HomeMy WebLinkAbout03/18/10 - City Council Newsletter
EUGENE CITY COUNCIL NEWSLETTER
March 18, 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
WE-GENE! AWARD NOMINATIONS ARE IN
EUGENE AIRPORT RUNWAY REHABILITATION PROJECT
TIME TO PLUG IN: SURVEYS COLLECT COMMUNITY INPUT FOR CHARGING STATIONS
FREE SPRING BREAK FUN FOR KIDS AND TEENS AT THE LIBRARY
UPDATED PAVEMENT MANAGEMENT REPORT PUTS REPAIR WORK IN PERSPECTIVE
CONSTRUCTION BEGINS ON NEW I-5 SOUTHBOUND WILLAMETTE RIVER BRIDGE PROJECT
2010 FIREMED CAMPAIGN GEARING UP
PRIMARY ELECTION UPDATE
RECREATION OFFERS A VARIETY OF SPRING BREAK CAMPS
AROUND THE CITY
We-gene! Award Nominations Are In
Neighborhood Services is excited to announce the following
nominees for the first-ever We-gene! Awards. All City-
recognized neighborhood associations were invited to nominate
individuals, businesses, community organizations, projects and
properties they would like recognized for their contributions to the
livability of Eugene’s neighborhoods. They were also eligible to
submit one Neighborhood of the Year nominee. Nominees are:
Neighborhood of the Year
Cal Young Neighborhood Association Laurel Hill Valley Citizens Association
Friendly Area Neighbors Trainsong Neighbors
Harlow Neighbors West University Neighbors
Jefferson Westside Neighbors
Projects/Groups
Cal Young Newsletter – The Courier South University Neighborhood Planning Group
Crest Drive Community Team
Individuals
Paul Conte – Jefferson Westside Neighbors Tom Musselwhite – Trainsong Neighbors
Charles Fernandez – Churchill Area Jack Radabaugh – Harlow Neighbors
Greg Giesy – Friendly Area Neighbors Jan Spencer – River Road
Karen Hyatt – University of Oregon Peter Thurston – Santa Clara
Kevin Matthews – Southeast Neighbors Jan Wostmann – Laurel Hill Valley
All individuals, projects or groups nominated will receive an award. A committee composed of staff and
neighborhood representatives will select one winner from the Neighborhood of the Year nominations. An award
event has been scheduled from 6:30 – 8:30 p.m. on April 20, at the Campbell Center, 155 High Street, to coincide
with National Volunteer Week. Invitations will be distributed soon to nominees, neighborhood associations, elected
officials, and staff. The We-gene! Awards were established in response to a recommendation from the
Neighborhood Services Assessment that called for expanding volunteer coordination and recognition efforts. For
more information, please contact Michael Kinnison of Neighborhood Services at 541-682-5009 or
Michael.j.kinnison@ci.eugene.or.us.
Eugene Airport Runway Rehabilitation Project
The Eugene Airport’s main runway will undergo a complete rehabilitation in June 2010. The project is not expected
to impact commercial or general aviation traffic which will continue to use the parallel runway during construction.
The $9.5 million dollar project will be funded through Federal Aviation Administration entitlement and discretionary
funds, and a 5 percent airport match, anticipated to come from a State of Oregon Connect Oregon III grant.
Wildish Construction was awarded the low bid.
The bulk of the project will be completed in June with construction crews operating 24-hours-a-day for 28 days,
with an allowance for rain delays. The project includes resurfacing the full 8,009-foot length of the runway, grade
corrections and runway shoulders built to current design standards, reconstruction of Taxiway A6, replacement of
runway lights, and the installation of an in-pavement temperature sensor system.
The project calls for about 97,000 square-yards of rock, 60,000 tons of asphalt, and 135,000 square-feet of
pavement markings. One added benefit, once construction is complete, is the main runway will be able to fully
accommodate Boeing-747s. Currently, a Boeing-747 departing Eugene Airport (EUG) requires the removal of
runway lights to avoid damage to the lights.
The last major work done on Runway 16R/34L (main runway) was completed when the crosswind runway was
replaced by the parallel runway in 2005. The last complete pavement overlay was constructed in 1994 when the
main runway was extended to its current length. Expected lifespan of the rehabilitated runway is 15-20 years.
Finish work on the project, including grooving and pavement markings, will be completed by the end of September
2010. For more information, please contact Director of Marketing and Public Relations Cathryn Stephens at
cathryn.e.stephens@ci.eugene.or.us or 541-682-5430.
Time to Plug In: Surveys Collect Community Input for Charging Stations
Over the next 15 months, the Electric Vehicle (EV) Project will install EV chargers at hundreds of sites in Oregon,
including Eugene, as part of a $99.8 million American Recovery and Reinvestment Act grant. These chargers will
gather valuable information about EV driver needs and
provide important infrastructure for electric cars and trucks
entering Oregon starting in late 2010. The Electric
Transportation Engineering Corporation (eTec) is managing
the EV Project nationwide. Suggestions for charging station
locations in Lane County can be submitted to David
Mayfield at dmayfield@etecevs.com. To sign up with the EV
Project, please visit www.theevproject.com.
In the Eugene-Springfield area, several major automobile
manufacturers will be releasing EVs in the coming year. The
City of Eugene, Eugene Water & Electric Board (EWEB),
and the University of Oregon's Community Planning
Workshop are partnering on an EV community needs and feasibility assessment. The survey will use public input
to help prepare Eugene for EV technology. The 10-minute survey is available at:
http://www.surveymonkey.com/s/electricvehicles. Survey responses will be extremely valuable for future planning
efforts.
For more information on the EV Project, please contact Parking Services Manager Jeff Petry at 541-682-5729 or
Jeff.T.Petry@ci.eugene.or.us
Free Spring Break Fun for Kids and Teens at the Library
During spring break, the Eugene Public Library invites kids to an amazing and amusing show titled, Reading
Magic. Magician Bill Mitchell’s fast-paced performance features astonishing tricks and illusions, plus lots of
laughter and fun audience participation. Enjoy the free show at Bethel Branch Library on Wednesday, March 24, at
11 a.m., at Sheldon Community Center on Wednesday, March 24, at 2 p.m., or at the Downtown Library on
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March 18, 2010
Thursday, March 25, at 11 a.m. or 2 p.m. For the downtown shows only, pick up free tickets starting 30 minutes in
advance of each performance.
Teens can enjoy cool snacks as they catch a hot film, “The Twilight Saga: New Moon” that will be shown on
Tuesday, March 23, at 2 p.m., at the Downtown Library. On Thursday, March 25, at 4 p.m., the Teen Book Group
will meet at the Downtown Library to talk about the novel “Slam” by Nick Hornby. And at Sheldon Branch, teens
will get together for Board and Card Gaming on Friday, March 26. Drop in from 2 - 4 p.m. to see friends and play
new and unusual games.
For more information, contact the Eugene Public Library at 541-682-8316 or go to www.eugene-or.gov/library.
Updated Pavement Management Report Puts Repair Work in Perspective
An updated report on the condition of Eugene’s streets shows progress has been made, but more work is needed
to further reduce the backlog of needed repairs on the 1,329 lane-miles of streets for which the City is responsible.
The 2010 Pavement Management Report was compiled by the Public Works Maintenance Division’s Surface
Technical Team to provide updated information on the condition of asphalt paving in Eugene using 2009 rating
and inventory data. The report includes an inventory of streets by improvement status and functional classification,
details how a pavement management system is used to inspect and rate
pavement surfaces, explains Eugene’s pavement preservation program,
including updated information about treatment types and costs, and
analyzes projected funding availability for pavement preservation through
FY2015.
The 2010 report found that the street repair backlog declined to $151
million at the end of 2009, from an estimated $173 million the previous
year. At least a portion of the decline was due to special circumstances
such as lower-than-usual bid prices because of economic conditions and
one-time federal stimulus funds targeted to street repair projects. Over
the long term, the report found, the current level of funding for street
repairs will result in a growth of the backlog to an estimated $233 million
over the next 10 years. By contrast, increasing the street repair funding level to $18 million a year will cut the
backlog to $82 million over 10 years, and increasing the funding level to $22 million a year will reduce it to $43
million.
The report is available on the internet with a link on the street funding page at www.eugene-or.gov/streets. For
more information, please contact Public Works Maintenance Director Jeff Lankston at 541-682-4800.
Construction Begins on New I-5 Southbound Willamette River Bridge Project
With demolition of the decommissioned I-5 Willamette River Bridge completed, construction activity on the new
southbound bridge begins in multiple locations. Contractors working for the Oregon Department of Transportation
(ODOT) are building cofferdams on the north and south banks where footings will be poured to support piers for
the new bridge. Work on the arch falsework will start by the end of March.
Also in late March, Williams’ Northwest Pipeline will reroute a 16-inch-diameter natural gas pipeline in the bridge
area. The work will affect residents and travelers in the vicinity of Franklin Boulevard and I-5, on Augusta Street,
and on the bike path between the Knickerbocker Bridge and I-5 on the south side of the river. While the pipeline is
being removed, residents may be aware of the odor of natural gas – this is normal and should not be a cause for
concern. Flaggers will direct traffic in work zones. The pipeline work is expected to be completed by early May.
In early April, contractors will begin removing the bridge over the Canoe Canal north of the Willamette River
Bridge. During removal, the bike detour route in the Whilamut Natural Area will change. East-west pedestrians and
bicyclists will use the North Bank Path for access. Signage and flaggers will direct path users to ensure safety and
continued mobility. Once removal is finished, construction will begin on the new bridge.
The northbound I-5 off-ramp to Franklin Boulevard will close, starting April 12, for approximately 12 weeks.
Supports for the new sign bridge and other related ramp work will be completed during the closure. Additional
closures of the I-5 Franklin Boulevard on- and off-ramps will be required as the ramps are re-configured to line-up
with the new bridge approaches. Only one ramp will be closed at any one time.
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March 18, 2010
For additional information, contact Construction Information Coordinator John Lively at 541-484-7052 or
john@cawood.com, or Chris Henry, Public Works Engineering, at 541-682-8472.
2010 FireMed Campaign Gearing Up
With no end in sight to federally caused funding deficits, FireMed memberships are
more important than ever in supporting the continued operation of quality ambulance
service in the area. The 2010 FireMed campaign officially kicks off April 1, and this year
will have a stronger emphasis on fund-raising – that is, that FireMed subscriptions not
only protect a household from a large ambulance bill, but also help keep the system
operating at a high level in spite of reduced reimbursements from Medicare.
Subscription costs will also be up, from $52 to $62 for basic FireMed and from $87 to
$97 for FireMed Plus, which includes emergency air transport. A FireMed subscription protects all members of a
household from any out-of-pocket expenses associated with medically necessary emergency transport for the one-
year period beginning July 1. Elected officials who have agreed to be part of this year’s campaign will be
contacted soon, and fire service professionals in the area will be more visible in the campaign than in years past,
again as a means of emphasizing support for the system. For more information, please contact FireMed Director
Bart Noll at 541-744-3375 or Eugene Fire & EMS Ambulance Billing Supervisor Gail Draper at 541-682-7108.
Primary Election Update
The following candidates have completed the filing process for Eugene elected positions and will be included on
the May 18, 2010, primary election ballot:
City Council Ward 3:
Alan Zelenka
City Council Ward 4:
George Poling
City Council Ward 5:
Mike Clark, Nadia Sindi
City Council Ward 7:
Pat Farr, Rich Gaston
EWEB Wards 4 & 5:
John Brown
EWEB At-Large:
Nicole Hansen, John Simpson
The City of Eugene will publish a Voters’ Pamphlet for the election. Candidates for the positions of City Council
and the Eugene Water & Electric Board who chose to participate in this publication and who submitted a statement
and a photograph by the March 9 deadline are: Mike Clark and Nadia Sindi, Ward 5; Pat Farr and Rich Gaston,
Ward 6; and Nicole Hansen and John Simpson, EWEB At-Large. The Voters’ Pamphlet is scheduled to be mailed
to all city addresses by April 29.
No candidates for the office of City Councilor have signed the Voluntary Campaign Finance Program pledge form
for the upcoming primary election.
For more information, contact Beth Forrest at 541-682-5882.
Recreation Offers a Variety of Spring Break Camps
Whether it’s arts, adventure, sports or just plain fun that kids are looking for this spring break, they’ll find it in one
of several camps being offered by the Recreation Services Division.
KidCity Adventures gives kids in kindergarten through sixth
grade a choice of an arts or sports track in the mornings.
Afternoons include fun activities at the pool such as
kayaking, water games, and pool parties. The Great
Escape takes campers 8 – 14 years old on adventures as
they “escape” from school and travel to new unexplored
areas.
F.A.M.E. (For All Multitalented Exhibitionists) matches
youth 14 -18 years old with professional artists in
workshops on writing, dance, drama, vocals, and visual
arts during the day and then they watch or participate in
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March 18, 2010
performances in the evening. The camp culminates in a showcase performance at the Hult Center. Art on the
Amazon camps are for kids 6 -11 years old who will learn to draw in Monsters, Etc., or act in a magical play at
Spring Sprites-Skate World.
Water Polo Camp is for children and youth, 5 years old and older. Participants, divided by experience level, will
learn skills of the game such as passing, shooting, dribbling and ball handling. Other sports camps include Tots
Soccer Academy, for ages 3 – 5, Soccer Camp, for youth ages 6 – 8, and Gymnastics Camp, for ages 6 – 11. For
information, click Spring Break Camps or call Kathy Madison at 541-682-6342.
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March 18, 2010