HomeMy WebLinkAboutCity Council Newsletter - 04/26/07EUGENE CITY COUNCIL NEWSLETTER
April 26, 2007
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
BUILDING PERMIT ACTIVITY GETS INTO SPRING SWING
EUGENE CHILDREN’S NATURE FILM FESTIVAL RETURNS
PUBLIC INPUT INVITED ON WEST BROADWAY REDEVELOPMENT CONCEPTS
WORK SCHEDULED TO START NEXT WEEK ON RIVER AVENUE IMPROVEMENT PROJECT
UNITED WAY HONORS YOUTH VOLUNTEERS
2008 FIREMED AMBULANCE MEMBERSHIP PROGRAM CAMPAIGN UNDERWAY
PLANNING AND DEVELOPMENT WEB PAGE IMPROVES ACCESS TO SERVICES
WORK ON NORTH BANK PATH SCHEDULED TO BEGIN MAY 7
“APRIL POOL’S DAY” IS ABOUT HAVING FUN AND BEING SAFE
CITY FIRE MARSHAL ACHIEVES STATE RECOGNITION
DIA DE LOS NINOS, DIA DE LOS LIBROS AT EUGENE PUBLIC LIBRARY
AROUND THE CITY
Building Permit Activity Gets Into Spring Swing
Forecasting building permit activity is a challenging task. Historically,
Eugene’s permit activity tends not to follow national or statewide
trends and predictions. Eugene’s permit fluctuations have been less
predictable, sometimes higher and sometimes lower. Although this
fiscal year has experienced a slight decrease in the total number of
building permit applications, there has been an increase in large
commercial projects this spring.Large commercial projects are those
projects that have a valuation of $500,000 or more. The projects are
varied and include office, retail, medical facilities, hotels, mixed-use,
warehouse, and multifamily applications. During the last seven
weeks, the value of large commercial project applications was $22
million dollars. The value of large commercial project applications
received over the previous four months was $21.5 million dollars.
In addition to processing permits, staff at the Permit and Information Center provides information and
assistance to the community in a number of areas. During the first six months of expanded customer
service hours at the Permit and Information Center, Planning and Development staff saw a 28 percent
increase in the number of general information customers compared to the same period a year ago.
General information customers access services in person or over the phone. Staff served an additional
2,973 customers, bringing the total number of customers served to 13,721 since opening afternoon
services in October 2006.
Another area of service is the availability of development assistance meetings. Development assistance
meetings are scheduled consultations involving staff from Building, Planning, Public Works, Fire and other
program areas as needed. Typically, a request for development assistance meetings precedes building
permit applications. In calendar year 2006, there were 103 development assistance meetings held, which
was a record number. In the two previous years, that figure was around 70 per year. Since January 1,
2007, 35 development assistance meetings have been scheduled. The Building Permit Services Division
estimates the City will reach or exceed the record number of development assistance meetings this
calendar year. For more information on permit services, contact Marsha Miller, Building and Permit
Services manager, Planning and Development at 682-5224 or marsha.a.miller@ci.eugene.or.us.
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April 26, 2007
Eugene Children’s Nature Film Festival Returns
The 2nd Annual Eugene Children’s Nature Film Festival
takes place this Sunday, April 29, at the McDonald
Theater. The free festival offers families the opportunity to
see a variety of award winning nature-related short films
from around the world. This year’s films include the 2003
Academy Award nominee for best animated short, as well
as a live action film following children in Nepal as they
explore their environment.
The festival is followed by an reception with “giant critters”
and lots of information about outdoor activities taking place
in the community. Reception participants include REI’s
Children say “cheese” at 2006 Nature Film Festival
PEAK outdoor program, Nearby Nature, and Mt. Pisgah
Summer Camp. Doors open at 1:30 p.m. and the screening runs approximately 70 minutes. The festival
is being presented by the City of Eugene Parks and Open Space Division and has been generously
sponsored by Dr. Gray Grieve Orthodontics. For more information, contact Kelly Darnell at 682-4814 or
kelly.a.darnell@ci.eugene.or.us
Public Input Invited on West Broadway Redevelopment Concepts
The Eugene Redevelopment Advisory Committee (ERAC) is sponsoring a Downtown Public Information
and Input Session at the Eugene Public Library (Bascom/Tykeson Room) on Monday, April 30, from
6 - 8 p.m. ERAC will collaborate with other groups, including Citizens for Public Accountability and the
Eugene Chamber of Commerce, with the intent to create an effective public information and involvement
session.
The session will focus on current redevelopment concepts for the West Broadway Redevelopment Area.
City staff will make a brief presentation at 6:30 p.m. on the two concepts currently under consideration.
Information will also be provided on financial tools and implications for public/private partnerships and
recent downtown planning and development efforts. Throughout the session, community members will
have the opportunity to learn about the possibilities for West Broadway and to express their views on
possible redevelopment concepts.
The West Broadway Redevelopment Area includes property along West Broadway between Willamette
and Charnelton streets. The City Council, acting as Eugene’s Urban Renewal Agency, authorized
purchase options on most of these properties, with the intent to encourage redevelopment activity to
create a vibrant, active downtown environment.
In November 2006, the renewal agency issued a Request for Qualifications (RFQ) to identify a
development team with the vision, talent and financial capability to successfully complete a mixed-use
redevelopment project in the area. In March 2007, therenewal agency held a work session to review the
five responses received. The renewal agency recognized Beam Development and KWG Development
Partners as the two most qualified development teams for this project. The renewal agency directed City
staff to work with both teams to explore and return with more detailed project concepts for review and
approval.
Information received from the public at the information session will be forwarded to the Urban Renewal
Agency on May 9. For more information on the Public Information and Input Session, call Nan Laurence,
community development planner, at 682-5340, or by e-mail at nan.laurence@ci.eugene.or.us.
Work Scheduled to Start Next Week on River Avenue Improvement Project
With utility work substantially completed by EWEB, Qwest, and Comcast, the City’s contractor is gearing
up to improve River Avenue between River Road and Beltline. Delta Sand & Gravel is the general
contractor for the project, which is scheduled to begin Wednesday, May 2. The Public Works
Engineering Division is managing the project.
The street design was a collaborative effort involving residents and businesses on River Avenue and
representatives from local neighborhood groups and the Eugene Bike Coalition. When completed in the
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April 26, 2007
fall, the one-mile-long street will include two vehicle travel lanes and a center turn lane, curbs and gutters,
sidewalks along the full length of the north side of the street, bike lanes on the west end of the street and
a 12-foot-wide multi-use path on the east end, stormwater bioswales for water quality treatment, a
parking bay at the east end and street trees.
Funding for the $3.3 million project is coming from assessments to abutting property owners and from a
mix of transportation, stormwater and wastewater system development charges.
During construction, at least one lane will be open at all times. Traffic will be controlled by flaggers during
the contractor’s work hours. Signage, web and hotline updates, and direct communications with
residents and businesses on River Avenue and other interested parties will be used throughout the
project to provide project information. For more information, visit the project web site at www.eugene-
or.gov/pwprojects (from the list of projects on the left, click on the River Avenue link) or contact Project
Manager Joe Ramirez at 682-5228.
United Way Honors Youth Volunteers
For the second straight year, United Way of Lane County selected two volunteers from Eugene
Recreation’s Teen Court as finalists for its “Youth Volunteer of the Year” award. High school students
Brett Anderson and Sarah Simonton were recognized for their contributions to the community at a United
Way luncheon held on April 18 at the Valley River Inn. The two West Eugene Teen Court participants
saw their pictures projected up before a large crowd while their contributions to the community were
described.
Staff members who would like to nominate volunteers of any age may contact Elizabeth Runté at
741-6000 ext. 104, or erunte@unitedwaylane.org. For more information about Teen Court, contact
Recreation Services Teen Court Coordinator Bruce Steinmetz at 682-6376.
2008 Firemed Ambulance Membership Program Campaign Underway
The 2008 FireMed campaign season has officially started. The first in a series of advertising mailers and
radio spots have hit the post office and the general media. The biggest change this year is that Eugene
Fire & EMS, Springfield Fire & Life Safety and Lane Rural Fire/Rescue have joined
forces to run a joint program. The cost to join FireMed is $52.00 per year, which
covers FireMed members through June 30, 2008. For air transportation services,
Eugene, Springfield and Lane Rural have also partnered with Reach Air Ambulance.
An additional $35.00 gets members the premium membership package called
FireMed Plus, which includes emergency ground and air transportation services.
The cost of an ambulance can be more than $1,000.00 for a single, local ground
transport. FireMed membership covers the cost of transport, so members do not have to worry about
receiving an ambulance bill. FireMed membership includes billing insurance companies, and any out-of-
pocket expenses. For more information please contact the FireMed office at 726-3636 or visit the
website at www.firemed.org.
Planning and Development Web Page Improves Access to Services
Citizens and Planning and Development customers can access a wealth of information through the
Internet. The department’s plan is to continue to enhance its web resources and increase access for the
variety of citizens served. Citizens can look up building permit applications, estimated timelines, get
information about the plan review process, and check the status of inspections if under construction.
They can also look up information on pending land use applications, staff reports and findings and access
interactive zoning maps.
Online complaint forms make it easier for citizens to file zoning and nuisance complaints and online
directories provide easy access to staff for questions and assistance. Low-income loan requirements and
low-income housing locations are online. In addition, information on neighborhood groups, association
contacts, meeting schedules, and asset maps are also easily available.
Planning and Development staff work on a variety of specific projects that are also featured, such as the
downtown redevelopment project and the South Ridgeline Habitat study. Many additional resources are
available at www.eugene-or.gov/PDD. For more information on Planning and Development’s web
resources, contact Nancy Young, PDD web portal manager, 682-6849 or nancy.a.young@ci.eugene.or.us.
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April 26, 2007
Work on North Bank Path Scheduled to Begin May 7
Resurfacing of the North Bank Path from the Greenway Bike Bridge to Club Road is scheduled to start
the week of May 7. Approximately 1.5 miles of pathway will receive a new concrete surface and portions
will be widened to 12 feet where impacts to the surrounding environment are minimized. This project will
address the unsafe traveling conditions of the cracked and heaved path surface caused by tree root
damage and aging. To address future damage to the surface from tree roots, portions of the concrete
surface will be reinforced rather than impacting the trees themselves.
Federal Surface Transportation (Urban) funds administered though the Oregon Department of
Transportation will be used to pay for approximately 80% of the project with City transportation SDC
funds covering the remainder. Wildish Construction Company will perform the construction work for
$474,000. City staff will be responsible for managing the contractor and inspecting the work.
The project is scheduled to be constructed from early May to early July. In order to protect path users
from the construction equipment and prevent damage to the new surface the path will be closed during
the placement and curing of the new concrete surface. The Greenway Bike Bridge behind Valley River
Center will remain open during the work and users should detour to the South Bank Trail during the path
closure. Updated construction information will be available online at www.keepusmoving.info and at
www.eugene-or.gov/traffic. For more information, contact Project Manager Jenifer Willer at 682-5364 or
Jenifer.m.willer@ci.eugene.or.us.
“April Pool’s Day” is About Having Fun and Being Safe
Recreation Services’ Aquatics Program is hosting the first ever
“April Pools Day” from 10 a.m. – 3 p.m. on Saturday, April 28, at
Echo Hollow Pool. The free community event is intended to
publicize swim and fitness classes and programs offered at the
City’s three swimming pools, as well as provide a day of family fun
and opportunities to learn about water safety.
April Pool’s Day activities include a free recreational swim,
kayaking demonstrations, water safety games, water fitness
demonstrations, and a drawing every hour for prizes such as life
jackets, summer pool family passes and swim lesson certificates.
There will also be a “Touch a Truck” display of safety trucks and boats, recognition of local water safety
heroes, informational community booths, food vendors and much more. For information, call Aquatics
Manager Rich Fay at 682-5525.
City Fire Marshal Achieves State Recognition
Oregon State Fire Marshal Nancy Orr and the Oregon Fire Marshal
Association President Joel Stein were on hand this week to present
Eugene Fire Marshal Mike Thrapp (center in photo) with a framed
Certificate of Recognition acknowledging that Mike has achieved
state-recognized levels of competency in the full range of fire code
application and enforcement disciplines required for certification by
the State as a Fire Marshal. Mike is one of the first fire service
officials in Oregon to achieve this level of recognition.
In presenting the certificate, State Fire Marshal Orr cited Mike’s
many years of service on various state fire code advisory
committees, and the statewide acceptance of the "Yellow Book" compiled by Thrapp as the foremost
authoritative compendium of fire safety regulations currently available. At the present time, Mike is
serving as Acting Deputy Chief of Administrative Services for the Eugene Fire & EMS Department. For
more information please contact Acting Fire Marshal Doug Perry at 682-7100.
Día de los Niños, Día de los Libros at Eugene Public Library
Each spring, Eugene joins cities around the world to honor Día de los Niños, Día de los Libros, a
celebration about connecting kids and books across languages and cultures.
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April 26, 2007
Eugene Public Library hosts free events beginning with Family Music Time, Saturday, April 28, 10:15
a.m. at the Downtown Library. Enjoy a lively show and sing-along with special guest performer Jessie
Marquez, recently returned from Cuba.
On Sunday, April 29, acclaimed storyteller Olga Loyadelights all ages at 2:00 p.m. at the Downtown
Library. Loya mixes Spanish and English to share tales from Latin America and stories from her
childhood in East Los Angeles. Visiting Eugene for the Multicultural Storytelling Festival, she’s been a
featured storyteller at major events including in the Guadalajara Festival in Mexico and the National
Storytelling Festival in Jonesborough, Tennessee.
On First Friday, May 4, at the Downtown Library, the band Trio Primavera plays rancheras, boleros, and
more music of Mexico from 6:00 – 6:45 p.m. At 7:00 p.m., Erlinda Gonzales-Berry, chair of Oregon State
University's ethnic studies department, will give a talk on “Sojourners, Settlers, and New Immigrants:
Mexicanosin Oregon.” Her presentation is an Oregon Council for the Humanities Chautauqua program.
Kids can jump into fun with Ballet Folklorico Infantil, a local Latino children’s dance troupe performing and
teaching a variety of traditional dances. For elementary-age kids and their families, free tickets will be
available 30 minutes in advance of each session:Wednesday, May 9, 4:00 – 5:00 p.m., Bethel Branch;
Thursday, May 10, 4:00 – 5:00 p.m., Downtown Library; Saturday, May 12, 2:00 – 3:00 p.m., Sheldon
Branch. For more information, call the Eugene Public Library at 682-8316.
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April 26, 2007