River Road/Santa Clara Urban Services Committees Final Report and Recommendations

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CORiIMTI'rEE STATElV~NTS i So the question is, now that we know where we have been, and understand where we need to be going, how do we get there? I would like to think, that somehow we can get more "current" residents involved in looking at how their urban services are working or not working, without having these residents simply resort to saying "leave us alone" or "fight annexation." Maybe we can get. the City of Eugene to "co-host" additional informational meetings or open-house workshops, with the River Road and/or Santa Clara Neighborhood Organizations. At the same time, I would like to continue the relationship we have now established with City of Eugene staff, whether it's as individuals or a task force committee, so as to get some kind of representation and/or a say in area planning. Speaking selfishly for myself, I would like this to happen, as more of us plan on putting roots down in this area and "staying put" as it were. In addition, I would like to think that by continuing to "work together", i.e. City of Eugene staff and River Road/Santa Clara residents, we will also clean up other important "service areas", namely the issues of trust and communication. It is namely the mess of these past "service areas", that seems to be making it harder for everyone involved, especially the "newer residents" of the River Road/Santa Clara area, as we try and fix current concerns and/or problems with providing of urban services. 1 In closing, I would like to refer to the spirit of this Olympic year 2002:. with the work we have done as a group on this task force, I hope we can continue carrying the torch, as it were, of what we seemed to - have lighted after gathering over the past 18 months. I would like to think we can continue the quest of making progress in the providing of urban services as smoothly as possible for everyone, regardless of past, current or future history. I I~ I My experience on the River Road/Santa Clara Urban Services Study committee has been my first in the local political arena. I volunteered because of having recently moved into the River Road area after being away from Eugene, my hometown,. for five years. I had never lived in the River Road community - before and I learned right away how complicated the situation was the first time I called for police assistance. My new house has been annexed into the city but most of my neighbors are not in the city. ~ ' In the last 18 months of attending these committee meetings, I have learned much fascinating history about this part of Eugene. I have enjoyed meeting the members who represent many different views and situations. The most striking realization for me is how vastly ignorant the average citizen is about the governmental agencies and the processes for oversight of development in River Road and Santa Clara. I recognize that truth about myself first of all and I admire the committee members who have taken it upon themselves to 55