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411111 <br /> EUGENE / <br /> . ,:UGENE CITY COUNCIL NEWSLETTER <br /> April 10, 2003 <br /> City of Eugene <br /> 777 Pearl Street, Room 105 <br /> Eugene, Oregon 97401-2793 <br /> (541)682-5010 <br /> (541)682-5414 FAX <br /> www.ci.eugene.or.us <br /> IN THIS WEEK'S EDITION <br /> STAFF PARTICIPATES IN REGIONAL EFFORT TO PREPARE FOR WEST NILE VIRUS <br /> GREEN BUILDING EDUCATION <br /> HOMELESS CAMPING SUCCESS STORIES <br /> MORE TREES FOR CONCRETE ON EAST 18TH AVENUE <br /> RHODODENDON AND NATIVE PLANT GARDEN/FOREST TOURS OFFERED AT HENDRICKS PARK <br /> UNWANTED TELEMARKETING CALLS <br /> ENGINEERING INTERNS GAIN VALUABLE EXPERIENCE WHILE CONTRIBUTING SKILLS <br /> AROUND THE CITY <br /> Staff Participates in Regional Effort to Prepare For West Nile Virus <br /> City staff has been participating on a regional task team headed by the Lane County Health Division and proactively <br /> developing a response plan for City facilities and land in the event West Nile virus, a mosquito-born disease, appears in <br /> Jr community. The virus has already spread through 44 states and is anticipated to arrive in Oregon this year. Related <br /> '10 encephalitis, the virus primarily affects birds though it can affect other species, such as horses and even humans. In <br /> humans, it typically does not result in any symptoms but can cause flu-like symptoms and, in very rare cases, can be <br /> fatal. <br /> Staff from several Public Works divisions and the Facilities Management Division of Central Services is developing a <br /> response plan based on research about how other communities around the country have dealt with this issue and on <br /> counsel from natural resource experts. A preventive approach has been adopted with education and outreach the <br /> primary objectives because well-informed residents are the key to effectively dealing with West Nile virus. Copies of a <br /> Lane County publication that appeared in local newspapers last weekend are being distributed through various City <br /> facilities and by City staff. An article about West Nile virus was included in the April 5 issue of Stormwater Connections, <br /> and an article also is slated for the next issue of Eugene Outdoors, which will be published in May. <br /> Just as residents are being encouraged to eliminate sources of standing water around their properties, City staff are <br /> identifying sources of standing water on public property and draining them when possible. Other strategies involve <br /> monitoring the spread of the disease and managing mosquito populations if that should become necessary. For more <br /> information about the response strategies for City-owned properties and facilities, contact Scott Duckett, Wetlands and <br /> Open Waterways Manager at the Parks and Open Space Division, 682-4842. For more information about West Nile <br /> virus or countywide efforts to address the spread of the disease, contact Karen Gillette, Lane County Public Health <br /> • Program Manager, at 682-4041. <br /> Green Building Education <br /> City staff are working with local organizations to supplement the various green building efforts already underway in the <br /> ommunity. Special seminars are planned for May, including a May 9 evening presentation in Eugene by David <br /> .111111. <br /> PAGE 1 <br /> EUGENE CITY COUNCIL NEWSLETTER PAGE <br /> 1 <br /> April 11,2003 <br />