HomeMy WebLinkAboutItem A: City Council Goal - Neighborhood Empowerment Action Plan
ECC
UGENE ITY OUNCIL
AIS
GENDA TEM UMMARY
Work Session: City Council Goal - Neighborhood Empowerment Action Plan
Meeting Date: May 9, 2007 Agenda Item Number: A
Department: Library Recreation and Cultural Services Staff Contact: Renee Grube
www.eugene-or.gov Contact Telephone Number: 682-5067
ISSUE STATEMENT
The City Council is asked to provide guidance to staff on refining its goal for Neighborhood
Empowerment. Final approval of the draft goal language, newly proposed action items, and priority
ranking of action items is requested.
BACKGROUND
In January, the City Council met to develop strategic priorities for the community. Ten goals were
identified, including the Neighborhood Empowerment initiative. This initiative is a carryover from
previous years with modifications made to the title and goal language. The draft goal language as
proposed at the January 2007 City Council Retreat is as follows:
Redesign the neighborhood initiative to support the neighborhoods, which includes public
participation in the livability and protection of neighborhoods and identifies specific redevelopment
strategies that preserve the integrity of residential uses including design standards, site review,
down zoning, infill regulation, and empowering neighborhood associations to get more involvement.
This goal language indicates that the Neighborhood Empowerment initiative is intended to support
neighborhoods by focusing on three key strategies:
Facilitating public participation in the livability and protection of neighborhoods
?
Preserving the integrity of residential uses through strategies such as design standards, site review,
?
down zoning, and infill regulation
Empowering neighborhood associations to get more involvement
?
The concepts proposed in the draft goal statement are supported by the results of the Neighborhood
Summit and the objectives approved as a part of the Neighborhood Initiative Action Plan.
In November 2005, the council approved the Neighborhood Initiative Action Plan that included 20
action items organized within three objectives. This action plan was reviewed by all neighborhood
associations and the Neighborhood Leaders Council (NLC). Based on input from these bodies, three
additional action items were suggested:
Enhance communications
?
Increase ongoing support for neighborhood associations
?
Evaluate existing structure
?
L:\CMO\2007 Council Agendas\M070509\S070509A.doc
The Neighborhood Initiative Action Plan has been updated to reflect these action items and is included
as Attachment A. Proposed language describing the new action items was written in collaboration with
the Neighborhood Leaders Council and is included as Attachment B.
A Neighborhood Summit held in February 2007 brought together representatives from all neighborhood
associations, City staff, and elected officials to discuss and prioritize the 23 action items referenced
above. The top three priority action items are as follows:
Involve neighborhood associations earlier in land use proposals
?
Increase density in existing neighborhoods thoughtfully
?
Increase ongoing support for neighborhood associations
?
The priority ranking of all 23 action items that resulted from the individual votes of those attending the
Neighborhood Summit is included as Attachment C. An additional column has been added to the
updated Neighborhood Empowerment Action Plan to reflect the priority ranking. It should also be noted
that there may be lower-ranking action items that can be acted on prior to the completion of higher
priority items due to the amount of resources and time required for implementation. A status report of
progress made on all 23 action items since the inception of the Neighborhood Initiative is included as
Attachment D.
On April 24, 2007, members of the newly formed staff committee working on the Neighborhood
Empowerment Initiative (see Attachment E for a list of staff committee members) met with the
Neighborhood Leaders Council. At this meeting, a subcommittee of NLC was formed to work closely
with the staff committee on implementation of the Neighborhood Empowerment Action Plan.
RELATED CITY POLICIES
2007-2008 City Council Goal - Neighborhood Empowerment
?
The Neighborhood Initiative Action Plan was approved by City Council in November of 2005.
?
COUNCIL OPTIONS
Option A - Direct staff to proceed with implementation of the initiative with the following actions:
Approve the Neighborhood Empowerment draft goal language.
?
Approve the addition of three additional action items to the Neighborhood Initiative Action Plan.
?
Approve the priority order of action items based on the Neighborhood Summit results.
?
Option B – Direct staff to proceed with implementation of the initiative while making modifications to
any or all of the following actions:
Approve the Neighborhood Empowerment draft goal language.
?
Approve the addition of three additional action items to the Neighborhood Initiative Action Plan.
?
Approve the priority order of action items based on the Neighborhood Summit results.
?
CITY MANAGER’S RECOMMENDATION
The City Manager recommends Option A - Direct staff to proceed with implementation of the initiative
with the following actions:
Approve the Neighborhood Empowerment draft goal language.
?
Approve the addition of three additional action items to the Neighborhood Initiative Action Plan.
?
Approve the priority order of action items based on the Neighborhood Summit results.
?
L:\CMO\2007 Council Agendas\M070509\S070509A.doc
SUGGESTED MOTION
Move to direct staff to proceed with implementation of the initiative with the following actions:
Approve the Neighborhood Empowerment draft goal language.
?
Approve the addition of three additional action items to the Neighborhood Initiative Action Plan.
?
Approve the priority order of action items based on the Neighborhood Summit results.
?
ATTACHMENTS
A. Updated Neighborhood Initiative Action Plan
B Description of Newly Proposed Action Items
C. Neighborhood Summit Vote Tally of Action Items
D. Status Report on all Action Items
E. Neighborhood Empowerment Staff Committee Members
FOR MORE INFORMATION
Staff Contact: Renee Grube
Telephone: 682-5067
Staff E-Mail: renee.l.grube@ci.eugene.or.us
L:\CMO\2007 Council Agendas\M070509\S070509A.doc
ATTACHMENT A
Council Goal:
Neighborhood Empowerment Action Plan
At the February 2005 retreat of the Eugene City Council, launching a “Neighborhood Initiative”
was identified as a council priority issue. A staff team developed a draft action plan to provide a
framework for defining the objectives and outcomes the council envisioned when identifying this
priority issue. The draft action plan was presented to Council at the August 10, 2005 work
session. Based on comments and specific direction provided at the work session, staff prepared
a revised draft Action Plan. That Plan was approved with modifications on November 23, 2005.
The focus of the plan is on creating and sustaining Strong Neighborhoods, with an emphasis on
building partnerships motivated to collaboratively problem-solve and develop solutions that
benefit a broad representation of the community.
In April of 2007, the Plan was updated again to reflect additional direction from the City Council
resulting from the January 2007 Council Retreat, as well as input from Neighborhood
Associations, the Neighborhood Leaders Council, and the February 2007 Neighborhood Summit.
A.Planning horizon and focus
Action Plan Focus: To build Strong Neighborhoods by developing community leadership
and working collaboratively with residents to achieve the delivery of City Services and
Neighborhood Priorities.
The focus is further defined by the following key objectives:
?
Enhance effective public engagement activities.
Facilitate involvement from the
broader community, including under-represented individuals, by diversifying public
engagement activities. When residents are engaged as partners and are seen, and see
themselves, as part of the solution, then a collaborative relationship is possible.
?
Support neighborhood involvement by empowering all neighborhood associations.
Facilitate effective neighborhood associations through leadership training opportunities,
improved communications, and providing resources based on individual association
needs.
?
Focus service delivery to better meet neighborhood-identified needs and priorities.
This objective will be met by focusing on the following guiding principles:
Listen to the people
o
Build on strengths & assets
o
Identify and respond to community/neighborhood vision and priorities
o
Create Partnerships
o
Maintain Ongoing commitment to Strong Neighborhoods concept
o
Collaborate & use existing resources
o
NEAP Page 1 4-30-07
Given the potential scope and breadth of the Plan, related actions and tasks are targeted for
implementation within a five-year planning horizon structured around the three key objectives.
A two-phased approach to launching the Plan is proposed:
Phase One:
High priority actions and tasks that might be initiated or completed within a two-
year timeframe assuming resources are available.
Phase Two:
Continue and complete larger-scope actions initiated during Phase One. Complete
additional actions and continuation of longer-term efforts assuming resources are available.
B. Strategic Priority Outcomes
Strong Neighborhood Outcomes
The broader community outcomes of the plan are to increase public involvement and
engagement processes related to neighborhoods and improve the quality of life on a
neighborhood basis. Refinement of specific performance measures will be identified in a
collaborative process following Council adoption of a plan. However, examples of possible
performance measures are as follows:
Phase One:
?
Annual report on use of best practices in citizen involvement projects
?
Increase number of associations that meet all Council criteria for an active association
?
Identify Neighborhood Priorities
Phase Two:
?
Increase number of people participating in public involvement activities
?
Respondents to annual community survey are aware of their Neighborhood Association
and feel it is having a positive impact on their neighborhood
?
Deliver Neighborhood Priorities
C. Progress to Date
The City Council and organization have an ongoing commitment to the objectives and outcomes
identified in this plan. Key programs and activities completed or underway that reflect progress
in meeting the three identified key objectives are included in Attachment D to the May 9, 2007
Agenda Item Summary.
NEAP Page 2 4-30-07
D. Action Plan
Action Action Step/Task Phase Department Resources Priority
# Ranking
Lead Required
Enhance Effective Public Engagement Activities
Broaden Community Involvement and Representation
1 Recruit for participation via demographics profiles to Phase CMO Medium to 18
ensure additional "silent" stakeholders; e.g., revise One High
boards & commissions recruitment process
2 Evaluate current and pilot new public involvement Phase CMO/All Depts High 20
tools that target accessibility and outreach to One &
un/under-represented communities and those less apt Two
to engage (the silent “happy” majority).
Broaden Tool Kit for Public Engagement
3 Institute "best practices" for citizen involvement, Phase All Depts Low 10
including methods for establishing clear expectations One
and closing the feedback loop.
Empower Neighbors to Do Improvements
4 Reinstate the Neighborhood Matching Grants Phase PDD/Neighbor-Low to 5
program. One hood Services Medium
Support Neighborhood Involvement by Empowering all Neighborhood Associations
Enhance Role of Neighborhood Associations
5 Provide training on collaboration tools and leadership Phase PDD/Neighbor-Medium to 17
development/coaching so that associations become Two hood Services High
forums to bring together divergent views for problem
solving.
6 Increase support for Neighborhood Associations’ Phase PDD/Neighbor-Low 9
communications, in both printed and electronic One hood Services
mediums.
7 Institute annual Neighborhood Summits with Phase PDD/Neighbor-Current 14
Neighborhood Associations boards and City elected & One hood Services
appointed officials.
8 Update Neighborhood Organization Recognition Phase PDD/Neighbor-Low 16
Policy and model charter to reflect current Council One hood Services
policy.
9 Consider the division of Cal Young and Active Bethel Phase PDD/Neighbor-Medium 21
Citizens into smaller associations, in accordance with One hood Services
Council’s policy on neighborhood boundaries.
B1 Enhance communications. To be more effective, Phase PDD/Neighbor-Medium to 19
Neighborhood Associations need enhanced One hood Services/ High
communications among associations, with the City All Dept
organization, with elected officials, and with other
government agencies.
B2 Increase ongoing support for Neighborhood Phase PDD/Neighbor-Medium to 3
Associations. In order to increase the participation One hood Services High
levels and effectiveness of Neighborhood
Associations, the City and Neighborhood Associations
should recognize the needs and strategize ways to
provide more ongoing support to them.
B3 Evaluate Existing Structure. The Neighborhood Phase PDD/Neighbor-Medium to 22
Leaders Council is an ad hoc group without formal ties One hood Services High
to the City Council or the City organization. Is it time
for that to change? Should we explore the
possibilities of other structures?
Focus Service Delivery to Better Meet Neighborhood-Identified Priorities
Public Safety Services
NEAP Page 3 4-30-07
Action Action Step/Task Phase Department Resources Priority
# Ranking
Lead Required
10 Collaborate with the Neighborhood Associations to Phase Police Low to 11
define their role in the Neighborhood-based One & Medium
Community Policing Strategy identified in Police Two
Strategic Plan.
Planning
11 Shift involvement of neighborhood associations to be Phase Planning Low 1
earlier in the land use process. One Division
12 Review standards for regulating and focusing Infill. Phase Planning High 2
Use opportunity siting as a primary strategy for One Division
achieving density in mixed use centers.
13 Create standards to minimize conversion from Phase Planning Medium to 6
residential uses. One Division High
Community Development
14 Work with Neighborhood Associations and other Phase PDD/Neighbor-Low to 15
community stakeholders to identify neighborhood One hood Services High
service priorities.
15 Integrate neighborhood priorities identified in the Phase PDD/Neighbor-Low to 4
City’s Operating Budget, the CIP, and Council Goals. Two hood Services High
Parks, Recreation & Cultural Services
16 Improve Park Safety through Park Watch program, Phase PW/POS, Medium to 13
park design and increased recreation activities by staff One & LRCS/REC High
and neighbors. Two
17 Improve neighborhood identity through public art, park Phase PW/POS Medium to 12
design, and signage. One & High
Two
Infrastructure Services
18 Walkable Community Improvements – Review/revise Phase PW/MAIN High 7
Sidewalk Infill program. One &
Two
19 Safe Streets - Upgrade unimproved streets, Phase PW/ ENG High 8
incorporate context-sensitive design. Two
20 Train Staff to be ambassadors for service delivery in Phase HRRS/All Low 23
neighborhoods One & Depts
Two
NEAP Page 4 4-30-07
ATTACHMENT B
Neighborhood Empowerment Goal
New Action Items
4-30-07
B1. Enhance communications
To be more effective, Neighborhood Associations need enhanced communications among
associations, with the City organization, with elected officials, and with other government
agencies.
?
Neighborhood Associations need assistance to improve information sharing among
associations to learn from each other’s success and to collaborate on regional issues.
?
The City can help Neighborhood Associations by providing more neighborhood-
specific information and timely updates on projects and program changes.
Neighborhood Associations need broader participation from City staff, including
Executive Managers.
?
A stronger connection can be established between the associations and their
Councilors.
?
Neighborhood Associations may need assistance reaching out to other government
agencies, including schools, EWEB, and LTD.
B2. Increase ongoing support for Neighborhood Associations (NAs)
Neighborhood Associations are volunteer organizations, whose boards and officers have
different skills and experiences and different amounts of time to devote to their
associations. In order to increase the participation levels and effectiveness of
Neighborhood Associations, the City and Neighborhood Associations should recognize
the needs and strategize ways to provide more ongoing support to them. Current
resources and support strategies should be evaluated in order to better support new
leaders and board members. Such strategies should include:
?
More training to board members and neighborhood leaders.
?
Web site support.
?
A City-implemented community outreach campaign for Neighborhood Associations
to supplement the public information activities each association does.
B3. Evaluate Existing Structure
The Neighborhood Leaders Council is an ad hoc group without formal ties to the City
Council or the City organization. Is it time for that to change? Should we explore the
possibilities of other structures?
NEIGHBORHOOD SUMMIT 2007
Vote Tally
Ranked by Individual Count
# Individual# Association
Action Item Titleotes Castotes Cast
VV
11. Involve Neighborhood Associations earlier in land use proposals.
3435
12. Increase density in existing neighborhoods thoughtfully.
3324
B2. Increase ongoing support for Neighborhood Associations
2278
15. Neighborhood priorities guide service and funding decisions.
1310
4. Implement Neighborhood Matching Grants.
1260
13. Preserve residential zoning.
1260
18. Ensure safe routes for walkers.
1230
19. Design streets to meet both transportation and neighborhood needs.
1130
6. Increase communications from Neighborhood Associations.
970
3. Improve public involvement processes.
901
10. Define Neighborhood Associations’ role in community policing.
890
17. Promote neighborhood identity.
870
16. Make parks safer.
630
7. Hold annual forums for Neighborhood Associations and elected officials.
600
14. Set service priorities by neighborhood.
520
8. Affirm Council policy on Neighborhood Associations.
441
5. Support Neighborhood Associations in problem-solving.
430
1. Public Involvement participants should reflect our whole community.
410
B1. Enhance communications
380
2. Public Involvement tools should engage more people.
330
9. Divide the huge neighborhood associations into smaller ones.
200
B3. Change existing structure
140
20. Emphasize customer service skills in City staff trainings.
90
Note: Each of the 109 neighborhood participants was given 23 votes to cast.
ATTACHMENT D
Neighborhood Empowerment Goal
Progress to Date
4-30-07
Enhance Effective Public Engagement Activities:
1. Recruit for participation via demographics profiles to ensure additional "silent" stakeholders.
?
Planning Division has increased their use of the Internet to distribute information and receive
written testimony.
?
Rasor Park Mixed Use Center’s public involvement plan includes bilingual notices and Spanish
translator at public meetings.
?
Planning and Development staff are guest lecturers at UO to outreach to students.
2. Evaluate current and pilot new public involvement tools that target accessibility and outreach to
un/under-represented communities and those less apt to engage.
?
The Transportation Planning Team developed the InMotion e-newsletter to reach people who are
interested in alternatives to driving alone. One goal of InMotion is to let people who are
interested in bicycle and pedestrian accessibility know about public meetings in neighborhoods
outside of their own but that might be on their transportation route. InMotion currently reaches
about 1,000 people per month.
?
The Pedestrian and Bicycle Strategic Plan held targeted workshops for the Youth, Senior and
Accessibility Communities, conducted stakeholder interviews with people who represent interests
that are often underrepresented in public processes such as Latinos, youth, people who live in
affordable housing developments, and people with disabilities; and recruited youth involved in
LEAD participating on the Departmental Advisory Committee for the planning process held
Youth are another group that can be difficult to engage through public processes.
3. Institute "best practices" for citizen involvement, including methods for establishing clear expectations
and closing the feedback loop.
?
Neighborhood Association Initiative Action Plan (NAIAP) adopted by City Council was discussed
with seventeen neighborhood association/community organization boards to determine if it was
clear and complete. A team of City staff and Neighborhood Leaders synthesized the feedback and
planned the Neighborhood Summit. The Summit’s purpose was to prioritize NAIAP items and
discuss next steps for top priorities as input to the staff team developing the Neighborhood
Empowerment Initiative work plan.
?
Rasor Park Mixed Use Center project invited members of the River Road Community
Organization and Whiteaker Community Council to set on the Technical Advisory Committee to
promote transparency. The public involvement process is being adaptive and responsive to
community needs and has provided a forum for a community-driven process.
?
Planning Division has used IAP2 terminology to identify public involvement expectations.
Empowerment, though desired by some, is not always available because some planning decisions
rest with the Planning Commission or other body by law.
?
The Civic Center planning project used Neighborhood Association meetings to recruit participants
for the workshop series.
NEAP Progress Page 1 4-30-07
?
For the South Ridgeline Habitat Study, staff and the consultant worked with Neighborhood
Leaders from the affected neighborhoods to design the public engagement process.
4. Reinstate the Neighborhood Matching Grants program.
?
The Neighborhood Matching Grant program is underway. Sixteen applications were submitted by
the May due date, requesting $94,291 in grants. The Neighborhood Matching Grants Department
Advisory Committee reviewed applications in April and will forward a recommendation to City
Council on May 14, 2007.
Support neighborhood involvement by empowering all neighborhood associations:
5. Provide training on collaboration tools and leadership development/coaching so that associations
become forums to bring together divergent views for problem solving.
?
Staff conducted preliminary research on community problem-solving models and programs
through the International Association for Public Participation.
6. Increase support for Neighborhood Associations’ communications, in both printed and electronic
mediums.
?
Increased efficiencies in printing and postage have resulted in savings that allow current resources
to fund 4 newsletters per year, per association.
?
For those associations without their own web site, Neighborhood Services staff now posts a PDF
of the most recent newsletter on the association’s page on the City’s website.
?
Telecomm Funds granted to develop e-mail newsletter option. Project awaiting staff availability
for systems analysis and design.
?
Neighborhood Services and Information Services are partnering to offer loaned copies and training
for MS Publisher to those associations whose editors do not currently use publishing software.
?
Police, Recreation, Parks and Open Space, and Budget staff have written neighborhood-specific
articles for use in neighborhood association newsletters.
7. Institute annual Neighborhood Summits with Neighborhood Associations boards and City elected &
appointed officials.
?
The first Neighborhood Summit was held on February 17, 2007. Approximately 150 individuals
attended, including neighbors from all nineteen residential neighborhood association/community
organizations, elected officials, City staff and other interested persons.
8. Update Neighborhood Organization Recognition Policy and model charter to reflect current Council
policy.
?
No action has been taken on this item.
9. Consider the division of Cal Young and Active Bethel Citizens into smaller associations, in
accordance with Council’s policy on neighborhood boundaries.
?
In January, Cal Young Neighborhood Association’s board discussed splitting into two
associations. CYNA newsletter described proposal. Association members postponed action on
item until Spring. The other large neighborhood association, Active Bethel Citizens, has not had a
meeting since fall 2006 so no action has been taken.
B1. Enhance communications [among Neighborhood Associations and with the City and other
government organizations]
NEAP Progress Page 2 4-30-07
?
Neighborhood Leaders Council (NLC) committee developed proposals for improved community
engagement with EWEB.
B2. Increase ongoing support for Neighborhood Associations.
?
Expanded purposes for which Neighborhood Association’s spending authority can be used to
include $200/year for neighborhood-building event expenses (e.g., refreshments, entertainment,
insurance.)
B3. Evaluate existing structure.
?
Informal discussions within the Neighborhood Leaders Council and between the City and NLC
Co-Chairs on whether or not NLC should be an official City committee.
Focus service delivery to better meet neighborhood-identified needs and priorities:
10. Collaborate with the Neighborhood Associations to define their role in the Neighborhood-based
Community Policing Strategy identified in Police Strategic Plan.
?
Public safety station managers regularly attend neighborhood meetings in their assigned areas.
?
Public safety stations have different objectives based on the needs of the neighborhood.
11. Shift involvement of neighborhood associations to be earlier in the land use process.
?
Planners strongly encourage applicants to meet with neighborhood groups before development
applications are submitted.
?
The Minor Code amendment process currently underway is considering requiring applicants to
meet with neighborhood groups as a condition of completeness.
?
In response to Neighborhood Leaders’ needs to work with Chapter 9 of the City Code. ISD added
to the City’s website a Word version of the City Code, making it easier to search, download, and
copy.
12. Review standards for regulating and focusing Infill. Use opportunity siting as a primary strategy for
achieving density in mixed use centers.
?
Council Motions in September and December 2005 directed the City Planning Division to add
opportunity siting and infill compatibility standards to the high priority work program.
?
Funding for dedicated staff was secured through the budget process in July 2006. A Senior
Planner was hired in October, 2006, and an Associate Planner was hired in April 2007. Both are
devoted to staffing these new initiatives.
?
Since October 2006, Planning Commission sub-committees have been set up, a draft Citizen
Involvement Plan and project websites have been produced, and data gathering/problem
identification has begun.
?
Staff has been touring neighborhoods, presenting at Neighborhood Association meetings, and
beginning research and analysis of examples from other cities and developing draft mapping
products.
?
Additional stakeholder focus groups will be held this summer, and issue identification workshops
will commence in the fall. The draft timeline targets September 2008 for bringing initial code
recommendations to Council.
NEAP Progress Page 3 4-30-07
13. Create standards to minimize conversion from residential uses.
?
No action has been taken on this item. Staff have been focused on infill and opportunity siting
initiative.
14. Work with Neighborhood Associations and other community stakeholders to identify neighborhood
service priorities.
?Neighborhood Association Initiative Action Plan (NAIAP) adopted by City Council was discussed
with seventeen neighborhood association/community organization boards to determine if it was
clear and complete. A team of City staff and Neighborhood Leaders synthesized the feedback and
planned the Neighborhood Summit. The Summit’s purpose was to prioritize NAIAP items and
discuss next steps for top priorities as input to the staff team developing the Neighborhood
Empowerment Initiative work plan.
15. Integrate neighborhood priorities identified in the City’s Operating Budget, the CIP, and Council
Goals.
?This item is contingent on item #14 being accomplished first.
16. Improve Park Safety through Park Watch program, park design and increased recreation activities by
staff and neighbors.
?
Neighbors of Monroe Park identified park safety as an issue. Police and Parks’ participation
resulted in increased patrols and park improvements that increased legitimate park use and
improved safety.
?
The West University Neighbors and the City’s Information Services Division collaborated to
install WiFi in the housing development adjacent to the West University Park. Once re-opened,
nearby residents (many of whom are students) can access WiFi at the park, an activity that
encourages positive uses of the park.
?
Police’s strategic plan identified Park Policing Unit as a long term goal. In the interim,
coordination with Parks and Open Space, crime analysis of enforcement data, and neighborhood
nuisance complaints, identifies “hot spots” for special interventions.
?
Based on complaints from neighbors of Martin Luther King Jr. Park regarding excessive drinking
in the park, Parks and Open Space staff revised the official park rules to make MLK Jr. Park an
alcohol-free park.
?
A “Safe Parks” Program has been developed which would utilize staff from St. Vincent DePaul to
interface with illegal campers throughout Eugene’s Park system and provide individuals with
information on social services that are available. Funding for implementation of this program is
not yet identified.
?
Recreation Services introduced new activities in neighborhood parks encouraging more
neighborhood awareness of local opportunities as well as increasing the positive uses of parks
which increases overall park safety. Examples include a number of free activities such as park
walks, yoga in the park, poi spinning, family movie nights, etc.
17. Improve neighborhood identity through public art, park design, and signage.
?
Recreation Services encouraged Neighborhood Association teams to participate in the Out in the
Artdoors race.
?
Planning and Transportation staff facilitated a “reclaimed intersection” in the Far West
neighborhood. The intersection repair group applied for a Neighborhood Matching Grant to add a
street mural.
NEAP Progress Page 4 4-30-07
?
As part of their work on infill standards, Eugene’s Historic Review Board has helped to identify
the various development periods, and architectural styles, which might inform citizens about these
chronological changes to Eugene.
18. Walkable Community Improvements – Review/revise Sidewalk Infill program.
?
The City does not currently have a sidewalk infill program. At Council direction, such a program
could be reinstated. There is a Sidewalk Infill Plan that was not fully implemented when the
sidewalk infill program was in existence.
?
City staff are part of a team of that is implementing a Safe Routes to School program for Monroe
Middle School. One step in the program is to enhance the safety of pedestrian and bicycle
connections to the school. There may be recommendations to fill in missing sidewalks sections as
part of this project.
19. Safe Streets - Upgrade unimproved streets, incorporate context-sensitive design.
?
When new streets are built or existing streets improved to urban standards, City staff work with
immediate neighbors, neighborhood associations, and other stakeholders to develop projects that
enhance neighborhood livability. Working with the community, staff look for opportunities to
add project elements such as traffic calming and natural stormwater treatment. A couple of
examples of current projects are the Crest Drive Context Sensitive Solutions process and Green
Street design for local streets as part of River Road/Santa Clara basin planning.
?
City staff also look for opportunities to enhance already improved streets for pedestrians and
bicyclists in ways that also improve neighborhood livability. For example, the 18th Avenue
streetscape project, to be constructed this summer, will add bike lanes, replace substandard with
setback sidewalks, and improve pedestrian crossings; the project will also add numerous street
trees and three large curb extensions that provide natural stormwater treatment.
20. Train Staff to be ambassadors for service delivery in neighborhoods.
?
The City’s Performance and Development section is designing a new required class for all new
employees which will have longer and more specific sections about public service and customer
service responsibilities. The class is scheduled to be piloted this summer.
?
Police department provides cultural communication training to Patrol officers, customer service
training in Records and Traffic Enforcement.
?
Recreation Services staff provide training in the following topics to all staff working in
neighborhood parks and schools: cultural competency, customer service, inclusion, risk
management and awareness, conflict management, child abuse prevention, and asset development.
NEAP Progress Page 5 4-30-07
ATTACHMENT E
Neighborhood Empowerment
Staff Committee Members
4-30-07
Renee Grube, Executive Lead LRCS/ Administration
Carolyn Weiss , Staff Lead PW/ Parks and Open Space
Beth Bridges PDD/ Community Development Services
Lisa Gardner PDD/ Planning
Randy Kolb CS/ Information Services
Kathy Madison LRCS/ Administration
Isaac Markehe LRCS/ Recreation
Carolyn McDermed EPD/ Patrol
Sarah Medary LRCS/ Recreation
Doug Perry EFD/ Administration