Springfield A to Z, Springfield de la A a la Z:
The Library and History Museum published their first book! The library and history museum created a bilingual alphabet book all about Springfield and rural east Lane County, full of submissions from a community art contest held for all ages. Sales support the Library and History Museum and the book is being sold by the Friends of the Springfield Library for $19.95; visit their online store at https://friends-of-the-springfield-public-library-inc.square.site/. The book is also available to check out from the Library. The book was created with funds from the Friends of the Springfield Library and the Springfield Library Foundation.

Fine Free Library
The Springfield City Council approved the Springfield Library Advisory Board proposal for the Library to stop charging overdue fees. The Library is a lifelong learning resource intended to serve our entire community. Eliminating fines helps increase accessibility to Library services by removing fees that are a barrier to Library use for residents with financial challenges.

SAfER Award
In April 2022, the Springfield Public Library received a distinguished Human Rights Leadership Award from the Springfield Alliance for Equity and Respect (SAfER) for their service to the community, especially to community members who are often underserved. This award was part of the Dolores Huerta/Cesar Chavez commemoration. The Library was selected for this award for their extensive work to support all members of the Springfield community. The Library has initiated numerous activities that support the Latinx community, and they work to educate and enrich the larger population of Springfield. Among these events are Día de los Muertos, Día de los Ninos/Libros, and bilingual story time. They have also sponsored entertaining presentations by bilingual authors. Library staff have worked as active partners with the Huerta/Chavez Celebration for several years, generously contributing both human and financial resources to the event.

Glenwood Exhibit
Glenwood Untold, debuted as a new temporary exhibit displayed at the Springfield History Museum January 15, 2022, through June 24, 2022. Glenwood might only be one square mile in size, but there’s a lot more to it than meets the eye. In the past 131 years, Glenwood has undergone many changes. Much of Glenwood’s structural history has been lost due to floods, fires, and decay. However, the photographs, archives, and artifacts used in this exhibit displayed that Glenwood’s history and memories remain. The archives of Springfield Council President Steve Moe’s family as well as photographs and artifacts from the Lane County History Museum collections were featured in this exhibit.

The Illumination Exhibit at the Museum
In late 2021 to early 2022 highlighted the Springfield Latinx Community. The focus for the 2022-23 exhibit is our Asian American Pacific Islander community (AAPI community). The Springfield History Museum is working to overcome the white supremacy inherent in museum institutions including gatekeeping and erasure. We are working to address this harm with projects and special exhibits like ILLUMINATION that build relationships and trust with members of the community who have been historically marginalized and left out of the historical narrative. We hope that 25-100 years from now and beyond, the History Museum will offer a more inclusive representation of the people of Springfield today – their stories, contributions, struggles, successes, etc. The Springfield History Museum commissioned photographer Ofelia Guzman and community organizer Johanis Tadeo to collaborate on the development of a collection of photographs and oral histories of contemporary Springfield residents. This collection was showcased together with stories of immigrants from the existing Museum collection, illuminating a common shared experience of residents past and present.

Fright at the Museum
The Springfield History Museum held its first (of what will be an annual) fundraiser sponsored in part by the Springfield Library Foundation. The Museum transformed into a “frightfully fun” experience for several weekends thanks to collaboration between Museum, Library & Environmental Services Division staff.

Plaza Programming
Springfield Welcomes the World series this summer. The Library and History Museum collaborated on a robust summer of programming that highlighted a wide variety of arts and culture through the Welcomes the World Series. The series included 15 events over 10 weeks. More than 450 activity kits were given to families each week. The series hosted 12 artists and engaged more than 2,700 people of varying ages, abilities, and backgrounds.

For Every Student a Library (FESAL)
Program will continue for the 2022-23 school year due in part to generous funding Springfield School District and Northwest Community Credit Union. With the support of these community partners, Library cards are now offered for students and families outside City limits at no cost to them.

• Since 2016, the Springfield Public Library has worked to ensure every student in Springfield has access to the Library, including students who live outside of Springfield City limits.
• Funding is used to support classroom curriculum, homework, and tutoring through the Library’s database BrainFuse. Funding is also used to purchase additional copies of high demand books, or to replace worn out copies. With a free Library card, students may access a wealth of resources beyond their classroom studies.
• Total FESAL users in the system: 1,052 (668 students, 384 family members)
• Total FESAL circulation (FY2019 to present): 50,178 physical items

Library Mobile App
The Library launched a new mobile app that is shared by our Lane Council of Libraries called Lane Libraries OR. The app allows patrons to easily access their accounts from their mobile device, making using the Library even easier. Users can:

• Place holds
• Scan the app at our self-check machines to access their account
• See what they have checked out and due dates
• Search the catalog
• Manage multiple family cards

Teen Programming Inspired Community Involvement

• Youth Leaders Program, a three-day workshop was offered free for teens:
  • Mayor Van Gordon participated and met with teens. In this program, students learn through a combination of direct instruction, classes and coursework, and a micro-nation-based simulation, which allows students to engage and explore future adulthood and their own possibilities in a safe, yet challenging way. https://www.ylprogram.org/
  • Teen Volunteer Fair connected teens with opportunities to serve at local organizations, build real-world skills and find community.
• The Library’s Teen Tuesday programming gave teens a chance to create, engineer, and hang out together in person.

Bond Measure 20-296 Projects Completion
The Capital Engineering team constructed and completed the eighth and final street preservation Bond Measure 20-296 project in 2022. Bond Measure 20-296 is a five-year $10 million general obligation bond passed by Springfield voters in 2018 and has funded repairs to highly traveled streets that had cracking, potholes, and grooves. Fixing these streets through preservation and repairs saves taxpayers money in the long term by preventing costly street reconstruction in the future. In 2022, construction of Centennial Boulevard from Aspen Street to Prescott Lane was completed, finishing the bond projects, and expending the $10 million dollars from the bond sell. The following streets were fixed using bond measure funds:

• Portions of 14^th Street
• A portion of Commercial Avenue
• Olympic Street – Mohawk Boulevard to 28^th Street
• 42nd Street – Main Street to approx. International Paper
• Thurston Road – 58th Street to 69th Street
• Mohawk Boulevard – G Street to Hwy. 126
• Highbanks Road/58th Street – 52nd Street to Thurston Road
• Centennial Boulevard from Aspen Street to Prescott Lane

The tax collection period to cover the $10 million in bonds for the projects started July 1, 2019 and will go through June 30, 2024. The City had through 2025 to construct the bond projects. With completion of the final project in 2022, the City is done 3 years ahead of schedule.

Additionally, as part of Bond Measure 20-296, the City has also completed an annual report for each year bond funds were collected from Springfield property owners. The 2022 report will be published in early 2023. For previous annual reports and additional information go to https://springfield-or.gov/city/development-public-works/2018-go-bond-measure.

Development Code Update & Middle Housing Implementation
The Comprehensive Planning team completed two major milestones on Springfield’s Development Code Update Project, completing work and receiving approval for both Phase 1 – Housing, and Phase 2 – Employment Lands. The amendments were adopted by the Springfield City Council on May 16, 2022, and by the Lane County Board of County Commissioners on June 7, 2022. With both approvals, the updated Springfield Development Code became effective beginning on July 1, 2022.

The new Residential (Housing) Code Section incorporates new rule language from the State of Oregon’s new housing related legislation, House Bill 2001 (HB 2001), which was passed in 2019. HB 2001 required, among other things, that the City allow Middle Housing on residentially zoned lots and parcels that allow the development of single-family homes. Middle Housing is defined as duplexes, triplexes, fourplexes, townhomes, and cottage clusters. The Employment Lands Code Section (Commercial and Industrial) was updated to encourage development and job creation.

The purpose of the Development Code Update Project is to revise the Springfield Development Code to support efficient, timely, and clear development review. The updated Development Code will support Springfield’s economic development priorities and will honor Springfield’s hometown feel now and in the future. The project timeline is approximately 2018 to 2024. Learn more at https://springfield-or.gov/city/development-public-works/springfield-development-code-update-project.

Development and Construction Activity
The Building team processed more than 3,000 permits in 2022. Permits were issued for:

• Single Family Dwellings = 191
• Duplex = 12
• ADU = 10
• Manufactured = 20
• Multifamily = 143

Building staff completed 1,464 plan reviews in 2022, as well as over 7,000 inspections, on pace for over 10,000 by end of year. The Building team’s work represents over $92 million in construction value. The Community Development Division values investment in the Springfield community for the present and the future.

Land Use/Development Applications
The Planning team is processing a large number of development applications. The number of applications submitted in 2022 were 80% of the record 2021 numbers, with 226 applications (as compared to 281 at the end of 2021, but at 104% of 2020 numbers (217 applications at the end of 2020). With the new development code provision becoming effective July 1, 2022, we experienced some downturn that planning staff attribute to applicants waiting for the new code. It is expected that the number of applications will pick up in 2023 in line with the strong numbers experienced the last three years.

Marcola Meadows
Marcola Meadows, the largest single mixed use/residential development in Springfield’s History, is on track. All the public infrastructure and apartments are on track to be completed in 2023 and final single-family homes completed in 2024.The project includes roughly 440 homes, 315 apartment units, and commercial site for future commercial uses. The mixed-use development will provide needed housing units in a tight housing market as well as other amenities for the Springfield community including access to green space and walking paths.

Property Specific Comprehensive Plan Map Update
The Comprehensive Plan Map Clarification Project kicked off in 2022 with grant funding support from the Oregon Department of Land Conservation and Development. The project will create a property-specific Comprehensive Plan Map for Springfield. This map will add greater certainty to Springfield’s plan designations. Comprehensive Plan maps are often one of the first resources people use when considering development possibilities for a property. This Map will interpret, improve upon, and replace the Eugene-Springfield Metropolitan Area General Plan Diagram for the portion east of Interstate 5.

Currently, the Metro Plan and its Diagram (a map) serve as a combined Eugene-Springfield comprehensive plan to guide decisions about how to use land within the region. The Metro Plan Diagram does not meet today’s needs for showing which plan designations, general land use types, apply to each property within the region. The Metro Plan Diagram is a “broad brush,” graphic depiction of projected land uses and major transportation corridors. Clarifying the location of the plan designations by interpreting the Metro Plan Diagram for each property within Springfield’s urban growth boundary will provide a solid understanding of existing policies and plan documents in a visual way and will streamline the land use research process with better property lookup tools.

In addition to the project kick off, the following key accomplishments occurred in 2022:

• Implementation of the Project Community Engagement Plan started
• Project branding created
• Project team formed
• Springfield Committee for Citizen Involvement (CCI) appointed members of Project Advisory Committee (PAC)
• Springfield CCI approved Community Engagement Plan and draft PAC Bylaws
• The project team held a series of meetings with the Technical Resource Group and PAC to discuss options for the Map and to obtain input from these advisory bodies

More project information is available at https://springfield-or.gov/compmap/.

Property Specific Comprehensive Plan Map Update
The City’s creation of a property-specific Comprehensive Plan Map will continue to be underway with a draft ready to share with the entire community and adoption of the Map planned for this year. Once adopted, the new Comprehensive Plan Map will provide property owners, staff, and the community with easy access to a reliable map that clearly shows the plan designation for each tax lot and other land use planning requirements with the goal of serving as a quick-reference research tool. An upcoming, State-required Residential Buildable Lands Inventory and Housing Capacity Analysis will be able to use the Comprehensive Plan Map as a foundational resource for findings. More information about this project is available at: https://springfield-or.gov/compmap/

DEQ Stormwater Compliance
Oregon’s Department of Environmental Quality (DEQ) can periodically audit a city, to make sure its stormwater program complies with Federal and State requirements. These requirements make sure water in and around Springfield is clean and safe for use. Last year, Springfield received such an audit and passed with flying colors. Technically speaking, the DEQ conducted an MS4 Permit inspection, to review Springfield’s compliance with the terms and conditions of its National Pollutant Discharge Elimination System Phase II MS4 general permit. The DEQ checked four of the six measures listed in the permit: public education and outreach, public involvement and participation, illicit discharge detection and elimination, and construction site runoff control. DEQ’s findings determined that the City is exceeding the requirements of the programs, provided extensive information and documentation for review, and passed the inspection. Using uncharacteristically positive language, the DEQ responded that, “Springfield has a sophisticated MS4 program in place and is meeting or exceeding the requirements of the permit, or on track to do so by deadlines.”

Industrial Pretreatment’s Environmental Compliance Awards
In 2022, Springfield’s Industrial Pretreatment Program, in conjunction with the Metropolitan Wastewater Management Commission (MWMC), awarded 10 permitted industries with a Certificate of Environmental Compliance Award. This award recognizes industries for achieving 100% compliance with their Wastewater Discharge Permit, which is important for the safety and health of our community. The City of Springfield and the MWMC applaud these industries for their continued partnership in protecting Springfield’s local wastewater collection system, the MWMC’s regional wastewater treatment plant, worker safety and health, and the McKenzie and Willamette rivers.

Springfield Industrial Pretreatment staff administer Wastewater Discharge Permits for specific industries that use the wastewater system. These permits require sampling and analysis, general compliance monitoring, spill control plans for industry-specific pollutants, and on-site facility inspections.

Recipients for this year are:

• Arclin U.S.A., LLC
• Farwest Steel Corporation
• Hexion Inc.
• International Paper Company
• McKenzie-Willamette Medical Center
• PeaceHealth Oregon Region – RiverBend Annex
• PeaceHealth – RiverBend Sacred Heart Medical Center
• Swanson Group Mfg., LLC
• Turtle Mountain, LLC – Main St.
• Turtle Mountain, LLC – Shelley St.

Additionally, congratulations to Turtle Mountain at the Main Street location! They received a trophy for 10 consecutive years of 100% compliance.

Pacific Northwest WaterReuse Association Summer Summit
In July 2022, Springfield’s Environmental Services staff hosted over 40 water professionals from across the state for the Pacific Northwest WaterReuse Association Summer Summit. The summit showcased the Eugene/Springfield regional wastewater treatment plant, along with historic and planned uses of recycled water. Recycled water is valuable for drought mitigation and conserving freshwater resources while also helping our regional wastewater treatment plant meet requirements to protect salmon habitat. This fit for the focus of the Summit, which highlighted the emerging value of recycled water as a community asset for drought resiliency, water quality protection, and other community benefits. The summit featured an evening session in downtown Springfield with tours of Springfield’s Mill Race, highlighting habitat restoration and the largest stormwater treatment pond in the state.

The wastewater treatment plant currently produces recycled water that meets quality standards for beneficial uses including watering some treatment plant landscaping and irrigating the poplar trees at the regional Biocycle Farm. Engineers at the City are now developing system upgrades by taking advantage of under-used infrastructure to increase our recycled water quality to the highest level in Oregon, which opens up a wide range of community uses where a non-drinking water need can be filled.

Poplar Lumber Sales
Springfield Environmental Services staff collaborated with Urban Lumber Company, BRING Recycling, and the City Manager’s Office to sell sustainably grown hybrid poplar lumber to the public for the first time. The poplar is grown with reclaimed water and nutrients from the regional wastewater treatment plant. Approximately two acres of 100+ acres harvested were diverted from paper pulp sales for this pilot lumber project. This shows the potential for a sustainable building material that can be used right in our own community. Nearly 70,000 board feet of unfinished poplar boards are available to the public and local builders until supplies are gone.

Renewable Natural Gas
In March 2022, the facility that treats Springfield and Eugene’s wastewater, managed by the Metropolitan Wastewater Management Commission (MWMC), celebrated the launch of its groundbreaking Renewable Natural Gas (RNG) project. The MWMC is the first public agency in Oregon to complete a project of this kind. Springfield supported the procurement and construction of the new RNG facility that “scrubs” biogas, a natural by-product of the wastewater treatment process, producing renewable natural gas for injection into the NorthWest Natural Gas pipeline. Through the end of the third Quarter of 2022 (Oct.) approximately 47,000 Dekatherm of RNG have been produced sold and successfully injected into the NW Gas pipeline.

Producing RNG means our wastewater treatment plant can beneficially use a significant portion of our waste gas product. The RNG project is good for our community and for the environment. This ceremony was the culmination of five years of planning and two years of construction, guided by the MWMC, and Springfield staff.

UpStream Art
In July 2022, to call attention to the relationship between our streets and our rivers, five local artists were commissioned to install colorful painted murals at storm drains downtown. It’s part of the UpStream Art project, hosted by the City’s Stormwater Team and now in its 7^th year. These five artists were chosen from a pool of twenty-four talented creatives who submitted unique design ideas through a Call To Artists. Winning pieces were chosen for showing the connection between humans and rivers that happens through a storm drain. Now, and for years to come, these five new murals create a colorful attraction and offer stormwater education to downtown visitors. UpStream Art murals and their artists can be seen online at bit.ly/upstreamtour.

Springfield H2Oh!
On July 8, 2022, the Development and Public Works Department/ Metropolitan Wastewater Management Commission Communications team premiered their Springfield H2Oh! exhibit at the Springfield History Museum. The exhibit timeframe is July 8 – December 31, 2022.

Springfield is founded on water, it’s in our name! Without water, our community would look very different. We all need water to exist, and we need different types of water systems to live in a modernized city. But have you ever stopped and wondered what those systems are exactly, how they work, who maintains them, and what role we all have in protecting our water? In Springfield H2Oh! discover this and more, including the history behind the spring in Springfield.

The exhibit came together after Library/Museum staff approached the DPW/MWMC Communications team about possibly doing an exhibit on water. The exhibit focuses on the three water systems in Springfield – Drinking, Stormwater and Wastewater, and the workforce it takes to run all three to have a modernized community. Springfield Utility Board (SUB) supported the efforts by supplying artifacts and tools used as part of the drinking water system. Additionally, staff transformed the exhibit into “Possessed Pipes” for two weeks as part of the Museum’s Fright Nights leading up to Halloween.

Thin lift overlay
A thin lift overlay project was completed on 52^nd Street and 52^nd Place between B and D streets along with 54^th Street between A and F streets. This improved the condition of approximately 2-lane miles of streets. Operations identified these streets as needing resurfacing to address a disparity of pavement maintenance on these unimproved residential streets. These street surface maintenance projects have occurred over the last three summers and was possible due to the additional materials, budget, and increased staffing approved by the City Council. The cost savings benefit of performing this thin lift overlay eliminates the need for annual pothole repair.

Crack Seal
Crews completed crack sealing of 14 lane miles of neighborhood streets, with a focus on achieving work equity across all residential demographics by evaluating Census data for a range of media incomes. Crack sealing includes cleaning cracks and sealing them with a very hot asphaltic rubber. This work extends the life of City streets and reduces future repair costs and was also done in preparation for slurry sealing.

Slurry Seal
Over 14 lane miles of streets received preventive maintenance slurry seal in several Springfield neighborhoods subsequent crack sealing. Slurry seal is a coating of asphalt, sand, and rock that is applied by contractual services. This treatment method extends the life of City streets and reduces future repair costs. Slurry sealing streets has less traffic impacts compared to repairing or rebuilding the pavement.

Tree Planting in Public Right of Way
More than 100 trees were planted in 2022 between landscaping technicians from Operations and Friends of Trees. Staff replaced, blighted, diseased, and damaged trees while also planting to infill missing trees. In addition to the new tree planting objectives, staff are working to implement geographical location, type, and condition to assist with asset management of the urban landscape tree canopy. In 2023, staff has a goal to plant 125 trees.

Citywide Lighting Upgrades
Following the installation of Light Emitting Diode (LED) streetlight upgrades on Main and South A streets, the traffic team is now working on LED upgrades throughout the City. The City Council has approved a comprehensive streetlight upgrade project to convert all City streetlights to LED fixtures. This lighting is up to 70% more energy-efficient, lasts 4-5 times longer, and allows for better control over light output. Project funding was from the American Recovery Plan Act that was passed during the COVID-19 pandemic.

Signal System Upgrade
The traffic team has been working to upgrade the traffic signal system throughout the City. These upgraded units were provided by Oregon Department of Transportation and will improve transportation continuity. Additional benefits of these upgrades include better traffic flow, improved signal programming, and greater safety.

Wastewater Flow Monitor
In support of our Capacity, Management, Operation, and Maintenance (CMOM) program the wastewater hydraulic modeling project continues in 2022-2023. Flow monitor sensors are set up in wastewater pipes to determine which pipes need repaired or replaced. In 2022 Operations technicians removed flow monitors from the previous test area and reinstalled them in a different section of the City’s wastewater system. These monitors will gather data throughout 2023 and be used to identify groundwater infiltration to determine criteria for pipe rehabilitation projects. Previous modeling created from data collected between 2020-2021 identified two areas that are proposed for future repair. Current data collection stands at just over 50% and as more data is captured additional areas may be identified for repairs.

Root Foam
Operations Wastewater staff identifies root problems through the use of close circuit television (CCTV) inspections, essentially pinpointing where roots are causing pipe blockages. To remedy the problem, staff worked with a contractor to treat roots with an EPA-certified herbicide foam application. Removing roots helps to prevent blockages caused by materials like fat, oil, and grease clinging to the roots. If not treated, these blockages can cause backups and create health hazards for our community and environment. This type of pipe maintenance has been reinstated as an important CMOM program practice.

Safety and Training Coordinator
Operations created a new staff position dedicated to safety and training coordination. Management identified a need to emphasize safety and training across all Operations program areas, including the Division’s State-certified apprenticeship curriculum. Comprehensive safety improvements have been identified and implemented. This new dedicated resource helps to meet OSHA level requirements and compliance, as well as improving operating procedures to ensure enterprise risk management.

GIS Data Management Upgrades
The Geographic Information System (GIS) workgroup merged with Operations this year, allowing for a better connection between maintenance and technology. A substantial improvement of asset management was achieved this year with the availability of 60 new geospatial products released by GIS along with the use of field tools including iPads and iPhones. GIS will continue to develop and invest in the utilization of field tools for staff to enter rehabilitation and maintenance activities. Upgraded GIS software has allowed staff to map out current infrastructure and record what projects have been completed. With these newly developed tools, staff records completed work on assets which helps with planning and maintenance priorities. This additional data will map out priority areas that need funding and resources to assist in formulating plans for future and ongoing maintenance.

Improvements to Vehicle Maintenance
The vehicle maintenance shop added a third mechanic to allow for greater frequency of routine vehicle maintenance including the maintenance of police patrol vehicles. In addition to the new mechanic, new fleet management software is also being implemented to assist with this process. The vehicle maintenance staff also began using govdeals.com to see decommissioned vehicles that have been replaced, which has brought in additional revenue.

Oregon 22 Men’s and Women’s Marathon
The Operations division supported the Oregon 22 Men’s and Women’s marathons in various ways. Prior to the event maintenance technicians worked on landscaping the Glenwood roundabouts and Pioneer Parkway along with other parts of the City. Traffic and Emergency staff worked with organizers to review and understand the traffic control plans for street closures and detours. Communications staff prepared informational materials and distributed them via mail and social media. Emergency management staff set up and staffed the EOC in preparation for any emergencies. Operations office staff collected data, created reports, and submitted reimbursement requests to secure payment for costs associated with the event.

Economic Development

• Reorganized the Economic Development functions. In addition to the Economic Development Manager position and our current Downtown staff member, we have added a senior analyst who will focus on budgets, gathering and monitoring key economic data and trends and developing strategic program initiatives.
• Hired new Economic Development Manager Allie Camp, through a nation-wide recruitment.
• Welcome to Springfield Mural designed and installed prior to Oregon 22.
• During COVID, outdoor dining and cafes were temporarily allowed. This year, the City updated code and permits to permanently allowing outdoor dining and sidewalk cafes.
• Turned Parking Program fully back on.
• Renewed 90% of the leases at Booth Kelly with an increase of $150,000 annual in rental revenue at Booth Kelly.
• Added the first new tenant, Spark Lab, at Booth Kelly in nearly five years.
• Downtown Events: Hosted the Worlds Athletic Championship Marathons (Oregon22), Springfield Cruise, The Block Party, and Oldest and Coldest Christmas parade.
• Added the Welcome to Springfield Mural prior to Oregon 22.
• Began hosting in-person quarterly Downtown Business Meetups again.
• New/Reorder Open Banner count: 14
• New businesses to Downtown count: 12

Springfield Economic Development Agency

• Continued design and progress on Blue McKenzie development project located in Downtown Springfield.
• Following the selection of deChase Miksis and Edlen & Co., Springfield will soon be starting the Master Planning process for roughly 30 acres in the North Riverfront Site. This area is a combination of publicly and privately owned land.
• Completed a large borrowing to fund project development in the Glenwood District.

Legislative

• Successful 2022 United Front lobbying effort with a focus on securing funding for the 42^nd Street Levee.
• Successfully tracked major state legislation at the short session.
• Began preparing for the 2023 state long session where staff will review hundreds of new bills and lobby for their impacts on the Springfield community.

America Rescue Plan Act (ARPA) Funding

• Hired ARPA project manager who is moving six Council-approved projects worth an estimated $2.9 million. The approved project list includes improvements to the Library and building renovations and security upgrades a both City Hall and the Justice Center.
• Completed safety projects including the abatement and razing the structurally unsound Carter Building and replacing the deteriorated surfacing around the City Hall plaza fountain.

Achievement for Excellence in Financial Reporting
This past year, once again, the City is expecting to receive the Government Finance Officers Association’s Certificate of Achievement for Excellence in Financial Reporting. This will be the 41^st consecutive year that the City has received this award and it is a testament to the quality of work and professionalism of our Finance staff.

Submit Budget Document to GFOA’s Distinguished Budget Presentation Award Program
Finance staff have restructured content of the Budget document to better align with budget document best practices and have submitted to the Government Finance Officer’s Association (GFOA) for consideration within the FY23 Distinguished Budget Presentation Award Program. To earn recognition, budget documents must meet program criteria and excel as a policy document, financial plan, operations guide, and communication tool. 

Enhanced Court Online Accessibility
The Springfield Municipal Court revamped their website to allow for increased online record search accessibility and easier navigation for the community.

Paperless Case Files
The Court fully transitioned from paper documents to an electronic system. This reduces excess paper and uses ecofriendly mechanisms to operate the Court.

Hybrid Access to Justice
The Court continues to operate in a hybrid justice model allowing equal access to individuals throughout our community via telephone, computer, or in person appearances.

Automated Notifications
The Court effectively uses automated messaging to notify community members of their court dates thus reducing failures to appear in our Court.

Crisis System Involvement
The Court remains active in the Crisis Stabilization Center Project and works with Lane County Behavioral Health on its steering committee and other projects.

Alternative Options
The Court is actively engaged with the Lane County Sheriff’s Office and its community service and road crew programs.

Open Court Options
Court has opened 3 additional ½ hour in-person time slots so community members can speak directly to the Judge about payment issues, past fines, or other matters.

EMS Redesign
Firefighters at Eugene Springfield Fire are both firefighters and emergency medical services providers. To support staff wellbeing, lower personnel costs, and provide more efficient services to the community, Eugene Springfield Fire developed single role paramedic positions in partnership with both the City of Springfield and City of Eugene’s Human Resources divisions. These new paramedic positions will only work on ambulances and will alleviate some scheduling challenges.

Engine 14 In Service
Fire & Life Safety Station 14 received a new engine. This fire apparatus purchase ($672,000) was approved by Springfield City Council in February 2021. Due to vehicle availability and custom modifications, the engine was deployed in August of this year. This purchase is expected to reduce the likelihood of staff injuries, improve the speed of deploying firefighting equipment, and eliminate the need for an expensive elevating light system. The replaced apparatus will be surplused and added to the Apparatus Fund.

The engine comes with new equipment configurations including ladder and hose storage and has more back seat room for staff to get in and out of the apparatus. The new configuration makes critical safety equipment more accessible for faster and safer deployment. The crews have noted their appreciation for the light system which was upgraded from a hydraulic deployment.

New Chief
Eugene Springfield Fire held a successful recruitment process for a new Fire Chief and promoted Battalion Chief Mike Caven to oversee the department.

Chief Caven’s career in fire and emergency medical services started in 2002 with the City of Cottage Grove Fire Department, now South Lane County Fire & Rescue (SLCFR). Following his transfer to Eugene Springfield Fire (ESF) in 2007, he was elected to two terms as the Fire Board President of SLCFR. Mike has served in many positions throughout his service with ESF including Firefighter, Field Training Paramedic, Fire Instructor, Engineer, Captain, Battalion Chief and most recently, Acting Deputy Chief of Operations. He also participated in union leadership and was President of IAFF Local 851 for six of the eight years he served. Chief Caven holds a bachelor’s degree in Fire Service Administration from Eastern Oregon University.

Radios
The City of Springfield and Eugene leveraged their partnership to purchase all new radios for line personnel. These new radios were an upgrade for a system that was not compatible with digital communications and technological advances. The radios also allow for better interoperability when working with local, state, and federal partners.

Wildland Drills
Eugene Springfield Fire conducted simulated wildfire exercises in May ahead of fire season. These types of exercises provide a hands-on training opportunity and are necessary to familiarize our crews with specific areas of our community. These trainings do not use live fire. Instead, responding units simulate fire movement and spread. Eugene Springfield Fire conducted these training exercise across both Eugene and Springfield in areas that have been identified as high fire hazard risk.

AFG Grant Award
Eugene Springfield Fire was awarded over $469,000 through the Assistance to Firefighters Grant (AFG) through FEMA. This grant will allow the department to purchase wildland equipment that will better support interoperability during multi-jurisdiction responses to wildfires. The grant award will also be utilized to purchase LUCAS devices for all apparatus. LUCAS devices are automatic chest compression devices that deliver consistent compressions better than person-led CPR. The purchase of these devices will allow Eugene Springfield Fire to change the number of units dispatched to cardiac arrest calls, increase firefighter and paramedic safety, and allow for quicker patient transports to the hospital.

HeartSafe Community
Eugene Springfield Fire is committed to making the Eugene-Springfield community a HEARTSafe Community. A HeartSafe Community is one that meets 13 criteria for certification that shows a commitment to increase the survivability of sudden cardiac arrest. Currently only one community in the United States has met these criteria (listed below). We are focused on increasing cardiac arrest survival rates through awareness, education, and partnering with organizations that further this mission.

• A lead organization (Eugene Springfield Fire) will oversee and coordinate HEARTSafe efforts
• Collection of and analysis of cardiac arrest data
• 15% of the community population is trained in CPR within 12 months with intent to train an additional 15% each year
• Identify and formally recognize community members who perform CPR to save a life
• Increase public awareness of sudden cardiac arrest and encourage bystander intervention
• Implement a Telecommunicator CPR (T-PCR) Program(9-1-1 Call takers providing CPR instruction over the phone)
• Emergency Medical Services provider has a quality improvement process
• Establish secondary public health measure supporting cardiovascular wellness (education, prevention, and systems of care)
• Schools and municipal buildings have effective emergency response plans for cardiac arrest
• AEDs have permanent placement in public and private locations, i.e., shopping malls, supermarkets, theaters, etc.
• Establish and participate in an AED registry
• First responder agencies (law enforcement or fire department) are defibrillation capable
• Emergency Medical Services provider practices “high-performance” CPR

Oregon 22
Eugene Springfield Fire worked with other regional public safety partners to provide police, fire, and EMS services to the World Athletics Championships in July. Eugene Springfield Fire planned extensive EMS personnel coverage for the event as well as preliminary events for athletes.

Governance Review Panel
The City of Eugene Fire & EMS and the City of Springfield Fire & Life Safety departments merged to form Eugene Springfield Fire (ESF) in 2010. This partnership has proven to be beneficial to both communities over the last decade. The Eugene Springfield Fire Governance Review Panel was established to evaluate and identify the next steps for the governance of the two departments. This work continues efforts to create the most efficient and effective system for fire and life safety services within our community. The Eugene Springfield Fire Governance Review Panel was established to:

• raise awareness of the current model and remaining considerations for improved efficiencies
• share progress and build confidence in process
• keep key audiences informed on process/decisions/outcomes

New Positions
In partnership with both City of Springfield and City of Eugene’s Human Resources departments, ESF developed new positions. Single role paramedics will staff ambulances to support staff wellbeing, lower personnel costs, and provide more efficient services to the community. A Life Safety Inspector was added to the Fire Marshal’s Office. This position will engage the community in public education and inspections. Additionally, Fire & Life Safety will have a Fire Marshal overseeing the FMO.

Throughout 2022, SPD accomplished many milestones including:

• Completing a community survey regarding police services.
• Creating and hiring for a Deputy Chief position to increase oversight and support of multiple department divisions.
• Enhancing executive leadership training:
  • One Lieutenant attended FBI National Academy.
  • Lieutenant and Sergeants joined the Oregon Association of Chiefs of Police.
  • Sworn and Non-Sworn leadership attended International Association of Chiefs of Police Conference in Dallas, Texas.
  • SPD is a learning organization committed to constitutionally based policing and nationally recognized best practices.
• SPD supported the 2022 World Track & Field Championship events in Springfield and at the University of Oregon.
• sUAS program established
• Addition of a second computer forensics detective.

Detention Division

• Partnership with WellPath for contracted medical/mental health service. The Jail now has 24/7 nursing coverage, for the first time ever.  WellPath meets or exceeds standards established by the National Commission on Correctional Health Care (NCCHC) and the American Correctional Association (ACA). WellPath is the premier provider of localized, high-quality, compassionate care to vulnerable patients in challenging clinical environments. They continually strive to deliver the best, cost-effective care with full transparency. Their approach is collaborative, communicative, and cost efficient. WellPath is committed to providing high-quality care like the care available in the community.
• The Jail formed its own Control Tactics/De-escalation Team of instructors, who attended outside trainings and brought excellent ideas back to SMJ. Quarterly training is now occurring for all Jail staff, employing the use of a new training cell, new protective equipment, and tactics all aimed at preventing injury to staff and inmates.

Use of Force
In 2022, there were 50,000 calls for service with 295 uses of force or .38% of the total calls for service. Out of those, 156 of those are control holds. Learn more at https://springfield-or.gov/wp-content/uploads/2022/05/Use-of-Force-Summary-Page-v2.png

Community Events
SPD attended/participated in more than 100 community events, presentations, and other outreach efforts. Through these events, SPD connected with roughly 7,000 community members.

Pillars of 21^st Century Policing
SPD is embracing the pillars of 21^st Century policing which includes:

• Building Trust and Legitimacy
• Policy and Oversight
• Technology and Social Media
• Community Policing and Crime Reduction
• Officer Training and Education
• Officer Safety and Wellness

Implementation of Multi-Factor Authentication
The IT Department successfully deployed multifactor authentication on all Internet-facing IT assets. This significantly decreases the Cybersecurity risk posed by compromised usernames and passwords. This technology has already prevented nearly half a dozen Cybersecurity attacks/probes by hackers.

Conducted a Simulated Phishing Campaign
The IT Department conducted an extensive phishing simulation identifying employees and workgroups who are vulnerable to phishing attacks. This information will be used to create a tailored Cybersecurity education program specific to the vulnerabilities defined for each workgroup.

Replaced Endpoint Protection Software on All City Workstations and Servers
The IT Department implemented a new endpoint security solution across all City PCs. The new solution provides industry-leading protection against malware, viruses, and ransomware.

Implemented New City-Wide Phone System
A new telephone system was implemented citywide. This new system provides several modern telephony features and functionalities that enable the City’s hybrid onsite/remote workers a unified and consistent communication platform.

www.willamalane.org

CAPRA Accreditation
Willamalane Park and Recreation District earned a national park and recreation accreditation that signifies an organization’s overall quality of operations, management, and service to the community are aligned to best practices set by the Commission for Accreditation of Park and Recreation Agencies (CAPRA) and the National Recreation and Park Association (NRPA).

“While we are honored to receive a CAPRA accreditation, the process of reviewing, updating, and improving all of our practices will ensure that we can continue to deliver on our mission for our community. This process made us a stronger park and recreation agency and an even greater asset to Springfield. That’s the real victory here,” said Michael Wargo, Executive Director for Willamalane.

CAPRA certification is the only national accreditation for park and recreation agencies. Across the United States, out of approximately 23,000 eligible organizations, there are a total of 199 agencies that are CAPRA accredited. This accounts for less than 1% of eligible park and recreation organizations.

New and Enhanced Trails
This year, Willamalane partnered with community organizations and partners to expand and improve trail systems at Willamalane parks. 2022 notable additions:

• A new trail system that offers new hiking and mountain biking access on the west side of Thurston Hills Natural Area. This expansion offers new and exciting opportunities to connect with the natural beauty of Thurston Hills Natural Area. Best of all, these trails lead to an incredible new viewpoint.
• The development and dedication of the brand-new Dellinger Trail along West D Street Greenway. This trail extends the bark trail to connect with Pre’s Trail. This trail offers a state-of-the-art bark running surface and was named after track and field legend, Bill Dellinger. All of the materials and funds for the trail were generously donated by community members and local businesses.

Opening of Willamalane’s 47th Park, Arrow Park
In December 2022, Willamalane opened their 47th park in North Springfield near Briggs Middle School and Yolanda Elementary School. The first of its kind, this park includes a new playground, a bicycle playground and skills course, a picnic shelter, walking paths, a basketball court, natural landscaping and trees, benches, bike racks, and more. Willamalane opened the park by hosting hundreds of students from Yolanda Elementary who played on the park as a walkable field trip in December.

Community Needs Assessment
In an effort to update Willamalane’s 20-year comprehensive plan, the district sought the community’s feedback on parks, recreation, facilities, and the future. To make it happen, Willamalane staff hosted more than 30 community pop up survey stations, listening sessions, and public outreach events over the summer. This community information will have a long-lasting impact on Springfield.

www.springfield.k12.or.us

2021-22 Lane County Teacher of the Year
Scott Crowell, Humanities Teacher at The Academy of Arts and Academics in Springfield, received Lane ESD’s 2021-22 Regional Teacher of the Year by Lane ESD, Oregon Department of education, and the Oregon Lottery. At the ceremony held at the Wildish Theater in front of A3 students and staff, and SPS administrators, Crowell received $1,000 in the form of a giant check.

Regional Teachers of the Year are nominated by students, colleagues, administrators, friends, or family members to apply for the award, and are selected by a diverse panel of regional representatives. Later this fall, one of the Regional Teachers of the Year will be named the 2023 Oregon Teacher of the Year – to be announced in just a few short weeks.

2021-22 Oregon Elementary Principal of the Year
Charlie Jett, Principal, Two Rivers Dos Ríos Elementary received the honor of 2021-22 Oregon Elementary Principal of the Year. Superintendent Todd Hamilton welcomed Coalition of School Administrators’ (COSA) Director of Executive Leadership and Licensure, Krista Parent to help surprise Charlie Jett with the announcement of Jett’s selection as the 2022 Oregon Elementary School Principal of the Year. Jett is known for his unwavering dedication to students, and his never-ending energy and flair.

Harbor Freight Tools for Schools $50,000.00 Grant Winner
Mark Simmons received a $50,000 prize from Harbor Freight Tools for Schools recognizing excellence in skilled trades education. Students who started the program as freshmen and are now seniors say that Simmons is always working to teach them and improve the program. Simmons is one of 20 winners of the 2022 Harbor Freight Tools for Schools Prize winners nationwide, and the only winner in Oregon. A total of 768 teachers applied.

Springfield Public Schools understands that our career technical education, or CTE, programs are strong drivers for student engagement and provide a foundation for our community’s future workforce. Through thoughtful and targeted investments, SPS is proud to lead in many career pathways in our region.

SPS students have access to more than 100 different CTE courses that allow them to discover their future careers through rigorous academic courses, access to college credits and industry certificates, as well as personalized and career-specific workplace learning experiences. Many industry partners come in to provide a critical component not otherwise available through traditional coursework.

2022 Oregon History Teacher of the Year
Thurston High History Teacher, Tyler Nice, was honored as the 2022 Oregon History Teacher of the year, an award presented annually by the Gilder Lehrman Institute of American History.  A panel of teachers, administrators, and scholars from Oregon selected Nice for his achievements in American history education. ​In addition to a $1,000 honorarium, Nice received a core archive of American history books and Gilder Lehrman educational materials. He also became one of 53 finalists for the 2022 National History Teacher of the Year Award. Nice began his SPS career in 2002 when he was hired to teach at Hamlin Middle School. He joined the Thurston High team in 2009.

SPARK Camps
This summer, Springfield Public Schools offered free Summer Programs with Academics + Recreation for Kids, or SPARK Camp. Students enjoyed a series of well-rounded summer learning experiences while making new friends and building existing relationships. The free programs were open to Springfield students who were enrolled in kindergarten through eighth grade at the time of the camps. SPARK Camps were held at Guy Lee, Maple, Mt. Vernon, Riverbend, Thurston, and Two Rivers/Dos Ríos Elementary Schools, and Agnes Stewart, Briggs, Hamlin, and Thurston Middle Schools.

www.subutil.com

The following efforts are part of SUB’s investment in community infrastructure. Their aim is to enhance local economic benefits and provide opportunities for environmental stewardship.

• Supported Springfield’s continued robust development by installing nearly 300 new electric services.

• Finished upgrades to the Springfield Substation, which serves 15% of Springfield.

• Broke ground on the new Glenwood Substation, which will provide power to 1,300 customers when complete in 2024. This substation will improve reliability for the Glenwood area and will support customers in downtown and west Springfield.

• Worked with SUB residential customers on the installation of nearly 900 energy saving products, enabling these customers to reduce their average energy cost by about 12% each.

• Assisted our 50^th customer with an Electric Vehicle charger rebate, with incentives paid entirely from Oregon Clean Fuels Program dollars.