HomeMy WebLinkAboutCC Newsletter - 06/02/05EUGENE CITY COUNCIL NEWSLETTER
June 2, 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
WORK BEGINS TODAY ON PROJECT TO IMPROVE UNIVERSITY AREA ALLEYS
FIRST FRIDAY AT THE EUGENE PUBLIC LIBRARY
STORMWATER AND WASTEWATER USER FEE RATE NOTIFICATION TO BE DISTRIBUTED
SPENCER BUTTE MIDDLE SCHOOL STUDENTS WORK ON FOUR PARK PROJECTS
A NIGHT OF IMPROVAT THE HULT
Work Beqins Today on Project to Improve University Area Alleys
Work begins today on a $1.6 million project to improve 23 alleys in the West University area. Brown
Contracting and 2G Construction, both of Eugene, are serving as general contractors on the project to
replace unimproved alleyways with concrete alleys in the area generally bounded by Kincaid Street and
,th
the University of Oregon on the east, Willamette Street on the west, 19 Avenue on the south, and
Franklin Boulevard on the north. Most of the project costs will be paid for by assessments to abutting
property owners.
The Eugene City Council initiated the alley improvement project earlier this year in response to a
recommendation by the West University Task Force. The benefits of improving the alleys include
providing better access for services such as fire, emergency medical care, garbage, and deliveries;
making alleys safer for pedestrians, cyclists, and vehicles; and improving the livability of the
neighborhood.
Eugene Public Works staff has worked closely with the West University Neighbors in developing the
alley project and will continue to keep local businesses and residents informed through the construction
phase, which is scheduled to be completed this fall. Staff and the neighborhood group are currently
discussing the concept of incorporating "alley art" in the final design of the project.
More information on the West University alley improvement project is available on the Internet at
www'ci'eugene'°r'us/pw/Engineering/Pr°jects/WestUalleys or by calling Project Manager Steve Gallup at
682-8460.
First Friday at the Euqene Public Library
The Downtown Library's June 3rd First Friday activities have an "island" flair. "He Mele Ukulele" is made
up of Buck Mueller and Chico Schwall and their group's name means "Ukulele Songs" or "Merry Ukulele."
Check out the delightful sound of the "happiest little instrument around" as they perform traditional
Hawaiian, "hapa-haole," vintage American and modern classic music. The festivities start at 6 p.m.
Also performing will be Eugene's premier Hula group "Hula Halau O Na Kaikuahine" or "Hula School of
the Sisters". Sisters Kumu Leilani Beymer and Pearl Hadder will teach Big island "ai ha'a" (to the ground)
hula as well as "kahiko" (ancient) and "auana" (modern) hula. Don't miss this beautiful show which will
start at
7 p.m. These performances are sponsored by the City of Eugene, the Eugene Public Library
Foundation, the Friends of the Library, with support from our outstanding Library volunteers. For more
information, contact the Downtown Eugene Public Library at 682-5450.
EUGENE CITY COUNCIL NEWSLETTER PAGE 1
June 2, 2005
Stormwater and Wastewater User Fee Rate Notification to be Distributed
The annual notification of stormwater and wastewater customer service fees will be included in
customers' utility bills beginning in June. The rate notification comes in the form of a brochure inserted
into EWEB bills which informs customers of proposed rates and the purposes and uses of the City fees.
The notification reflects a proposed 6% increase to regional wastewater (MWMC) fees, a 12% increase
in local wastewater fees, and a 3.5% increase to stormwater fees. Copies of the rate notification
brochure have been placed in the Council Office.
Wastewater fees pay for operation, maintenance and capital projects associated with the wastewater
collection and treatment systems. Wastewater is discharged from the plumbing fixtures of homes and
businesses, flowing through sewer pipes to the Eugene/Springfield regional water pollution control facility
where it is treated prior to discharge to the Willamette River. Stormwater fees pay for operation,
maintenance and capital projects associated with the stormwater drainage system and fund programs to
prevent stormwater pollution and improve water quality. Stormwater comes from rain and runoff from
roofs, paved areas and other impervious surfaces and flows into drains, ditches, and eventually into
streams and rivers without being treated.
Stormwater fees are proposed to increase 3.5% beginning with bills issued on and after July 1,2005.
The increase will allow continued funding of stormwater services consistent with the proposed FY06
budget. This is the second increase in stormwater rates since 1994. Customers in the Small Residential
category will see a $0.18 increase in their monthly fee, to a total of $5.21. The Medium Residential
customer fee, typical of most residential customers, will increase by $0.26 per month, to a total of $7.55.
Other user categories will see an increase of $0.10 per 1,000 square feet of impervious area.
The Metropolitan Wastewater Management Commission (MWMC) adopted a 6% rate increase in
regional monthly wastewater fees to fund on-going operations and maintenance along with needed
improvements to regional wastewater facilities. Local wastewater user fees will increase by 12% to
continue funding of operations, maintenance and rehabilitation of the Eugene wastewater collection
system. This is the second increase in local wastewater rates since 1993.
The combined effect of the wastewater fee increases for a typical residential customer amounts to an
increase of $1.33 per month, from a current total of $16.59 to a proposed total of $17.92 per month. Of
this typical increase, $0.69 is related to the regional portion while $0.64 is from the local portion of the
fee. Other user categories will see similar effects in terms of the percentage increase, with dollar
amounts varying depending on volume and strength of wastewater discharge.
Public hearings on the proposed increases were held on May 26, 2005. No public comment on the rate
increases was submitted at the hearings. For more information about the wastewater and stormwater fee
increases, contact Fred McVey at 682-5216.
Spencer Butte Middle School Students Work on Four Park Proiects
On May 26, approximately 40 students from Spencer Butte
Middle School helped Eugene Parks and Open Space staff
with four projects in area parks and natural areas as part of a
pilot Day of Caring. Crews of approximately 10 students and
several adult chaperones and teachers spent the day
shoveling, transporting and spreading mulch, pulling and
digging up weeds, and recording wildlife monitoring data, and
in the following activities:
o Removed invasive species, such as blackberry and
Herb Robert, along the Oak Knoll trail at Hendricks
Park. The restored trail travels through a highly
sensitive remnant of oak woodlands habitat that was
once a prominent part of the Willamette Valley
landscape. Pre's Trail volunteers
EUGENE CITY COUNCIL NEWSLETTER PAGE 2
June 2, 2005
o Monitored amphibians and turtles, prepared turtle nesting sites and mulched and enhanced
native vegetation at Delta Ponds.
o Learned more about the ecosystems in the Whilamut Natural Area of Alton Baker Park from
Nearby Nature educators and helped the Natural Resources Maintenance crew tackle Scot's
Broom, an invasive plant in the riparian forest along the Willamette River.
o Helped the Oregon Track Masters cushion Pre's Trail by placing new wood chips on the eastern
section of the trail in Alton Baker Park.
Project coordinators reported that, despite the heat, the students were diligent and very enthusiastic in
their work. Bill Brigmon, the Oregon Track Masters and City of Eugene parks volunteer who helped
coordinate the Pre's Trail project, reported that he actually had to tell a few super-industrious students to
slowdown, as he was concerned about the possibility of heat stroke. Laud Mullen, Delta Ponds Habitat
enhancement coordinator, had this to say about the project at Delta Ponds: "Our project went well. The
students worked hard and got to see a lot of neat wildlife--turtles, garter snakes, beaver, and an osprey
diving for fish. It was pretty hot in the afternoon, but the kids didn't complain and worked hard."
The effort was part of a pilot service project for 7th grade students at the school. School organizers hope
to cultivate the spirit of service by giving students a hands-on opportunity to contribute to several
community organizations and programs annually. For more information about Spencer Butte Middle
th
School Day of Caring, contact 7 grade teacher Olivia Stieber at 687-3237. For more information about
Hendricks Park restoration activities, call Ginny Alfriend, head gardener, at 682-5324, or Jason Blazar,
Hendricks Park Forest Management Plan coordinator, at 543-6869. For more information about habitat
enhancement activities at Delta Ponds, contact Laud Mullen, Delta Ponds habitat enhancement
coordinator, at 682-4925. For more information about the maintenance of Whilamut Natural Area of
Alton Baker Park, contact Jesse Cary-Hobbs, Natural Resources Maintenance lead worker, at 682-4843.
For more information about the maintenance of Pre's Trail, contact Turf and Grounds Supervisor Rob
Hallett at 682-4935.
A Night oflmprov at the Hult
On Saturday, June 4, at 7:30 p.m., the comedians Ryan Stiles, Colin
Mochrie, Greg Proops, Chip Esten, Brad Sherwood, and Jeff Davis return to
the Silva Concert Hall stage at the Hult Center with a whole new show.
Widely known for their performances on the TV show "Whose Line Is It
Anyway", this hilarious comedy group will leave the whole audience in
stitches. For more information, contact the Hult Center Ticket Office at
682-5000.
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June 2, 2005