HomeMy WebLinkAboutCC Newsletter - 09/16/04EUGENE CITY COUNCIL NEWSLETTER
September 1(5, 2004
City of Eugene
777 Pearl Street, Room 105
Eugene, Oregon 97401-2793
(541) 682-5010
(541) 682-5414 (FAX)
www. ci.eugene.or, us
MAYOR'S ART SHOW OPENING SEPTEMBER 17
FIVE LETTERS OF INTENT RECEIVED FOR THE WEST 8TM AVENUE HOUSING SITE
2ND PUBLIC MEETING ON PROPOSED SANTA CLARA COMMUNITY PARK SLATED FOR SEPTEMBER 23
LANE COMMUNITY COLLEGE STUDENTS SALVAGE CAMAS BULBS
TRAFFIC FINE REDUCTIONS OVER THE PHONE
EUGENE NAMED OREGON'S FIRST TAKE PRIDE IN AMERICA® CITY
VISIT THE "HUMAN RIGHTS CENTER" AT THE EUGENE CELEBRATION!
ANNUAL RECRUITMENT FOR CITY BOARDS, COMMITTEES, AND COMMISSIONS DRAWS TO A CLOSE
Mayor's Art Show Opening September ~7
With artwork ranging from the exquisite to the eclectic, the annual Mayor's Art Show,
sponsored by Oregon Eye Associates, opens September 17 and runs through October 21
at the Jacobs Gallery. In their art experience at the show, gallery visitors can view
fantastical sculpture, come eye-to-eye with an African bull elephant or view the creative
threads of woven and quilted entries.
This year, entries for the art show totaled 440, with 62 being chosen for the opening. The
jurors for the show are George Kokis, ceramic artist, Eugene; Nancy Lindburg, artist and
public art consultant, Salem; and Mike Van, painter, Eugene. Cash awards totaling
$1,000 will include the Best of Show award and three Juror's Choice awards, each funded
by Oregon Eye Associates. Also, a Mayor's Choice Award will be presented by the
Mayor, which includes lunch with the Mayor and a $100 Oregon Art Supply gift certificate.
During the Eugene Celebration, gallery visitors can vote to determine the winner of the
Viewer's Choice Award, who will also receive a $100 Oregon Art Supply gift certificate.
The Jacobs Gallery is located in the Hult Center for the Performing Arts and is a partnership between the City of Eugene,
Lane Arts Council and the Jacobs Gallery Steering Committee. Regular viewing hours are noon to 4 p.m., Tuesday
through Friday and 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. on Saturday. The artwork featured above from this year's show is by Rich Klopfer.
For more information, contact Jacobs Gallery Director Tina Rinaldi at 541-684-5635.
Five Letters of Intent Received for the West 8th Avenue Housinq Site
Last spring, the City of Eugene used federal CDBG funds allocated for housing to purchase the property adjacent to the
WOW Hall on West 8 Avenue for the Iow-income housing landbank program. The nearly one-acre site includes four tax
lots, one with a vacant building. This downtown site presents a great opportunity for a mixed-use, mixed-income housing
development. The development of the site will promote both the greater downtown vision and affordable housing. The
City received five letters of intent to submit proposals for site development. The Community Center for the Performing
Arts is interested in purchasing the lot directly behind the WOW Hall. Three housing developers expressed interest in all
four tax lots: Metropolitan Affordable Housing, Public Private Partnerships, and St. Vincent DePaul. The West 8th
Avenue Group is interested primarily in redeveloping the existing building, although it may also be interested in all four
tax lots. Full proposals are due November 29, 2004. The City Council will receive a recommendation for development
of the site from the Housing Policy Board in early 2005. For more information, contact Sunna' Murray, Planning and
Development Department, at 682-5529 or sunna.v.murra¥~,ci.eu.qene.or, us.
EUGENE CITY COUNCIL NEWSLETTER PAGE 1
September 16, 2004
2nd Public Meetinq On Proposed Santa Clara Community Park Slated For September 23
On Thursday, September 23, from 6:30 to 8:30 p.m., neighbors in the Santa Clara area are invited to continue the
discussion that began in early September about the prospects for a community park in Santa Clara. A unique urban
growth boundary land trade will provide 77 acres for the park and 120 acres of "smart growth" neighborhood
development. Based on the results of the previous public workshop, this session will focus on hands-on solutions and
recommendations that will help guide the project design and land use application process. Participants will have an
opportunity to review some alternate design concepts and evaluate the pros and cons of each. The meeting will be held
at Spring Creek Elementary School cafeteria, 560 Irvington Drive.
Approximately 130 people attended a park planning workshop on September 9. A review of work-to-date was provided,
including the site selection process findings, City parks forum efforts, and the work of the Santa Clara Community Park
Advisory Committee. In addition, the principles of smart growth and how they could be applied to this project were
discussed, as well as opportunities for public involvement, including the park design workshops and public hearings
relating to the land use process. Following the presentations, a question and answer session was held during which
participants had the opportunity to voice concerns and suggestions. A summary of the first workshop's findings, including
an extensive set of answers to questions and issues raised, is posted on the project's web page at
www.ci.eugene.or, us/parks/planning/SCCP_proj.htm. A third workshop regarding the project is scheduled for October 14.
For more information, call Parks and Open Space Planning Manager Andrea Riner at 682-4909.
Lane Community Colle.qe Students Salvaqe Camas Bulbs
An ecology class from Lane Community College spent the
morning of September 8 learning about wetlands with Eugene
Stream Team Coordinator Lorna Baldwin. The students first
had the hands-on experience of digging native camas bulbs
from a soon-to-be-developed site in Eugene's South Hills.
The owner of the private property contacted Stream Team
staff about salvaging the camas bulbs after hearing about the
program through the media. The salvaged camas bulbs will
be cultivated at the program's volunteer-run native plant
nursery and ultimately used in restoration projects at natural
areas around the city. After digging up hundreds of bulbs, the
students visited Bertelsen Nature Park (Stewart Ponds) and
discussed the ecological value, social and political history,
and current management of the West Eugene Wetlands.
"This group was very enthusiastic about finding camas bulbs
and quite thoughtful in their discussion of wetlands," says
Baldwin. "The teacher said that she was really glad that the
class was able to contribute to restoration efforts in a hands- Stream Team CoordinatorLoma Baldwin leads a class discussion at
Bertelsen Nature Park
on way, and many students asked how they could get
involved and volunteer for Stream Team again."
Stream Team provides members of the community - from elementary-age children to college students to older adults -
with the opportunity to do hands-on environmental work, restoring and caring for the city's waterways and natural areas.
This is second time that Lane Community College biology teacher Pat Boleyn has brought her ecology students to
participate in a Stream Team project and educational session. Her class last year visited and learned about Delta Ponds.
For more information this and other projects and trainings, call Lorna Baldwin at 682-4850 or 913-1292.
Traffic Fine Reductions Over The Phone
For many years, the Municipal Court has had a Violations Bureau, where a court clerk may reduce a person's traffic
violation fine if he or she has a good driving record. This required people to physically come to court and sign a form
waiving their right to trial. In Eugene Municipal Court, more than 5,000 people choose this option annually.
Beginning September 13, the court has started offering this service over the telephone. It will be particularly beneficial
for people who live out of the area, or who have difficulty coming to court during business hours. If a person's driving
record indicates eligibility, the court will take payment of the reduced fine by credit card over the telephone and then
arrange for the person to receive a waiver. The case will be closed when the signed waiver is received. If a signed
waiver is not received by mail or fax within a specified time, the court will find the person guilty by default and he or she
will owe the full
EUGENE CITY COUNCIL NEWSLETTER PAGE 2
September 16, 2004
amount of the base fine and assessments imposed. The payment received via the phone transaction will be applied to
the total amount owing, and the person will be responsible for paying the full amount outstanding. Individuals will
continue to be able to visit the Violations Bureau in person if they choose.
The court has plans to make this entire process available over the Internet. The next step will be to have the waiver form
available for downloading from the City's web site. Functionality will be developed at a later date to allow individuals to
submit the waiver with their electronic signature and pay their fine by credit card on-line. Improving access to court
through technology is one of the court's service strategies. For further information, contact Marilyn Nelson at 682-5580.
Eugene Named Oreqon's First Take Pride In America® City
Eugene was recently recognized as the first Take Pride in
America City in the state of Oregon. The designation,
announced by Secretary of the Interior Gale Norton last
week, is bestowed upon a city or municipality that supports
the goals of Take Pride, a national partnership that
recruits, supports and recognizes volunteers who work to
improve public parks, forests, grasslands, reservoirs,
wildlife refuges, cultural and historic sites, local
playgrounds, and other recreation areas.
Take Pride in America Executive Director Marti AIIbright
met Mayor Jim Torrey in August during the 2004 Take
Pride in America Western Tour, leading the Mayor to
apply for the designation for Eugene. "I'm delighted the
Mayor has taken the message of Take Pride to heart and
is committed to rallying Eugene's citizens for the benefit of Stream Team volunteers doing riparian restoration in
our public lands," said Albright. Whilamut Naturi Area of Alton Baker recreational area
AS a Take Pride In America City, Eugene has agreed to annually sponsor two or more volunteer events such as a
community clean-up or a volunteer recognition activity. "Eugene residents are passionate about the beauty of our area,
and thousands of people invest their time, money, and expertise in our parks and open space every year," said Mayor
Torrey. "This designation will boost our efforts in urban stewardship of public parks and open space resources. I
appreciate the Department of Interior's recognition and support and look forward to participating in this initiative."
With 100 Charter Partners, Take Pride involves federal, state and local governments; conservation, youth and recreation
groups; and top national corporations and organizations. Through these partnerships, member organizations work
together to protect and enhance the special legacy all Americans share - the country's public lands that cover one in
every three acres across the nation.
For more information, contact Scott Duckett, Natural Resources manager, 682-4842 or see www. TakePride.gov.
Visit the "Human Riqhts Center" at the Euqene Celebration!
The Human Rights Program is coordinating a collaborative effort called the "Human Rights Center" at the Eugene
Celebration. Community members will have the opportunity to learn more about local human rights organizations, give
input regarding the police complaint process, pick up City boards and commissions applications, and view artistic photo
exhibits of local families. The Human Rights Commission will share space with Lane County Human Rights Advisory
Committee, Eugene Police Commission, and Community Alliance of Lane County (CALC) in the storefront that was
formerly home to the Criterion Gallery, located at 35 W. 8th. The center will be open Saturday, September 18 and
Sunday, September 19 from 10:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. each day. The center is outside of the Eugene Celebration's fee-
paying area and is wheelchair accessible.
The former art gallery is an ideal location for previewing a new Community Alliance of Lane County display called "What
Does Family Look Like?" Portraits in this exhibit depict the rich diversity of loving families in our community. The photo
display will be completely finished in time to be included as an opening exhibit for the First Friday Art Walk on Friday,
October 1 from 5:00 to 10:00 p.m.
For additional information, contact Greg Rikhoff, Human Rights program manager, at 682-5177 during office hours and
at 954-6585 during the weekend.
EUGENE CITY COUNCIL NEWSLETTER PAGE 3
September 16, 2004
Annual Recruitment for City Boards, Committees, and Commissions Draws to a Close
The annual recruitment for positions on City boards, committees, and commissions will end on September 24. All
applications, supplemental questionnaires, and supporting materials must be received in the City Manager's Office by
5:00 p.m. that day.
The City is currently seeking applications for positions on the Budget Committee, Planning Commission, Police
Commission, Human Rights Commission, Historic Review Board, Toxics Board, and Lane Regional Air Pollution
Authority. Information on these bodies, as well as on application procedures, is available at the City Manager's Office,
Room 105 in City Hall and on the City's web site at www.ci.euqene.or, us. Additionally, information will be available at
this weekend's Eugene Celebration and the Human Rights Commission storefront location at 35 W. 7th Avenue.
For more information, contact Mary Walston at 682-5406 or via email at ma~.f.walston~.ci.eu.qene.or, us.
EUGENE CITY COUNCIL NEWSLETTER PAGE 4
September 16, 2004