Category: Meeting

April General Meeting: What’s on the Ballot in May?

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Join us to hear about City Council Candidates, 4J Bond, and STAR Voting on April 16th

April General Meeting
Tuesday, April 16, 6:30 p.m
Wayne Morse Family Farm Living Room
595 Crest Drive

It has been nice to be able to meet in the living room at Wayne Morse Family Farm, after years of ZOOM meetings during the pandemic. Please join us to meet the candidates and hear about the measures we will be voting on in May. This is an opportunity to ask questions and get informed before voting. 

  • Candidates for Ward 2 City Councilor, Lisa Warnes and Matt Keating, will present their views.
  • A representative from the “Yes for 4J Schools” Campaign will explain the renewal of the 4J Operating Levy. This would raise about $22m a year that goes directly into the classroom to benefit children by paying for staff (teachers, educational aides, etc.). They want voters to be aware and informed about what it does and what it costs.
  • A representative of Star Voting will explain the benefits of this type of voting. If you are unable to attend the neighborhood meeting, an explanation can be found at: https://youtu.be/aiQ9Z5sME00?feature=shared

Also on the agenda will be a discussion of SHiNA’s future meetings and activities. We hope to see you there!

Next General Meeting – 01/23/24

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Southwest Hills Neighborhood Association Meeting
Tuesday, January 23 at 6:30 p.m.
Wayne Morse Family Farm Living Room
595 Crest Drive, Eugene

We extend this invitation to residents of the Southwest Hills Neighborhood (SHiNA). At our November meeting we entertained board nominations. It was moved that our current board, plus three new interested neighbors would be nominated for our 2024 board. 

Candidates for board positions:
Chris Jockheck, chair
Clay Neal, secretary
Bev McDonald, newsletter

At large board members:
Rita Fiedler
Carolyn Hintz
Ralph McDonald
John Rogers
Deb Rogers

Our January meeting will include:
• Voting on our new board
• Preparing for our upcoming General Membership meeting on Defensible Space
• Annual Food For Lane County Food Drive
• SHiNA communications, responding to citizen requests, how we inform our members. We need help in this area. If you are interested in helping your neighbors stay informed and communicating with neighbors on important topics and issues, we welcome your input, advice and energy!

If you would like to get to know your neighbors and help with these activities, we encourage you to attend the January 23 meeting. Refreshments served.

Upcoming Neighborhood Meeting: Emergency Preparedness

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Tuesday, October 17 at 6:30 p.m.
Hilyard Community Center, 2580 Hilyard Street, Eugene

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What are public agencies doing to protect the South Hills?

What route will I take to escape a wildfire?

In case of wildfire, what are the priorities of the fire department?

In the vulnerable South Hills, these and other questions need to be considered. Recently, the community of Lahaina was forced to evacuate when a devastating wildfire destroyed that town. It is our responsibility to be informed and prepared for appropriate action.

Please join us for a community discussion on emergency response. Panelists from various agencies will explain their role. There will be time for questions. To send questions for the panelists in advance, use this google form.

Panelists:

  • Matt Keating, our Eugene City Councilor
  • Sierra Anderson, City of Eugene Emergency Management Program Manager 
  • Cary Lieberman, Executive Director at Greenhill Humane Society (and working on disaster safety for animals in Lane County), Lane County Community Organizations that Aid in Disaster (COAD)
  • Janina Rager, Eugene Police Department Community Engagement

SHiNA General Membership Meeting
Tuesday, October 17 at 6:30 p.m.
Free and open to the Community
Hilyard Community Center, 2580 Hilyard Street, Eugene

Topics for future meetings will focus on other aspects of emergency preparedness: fire mitigation, role of Red Cross, FEMA, defensible space, etc.

Upcoming SHiNA Neighborhood Meeting 2/15/2023

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Topic: Understanding Homelessness

Wednesday, Feb 15, 6:30-8:30PM
Hilyard Community Center
2580 Hilyard Street, Eugene

Contributed by SHiNA Chair Chris Jockheck

We see it every day.
We see it everywhere; Eugene, the Valley,
the coast, through out the state and beyond.
We turn our heads so we don’t have to engage.
We avoid certain areas, certain streets.
We see the tents, push carts, all the belongings, what is
kept and what is left behind.
We see the people: individuals, couples, children, young
and old. And we get angry. And we should be angry.

But to whom (who)? To ‘them’?, to local government?, to state government?, to federal government?, our economic system?, education system?, health care system? As we start a new year, both local and state government leaders want to address the homeless issue making it a priority. But what does that mean? How are they proposing to have the discussions so there’s a full understanding of what has created the situation? Are they dealing with the symptoms or are they going to get ‘down and dirty’, and look at dealing with the origins of the crisis? And the future (numbers are only growing).


There are many questions, and many of us think we have ‘solutions’. And we have our bias. But in order to understand the discussions that will be taking place we have to understand the issue. Who are the homeless? How does someone become homeless? Why are some people in a chronic long term situation while some are able to make a transition to a better life? What is in those carts? What role do drugs play? What role does mental health status play? A day in their life???

To help provide that understanding, SHiNA will be hosting a panel discussion and ‘community conversation’ on homelessness. Panelists will be Heather Sielicki, community advocate and; Tracy Joscelyn, manager of Nightengale safe sleeping site; and, Kelly McIver, Communications Manager, Unhoused Response, City of Eugene. We hope to see you there. This will be an in-person meeting only.

Meeting to discuss Cascade Manors Plans to Expand

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Cascade Manor Neighborhood Applicant Meeting

Tuesday, November 30th. 2021 from 6:00 – 7:00pm
Zoom Meeting ID: 826 8645 9249
Zoom Meeting Link: https://us06web.zoom.us/j/82686459249

INVITATION to NEIGHBORHOOD-APPLICANT MEETING

We are contacting you to inform you of a neighborhood-applicant meeting to discuss a land use proposal within your neighborhood. The applicant, Cascade Manor, is proposing to change the zoning of several properties adjacent to W. 30th Avenue and Portland Street from R-1 Low Density Residential (LDR) to R-2 Medium Density Residential (MDR) to allow for future redevelopment as senior housing and support services in the Southwest Hills Neighborhood.

Cascade Manor, Eugene’s only not-for-profit continuing care retirement community, is dedicated to enhancing the quality of life of those they serve in a stimulating, secure environment. The proposed zone change will include five tax lots which are designated M Medium Density Residential by the Metro Plan and zoned R-1 Low Density Residential. The proposed zone changes to R-2 Medium Density Residential for all tax lots is consistent with the plan designation.

Prior to formally submitting a land use application to the City of Eugene, Cascade Manor requests a meeting with neighboring residents. The purpose of the meeting is to share information, describe the proposed project, and gather any feedback regarding the proposal. Please join us for a Zoom meeting on Tuesday, November 30, 2021, 6:00 p.m. – 7:00 p.m. The meeting can be accessed at: https://us06web.zoom.us/j/82686459249.

If you have any questions about the meeting or the project, please contact Colin McArthur, Principal Planner with Cameron McCarthy Landscape Architecture & Planning, at 541-485-7385 or colin@cameronmccarthy.com.

Cameron McCarthy, Landscape Architecture & Planning – 160 East Broadway, Eugene, OR 97401

SHiNA General Meeting Wednesday Nov 10, 2021

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Zoom Meeting Link: https://us06web.zoom.us/j/9949297324

Our speaker for the meeting will be talking about Map Your Neighborhoodand Emergency Preparedness. In a disaster, our need for first responders will be greater than Eugene, Lane County, and Oregon can supply. The people most likely to help in a disaster are your nearby neighbors. The Map Your Neighborhood program encourages us to get to know our nearby neighbors — about any special needs and available resources — before our next disaster.

If you’re interested in electric vehicles attend a rEV Up! Workshop 

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If you would like to review previous presentation, a recorded copy of a rEV Up! Workshop can be found on the “Events” and “rEV Up!” pages of the Emerald Valley Electric Vehicle Association, EVEVA website at www.eveva.org. Also there are links to useful resources for those curious about or shopping for electric cars to aid in their exploration of electric vehicles.

EVEVA also has program where you can talk to local car owners about the particular vehicle you are looking at to ask questions about their experience, write to AskAnOwner@eveva.org. 

EWEB, EPUD and Forth are cooperating to offer Electrifyze, a program which will provide an EV coach to answer questions and provide information as you shop for your own electric vehicle. https://www.electrifyze.com/lane_county

Here are links to resources mentioned during the worshop:

Cars that qualify for the federal tax credit: https://www.irs.gov/businesses/irc-30d-new-qualified-plug-in-electric-drive-motor-vehicle-credit

Oregon Clean Vehicle and Charge Ahead programs, including eligible vehicles and an income eligibility calculator for Charge Ahead: https://www.oregon.gov/deq/aq/programs/Pages/ZEV-Rebate.aspx

Total Cost of Ownership calculator from USDOE: https://afdc.energy.gov/calc/

Charging station locators:                                                                                 
Plugshare, www.plugshare.com                                                                                        
Chargeway, https://www.chargeway.net/

Utility promotions and incentives:

Eugene Water & Electric Board – EV Information, incentives and promotions
www.eweb.org/residential-customers/going-green/electric-vehicles

Lane Electric Cooperative – EV Information, incentives and promotions
laneelectric.chooseev.com/ev/home/

Emeralds People’s Utility District – EV Information, incentives and promotions
epud.chooseev.com/home/

Springfield Utility Board
www.subutil.com/

City of Ashland  – EV Information, incentives and promotions
www.ashland.or.us/Page.asp?NavID=17510

Central Lincoln People’s Utility District – EV Information, incentives and promotions
clpud.org/energy-efficiency/electric-cars/

Bonus Link: There’s a fun and informative tool developed by MIT that lets you look at total vehicle ownership costs graphed against carbon emissions. https://www.carboncounter.com/

SHiNA General Meeting – Sept 12th

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Sunday, September 12th at 6:30 p.m. 

Speaker: Scott Altenhoff, City of Eugene Lead Arborist & Urban Forester 

ZOOM link: https://us06web.zoom.us/j/82520268442?pwd=S0Q1U1ZRcU5PRk92Y25OU2czK0l5UT09

Eugene Urban Forest Analyst to speak on 

“All Things Trees”

Concerned about fire resilience and tree health? Wondering about the city’s initiatives to meet the goal of 30% tree canopy? Scott Altenhoff is the City of Eugene’s Urban Forest Analyst and Lead Arborist who has been working in the Parks and Open Spaces Division for over 16 years. Prior to that he worked as a commercial arborist. Scott will be our main speaker at the SHiNA General Meeting on Sunday, September 12th at 6:30pm.

The Urban Forestry Division strives to promote a healthier and more sustainable urban forest, foster community tree awareness and stewardship, and develop tree projects including increasing citywide canopy.

It will be nice when we can meet again at the historic Wayne Morse Family Farm, but until that time, we continue to hold our General Meetings (free and open to all regardless of where you live) via ZOOM.