HomeMy WebLinkAboutItem 3: Resolution Initiating Celebration of Eugene@150
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UGENE ITY OUNCIL
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GENDA TEM UMMARY
Action: Adoption of Resolution Initiating Celebrations Acknowledging the
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150 Anniversary of the Incorporation of Eugene
Meeting Date: April 9, 2012 Agenda Item Number: 3
Department: Central Services Staff Contact: Jan Bohman
www.eugene-or.gov Contact Telephone Number: 541-682-5587
ISSUE STATEMENT
Eugene’s founders first took action to form a city in the year 1862, filing papers for incorporation of
Eugene. A staff team, together with community members and partners, has begun planning events and
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activities to celebrate Eugene’s 150 “birthday” throughout 2012. The resolution expresses the City
Council’s acknowledgement of the anniversary and support for community celebration of the event.
BACKGROUND
The year 1862 has traditionally been given as the date of Eugene’s first incorporation and it is clear
Eugene’s founders first took action, filing papers to form a city in that year. Many resources also refer to
a second subsequent incorporation and renaming in 1864. A well-used historic resource, Walling’s
“Illustrated History of Lane County, Oregon,” 1884, describes it in this way, “the town of Eugene City
was duly incorporated by an act of the legislature approved October 17, 1862. Thus it remained until the
city
act to incorporate the [italics in original] of Eugene was approved October 22, 1864, and by a vote
of twenty-seven to one a new charter was adopted on November fourteenth of that year, the people
apparently, taking but little interest in the matter, as the small vote exemplifies.”
The staff team’s approach is that this is a collaborative community celebration. City staff is planning
some specific events and activities, and will provide supporting information and material for community
members and groups that plan other activities. The intention is for people from all parts of the
community to get involved and help to acknowledge, honor and celebrate all the things that make
Eugene a great place to live. An encouraging level of interest has already emerged.
Public information on activities planned so far began to be distributed this week. The first major activity
is one being led by community partner Ninkasi. The brewery has produced a commemorative beer,
named “Commonwealth,” and is donating all proceeds to benefit City of Eugene Cultural Services and
FOOD for Lane County. The beer is available on shelves now and will be officially released at FOOD
for Lane County’s Chefs’ Night Out event on April 10.
Given the City’s budget situation, and the general economic climate for City partners and the
community, staff is being realistic and frugal in making plans, working to leverage existing budgets and
rededicate already planned activities toward this theme. For example, the City’s first major
Eugene@150 event will be the kickoff of Summer in the City. That event was budgeted and planned
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already; staff is using that opportunity for the Eugene @150 event and including some historically
oriented activities. Staff hopes to identify additional budget sources and possible sponsors or partners
for some activities.
Most City-sponsored events and projects will be focused between mid-July and October, timed to follow
the Olympic Trials and to culminate in October, the month of the actual anniversary date of October 17.
Other additional community-initiated activities will hopefully extend before and after that time period.
COUNCIL OPTIONS
The council may adopt or amend the resolution.
CITY MANAGER’S RECOMMENDATION
The City Manager recommends adoption of the attached resolution initiating celebrations
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acknowledging the 150 anniversary of the incorporation of Eugene.
SUGGESTED MOTION
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Move to adopt Resolution 5056 initiating celebrations acknowledging the 150 anniversary of the
incorporation of Eugene.
ATTACHMENTS
A. Proposed Resolution
FOR MORE INFORMATION
Staff Contact: Jan Bohman
Telephone: 541-682-5587
Staff E-Mail: Jan.L.Bohman@ci.eugene.or.us
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ATTACHMENT A
RESOLUTION NO. _______
A RESOLUTION INITIATING CELEBRATIONS ACKNOWLEDGING
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THE 150 ANNIVERSARY OF THE INCORPORATION OF EUGENE.
The City Council of the City of Eugene finds that:
A.
Eugene is a special and unique place. The area and community have been home
to thousands of people since 1862 and before.
B.
Eugene’s founders first took action to form a city in the year 1862, filing papers
for incorporation of Eugene. The year 1862 has traditionally been given as the date of Eugene’s
first incorporation.
C.
A well-used historic resource, Walling’s “Illustrated History of Lane County,
Oregon,” 1884, states, “the town of Eugene City was duly incorporated by an act of the
legislature approved October 17, 1862.”
D.
This is a significant milestone that the City of Eugene wishes to acknowledge and
celebrate. This anniversary provides an opportunity to learn more about our history, culture and
people.
NOW, THEREFORE,
BE IT RESOLVED BY THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF EUGENE, a
Municipal Corporation of the State of Oregon, as follows:
Section 1.
Based on the above findings, the City Council initiates a period of
Eugene@150
celebration entitled to continue throughout the remainder of 2012 to:
•Honor our community’s history, celebrate the present, and create a legacy of pride that
builds excitement for Eugene’s future
•Help create and inspire multiple ways to celebrate this important milestone
•Include the experiences and legacies of diverse community members – past, present and
future
•Encourage collaboration, partnerships and community participation
•Exercise responsible stewardship of resources, and leverage community assets
Section 2.
This Resolution shall become effective immediately upon its adoption.
The foregoing Resolution adopted the _____ day of __________________, 2012.
____________________________________
City Recorder