HomeMy WebLinkAboutCity Council Newsletter - 05/31/07
EUGENE CITY COUNCIL NEWSLETTER
May 31, 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
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“WE ARE BETHEL CELEBRATION” SHAKES IT UP IN ITS 6 YEAR
CAUSE OF GHEEN FIRE OFFICIALLY LISTED AS “UNDETERMINED”
EARLY REDEMPTION OF PENSION BONDS
MAGAZINE SALE AT EUGENE PUBLIC LIBRARY
AGATE/FAIRMOUNT TRAFFIC-CALMING STUDY WORKSHOP SLATED FOR MONDAY, JUNE 6
WEST UNIVERSITY PARK NEIGHBORHOOD MEETING ON JUNE 7
FREE FUN FOR TEENS AT EUGENE PUBLIC LIBRARY
BROCHURES NOTIFY CUSTOMERS OF NEW WASTEWATER AND STORMWATER USER FEES
AROUND THE CITY
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“We Are Bethel Celebration” Shakes it Up in Its 6 Year
Recreation Services kicks off a series of three, free community
festivals this summer with the sixth annual “We Are Bethel
Celebration” (WAB) on Saturday, June 2, from noon to 6 p.m. at
Petersen Barn Community Center, 870 Berntzen Rd. Last year,
some 2,000 people attended.
Originating from a federal Weed & Seed grant, the celebration
continues to offer a slice of traditional community spirit and good ‘ole
family fun. Petersen Barn Community Center has taken the lead in
organizing the event with the original Weed & Seed partners—the
Bethel School District and EPD’s Bethel Public Safety Station.
The Cultural Services Division has supported the WAB the last three
years by placing it as the kick-off event to the Summer Concerts in
the Park series. This year’s main music attraction will be “Son
Me’lao.” Event Coordinator Lizz Zitron is bringing in Salsa
Northwest to provide free Salsa dance lessons just prior to the
concert.
A big fun factor at the WAB is the Club Bethel Carnival, which benefits Bethel youth. The Leadership
Youth Group has created a wide variety of carnival games and inflatable fun, which should keep many
little feet busy for the entire day. Here is more of what you can expect:
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Music and dance groups from Bethel schools, including the return of “Trapped in a Mini Van”
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A Bicycle Safety Rodeo with prizes throughout the day
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Tree-climbing in Wally the Walnut Tree
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The Library Summer Reading Program
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A dunk tank featuring Bethel School District teachers and RecZone staff. (It could be a hot day,
so you might want to volunteer.)
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A variety of food booths that will keep everyone salivating—BBQ, Mexican, Chinese, cotton
candy, Italian sodas, and snow cones served up by Mayor Kitty Piercy (from 12-12:30 p.m.)
In addition, this year’s “Milk Toast” will honor Ardis Barker’s 19 years of service at the Petersen Barn pre-
school, and Bethel School District Superintendent Colt Gill will present student awards.
EUGENE CITY COUNCIL NEWSLETTER PAGE 1
May 31, 2007
General admission to the event is free, and the Club Bethel Carnival tickets are only 25 cents each. For
more information about the event, contact Recreation activity employee Lizz Zitron at 682-6042.
Still to come this summer, Recreation Services presents two more free community events: the Whiteaker
Neighborhood River Festival on July 20 and the Multicultural Festival on August 3. For more information
on these two events, call Recreation Services Youth & Family Services Manager Tim Patrick at 682-6347.
Cause of Gheen Fire Officially Listed as “Undetermined”
The sheer magnitude of the April 20 fire at Gheen Irrigation Works, coupled with the absence of
eyewitnesses, made it unlikely that the actual cause of the fire would ever be pinpointed with certainty,
and this turned out to be the case as the cause has now been officially listed as "undetermined."
In the case of most fires, when the cause is not obvious to responding firefighters, Deputy fire marshals
from the Fire Prevention Office are called in to investigate and report. Often, but not always,
investigation can determine the cause and point of origin, and this information can be helpful in
preventing repetition of the same circumstances. However, in the case of the Gheen fire, even
beginning an investigation would have required resources (heavy equipment) beyond those of Fire
Prevention. Gheen Irrigation's insurers, therefore, hired a private consultant to investigate. Although
speculation remains, fire officials were not surprised that the consultant's investigation failed to
determine the exact cause. For more information, please contact Acting Fire Marshal Doug Perry at
682-7100.
Early Redemption of Pension Bonds
In the FY07 budget, the City Council set aside $7,665,000 for early redemption of the 2025 maturity of
pension bonds. The pension bonds were issued in 2002 to fund the City's unfunded actuarial accrued
pension liability at that time.
During the period of uncertainty about PERS rates due to litigation and legislative reforms, the City set
aside funds representing a higher level of PERS rates than what PERS was actually charging. This extra
funding was put into a reserve that would have been used by the City to respond to any adverse litigation
or legislative changes. Once the most significant litigation around the PERS reforms was resolved, the
funds could be used for other purposes. Most of that reserve was dedicated in the FY07 budget to
paying off the callable pension bonds.
As of June 1, the City will pay off the 2025 maturity of pension bonds. The interest savings from this
early redemption is $0.5 million and the savings will occur annually for the next 18 years. The General
Fund share of the annual savings is about $300,000. For more information, contact Dee Ann Raile,
finance director, at 682-5041.
Magazine Sale at Eugene Public Library
Some people just want to relax in the hammock and read magazines—others can't wait to cut them up
for a collage! Either way, the Friends of Eugene Public Library's Magazine Sale is a treasure trove, with
the next one scheduled for Sunday, June 10, 10 a.m. – 4 p.m., at the Downtown Library.
The selection includes thousands of gently-used, recent issues of popular magazines for all interests and
ages—most just 25¢ each. Well-represented topics include gardening, travel, cooking, nature, health,
news and opinion, science, art, home decor, finance, fashion, crafts, hobbies, and many more. Vintage
magazines are individually priced. Admission is free, and all City parking is free on Sundays. Proceeds
benefit the Library. For information, call the Eugene Public Library at 682-5450.
Agate/Fairmount Traffic-Calming Study Workshop Slated for Wednesday, June 6
On Wednesday, June 6, the fourth workshop for the Agate/Fairmount traffic-calming study will be held at
the Edison Elementary School cafeteria from 7 to 9 p.m. As a follow-up to adoption of the East Campus
Plan, the City Council directed Public Works staff to study traffic issues in the Fairmount neighborhood
and along the section of Agate Street adjacent to the University of Oregon.
City staff has worked with the Fairmount Neighborhood Traffic-Calming Committee and the University of
Oregon to develop a draft proposal that addresses speeding and cut-through traffic issues in the
neighborhood and also improves the functionality of Agate Street. This meeting is an opportunity for
neighbors to learn about the proposal and provide their feedback before a final proposal is presented to
EUGENE CITY COUNCIL NEWSLETTER PAGE 2
May 31, 2007
the City Council. For more information, contact Transportation Planning Manager Rob Inerfeld at 682-
5343 or rob.inerfeld@ci.eugene.or.us.
West University Park Neighborhood Meeting on June 7
Neighbors are invited to discuss final plans for reconfiguring and reopening West University Park. The
meeting will take place Thursday, June 7, from 7 to 8:30 p.m. at Central Presbyterian Church, located at
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555 E. 15 Avenue (enter from the alley).
The plan is based on recent design efforts involving collaboration among West University Neighbors, the
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University of Oregon, and the City of Eugene. West University Park is located on E. 14 Avenue
between Patterson and Hilyard streets. The West University Neighbors secured funding for limited
improvements to West University Park through the City of Eugene’s Neighborhood Matching Grant
program. Part of the grant funding will be used to complete the design process that was initiated last
year. Remaining funds will be used to implement volunteer-based park improvement projects in fall
2007 after adjacent housing development is completed. Potential improvements include benches, trees,
landscaping, paved paths, and a small children’s play area. For information, please contact Robin
Hostick, parks planner, 682-4915.
Free Fun for Teens at Eugene Public Library
Starting June 2, teens may apply for this summer's Teen Team. On Wednesdays, June 27 - July 25,
1:00 - 2:00 p.m., youth get together to volunteer at the Downtown Library. Teen Team members help
staff prepare items for check out, ready crafts projects for kids’ programs, create displays, clean and
organize books, and more. They support the Library, meet new friends, and contribute ideas. For more
information or an application, visit the Downtown Eugene Public Library Teen Desk or call 682-8316.
On Friday, June 8, it's Teen Game Nightin Sheldon! From 6:00 - 8:30 p.m., middle and high schoolers
drop in to see friends, learn and play games, and eat pizza at the Sheldon Branch of the Eugene Public
Library. New and unusual board and card games will be provided, including video and computer games.
Youth are welcome to bring games as well. The event is hosted by Chris Ballowe, gamer extraordinaire.
For more information, call 682-8316.
Brochures Notify Customers of New Wastewater and Stormwater User Fees
The City’s annual wastewater and stormwater rate notification brochures will be distributed via EWEB
utility bills beginning in June. The rate notification brochure informs customers of rates and provides an
overview of city services supported by these fees. Copies of the rate notification brochure are available
in the Council Office.
Wastewater fees are applied to all properties connected to the public wastewater system. The purpose
of the regional wastewater program is to protect public health and safety and the environment by
providing high-quality wastewater management services to the Eugene-Springfield metropolitan area.
The Metropolitan Wastewater Management Commission (MWMC) regional wastewater rate increase is
necessary to fund operation and maintenance of the existing wastewater treatment facilities and
implement planned capital improvement projects. The local wastewater user fee increase is necessary
to maintain current operating service levels while also funding necessary capital improvements.
The combined effect of the local and regional wastewater fee increases for a typical residential customer
reflects an increase of $1.31 per month, from the current $19.47 per month to $20.78 per month. Of this
typical increase, $1.05 is related to the regional portion while $0.26 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.
Stormwater fees are applied to all developed properties in Eugene. The fees support services that
maintain flood protection and drainage services, maintain and enhance stormwater-related natural
resources, and improve water quality. These services include street sweeping, seasonal leaf pick-up,
maintenance of underground stormwater pipes and efforts to reduce pollutants and adhere to water
quality standards. Stormwater customers in the medium residential category, typical of most residential
customers, will see an increase of $0.35 per month, to a total of $9.04.
The City Manager approved the proposed charges by administrative order on May 4. Rates will become
effective in July. For more information about the wastewater and stormwater fee increases, contact Tish
Peterson at 682-6087 or by e-mail at tish.a.peterson@ci.eugene.or.us.
EUGENE CITY COUNCIL NEWSLETTER PAGE 3
May 31, 2007