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Home My WebLink About03/03/11 - City Council Newsletter EUGENE CITY COUNCIL NEWSLETTER March 3, 2011 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 WEST BROADWAY WELCOMES NEW BUSINESS: PIPEWORKS SOFTWARE CITY DOUBLES CAHOOTS CONTRACT SERVICE IN RESPONSE TO LOCAL NEEDS DEEP GREEN EVENT ENCOURAGES ACTION ON CLIMATE CHANGE “A JOURNEY TO THE OUTSKIRTS OF THE UNIVERSE” AT EUGENE PUBLIC LIBRARY SURVEY REVEALS HIGH SATISFACTION WITH GARBAGE, RECYCLING AND YARD DEBRIS SERVICE FEELING ABLE AROUND THE CITY West Broadway Welcomes New Business: Pipeworks Software Pipeworks Software, a video game development company, is moving to 133 West Broadway this month. Founded in 1999, the software company is dedicated to making high quality video games ranging from action adventure, to party games, driving games, rhythm games, and classic board games. Pipeworks, a Foundation 9 studio, currently has over 60 employees, including designers, programmers, artists, producers and support staff. Foundation 9 is made up of seven studios - five in the U.S., one in the United Kingdom, and one in India. “Pipeworks was founded by game developers who wanted to do what they love, in the city they love. We have occupied several different offices during our existence, but staying close to downtown Eugene has always been important to us. Everyone is really excited about the new office – we have better network bandwidth, lots of lunch spots within walking distance, and good access to secure car and bike parking. Many of our employees enjoy being able to bike into work every day. Thank you for welcoming us to the heart of downtown Eugene!” says Shelby Wills, senior producer. More information about Pipeworks is available on the web at www.pipeworks.com, on Facebook at www.facebook.com/pipeworkssoftware, on twitter at www.twitter.com/pipeworks, or contact Laura Hammond at laura.a.hammond@ci.eugene.or.us or 541-682-6021. City Doubles CAHOOTS Contract Service in Response to Local Needs Eugene Police Department’s (EPD) contract with CAHOOTS has been doubled and a second van has been purchased and put into service to enhance its response to people experiencing mental health issues. In 2010, EPD’s response to non-criminal holds increased 47 percent over 2009 figures. Also, last year, the Eugene Police actively worked with the City’s 12-point plan to reduce crime in the downtown core, improve the feeling of safety, and make downtown a safe and welcome environment for everyone. As part of looking at the issues and EUGENE CITY COUNCIL NEWSLETTER PAGE 1 March 3, 2011 providing solutions, the City Council doubled the funding for the CAHOOTS contract to enhance services for people experiencing mental health issues. EPD has been working with CAHOOTS on the upgraded $566,000 contract. “Police are usually called as a last resort, when someone is in mental or emotional crisis and other responses are not working,” said Eugene Police Lieutenant Pete Deshpande. “Our officers are extremely well trained with classroom, street and advanced Crisis Intervention Training, but we are not mental health providers. We are excited to have the CAHOOTS service enhancement and feel very fortunate in our relationship with them. For decades, they have provided some intervention response whenever possible, and to have that service doubled represents a big step forward.” The second van and personnel went into service this week. One pair of CAHOOTS operators will cover a shift from 11 a.m. to 11 p.m., and a second team will provide service from 3 p.m. to 3 a.m. White Bird through ShelterCare will provide short-term emergency shelter for CAHOOTS-transported individuals. The $566,000 contract provides for CAHOOTS staff, supplies, and equipment, not including vehicle maintenance and fuel costs. The second van was purchased at an additional cost of $60,000 (vehicle maintenance and fuels costs are not included). For more information, contact Melinda McLaughlin at 541-682-5124 or Melinda.V.Mclaughlin@ci.eugene.or.us. Deep Green Event Encourages Action on Climate Change Despite predictions of snow, over 450 people braved the elements to attend the screening of the documentary Deep Green at the Hult Center’s Soreng Theater last Thursday. The film provided an overview of climate change as well as useful actions individuals and institutions can take to improve energy efficiency and reduce climate impacts. The goal of the event was to raise awareness and encourage action. Many people came early and stayed after the movie to learn about what’s happening in the community and what they can do to reduce the carbon footprint. Sixteen community organizations and sponsors provided information at tables in the Hult Center lobby on a range of topics including green building, renewable energy, school garden programs and bicycling. Matt Briggs, the writer, director, and producer of Deep Green, introduced the film and participated in a thought- provoking question-and-answer session after the screening. Pictures from the event are available on the City of Eugene Facebook page. For more information, contact Laura Hammond at laura.a.hammond@ci.eugene.or.us or 541-682-6021. “A Journey to the Outskirts of the Universe” at Eugene Public Library All ages are invited to take “A Journey to the Outskirts of the Universe,” in a presentation by Larry Deckman at the Downtown Eugene Public Library on Monday, Mar. 7, at 6:30 p.m. Admission is free. This hour-long journey into outer space is illustrated entirely with spectacularly beautiful photographs from NASA and the world's great telescopes. Travel beyond earth's atmosphere to see the home planet from 150 miles up. Ascending higher, see the moon and the planets of the solar system, close-up. Continue out through the stars and clouds of the Milky Way galaxy, then to the clusters of galaxies at the very edge of the universe. The tour guide for this narrated trip will be dedicated amateur astronomer Larry Deckman, the creator of the Star Finders line of maps and other tools for star-gazers. Deckman also practices law and is a community activist in Eugene. For more information, call the Eugene Public Library at 541-682-5450 or visit www.eugene.or.gov/library. Survey Reveals High Satisfaction with Garbage, Recycling and Yard Debris Service According to a recent telephone survey of 400 residents, over 90 percent are satisfied with Eugene’s current garbage and recycling services. In January, the Waste Prevention and Green Building program conducted the triennial customer survey to determine residents’ satisfaction with residential solid waste and recycling collection service. A local company, Advanced Marketing Research, conducted the survey and compiled the results. Other high points include an 80-percent satisfaction rate with current yard debris service. Additionally, 94 percent valued having recycling service and 68 percent valued the ability to choose their garbage hauler. Ninety-five percent EUGENE CITY COUNCIL NEWSLETTER PAGE 2 March 3, 2011 of respondents also indicated they would continue to recycle even if they no longer received the $1.50 recycling rebate. A complete copy of this report is available at www.eugenerecycles.org, under the “Regulation and Rates” section. For more information, please contact Nancy Young at 541-682-6849 or nancy.a.young@ci.eugene.or.us. Feeling Able Each year, Adaptive Recreation’s Alpine Adventures enables individuals experiencing disabilities to ski. Over the course of the three-month program this year, volunteers are expected to work about 1,800 hours helping some 58 participants experience the thrill of traversing the mountainside. Recreation Services coordinates the program, recruits the volunteers, and provides transportation and adaptive equipment. Hoodoo Ski Resort generously provides lift tickets to participants and volunteers every year. One of Alpine Adventure’s 2011 participants, Celeste Rice (shown in center of the picture with two volunteers), expressed how much this program means to her in a note and a poem sent to Alpine Adventures programmer Carly Schmidt. Her note read: “Dear Carly, other staff and volunteers. Thank you for the wonderful day of skiing. This time I felt SO ABLE. It was a great feeling. I can’t wait to do it again! Love, Celeste.” It’s a Ski Day! Mountains white Snowy white Clouds are gray Smiles and laughter everywhere Cold Silence With a crunch, crunch Sliding People who care They care and Watch over you Excitement Thrills and friends Postcard views Of mountains afar Learning, knowing Tired and happy ~Celeste Rice For more information, contact Carly Schmidt at 541-682-5311. EUGENE CITY COUNCIL NEWSLETTER PAGE 3 March 3, 2011