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rocks and loaded into the boat. The bags of refuse were ferried back to the Springfield boat ramp, loaded onto a truck and hauled to the Lane County landfill in Creswell. Though the island is not part of the City's jurisdiction, the clean-up prevented garbage and debris from being washed downstream into the Eugene river corridor. its clean-up effort is an example of how the City's Parks and Open Space Division is trying to address the problem of illegal camping along the river. In addition to working with other agencies that have jurisdiction along the river to keep the river free of litter and debris, two staff members from the Park Amenities crew inspect riverfront parks twice a week for illegal camps and debris, and the City Municipal Court crew patrols the banks of the river every two to three weeks. During the last year, the Municipal Court crew spent approximately 1,100 crew hours cleaning up the riverbank. More than 350 bags of debris, 68 syringes, and an assortment of furniture, appliances and car parts have been collected from the banks and river. For more information about the maintenance of the river corridor, call Park Amenities Supervisor Eric Johnson at 682-4904. Alton Baker Park Restroom Under Renovation Starting Monday On Monday, January 20, the Alton Baker Park restroom will be demolished so that a new, more efficient, accessible and easily maintained facility can be built at the popular metropolitan park. The old restroom was in need of significant renovation and repair, and City facilities staff decided it was more cost effective to build a new, more modern facility than to repair the existing one. One of the features of the new floor plan is an expanded utility room, which will facilitate the work of parks maintenance crews at the site. The new restroom will be open to the public by May 1. Portable restrooms will be available to park patrons during construction. For more information, contact facilities Project Manager Allan Stockier at 682-6626. Affirmative Action Plan Update The City has just completed an update of its Affirmative Action (AA) Plan. The plan outlines steps which will be taken when hiring opportunities become available for positions identified as being statistically under-represented. The AA Plan is a voluntary plan which provides the legal documentation required to be able to make special efforts in hiring and -omotion. In addition to the specific focus on under-represented positions, the plan highlights other strategies for Increasing the overall representation of minorities in our workforce. The AA Plan includes a general section which covers general City policies, responsibilities, action programs, statistical history for City employment, and complaint procedures. In addition to the general section, each individual City department has a section which they prepared with guidance from Human Resources staff. Many department sections include information on diversity efforts and recruitment strategies suggested by department diversity committees. Although diversity information is included in the plan, affirmative action aimed at under-represented positions is still the primary purpose of the plan. The document has been distributed to City managers, supervisors, diversity committee members, Human Rights Commission members, and key community members. Additional copies are available upon request. Additionally, it is available on the HRRS internet site. The annual Affirmative Action Plan presentation by Human Resources and Risk Services staff to the Human Rights Commission will be scheduled soon. A memo and a copy of the AA Policy has been sent to all employees letting them know the plan has been updated, and where copies of the full plan can be found. Additionally, the memo reviews each employee's responsibility for professional conduct and the City's prohibition against harassment and discrimination. For further information, please contact Melissa Pearson, Recruitment and Selection Manager, at 682-5783. Fire Sprinklers Protect University's Greek Houses The efforts of the University of Oregon administration and the Eugene Fire Marshal's Office are paying benefits in fire safety for local fraternities and sororities, as 11 of the recognized U of 0 Greek houses are now equipped with fire sprinklers. The University has taken official action requiring that sprinklers be installed in all Greek houses by 2004 as a ondition of their continued recognition and affiliation with the U of O. The requirement, along with the progress that has EUGENE CITY COUNCIL NEWSLETTERPAGE 2 January 17,2003 cc011603.wpd