[NLC] Neighborhood Services e-report

[KINNISON Michael J]

Hello Leaders.  The following e-report provides an update on current items of interest in the Neighborhood Services Program:

Upcoming Training Opportunities
A Human Rights Project Training will be hosted by the Human Rights Commission on Tuesday, February 15, from 5:30 - 8:30 pm at Studio One of the Hult Center.  Eugene is among select cities pioneering the implementation of a human rights framework into its City programs and policies, and community organizing.  The city has already adopted the Triple Bottom Line Tool (TBL), as well as the Diversity and Equity Strategic Plan (DESP), which both aim to incorporate human rights into city practices and decision-making.  This training is focused on City advisory groups (that includes neighborhood associations) to discuss the application of human rights principles significant to our local context and municipal governance.  A limited number of slots are available for neighborhood leaders.  Please contact me as soon as possible if you are interested.

The next annual Neighborhood Leader Orientation will occur in late March 2011.  Stay tuned for info and please help us recruit your new board members for this training.

Neighborhood Matching Grants
The following final grant applications have been submitted for the 2011 cycle:
West 8th Collaborative: (WOW Hall, Food for Lane County Dining Room, Metro Housing, DNA) safety lights, bike parking, beautification in the right of way along 8th covering the area near the partners. Project includes support from several surrounding businesses including the liquor store and the Vintage.

Skinner City Farm Strategic Planning Initiative: (Skinner City Farm, WCC, Center for Appropriate Transport) development of a strategic plan to secure the necessary resources and community support for the long term enhancements from the 2001 Parks Master Plan for Skinner Butte Park including the potential for a preservation center, orchards, and greenhouse.

South University Multi-Model Traffic Study: (SUNA) collect and analyze data regarding traffic patterns and choices between the South University Neighborhood and the UO Campus emphasizing alt-modes and providing  baseline data to determine whether additional pedestrian and or bike safety improvement are warranted. The project includes multi-modal traffic report and related maps and graphics.

Flow-through Worm Bin Prototype: (Amazon) construct a demonstration enclosed flow-through worm bin to accommodate those in the immediate Masonic Cemetery neighborhood but maintained by four committed households while establishing a replicable system that composts food scraps and produces a safe and valuable compost by-products on site.

Applications will be reviewed by the Department Advisory Committee in February.  Recommendations will go to City Council on March 14th.

Interns/Volunteer Program
Neighborhood Services has now established an intern/volunteer program to supplement staff resources.  We've had one student assist the Harlow Neighbors with processing their neighborhood survey results and currently have students assisting with SNAPs and event planning.  We intend to continue securing high-quality students to help us accomplish more than what we could with existing resources.

Neighborhood Livability Working Group (NLWG)
The NLWG is comprised of representatives from the UO, campus-area neighborhoods, City of Eugene and property owners/managers considering strategies to address impacts to neighborhood livability from noise and other disruptive behavior associated with parties and alcohol consumption.  The next meeting of the group is this Thursday.  We will be getting feedback from Mayor Piercy and Councilor Zelenka regarding a mix of strategies being considered.

We-gene! Awards
The 2nd annual We-Gene! Awards is scheduled for early May 2011.  Nominations will be accepted March 18 - end of April.  Start thinking about significant accomplishments from 2010 and those people/projects that you want recognized.

SNAPs
All four SNAP applications submitted were selected for 2011 implementation.  River Road/Santa Clara (public outreach/education for Transitions Report) and CENTRO Latino Americano (supporting Latino businesses and increasing connections with the neighborhoods) were scheduled to begin this month.  ABC (community gardens assessment and planning) and Harlow Neighbors (involving more people in the work of the association) will begin in June or July once other projects are concluded.

Cal Young Neighborhood Association Boundary
The current Cal Young Neighborhood Association boundary is inconsistent with the City Council adopted boundary guidelines.  Per the guidelines, Neighborhood Services has convened a committee that includes members of the current CYNA executive committee, NLC Co-Chairs and the City Councilors representing the neighborhood to design a process to address this issue.  The group will begin focused work in March that is likely to result in the division of the current area into a number of new neighborhood associations that comply with the boundary guidelines.

Neighborhood Reporting
Neighborhood Services submits an annual report to City Council on the activities of neighborhood associations.  Criteria have been established to determine whether a neighborhood group is active, semi-active or dormant based on meeting frequency, attendance and the holding of elections.  Individual neighborhood reports are requested to be submitted to our office by the end of the calendar year.  A final report that includes information on neighborhood accomplishments, needs and trends will be submitted to City Council in February.  We still have several neighborhoods that have not submitted their reports.  Please get your information in so we can complete the report.  Thank you to those that got their information in as requested!

NUSA Neighborhood of the Year Awards
Neighborhoods USA, the nation's largest grassroots organization dedicated to sharing information and experiences for building stronger communities, has opened the 2011 Neighborhood of the Year Awards to recognize the outstanding work of neighborhood associations from across the US.  Neighborhood Services will be sponsoring SUNA and Friendly Area Neighbors in the newsletter competition and is exploring interest among JWN/SUNA/WUN to apply under the multi-neighborhood category for Neighborhood of the Year for their work on implementation of ICS strategies.  Finalists will travel to the May 2011 NUSA Conference in Anchorage, Alaska where winners will be announced.




[X]



Michael Kinnison | Manager | 541.682.5009
City of Eugene | Neighborhood Services | www.eugene-or.gov/neighborhoods<http://www.eugene-or.gov/neighborhoods>

"Building a healthy, equitable and prosperous community by connecting people and resources, creating opportunities, and
providing support for neighborhood associations, the City organization and the broader community."

Messages to and from this e-mail address may be available to the public under Oregon Public Records Law