HomeMy WebLinkAbout07/02/09 - City Council Newsletter
EUGENE CITY COUNCIL NEWSLETTER
July 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
GOLDEN GARDENS PARK GRAND RE-OPENING
ADAPTIVE RECREATION HONORED FOR HOSTING CONFERENCE
READY TO LEAD: TRAINING WORKSHOPS SUPPORT NEIGHBORHOOD LEADERS
SHELDON AND ECHO HOLLOW POOLS RECOGNIZED FOR PROGRAMMING EXCELLENCE
RIDGELINE TRAIL REPAIRS SCHEDULED FOR SUMMER
BROCHURES NOTIFY CUSTOMERS OF NEW WASTEWATER AND STORMWATER USER FEES
FREE COMPUTER CLASSES AT EUGENE PUBLIC LIBRARY
CITY RECEIVES $1.642 MILLION GRANT FOR DELTA PONDS HABITAT ENHANCEMENT
FIRE PREVENTION OFFICE FOCUSES ON FIREWORKS
AROUND THE CITY
Golden Gardens Park Grand Re-Opening
On June 25 nearly 150 community members gathered at
Golden Gardens Park to celebrate its grand re-opening.
Recent reconstruction resulted in numerous safety, wildlife
and recreational enhancements. Improvements include
the addition of an emergency access bridge across the A-
2 Channel, ramps to each pond, one mile of soft surface
path, re-graded water edges, and native vegetation
plantings throughout the park. Mayor Kitty Piercy,
Councilor Andrea Ortiz and Councilor Jennifer Solomon
were guest speakers for the dedication ceremony.
Participants enjoyed guided wildlife and park
reconstruction tours, foot-long sandwiches and music by
the local bluegrass group, Lost River Family and Friends.
Friends of Golden Gardens, Prairie Mountain School, and
members of the Bethel community were very active in the
Mayor Piercy speaks at the Golden Gardens Grand Re-
Opening.
design and transformation of the park.
For more information about Golden Gardens Park reconstruction, contact Engineering Associate Terry Colvin at
541-682-5398 or terry.r.colvin@ci.eugene.or.us.
Adaptive Recreation Honored for Hosting Conference
At its annual Visitor Industry Celebration, Travel Lane County (TLC) honored a national conference organized by
City of Eugene Adaptive Recreation Services. TLC presented 13 awards to businesses, organizations and events
throughout the county. Together with Lane County Lodging, TLC presented a
Convention and Sports Leadership Award to the National Institute for Recreation
Inclusion Conference held in Eugene last September. Some 200 providers of
adaptive recreation and inclusion services attended the conference. Eugene’s
Adaptive Recreation Services is considered a leader in the provision of adaptive
recreation opportunities. The program’s inclusion services make it possible to open
all City recreation programs to anyone, regardless of ability or disability. For more
information, contact Andy Fernandez at 682-6049.
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July 2, 2009
Ready to Lead: Training Workshops Support Neighborhood Leaders
On July 14, neighborhood association leaders from across Eugene will gather for the
first of two Neighborhood Leader Training workshops to be held this summer. Building
on the previous semi-annual training for new neighborhood leaders, the revised and
expanded Neighborhood Leader Training is open to all neighborhood chairs, boards,
committee members and residents interested in becoming more active in their
neighborhood association.
Workshop topics will include the role of the City’s Neighborhood Services Program in
providing support for neighborhood associations, a brief overview of Eugene’s City
government and municipal processes, how to effectively engage in City issues and
processes, and tools for effective neighborhood leadership. A handbook that
accompanies the training will be provided to each neighborhood association and will be
available on the Neighborhood Services website.
Providing training for neighborhood leaders has been a City priority throughout several recent outreach activities
including the Neighborhood Empowerment Initiative, the 2007 and 2009 Neighborhood Summits, and the
Neighborhood Services Program Assessment. Topics for future trainings include best practices for neighborhood
associations, creating effective newsletters, neighborhood community outreach, and Planning 101 (an in-depth
look at land use planning in Eugene and how to effectively participate in land use processes). For more
information about training opportunities for current and future neighborhood leaders, contact Neighborhood
Planner Rene Kane at 682-624 or rene.c.kane@ci.eugene.or.us.
Sheldon and Echo Hollow Pools Recognized for Programming Excellence
The United States Water Fitness Association (USWFA) has ranked two City of Eugene swimming pools as among
the top in the nation for their programming excellence. USWFA makes the annual awards to encourage the
development and recognition of outstanding aquatics programs in
both for-profit and non-profit facilities.
Echo Hollow Pool and Fitness Center and Sheldon Pool and
thth
Fitness Center were ranked 11 and 12 in the nation among
public pools for the quality of their aquatics programs. On a
statewide basis, USWFA ranked programming at Echo Hollow and
Sheldon number one and two in the state of Oregon. The two pools
were also noted for their swimming instruction, special events, and
Junior Aquatics Leaders programs. Additionally, Echo Hollow was
recognized specifically for its Masters swimming program and
water shows. Sheldon Pool was recognized for its exercise,
competitive swimming, outreach to youth programming, and its
overall changes and improvements.
The United States Water Fitness Association is a non-profit, educational organization committed to excellence in
educating and promoting aquatics, including water exercise. For more information, contact Rich Fay at 682-5331.
Ridgeline Trail Repairs Scheduled for Summer
Parks and Open Space staff will repair three sections of the Ridgeline Trail this
summer. These high priority projects will improve user experience, reduce trail erosion,
enhance trail longevity, and improve long-term accessibility of the trails for
maintenance work. The first project underway involves resurfacing several segments of
the Amazon Headwaters Trail. The resurfacing work is scheduled to be completed in
mid-July.
Beginning in August, two projects will realign segments of steep and eroded trails at
Spencer Butte and Mt Baldy parks. A half-mile segment of the trail on the south side of
Mt. Baldy, and a three-quarter-mile segment of the Spencer Butte Main Trail will be
impacted during the project while a contractor transports gravel and supplies. Prior to
these trail maintenance activities, staff will install temporary signs to inform trail users
of the upcoming work. The public should consider avoiding these segments when work is in progress to minimize
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July 2, 2009
conflicts and reduce the length of the project.
For more information, contact Jesse Cary-Hobbs at 682-4843 or jesse.a.caryhobbs@ci.eugene.or.us.
Brochures Notify Customers of New Wastewater and Stormwater User Fees
The City of Eugene’s annual wastewater and stormwater rate notification brochures will be distributed via EWEB
utility bills beginning in July. 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 City Manager’s
Office.
Wastewater fees are applied to all utility customers whose properties are connected to the public wastewater
system. The City of Eugene provides local wastewater collection services, and the Metropolitan Wastewater
Management Commission (MWMC) operates the regional wastewater treatment facilities. The combined effect of
the local and regional wastewater fee increases for a typical residential customer is an increase of $4.67 per
month, from the current $23.72 per month to $28.39. Of this typical increase, $3.03 is related to the regional
portion of the fee, while $1.64 is from the local portion. 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 utility customers with 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 $0.42 per month, to a total monthly bill of $9.82. The City Manager approved the rate increase by
administrative order on May 26. The new rates will become effective on bills issued in July. For more information
about the wastewater and stormwater fee increases, contact Tish Peterson at 682-6087 or e-mail at
tish.a.peterson@ci.eugene.or.us, or visit the website at www.eugene-or.gov/stormwater.
Free Computer Classes at Eugene Public Library
Registration has begun for free computer classes to be held in July at the Downtown Eugene Public Library. Due to
limited space, pre-registration is required by calling the Library at (541) 682-5450 and pressing 2.
Learn to manage and share digital photos on Thursday, July 9, from 6:00 – 8:00 p.m. Find out how to upload and
download photos, send photos by e-mail, and use the free website Flickr to create online albums. Internet
experience is required.
Beginners will have a chance to learn the basics, including how to use a
mouse and keyboard at Introduction to Computers on Saturday, July 11,
from 10:00 a.m. – noon.In addition, find out how to access library
resources from the onscreen menu. No computer experience is needed.
The super-popular class,Genealogy @ Your Fingertips,will be offered
again on Saturday, July 18, 10:00 a.m. – noon. Learn how to research
ancestry on free websites, including US Genweb and Cyndi's List. Get
tips on how to search the U.S. Census and how to order vital records.
See the library’s newest books of hard-to-find information, such as
Pocket Guide to Irish Genealogy and Census Records for Latin America
and the Hispanic United States. Internet experience is required for these
classes.
For more information or to register, call the Eugene Public Library at (541) 682-5450.
City Receives $1.642 Million Grant for Delta Ponds Habitat Enhancement
The Parks and Open Space Division (POS) has been awarded a $1.642 million grant from the National Oceanic
and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) for the Delta Ponds Habitat Enhancement Project. This grant funding was
made available by the 2009 American Recovery and Reinvestment Act and is in addition to the $2.337 million that
the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers recently received for the project. The combined funding will allow for the
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July 2, 2009
completion of the hydrological connection between the ponds and the Willamette River and the restoration and
enhancement of the remaining riparian and emergent wetland habitat. The increased connectivity between ponds
and the enhanced habitat will benefit multiple species of wildlife, including juvenile Chinook salmon, Western pond
turtles, and neotropical migratory birds.
The NOAA grant will create 4.6 acres of new riparian and emergent wetland habitat and will enhance another 16.4
acres of riparian and emergent wetland habitat. Hydrologic connectivity will also be improved through the
excavation of seven channels between ponds, which will contribute to the larger project goal of providing over two
miles of side channel habitat for juvenile Chinook salmon. The bulk of the work will take place in 2009 and early
2010 and will create or retain 63 jobs in Lane County.
For more information about the grant, please contact Natural Resources Coordinator Lauri Holts at 541-682-4925
or lauri.j.holts@ci.eugene.or.us.
Fire Prevention Office Focuses on Fireworks
th
With the approach of the 4 of July weekend, the City’s Fire Prevention Section has been concentrating on
fireworks safety, both by enforcing retail vendor regulations and by taking steps to raise community awareness
regarding safe and proper use of fireworks. In the city, 34 retail sales outlets – temporary stands and existing
stores – applied for fireworks sales permits. All permits were granted, but only after the locations had been
inspected by deputy fire marshals for appropriateness of merchandise, required fire safety precautions, and sales
staff knowledge of proper storage and handling procedures. Retail sales of fireworks are permitted in Oregon
through Monday, July 6. Meanwhile, Prevention staff have also engaged in a local media campaign to encourage
safe behavior when using fireworks. Appropriate behavior and precautions have been demonstrated for purposes
of TV newscasts, and fireworks safety facts and tips have been offered at every opportunity. The Fire Marshal’s
Office has also responded to numerous inquiries from individuals regarding allowable types of fireworks and
permitted locations for use. The overarching intent is to promote responsible and safe celebration. For more
information, please call Interim Fire Marshal Doug Perry at 682-5887.
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