City Council Priority Issues Jan-Mar 2007

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Public input into the review process has exceeded staff and consultant expectations. During each on-site consultant visit, the City has conducted public forums. In addition, the consultants have convened over two dozen focus group sessions on key topics. The CPR page on the City's website continues to be an important source of information and feedback. Thus far, approximately 200 community members have provided comment through the website's feedback function. The Cultural Census response was tremendous, with 2,487 community members participating. The final report will reflect direct and indirect input from more than 3,000 people. Consultants will present a draft report to be reviewed by the Mayor's Committee and public on June 11, with a final report submitted to the council on July 27. Downtown One of the main themes of Eugene's Downtown Plan is to strengthen downtown as a cultural and entertainment center and the center of community life. The City Council has placed a high priority on downtown renewal by adding a Council Goal to "facilitate significant revitalization of the downtown core." The draft Cultural Policy Review. report highlights the strong link between the Art and Outdoors and the Downtown goals by identifying the importance of downtown as the "center of cultural and artistic expression for Eugene." The report also articulates proposed strategies to sustain and expand arts and cultural activities in the downtown, and to enhance Eugene's physical environment through public art and the use of architecture and streetscape design downtown. Both the CPR ,. process and the Downtown Council Goal action plan will likely generate some activities to reinforce and enhance the role of downtown as a center for arts and culture in the community. Arts and Outdoors Marketing Plan Work toward implementing the marketing plan's recommended strategies to build alliances and create inventories of community arts and outdoor resources has continued through activities of the Parks, Recreation and Open Space (PROS) Plan, the Cultural Policy Review and ongoing LRCS, POS and PDD work plans. City departments cooperated to fund atwo-page spread in the new CVALCO Visitor's Guide highlighting Eugene's .exceptional arts and outdoors amenities. The next step is to convene a steering committee to consider funding options, direction for branding efforts and strategies for strengthening and expanding alliances. Olympic Trials Preparation City staff continues to be highly involved with several committees of the local organizing committees which are coordinating aspects of the event related to City services including security, transportation, maintenance, entertainment, community programs and promotion. Recreation Services continues to work to expand and promote youth track and field activities with local partners, and to support USA Track and Field's `Be a Champion" program. Public Art Committee The interim Public Art Committee continues its work to review proposals for donated public art, compile an inventory of City-owned sites, seek resources to upgrade the City's online public art catalogue and provide feedback on projects that offer opportunities for additional public art placement. Dedication of the Japanese American Memorial was held Monday, February 19, 2007, the official Day of Remembrance of the forced removal of 120,000 Japanese Americans to internment camps during WWII. The site, located on the northeast side of the Hult Center for the Performing Arts, is visited frequently during the day and evening. -14-