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HomeMy WebLinkAbout02/11/10 - City Council Newsletter EUGENE CITY COUNCIL NEWSLETTER February 11, 2010 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 FIRE & EMS DEPARTMENT RECOGNIZED BY TOYS FOR TOTS EUGENE PUBLIC LIBRARY RECEIVES $125,000 GIFT FROM FRIENDS OF THE LIBRARY NOW’S THE TIME FOR SOME FUN ON THE SNOW TELECOMMUNICATIONS PROGRAM EXPANDS ACCESS TO COMPUTERS WE-GENE! AWARDS – HONORING THE BEST OF NEIGHBORHOOD SPIRIT NEIGHBORHOOD PLANNING IS A SNAP COMMUNITY FUNDRAISING CONTINUES FOR LARGE-SCALE SPRAY PLAY PARK IN EUGENE WHAT IS AN EQUITY ATLAS? AROUND THE CITY Fire & EMS Department Recognized by Toys for Tots For more than 30 years, Eugene’s firefighters – on their own time, but with the support of the Fire & EMS Department – have participated at the local level in the national Toys for Tots campaign, a hugely popular and well-received program that provides toys at Christmastime to children whose families could not otherwise afford them. The program takes on added importance during times of economic downturn. In Eugene-Springfield, during the past several years, the Toys for Tots campaign kicked off with a “Bring a Toy, Ride a Truck” event in the ShopKo parking lot on Chad Drive. Families can donate toys and enjoy a free ride in a fire engine, police car, or other emergency response vehicle. From then until a few days before Christmas, fire stations and certain local businesses serve as collection points for Toys for Tots donations (both toys and cash). Participating agencies include not only the U.S. Marine Corps Reserve and the Eugene and Springfield fire departments, but also the Eugene Police Department, Bi-Mart, Toys R Us, and KEZI-TV. This year’s local campaign gave away 9,334 toys. After the holidays, the Eugene Fire & EMS Department was recognized for its longstanding and active support of the campaign with a special award from the United States Marines (USMC) and fellow Lane County volunteers. Fire & EMS Chief Randy Groves (third from the left in the picture above) accepted the award on the department’s behalf. Presenting the plaque were local Toys for Tots board members (left to right) Diane Chapell (Springfield Fire & Life Safety), Matt Reger (Eugene Fire st & EMS) 1 Sgt. Alex Quiroz (USMC), Chris Tracy (USMC Ret.), and Thad Lukasik (USMC Ret.). For more information, please contact Engineer Matt Reger at the Fire & EMS Department at 541- 682-7100. Eugene Public Library Receives $125,000 Gift from Friends of the Library Friends of Eugene Public Library have presented a check in the amount of $125,000 to Library Director Connie Bennett. A record-breaking sum for the Friends’ annual gift, the funds will support library classes, programs, and EUGENE CITY COUNCIL NEWSLETTER PAGE 1 February 11, 2010 events for the public in the coming year, including summer reading programs for children and teens. The Friends is a non-profit membership organization dedicated to strengthening the library by encouraging community involvement and providing financial support for programs and projects. Its members raise money through sales of donated books at the Friends’ Book Sale each April and at the Second Hand Prose book store in the Downtown Library, as well as through Friends’ membership dues. “All of us at the library deeply appreciate our Friends,” says Bennett, “and everyone in the community will benefit from their dedicated work and this generous gift. This represents investments by a huge number of community members – not only the Friends for the thousands of hours of labor and years of expertise that made it possible, but also every person who donated a used book to the Friends or purchased one from them. It’s an honor to be part of a community that uses and supports its library the way Eugene does.” The Friends of Eugene Public Library formed in 1976. One of its first events was a Ken Kesey talk for which the admission “ticket” was a Friends’ membership receipt. Ever since, the Friends have been tireless fundraisers and advocates for the cause of strengthening and expanding library services. Friends’ gifts bought the library’s first public computer (an Apple IIe for children’s use), funded the beginning of the CD music collection, and provided $100,000 for the new Downtown Library and $25,000 each towards establishing the Bethel and Sheldon branches. Since 1976, the Friends have given more than $1 million to support the Eugene Public Library. Work on the Friends’ 2010 Book Sale, April 10 and 11, at the Lane County Fairgrounds, is now in high gear. “However,” says Jane Gilbert, book sale coordinator, “we still need donations. If you have some gently-used books you’re ready to part with, now is the time to support your library by contributing them.” All donations are tax- deductible. The best place to bring books is the parking level of the Downtown Library. Donations may also be taken to the Bethel Branch or to the Rite-Aid store next to the Sheldon Branch. To have a large donation picked up, or for questions about the sale, contact the Friends at 541-484-1452 or friendseugenelibrary@gmail.com. For more information about the Eugene Public Library, call 541-682-545 or go to www.eugene-or.gov/library. Now’s the Time for Some Fun on the Snow Recreation Services offers many opportunities to play in the snow and enjoy the natural world this month and next. The Adult Services Program invites snowshoers to explore the beautiful canyon area on a daytrip to Salt Creek Falls on February 16. There’s another snowshoe daytrip on February 22 to the Island Lake area east of Santiam Pass, and a three-day snowshoe or cross-country ski trip to the bountiful snow near Mount Bachelor, March 1 - 3. This trip includes a stay at a hotel in Bend. For teens and adults, the Outdoor Program will take snowshoers on a hunt for animal tracks and signs on February 28. Those ages 13 and older can learn how to snowboard over three Saturdays, from February 27 to March 13. Recreation’s Alpine Adventures, for individuals with disabilities ages 8 and up, is in full swing with adapted skiing offered on multiple dates in February and March. The prices of these winter adventures vary, but all trips include transportation and some include lift tickets. For more information, contact Craig Smith at 541-682-5334. Telecommunications Program Expands Access to Computers Today, access to a computer means being able to apply for a job, search for a place to live, or even just stay in contact with friends and family. Being homeless can create huge barriers to accessing these services and the information that exists online. In order help address this problem, the City of Eugene EUGENE CITY COUNCIL NEWSLETTER PAGE 2 February 11, 2010 Telecommunications Program will provide 12 Eugene social service locations that serve homeless people, with computers and three years of paid Internet service fees. St. Vincent dePaul’s (SVDP) Eugene Service Station received four computers and work stations that will be used by homeless single clients to access benefit programs and apply for jobs. SVDP Program Manager Roxann O’Brien was thrilled, saying, “These days, computers are critical to access services. To succeed in the future, many of our clients need to learn how to use the tools that so many of us have become accustomed to. Computer access has become a necessity and this donation will help in many ways. Our homeless job training clients are already being trained on this equipment so they can receive necessary computer skills.” The project is being funded with $142,000 from local telecommunication franchise fees that are directed to community benefits. Community Development staff teamed up with staff from the Information Services Division (ISD) to determine the technology needs at each social service location. ISD will be ordering and installing the equipment over the next several months. Organizations receiving assistance include ShelterCare, Sponsors, SVDP, Catholic Community Services, Womenspace, Laurel Hill Center and Looking Glass - at one or more of their client assistance locations. In addition, the Telecommunications Program provides 60-minute phone cards for homeless people that will be distributed at Project Homeless Connect on March 18. For more information, contact Richie Weinman of Community Development at richie.d.weinman@ci.eugene.or.us, 541-682-5533 or Telecommunications Program Manager Pam C. Berrian at pam.c.berrian@ci.eugene.or.us, 541- 682-5590 or Patricia A. Scarci of Information Services at patricia.a.scarci@ci.eugene.or.us, 541-682-5561. We-gene! Awards – Honoring the Best of Neighborhood Spirit Neighborhood Services is excited to announce the We-gene! Awards program, created to recognize the work of neighborhood volunteers and others who contribute to the livability of Eugene’s neighborhoods. Those eligible to receive awards include: ? Recognized and active neighborhood associations per City guidelines ? Local educational institutions, non-profit organizations or businesses that have partnered with a City- recognized neighborhood association ? Residential properties or privately-owned, small business properties that have made a significant contribution to the beauty or identity of a neighborhood ? Community service projects within a neighborhood ? An individual who has demonstrated initiative and leadership in making a significant contribution to the well-being of a neighborhood ? City employees nominated for an award for contributions they make that are performed in a capacity other than their duties and responsibilities as a City employee The process is simple—active neighborhood associations can select one eligible individual, organization or project for recognition. They can also nominate one neighborhood association for Neighborhood of the Year. All individual/organization/project nominations will receive a We-gene! Awards t-shirt, letter of recognition from Mayor Kitty Piercy and gift certificate from a local business. A committee composed of staff and neighborhood representatives will select one winner from the Neighborhood of the Year nominations to receive a $250 increase in the association’s event budget. We-gene! Award applications are available online at http://www.eugene-or.gov/NAleaders. Nominations are being accepted until March 12. An awards event will be scheduled in April to coincide with National Volunteer Week. For additional information, contact Michael Kinnison, at 541-682-5009, Michael.j.kinnison@ci.eugene.or.us. Neighborhood Planning Is a SNAP Neighborhood Services has launched the pilot phase of Strategic Neighborhood Assessment and Planning (SNAP), formerly called Strategic Neighborhood Action Plan. The SNAP process is intended as an organizing tool EUGENE CITY COUNCIL NEWSLETTER PAGE 3 February 11, 2010 through which a neighborhood association can assess local needs and develop a plan outlining goals, strategies, and actions to address issues in the neighborhood. It is designed to engage a range of neighborhood stakeholders and provide a foundation for working with other community partners. The SNAP process is also an opportunity for the neighborhood association to assess its strengths and challenges, identify opportunities to build its capacity, and expand outreach to become as inclusive and representative as possible. City-recognized neighborhood associations are all eligible to apply to participate in the pilot SNAP. Other neighborhood-based groups also are invited to initiate a SNAP with the support and collaboration of their th neighborhood association. Application materials are available from Neighborhood Services, 99 West 10 Avenue, and online at http://www.eugene-or.gov/NAP. Applicants selected to participate in the pilot phase will be notified by March 10. For information about SNAPs, contact Neighborhood Services staff Michael Kinnison at 541-682- 5009 or michael.j.kinnison@ci.eugene.or.us, or Rene Kane at 541-682-6243 or rene.c.kane@ci.eugene.or.us. Community Fundraising Continues for Large-Scale Spray Play Park in Eugene On Saturday, January 30, community members of all ages participated in the second in a series of open houses for Eugene’s first large-scale spray play park at Washington Park. Throughout the afternoon guests previewed the final conceptual design and shared their thoughts about what makes Washington Park unique. In partnership with the City of Eugene, the Eugene Parks Foundation (EPF) is working to raise $150,000 by spring 2010 to help fund the project, which has a total cost of $225,000. To date, EPF has raised a total of $50,000. Spray play parks incorporate various styles of user-activated fountains and jets to create summertime water play areas. Unlike smaller spray park elements located in several parks in Eugene including RiverPlay Discovery Village and Oakmont Park, the Washington Spray Play Park will be a stand-alone spray park with a variety of features for both toddlers and older children. Parks with spray elements are consistently among the most popular in Eugene and offer families a free, fun way to cool off in the summer. At the close of summer 2009, all wading pools in Eugene's parks closed permanently as a result of changing state health regulations mandated to increase user safety in and around wading pools. These changes include the requirement that wading pools have re-circulating and disinfecting water systems that have proven prohibitively expensive for the City to install in existing aging facilities. User-activated spray play allows the hours of operation to increase, incorporates water conservation methods, and dramatically improves the play value of the space. If funding is successful, the Washington Spray Play Park could begin construction as early as summer 2010. For more information, contact Landscape Architect Emily Proudfoot at emily.a.proudfoot@ci.eugene.or.us or 541-682-4915, or visit www.eugeneparksfoundation.org. What Is An Equity Atlas? Imagine a community where: All residents have access to opportunities such as good jobs, real transportation choices, safe and stable housing, a good education, a range of parks and natural areas, vibrant public spaces, and healthful, regionally produced foods. The benefits and burdens of growth and change are equitably shared across our communities. All residents and communities are involved as full and equal partners in public decision-making. Regional Equity Atlas Project (www.equityatlas.org)to The Coalition for a Livable Future (CLF) undertook the advance equity - the right of every person to have access to opportunities necessary for satisfying essential needs and advancing their well-being - as a key component of the Portland-Vancouver metropolitan region's approach to development. The Equity and Human Rights Center staff hosted Equity Agenda Coordinator for CLF, Dianne Riley, on February EUGENE CITY COUNCIL NEWSLETTER PAGE 4 February 11, 2010 ~ 4, 2010, to help better understand how they put this incredibly powerful tool together and to exchange information about Eugene’s human rights and sustainability work. Staff from various City departments, Lane Community College (LCC), commission representatives, Lane Council of Governments (LCOG), and other agencies, attended the Equity Atlas discussion. The participants discussed the local advantages and resources for such a tool, and how, even one bite at a time, one can forge partnerships that might bring this dream to reality. More information will follow as the project continues. Tuesday, February 9, 2010, Diane Hess with the Fair Housing Council provided information and an overview of federal, state, and local fair housing laws to Lane County, Housing and Urban Development (HUD), Housing and Community Services of Lane County (HACSA), Equity and Human Rights Center staff and a University of Oregon student. The training was exceptionally helpful for those who deal with housing-related concerns expressed by renters in the community. The Fair Housing Council of Oregon (FHCO) is a nonprofit, civil rights organization driven to eliminate illegal housing discrimination through enforcement and education. FHCO and its community partners, such as the City of Eugene Equity and Human Rights Center, promote equal access to housing by providing education, outreach, technical assistance, and enforcement opportunities specifically related to federal, state, and local fair housing laws. These laws protect against illegal housing discrimination based on "protected class status" in any housing transaction and, in fact, any housing situation. Upcoming Events: ? Reverend Jesse Jackson at the University of Oregon Tuesday, February 16, 12 p.m. - 1 p.m., doors open at 11:30 a.m. Contacts: Julie Brown, 541-346-3185, julbrown@uoregon.edu Nolan Fan or Steven Morozumi, 541-346-4321 stevenm@uoregon.edu / nfan@uoregon.edu ? Asian Celebration Lane County Fairgrounds, February 20 and 21 Equity and Human Rights staff contact: Shawna Adams, 541-682-2653 ? Homeless Connect Lane County Fairgrounds, March 18, 9:00 a.m. - 3:00 p.m. Equity and Human Rights staff contact: Michelle Mortensen, 541-682-6378 ? Blacks in Government (BIG) Presents: Urban League’s “The State of Black Oregon” University of Oregon, March 16, 4:30 - 8:30 p.m. Equity and Human Rights staff contact: Raquel Wells, 541-682-8439 For more information, contact Michelle Mortensen at 541-682-6378. EUGENE CITY COUNCIL NEWSLETTER PAGE 5 February 11, 2010