HomeMy WebLinkAbout11/17/11 - City Council Newsletter
EUGENE CITY COUNCIL NEWSLETTER
November 17, 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 EDITION
ADULT PROGRAM MARKS FALL WITH BAZAAR AND LUNCHEON
EUGENE PUBLIC LIBRARY NAMED “STAR LIBRARY” THIRD YEAR IN A ROW
MOODY’S INVESTORS SERVICE CONFIRMS EUGENE’S AA1 RATING
AROUND THE CITY
Adult Program Marks Fall with Bazaar and Luncheon
The fall is always a busy time for the Recreation Division’s Adult Services Program and this year is no exception. The
preliminary numbers are in and the annual Holiday Bazaar held at Campbell Center on Nov. 5, brought in $4,500,
including a $500 donation from the Senior Professional Information
Network. The proceeds from the bazaar funds programs for adults
and seniors for the entire year.
Next up is the program’s annual Thanksgiving Luncheon to be held
on Wednesday, Nov. 23, 11:30 a.m. - 1:00 p.m. at Campbell Center.
More than 100 seniors are expected to attend and enjoy a traditional
meal of turkey and all the “fixins.”
These events are two examples of how the Adult Services Program
meets its mission to contribute to the quality of life of older adults in
the community by providing experiences that allow them to find
companionship, realize creative capacities, experience personal growth, development, and achievement, and provide
opportunities for individuals to remain active, productive, and independent.
For more information, contact Mel Mann at 541-682-6392.
Eugene Public Library Named “Star Library” Third Year in A Row
In its 2011 rankings, Library Journal has named the Eugene Public Library a “Star Library” for the third year in a row.
The designation means the Library ranks among the top three percent of public libraries nationwide for excellence in
cost-effective delivery of key services.
According to the Public Library’s Director, Connie Bennett, “Especially during these
difficult economic times, Eugene Public Library has worked hard to develop increasingly
efficient and cost-effective practices while continuing to provide the community with
superior services. This Star Library rating confirms that we’re returning a very high value
in services for each dollar our community invests in the Library. Compared objectively
nationwide, Eugene Public Library stands out as a top performer.”
The Library Journal study, the Index of Public Library Service 2011, examined 7,513
public libraries. Only 262 libraries, including the Eugene Public Library, received a Star
Library designation. Eugene Public Library’s delivery of services per capita was
evaluated against public libraries with comparable budgets.
The libraries were judged on four factors. Two are traditional measures of library performance: number of visits, and
circulation (number of items borrowed). The other two - program attendance and public Internet computer use - are
recent additions, reflecting the changing ways that libraries now meet community needs.
EUGENE CITY COUNCIL NEWSLETTER PAGE 1
November 17, 2011
The Eugene Public Library serves 4,000 visitors per day and processes nearly three million check-outs per year. The
Library’s three locations provide 800 programs per year, ranging from storytimes to classes to entertainment. Nearly
39,000 community members of all ages benefit from these free events. The Library’s Internet and database computers
provide nearly 25,000 user sessions each month. The Library Journal Index of Public Library Service 2011 is based on
2009 data reported by libraries to the Institute of Museum and Library Services.
For more information, contact the Eugene Public Library at 541-682-5450 or www.eugene-or.gov/library.
Moody’s Investors Service Confirms Eugene’s Aa1 Rating
Moody’s Investors Service confirmed Eugene’s Aa1 credit rating on Nov. 15, 2011. The outlook for the rating is stable.
The City’s Aa1 rating is just one notch below the highest triple-A rating that can be achieved.
The report sets out what Moody’s sees as Eugene’s credit strengths and challenges. One of the key strengths is
strong fiscal management, including maintenance of sound reserve levels, long-term budgetary planning and modest
debt burden. Moody’s acknowledges that Eugene’s strong financial performance in recent years has been due to
active budget management. It cites maintenance of reserve levels, staff reductions, operating efficiencies and other
savings measures as examples of Eugene’s prudent financial decisions.
The most significant challenge for Eugene’s credit rating, according to the report, is modest declines in taxable
assessed value, and further declines could lead to a rating downgrade in the future. The other factor that could reduce
the rating would be a significant deterioration of the City’s financial position.
This credit rating update was performed in connection with the upcoming refinancing of previously issued General
Obligation bonds for fire station construction, parks, athletic fields and open spaces, and street repairs. The refunding
is being undertaken to achieve interest rate savings.
For more information, please contact Finance Director Sue Cutsogeorge at Sue.L.Cutsogeorge@ci.eugene.or.us or
541-682-5589.
EUGENE CITY COUNCIL NEWSLETTER PAGE 2
November 17, 2011