HomeMy WebLinkAbout07/17/08 City Council Newsletter
EUGENE CITY COUNCIL NEWSLETTER
July 17, 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 RESPONDS TO HOT, DRY CONDITIONS
UPDATES TO RENTAL HOUSING WEB PAGE AND PUBLIC INFORMATION
CONCERTS IN THE PARKS A PERFECT WAY TO SPEND A SUMMER EVENING
KIDS: CATCH THE READING BUG
AROUND THE CITY
Fire Department Responds To Hot, Dry Conditions
A relatively dry winter, low humidity and high temperatures have resulted in a significant number of grass and
brush fires in and around Eugene this summer, including two this week which seriously threatened nearby homes.
During fire season, June 15 through
September 30, the Fire & EMS
department upgrades its standard
response package for natural cover
fires, sending an initial complement of
two fire suppression apparatus and one
command officer to all fires of this type.
Additional suppression resources are
also requested earlier in the response, if
necessary. The department was
recently able to purchase 170 new sets
of wildland gear for firefighters
(including overpants, Nomex shirts and
jackets, and wildland-compliant gloves,
goggles, and boots) with funding from a
council-authorized, federal Assistance to
Firefighters Program grant. In addition
to other safety equipment, the grant
enabled the Fire & EMS Department to
purchase $99,000 worth of protective
equipment while expending only
$19,800 in General Fund money.
According to the Oregon Department of Forestry, there is a higher than average wildfire danger this year. In
addition to recommending a 30-foot defensible perimeter around homes wherever possible, fire officials are urging
residents to take extra precautions when using any type of equipment which may generate heat or sparks. Except
when cooking, outdoor burning is not permitted within city limits, and even when barbecuing, a supply of water
should be kept at hand. For more information, please contact Glen Potter, Fire & EMS Department, at 682-7118.
Updates to Rental Housing Web Page and Public Information
Following Eugene City Council action on May 27 to expand the City’s Rental Housing Code to include security and
smoke detectors, Planning and Development staff has provided information to all rental owners and tenants. The
code changes became effective June 30, 2008. Eugene’s program also addresses the following four areas of
.
habitability: structural integrity, plumbing, heating, and weatherproofingStaffrecently sent a mailer to owners and
tenants informing them of the changes. To see a copy of the mailer and the program’s updated web page, visit
EUGENE CITY COUNCIL NEWSLETTER PAGE 1
July 18, 2008
www.eugene-or.gov/rentalhousing. Staff will also involve the public and stakeholders in considering other rental
housing code issues before returning to the council later this year.For more information, please contact Rachelle
Nicholas, Building & Permit Services, at 682-5495 or rachelle.d.nicholas@ci.eugene.or.us
Concerts in the Parks a Perfect Way to Spend a Summer Evening
City of Eugene Cultural Services is proud to present another summer of FREE Concerts in the City Parks. The
series kicked off in June with the We Are Bethel Celebration, which this year featured a performance by Eleven
Eyes. After a break during the Olympic Trials, the summer line-up continues with a wide variety of music styles
and locations, including a concert downtown in Kesey Plaza.
Here’s what’s on tap: The Essentials perform originals and covers of Stevie Wonder, Chicago, and more on July
17 in Amazon Park. Hot Club Eugene plays hot gypsy jazz at 6:30 p.m. on July 24, behind Campbell Community
Center. The West Coast Rhythm Kings perform jazz, swing and Latin, at 5:30 p.m. as the finale of the Multicultural
Festival on Saturday, August 2, at Sheldon Community Center.
State of Jefferson performs covers and originals in World,
Americana, and Reggae styles, at 6:30 p.m. on August 7 at
Petersen Barn Park. Barbara Healy, R&B, soul and jazz,
performs at 6:30 p.m. on August 14, downtown in the Kesey
Plaza, Broadway and Willamette. The Blue Skies Big Band, a
big band with vocals, performs at 6:30 p.m. on August 21,
behind the Sheldon Community Center. Wrapping up the
summer concerts are Hip-Hop performances at 5:00 p.m. at the
End of Summer Skate Jam, held from 1:00 to 7:00 p.m. on
August 22, at the Churchill Youth Sports Park.
Also this summer, the Washburne Series continues, this year
sponsored by Pacific Winds Music. Local musicians volunteer to
play light classics for wind and brass instruments at these concerts, which all begin at 6:30 p.m. in Washburne
Park at Agate Street and 20th Avenue.
This summer’s lineup includes:
· Eugene Highlanders Pipe Band, Sunday, July 13
Eugene Symphonic Band, Sunday, July 20
· Springfield Community Concert Band, Sunday, July 27
Oregon Tuba Ensemble, Sunday, August 3
· Celtic Band, Sunday, August 10
· Oregon Brass Society, August 17
· Eugene Symphonic Band, Sunday, August 24
· Junction City Polka Band, Sunday, August 31
· Accordions Anonymous, Monday, September 1 (Labor Day)
One More Time Marching Band, Sunday, September 7
For more information, contact Billie Moser at 682-8083.
Kids: Catch the Reading Bug
By early July, more than 3,000 local children have signed up for Eugene Public Library's Summer Reading
program. Each child receives a free book, sponsored by the Friends of Eugene Public Library. Sign-ups continue
into August, as do free events for kids and families.
The kids' Summer Reading theme this year is "Metamorphosis: Catch the Reading Bug!" Upcoming activities
Bilingual Family Fiestas
include making ladybug and bumblebee crowns and with stories and songs in Spanish
and English. Join in the fun on Saturday July 19, 11:00 - noon, at the Downtown Library, or Saturday July 26,
Teddy Bear Picnic
11:00 - noon, at the Bethel Branch. And don't miss the annual on Saturday, July 26, 11:00 -
noon, with live music by The McCornacks' Garden Variety Band in the park outside Amazon Community Center.
Bring young children, their favorite stuffed animals, and a snack or picnic lunch. Come out and play! For more
information, contact the Eugene Public Library at 682-8316 or www.eugene-or.gov/library.
EUGENE CITY COUNCIL NEWSLETTER PAGE 2
July 18, 2008