Item A: Triple Bottom Line Framework

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ECC UGENE ITY OUNCIL AIS GENDA TEM UMMARY Work Session: Triple Bottom Line Framework Meeting Date: September 29, 2010 Agenda Item Number: A Department: Central Services, City Manager’s Office Staff Contact: Keli Osborn www.eugene-or.gov Contact Telephone Number: 541-682-5406 ISSUE STATEMENT This work session provides an opportunity to review the triple bottom line (TBL) framework and tools in use by City staff, and to discuss additional ways to incorporate social equity, environmental and economic considerations into council deliberations. BACKGROUND In the private sector, the concept of a triple bottom line means that a company is responsible not only to shareholders, but to stakeholders who are influenced by that company’s actions. At the City of Eugene, applying a triple bottom line framework also can be a way of considering the impacts of decisions and actions. TBL analysis is intended to improve the quality of deliberations, decisions and services by expanding the discussion and highlighting social equity, environmental and economic issues that might not otherwise surface. At the recommendation of the Sustainability Commission in 2008, City Manager Jon Ruiz directed staff to develop a triple bottom line analysis tool. Development of the tool involved a staff team and members of several advisory commissions. The commission sought to have the tool used in aiding policy-level discussions by the council. In an April 2010 memo to council, staff shared a progress report and a link to multiple assessment tools. An interactive, online tool exists for staff use, but is not yet available to the public. As staff increasingly applies a triple bottom line framework in discussions and decision-making, some are creating specific tools to increase the ease of use and relevance to specific projects. The triple bottom line framework has been applied in various ways – reviewing recommendations in the Walnut Station mixed-use project, evaluating potential FY11 budget reductions and fee increases for the Recreation Division, conducting a back-end examination of Neighborhood Matching Grants, evaluating Library customer receipts, and framing discussions of bike path and parks issues. The City Manager also conducted a general evaluation of FY10 budget proposals and their potential impacts for social equity, environmental health and economic prosperity. Staff education has included presentations to department management teams and roundtable discussions with program managers. Additional staff training is planned this fall, along with an extended leadership focus in early 2011. Z:\CMO\2010 Council Agendas\M100929\S100929A.doc