HomeMy WebLinkAboutCity Council Newsletter - 09/07/06
EUGENE CITY COUNCIL NEWSLETTER
September 7, 2006
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
CELEBRATE AT EUGENE PUBLIC LIBRARY
FIVE LOCAL BUSINESSES JUMPSTART SUSTAINABILITY
WORK ON RECONSTRUCTION OF HILYARD STREET DRAWING TO A CLOSE
AROUND THE CITY
Celebrate at Eugene Public Library
Anyone who is interested can be one of the voices that
greet patrons when they return books outside the
Downtown Eugene Public Library (EPL).
During the Eugene Celebration on Saturday,
September 9, between 2 – 4 p.m., community
members are invited to drop in at the Downtown
Library to have their voices recorded. The only
requirement is the ability to read a script of a few
simple sentences. The whole family can participate.
For people who do not have a Library card,
September's the perfect time to register. It's National
Library Card Sign-Up Month—a back-to-school
tradition welcoming students and lifelong learners of
all ages to EPL.
To celebrate Sign-Up Month, EPL joins libraries around the country in calling attention to the tremendous
value of a library card. EPL has more than 375,000 books and audio books, 36,000 videos and DVDs,
and 22,000 music CDs to choose from; plus, newspapers, magazines, state-of-the-art research tools,
Internet access, and professional help with questions of all kinds.
For City of Eugene residents, there is no out-of-pocket cost for a Library card. Those who live outside
city limits can purchase a Library card at $25 for 3 months. That single payment allows each person in a
household to have a card of his or her own. Gift certificates are also available.
To make the best use of Library services, patrons should have their library cards with them each time
they visit to take advantage of conveniences including self-service check-out and Internet access. An
EPL card is the key to a universe of ideas and information! For more information, call the Eugene Public
Library, 682-5450.
Five Local Businesses Jumpstart Sustainability
Five active Business Development Fund loan program companies recently participated in a
demonstration project to understand and take action on their environmental risks and untapped value.
The City project was co-sponsored by the Eugene Chamber of Commerce and Good Company. The five
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businesses include: Green Gear Cycling Inc., makers of Bike Friday; Harlequin Beads and Jewelry;
Holly Residential, a residential group home; Mazzi’s Italian Restaurant; and Plaza Latina, a supermarket
specializing in Latin and Middle Eastern food.
EUGENE CITY COUNCIL NEWSLETTER PAGE 1
September 7, 2006
The businesses began with a Good Company-led workshop to teach the fundamentals of sustainability
with a focus on life-cycle and supply-chain management. Next, working one-on-one with business
owners, Good Company conducted an “executive assessment” focused on energy, fuel and climate
impacts, materials, waste and recycling, water use, indoor-air quality, habitat, landscape and stormwater
management and authentic branding and communications. The process concluded with concrete,
feasible and affordable action steps to improve operations and marketing.
While each business had unique risks and opportunities, many had similar needs. Common areas for
significant improvement included energy efficiency, use of non-toxic cleaning products and the selection
of packaging with increased recycled content and future recycling capabilities. Many businesses were
also neglecting to improve customer loyalty by disclosing business practices.
On October 31, from 8 – 10 am, Good Company will present results of the program to other companies
in “Sustainability 101 for Business,” a two-hour workshop co-sponsored by the City and the Eugene Area
Chamber of Commerce. The first half of the workshop will consist of a brief introduction to sustainability
issues, the assessment process, and the assessment tool. The second half will review the demonstration
project results to bridge the gap from concept to application.
The demonstration program and subsequent class is supported with City funds provided for sustainable
economic development. [Good Company is a local research and consulting firm that helps clients
measure, manage, and market their social and environmental performance.] For more information, call
Mike Sullivan, Community Development Division, at 682-5448.
Work on Reconstruction of Hilyard Street Drawing to a
Close
Substantial completion of the Hilyard Street reconstruction
project is just around the corner. The contractor, Wildish
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Construction, opened one lane between 24 and 18 avenues in
time for the start of classes on Wednesday, and full reopening of
the street is scheduled for Saturday afternoon.
Project Manager Steve Gallup said the $2 million project has
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proceeded as anticipated. “The first section from 13 to 18 was
done right on time, and the second section has taken just a
couple of extra days because we had to excavate a bit more than
we had planned in a couple of locations,” he said.
Travelers quickly adjusted to the street closure and seemed to
appreciate good signage and the variety of traffic information,
Gallup said. Nonetheless, everyone is heaving a sigh of relief
that the end of the job is in sight and that the weather has
cooperated. For more information, call Steve Gallup at 682-
8460.
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September 7, 2006