Item 8: Ordinance Creating Sustainability Commission

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ECC UGENE ITY OUNCIL AIS GENDA TEM UMMARY Public Hearing: An Ordinance Creating a Sustainability Commission; Amending Section 2.013 of the Eugene Code, 1971; and Adding a New Section 2.380 to that Code Meeting Date: February 20, 2007 Agenda Item Number: 8 Department: City Manager’s Office Staff Contact: Mary Walston www.eugene-or.gov Contact Telephone Number: 682-5406 ISSUE STATEMENT This is a public hearing on a proposed ordinance to create a Sustainability Commission which will be a standing advisory body to the City Council. Standing advisory bodies such as the Human Rights Commission and the Police Commission are created in the Eugene Code; thus, an ordinance is required to codify the creation of the body. BACKGROUND On October 23, 2006, the City Council accepted the report of the Sustainable Business Initiative (SBI). The report listed 11 recommendations for the for the City organization. Of these 11, three were cited as essential in laying the groundwork to attain the vision of the task force members. These three were: 1) a public commitment to sustainability and the promotion of sustainable practices; 2) the creation of a position in the City organization to promote sustainability; and 3) the creation of a standing advisory committee on sustainability matters. On November 13, 2006, the City Council adopted Resolution No. 4893 “publicly committing the City of Eugene to sustainable practices and to businesses that produce sustainable products and services.” The position of sustainability manager has been developed and will be included as a proposal in the upcoming FY08 City Manager’s budget. In addition, a recruitment process is in the final stages to hire a person to serve as the sustainability manager. The creation of a Sustainability Commission is the next step to implement the major recommendations of the SBI report. A work session on the proposed ordinance was held on January 24, 2007. At the work session, several revisions were made to the draft. These included a revision to the language in Section 2.380 (1) and a revision to the composition of the commission itself. Both of these revisions are included the attached proposed ordinance. The first revision, that to Section 2.380 (1), replaced the language in (b) to that suggested by the Mayor. The new language for that section is shown below in italics. 2.380 Sustainability Commission. (1) Created. A sustainability commission is hereby created to act as a policy advisory body to the council and city manager in the development or initiation of programs or actions that will enhance, develop and create sustainable practices within the community. The commission shall advise on policy matters related to a) sustainable practices, b) publicly committing the city of Eugene to L:\CMO\2007 Council Agendas\M070220\S0702208.doc