HomeMy WebLinkAboutCity Council Newsletter - 06/14/07
EUGENE CITY COUNCIL NEWSLETTER
June 14, 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
RIVERPLAY FEATURED IN NATIONAL MAGAZINE AND RECEIVES NATIONAL AWARD
SUMMER RECREATION ACTIVITIES GET UNDERWAY
SLURRY SEAL AN EFFECTIVE WAY TO PRESERVE PAVEMENT UNDER CERTAIN CONDITIONS
FIRE PREVENTION INFORMATION MADE AVAILABLE IN BRAILLE
SMOKE TESTING OF SEWER LINES BEGINS JUNE 18 IN SOUTH AND EAST EUGENE
SUMMER READING FOR KIDS AND TEENS AT EUGENE PUBLIC LIBRARY
CAR WASH KITS HELP FUNDRAISING GROUPS AND LOCAL WATERWAYS
2007 INTERNATIONAL FIRE AND EMS SAFETY STAND DOWN
FREE GENEALOGY WORKSHOP AT EUGENE PUBLIC LIBRARY
AROUND THE CITY
RiverPlay Featured in National Magazine and Receives National Award
In the article “Design: Serious Fun,” Newsweek Magazine features
images and information on RiverPlay Discovery Village Playground
in the magazine’s June 18 edition – on newsstands now.
Newsweek contacted the City of Eugene regarding a story the
magazine was doing on creative new playground designs in the U.S.
Newsweek reporter Stephanie Schaerr writes, “Taking your children
to the playground is a good way to fool them into getting exercise.
But all playgrounds were not created equal. Tip Sheet found five that
go well beyond the obligatory slide, seesaw, and swing se. “The U.S.
edition of Newsweek reaches more that 18.5 million readers.
Meanwhile, RiverPlay has also been selected as one of the American
Public Works Association’s Projects of the Year for 2007. The
national award, in the category of structural projects costing less than
$2 million, recognizes successful partnerships between managing
agencies, consultants, architects, engineers, and contractors working
together to complete public works projects.
RiverPlay was chosen because of the project’s strong collaboration
between staff from Public Works Engineering, Planning, and Park Operations as well as 2G
Construction, and the Eugene Rotary Club. The award will be presented at the 2007 APWA Congress in
San Antonio, Texas. The Project of the Year committee is made up of five APWA members from
Canada and the U.S.
The American Public Works Association is an international educational and professional association of
public agencies, private sector companies, and individuals dedicated to providing high quality public
works goods and services. For more information on the Newsweek article, contact Kelly Darnell, Parks
and Open Space marketing and outreach manager at 682-4814 or kelly.a.darnell@ci.eugene.or.us. For
more information on the APWA award, contact Robin Hostick, City of Eugene principal landscape
architect, at 682-4915 or robin.a.hostick@ci.eugene.or.us.
EUGENE CITY COUNCIL NEWSLETTER PAGE 1
June 15, 2007
Summer Recreation Activities Get Underway
Eugene Recreation Services’ summer events kick off in a big way this week. In honor of Father’s Day,
Recreation presents the semi-formal Daddy & Daughter Dinner Dance at the Campbell Community
Center from 6:30-9:00 on Friday evening, June 15. More than 75 daughters, dads and other family
members are expected to attend this event.
The summer season for Community Climb Time at the Skinner Butte Columns begins at 9 a.m. on
Saturday, June 16. All equipment is provided for just $5. Other climbs this summer will be on June 30,
July 14 and 21, and August 11 and 18.
On Monday, June 18, the first of more than 100 summer camps offering art, adventure, outdoors, and
adaptive recreation get underway for kids from age 2 ½ to 18. Also on Monday, the unofficial
demarcation of the beginning of the season occurs when Amazon Pool opens for the first summer
recreation swim at 2 p.m. For information about these and dozens of other Recreation Services
summertime activities, contact Marketing and Public Information Manager Kathy Madison at 682-5342.
Slurry Seal an Effective Way to Preserve Pavement Under Certain Conditions
This summer, approximately 17.4 lane miles of
local streets will receive slurry seal treatment as
part of the Pavement Preservation Program. The
24 streets to be slurry sealed in 2007 are generally
located in southeast Eugene. In 2006, three areas
were treated: North Terry Street, the Churchill area
th
south of 18 Avenue, and the neighborhood on the
east side of Willagillespie.
A slurry seal is a thin layer of asphalt emulsion,
rock, and sand. Slurry seals are used to seal the
existing pavement against intrusion of water, fill in
small cracks, provide a uniform surface, and
restore surface friction which aids braking. Slurry
seals are beneficial on streets with older pavement,
or where surface material has begun to wear off leaving a rough surface.
They protect pavement from oxidation, which leads to brittleness and
cracking, and keep water out of the road base by sealing existing cracks.
Since slurry seals do not add any structural value to a street, they are best
used on local streets or collector streets with little structural damage and
where regular truck traffic is not expected
Due to the small amount of materials needed and the quick application time (usually one day), slurry
seals provide a very cost effective way to extend the life of local pavements. The average cost of a
slurry seal is about one-tenth that of an asphalt overlay and one-fiftieth of total reconstruction costs. For
more information, contact Matt Rodrigues, pavement preservation program manager, at 682-6036.
Fire Prevention Information Made Available in Braille
Under the Americans with Disabilities Act, public information must be made available in alternative
formats upon request. In response, the City's Fire Prevention Office, with assistance from the Eugene
Public Library, has prepared the Braille publication, "Fire Prevention in the Home," which offers safety
tips on kitchen safety, smoke alarms, fire escape planning, children and fire, and other prevention topics.
The City's Accessibility Committee reviewed the document this week and was favorably impressed,
according to Human Rights Program staff. Copies of the publication are available in the Human Rights
Office. For more information, or to request fire prevention guidance in alternative formats, please
contact Acting Fire Marshal Doug Perry at 682-7100.
Smoke Testing Of Sewer Lines Begins June 18 in South and East Eugene
Approximately 28 miles of sanitary sewer lines in south and east Eugene are scheduled to be smoke
tested beginning Monday, June 18. The testing locates defects and improper connections that allow
stormwater runoff and groundwater to enter the public wastewater collection system. The testing also will
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June 15, 2007
measure the effectiveness of recent wastewater system repairs and provide some insights into the
conditions of the private sewer lines serving homes and businesses.
This year's testing includes portions of the wastewater collection system in the Friendly, Amazon,
th
Southeast, South University, Crest Drive and Fairmount neighborhoods. Testing will begin in the 28
Avenue and Central Boulevard area and is expected to take several months to complete. During the
tests, which are endorsed by the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, non-toxic, white smoke is
released into underground sewer lines to identify problems. Residents are notified before testing begins
in their neighborhood. The smoke will not harm plants or animals and will quickly dissipate, leaving no
residue or stains.
After smoke is blown into a sewer line, crew members watch for tell-tale signs of deteriorated lines or
improper connections. White smoke rising from the ground generally indicates a crack or other defect in
a sewer line. Smoke coming from a roof gutter, downspout or area drain indicates that a storm drain is
improperly connected to the wastewater collection system. Deteriorated sewer lines and improper
stormwater connections cause a problem called inflow and infiltration. The region's wastewater
collection and treatment system is designed to carry only so much water and sewage. Inflow and
infiltration of stormwater runoff and groundwater can overload the system, increasing the difficulty and
cost of transporting and treating wastewater.
If smoke testing reveals a defect in the public portion of the wastewater collection system, the defect is
corrected as soon as possible. If extensive defects are found, capital rehabilitation projects are planned,
funded and completed to correct the problem. If smoke testing identifies a stormwater connection
prohibited in the City code, such as a roof drain connected to the sanitary sewer, the property owner is
notified and is required to correct the problem. If the testing indicates a defect in the private portion of
the sewer (usually in the line that connects the building to the public sewer), the owner is notified of
potential problems with the sewer, and repair or replacement of the defective line is recommended. For
more information, contact Carla Spangler, I/I Investigation project manager, at 682-4894.
Summer Reading for Kids and Teens at Eugene Public Library
There's no mystery about what to do once school's out: kids can
join in Summer Reading fun at Eugene Public Library! This
year's free programs for all ages are inspired by the theme "Get a
Clue." Each kid and teen who signs up gets a free book to keep;
plus, there are lots of terrific performances, workshops, films, and
celebrations.
Elementary-age kids kick off the first week of summer with
Science Circus on Monday, June 18, 11:00 and 2:00 at the
Downtown Library. Jugglemania comedian Rhys Thomas
teaches Newtonian physics -- all with circus tricks! Free tickets
will be available 30 minutes before each show.
In the Bethel neighborhood, drop in for hilarious physical comedy
and unicycle antics at the Henrik Bothe Variety Show, Tuesday,
June 19, 2:00, at Petersen Barn Community Center, or catch him
Wednesday, June 20, 2:00, at Sheldon Community Center.
The week winds up with The Charlie Brown Comedy & Juggling
Show, Friday, June 22, 11:00 and 2:00 at the Downtown Library.
Be dazzled by amazing feats delivered with a quick wit. Free
tickets will be available 30 minutes before each show.
Weekly events for kids continue at all locations with topics ranging from mazes and codes to music and
puppets -- plus mini-mysteries to solve at every visit!
Teen Summer Reading starts with a bang: a visit by Karen Karbo, author of the popular Minerva Clark
teen detective series. Teen fans and aspiring writers meet and talk with the writer about mysteries,
creativity, ferrets -- and their own questions -- on Wednesday, June 20, 1:00 - 2:30, at the Downtown
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Library. Then the author joins Teen Book Club from 4:00 - 5:00 where the featured title is Minerva Clark
Gets a Clue. Pre-register at the Downtown Library Teen Center or call 682-8316. For more information
about Summer Reading events, visit www.eugene-or.gov/library or call 682-8316.
Car Wash Kits Help Fundraising Groups and Local Waterways
This time of year, car wash fundraisers are a popular method of generating
revenue for school programs, youth and church groups and more. With a
dual purpose in mind of protecting local waterways and educating area
residents about pollution prevention, the cities of Eugene and Springfield
have developed fish-friendly car wash kits for non-profit groups to use free
of charge. To date, there have been at least a dozen inquiries from
groups in Eugene calling to request use of the kits.
Using models from other communities, these kits include all the parts
necessary to turn a car wash event into a fish-friendly one. Kits include
easy-to-follow directions, a fish-friendly car wash sign, storm drain covers
and sump pumps to divert wash water to wastewater treatment sewers or grassy and vegetated areas.
Careful consideration is given to make sure kits will work properly with car wash locations. Currently,
there are a few “certified” sites in both cities that work well with the kits.
Groups interested in learning more about the kits, their availability for a specific date and site
compatibility, can contact Kathy Eva, public information specialist for the Stormwater Management
Program in Eugene, at 682-2739. Groups planning events in Springfield can call 726-3626.
2007 International Fire and EMS Safety Stand Down
The Eugene Fire & EMS Department will be participating in the 2007 International Fire and EMS Safety
Stand Down on June 28, 29, and 30, 2007. This annual stand down event is sponsored by the
International Association of Fire Chiefs (IAFC) and the International Association of Fire Fighters (IAFF).
Stand downs have been used by the military for years to bring attention to and emphasize the
importance of safety in all aspects of the job.
This year's stand down, themed “Ready to Respond,” will focus on preparing firefighters and EMS
personnel for their daily duties by reviewing their training and the proper use of equipment to ensure safe
response, mitigation and return from all emergency situations. A busy agenda of classes, drills and
equipment review will take place on all three work shifts.
Failure to remain cautious can cause routine activities to become hazardous, as has been shown in the
many fire service and emergency medical service line-of-duty deaths and injuries. In 2006, 105
firefighters died in the line of duty; already this year, 44 lives have been lost.
Fortunately, no Eugene firefighters have died in the line-of-duty since 1974. The purpose of the Safety
Stand Down is to reduce firefighter deaths and injuries by calling attention to safety practices and
improving them. Ensuring a safe and healthy Fire & EMS Department will have the added benefit of
making our community safer. For more information, please contact Acting Deputy Chief Operations
Randy DeWitt at 682-7130.
Free Genealogy Workshop at Eugene Public Library
Researching a family tree used to take expert knowledge -- and sometimes, at substantial cost. But in
recent years, the Internet and electronic databases have made do-it-yourself genealogy far easier, more
rewarding, and less expensive.
On Saturday, June 30, 10 a.m. - noon, Eugene Public Library hosts Genealogy @ Your Fingertips, a free
hands-on computer class introducing user-friendly resources such as HeritageQuest, Ancestry,
FamilySearch, RootsWeb, USGenWeb Project, and Cyndi’s List.
Participants learn which steps to take first, where to order vital records, how to search the U.S Census,
and more. Many of these resources are available free of charge through the Eugene Public Library or on
the Web. Internet skills are required. Pre-register at Eugene Public Library: 682-5450 (press 2).
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June 15, 2007