HomeMy WebLinkAboutCC Newsletter - 05/12/05EUGENE CITY COUNCIL NEWSLETTER
May 12, 2005
City of Eugene
777 Pearl Street, Room 105
Eugene, Oregon 97401-2793
(541) 682-5010
(541) 682-5414 (FAX)
www.ci.eugene.or, us
PAVING REPAIRS TO WEST 28TM AVENUE TO BEGIN MONDAY, MAY 16
EUGENE SISTER CITY COMMITTEE SPONSORS SIBERIAN ART EXHIBIT
CHll-DREN, PUBI-IC TO DISCOVER PUBI-IC WORKS AT SPECIAl_ EVENT
FRIENDS OF THE I-IBRARY BOOK SAl-E A HUGE SUCCESS
CITY FINANCING ASSISTS OPUS 6IX DOWNTOWN
PARK RENTAl- FACll-ITIES GET MUCH-NEEDED FACEI-IFT
CITY ORDINANCE REQUIRES PROPERTY OWNERS TO CUT TAl-l- GRASS AND WEEDS
SERIES OF READINGS BY Wll-I-AMETTE REPERTORY THEATRE SCHEDUl-ED
CITY SEl-ECTS GREEN BUll-DING PARTNERS
Pavinq Repairs to West 28t~ Avenue to Beqin Monday, May ~6
Construction is scheduled to begin Monday, May 16, on a $420,000 project to repave West 28th Avenue
from Friendly to City View streets. The project on West 28th Avenue is one of eight pavement
preservation projects scheduled this summer in Eugene. The projects are funded primarily by Eugene's
local motor vehicle fuel tax; none of the costs are being assessed to abutting property owners. The goal
of the pavement preservation program is to substantially reduce the backlog of street repair projects in
Eugene. To make the most efficient use of limited funding, an effort is made to repair streets before
they fall into serious deterioration, thereby avoiding more expensive repairs in just a few years.
Wildish Construction Co. is the general contractor on the West 28th Avenue project. The work involves
grinding off deteriorated pavement, excavating and repairing portions of the subsurface structure, and
applying new asphaltic concrete. Approximately 4,000 tons of asphalt will be used to resurface about 1.4
th
miles of West 28 Avenue. When the paving portion of the work is complete, the street will be re-striped
in the existing configuration of one travel lane in each direction, bicycle lanes on both sides of the street,
and parking in designated areas. The repair work on West 28th Avenue is scheduled to be completed by
late June.
As is always the case in street construction projects, there likely will be some disruptions to traffic during
construction. Staff has worked with the contractor to develop a traffic control plan that provides
reasonable access during daytime construction hours. Residents in the neighborhood have received
several postcards informing them about the project. The most recent postcard went out this week to let
neighbors know about the start of construction. The contractor will continue to keep residents informed,
and weekly updates will be posted on the City's web site (www.ci.eugene.or. us/pw/traffic) and on the
Metro Roadwork Hotline (984-8484). For more information, contact Project Manager Matt Rodrigues at
682-6036.
Eugene Sister City Committee Sponsors Siberian Art Exhibit
Since 1987, Eugene has enjoyed a rewarding Sister City relationship with Irkutsk, Russia, the capital of
Eastern Siberia. To encourage understanding, appreciation, and friendship between the two cities, the
Eugene~lrkutsk Sister City Committee (EISCC) has sponsored many exchanges and projects. The
Siberian Dreams project, an art exhibit currently on display at the Eugene Airport until August 2, 2005, is
one of its most ambitious.
EUGENE CITY COUNCIL NEWSLETTER PAGE 1
May 12, 2005
Siberian Dreams features the work of Irkutsk artists who are inspired by the myths, legends and folklore
of native Siberians. Like American Indians, 85 Siberian tribes are committed to honoring their history
and retaining their unique languages and traditions. The most populous tribe in the Irkutsk region is the
Buryat, whose history is intimately tied to the origins of Shamanism. Lake Baikal, near which Irkutsk is
located, is considered the birthplace of Siberian Shamanism and is called "Grandfather Sea" by the
Buryat.
In 2001, Yuri Pantioukhin, a member of the EISCC Board of Directors who lived in Irkutsk for many
years, showed his art collection to Dena Brown, a professional art consultant and fellow board member.
When she saw a watercolor titled "Shaman Woman" by Irkutsk artist Vitaly Smaguin, she was reminded
of work by contemporary Native American artists. After several years of planning by Brown and
Pantioukhin, a generous grant from Sister Cities International and the United States State Department
made the exhibit a reality. In November 2004, exhibit curator Brown and consultant Dorothy Nunez
(Apache/Chumash) traveled to Irkutsk to meet local artists and members of the Buryat community. They
chose artwork based on quality and appropriateness to the subject. Siberian Dreams is a seed program
for future art projects. A portion of the artwork sales goes towards a companion exhibit, NATIVE
DREAMS, which will tour the Irkutsk region and feature artwork by contemporary Willamette Valley
artists. For more information on Siberian Dreams, call Dena Brown at 744-0909.
Children, Public to Discover Public Works at Special Event
On Thursday, May 19, from 8 a.m. to 3 p.m., more than 1,000 children,
accompanied by hundreds of teachers, parents and adult chaperones, will
visit the Eugene Public Works yard at 1820 Roosevelt Boulevard to learn
about the department's programs and services. To date, 47 elementary
school classrooms have signed up to attend. Most have requested a guided
tour of the hands-on exhibits specifically designed for elementary-age C/ty o£Eu~dene ?u~//¢ Worlds
children to have fun while learning about Public Works maintenance,
stormwater, parks, wastewater, airport, and engineering activities. The event
is open to the public, and councilors are invited to attend.
The theme of this year's open house is "Discover Eugene Public Works," and
most of the exhibits will be part of one of the following theme or activity
areas:
· Tiny Town, a simulated road system that teaches about the city's
transportation system and traffic safety
· Tiny Park, an interactive park experience that includes a mini playground, tree stumps for climbing,
water insects in Petri dishes, an area for digging for bugs, and visits with Nearby Nature critters in
costume
· Water World, an exploration of water systems, habitat and cycles
· The Equipment Rodeo, featuring mowers, tractors, dump trucks, a backhoe, aerial boom truck, street
sweeper, and other Public Works equipment on display
Other activities include a trailer ride through the Public Works' "back yard" and a mock construction
zone, a model Airport security clearance station, group photos framed in a picture of a manhole cover,
and a booth featuring a composting worm bin.
"The children loved the equipment, the frogs and insects in costume, sitting in trucks and equipment,
riding through a work zone, digging for bugs, and the helpful and friendly staff," said one teacher in her
evaluation of last year's event. For more information about the event, contact Public Works Public
Affairs Manager Eric Jones at 682-5523.
Friends of the Library Book Sale a Huqe Success
The Friends of Eugene Public Library have done it again! The 27th Annual Friends Book Sale, held April
16 and 17, grossed $73,780 to support the Library in providing the community with workshops, talks, and
performances for kids, teens, and adults, as well as new books, audiobooks, music CDs, videos, and
DVDs. Lane County Fairgrounds' Wheeler Pavilion was filled to the brim all weekend with happy
booklovers of all ages, browsing, chatting, recommending titles, greeting old friends, and meeting new
EUGENE CITY COUNCIL NEWSLETTER PAGE 2
May 12, 2005
ones.
Few people realize just how much time, energy, and talent the Friends of the Eugene Public Library put
into the annual book sale. Dozens of dedicated volunteers work year-round to sort, prepare, price, and
store tens of thousands of donated items. During the final week, additional volunteers join in to move
everything to the site and set up and run the book sale. All told, nearly 300 people volunteered to make
the 2005 Book Sale a success.
"Many, many thanks from all of us at Eugene Public Library, including Library users," says Library
Director Connie Bennett. "We really appreciate everyone who donated books, everyone who 'shopped
for a cause' at the book sale, and especially the Friends' Board members and volunteers who make it all
happen!" For more information, contact Library Director Connie Bennett, 682-5363.
City Financinq Assists Opus 6ix Downtown
The City of Eugene Business Development Fund recently
provided financing to help establish Opus 6ix, a premier
purveyor of high quality art, gifts, and merchandise. The
showroom provides a retail venue for artists and artisans to
showcase their works. Opus 6ix currently features products
from over 75 different artists and artisans, a majority from
the local area, with plans to eventually feature over 200
different artists and artisans.
Opus 6ix is located at 22 West 7th Avenue, on the ground
floor level of the Parcade parking structure, in the space
formerly occupied by the Oveissi & Co. rug store. Business
Development Fund financing in the amount of $30,000 was
critical in making this project a reality. For more information, contact Denny Braud, Planning and
Development Department, 682-5536 (denny.braud@ci.eugene.or. us).
Park Rental Facilities Get Much-Needed Facelift
The Parks and Open Space Turf and Irrigation
crews recently installed and improved turf areas in
Alton Baker Park and Owen Rose Garden just in
time for spring rentals.
The first effort was the renovation of the decrepit
turf area surrounding the shelters at Alton Baker
Park. Last year, this popular park was rented 144
times, drawing an estimated 46,000 people. Most
of those rentals were centered in the two shelters
and surrounding area and the turf area was often
used as a dance site for large community events.
In addition to the intensive use of the area,
especially in the summer, an old tree stump,
depressions from settling ground, dumped soil, and
erosion made this area difficult to maintain and mow, as well as raised safety concerns for park users.
"This renovation project was long overdue. The area was in poor condition when the City took
responsibility from the County in the late 1980s, and it has not been updated since," said Turf and
Grounds Lead Worker Todd Richards.
During phase 1 last fall, the crew installed additional irrigation, rolled 5,000 feet of sod between the
shelters, and poured concrete to improve shelter entranceways. During subsequent phases, crews
worked on the large area between the shelters and bike path. Improvements made consisted of grading
the area, spreading a lawn-base soil mix, layering a mix of sawdust and sand, and spraying hydro seed,
a mixture of virgin wood fiber mulch, dye, seed, and water (see photo above). In the process, the crew
removed 20 square yards of rock, concrete and other debris.
EUGENE CITY COUNCIL NEWSLETTER PAGE 3
May 12, 2005
The crews also recently completed the installation of an irrigation system, walkway borders and turf in
the area that surrounds the Owen Rose Garden gazebo. The gazebo is a popular site for small
weddings. In 2004, 44 couples were married in this idyllic rose garden next to the river. The gazebo,
with adjacent pergola and walkways, was installed in 2003 by Parks staff in conjunction with the City's
community partner, Delta Rotary Club. The funding and volunteer labor provided by Rotary was critical
in making these improvements possible.
For more information about these turf projects, contact Rob Hallett at 682-4935 or
rob.r, hallett~ene.or, us. For more information about Alton Baker Park, Owen Rose Garden or park
rentals, call 682-4800 or visit www.ci.eugene.or, us/parks.
City Ordinance Requires Property Owners to Cut Tall Grass and Weeds
According to the City of Eugene Code, property owners
are required to maintain vegetation on their property in
order to reduce potential fire hazards, eliminate traffic
vision problems, and provide for appropriate use and
access within the public right-of-way. The following
conditions are considered public nuisances and are
subject to enforcement by the City:
· grass and weeds over 10 inches in height
· trees and shrubs that obstruct streets, alleys, and
sidewalks
· blackberry vines that extend into a public right-
of-way or cross property lines
· any vegetation that obstructs motorists' visibility
"Enforcement of nuisance vegetation codes is intended to protect the safety, health and general welfare
of Eugene's citizens and visitors," says the City's Vegetation Program Manager Kristi Hayden. "Our goal
is to obtain voluntary compliance by providing information to property owners about their responsibilities
to maintain vegetation."
The City requests the cooperation of property owners in monitoring and maintaining vegetation and other
debris on both developed and undeveloped property all the way up to the curb line, including vegetation
growing over the sidewalk. The City annually reminds property owners of their vegetation maintenance
responsibilities through newspaper advertisements and/or by letter. Violations on developed property are
enforced year-round with the property owner being notified and given ten days to correct the problem.
Traffic vision, right-of-way obstructions and blackberry encroachment violations on undeveloped property
are also enforced year-round under the same notification process. However, tall grass and weeds on
undeveloped property are considered a nuisance only between June 15 and September 30, but may be
abated by the City without further notice. In either case, if it is necessary for the City to abate a nuisance
vegetation problem, the property owner will be charged all costs incurred in performing the necessary
work, including administrative costs. The minimum charge for any abatement is $166. For more
information, call Program Coordinator Kristi Hayden at 682-4821 or visit
www.ci.eugene.or, us/parks/vege/tallgrass.htm.
Series of Readinqs by Willamette Repertory Theatre Scheduled
= ~~ ~ On May 20-22, the Willamette Repertory Theatre will present a series of
I I readings in Studio 1 at the Hult Center- The Big Knife (May 20), Cyber
ILLA ETTIE
~.%1, Serenade (May 21), and Bicycle Country (May 22).
Clifford Oders, a successful playwright and author of The Big Knife, was also
a successful screenwriter in Hollywood (The Sweet Smefl of Success) and
one of the few members of the Communist party not blacklisted during the McCarthy era. The Big Knife
(penned in1949) is a dark, cynical probing of the film industry's behemoth studio system. Cyber
Serenade, by Mia McCullough, is a witty comedy about the vagaries of modern technology. McCullough
recently won the American Theatre Critics Association's Osborn Award for new plays, and supports her
writing habit by working on a crisis line at a shelter for battered women and children. Bicycle Country is a
lyrical journey set in early 1990's Cuba. It's an early work of Pulitzer Prize-winning author Nilo Cruz who
EUGENE CITY COUNCIL NEWSLETTER PAGE 4
May 12, 2005
immigrated to the "Little Havana" area from Cuba in 1970 and later received his masters from Brown
University. He is also the author of the current Broadway smash, Anna in the Tropics. For more
information, contact the Hult Center Ticket Office at 682-5000.
City Selects Green Buildinq Partners
In March, the Planning and Development Department issued a request for proposals seeking developers,
designers, contractors and others for work on a green building demonstration project. The project is
supported with funds allocated by the City Council for sustainable economic development. A staff team
has screened responses and selected three projects, the first two earning top scores:
(1) 3rd & Mill Building, an infill project combining commercial spaces with residential units, planned for
420 E. 3rd Avenue. The owner is Jeff Wilson-Charles with the Three Muses Group, LLC, and the project
coordinator is Scott Stolarczyk, a LEED-accredited professional with RobertsonlSherwoodlArchitects who
chairs the local chapter of the American Institute of Architects (AIA). RobertsonlSherwood is working in
collaboration with William Roach Design.
(2) Fairmount Square Rowhouses, located on Walnut Street, south of 15th Avenue. The project will be
developed and constructed by a professional design and construction team led by Steve Gab and
Michael Scarola of Rainbow Valley Design and Construction, Inc., with design by Ed Waterbury, architect
and LEED-accredited professional. This project recently obtained approval for R-1.5 zoning, the first
effort utilizing Eugene's relatively new rowhouse zone.
(3) Crescent Village, a large-scale, mixed-use Planned Unit Development spearheaded by Arlie & Co.
The project manager is Mark Miksis, a graduate of the University of Oregon School of Architecture
whose previous projects include the Debs Park Audubon Center in Los Angeles, the first building in the
United States to receive a LEED Platinum rating.
The projects will receive differing types and levels of support which may include technical and procedural
consultation, designation of City staff leads and project teams, and expedited permit processing. The
project objectives are to support, recognize and publicize green building development in the community
and to learn more about barriers and opportunities to sustainable development for sharing lessons with
City regulators, as well as designers, contractors, developers and the general public. For more
information, please contact Keli Osborn, 682-5288, or keli.m.osborn@ci.eugene.or, us.
EUGENE CITY COUNCIL NEWSLETTER PAGE 5
May 12, 2005