HomeMy WebLinkAbout12/17/09 - City Council Newsletter
EUGENE CITY COUNCIL NEWSLETTER
December 17, 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
SANTA, HOLIDAY MEALS MAKE SPIRITS BRIGHT
WINTER/SPRING RECREATION GUIDE OFFERS PLENTY FOR ALL AGES
SECOND ROUND OF LEAF PICKUPS SCHEDULED TO BEGIN DECEMBER 21 IN EUGENE
CITY OF EUGENE EMPLOYEES AND PROJECTS RECOGNIZED
ePERMITING SERVICES POPULAR AND PROVIDE GREAT VALUE FOR EUGENE BUILDERS
TEENS AND TEACHERS TAKE ACTION ON CLIMATE CHANGE
EPD ROLLS OUT NEW INITIATIVE TO IMPACT PROPERTY CRIME
AROUND THE CITY
Santa, Holiday Meals Make Spirits Bright
More than 130 children and their parents attended Breakfast with Santa events this
week at Petersen Barn and, new this year, at Amazon Community Center. Children,
age two and up, enjoyed breakfast with the Jolly Old Elf, told him their gift wishes
and posed for a photo. This popular event fills to capacity every year, and probably
will this year, even with the addition of a second location.
The “big kids” also enjoyed a bit of holiday festivity at a roast beef luncheon for
seniors at Campbell Community Center and a roast beef dinner for seniors at
Petersen Barn. More than 100 meals were served at Campbell, and more than50 at
Petersen Barn.
These activities help the programs meet one of their core outcomes: for the Youth
and Family Program area, “to provide programs to…connect youth, families and the
community;” and for the Senior Services Program, “to provide experiences that allow
for finding companionship through activities…” For more information, contact Craig
Smith at 682-5334.
Winter/Spring Recreation Guide Offers Plenty for All Ages
The Winter/Spring Recreation Guide that will be delivered to Eugene residents this
week offers an array of activities including arts, outdoor, educational, social and out-of-
school opportunities. There is something for everyone.
The 72-page book includes a number of free activities such as free family fun nights at
Petersen Barn, Amazon and Sheldon Center and Pool, as well as the popular April
Pools Day and Out in the Art Doors community events. The guide lists dozens of new
art opportunities for children, youth and families, including intergenerational W-i-n-t-e-r
Bingo.
New adult classes include Skype with Friends & Family, the Art of Storytelling, and
Getting Your Bike Ready for Summer. Registration for Adult Athletics’ winter Ultimate
and soccer teams is underway and registration for spring events, including 3x3
EUGENE CITY COUNCIL NEWSLETTER PAGE 1
December 17, 2009
basketball and volleyball begin in Feburary.
The Outdoor Program’s Alpine Adventures Adaptive Skiing, the area’s premier downhill ski program for youth and
adults experiencing physical disabilities, is offered on many more days than in the past, from January to March.
The “way-popular” Splash Dances for middle-school students are also back by popular demand.
Take a few moments to thumb through the guide when it arrives or check out the online Rec Guide; everyone is
sure to find something of interest to enrich their life. For information, contact Craig Smith at 682-5334.
Second Round of Leaf Pickups Scheduled to Begin December 21 in Eugene
The second and final round of leaf collection service in Eugene is scheduled to begin December 21. During the
first round, Public Works crews collected more than 13,500 cubic yards of leaves. Leaf loads are generally lighter
during the second round of collections, which allows crews to do pickups on unimproved streets.
The second-round schedule calls for leaf
pickups December 21 - 31 in west and central
Eugene, December 28 - January 7 in north
Eugene, January 4 - 8 in southeast Eugene,
and January 8-12 in southwest Eugene. All
dates are subject to change based primarily
on weather conditions because the crews that
pick up leaves also respond to winter storms,
and snow and ice emergencies.
Residents continue to be reminded that they
should not put leaves in bike lanes. If their
property is next to an on-street bike lane, they
are being asked to consider other recycling
methods or call the Public Works
Maintenance Division at 682-4800 to discuss
options for leaf disposal.
Leaf vacs are doing a good job of keeping
Although the 2009 leaf program is still under
bike lanes clear.
way, staff has received a significant amount
of positive feedback about operational changes put into effect this year. The designation of priority bike routes and
the addition of a leaf vac on priority bike routes has made a real difference, not only in making the lanes safer for
cyclists but also in reducing localized flooding despite some heavy rains this fall. Many cyclists are pleased with
the enhanced web site (www.eugene-or.gov/leaf) that allows them to report problem areas and see which streets
have been cleaned recently.
For more information about this year’s leaf program, contact Surface Maintenance Supervisor Damon Joyner at
541-682-4835.
City of Eugene Employees and Projects Recognized
st
The City of Eugene celebrated International Human Rights Day, and the 61 anniversary of the signing of the
Universal Declaration of Human Rights, on December 10, 2009. The annual celebration provides a wonderful
opportunity to celebrate the work done on behalf of human rights, and be reminded of the significance of these
rights in the world today. The City of Eugene plays a critical role in advancing human rights and community well-
being.
Each year the Human Rights Commission recognizes a City of Eugene work unit or employee for contributions in
Lisa Barrong
the areas of human rights and promotion of social justice. Nominees this year included: , Eugene
StephanieJennings
Police Department (EPD), and her work with Mano a Mano en La Comunidad; , Planning and
Bob Briscoe
Development, for her compassion and advocacy for low-income people; , Planning and
Ilana Sophia
Development, for assisting low-income people with construction and lending expertise; , Library,
Recreation and Cultural Services, for developing the library’s access and adaptive technology services; the
Downtown Bicycle PoliceRandy
team for providing safety and security to downtown residents and visitors, and
Ellis
, EPD, for work with the West University Business District in changing it into a more wholesome, vibrant,
inclusive, just, and equitable neighborhood.
EUGENE CITY COUNCIL NEWSLETTER PAGE 2
December 17, 2009
At the International Human Rights Day celebration, Human Rights Commission Chair Linda Hamilton announced
Seda Collier
the recipient of the 2009 City of Eugene International Human Rights Day Staff Recognition Award, .
Seda has been a City employee for three years. She is a residential plans reviewer in the Planning and
Development Department. She serves as co-chair of the City’s Equity and Human Rights Board, and also serves
on the Planning and Development Department Diversity Committee. Seda was selected from among nominees by
the Human Rights Commission for her work to raise awareness about people who are transgender and about
gender identity, and her work for human rights in general, including increasing accessibility to opportunities,
benefits and rights, and examining the principles of equity and diversity.
Many thanks to all City of Eugene employees for their work in meeting the City’s goals for excellence in public
service and stewardship, and making the City a great place to live and work.
ePermitting Services Popular and Provide Great Value for Eugene Builders
Oregon’s online ePermitting system was used to buy more building permits in Eugene than in any other jurisdiction
in the state last month, according to a report from the Oregon State Building Code Division. Eugene’s Building
Permit Services has been using and promoting the new online service since November 2006. The ePermitting
system allows contractors to purchase permits for limited electrical, mechanical, and plumbing work. The system
provides a quick and easy way to obtain necessary permits while saving the contractors time, money, and gas.
November ePermitting Activity
(Selected jurisdictions)
Jurisdiction Number of Revenue
Permits
City of Beaverton 72 $6,751.41
City of Corvallis 65 $4,569.60
City of Eugene 287 $28,776.12
City of Salem 176 $16,023.52
City of 67 $6,725.16
Springfield
Lane County 131 $23,854.50
Currently, 33 of the possible 135 jurisdictions in Oregon use the state’s system. ePermitting is undergoing further
development and use as a full-service permitting system which could replace jurisdictional permit tracking
systems. The ePermitting system is available online at http://www.oregon-epermitting.info. For more information,
contact Building Permit Services Division Manager Stuart Ramsing at 682-6801 or
Stuart.G.Ramsing@ci.eugene.or.us.
Teens and Teachers Take Action on Climate Change
On Saturday, December 19, at 2:00 p.m., at the Downtown Public Library, the City of Eugene Sustainability
Program will hold a get-together for teens, teachers, and everyone who wants to spread the word and take action
on climate change.
Author and educator Jacob Sackin will share ideas about creative ways to talk with youth about climate change.
Sackin’s young adult science fiction novel, “Islands,” gives a glimpse of a possible future in which global warming
and invasive species have forced humans to live completely apart from the natural world. Can this be prevented in
real life? “Yes!” says Sackin.
Previously a teacher at Northwest Youth Corps Outdoor High School in Eugene, Sackin is currently director of
Sempervirens Outdoor School in Boulder Creek, California. For information, contact the Library at 541-682-8316
or www.eugene-or.gov/library.
EPD Rolls Out New Initiative to Impact Property Crime
The Eugene Police Department (EPD) has rolled out a new initiative designed to tackle one of Eugene’s most
sustained problems over the past 10 years: property crimes.
The new Eugene Police Property Crime Initiative, which puts a focus on data-led policing, will affect everything
from 9-1-1 dispatching, to police calls for service and follow-up. The program ensures that police managers have
EUGENE CITY COUNCIL NEWSLETTER PAGE 3
December 17, 2009
the information they need to deliberately direct officers to where a crime is occurring with awareness that a small
number of criminals commit a large percentage of crimes. To accomplish this within EPD’s current budget, the
department has refocused its crime analysis function by consolidating existing personnel, and purchasing new
software to track and predict crime trends.
EPD has re-engineered the manner in which it deploys and dispatches officers and detectives to focus their
energies in the direction of crime problems, and repeat property offenders. The goal is to reduce the actual
number of crimes committed. This will require a thoroughly collaborative relationship with prosecution and
corrections officials. In addition, earlier in the year, EPD’s crime prevention personnel were re-staffed from a
model of response to public visits at the front counters, to one in which they respond to the neighborhoods where
crime is occurring and work to help residents and businesses protect themselves. This ensures that as much as
possible is learned from the neighborhood.
Projecting their efforts where they are needed most, crime prevention personnel help residents and businesses
protect themselves from serial criminal offenders. This pre-emptive and preventive response is geared toward
making Eugene residents and guests more difficult to victimize.
Forensics has initiated a new program to work with local businesses on methods of setting up surveillance
cameras more effectively, while the Eugene Police Volunteers are providing expedited pick-ups of surveillance
videos for detectives at businesses that have been hit by burglaries, thefts, identity thefts, and other crimes. For
homeowners, the volunteer program already offers home safety inspections, and vacation home checks.
For more information, contact Melinda Kletzok at 541-682-5124.
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December 17, 2009