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Gary Pape, Ward 5
<br />"Change" and "improvement" are words that aptly describe many of our activities this year. With a new
<br />Mayor and two new City Councilors, we were able to come together to update our vision and goals and to
<br />reach agreement on our eight most important issues for the next two years, providing focus and direction
<br />for the council and the City organization.
<br />Our two new fire stations, Downtown Fire Station 1 and the Santa Clara station, are among the most
<br />tangible examples of enhancements in City operations and facilities. Street improvements funded by the gas tax and the new
<br />runway at the Eugene Airport are other visible signs of progress.
<br />In Ward 5, the River Road~Santa Clara Transition Task Force is working to address service delivery issues. Awbrey Park was
<br />upgraded with recreational structures and parking and Valley River Station 9 will again have a fire engine crew
<br />I enjoyed working with residents of Eugene uid Ward 5 this year and Look forward to continued progress in 2Q06.
<br />PAL Camp Provides Role Models
<br />Police and recreation staff offered a week of action-
<br />packed fun this summer for 11- to 13-year-olds in a
<br />new Police Activities League (PAL) day camp. Police
<br />officers mentored 76 youth and participated in fun
<br />activities led by a team of
<br />recreationprofessionals. The
<br />camp and ongoing offerings
<br />by the PAL program are ~ ~~"~
<br />designed to deter juvenile
<br />crime, drug use, and violence '~
<br />by giving kids positive role ~„
<br />models and opportunities ~~ t ~$
<br />to learn about success and ~ ~ ~; ~. ~;,
<br />failure on the playing field.
<br />Complaint Process Changes
<br />Underway
<br />Police Chief Robert Lehner initiated interim changes
<br />to the department's complaint-handling process while
<br />awaiting the outcome of a comprehensive review by
<br />the Eugene Police Commission. The commission
<br />recommended an oversight system utilizing a police
<br />auditor and review board reporting to the City Council,
<br />and in November, voters approved a City Charter
<br />amendment needed to implement this system. In the
<br />coming months, the City Manager and police staff
<br />will work with the Police Commission, the Budget
<br />Committee, and the City Council to develop "an
<br />implementation plan for the new oversight system.
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<br />Street Projects Make Travel Safer
<br />Street repair and improvement projects make travel
<br />safer, support economic growth, and enhance livability
<br />in Eugene's neighborhoods. In 2005, the City rebuilt
<br />23 unimproved alleys in the West University area,
<br />and reconstructed the 3rd-4th Avenue connector
<br />between Lincoln and Pearl Streets, strengthening the
<br />link between downtown and the Skinner Butte area.
<br />Eugene's gas tax-funded pavement preservation
<br />program provided for repair of 12 lane miles of asphalt
<br />streets. Representing a public investment of almost
<br />$7 million, these three projects improve access for all
<br />modes and users,
<br />Thinking and Acting Strategically
<br />A message from City Manager Dennis M. Taylor
<br />High performing municipal organizations set priorities, keep them overtime, get things done, take completed work
<br />off their "to do" list and move onto the next priority. That is why we are giving new emphasis to strategic thinking,
<br />planning, and acting across the City organization.
<br />Strategic planning is an attempt to govern with foresight. It is the process of examining the City's current situation
<br />and our future trajectory, setting priorities, developing strategies to achieve those goals, and measuring the results.
<br />It is one thing to anticipate the future. It is quite another to make decisions based on foresight. We are trying to
<br />develop a new consensus, a new understanding of the challenges we face, and some new ideas for action.
<br />When the Mayor and Ciry Council identified their eight priority issues last February, I was immediately impressed
<br />by their potential to motivate acid guide our work as public servants. Public safety, neighborhoods, cultural identity,
<br />public involvement; diversity and sustainabiliry -together, they are the foundation on which any successful and
<br />desirable living environment is built.
<br />By combining our work on these issues and the resulting action plans with the ongoing, day-to-day work of this
<br />organization, we have seen a level of coherence and purpose in our activities that is truly inspiring. Good progress is
<br />'~"already being made. This past year, we celebrated the re-staffing of Fire Station 9 and we formally adopted the slogan
<br />"Eugene, the world's greatest city for the arts and outdoors," to highlight our unique cultural and environmental
<br />assets. We are currently implementing changes in our public safety policies and practices that are responsive to the
<br />community's needs and requests. We are narrowing and refining our vision for a City Hall facility that will serve
<br />this community well into the future. We are also focusing on our social infrastructure along with our city's physical
<br />infrastructure.
<br />Addressing some of the council's other priority issues is challenging, but it is important work that will ultimately
<br />reward this community in many ways. I look forward to expanding and empowering our network of neighborhood
<br />associations, making real progress in the battles against racism and homelessness, and facilitating the development of
<br />a full-service, fully accessible hospital in Eugene.
<br />I am proud of the way this organization has embraced the council's vision, goals and priorities. By thinking
<br />strategically and working together, we have formulated a clearly articulated vision for the future of our city. We are
<br />building a team jointly responsible for achieving that vision. We are working hard to make our values, our words, and
<br />our actions match.
<br />Thanks to the depth of talent, dedication, and expertise of our workforce, Eugene will continue to be one of the
<br />most livable cities in the country.
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<br />Page 6 Ciry of Eugene ~ Highlights of 2005 City of Eugene ~ Highlights of 2005 Page 7
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