HomeMy WebLinkAboutCC Newsletter - 07/14/05EUGENE CITY COUNCIL NEWSLETTER
July 14, 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
LIBRARY SHELVES RUNNETH OVER WITH NEW FILMS, AUDIOBOOKS, COMPACT DISCS
FLYING HIGH: GALA AND FOUR ONE-ACT COMEDIES
EUGENE RENTAL HOUSING CODE PROGRAM
NATIONAL MAYORS' RIDE ROLLS INTO EUGENE TO PROMOTE BICYCLE GREENWAY
Library Shelves Runneth Over with New Films, Audiobooks, CDs
Who is responsible for the delighted outbursts at Eugene Public Library? It is happy browsers discovering
the 6,000 new media items now available at all three library locations - Downtown, Bethel, and Sheldon.
Library staff has spent many busy months choosing, purchasing and, with the assistance of Library
volunteers, processing these new materials. Library visitors are thrilled to find an impressive range of
choices, including more than 2,000 audiobooks, both on tape and CD, hundreds of theatrical-feature
DVDs (including last year's Oscar contenders), and multimedia instructional packages on everything
from fixing a drain spout to learning American Sign Language. Also new to the collection is a wide
variety of concert, folk, and popular music CDs from around the world. The new media expansion is the
result of a "yes" vote on the 2002 Eugene Public Library levy, and donations to the Eugene Public Library
Foundation's New Media campaign.
Browsing the shelves is fun and often leads to surprising discoveries. However, for those looking for a
particular film or recording, a visit to the Library catalog or website (www.eugene-or.gov) is
recommended. For tips on searching by format (video, DVD, CD) as well as by artist, volume number,
episode number, or topic, ask Library staff or call 682-5450.
Items that are already checked out may be reserved with a "hold" request. Library Director Connie Bennett
says, "People love the convenience of Eugene Public Library's increasingly advanced technology and
self-service features. You can search the catalog and place holds on items from home, work, or anywhere
you have Intemet access. When the item is in, we'll notify you--by e-mail, if you want!"
For more information, contact the Eugene Public Library at 682-5450.
FIyin.q Hi.qh: Gala and Four One-Act Comedies
Join Mayor Piercy for a celebratory evening on Tuesday, July 26, at the Hult Center when the Lane
Independent Living Alliance (LILA) presents a catered gala in Studio 1 beginning at 6:30 p.m. The gala
will be followed by four one-act comedies in the Soreng Theater, written and directed by Eugene's own
award-winning playwright Bjo Ashwill. This event celebrates the 15th anniversary of the Americans with
Disabilities Act.
LILA is a consumer-controlled, non-profit organization serving citizens with a wide range of disabilities.
The organization's mission is to enhance options which maximize independent living by empowering
people with disabilities, developing their leadership skills and organizing them around a variety of issues
crucial to their lives. Come celebrate! Audio description, ASL, and ALDs will be provided.
For more information, contact the Hult Center Ticket Office at 541-682-5000.
EUGENE CITY COUNCIL NEWSLETTER PAGE 1
July 15, 2005
Eu.qene Rental Housinq Code Proqram
The Eugene rental housing code was adopted by the City Council in November 2004, with an
implementation date of July 1,2005. Rachelle Nicholas has been hired to manage the program and
began work on June 7. Rachelle comes to the City of Eugene from Washington County Department of
Housing Services. Staff is currently available to community members who have questions or concerns
about rental housing in the City. This service is available to property owners, property managers,
tenants, neighboring property owners and any other interested parties. The Rental Housing Code phone
line is 682-8282.
The purpose of the City's rental housing code is to provide minimum habitability criteria to safeguard
health, property and public well-being of the owners, occupants and users of the rental housing. The
code is modeled after a housing code in place in Corvallis. The rental housing code addresses four
areas of habitability: structural integrity, plumbing, heating and weatherproofing. The rental housing
code is intended to supplement standards of the State of Oregon Residential Landlord and Tenant Act.
The primary goal of the housing code program is to bring about resolution of housing problems or issues
without the need for City enforcement. A complaint may be filed with the City only after the tenant has
sent written notice to the owner or the property manager and tenants must allow 10-days for the owner to
respond to the alleged violation.
The program will be funded with a $10.00 per rental unit fee per year. Staff is preparing close to 7,000
registration letters to rental property owners in the city of Eugene. Staff is also working on public
outreach efforts and will be working with the University of Oregon and Lane Community College this
summer to get information out to students returning this fall. For more information on the program,
contact the program staff at 682-8282 or Marsha Miller, Planning and Development Department at 682-
5224, or marsha.a.miller~ci.eu.qene.or, us.
National Mayors' Ride Rolls Into Euqene to Promote Bicycle Greenway
The Fourth Annual National Mayors' Ride reached Eugene on Thursday, July 14, with a celebration at 2
p.m. in the plaza at City Hall. Mayor Piercy met with Ed Migliori, a school teacher spending part of his
summer riding the route between Boise and Eugene, and Marty "Link" Linkiewicz, making the same
Boise to Eugene trek. The Mayor read a proclamation in support of the efforts of Cycle America's
advocacy for the National Bicycle Greenway and the dream of a nationwide network of interconnected
bike roads and pathways. Jim Muellner, owner of JustTwoBikes and inventor of the Smart Carte
shopping cart system, the carts passengers rent to shuttle their baggage around at airports, was also
present to help share adventures of the Mayors Ride. This year, at the age of 69, Jim chose to ride the
Seattle to Portland leg of the relay.
The mission of Cycle America is to promote a network of coast-to-coast, multi-use transportation and
recreational bicycle roads and trails, which will be called the National Bicycle Greenway. The primary
purpose of the Greenway is to provide safe, clean, aesthetic, and enjoyable places for people of all ages
to ride a bicycle year round. Martin Krieg is the organizer of the National Mayors' Ride and author of the
book, "Awake Again" based upon his self-rehabilitation from a seven-week coma as a result of a car
wreck. He is a graduate of Cai State Hayward and former accountant and has crossed the country twice
on his bicycle since the accident. For more information contact: Lee Shoemaker, bicycle and pedestrian
coordinator, at 682-5471 or Cindy Clarke, transportation options coordinator, at 682-5285.
EUGENE CITY COUNCIL NEWSLETTER PAGE 2
July 15, 2005