a leader in providing public skatepark facilities for over 15 years. A strong showing of community support during the development of the Parks, Recreation and Open Space Project and Priority Plan highlighted the need for another, larger facility serving the greater Eugene community. Dubbed the City Center Skatepark, this is intended to be a top-quality facility with full cover for year-round public use, rain or shine. The project is a top priority of the PROS Project and Priority Plan, adopted in 2006. EUGENE CITY COUNCIL NEWSLETTER PAGE 3 May 1, 2008 Washington/Jefferson Park has been identified as the preferred site for the City Center Skatepark due to the central location and the large expanse of cover offered by the I-105 Bridge. Several possible locations exist between the railroad tracks and First Avenue. Because this project may involve a significant change in use of portions of the park, a public planning process is needed in order to move forward with a final location. SkateEugene (www.skateeugene.com), a local organization dedicated to making the City Center Skate Park a reality, has set an ambitious fundraising goal of $200,000 by December 2009. SkateEugene and the City of Eugene Parks and Open Space Division will be working in partnership to secure this funding as well as get local residents involved in the design process. The City currently has identified approximately $300,000 in matching funds to get the ball rolling. Project costs will be refined as the project moves forward, but a total budget of at least $500,000 is expected to be needed to design and build the new park. To help facilitate public input about the skatepark location, an online questionnaire has been prepared and posted on the project web page at www.eugene-or.gov/ccskatepark . Although community members are encouraged to attend the workshop to participate in a live discussion, comments may also be submitted any time by phone, email, or mail. For more information or to give input, contact Robin Hostick, Principal Landscape Architect, at 682-4915, robin.a.hostick@ci.eugene.or.us, or visit the park’s webpage at www.eugene-or.gov/ccskatepark. Art Show Highlights Work of Art Careers Program Students The Adaptive Recreation Program presents a show and sale of handmade gifts and collectables made by students in the Art Careers Program. The show will be held from 10:00 a.m. – 7:00 p.m. on Friday, May 2, at Hilyard Community Center, 2580 Hilyard St.Admission is free. Proceeds of every sale will go directly to the artist. This is a wonderful event to attend and an opportunity to meet the artists and purchase unique gifts. For information, call Molly Elliot at 682-5311. EUGENE CITY COUNCIL NEWSLETTER PAGE 4 May 1, 2008