HomeMy WebLinkAboutSeptember 19, 2013 - City Council Newsletter
City of Eugene
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Eugene, Oregon 97401
(541) 682-5010
(541) 682-5414 (FAX)
www.eugene-or.gov
EUGENE CITY COUNCIL NEWSLETTER
September 19, 2013
IN THIS EDITION
GOVERNOR KITZHABER SIGNS RAIN LEGISLATION
BANNED BOOKS WEEK READ-OUTS AT EUGENE AND SPRINGFIELD PUBLIC LIBRARIES
HERON SLOUGH ADOPTED BY SANTA CLARA FRED MEYER EMPLOYEES
CITY COLLABORATES ON NEW OREGON MUNICIPAL VIDEO
FALL OUTDOOR ACTIVITIES BECKON
AROUND THE CITY
Governor Kitzhaber Signs RAIN Legislation
Mayor Kitty Piercy was in attendance this week as Governor John Kitzhaber signed Senate Bill 241, the legislation
establishing the Oregon Regional Accelerator and Innovation Network (RAIN). The bill directs $3.75 million in legislative
funding to the South Willamette Valley to advance the
formation, growth, and retention of tech-based startups.
State Representative Nancy Nathanson, Jamie Damon with
the Regional Solutions Team/Southern Willamette Region,
Dan Whitaker from Corvallis, Oregon State University (OSU)
Executive Associate Vice President for Research Ron Adams,
OSU Vice President for Research Rick Spinrad, Corvallis
Mayor Julie Manning, and UO President Michael Gottfredson
also attended the signing.
The creation of the network has been a collaborative
initiative between the cities of Eugene, Corvallis, Springfield,
and Albany, the University of Oregon, Oregon State
University, the Eugene Area Chamber of Commerce and
other regional entities. This regional network will develop
local business accelerator programs to support innovation-
based companies and research-inspired startups. The
program aims to connect area businesses, capital, and mentors, with government, community members and higher
education to accelerate the formation, growth and retention of new technology businesses and create a seamless
ecosystem for innovation in the region.
For more information, contact Laura Hammond at 541-682-6021.
Banned Books Week Read-Outs at Eugene and Springfield Public Libraries
To celebrate free speech and honor defenders of First Amendment rights, the Eugene
Public Library, Springfield Public Library, and Lane County Chapter of American Civil
Liberties Union (ACLU) of Oregon will host two Banned Books Read-Out events.
Admission is free.
On Saturday, Sept. 21, from 1- 3 p.m., catch the Banned Books Read-Out at the Springfield
Public Library, 225 5th Street, inside Springfield City Hall, kicked off by Springfield
Library Director Rob Everett. On Saturday, Sept. 28, from 1 – 3 p.m., hear the Banned
Books Read-Out at the Downtown Eugene Public Library, with Eugene Library Director Connie Bennett as the first reader.
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September 19, 2013
Both events will feature a variety of community members reading aloud passages from books that have been challenged or
banned. Everyone is invited to stop by to listen, borrow targeted books from the libraries, and pin on free “I Read Banned
Books” buttons.
Many people are under the impression that attempted censorship is a thing of the past or that “it doesn’t happen here.” In
fact, individuals and groups continue to request -- or demand -- that public and school libraries remove or restrict access to
particular books, music, films, and other resources. For information about recent censorship attempts in Oregon, visit the
ACLU of Oregon website www.aclu-or.org/bannedbooks.
For more information about the local Banned Books Read-Out events, contact the Eugene Public Library at 541-682-5450
or the Springfield Public Library at 541-726-3766.
Heron Slough Adopted by Santa Clara Fred Meyer Employees
This summer, employees from Santa Clara Fred Meyer stepped forward to adopt Heron Slough, a natural area located along
the West Bank Bike Path. When the team went in search of a community project that they could enjoy together, Heron
Slough was an easy choice because of its direct impact to the
immediate neighborhood. A store manager said the group
thought about simply cleaning up garbage along the bike
path, but decided to expand its mission to provide more
holistic care of the slough and its connection to the
Willamette River.
Once a month, this hard-working, focused and fun group
spends four hours weeding, mulching, weed eating and
watering to further the goal of creating healthy habitat for
resting and rearing salmon, songbirds and other wildlife.
On Sept. 25, the adoption group will harvest seeds from a
nearby big-leaf maple in West Bank Park and plant them in
protective cages on-site at Heron Slough. This effort will be
one more step in creating the pride of stewardship that the
store manager said has already grown within the group.
They enjoy sharing their newfound passion with people who
Fred Meyer volunteers at Heron Slough
pass them along the bike path. “We are taking part in
something that eventually the community can be proud of that isn’t dependent on tax dollars, so that everyone can get
behind it,” a store manager said.
To learn more about adopting local parks or trails or for more information about upcoming Eugene Park Stewards events
in the West region, contact Lorna Baldwin at 541-682-4845 or lorna.j.baldwin@ci.eugene.or.us.
City Collaborates on New Oregon Municipal Video
The City’s Telecommunications Program recently collaborated on a League of Oregon Cities-sanctioned video project to
update a 1999 video about how local municipal authority manages the public rights-of-way. The video illustrates
municipal policies and authorities relating to the
construction within, and long-term use of, the public rights-
of-way by telecommunications companies and other utilities.
Eugene staff, in cooperation with League of Oregon Cities and
City of Portland staff, assisted the area’s Metro TV production
crew who produced the video. All who participated provided
script review, consultation regarding local official interviews,
and editing suggestions. Local talent was used for narration
and additional reviewers were brought in from the Eugene
Public Works Department and Eugene Information Services
Division.
A seven-minute and three-minute video were produced, the latter at no additional cost. The seven-minute video uses
comments from local officials, and both videos include important policy messages. Both versions are available for public
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September 19, 2013
viewing: the seven-minute video can be viewed at http://vimeo.com/70434712 and the three-minute video at
http://vimeo.com/72447949.
The videos will air on government and community television channels in Oregon, and the league will distribute the access
information to all cities in Oregon for viewing and downloading onto city websites. The league will also invite cities to
share the video(s) among their staff. The videos can be downloaded onto DVDs or flash drives for viewing at conferences
or meetings, or can be provided to interested parties.
For additional information, please contact Pam Berrian, Information Services Division, at 541-682-5590 or
pam.c.berrian@ci.eugene.or.us.
Fall Outdoor Activities Beckon
Don’t let the incredible fall weather pass without enjoying the opportunities which still exist outdoors with the Recreation
Division. On Sept. 28, join a river guide from the City’s Outdoor Program and paddle-raft down the Willamette River from
Island Park to the River House.
On Oct. 5, the Outdoor Program offers a raft trip down the McKenzie River that includes a
stop at the Leaburg fish hatchery to see salmon spawning. On Oct. 6, explore the southern
shore of Waldo lake, one of the purest lakes in the world, in the Spirit of Eugene, a highly
stable 29-foot canoe. Adaptive Recreation is offering two hikes this fall: a drive into the
Cascade Mountains and leisurely walk along Waldo Lake on Oct. 5, and a hike to Salt Creek
Falls on Oct. 6. Both hikes are designed for individuals with disabilities.
Recreation’s Adult and Senior Program also offers fall hikes for adults aged 50 and older.
The Larison Creek Hike on Sept. 24 follows Larison Creek through a towering Douglas fir
forest. On Oct. 7, the Elijah Bristow Hike will be along the banks of the Willamette River.
Or, enjoy beautiful sand dunes and hike to a secluded beach on a moderate, three-mile coastal hike on Oct. 16.
For more information on the raft/canoe trips, please contact Senior Recreation Programmer Roger Bailey at 541-682-5329.
For information about the hikes, please call Recreation Section Manager Andy Fernandez at 541-682-6306.
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