The City Club of Eugene Podcast

Labor is either a cost to be minimized or a place to invest, according to one of the speakers in this episode, "Finding Fairness in Wages." What's a fair wage? Why do we pay child care workers a wage that doesn't seem to reflect the value of their important work? Learn more from these speakers: Henry Fields, Workforce Analyst and Economist for the Oregon Employment Department in Lane and Douglas C...

If 70% of a crisis is unsolved, the crisis continues. That's where the homeless population of Eugene and Lane County find themselves. The Eugene Area Chamber of Commerce studied the issue recently and shares its findings and recommendations with City Club of Eugene. Speakers include Eugene City Councilor Randy Groves; Brittany Quick-Warner, president and CEO of the chamber; and Heather Sielicki, c...

The World Athletics Championships come to Eugene in 2022, and the numbers are staggering: 2,000 athletes, 6,500 hours of TV coverage, 1 billion people watching in 200 countries, and $52 million in direct spending. Plus, this Oregon22 event occurs in the U.S. for the first time. In this episode of the City Club of Eugene podcast, speakers talk about organizing the event, the impact on the community...

What has caused the devastating fires in Western Oregon, and what can be done to prevent them in the future? The speakers in this City Club of Eugene podcast episode have ideas. Listen to Amanda Astor, policy manager for Oregon Associated Loggers; and Dr. John Bailey, professor of Forest Engineering, Resources and Management at Oregon State University. Watch this episode, including questions and a...

In this City Club of Eugene podcast episode, four authors of a study about immigrants in Oregon discuss their findings from a 2021 update to the original 2008 report. What has changed, what hasn't, and why? Speakers include Dr. Robert Bussel, director of the University of Oregon Labor Education and Research Center; Jose W. Melendez, assistant professor of planning for engaging diverse communities,...

After a campaign of extermination of indigenous people who occupied land that settlers and miners wanted, a group of Modoc people in northern California fought back. The Modoc were led by Captain Jack. The war became the most expensive the U.S. fought with Native Americans, and the Modoc people lost. City Club of Eugene examines the war and its aftermath, and looks at a coming documentary about it...

Every two years, Oregonians wonder if they'll receive a check from the state government because the actual tax revenue is two percent or more than the projected amount they paid. How well does this so-called "kicker" system work? Two tax experts have given City Club of Eugene their contrasting viewpoints in "Oregon's 'Excess Revenue': Refund or Reinvest?" Listen to Eric Fruits, PhD, who is vice pr...

The University of Oregon's Knight Campus for Accelerating Scientific Impact has the potential to change the world through its research and discoveries. In this podcast episode, Robert Guldberg, vice president and executive director of Knight Campus, talks about the start of the program and what's coming. Watch this episode, including questions and answers and slides, on City Club of Eugene’s YouTu...

Does working from home work for the employee and the employer? The pandemic has created a real-time experiment in work-from-home life for some employees, but what about the future? We'll learn more from architects involved in the Workforce Project. Our speakers are Howard Davis, University of Oregon professor of architecture; and Frances Holliss, professor and emeritus reader of architecture at Lo...

During the pandemic, people talk about getting back to "normal." What if this is an opportunity to create a new normal? We asked three community members for their visions of how Eugene could move toward an improved future. Speakers include Joel Iboa, executive director of Oregon Just Transition Alliance; Vera Keller, associate professor of history at the University of Oregon; and Lyllye Reynolds-P...

How much time in nature do humans need? One of the speakers in this podcast episode recommends, "Get hot, get cold, get outside." Another recommends 120 minutes in a natural environment for at least 20 minutes each time. What about our children? Speakers include Jared Hanley, founder of NatureQuant; Katie Lynch, co-director and instructor, University of Oregon's Environmental Leadership Program; a...

Oregon has the fourth-highest child care costs in the U.S. Even when parents can pay the high cost, quality care may not be available. In fact, Lane County has been named a child care desert, per an Oregon State University report . In this City Club of Eugene podcast episode, we'll learn more about the factors that create this dilemma. Our speakers include Cindy Bellamy, director of the Oak Street...

Do incentives inspire people to get vaccinated against COVID-19? Experts and those offering vaccine incentives talk about their experiences in this episode of City Club of Eugene's podcast. Speakers include: Chunhuei Chi, MPH, Sc. D, a Professor at Oregon State University and the Founding Director of OSU’s Center for Global Health; Tom Cosentino, Executive Director of the Garden State Wine Growers...

Up to 15% of older adults suffer from abuse. Sometimes it is financial; sometimes it is physical or medication is withheld or the senior is dependent on an abusive person. In this podcast episdoe, you will learn more about the issue and how social services, law enforcement and first responders work to intervene and protect our elders. Our speakers are Brenton Gicker, RN and EMT-1, CAHOOTS; Bob Mor...

We rely on regional air transportation to move passengers and freight, but use dropped during the COVID-19 pandemic. How are Oregon's airports preparing for the expected increase in traffic once the pandemic is controlled? How are airports addressing economic competitiveness and environmental sustainability? Three experts will share their plans and hopes. Shelley Humble is airport manager at Hobby...

Kids love playgrounds, parents appreciate them and a community needs them. But what makes a playground worth the price? City Club of Eugene asked the city's principal landscape architect, Emily Proudfoot, to explain how playgrounds are designed, what makes good ones, why they require such a large investment, and what the city plans are for future playgrounds. Watch this episode on City Club of Eug...

Can a city maintain its culture while pursuing economic opportunities? Eugene is finding out because entrepreneurs are attracted to its setting while wanting business services. The city is responding with mentoring and business accelerator opportunities, and this program explores how it's working. The speakers include Sally Bell, vice president and executive director of the Southern Willamette Val...

Every year, City Club of Eugene honors residents whose civic involvement requires them to stick their necks out. This year, we honored two recipients: Betty Snowden and Mo Young. Learn more about them in the introductions and hear them explain why they do what they do. You can also learn more about the Turtle Awards . Watch this episode on City Club of Eugene’s YouTube or Facebook channels. (This...

Four undergraduate scholars explain their research, done through the University of Oregon's Center for Undergraduate Research and Engagement, in a City Club of Eugene program that highlights the work of students. Our speakers are Anastasia Browning, who examined effective public health messaging for COVID; Jyhreh Johnson, who looked at the shape of the adult human cranium; Minh Nyugen, who studied...

You may have the desire to write, but how would you take an idea, write and edit it, and get it published? Should you look for an agent to sell your book to a publisher? How do you find an editor, much less a publisher? In this City Club of Eugene podcast episode, five Eugene-area authors share their experiences and suggestions. The speakers include J.C. Geiger, Leigh Anne Jasheway, Ruby McConnell...

What is the health and status of Eugene's urban forest? Three speakers address the sustainability, resilience and opportunity to help meet climate goals that exist by taking care of - and adding to - our urban forest. Scott Altenhoff is the Management Analyst for the City of Eugene’s Urban Forestry Program. Bart Johnson, PhD is a Professor of Landscape Architecture at the University of Oregon. Viv...

The Oregon legislature is considering reforms to policing. State laws would be revised or updated, which would affect Eugene's policing. Yet, Eugene has several elements in place that could be part of developing new laws that make policing more equitable. This City Club of Eugene podcast episode looks at the state laws as well as what is working or not working on a local level. Our speakers includ...

Mayor Lucy Vinis spoke with KLCC's Rachael McDonald at a City Club of Eugene meeting. The mayor answered four questions in depth: 1. What is the city doing about the issue of homelessness? 2. What are the city's plans for reforming public safety? 3. What programs are on the schedule for Summer in the City? 4. What are some of the things you do as mayor that the public may not hear about, and why a...

"Eventually, all things merge into one, and a river runs through it." (Norman MacLean) When a river runs through the middle of your town, how do you honor the resulting relationship? The City of Eugene is turning the former downtown industrial land by the river into a mixed use development. City Club of Eugene talks to several key figures in the planning and development of the riverfront to hear a...

Former Oregon Gov. John Kitzhaber, a physician, admits it was difficult to establish the Oregon Health Plan. Is universal access to health care possible in America? In this episode from the City Club of Eugene podcast, he leads a discussion with Dr. Susan Bailey, president of the American Medical Association, and Dr. Thomas Cooney, chair-elect of the American College of Physicians. ACP calls for u...