HomeMy WebLinkAbout07/21/11 - City Council Newsletter
EUGENE CITY COUNCIL NEWSLETTER
July 21, 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
DOWNTOWN IN BLOOM
AWARD RECOGNIZES EFFORTS TO REDUCE GREENHOUSE GASES
EUGENE-KAKEGAWA SISTER CITY COMMITTEE INVITES DELEGATES FOR 2011 JAPAN TRIP
BERRIAN ELECTED TO NATIONAL ASSOCIATION OF TELECOMMUNICATIONS OFFICERS AND ADVISORS
INVESTIGATION OF THE WASTEWATER COLLECTION SYSTEM BEGINS JULY 25
CITY OF EUGENE HELPS LOCAL BUSINESSES RE:THINK TO REDUCE WASTE AND SAVE MONEY
JAPANESE OBON FESTIVAL TO FEATURE DANCING AND DRUMMING JULY 30
AROUND THE CITY
Downtown in Bloom
It’s that time of year when the city of Eugene enjoys beautiful flowers, especially downtown. This year, members of
the Facility Management Division downtown crew are maintaining 135 hanging baskets and 271 large bowl planters
throughout downtown. This is a big task and the crew benefited from participating in a Rapid Process Improvement
workshop last year which resulted in both a streamlined routine to water the hanging baskets and large planters, and
reduced costs.
The workshop identified inexpensive improvements that
could be made to the existing watering carts, including
more powerful pumps for faster water flow; relocation of the
pump controls; spring-loaded, retractable hose reels that
replaced stationary hose mounts; longer hoses that allow
for several baskets and planters to be watered per stop;
and a swiveling driver’s seat that made it easier and
quicker to get in and out of the cart. As a result of this
process, the crew has been able to reduce the time it takes
to water the flowers by three hours a day, a reduction of
more than 0.5 FTE in seasonal labor for the six-month
period between mid-May and mid-October.
This year, Facilities is also partnering with these three
downtown groups who maintain the bowl planters in front of
their businesses: Kesey Enterprises’ McDonald Theater, Lane Community College downtown campus and
Passionflower Design.
For more information, contact Dave Lane, Facility Management Division, at 541-682-8327.
Award Recognizes Efforts to Reduce Greenhouse Gases
The Materials Management Committee for the Oregon Global Warming
Commission’s “Roadmap to 2020” was recently honored with a special
award for “leadership in policy development,” by the Association of
Oregon Recyclers (AOR). The City of Eugene was actively involved in
the work of the committee. Babe O’Sullivan, City Manager’s Office, and
Ethan Nelson, Building and Permit Services, served as members during
the last year.
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July 21, 2011
The committee’s work included 38 separate recommendations for actions. The result was one of the nation’s most
forward-thinking and comprehensive proposals for reducing greenhouse gas emissions through materials
management. Materials management consists of the traditional solid waste management activities of hauling and
disposing of garbage; but, it also includes looking at the full impact of consumption and addressing climate change
impacts from a comprehensive, systems-based perspective. As a result of the committee’s work, the commission
and the state as a whole have a stronger foundation for reducing greenhouse gas emissions through materials
management.
In addition to City staff involvement in the Roadmap to 2020 effort, Councilor Alan Zelenka co-chaired the land use
and transportation committee for the commission, producing recommendations that further align the objectives of the
City’s Climate and Energy Action Plan, Envision Eugene, and TransPlan, with statewide initiatives.
For more information on the award, the Oregon Global Warming Commission, or how to calculate a carbon footprint,
contact Ethan Nelson at 541-682-5224 or visit the commission website at www.keeporegoncool.org
.
Eugene-Kakegawa Sister City Committee Invites Delegates for 2011 Japan Trip
The Eugene-Kakegawa Sister City Committee is seeking persons interested in joining a
delegation to Kakegawa, Japan from Oct. 4 – 14, 2011. The 11-day visit will include tours
of Kakegawa, Tokyo, and Kyoto and participants will be guests of honor at the annual
Kakegawa Autumn Festival. Bilingual assistance will be provided at all times and, for
those interested, basic lessons in Japanese will be offered prior to the trip.
Kakegawa is a city in western Shizuoka Prefecture, Japan. Bordered to the south by the
Pacific Ocean, the city developed from a castle-town into a thriving regional commercial
and agricultural center with an estimated population of over 117,858. Eugene and
Kakegawa established a formal sister city relationship in 1979.
For over 30 years, the Eugene-Kakegawa Sister City Committee has promoted events and activities which lead to
greater understanding between American and Japanese people, including the exchange of delegations and
homestays between Eugene and Kakegawa. Anyone interested may join and participate in committee activities.
For more information about the October 2011 Kakegawa delegation, contact Jim Knepler at 541-554-1376 or
eksccjim@gmail.com. For information about the Eugene Sister City Program, contact Keli Osborn at 541-682-5406
or keli.m.osborn@ci.eugene.or.us.
Berrian Elected to National Association of Telecommunications Officers and Advisors
Telecommunications Program Manager Pam Berrian, Information Services Division (ISD), was recently elected to the
National Association of Telecommunications Officers and Advisor’s (NATOA) national board of directors for a two-
year term starting October 2011. The City has been a member of NATOA since 1996 when Congress passed the
Telecommunication Act, the largest overhaul of this nation’s communications laws since 1934. NATOA is a
public/private-sector membership organization that supports the communication interests and needs of local
governments, and provides critical technical and policy advocacy information on federal communications laws,
(
Federal Communications CommissionFCC) administrative proceedings and rulings, judicial decisions, and
technology issues impacting the interests of local governments, especially relating to authority for managing
commercial telecommunications uses of the public rights-of-way, and approving cell tower land use zoning
applications. To learn more about NATOA, go to www.natoa.org.
At the City, Berrian manages over 125 Ordinance 20083 telecommunications provider business registration
accounts, enforces public rights-of-way long-term use licensing requirements, mediates cable TV subscriber
complaints (per the federal Cable Act—yes, it’s her office number on the bill!), assists with contracts for providers
who wish to use City property, assists Intergovernmental Relations staff as a legislative reviewer, and manages the
department process for projects supported by the Telecommunications Fund (over 100 since FY03). The City’s
Telecommunications program website is at www.eugene-or.gov/telecom.
Pam has been with the City for 20 years and is past-president of the Oregon Chapter of NATOA, serves on the
League of Oregon Cities’ Telecommunications Committee, is on the planning committee for the annual Oregon
Connections Telecom Technology conference, represents the City on the Regional Fiber Consortium, and served for
four years on the Governor-appointed Oregon Telecommunications Coordinating Council.
For more information, please contact Randy Kolb, ISD, at 541-682-5075 or randy.c.kolb@ci.eugene.or.us.
EUGENE CITY COUNCIL NEWSLETTER PAGE 2
July 21, 2011
Investigation of the Wastewater Collection System Begins July 25
During the summer and early fall, crews from the City of Eugene Public Works Department will be evaluating
possible defects in the public wastewater collection system in the Far West, Whiteaker, West University, Downtown
and Jefferson Westside neighborhoods. The work will take place on week days between 8 a.m. and 3 p.m. beginning
on Monday, July 25. Three techniques will be used: closed-
circuit television inspection, dyed water, and isolated smoke-
testing. Isolated smoke-testing enables staff to investigate
defects that allow stormwater runoff and groundwater to enter
the public wastewater collection system. In addition to isolated
smoke testing, closed-circuit television allows staff to pinpoint
the location of possible defects.
Testing will begin in the downtown area and the entire project
is expected to take several months to complete. During the
tests, which are endorsed by the U.S. Environmental
Protection Agency, non-toxic, white smoke is released into
underground sewer lines to identify problems. The smoke will
not harm plants or animals and will quickly dissipate leaving
no residue or stains.Residents are notified before testing
begins in their neighborhood. A notice will be placed on
Smoke rising from the ground indicates a defect.
residents’ doors one or two days before investigation work
begins in each area.
After smoke is blown into a sewer line, crew members will use closed-circuit television inside the sewer system to
locate where the smoke is exiting the public system. White smoke rising from the ground generally indicates a crack
or other defects in a sewer line. Deteriorated sewer lines and improper stormwater connections cause a problem
called inflow and infiltration. The region's wastewater collection and treatment system is designed to carry only so
much water and sewage. Inflow and infiltration of stormwater runoff and groundwater can overload the system,
increasing the difficulty and cost of transporting and treating wastewater.
If smoke-testing reveals a defect in the public portion of the wastewater collection system, the defect is corrected as
soon as possible. If extensive defects are found, capital rehabilitation projects are planned, funded and completed to
correct the problem. If smoke-testing identifies a stormwater connection prohibited in the City code, such as a roof
drain connected to the sanitary sewer, the property owner is notified and is required to correct the problem. If the
testing indicates a defect in the private portion of the sewer (usually in the line that connects the building to the public
sewer), the owner is notified of potential problems with the sewer, and repair or replacement of the defective line is
recommended.
For more information, contact I/I Investigation Project Manager Carla Spangler at 541-682-4894 or go to
www.eugene-or.gov/smoketesting.
City of Eugene Helps Local Businesses RE:think to Reduce Waste and Save Money
The City of Eugene recently joined forces with BRING Recycling, a local non-profit, to offer free, hands-on assistance
to businesses that want to reduce waste, conserve resources and save money. BRING’s RE:think Business
Certification Program began as a pilot project in March 2010. Over 60
businesses participated, and 22 were certified under the program. With
RE:think’s help, businesses were able to improve recycling, reduce waste and
energy costs, and change their purchasing habits.
The City’s financial and technical support allows RE:think to continue to offer
this valuable service to the business community and meet community
sustainability goals. Together, the City’s Waste Prevention and Green Building Program, Public Works Stormwater
Management and Wastewater programs, and the Sustainability Office, collaborated with Lane County Waste
Management and EWEB’s Energy Management Services to provide technical support and develop an advisory team
for RE:think.
The goals of the RE:think Business Program are to address the large volume of waste generated by businesses and
to provide no/low-cost solutions and recognition to businesses that meet an established criteria for certification.
RE:think provides assistance and education in five areas:
- Waste prevention and recycling
- Energy efficiency and conservation
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July 21, 2011
- Water quality
- Water conservation
- Purchasing
The RE:think Business Program was modeled after other successful business education/certification programs
including Marion County’s EARTHwise and the City of Gresham’s GREAT Business. RE:think has been adapted to
this community where it is endorsed and promoted by the Eugene and Springfield Chambers of Commerce and the
Lane County Medical Society.
For more information on the BRING RE:think program, contact Ethan Nelson at 541-682-5224;Carolyn Stein,
program director, at 541-746-3023, or visit the Re:think website at www.bringrecycling.org.
Japanese Obon Festival to Feature Dancing and Drumming on July 30
nd
The Japanese-American Association of Lane County and the City of Eugene present the 22 annual Obon and
Taiko Drumming Festival, featuring Japanese dancing, taiko drumming, crafts, food and more, from 5 – 9 p.m., July
30, in Alton Baker Park.
The free, annual Obon Festival is also known as the Festival of Lanterns and is held to honor ancestors. It is a time
of year for bringing families and friends together for an evening of dancing and celebration.
Under the swaying, colorful Japanese lanterns, attendees will be invited to participate in Japanese circle dances and
feast on foods such as yakisoba noodles, which will be sold at the event. There will be entertainment by Eugene
Taiko, Shinwa, a taiko group from Veneta, and Oregon and Waka Daiko (a children’s drumming group).
This deeply-rooted Japanese celebration begins with taiko drumming and Japanese dancing. Attendees are
encouraged to bring a blanket or lawn chair.
For more information, contact Seiko Kikuta at 541-484-4656 or Mike Takahashi at 541-461-5449.
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July 21, 2011