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ECC <br />UGENE ITY OUNCIL <br />AIS <br />GENDA TEM UMMARY <br /> <br /> <br /> <br /> <br />Work Session: Sustainability Commission Work Plan and Annual Report <br /> <br /> <br />Meeting Date: November 28, 2012 Agenda Item Number: B <br />Department: Central Services Staff Contact: Babe O’Sullivan <br />www.eugene-or.gov Contact Telephone Number: 541-682-5017 <br /> <br />ISSUE STATEMENT <br />The Sustainability Commission reports annually to the council on its progress, accomplishments <br />and challenges – and obtains direction for its pending work plan. <br /> <br /> <br />BACKGROUND <br />The Sustainability Commission is charged with advising on policy matters related to sustainable <br />practices, businesses that produce sustainable products and services, City building design and <br />infrastructure, and related issues that directly affect sustainability efforts considered by the City <br />Council. <br /> <br />The commission first met in November 2007, and it meets as an entire commission 10-11 times a <br />year. Its 13 members include eight who are appointed by each individual councilor; a council <br />liaison; and four at-large members. Monthly meetings typically include public comment, reports <br />from commissioners, and discussion of a wide range of topics – with emphasis this last year on <br />climate change, and land use and transportation policies. <br /> <br />Challenges in developing an achievable work plan are to: <br /> <br />Ensure integration of social, economic and environmental considerations into any action <br /> <br />proposed; <br /> <br />Establish priorities, given the enormous scope of potential work; <br /> <br /> <br />Link effectively with related efforts of other advisory groups, other agencies, City staff, <br /> <br />community groups and elected officials; and, <br /> <br />Respond strategically to time-sensitive issues. <br /> <br /> <br />During the last year, the commission has received direct staff support from Sustainability Liaison <br />Babe O’Sullivan and Climate and Energy Analyst Matt McRae. Staff’s key responsibilities also <br />include coordinating continued progress on the Community Climate and Energy Action Plan, <br />Internal Climate Plan, and education and analysis using a triple bottom line framework that <br />incorporates social equity, economic and environmental impacts. While all City departments <br />contribute significantly to sustainable policies and practices, the commission does not have <br />dedicated staff resources for all in-depth research and special projects. <br /> <br /> <br /> <br /> S:\CMO\2012 Council Agendas\M121128\S121128B.doc <br />