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HomeMy WebLinkAboutCity Council Newsletter - 07/05/07 EUGENE CITY COUNCIL NEWSLETTER July 5, 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 FIREWORKS STANDS PASS INSPECTIONS; FIRE DEPARTMENT URGES CONTINUED VIGILANCE TH TWO PAVEMENT REPAIR PROJECTS ON 18 AVENUE SET TO START JULY 9 MINOR CODE AMENDMENT ROUNDTABLE SCHEDULED WEST BROADWAY CONSULTANT SELECTED CITY OF EUGENE eVALUE8 HEALTH CARE CITY RECEIVES DOGAMI AWARD FOR DELTA PONDS RESTORATION PROJECT EUGENE ROCKED BY WIZARD BANDS AT DOWNTOWN LIBRARY 2007 EUGENE SKATE PARK CONTEST SERIES STARTS JULY 6 GET A CLUE WITH AUTHOR DIANA ABU-JABER AT EUGENE PUBLIC LIBRARY AROUND THE CITY Fireworks Stands Pass Inspections; Fire Department Urges Continued Vigilance Each year, Deputy Fire Marshals from Eugene Fire & EMS inspect every fireworks stand in Eugene, and every other venue in the City where fireworks are sold, for compliance with fire safety regulations. Code provisions applied include minimum age of employees, fire extinguishers, no-smoking signs, and product safety. This year, 35 locations were inspected. No fire code violations were identified during the inspections. By state law, sales of fireworks may continue through Friday, July 6. With the 4th of July holiday over, the Fire & EMS Department urges residents to continue to keep fireworks safety in mind. Many people continue to use fireworks in the days and weeks following the holiday, and hot, dry weather only increases the risk of fire. The department typically responds to 10 to 20 fireworks-related fires after the 4th, some of them serious. Often they are caused by unsupervised juveniles, and in all cases they are preventable by following common-sense guidelines. Local fire officials are hoping that this year's continuing summer festivities are quiet and safe. As always, the Fire Marshal's Office is prepared to offer fire prevention information to anyone in the community. For more information, please contact Assistant Fire Marshal Doug Perry at 682-5887. th Two Pavement Repair Projects on 18 Avenue Set to Start July 9 thth Major paving repairs on two sections of 18 Avenue begin Monday, July 9. On West 18 Avenue between City View Street and Bailey Hill Road, Morse Bros., under a $1.1 million contract with the th Eugene Public Works Department, will resurface the roadway, rebuild the intersection of 18 Avenue at thth Bailey Hill, and repave Bailey Hill Road from 11 to 18 avenues. While the intersection is being rebuilt, starting in late July, portions of the roadway will be closed to through traffic for extended periods while th the new concrete surface cures. The rest of the work on West 18 Avenue and Bailey Hill will include making subsurface spot repairs, grinding off the top layer of deteriorated asphalt, and constructing a new asphalt surface from curb to curb. Motorists are likely to encounter lane detours and delays, but at least th one lane of traffic will be open at all times except at the intersection of 18 and Bailey Hill while that th intersection is being rebuilt. The West 18 Avenue and Bailey Hill Road repaving is scheduled to be completed by late August. th On East 18 Avenue between Agate and Alder streets, Eugene Sand & Gravel, under a $1.1 million contract with Eugene Public Works, will be repaving the street and constructing pedestrian and bicycle improvements. That work includes installing parking bays at select locations along the south curb line, reconstructing the north curb line and sidewalk between University and Agate streets to provide better EUGENE CITY COUNCIL NEWSLETTER PAGE 1 July 5, 2007 pedestrian passage, and building stormwater swales with curb extensions at Emerald, Onyx, and Harris. th Also as part of the East 18 project, Agate Street will be repaved from 13th to 22nd avenues. That work th includes reconstructing the intersection of 19 Avenue and Agate Street, which means that intersection will be closed to through traffic for at least one week, tentatively beginning July 24. The work on East th 18 and Agate Streets is scheduled to be substantially completed by mid-September. th The two projects on 18 Avenue are among 10 asphalt overlays being done around the city this summer as part of Eugene’s pavement preservation program. The total cost of this summer’s pavement repair projects is estimated at more than $5 million, funded primarily by Eugene’s local motor vehicle fuel tax, a portion of the fees paid by new development in Eugene, and a one-time infusion of $1.5 million from the th City’s general fund. For more information on the West 18 project, call Project Manager Steve Gallup at th 682-8460. For more information on the East 18 project, call Project Manager Matt Rodrigues at 682-6036. Minor Code Amendment Roundtable Scheduled The City of Eugene Planning Commission will be hosting its second roundtable event to discuss the next step in the Minor Land Use Code Amendment process. This event is scheduled for Thursday, July 12, 2007, from 5 p.m. – 7:30 p.m. at the Campbell Center, 155 High Street. Public open houses have been held over the last several months to ask the community how they think the land use code can be further improved and subsequently, how best to prioritize the more than 200 suggested amendments. The primary objective of this meeting will be to refine the suggestions to a manageable list of amendments. The Planning Commission will be soliciting ideas from the public and providing guidance on which of suggested code amendments to move forward in this process. The roundtable will provide an informal, interactive opportunity to discuss these issues. For more information on the City of Eugene Code Amendment Project, visit www.eugene- or.gov/codeamendments, or contact Steve Nystrom, project manager, at 541-682-8385 or steven.a.nystrom@ci.eugene.or.us. West Broadway Consultant Selected The City has selected HDR Town Planning, a Portland firm, to serve as consultant with the West Broadway redevelopment efforts. HDR Town Planning will work with ECO Northwest and Venerable Properties to assist City staff and the West Broadway Advisory Committee with five key issues in the redevelopment concept: preferred design elements, mix of uses, public open spaces, options for parking, and a transition plan for existing businesses. In addition, the consultants will conduct market analysis and economic feasibility studies related to the redevelopment. As part of the West Broadway redevelopment effort, the Urban Renewal Agency (URA) directed the Agency Director (the City Manager) to secure the services of two types of firms, a qualified urban planner/facilitator to oversee the public process for the West Broadway development, and a qualified consultant to perform market analysis and economic feasibility studies. A Request for Qualifications (RFQ) was issued on June 4, 2007, to solicit responses from consultants to serve in those roles. Four qualified responses were received on the due date of June 21, 2007. Two firms were shortlisted, based on an evaluation process that included the co-chairs of the West Broadway Advisory Committee, representatives from the Chamber of Commerce, Eugene Redevelopment Advisory Committee, Citizens for Public Accountability, and City staff. After reference checks were conducted, the City selected HDR Town Planning. HDR Town Planning will assist staff with facilitating the citizen committee formed to examine several key areas of the West Broadway redevelopment, as stated above. Mayor Piercy appointed the 11-member West Broadway Advisory Committee as part of the public involvement component for the West Broadway Redevelopment Project. The members of the West Broadway Advisory Committee held their first meeting in late June, and will be meeting regularly over the summer. It is anticipated that HDR Town Planning will assist the committee in developing general public input sessions in July and August of 2007. More information about the West Broadway Redevelopment Project can be found on the City's web site at: www.eugene-or.gov/downtown. For additional information, contact Nan Laurence at 682-5340. EUGENE CITY COUNCIL NEWSLETTER PAGE 2 July 5, 2007 City of Eugene eValue8s Health Plans The City of Eugene, along with other members of the Oregon Coalition of Health Care Purchasers, is participating in eValue8, a national program which helps health care purchasers evaluate health plan options based on performance. Developed by the National Business Coalition on Health (NBCH), eValue8 is widely used by business health coalitions and employers to assess and manage the quality of their health care plans. In June, coalition members, including representatives of the state Public Employees Benefit Board (PEBB), SAIF, INTEL, PGE, the cities of Eugene and Springfield, and others, conducted site visits of the eight Oregon health plans participating in the eValu8 project. Participating health plans are CIGNA, HealthNet, Kaiser, LifeWise, ODS, Providence, Regence and United/PacificCare. The eValue8 program reports health plan performance in eight modules including Consumer Engagement, Health Information Technology, Provider Measurement, Pharmaceutical Management, Prevention and Health Promotion, Chronic Disease Management, Behavioral Health, and Consumer Driven Health Plan. The data collected through this project is extensive and the results of the surveys will not be published until next year. For more information, please contact Myrnie Daut, risk and benefits manager, 682-5790. City Receives DOGAMI Award for Delta Ponds Restoration Project The City of Eugene has received an Oregon Plan Award from the Oregon Department of Geology and Mineral Industries (DOGAMI) for outstanding protection and enhancement of fish and wildlife habitat during the first phase of the Delta Ponds restoration project. The award, which was announced June 22, recognizes the City’s willingness to go beyond reclamation requirements to (Above) Inlet constructed at the north end of the Delta restore or create viable fisheries habitat. Ponds to increase river flows Sharing the award is the U.S. Army into the ponds. (Right) Corps of Engineers, which is working in DOGAMI 2006 Oregon Plan partnership with the City on a multi-year Award, which recognizes project to improve water quality and Eugene’s outstanding enhance wildlife habitat in the Delta commitment to protecting Ponds area. and enhancing fisheries. The Delta Ponds were formed by gravel extraction operations that provided much of the gravel for the construction of Interstate 105 and the Delta Highway. The City purchased the ponds from Eugene Sand and Gravel in the late 1970s. Since that time, natural succession has created an area in the heart of Eugene that has relatively high habitat value. Today, the ponds are used by numerous City residents who enjoy experiencing nature in the city. The first phase of the Delta Ponds restoration project began in 2004 and included removing invasive non- native vegetation and constructing gravel and paved paths and parking areas. In 2005, the Corps and the City undertook a project to excavate inlets and construct weirs for improved water flow in the northernmost ponds. That work, which was completed in January 2006, earned the DOGAMI award. Restoration work has continued, with construction underway this month to connect more of the ponds through culverts. In addition, volunteer organizations such as Rotary clubs and the Downtown Lion’s Club have helped provide access to a portion of the ponds through their work with the Eugene Stream Team. The Delta Ponds project was unanimously chosen as the 2006 Oregon Plan winner by an independent selection committee consisting of representatives from the mining industry, professional consultants, federal, state, and county resource agencies, and environmental groups. Awards are presented at the annual Oregon Concrete and Aggregate Producers Association (OCAPA) convention. Past winners of the Oregon Plan award include mining companies, individuals associated with watershed councils, and watershed councils. For more information, contact Scott Milovich, Delta Ponds project manager, at EUGENE CITY COUNCIL NEWSLETTER PAGE 3 July 5, 2007 682-6086. Eugene Rocked by Wizard Bands at Downtown Library On Tuesday, June 26, in anticipation of the July release of the final Harry Potter novel, Eugene Public Library hosted a Wizard Rock concert that drew close to 300 fans. A high- spirited crowd of children and teens were joined by babies, toddlers, parents, and magic-struck adults for a rock show straight out of Hogwarts! The Seattle duo “The Parselmouths” opened the show in character as mean girls from Slytherin House. Their clever songs included "Let's Get Hagrid Fired" and "What Kind of Name is Hermione?" When the Los Angeles band “The Remus Lupins” took the stage, the crowd danced for an hour to tunes including "Burn Your Prefect Badge" and "Teenage Werewolf." These talented young performers visited Eugene on a nationwide summer tour inspired by their motto: Fight Evil, Read Books! Teen librarian Traci Glass reports, "It was such an exciting way to introduce the library to newcomers, and to show all our young visitors that the library is the place to be!" For information about Summer Reading events for kids and teens, visit www.eugene-or.gov/library or call the Eugene Public Library at 682-8316. 2007 Eugene Skate Park Contest Series Starts July 6 Eugene Recreation’s Outdoor Program and community partner, Boardsports, Inc., will present a series of four skateboard contests for all ages and abilities that kicks off at noon on Friday, July 6, at Cal Young Skate Park. A panel of three judges will rate contestants in each age bracket on their overall use of the park, difficulty of tricks, and style. Contests also will be held on July 27 at Meadowview Skate Park; on August 10 at Willamalane Skate Park; and on August 24 at Churchill Skate Park, followed by a concert. Contestants may pre-register at Boardsports, Inc., 484-2588, at the contest site the day of each event beginning at 11 a.m., or by calling the River House at 682-5329. Registration is $3 and includes all four events. Parents of youth under 18 years must be present at registration. Helmets are required at all times. For more information, contact Recreation Program Assistant Isaac Markehe at 682-6321. Get a Clue with Author Diana Abu-Jaber at Eugene Public Library This year's Summer Reading theme at Eugene Public Library is "Get a Clue!" Local readers get a treat as well with a free talk by award-winning author Diana Abu-Jaber on Thursday, July 12, at 6:30 p.m. at the Downtown Library. Abu-Jaber's new book, a compelling mystery titled Origin, will be available for purchase and signing. The evening is co-sponsored by the University of Oregon Bookstore. In Origin, “a spike in the number of local SIDS deaths piques the interest of Lena Dawson, a fingerprint specialist at a Syracuse, N.Y., forensics lab. Is it a statistical fluke or is there a killer at work? Determined to account for the dead infants, Lena joins the investigation, which stirs tantalizing memories from her dimly recollected early childhood” (Publishers Weekly). EUGENE CITY COUNCIL NEWSLETTER PAGE 4 July 5, 2007 Just released in June, the novel is receiving terrific reviews. “Readers seeking gorgeously rendered fiction as well as intelligent and atmospheric mysteries will find Origin extraordinary,” says Booklist, adding that the book is “poetic in tone and profound in its inquiry into the nature of memory and the self.” In a starred review, Publishers Weekly calls Origin a “gripping contemporary thriller” and an “enthralling puzzle [that] will appeal to both crime fans and readers of literary fiction." Many local readers recall Abu-Jaber from her teaching days at the University of Oregon. She is well- known for her engaging and entertaining speaking style. Her novel Crescent, winner of the 2004 PEN Center USA Award for Literary Fiction, was the featured book for Readin’ in the Rain 2006. Other works include Arabian Jazz, winner of the 1994 Oregon Book Award, and The Language of Baklava, a memoir with recipes. Abu-Jaber teaches at Portland State University and divides her time between Portland and Miami. For more information, call the Eugene Public Library at 682-5450. EUGENE CITY COUNCIL NEWSLETTER PAGE 5 July 5, 2007 EUGENE CITY COUNCIL NEWSLETTER PAGE 6 July 5, 2007