The City Club of Eugene Podcast

All In on Homelessness

Oregon Gov. Kotek declared a housing emergency and established All In, which funds programs in Lane County and other counties around the state. Since 2023, All In Lane County has prevented 795 households from becoming homeless, moved 200 households from a state of being unsheltered into permanent housing, and created or improved 294 emergency shelter beds.

Panelists Kate Budd, manager of the Human Services Division of Lane County Department of Health and Human Services; and Terri Hsieh, street outreach manager for HIV Alliance, explain how All In works in our community and provide details about its impact.

Watch the entire episode on City Club of Eugene's YouTube channel (starts at 6:18).

This program was recorded on March 8, 2024.

 

Campaign Finance Reform

Oregon has never had campaign finance regulations. The result is that dark money from hidden sources pours into our campaigns. One or more ballot initiatives to reform campaign finance may be on November's ballot. Learn more in this podcast episode of the City Club of Eugene.

Our speakers are Dan Meek, public interest attorney; and Rick Metsger, director of legislative and public affairs at Pac/West Lobby Group.

Watch the entire episode on City Club of Eugene's YouTube channel (starts at 3:52).

This program was recorded on March 1, 2024.

suicide prevention

Content warning: This program includes discussion about suicide and its impact on the individual and the community. If you or someone you know may be in crisis or considering suicide, call or text 988 to reach the Suicide & Crisis Lifeline.

Suicide rates in Lane County increased by 80 percent from 2000 to 2020, according to a report from Lane County Public Health. This episode of the City Club of Eugene podcast explains YouthLine, a peer-to-peer program providing help, support and a crisis line.

This episode is provided by Vista Counseling and Wellness Center in addition to our usual sponsors.

Watch the entire episode on City Club of Eugene's YouTube channel (starts at :11).

This program was recorded on Feb. 23, 2024.

 

 

Ballmer Institute Update

The Ballmer Institute for Children's Behavioral Health is a University of Oregon program in Portland that aims to provide more behavioral health workforce to identify, prevent and provide care to children and youth. Learn more from Randy Kamphaus and Courtney Westling in this City Club of Eugene program!

Watch the entire episode on City Club of Eugene's YouTube channel (starts at 1:57).

This program was recorded on Feb. 7, 2024.

Arts Economy

In Eugene, the arts contribute about $124 million to our economy, create 2,700 jobs and involve 3,800 volunteers. Read the full report on the positive impact of the arts and learn more by listening to our speakers:

Kelly Johnson, executive director of the Arts and Business Alliance of Eugene; Josh Neckels, executive director of Eugene Ballet; and Kari Westlund, president and CEO of Travel Lane County.

Watch the entire episode on City Club of Eugene's YouTube channel (starts at 8:31).

This program was recorded at Midtown Arts Center on Feb. 2, 2024.

 

Legislative Preview

Oregon's 2024 legislative short session starts soon, and Rep. Charlie Conrad (R) and Sen. Floyd Prozanski (D) gave City Club of Eugene attendees a preview. Learn about their goals for the session, how the legislative system works, and more!

Watch the entire episode on City Club of Eugene's YouTube channel (starts at 7:40).

This program was recorded on Jan. 26, 2024.

UO President Scholz

Karl Scholz PhD has been the University of Oregon's president for more than six months, and he came to City Club of Eugene this month to outline his first impressions and his goals.

Watch the entire episode on City Club of Eugene's YouTube channel (audio only; starts at 4:17).

This program was recorded on Jan. 19, 2024.

Measure 110 & Legislative Fixes

Oregon's legislature will meet in a short session in February, and a major topic will be Measure 110. It was passed in 2020 by a solid majority of Oregon voters and decriminalized most small-scale drug possession and encouraged treatment. However, perceived problems with Measure 110 may lead the legislature to make course corrections.

Learn more about possible legislative amendments to Measure 110 in this City Club of Eugene podcast episode. The speakers include: Dr. Camille Cioffi, a research scientist; Christopher Parosa, Lane County assistant district attorney; and Brittiny Raine, cofounder and co-executive director of Community Outreach through Racial Empowerment. 

Watch the entire episode on City Club of Eugene's YouTube channel (starts at 8:39).

This program was recorded on Jan. 5, 2024.

Gifts to the City 2023

In this City Club of Eugene podcast episode, nine area residents were asked to give gifts to the city of Eugene, and they responded with a wide range of presents!

Speakers included emcee Dan Bryant, who introduced Ibrahim Coulibaly, Ib Hamide, Slug Queen Jubilee Hedonisto, Alma Fumiko Hesus, DeLeesa Meashintubby, Melinda Preciado, Rabbi Ruhi Sophia Motzkin Rubenstein, Nick Sixkiller and Karrie Walters.

Watch the entire episode on City Club of Eugene's YouTube channel (starts at 6:35).

This program was recorded on Dec. 15, 2023.

Closure of Eugene’s Hospital

With PeaceHealth's closure of Eugene's only emergency department, City Club of Eugene takes a look at the impact of the closure and the steps to take to serve the city's residents.

Our speakers include Dana Petersen-Crabb, senior director of housing services, ShelterCare; Lynda Pond, ADN/RN, formerly with Oregon Nurses Association and a semi-retired former PeaceHealth employee; and Jocelyn Wensel, medical student and interim managing director and healthcare workforce development program manager for the NAACP.

Watch the entire episode on City Club of Eugene's YouTube channel (starts at :27). Note that the video version has an audio echo but is available on our channel; this link has clean audio but no video.)

This program was recorded on Dec. 8, 2023.