HomeMy WebLinkAboutCC Newsletter - 02/09/06
EUGENE CITY COUNCIL NEWSLETTER
February 9, 2006
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
CITY BREAKS GROUND WITH TREE-FRIENDLY PAPER POLICY
MAYOR’S TASK FORCE HEARS FROM YOUTH ABOUT FUTURE JOBS AND LIVABILITY
BUILDING CODES PROGRAM RECEIVES EXCELLENT INSURANCE SERVICE OFFICE RATING
CULTURAL SERVICES FORMS PARTNERSHIP WITH EUGENE POLICE DEPARTMENT
PUBLIC WORKSHOPS ON NEXT PHASE OF METRO WATERWAYS STUDY SCHEDULED
LOVE ACROSS THE DECADES: A LIBRARY FILM FESTIVAL FOR TEENS
NEW SOFTWARE HELPS PUBLIC WORKS MANAGE EMERGENCY EVENTS
FRIENDS OF THE LIBRARY MAGAZINE SALE AND BOOK SALE DATES
AFTERSCHOOL AND COMMUNITY EDUCATION (ACE) PROJECT PARTNERSHIP
AROUND THE CITY
City Breaks Ground With Tree-Friendly Paper Policy
More than 500 trees a year will be saved by the cutting-edge paper policy recently adopted by the City of
Eugene. Starting this year, all white copier and printer paper must contain 100 percent post-consumer-
waste recycled content, up from the previous standard of 30 percent.
In addition to saving a small forest, this change will conserve 123,000 kilowatt-hours of energy and
210,000 gallons of water each year. The switch will divert 75 cubic yards of trash from the landfill and
prevent the production of 1,800 pounds of air pollution.
Eugene is one of just a few cities to take this step, joining Seattle and Palo Alto in mandating the use of
100 percent recycled paper. ”We can make a real difference with a few simple changes,” said Assistant
City Manager Jim Carlson. “It’s in line both with council direction and community values.” According to
the most recent Eugene Community Survey, more than half (54%) of respondents believe it is very
important that the City engage in environmentally sustainable practices.
The new policy also mandates duplex (double-sided) printing on most City documents, a practice many
City staff have already embraced. This will reduce overall paper usage, increasing the environmental
benefits and mitigating the slightly increased cost of the more sustainable paper.
This is the latest in a number of initiatives designed to decrease the City’s overall environmental impact.
In addition to using alternative fuel, the City’s fleet has invested in efficient hybrid vehicles that saved
approximately 13,000 gallons of fuel last year. The City has embraced sustainable building practices,
incorporating the U.S. Green Building Council’s Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design (LEED)
concepts into new facilities such as the Eugene Public Library, Fire Station #1 and Fire Station #11, and
into the operation of existing buildings. In effect since 1994, the City’s Energy Management Program
has saved over $1.7 million in energy costs through tracking, staff training and efficiency upgrades.
For more information, contact Assistant City Manager Jim Carlson at james.r.carlson@ci.eugene.or.us.
Mayor's Task Force Hears from Youth about Future Jobs and Livability
When Mayor Piercy's Sustainable Business Initiative (SBI) Task Force held a Town Hall meeting on
February 6 at Kalapuya High School, approximately 45 teens showed up to learn about sustainable
practices and businesses, and to offer the youth perspective. The teens participated in small group
discussions, producing dozens of pages of thoughts and suggestions. Attendees included youth from
EUGENE CITY COUNCIL NEWSLETTER PAGE 1
March 3, 2006
NW Youth Conservation Corps, Churchill High School's
Rachael Carson environmental education program,
Positive Youth Development, and LEAD, a teen
organization for low-income youth, plus a few additional
students, teachers and community members. The task
force members enjoyed positive and productive
interactions with the youth. One such interaction occurred
when some teens from NW Youth Conservation Corps
learned about a successful, sustainable business, Golden
Temple Foods. Kartar Khalsa, a member of the task force
and a principal of Golden Temple, explained the goals of
the business, the philosophy behind it and the ability to "do
good and do well." The girls expressed an interest in
visiting Golden Temple to experience a local sustainable business in action. Task force co-chair Rusty
Rexius related this story; "As I was saying goodbye to the group I was working with, one of the girls
looked at me and said, 'Thanks for doing this...you're actually nice'." Mayor Piercy said, "I think a real
connection was made about sustainable practices. We heard a lot about youth voices in decision-
making. They also took the opportunity to express their desire for a youth center in our community. I'm
excited to get our community's youth involved and I want to keep the ball rolling."
The purpose of the SBI is to gather ideas from the community and make recommendations to the Eugene
City Council on ways to retain, expand and create businesses and jobs that use sustainable practices or
produce sustainable products. "Sustainable" refers to businesses and practices that are environmentally,
socially, and economically sound. For more information, see the SBI page on Mayor Piercy's webpage (a
link is on the City's website, www.eugene-or.gov) or call the Mayor's Office at 682-5010.
Building Codes Program Receives Excellent Insurance Service Office Rating
Every five years, the Insurance Service Office (ISO) performs a review of Eugene’s efforts to properly
enforce state building codes. ISO evaluates communities across the nation and serves the insurance
marketplace with statistical, actuarial, underwriting,
claims data, loss control, and premium audits.
The evaluation is extensive and includes a review of
staff credentials and experience, plan review and
inspection procedures, training, and the use of
technology. ISO assigns a grade ranging from 1
(exemplary building-code enforcement) to 10. Eugene
received a grade of 2; no jurisdiction in Oregon received a higher grade out of the 47 evaluated. Out of
nearly 9,000 communities evaluated nationally, only six have a grade higher than Eugene.
These classification grades are used by insurers as advisory material for underwriting and rate-setting.
The presumption behind this is that municipalities with well-enforced, up-to-date codes should
demonstrate better loss experience, and insurance rates can reflect that. For more information on the
ISO rating or evaluation, contact Stuart Ramsing, building official, Planning and Development at 682-
6801, or stuart.g.ramsing@ci.eugene.or.us.
Cultural Services Forms Partnership with Eugene Police Department
In December 2005, staff from the Hult Center and the Eugene Police Department (EPD) created a
partnership to provide youth and family outreach. The partnership identifies three key outreach efforts
that will increase opportunities to attend Hult Center events: 1) encouraging families to plan activities
together; 2) providing opportunities to youth whose family situations make it difficult to attend
performances; and 3) including students from the Lane School in the Hult Center’s Kid Critic program.
The collaboration was inspired by an October 2005 workshop presented in conjunction with the Hult
Center Presents performance of The Stinky Cheese Man, a live theater production by the Dallas
Children’s Theatre. Crime Prevention Specialist Tod Schneider noted, “I really appreciated the Stinky
Cheese workshop. As a violence prevention specialist, I’m always looking for new ways to engage kids
while teaching lessons about empathy, anger management and problem solving.” Involvement with the
performing arts is a great way to engage kids of all ages.
EUGENE CITY COUNCIL NEWSLETTER PAGE 2
March 3, 2006
Aside from providing exposure to the performing arts
and theater etiquette, the outreach partnership has the
potential to stimulate personal growth, build self
esteem, and can be used as a reward for good
behavior. The partnership with the Hult strengthens
EPD’s outreach work with social services and other
community agencies, and puts EPD in a more positive
light with youth, especially among kids who could
benefit from non-traumatic exposure to police.
The Leadership, Education, Adventure and Direction
(LEAD) youth group was the first community group to
attend a Hult Center performance under the HCP/EPD
venture. The group attended the Hult Center Presents
LEAHY performance—Celtic music and dance—on
January 28. One group member said, “I thought they’d be good, but they were REAL good. I mean
REAL good!”
This partnership with EPD supports numerous Cultural Services mission statements: to actively seek
new patrons and develop future audiences; to provide opportunities for collaborative efforts that
encourage arts educational activities for children and adults; and to ensure the community has
reasonable access to Hult Center events. For more information, please contact EPD Crime Prevention
Specialist Tod Schneider at 682-8186 or Carol Philips, Hult Center Presents programming manager at
682-2057.
Public Workshops on Next Phase of Metro Waterways Study Scheduled
The public will have an opportunity to weigh in on
guiding principles for potential metro waterway
projects at two workshops to be held next week.
Amazon Creek will be the focus of a workshop on
Wednesday evening, February 15, in the Bascom/Tykeson Room at the Eugene Public Library, 100 W.
th
10 Avenue. Cedar Creek will be the focus of a workshop on Thursday evening, February 16, in the
Library Meeting Room at Springfield City Hall, 225 Fifth Street. Both workshops start with a presentation
at 6 p.m. followed by small group discussions led by study staff.
The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, in partnership with the cities of Eugene and Springfield, Lane County,
and the Eugene Water & Electric Board, is conducting a multi-year study to identify and evaluate
problem areas and opportunities related to the function and health of waterways in the Eugene-
Springfield area. The study examines flood protection and drainage management, conservation of
wildlife and aquatic habitat, water quality, open spaces, and recreational and educational opportunities.
The goal of the study is to identify and select specific improvement projects and other non-structural
solutions designed to fix problems and improve overall conditions of local waterways. Amazon Creek in
the Eugene area and Cedar Creek in the Springfield area were selected as initial planning areas for the
study. A comprehensive overview of each planning area has now been completed and documents
historic, existing, and projected conditions.
The workshops will provide a study update and an overview of baseline information for each planning
area. Study partners will seek input on developing a set of guiding principles for the next phase of the
study, which will be the identification and analysis of potential alternatives for on-the-ground projects and
other solutions to the identified problems. More information on the study and workshops is available at
www.metrowaterways.org or by contacting Trevor Taylor, PW Parks and Open Space natural resource
planning supervisor, at 682-4842.
Love Across the Decades: A Library Film Festival for Teens
Valentine’s Day: Sweetest day of the year, immature popularity contest, or cruel joke? Teens of all
perspectives are invited to enjoy a week of L-O-V-E on the big screen with a romantic teen movie from
each of the last four decades.
EUGENE CITY COUNCIL NEWSLETTER PAGE 3
March 3, 2006
At the Downtown Library, see the 1970’s Superman, on Monday, February 13; the 1980’s Better Off
Dead, on Tuesday, February 14; and the 2000’s Sisterhood of the Traveling Pants, on Thursday,
February 16. At the Bethel Branch on Wednesday, February 15, see the 1990’s 10 Things I Hate About
You. All films start at 4 p.m. Admission is free and so's the popcorn! For more information, contact
Eugene Public Library at 682-8316.
New Software Helps Public Works Manage Emergency Events
During wind storms, flooding, snow and ice storms, freezing rain or
other emergency events, the Public Works Roosevelt facility has an
Emergency Command Center (ECC), which is back up for the City’s
Emergency Operations Center (EOC). The ECC can be activated to
respond to emergency calls for service. If the ECC is activated, the
Public Works Roosevelt facility has the capacity to activate as many as
14 work stations for emergency call-taking. During an emergency
event, the ECC routes all event-related activity into one location,
allowing a coordinated response via radio, telephone and computer that
help save lives and protect property.
In years past, calls for service were taken through a conventional phone
system and routed to the ECC for response or dispatch of crews to the
location. During the wind storm of 2003, it became apparent that Public
Works needed a better system to capture and prioritize calls for service
during times of heavy call volume, and to dispatch crews to multiple
locations where people are in need of assistance. In response to that
need, the City developed an advanced ECC computer program targeted at emergency response, but
also appropriate for day-to-day use. The newly developed software program is still in the test phase, but
so far has performed remarkably well in the smaller-scale on which events it has been tested.
The new ECC software program allows call takers to enter caller data quickly and to identify problems by
working in real time, immediately notifying the Incident Commander of newly received calls. The system
uses visual queues to indicate where crews and equipment are currently located and prioritizes calls for
service, assisting the supervisor with crew dispatch as new calls arrive. The software displays the
location and the problem on the computer in the ECC, allowing paperless processing of calls for service.
When the data has been entered, the program ties in with the City’s GIS system to pinpoint the location
and attach a map to the service request. The system sends a notification to the supervisor or Incident
Commander that a call for service has been received. That notification contains all the necessary
information for both the supervisor and the crews, including the nature of the problem, contact
information and an easily readable map showing where the crew needs to go. The ECC software system
also includes a valuable financial tracking tool that captures personnel hours and equipment use if a
state of emergency is declared and FEMA or other financial reimbursement is available.
The ECC software system was used in the January 2006 rainstorm, and it continues to be used on a
daily basis so that when emergency events hit, staff is familiar with the software and can enter
information easily and get help on location quickly. For more information, contact Public Works
Maintenance Director Jeff Lankston at 682-4813.
Friends of the Library Magazine Sale and Book Sale Dates
The Friends of Eugene Public Library's Magazine Sale is a favorite rainy daypleasure. On Sunday,
February 19, 10 a.m. - 5 p.m. at the Downtown Library choose from thousands of gently-read, recent
issues of popular magazines for all ages—most just 25¢ each. The selection includes magazines on
cooking, gardening, travel, nature, news, science, home decor, finance, fashion, crafts, and much more.
Vintage magazines and posters are individually priced. All proceeds go to support Eugene Public Library
programs and materials.
Save the date: the weekend of April 8 and 9 is the Friends' 28th Annual Book Sale in a new, twice-the-
size location at Lane County Fairgrounds. The Book Sale offers some 60,000 gently and never-used
books for all interests, most for only $1. More than 300 volunteers work on the sale, which took in
EUGENE CITY COUNCIL NEWSLETTER PAGE 4
March 3, 2006
$75,000 to enhance Library services and collections last year. For more information, call Eugene Public
Library at 682-5450.
Afterschool and Community Education (ACE) Project Partnership
Eugene School District has been awarded a five-year, 21st Century Community Learning Center Project
grant for academic enrichment, family educational development, and recreation programs at three
economically disadvantaged elementary schools in Eugene: Adams, Harris and Meadowlark. The
schools were selected because a majority of their students qualify for free/reduced lunch, and because
an analysis of 4J Reading Diagnostic Tests indicated the schools fall below the district median for oral
reading fluency. In addition, the percentage of disadvantaged students that do not meet the standards in
English/Language Arts is quite high. The ACE Project funding is intended to help close the
"achievement gap" at these sites.
Eugene Recreation Services staff played a key role in the successful grant application process. They
created a plan to provide recreation programs and activities that complement the school district’s
academic goals. As a result of the partnership, the City will receive approximately $318,000 over five
years to provide services to the youngsters and their family members at the three schools.
The recreation activities will be modeled on the successful RecZone programs that are in place at nine
middle schools in Eugene, and funded through local option levy 20-67. ACE Project services will begin
in April of this year, and continue at Adams, Harris and Meadowlark schools through March 2011. This is
an exciting opportunity to expand afterschool academic enrichment and recreation to Eugene elementary
students in great need of youth development services. For more information, contact Tim Patrick, Youth
and Family Services Manager, 682-6347, tim.w.patrick@ci.eugene.or.us.
EUGENE CITY COUNCIL NEWSLETTER PAGE 5
March 3, 2006