Unable to sell these machines, the City sought a disposal method that is more productive than throwing them in the landfill. Materials recyclers want to be paid to take the machines, as metal recovery does not cover the cost of dismantling. Other non-profit organizations can bid at our sale, however. Goodwill took 23 computers that are of even older vintage. The Churchill program is part of a state-wide program in which high school students evaluate, repair, and refurbish donated computer systems.
Students learn computer repair, business management, and computer networking skills.
Refurbished systems are distributed free of charge to school districts in Lane County. These donations do not include software other than DOS 6.22, as the City routinely reuses its software licenses through upgrades to reduce costs to City departments. The Public Works Transportation Division is planning to install additional street lights in residential neighborhoods this coming winter to respond to the highest-priority citizen requests for new street lights on streets with no lighting. The number of lights that can be installed within the budget depends on a variety of installation factors. This was achieved by installing most of the lights on existing EWEB poles.