The Lane County Board of Commissioners has referred to the November 5 ballot a proposal to create, in the Lane County Charter, an Independent Redistricting Commission. This commission would replace the Independent Redistricting Committee created and existing in Chapter 21 of the Lane Code. The full text of the ballot proposal is available at this link: Measure 20-362.

The current committee, which was active following the 2020 decennial federal census, consists of five members appointed by the commissioners and 10 members appointed by those five members.

The new commission, if created, would consist of 15 members selected at random by the County Clerk from a list of applicants who apply for the Commission. The proposed amendment does not contain any specific provisions which would assure that the pool of applicants was geographically diverse, even though the selection criteria to be used by the County Clerk does require geographical diversity. Among other things, the proposal would require that individuals must be registered voters in Lane County and could not:

• be candidates for or holders of federal, state, county or certain local offices;
• be a registered lobbyist;
• be paid congressional, legislative, or county employee.

The County Clerk, in making those selections, would be required to select three members (and one alternate) who currently reside in each existing commissioner district. The County Commissioners would not have a role in the selection of those individuals unless less than four individuals from a district apply. In such an event the Commissioners would select individuals to bring the total for each district to three members and one alternate.

The newly created commission would have not only the task of creating districts following the 2030 decennial census, but also would be required to create districts in adequate time so that new districts would be in place for the 2026 election. In performing this latter task, the Commission would rely on the data used to create the current districts, since no new data will be available until the census results are released sometime in 2031.

The decisions of the Commission with respect to districts, both for 2026 and for 2031 and thereafter would not be subject to review by the County Commissioners.

On September 19 Ryan Ceniga, Lane County Commissioner for the West Lane District, and Terry Parker, President of the Lane County League of Women Voters came to City Club to discuss the proposed charter amendment. Comm. Ceniga spoke in favor of the amendment and Ms. Parker spoke in opposition.

There were two major points at issue in the conversation: the nature of the independent commission and the need or desirability of conducting a redistricting out of cycle in 2026.

Comm. Ceniga said that the results of the 2021 redistricting were flawed in a number of ways, including the possibility that some rural residents might be effectively disenfranchised by a process which would allow for the City of Eugene to dominate the Board of Commissioners because of how the districts had been drawn. Ms. Parker said that because of the need to have districts with equal populations, and the fact that the population of the City of Eugene was so much larger than other areas, it had been necessary to include some portion of Eugene in each district to keep the size of each district within one percent of the mathematical amount of one-fifth of the total county population. Comm. Ceniga responded that it was not essential to stay within a one percent variance and that by allowing a variance of as much as five or ten percent, it would be possible to have some districts that had no portion of Eugene within them.

He also pointed to confusion which existed earlier this summer when a large grass fire occurred just west of Greenhill Road. He and his staff, and Lane County employees, responded to supporting efforts to control that fire but later discovered that the area was within the commission district which represented North Eugene.

Ms. Parker responded that the districts created in 2021 were not challenged at the time and have been in effect without objection. She said that while she was completely supportive of an independent commission to remove redistricting from politics as much as possible, since no new data existed to justify any changes in those districts, an out of cycle redistricting for the 2026 election was unnecessary, costly, and created a risk for political manipulation of the districts. Ms. Parker said that both the County Charter Review Committee and the Lane County elections office opposed this amendment.

Comm. Ceniga responded that this proposal incorporated all of the changes recommend by the Charter Review Committee except for the redistricting for the 2026 election and that redistricting in 2026 would not be particularly expensive since all the data already existed and only a minimal amount of staff time would be involved.

Ryan Ceniga is a lifelong Oregon resident.  He describes himself as “a blue-collar dad with deep roots in West Lane County”.  Ryan lives in the Junction City area with two kids in the public school system, where he serves on the Junction City School Board.

He has always given back to his community with his involvement in service groups, including the Junction City Lions Club, the Junction City Athletics Board and as a coach for his kids’ sports through the years.

 

 

 

 

Terry Parker is the president of the League of Women Voters of Lane County, a nonpartisan grassroots organization doing hands-on work to safeguard democracy through voter registration, education and advocacy.

When not navigating for the League, Terry sails the waters of British Columbia and is an avid knitter. She retired as Lane Transit District’s Accessible Services Manager in 2013.

 

The Metropolitan Wastewater Management Commission (MWMC) was awarded $4M in federal drought resiliency funds for recycled water development, by the Bureau of Reclamation this past May. The $4 million came from the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law and Inflation Reduction Act.

Todd Miller, who serves as an Environmental Services Supervisor over the Planning and Policy Support group for the Metropolitan Wastewater Management Commission (MWMC), will present on how the grant award will be used to upgrade existing infrastructure at the Eugene Springfield regional wastewater treatment plant for water filtering, disinfection, storage, and conveyance to deliver up to 1.3 million gallons of Class A recycled water per day for public works and industrial uses in our area.

Recycled water has a variety of applications that can help reduce the impacts on our rivers by providing water for landscaping, irrigation, and industrial processes that can consume high volumes of water or place strains on drinking water systems. The MWMC historically produces Class D recycled water, which is used to irrigate its poplar tree farm as part of its natural treatment system for wastewater. In 2023, the MWMC utilized more than 46 million gallons of Class D recycled water. Class A capabilities will allow the community to expand that use to virtually any other application not requiring potable water.

The mission of the Metropolitan Wastewater Management Commission is to protect the community’s health and the environment by providing high-quality wastewater services to the Eugene Springfield metropolitan area in partnership with Eugene, Springfield, and Lane County. Local representatives from each regional partner–Lane County, and cities of Springfield and Eugene– serve on the Commission.

The MWMC has progressively explored opportunities to expand recycled water usage over the past 15 years. With the Bureau of Reclamation grant, the program is becoming a reality. Learn more information at https://mwmcpartners.org/capital-improvements/recycled-water/.

Now MWMC is entering an exciting new era of recycled water use by enhancing our capabilities to provide high-quality Class A recycled water to the community. Initial uses of Class A recycled water will demonstrate how this resource is useful to the construction industry and to maintaining our public green spaces. Demonstration projects will include sand and gravel operations, street tree watering, and irrigation of landscaping surrounding the wastewater treatment plant.

Todd Miller serves as an Environmental Services Supervisor over the Planning and Policy Support group for the Metropolitan Wastewater Management Commission (MWMC) and the City of Springfield’s Environmental Services Division of the Development & Public Works Department. In this role, he oversees planning-level efforts associated with the MWMC’s Capital Improvement Program, as well as several of the MWMC’s sustainability initiatives, which support the MWMC’s mission to protect the community’s health and the environment and vision to be recognized as a leader in protecting water quality through sustainable and fiscally responsible programs and practices.

Before beginning work for the City of Springfield and MWMC in 2007, Todd served as the Executive Director for the Siuslaw Watershed Council. He also was a geologist and hydrogeologist for consulting firms focused on groundwater, wetland, and soil contamination investigations and cleanup. Todd holds a BS in Biology-Geology from the University of Rochester and an MS in Environmental Studies from the University of Oregon.

Join the program on Zoom.

The City of Springfield, like other larger Oregon cities, has been working to develop solutions to comply with a mandate from the Department of Land Conservation and Development to designate “climate friendly areas” (CDAs) within the city. While Springfield and some other jurisdictions have challenged the requirements in court and are now awaiting a decision by the Oregon Supreme Court on whether or not to review the case, staff have continued efforts to devel0op strategies that comply. City staff provided a briefing to City Club on July 18, following presentations to the Springfield Planning Commission and City Council.

What became clear in the presentation is that while staff has identified ways in which the City could change its land use requirements to meet the DLCD standards, there is no assurance that the private sector will find the new requirements acceptable in terms of bringing construction to market. If this becomes the case, the new rules could actually impede future development rather than encourage it.

Boiled down to the essence, the new requirements direct the city to designate one of more CFAs, whose purpose is to foster denser development, expand mixed use development and create walkable communities that do not require cars. There would be two classes of CFAs. In the first class, minimum residential density would be 25 units per acre, and construction of buildings up to 85 feet in height (seven stories). In the second class, minimum residential density would 15 units per acre and maximum building height would be increase to 50 feet (four stories). To comply with the rules, the City must designate at least one first class CFA mad as many second class areas as desired. The net effect of designation these areas would need to be that 30 percent of the current residential housing demand measured by long term comprehensive plans could be met by construction within the CFAs. While doing this, the City must also avoid risks of displacing current residents who are low income. City staff reported that nearly one half of current Springfield residents are low income.

Springfield has been studying four potential CFAs: (Glenwood riverfront (with a subset for the current Glenwood Master Plan area), downtown, (which runs east as far as about 21^st street). Mohawk, and the area near the Peace Health Hospital at Riverbend. Each of these areas, while potentially meeting the requirements, have substantial infrastructure needs which would have to be addressed before there is any possibility that the level of dense development contemplated could be built.

Recently doff presented four different scenarios to the Planning commission and Council that might be suitable: scenario A would make the Glenwood Master Plan area primary and all other areas secondary; scenario B would make the entire Glenwood riverfront area primary and all other areas secondary; scenario C would make the downtown area primary and designate no other areas; scenario D would designate the Glenwood riverfront area as primary and a part of the downtown area as secondary.

Staff work continues on developing more information to permit the Council to make a decision sometime next year. Thie next task for staff will be to identify strategies that might produce the desired level of housing and evaluate other tradeoffs that will necessarily follow.

To watch the entire presentation, click here: CFA Presentation

 

Two individuals are running in the Democratic Primary for election to House District 7, which includes much of Springfield. John Lively is the incumbent representative and Ryan Rhoads has filed to run. Mr. Lively has accepted the City Club invitation to appear at the forum on May 2, Mr. Rhoads has not yet responded to our invitation.

Mr. Lively has submitted a statement describing his candidacy:

Springfield City Club Statement – House District 7

I am honored to have served the citizens of Springfield and HD 7 now for 12 years. During that time much has changed, but how to best represent the district in the legislature has not changed.

Key issues I have worked in cooperation with the leaders and constituents in Springfield include transportation funding, land use changes and funding to support development of housing, infrastructure funding to offset costs to the local community, 0-12 education funding and policies to address the ever-changing challenges of our families and students. In addition, recently with my role as Chair of the Higher Education committee the focus has been on addressing strategies to fund additional support for students to offset the need for so much student borrowing.

Besides serving as Chair of the Higher Education Committee, I also this past two sessions served as chair of the Gambling Regulation Committee, served on the Economic Development and Small Business Committee. Also served on the Infrastructure Finance Authority with Business Oregon, the Road User Fee Task Force, the Oregon Growth Board, and others in addition to regular legislative duties.

Priorities moving forward is transportation system funding, continued work on to address the crisis in addiction and treatment, homelessness, and housing, managing the state budget to support the ongoing priorities, and finding new strategies to address the ever-increasing consequences of climate change.

John Lively

Two individuals have filed for the Republican primary to select candidates for House District 12. Charlie Conrad is the incumber and Darin Harbick has also filed for election. We have invited both candidates to participate in a forum on May 16 at noon. Mr. Conrad has accepted the invitation. Mr. Harbick’s campaign staff has indicated he has declined to participate. In response to our invitation, Mr. Conrad submitted the following statement concerning his candidacy: Conrad Statement

 

Join Springfield City Club on Thursday, June 6 to hear about the impact of the Springfield Municipal Adult Rehabilitation and Treatment Court (SMART) from court coordinator Erin Selvey and Judge James Tierney. They will discuss SMART’s dual-pronged approach to addressing substance use and co-occurring disorders and how it offers essential support and structure to effect positive life changes. 

About SMART Court

The Springfield Municipal Adult Rehabilitation and Treatment Court was established in November 2023, with operations beginning in January 2024. This program aims to capitalize on decades of specialty court research to provide comprehensive treatment for individuals in our criminal justice system.

Treatment Court will provide a dual-pronged approach for individuals to tackle their substance use or co-occurring disorder. It will also provide support and structure to change their life circumstances. The Treatment Court team will partner with Lane County Parole and Probation, Quality Research Associates, Emergence, Springfield City Prosecutor, the public defender, and the Springfield Police Department to staff this program.

The Springfield Municipal Adult Rehabilitation and Treatment Court (SMART) is a minimum 12-month program with four highly structured, evidence-based phases. Read more about this program here. 

Involved participants must attend individual and group treatment sessions, submit to random drug testing, have frequent court appearances, and counsel as appropriate. Individuals must meet milestones to progress in phases and to graduate. At a minimum, individuals must be gainfully employed or in advanced schooling, have their GED or high school diploma, and have provided a give back to their community. The City recently received a federal grant of $900,000 to support the court operations. The Municipal Judge and court staff will discuss the operations and outcomes of the court’s activities in this program.

Speakers

Erin Selvey, court administrator

Erin Selvey is the Court Coordinator for the SMART Court program. She was born in raised in Springfield, attending Springfield High School before receiving a BS in Anthropology/Archaeology from Oregon State University. Both of her parents were long-time employees of the City of Springfield in the Police Department and Development/Public Works. After college, she returned to the Eugene/Springfield area and began working for the Springfield Municipal Court in 2009.

For the last 15 years she has served in many roles through the Municipal Court, from Court Clerk to Senior Clerk, and now Court Programs Coordinator. She manages the caseload of court clients sent to the Oregon State Hospital as well as the new Treatment Court program. She likes to spend her free time with her husband and 4-year-old daughter, travelling, and attending U of O football and volleyball events.

 

 

Hon. James Tierney, Presiding Judge of the Municipal Court

Judge James Tierney is the Presiding Judge for the Springfield Municipal Court and has held his position since August 2021.  He originally hails from Nevada but has been a resident of Lane County since 2015. Judge Tierney is a vocal proponent of restorative justice, in addition to having previously served as the Deputy District Attorney assigned to the Lane County Adult Treatment Court.

Restorative justice is a system that focuses on rehabilitating offenders because Springfield defendants cannot go to prison. They are charged with misdemeanors and will remain in the municipal court system. Judge Tierney hopes to show the SMART court program is beneficial for our community and expects to expand the program once further funding becomes available.

In a time when many employers struggle to find candidates, Opportunity Oregon has a solution.

Join this thought-provoking program featuring co-founder and Opportunity Oregon Executive Director, Nancy Pance. She’ll discuss the organization’s mission to help individuals find employment after incarceration, in a time when many employers struggle to find candidates. Nancy has personal experience with incarceration and is now a dedicated advocate for reentry initiatives.

Opportunity Oregon is dedicated to finding employment opportunities for individuals involved with the justice system and recognizes the untapped potential within these often overlooked community members. Opportunity Oregon ensures that both employers and individuals in need of a second chance benefit from this initiative through prison outreach, employer education, and business development services.

Speaker

Nancy Pance, Co-founder and Executive Director

Co-Founder and Executive Director Nancy Pance is a justice-involved individual who spent time incarcerated at the Coffee Creek Correctional Facility. Nancy is a dedicated advocate for reentry initiatives, has invaluable lived experience as a formerly incarcerated individual, enabling her to establish genuine connections with the prison population.

Through seminars and workshops held within prisons, Nancy leverages her personal journey to inspire and guide inmates. Her strategic partnerships with the Oregon Department of Corrections, Oregon Corrections Enterprise, WorkSource Oregon, and numerous other collaborators underscore her commitment to providing comprehensive advocacy for individuals within the justice system. With nine years of business ownership experience as a gym owner, Nancy brings a wealth of expertise in marketing, networking, and people skills. Her engagement with businesses across Oregon has significantly expanded fair chance hiring opportunities for justice-involved individuals. Acting as a bridge between employers and employees, Nancy excels at matchmaking based on trades, skills, education, and experience. Her continuous engagement with prison work centers ensures a dynamic exchange of information between the incarcerated and the community. She holds an Associates of Applied Science degree in Business Administration with a specialization in accounting from Central Oregon Community College.

About Opportunity Oregon

Employers have an ongoing struggle in hiring and keeping good employees. Meanwhile, 70 million Americans have a criminal record, with many struggling to find employment because of it. Those with felony records struggle the most and are 3 to 5 times more likely to be unemployed. Opportunity Oregon brings together these two groups, removing barriers that can prevent them from helping each other. Opportunity Oregon works with companies to show the benefits of hiring from this neglected segment of society, and then we select the best candidates, prepare them for reintegration, and match them to jobs. ​Success in bringing them together is success for all: the employer, the employee, and society as a whole.

Vision:

Employers and justice-involved individuals are united in breaking the cycle of recidivism. All formerly incarcerated find quality and sustainable careers.

Values:

1. Partnership: Collaborating with community partners to achieve our shared mission.
2. Perseverance: Pursuing new opportunities even in the face of adversity.
3. Integrity: Always doing what is ethically right.
4. Inclusion: Including those who have historically been excluded and ensuring that all identity groups have the same rights, opportunities, and access regardless of their background or circumstance.
5. Transparency: Sharing information openly and honestly, both internally and externally.