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Home My WebLink About04/02/09 City Council Newsletter EUGENE CITY COUNCIL NEWSLETTER April 2, 2009 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 DEVELOPERS AND DESIGNERS WEIGH IN ON OPPORTUNITY SITING SUMMER CAMP FAIR HIGHLIGHTS COE/UO PARTNERSHIP FIRE & EMS AND POLICE TEAM UP ON BICYCLE SAFETY PSA AVAILABLE NOW - POSITION ON RENTAL HOUSING ADVISORY COMMITTEE FIRST AWARD FOR SPORTS AND ENVIRONMENT GOES TO EUGENE 08 TEN YEARS OF TEEN COURT BENEFITS OFFENDERS, STUDENTS AND COMMUNITY EUGENE PUBLIC LIBRARY HOSTS “BEADS AROUND THE WORLD” AROUND THE CITY Developers and Designers Weigh in on Opportunity Siting The Opportunity Siting (OS) Task Team is moving forward on the council’s initiative to encourage higher density housing in appropriate locations. The team has been working with neighborhoods to create a way for residents to identify appropriate housing sites in their communities. The task team has also reached out to the development community for their insights. A recent focus group of multiple- family housing developers and architects discussed obstacles to developing dense housing and how the City could address some of these barriers. In addition to the current economic climate, barriers identified by the group included the availability of land, the time needed for permit approvals, the lack of flexibility in specific code requirements, public opposition to projects, and uncertainty about permit approvals and incentives. According to the participants, the net effect of these uncertainties and delays often makes projects financially difficult and impractical. The group also identified a number of potential solutions and financial incentives that could reduce these barriers to development. The findings of the focus groups will help inform the final recommendations of the OS Task Team. The recommendations report will spell out how Opportunity Siting would combine development incentives with neighborhood siting criteria. This report will be presented to the Planning Commission in June. For more information, contact Metro and Community Planner Patricia Thomas at 682-5561 or patricia.thomas@ci.eugene.or.us. Summer Camp Fair Highlights COE/UO Partnership Parents can get a jump on their summer plans by attending the th 4 Annual Amazon Summer Camp Fair from 1-3 p.m., April 19, at Amazon Community Center. Camp staff will be on hand to answer questions about camps presented jointly by City of Eugene and University of Oregon Youth Enrichment Program. In addition to the camps, the COE/UO partnership provides classes year-round in dance, art, theater, fine art, visual arts and other opportunities for creative expression. The classes are often taught by professional artists and teachers who help guide students to become the creative artist they wish to be. For more information, contact Gina Tafoya at 682-6304. EUGENE CITY COUNCIL NEWSLETTER PAGE 1 April 2, 2009 Fire and Police Team Up on Bicycle Safety PSA With the warm springtime weather bringing more bicyclists onto Eugene's roadways and bike paths, the City's Fire & EMS and Police departments have collaborated to produce a 30-second television PSA reminding bike riders and motorists to operate their vehicles in a safe manner. The theme is avoiding situations where one might have to say (or think), "IF ONLY . . . (I'd done the safe thing)." The spot will air on local stations beginning next week. Featuring Cody the Official Fire Safety Dalmatian, this is the fourth and final PSA in a safety series funded by a City telecommunications grant. A tentative decision has been made to continue the series in the upcoming fiscal year. For more information, please contact Fire & EMS Public Information Officer Glen Potter at 682-7118. Available Now - Position on Rental Housing Advisory Committee The City of Eugene is seeking applicants for a nine-member Rental Housing Department Advisory Committee. This citizen advisory body will represent those with an interest in the outcome of policies, procedures, and budgets that affect the City of Eugene Rental Housing Code. Members may include, but are not limited to rental owners, students, tenant advocates, property managers or other interested parties. Committee members will serve a two- year term that may be renewable. The primary role of the committee is to provide advice to City staff from a citizen perspective. In particular, the committee may do the following: ? Recommend improvements to customer service, complaint and compliance processes. ? Represent the views of property owners or tenants to the general community. ? Review and comment to staff on budget, enforcement, reports and proposals. ? Educate the general public concerning issues affecting the community. ? Hold public forums. ? Hear public or expert testimony. ? Research and study critical issues or topics of common interest. All meetings are open to the public, and agendas and minutes will be posted on the City’s rental housing website, http://www.eugene-or.gov/rentalhousing. Anyone interested in serving on this committee can submit an application The deadline to submit online at http://www.eugene-or.gov/bcc (select Application for Boards & Commissions). an application is April 10, 2009. For more information, please contact staff at 541-682-8282. First Award for Sports and Environment Goes to Eugene 08 The International Olympic Committee (IOC) gave its first award for Sports and the Environment to Eugene’s Local Organizing Committee for the 2008 U.S. Olympic Team Trials for its environmental and sustainability efforts during the Trials. Eugene 08 was the winner for all of North and South America, as events on each continent were recognized. City of Eugene staff led the Eugene 08 Sustainability Committee and collaborated with partners from Lane County, Lane Transit, EWEB and others throughout the community to make Eugene 08 the greenest Olympic Trials. A “Going for the Gold in Zero Waste Events” grant from the Environmental Protection Agency funded over 100 three-part receptacle systems that were used to separate recycling, compostables and refuse. As a result, the event achieved a 72% recycling rate. Other accomplishments included the following: ? composting of food waste and eating utensils ? reduced use of paper and other disposable materials ? sustainable travel modes – buses, shuttles, bike and skateboard valet parking ? close to 100% use of clean wind power purchased from EWEB ? maximum use of local and organic food sources This global award joins others that recognized the impressive environmental and sustainability efforts at the Trials, including a Lane County Special Event “Trashbuster” award and the Governor’s “Oregon Sustainability Special Project Award.” For more information, contact Jan Bohman at 682-5587. EUGENE CITY COUNCIL NEWSLETTER PAGE 2 April 2, 2009 Ten Years of Teen Court Benefits Offenders, Students and Community th On April 1, West Eugene’s Teen Court held its 10 anniversary hearings. The West Eugene and Bethel Teen Courts provide an option to first-time offenders, age 12-17, to be judged by their peers. The court is operated by student volunteers who learn communication and decision- making skills and gain insight into the legal profession as they act as a case presenter, defendant advisor, or jury. The students, local attorneys, judges, and UO law students have volunteered more than 10,000 hours to West Eugene Teen Court over the past 10 years. The court hears cases involving violations and nonviolent misdemeanor crimes, such as shoplifting, trespassing, or criminal mischief. The offender must admit guilt to the charge to receive a hearing and sentencing in Teen Court. The sentencing can include a letter of apology, restitution, community service, or a written assignment. As part of any sentence, all defendants must serve on at least one future Teen Court jury. Bruce Steinmetz, who has administered Eugene’s Teen Courts for 12 years, says having youth peers determine the penalties is very powerful. A study by Lane County found that the Teen Courts do a better job of preventing youth from repeating their crimes than other types of juvenile proceedings. Recreation Services Division Manager Craig Smith said Eugene’s Teen Court is a prime example of how Recreation programs cross over from educational and leadership opportunities into community social services. The Lane County report estimated that the efficiency of the Teen Courts produced a $325,000 savings in local social services over two years.For more information, contact Bruce Steinmetz at 682-6376. Eugene Public Library Hosts “Beads Around the World” International bead expert Jamey Allen will visit Eugene on Saturday, April 11, to present a fascinating and beautifully illustrated talk on the history of beads and bead identification. Says Allen, “Bring your mystery beads!” The talk will begin at 3:00 p.m. at the Downtown Public Library, and is co-sponsored by Harlequin Beads & Jewelry. Admission is free. A lifelong artist, Allen has studied and created with beads for more than 40 years. His specialties are organic materials, art glass beads, and the altering of certain kinds of stone beads. The author of many articles and books on beads, Allen has traveled and lectured worldwide. He is a Consulting Curator at The Bead Museum in Arizona, a founding member of the Northern California Bead Society, and a co-founder of the Society of Bead Researchers. For more information, contact Eugene Public Library at (541) 682-5450, www.eugene-or.gov/library. NEXT WEEK 4/6 M Noon CP Housing Policy Board McNutt Room 4/7 Tu 5:15pm GB Human Rights Commission 833 Willamette Street 4/7 Tu 6:00pm Tu Joint Meeting of Eugene and Springfield Springfield City Hall, City Councils and Lane County Planning 225 Fifth Street Commission 4/8 W Noon All Council Work Session McNutt Room 4/8 W 1:15pm AO, GP, BT IGR McNutt Room 4/9 Th 5:30pm GB, MC Police Commission McNutt Room UPCOMING 4/13 M 5:30pm All Council Work Session/URA McNutt Room 4/13 M 7:30pm All Council Meeting/URA Council Chamber 4/15 W Noon All Council Work Session McNutt Room 4/20 M 7:30pm All Council Public Hearing Council Chamber 4/22 W Noon All Council Work Session McNutt Room 4/27 M 5:30pm All Council Work Session McNutt Room EUGENE CITY COUNCIL NEWSLETTER PAGE 3 April 2, 2009 4/27 M 7:30pm All Council Meeting Council Chamber 4/29 W Noon All Council Work Session McNutt Room 4/29 W 5:30pm All Budget Committee Bascom/Tykeson Rm UNAVAILABLE FOR CITY COUNCIL BUSINESS Mayor Piercy: April 19 - 21 ** Denotes changes or additions to calendar EUGENE CITY COUNCIL NEWSLETTER PAGE 4 April 2, 2009 EUGENE CITY COUNCIL NEWSLETTER April 2, 2009 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 DEVELOPERS AND DESIGNERS WEIGH IN ON OPPORTUNITY SITING SUMMER CAMP FAIR HIGHLIGHTS COE/UO PARTNERSHIP FIRE & EMS AND POLICE TEAM UP ON BICYCLE SAFETY PSA AVAILABLE NOW - POSITION ON RENTAL HOUSING ADVISORY COMMITTEE FIRST AWARD FOR SPORTS AND ENVIRONMENT GOES TO EUGENE 08 TEN YEARS OF TEEN COURT BENEFITS OFFENDERS, STUDENTS AND COMMUNITY EUGENE PUBLIC LIBRARY HOSTS “BEADS AROUND THE WORLD” AROUND THE CITY Developers and Designers Weigh in on Opportunity Siting The Opportunity Siting (OS) Task Team is moving forward on the council’s initiative to encourage higher density housing in appropriate locations. The team has been working with neighborhoods to create a way for residents to identify appropriate housing sites in their communities. The task team has also reached out to the development community for their insights. A recent focus group of multiple- family housing developers and architects discussed obstacles to developing dense housing and how the City could address some of these barriers. In addition to the current economic climate, barriers identified by the group included the availability of land, the time needed for permit approvals, the lack of flexibility in specific code requirements, public opposition to projects, and uncertainty about permit approvals and incentives. According to the participants, the net effect of these uncertainties and delays often makes projects financially difficult and impractical. The group also identified a number of potential solutions and financial incentives that could reduce these barriers to development. The findings of the focus groups will help inform the final recommendations of the OS Task Team. The recommendations report will spell out how Opportunity Siting would combine development incentives with neighborhood siting criteria. This report will be presented to the Planning Commission in June. For more information, contact Metro and Community Planner Patricia Thomas at 682-5561 or patricia.thomas@ci.eugene.or.us. Summer Camp Fair Highlights COE/UO Partnership Parents can get a jump on their summer plans by attending the th 4 Annual Amazon Summer Camp Fair from 1-3 p.m., April 19, at Amazon Community Center. Camp staff will be on hand to answer questions about camps presented jointly by City of Eugene and University of Oregon Youth Enrichment Program. In addition to the camps, the COE/UO partnership provides classes year-round in dance, art, theater, fine art, visual arts and other opportunities for creative expression. The classes are often taught by professional artists and teachers who help guide students to become the creative artist they wish to be. For more information, contact Gina Tafoya at 682-6304. EUGENE CITY COUNCIL NEWSLETTER PAGE 1 April 2, 2009 Fire and Police Team Up on Bicycle Safety PSA With the warm springtime weather bringing more bicyclists onto Eugene's roadways and bike paths, the City's Fire & EMS and Police departments have collaborated to produce a 30-second television PSA reminding bike riders and motorists to operate their vehicles in a safe manner. The theme is avoiding situations where one might have to say (or think), "IF ONLY . . . (I'd done the safe thing)." The spot will air on local stations beginning next week. Featuring Cody the Official Fire Safety Dalmatian, this is the fourth and final PSA in a safety series funded by a City telecommunications grant. A tentative decision has been made to continue the series in the upcoming fiscal year. For more information, please contact Fire & EMS Public Information Officer Glen Potter at 682-7118. Available Now - Position on Rental Housing Advisory Committee The City of Eugene is seeking applicants for a nine-member Rental Housing Department Advisory Committee. This citizen advisory body will represent those with an interest in the outcome of policies, procedures, and budgets that affect the City of Eugene Rental Housing Code. Members may include, but are not limited to rental owners, students, tenant advocates, property managers or other interested parties. Committee members will serve a two- year term that may be renewable. The primary role of the committee is to provide advice to City staff from a citizen perspective. In particular, the committee may do the following: ? Recommend improvements to customer service, complaint and compliance processes. ? Represent the views of property owners or tenants to the general community. ? Review and comment to staff on budget, enforcement, reports and proposals. ? Educate the general public concerning issues affecting the community. ? Hold public forums. ? Hear public or expert testimony. ? Research and study critical issues or topics of common interest. All meetings are open to the public, and agendas and minutes will be posted on the City’s rental housing website, http://www.eugene-or.gov/rentalhousing. Anyone interested in serving on this committee can submit an application The deadline to submit online at http://www.eugene-or.gov/bcc (select Application for Boards & Commissions). an application is April 10, 2009. For more information, please contact staff at 541-682-8282. First Award for Sports and Environment Goes to Eugene 08 The International Olympic Committee (IOC) gave its first award for Sports and the Environment to Eugene’s Local Organizing Committee for the 2008 U.S. Olympic Team Trials for its environmental and sustainability efforts during the Trials. Eugene 08 was the winner for all of North and South America, as events on each continent were recognized. City of Eugene staff led the Eugene 08 Sustainability Committee and collaborated with partners from Lane County, Lane Transit, EWEB and others throughout the community to make Eugene 08 the greenest Olympic Trials. A “Going for the Gold in Zero Waste Events” grant from the Environmental Protection Agency funded over 100 three-part receptacle systems that were used to separate recycling, compostables and refuse. As a result, the event achieved a 72% recycling rate. Other accomplishments included the following: ? composting of food waste and eating utensils ? reduced use of paper and other disposable materials ? sustainable travel modes – buses, shuttles, bike and skateboard valet parking ? close to 100% use of clean wind power purchased from EWEB ? maximum use of local and organic food sources This global award joins others that recognized the impressive environmental and sustainability efforts at the Trials, including a Lane County Special Event “Trashbuster” award and the Governor’s “Oregon Sustainability Special Project Award.” For more information, contact Jan Bohman at 682-5587. EUGENE CITY COUNCIL NEWSLETTER PAGE 2 April 2, 2009 Ten Years of Teen Court Benefits Offenders, Students and Community th On April 1, West Eugene’s Teen Court held its 10 anniversary hearings. The West Eugene and Bethel Teen Courts provide an option to first-time offenders, age 12-17, to be judged by their peers. The court is operated by student volunteers who learn communication and decision- making skills and gain insight into the legal profession as they act as a case presenter, defendant advisor, or jury. The students, local attorneys, judges, and UO law students have volunteered more than 10,000 hours to West Eugene Teen Court over the past 10 years. The court hears cases involving violations and nonviolent misdemeanor crimes, such as shoplifting, trespassing, or criminal mischief. The offender must admit guilt to the charge to receive a hearing and sentencing in Teen Court. The sentencing can include a letter of apology, restitution, community service, or a written assignment. As part of any sentence, all defendants must serve on at least one future Teen Court jury. Bruce Steinmetz, who has administered Eugene’s Teen Courts for 12 years, says having youth peers determine the penalties is very powerful. A study by Lane County found that the Teen Courts do a better job of preventing youth from repeating their crimes than other types of juvenile proceedings. Recreation Services Division Manager Craig Smith said Eugene’s Teen Court is a prime example of how Recreation programs cross over from educational and leadership opportunities into community social services. The Lane County report estimated that the efficiency of the Teen Courts produced a $325,000 savings in local social services over two years.For more information, contact Bruce Steinmetz at 682-6376. Eugene Public Library Hosts “Beads Around the World” International bead expert Jamey Allen will visit Eugene on Saturday, April 11, to present a fascinating and beautifully illustrated talk on the history of beads and bead identification. Says Allen, “Bring your mystery beads!” The talk will begin at 3:00 p.m. at the Downtown Public Library, and is co-sponsored by Harlequin Beads & Jewelry. Admission is free. A lifelong artist, Allen has studied and created with beads for more than 40 years. His specialties are organic materials, art glass beads, and the altering of certain kinds of stone beads. The author of many articles and books on beads, Allen has traveled and lectured worldwide. He is a Consulting Curator at The Bead Museum in Arizona, a founding member of the Northern California Bead Society, and a co-founder of the Society of Bead Researchers. For more information, contact Eugene Public Library at (541) 682-5450, www.eugene-or.gov/library. NEXT WEEK 4/6 M Noon CP Housing Policy Board McNutt Room 4/7 Tu 5:15pm GB Human Rights Commission 833 Willamette Street 4/7 Tu 6:00pm Tu Joint Meeting of Eugene and Springfield Springfield City Hall, City Councils and Lane County Planning 225 Fifth Street Commission 4/8 W Noon All Council Work Session McNutt Room 4/8 W 1:15pm AO, GP, BT IGR McNutt Room 4/9 Th 5:30pm GB, MC Police Commission McNutt Room UPCOMING 4/13 M 5:30pm All Council Work Session/URA McNutt Room 4/13 M 7:30pm All Council Meeting/URA Council Chamber 4/15 W Noon All Council Work Session McNutt Room 4/20 M 7:30pm All Council Public Hearing Council Chamber 4/22 W Noon All Council Work Session McNutt Room 4/27 M 5:30pm All Council Work Session McNutt Room EUGENE CITY COUNCIL NEWSLETTER PAGE 3 April 2, 2009 4/27 M 7:30pm All Council Meeting Council Chamber 4/29 W Noon All Council Work Session McNutt Room 4/29 W 5:30pm All Budget Committee Bascom/Tykeson Rm UNAVAILABLE FOR CITY COUNCIL BUSINESS Mayor Piercy: April 19 - 21 ** Denotes changes or additions to calendar EUGENE CITY COUNCIL NEWSLETTER PAGE 4 April 2, 2009