HomeMy WebLinkAboutCity Council Newsletter - 05/24/07
EUGENE CITY COUNCIL NEWSLETTER
May 24, 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
CITY HOSTS WEST EUGENE TRANSPORTATION OPEN HOUSE
POLICE EMPLOYEES AND COMMUNITY MEMBERS RECOGNIZED
YOUTH PARTICIPATE IN 2007 HERSHEY’S TRACK AND FIELD GAMES
EUGENE AND SPRINGFIELD COLLABORATE FOR HIGH-RISE TRAINING
EUGENE AIRPORT TO GAIN ANOTHER DAILY FLIGHT TO LOS ANGELES
GUIDED TOUR OF WILD IRIS RIDGE RESTORATION PROJECT
SYLIVA ENGDAHL – HONORED LIBRARY FRIEND
EUGENE FIRE & EMS PERFORMS ANNUAL HOSE TESTING
GET "OUTSIDE THE BACHS" AT EUGENE PUBLIC LIBRARY
URBAN ADVENTURE RACERS “DISCOVER” EUGENE’S ART AND OUTDOORS
AROUND THE CITY
City Hosts West Eugene Transportation Open House
More than 70 community members attended a
transportation open house hosted by the City of
Eugene, Lane Transit District, Commuter Solutions
and Lane Council of Governments on the evening of
Monday, May 21, at the Downtown Eugene Library.
Attendees reviewed information regarding LTD’s
existing services and past planning efforts and
provided input on current and future services via a
questionnaire. The City provided information on
alternative transportation modes, safe bicycling, and
questionnaires concerning the broader existing
transportation system in west Eugene.
This was the first in a series of public outreach
th
efforts that will continue as work gets underway by LTD and the City of Eugene on the West 11 corridor
study. For more information on the corridor study, please contact Emily Proudfoot, senior transportation
planner, at 682-5378 or emily.a.proudfoot@ci.eugene.or.us.
Police Employees and Community Members Recognized
On Wednesday, May 16, as part of National Police Week, the Eugene Police Department held its annual
awards ceremony to recognize outstanding performance by department members, employees of
associated agencies, and community members.
As the high point of the ceremony, Officer Greg Reeves was recognized as the Officer of the Year;
Application Systems Analyst Ted Glick received the Civilian Employee of the Year award; and Squad
Car Maintenance Team and Seniors on Patrol Team volunteer Cliff Flesch was named Volunteer of the
Year.
Officer Cheryl Joyner received a Distinguished Service Award in recognition of her phenomenal work
with the Eugene Regional Basic Police Academy. Officer Judson Warden was presented with a
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May 24, 2007
Lifesaving Award for preventing a suicide in September 2006. Officer Kara Williams received the
Eugene Police
Star in recognition of the serious injury she sustained while performing her duties in May 2006, when a
suspect assaulted her as he was being taken into custody. The Financial Crimes Unit and the Data and
Records Section were presented with Unit Citations. K-9 Yasko received the K-9 Valor Award in
recognition of his actions in February 2007 to protect his handler from an attacking pit bull, resulting in an
injury to Yasko that required emergency medical care.
Meritorious Service Awards were presented to: Detective Randy Berger for his work to implement an
online reporting system to assist in monitoring secondhand store transactions for stolen property;
Records Specialists Paul Bishop and Robin Zeltvay for their efforts to successfully implement the
LaserFiche document imaging system and electronic routing of police reports; Officers Rich Bremer and
Nate Pieske for their outstanding work to help successfully implement the department’s new in-car video
program; and Lead Communications Specialist Trina Rice for her work to improve communications
effectiveness and efficiency through the Rural Fire Presentation Team, radio procedures training for
police recruit officers, and other projects.
Class II Commendations were presented to: Officer Wayne Dorman for his efforts to rescue four Eugene
Fire Department personnel when their jet boat struck an obstruction in the river and overturned in July
2006 (Lane County Sheriff’s Deputies Byron Trapp and Paul Vitus, as non-employees, received
Certificates of Appreciation for their similar actions in this emergency incident); Officers Chris Harrison
and Jed McGuire for their outstanding work in the area of DUII enforcement; Officers Tim Haywood and
Bobby McDermed for their actions in February 2007, when they subdued a subject suffering a psychotic
break and helped to ensure that he got the evaluation and initial treatment he needed for his mental
health issues; Detective Mercy McDonald for her careful, analytical, and thorough investigation of a
series of criminal events committed by an identity thief; and Communications Specialist Misty Schmidt
for her outstanding efforts with the communications training program.
In addition to awards commemorating the exceptional service of these City employees, several
community members also were presented with awards at the ceremony. Six founding members of the
Police Commission who completed two full terms of service —John Brown, Maurie Denner, Tim Laue,
Carla Newbre, Floyd Prozanski and Angie Sifuentez—were recognized for their accomplishments. As
stated in their Partnership Award certificates, "The nearly twenty policies updated during your tenure
represent a mere fraction of the lasting impact your contributions will have on the department and our
community. For this invaluable work, rendered in the true spirit of partnership and public service, you
have the department's deepest gratitude." Police volunteer Frances Powell, Alicia Beymer of Senior and
Disabled Services, Parole and Probation Officer Linda Hamilton, Paul Lewis of the Lock Out Crime
Project, and First Baptist Church also received Partnership Awards, and LTD security officer Lynda
Tucker and Burrito Boy owner Victor Melendrez were presented with Citizen Service Awards for assisting
an officer when a subject being arrested became violent.
For more information, please contact Melinda Kletzok at 682-5124 or melinda.a.kletzok@ci.eugene.or.us.
Youth Participate in 2007 Hershey's Track and Field Games
Eugene Recreation’s Youth and Family
Services hosted more than 100 youth, ages 9-
14, at the Hershey’s Track and Field Games
on May 16 and 17. The free meets included
the following events: 50 M Dash, 100 M Dash,
200 M Dash, 400 M Run, 800 M Run, 1600 M
Run, and 400 Meter Relay, Softball Throw
and Long Jump. This is the 29th year the City
of Eugene has sponsored the games.
The goal of the program is to introduce children to physical fitness through basic events like running,
jumping and throwing. This goal aligns with Recreation Services’ efforts to fight childhood obesity by
decreasing “screen” time.
The Hershey’s Track and Field Games are the largest youth sports program of its kind in the United
States and Canada with more than 400,000 children competing annually.
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May 24, 2007
First place finishers from the Eugene meets qualified for the state final meet on June 16 at Marist High
School that will feature nearly 500 athletes from around Oregon. A Pacific Northwest team selected from
event winners in Oregon, Washington, British Columbia, Alberta, Idaho, Montana and Alaska will
compete in the North American Finals in Hershey, Pennsylvania later this summer. Trip expenses for
the young athletes are paid for by Hershey’s Corporation. For more information, contact Program
Supervisor and Hershey’s Games State Co-Chair, Kim McManus at 682-6343.
Eugene and Springfield Collaborate for High-Rise Training
The tallest building in Eugene was the site of a unique training exercise last week. The Eugene Fire &
EMS Department and Springfield Fire and Life Safety Department held a joint high-rise training drill at
the 18-story Ya-Po-Ah Terrace apartments in downtown Eugene. This large-scale drill gave both
departments a realistic opportunity to experience some of the challenges emergency response crews can
expect when working in high-rise buildings. For example, since elevators are not available in a fire
situation, one of the challenges emergency response crews face is getting themselves and their gear up
several flights of stairs, which is extremely physically demanding. This needs to be accomplished
despite the likely potential of the building occupants trying to exit the structure. Firefighting crews
finished the training exercise by spraying water off of the building's rooftop. The goal was to make the
exercise as realistic as possible, without actually evacuating the residents of the retirement community.
It was a huge success, and more than 25 firefighters between the two departments participated in the
training session. For more information, please contact Acting Deputy Chief Operations Randy DeWitt at
682-7130.
Eugene Airport to Gain Another Daily Flight to Los Angeles
Delta Air Lines will be adding a daily flight between Eugene and Los Angeles beginning July 1. Delta
Connection carrier ExpressJet Airlines will operate the new route using 50-passenger Embraer 145
regional jets. The flights will feature upgraded in-flight entertainment with more than 100 channels of
free XM Satellite Radio and redesigned, memory foam leather seating with no middle seats.
“The industry is rebounding a little bit and looking at service needs,” said Tim Doll, Eugene Airport
manager. “Luckily, we’re able to add these additional flights and make it more convenient for travelers.”
The flight will leave the Eugene Airport at 12:30 p.m., arriving in Los Angeles at 2:25 p.m. The return
flight is scheduled for 9:50 a.m. from Los Angeles, arriving in Eugene at 12:05 p.m. For more
information, contact Cathryn Stephens, marketing and administration supervisor, at 682-5430,
cathryn.e.stephens@ci.eugene.or.us.
Guided Tour of Wild Iris Ridge Restoration Project
On Tuesday, May 29, from 5:30 to 8 p.m., Parks and Open
Space Natural Resources Coordinator Lauri Mullen and
Natural Resource Maintenance Crew Leader Jesse Cary
Hobbs will be taking community members on a guided tour
of restoration efforts at Wild Iris Ridge, along the Ridgeline
in southeast Eugene.
The tour is being presented by the Long Tom Watershed
Council, which received two grants from the Oregon
Watershed Enhancement Board to help with restoration
efforts in Wild Iris Ridge. Wild Iris Ridge is a 123-acre
parcel owned by the City of Eugene, and was purchased in
2003 for habitat preservation and community open space.
It is estimated that less than 1 percent of upland prairie and oak savannah habitat remains in the
Willamette Valley from pre-European settlement. As many as 200 species depend on this habitat for
their survival. The City of Eugene is helping to restore the area by removing invasive species such as
scotch broom and planting native wild flowers.
Guests will be shown what is being done in the area, while learning more about techniques used and
lessons learned. Councilors interested in attending may contact the Long Tom Watershed at 683-6949 or
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May 24, 2007
jgarmon@longtom.org for directions.
Sylvia Engdahl – Honored Library Friend
On Tuesday, May 15, at the Friends of the Eugene Public Library annual board meeting, Sylvia Engdahl
was recognized as the Honored Friend for 2007. This special recognition is given to Friends leaders and
dedicated, long-time volunteers.
Sylvia has been volunteer editor of Library Matters since the Vol. 1, No. 1, Sep-Oct 1995 issue. She was
on the committee that designed Library Matters as a cooperative venture between the Friends, the
Library Foundation and Library staff. Five or six issues, each containing 12 or more pages, have been
published annually since the newsletter’s inception.
Sylvia began as a Friends newsletter editor in October 1990 with "The Bookmark," which was generally
four pages long and published ten times a year. This means that Sylvia has edited more than 100
Library newsletters during the 16 ½ years she has served as the Friends editor. In addition, she sat on
the board from 1989 to 2003, when the Editor was no longer an official board position.
Sylvia is the distinguished author of six science fiction novels for young adults originally published in the
70s and recently republished. Her book, "Enchantress from the Stars," recognized as a Newbery Honor
Book by the American Library Association, was presented the Phoenix Award by the Children's Literature
Association, and was a finalist for the 2002 Book Sense Book of the Year. Sylvia is a resource to the
community, to the Library, and to the Friends of the Library. For more information, contact Library
Volunteer Coordinator Laura Philips at 682-6617.
Eugene Fire & Ems Performs Annual Hose Testing
Eugene Fire & EMS Logistics personnel have just entered into the beginning stages of annual fire hose
testing. A total of approximately 80,000 feet of hose will be pressurized, inspected and tested to ensure
compliance with National Fire Protection Agency (NFPA) standards. Logistics personnel also handle fire
and emergency medical services equipment repairs, supply requests and fulfilling other department
operational demands on a daily basis. For more information, please contact Acting Logistics Manager
Eric McGillvrey at 682-7130.
Get "Outside the Bachs" at Eugene Public Library
On First Friday, June 1, starting at 6:30 p.m., the Downtown Eugene Public Library
hosts Outside the Bachs with George Evano of the Oregon Bach Festival. The
free evening features entertaining insights and stories of life at the Grammy-
winning event, highlighted by live music, a 2007 season preview, prizes, and
giveaways.
Evano has been the Director of Communications for the internationally-acclaimed
Oregon Bach Festival since 1993. He has overseen the planning and
implementation of a full range of communications programs, including the
production of a syndicated concert series that has aired on 250 radio stations
nationwide. For more information, call the Eugene Public Library, 682-5450.
Urban Adventure Racers “Discover” Eugene’s Art and Outdoors
Thirty four-member teams competed in the second annual “Out in the Artdoors” Urban Adventure Race
on Saturday, May 19. The winning team, “3 Peas and a Slice of Cheese,” finished in six hours, with four
hours and 45 minutes “deDUCKted” for taking time to appreciate art, to help a youth be creative, and to
help other teams along the way. This gave the four middle-schoolers an overall time of 1 hour and 15
minutes!
The race was organized by Eugene Recreation’s Outdoor Program, and was a collaborative effort
involving the LRCS Department, Fire and EMS Department, Parks and Open Space Division and the
University of Oregon. It is patterned after the Amazing Race television program, but focuses on positive
outcomes such as connecting with the environment, encouraging community-building and promoting
Eugene as the World’s Greatest City of the Arts and Outdoors.
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This year’s urban race course took the teams from Alton Baker Park to Petersen Barn Community Center
and the Spencer Butte Challenge Course and back again, as they competed in a series of creative
mental and physical challenges including climbing the Skinner Butte rock-climbing columns, paddling
across the Willamette River, acting in melodramas at the Hult Center, making recycled art team
mascots, and reciting poetry in front of the Library.
At the finish, all participants were rewarded with a barbecue in Alton Baker to celebrate each other.
Competitors included families, friends and co-workers, ages 11+ with a wide range of ability levels. For
more information, call Outdoor Programmer Kellie Nemke at 682-6324.
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May 24, 2007