HomeMy WebLinkAbout07/18/13 - City Council Newsletter
City of Eugene
125 East 8 Avenue, 2 Floor
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Eugene, Oregon 97401
(541) 682-5010
(541) 682-5414 (FAX)
www.eugene-or.gov
EUGENE CITY COUNCIL NEWSLETTER
July 18, 2013
IN THIS EDITION
EUGENE SUNDAY STREETS TO DRAW THOUSANDS DOWNTOWN
DEFAZIO TO CELEBRATE ACTIVE TRANSPORTATION AT BREAKFAST AT THE BIKE BRIDGES
CITY CIVIL ENGINEER TAPPED AS VOTING MEMBER OF OREGON LOCAL PROGRAM COMMITTEE
EUGENE-KAKEGAWA SISTER CITY COMMITTEE OFFERS OPPORTUNITIES TO SHARE
FIRST CITY FLEET ALL-ELECTRIC SEDAN BEGINS SERVICE
EUGENE WINS 2013 EXCELLENCE AWARD FOR COMMERCIAL COMPOSTING PROGRAM
EUGENE PUBLIC LIBRARY WINS 2014 “BIG READ” GRANT
RECREATION’S “SURPRISING” BENEFITS INCLUDE COMMUNITY
LIBRARY’S ANNUAL TEDDY BEAR PICNIC AT NEW LOCATION
HULT CENTER’S 30 SEASON OF MEMORIES, MOMENTS AND MAGIC COMES TO A CLOSE
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AROUND THE CITY
Eugene Sunday Streets to Draw Thousands Downtown
This summer marks the third year of the Eugene Sunday Streets program, which presents free events that focus on building
community and promoting active lifestyles. The first of this summer’s two events will be on Sunday, July 21, from 11:30
a.m. to 4 p.m. There will be a car-free route along 8th and 10th avenues from Pearl to Almaden for thousands of people to
walk, roll and dance through the streets. The car-free route will connect activity centers at Kesey Square and Monroe Park.
In the morning, starting at 7 a.m., the TrackTown City Center Mile and Rolf Prima
Downtown Criterium races will use the east end of the Eugene Sunday Streets
downtown route for fast-paced, exciting, urban races. Women can race for free in
the Women’s Criterium and children and families are encouraged to come out for
the “Kiddy Kilo” at 11:15 a.m. For more information about the races and
registration, visit www.racedowntown.com.
The Summer in the City activity center at Kesey Square will include a beer garden,
public art unveiling, obstacle course, and pedal-powered music stage featuring DJ
Food Stamp, Texas Toasters, and Late for Dinner. Monroe Park will feature free
classes by Eugene Yoga, children’s Burley MyKick push-bike races, circus arts and gymnastics for all ages, and live musical
performances by Water Tower, the North Eugene Ukulele Orchestra, RevelleveR, and Kudana marimba group. Samba Ja, a
Brazilian percussion ensemble, will also be performing in the open streets. Monroe Park will host a bicycle expo
showcasing many different bikes including family, cargo, adaptive and bike-share bikes. Some local businesses along the
route will provide free samples and specials on the day of the event.
There is still a need for “Intersection Superheroes.” Intersection Superheroes help direct traffic flow, answer questions,
redirect neighborhood traffic, and set up or take down barricades at designated intersections. Two shifts are available:
10:45 a.m. to 2 p.m., and 1:45 to 4:30 p.m. Those interested in volunteering may go to www.eugene-or.gov/essvolunteer to
sign up, or call the Eugene Sunday Streets volunteer coordinator at 541-501-0390.
With no designated start or finish, the two-way, car-free route can be enjoyed on foot, bicycle, roller skates, or dancing at
one’s own pace. The event is designed to get the entire community outside, having fun and enjoying healthy activities in
Eugene’s public spaces while showing how easy it is to get around by human-powered transportation.
To volunteer or learn more about Eugene Sunday Streets, go to www.eugenesundaystreets.org or call Lindsay Selser at
541-682-5094.
EUGENE CITY COUNCIL NEWSLETTER PAGE 1
July 18, 2013
DeFazio to Celebrate Active Transportation at Breakfast at the Bike Bridges
Congressman Peter DeFazio plans to join the City of Eugene in celebrating and appreciating people who bike and walk at
the next Breakfast at the Bike Bridges event on Friday, July 26, at the DeFazio Bike Bridge across from Alton Baker Park.
The event runs from 7 to 9:30 a.m.
The City hosts Breakfasts at the Bike Bridges, a Summer in the City event, the last Friday of
every month from May through October at different bike bridges in Eugene to appreciate
people who walk and bike.
Residents are invited to stop by for free bagels and cream cheese, as well as free bicycle safety
checks and tune-ups provided by local bicycle shops. Participants also can choose from an array
of bicycle resources and educational materials, such as bike bells and bike maps, which will be
available at each event.
Who knows? While bicycles are being fixed, participants may even be able to strike up a
conversation with Congressman DeFazio or be part of a group picture.
For more information about Breakfasts at the Bike Bridges, please contact Lindsay Selser,
alternative modes coordinator, at 541-682-5094, or visit www.eugene-or.gov/bbb.
City Civil Engineer Tapped as Voting Member of Oregon Local Program Committee
Jenifer Willer, a civil engineer in the Engineering Division of the Public Works Department, has been appointed to fill a city
membership spot on the Oregon Local Program Committee (OLPC)
The OLPC is a partnership between counties, cities, Oregon Department of Transportation (ODOT)
and Federal Highway Administration. The purpose of this program oversight group is to improve
policy, process and oversight in the delivery of the Local Federal Aid Program, and other local street
and road programs, and projects administered through ODOT.
Willer has served as an alternate city representative on OLPC for several years and has been a
regular attendee and contributor to the meetings. In supporting her nomination as a voting member
of the group, the League of Oregon Cities “wholeheartedly endorses her appointment to a
permanent membership on the OLPC,” said Craig Honeyman, legislative director for LOC.
Willer manages the pavement preservation program and is the City’s certification manager for Oregon Department of
Transportation-administered Federal Highway Administration-funded projects. She also is a member of the board of
directors of the Oregon Chapter of the American Public Works Association. For more information, contact Jenifer Willer at
541-501-0376.
Eugene-Kakegawa Sister City Committee Offers Opportunities to Share
Share a Unique Travel Experience
The Eugene-Kakegawa Sister City Committee is seeking persons interested in joining a
delegation to Kakegawa, Japan from Oct. 6 – 16, 2013. The 11-day visit will include tours of
Kakegawa, modern, exciting Tokyo, and beautiful, ancient Kyoto. Participants will also be
guests of honor at the annual Kakegawa Autumn Festival, a three-day event that originated
300 years ago. Bilingual assistance will be provided at all times during the trip and, for those
interested, basic lessons in Japanese will be offered prior to the trip. The cost of the trip is
estimated to be $2,800 per person, which includes all transportation, lodging, and meals.
Kakegawa is located in western Shizuoka Prefecture bordering the Pacific Ocean, and is a thriving regional commercial and
agricultural center with an estimated population of over 117,000. Eugene and Kakegawa established a formal sister city
relationship in 1979.
For more information about the delegation, contact Jim at 541-554-1376 or eksccjim@gmail.com.
Share Your Family
For those who would like to share family life with a Japanese visitor and learn a little about them and their culture in the
process, the Eugene-Kakegawa Sister City Committee will host adult visitors from Japan for three nights in September
EUGENE CITY COUNCIL NEWSLETTER PAGE 2
July 18, 2013
2013, and is seeking families who would like to act as homestay hosts for one or two visitors for those three nights
(September 22, 23, 24). It is not necessary to be a tour guide, although showing off the beautiful and interesting things
about this country and unique aspects of regular American life is appreciated by Japanese visitors. Most of the Kakegawa
guests have fair English skills and many want to practice their English while they are here - so no need to worry about not
speaking Japanese. The committee will provide a stipend to defray the costs of one or more homestay visitors. Participants
and their families are invited to a welcome dinner on Tuesday, Sept. 24.
For information about becoming a host family, contact Leaksmey Strueby at: Leaksmey.Strueby@penfed.org or
jlkids2@aol.com.
The Eugene-Kakegawa Sister City Committee is a group of Eugene area citizens who are committed to promoting events
and activities which lead to greater understanding between American and Japanese people. For over 30 years, the
committee has been helping coordinate the exchange of delegations and homestays between Eugene and Kakegawa.
Anyone interested may participate in committee activities.
For more information about the Eugene Kakegawa Sister City Committee, call 541-933-5722 or email
eksccmember@gmail.com.
First City Fleet All-Electric Sedan Begins Service
Fleet Services has just purchased the organization’s first all-electric sedan for operational use in the City fleet. The Nissan
Leaf, an all-electric, five-passenger sedan will be assigned as a general-use pool vehicle for the Parks and Open Space and
Maintenance divisions in Public Works.
This sedan burns no fossil fuel to power its electric motor and emits zero tailpipe
carbon emissions. In fact, this vehicle doesn’t even have a tailpipe. It is powered by an
80kw electric motor and takes advantage of lithium-ion battery technology to provide
the required power supply to the electric drive train.
The Leaf has an operating range of 75 miles. The sedan can be charged using a 110
volt, 220 volt or quick-charge 480 volt fast charge. A charging station is located at the
Public Works yard on Roosevelt Boulevard, and 16 other public charging stations are
available in the Eugene area as part of the EV project and West Coast Green Highway.
This new addition to the City fleet is part of the ongoing effort to bring advanced vehicle technologies to help the
organization address fuel costs and to assist in reaching the goals of the City’s Climate Action Plan. Currently, City Fleet ICE
(internal combustion engine) sedans are operated for a minimum of 10 years and the return on investment for this new
electric sedan will be approximately 7.5 years. In order to move forward with new vehicle technology it must meet both
financial criteria and operational requirements for City departments.
For more information, contact Public Works Fleet and Radio Communications Manager Tony Jobanek at 541-682-4808.
Eugene Wins 2013 Excellence Award for Commercial Composting Program
The City of Eugene has been named the winner of the Solid Waste Association of North
America (SWANA) Excellence Award in the Communication category. The City of Eugene
earned the silver level award for its entry “Love Food Not Waste Commercial Compost
Program.”
To reduce the 40 million pounds of food waste being landfilled each year, the City
collaborates with local garbage haulers, commercial composters and businesses to run
“Love Food Not Waste (LFNW).” After a year-and-a- half, more than 115 participating local
businesses have diverted over 1,600 tons of food waste. The program boasts open access
tools and strategies that allow other communities to replicate the program to fit their
needs. LFNW has already been adopted by other communities including Beaverton, Oregon
and Sacramento, California.
“We are really pleased with the number of businesses that are signing up for the LFNW program each month,” said City of
Eugene Zero Waste Analyst Stephanie Scafa. “It is so rewarding to assist Eugene businesses by providing them with
employee trainings knowing we are helping them save money, keep waste out of the landfill, and bring their food waste
back full circle.”
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July 18, 2013
This spring, Eugene’s commercial food waste came full circle and bagged compost made from local food scraps, which is
now available for purchase at Rexius Forest By Products (150 Highway 99), Market of Choice (67 West 29 Avenue), and
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the City of Eugene Atrium Building (99 West 10 Avenue).
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SWANA’s Excellence Awards Program recognizes outstanding solid waste programs that advance the practice of
environmentally and economically sound solid waste management through their commitment to utilizing effective
technologies and processes in system design and operations, advancing worker and community health and safety, and
implementing successful public education and outreach programs. For more information, please contact Stephanie Scafa at
541-682-5652.
Eugene Public Library Wins 2014 “Big Read” Grant
The Eugene Public Library has received a grant of $16,000 from the National Endowment for the Arts (NEA) to host “The
Big Read" in March 2014. The Eugene Public Library is one of 77 not-for-profits nationwide to receive a grant to host a Big
Read project in the coming year.
The Big Read in Eugene/Springfield will focus on the novel The Great Gatsby by F. Scott Fitzgerald
(first edition cover shown here). Community members will be encouraged to read the book and
participate in a range of community events now being planned for March 2014.
The Eugene Public Library's major partners in The Big Read are Springfield Public Library, local
schools and Oregon Contemporary Theater, which will present the play The Great Gatsby, adapted
for the stage by Simon Levy. In 2012, the same partners collaborated on a Eugene/Springfield Big
Read of Ray Bradbury’s Fahrenheit 451.
The Great Gatsby may be the most popular classic in modern American fiction. Since its
publication in 1925, Fitzgerald's masterpiece has become a touchstone for generations of readers
and writers. The story of Jay Gatsby's desperate quest to win back his first love reverberates with themes at once
characteristically American and universally human, among them the importance of honesty, the temptations of wealth, and
the struggle to escape the past. Though The Great Gatsby runs fewer than 200 pages, there is no bigger read in American
literature.
The Big Read is a program of the National Endowment for the Arts in partnership with Arts Midwest. The Big Read is
designed to revitalize the role of literature in American culture and to encourage citizens to read for pleasure and
enlightenment. The 77 selected organizations will receive Big Read grants to promote and carry out community-based
activities and events. Participating communities also receive high-quality, free-of-charge educational materials specific to
each title, including reader’s, teacher’s, and audio guides, which also are available for download at neabigread.org.
For more information, visit www.eugene-or.gov/library or call the Eugene Public Library at 541-682-5450.
Recreation’s “Surprising” Benefits Include Community
The benefits of recreation extend beyond the individual to the entire community.
Research shows that “Recreation brings neighbors together, encourages safer,
cleaner neighborhoods and creates a livelier community atmosphere. (It) help(s)
improve the community’s image, socioeconomic status and enhance the area’s
desirability.”
July is Parks and Recreation Month, and Eugene Recreation is celebrating by sharing
the many research-based benefits of recreation.
Many community benefits result from quality youth recreation programs offered
during out-of-school times (OST). Nationwide, approximately10 million youth are
left home alone every afternoon, every day of the week. Moreover, studies show that
“….when the school bell rings, leaving millions of young people without responsible
adult supervision or constructive activities, juvenile crime suddenly triples.”
However, youth participation in quality recreation OST programs is “associated with academic success, mental health,
positive social relationship and behaviors, identity development and civic engagement.” In this way, recreation helps to
reduce crime and supports the development of young people into contributing members of the community.
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July 18, 2013
Eugene Recreation OST programs and camps focus on youth development and embrace the 40 Developmental Assets
Model, which uses concrete, commonsense, positive experiences to help young people become caring, responsible adults
and benefit the community.
Read about other surprising benefits recreation provides to communities, how it strengthens families, can slow the onset of
dementia and the special benefits of outdoor recreation at: http://www.eugene-or.gov/celebraterec. For more
information, contact Kathy Madison at 541-682-6342.
Library’s Annual Teddy Bear Picnic at New Location
The Teddy Bear Picnic, a beloved annual tradition for families with young children, will be
hosted by the Eugene Public Library in a new location this year: the park outside Campbell
Community Center, 155 High Street, on Saturday, July 20, at 11a.m. Admission is free.
Bring snacks and a teddy bear or other favorite stuffed friends to celebrate Summer
Reading, with live music performed by McCornack’s Garden Variety Band.
For more information, visit www.eugene-or.gov/library or call the Eugene Public Library at
541-682-5450.
Hult Center’s 30 Season of Memories, Moments and Magic Comes to a Close
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Much was accomplished in work and celebration throughout the Hult Center’s 30 birthday season. Part of the celebration
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was the installation of the Post-It Wall in the lobby. The many well-wishes and memories that patrons placed on the wall
are a reminder of the impact of the Hult Center on its patrons, performers, promoters and community. There is no
substitute for live performing arts. The experience changes lives and fortunes. Here are just a few quotes out of hundreds
of post-its.
“You’ve widened my horizon! Love it all!”
“30 years ago, I was an usher. Now? Costume designer for the Opera and Ballet. I wouldn’t be here without the Hult!”
“My toddler son was in the Nutcracker ballet as a mouse 27 years ago. He now teaches middle school drama and
choreography.”
“My first production at the Hult Center was WICKED and it knocked my socks off. Plus, I got to bond with a new colleague
at my job, so the Hult Center holds a special place in my heart.”
“So stoked to graduate high school on the same stage where I’ve seen so many awesome performances.”
“I remember sitting back stage while my mom played piano for Opera auditions. Now I love being here as an adult.”
“Thank you for opening the hearts and ears – over the years tens of thousands of elementary-age kids have come here
every year for your presentations of symphonic music. They really come back transformed and awed.”
Want to see what the 31 season will bring? Check out www.HultCenter.org. For more information, contact Theresa
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Sizemore at 541-682-5242 or theresa.j.sizemore@ci.eugene.or.us.
EUGENE CITY COUNCIL NEWSLETTER PAGE 5
July 18, 2013