June 5, 2014 - City Council Newsletter

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City of Eugene 125 East 8 Avenue, 2 Floor thnd Eugene, Oregon 97401 (541) 682-5010 (541) 682-5414 (FAX) www.eugene-or.gov EUGENE CITY COUNCIL NEWSLETTER June 5, 2014 IN THIS EDITION SHINING EXAMPLE OF EUGENE’S VALUES AND HOSPITALITY EUGENE-JINJU SISTER CITY COMMITTEE INVITES DELEGATES FOR 2014 KOREA TRIP SIGN UP! SUMMER READING FOR ALL AGES AT EUGENE PUBLIC LIBRARY EUGENE HOSTS CENTER FOR A NEW AMERICAN DREAM WORKSHOP PETERSEN BARN HOSTS LATINO FAMILY FUN NIGHT ON A LARK…RESOURCE GUIDE IS “RE-MASTERED” AROUND THE CITY Shining Example of Eugene’s Values and Hospitality The National Neighborhoods, USA Conference was a smashing success with amazing feedback from the nearly 600 attendees. Statistically speaking, delegates participated in 55 workshops, 13 neighborhood tours, were served more than 2,000 meals, and were supported by more than 40 community volunteers. Eugene shined in hospitality as out-of-town delegates routinely shared with organizers the warm reception they were getting from surrounding businesses and neighbors. Conference attendees patronized downtown establishments throughout the course of their time with pre-planned free time to explore the growing downtown. Remaining consistent with the community’s core values, all aspects of sustainability were woven into conference planning from meals that emphasized appropriate portions and locally-sourced food, to a clearly articulated, sustainable procurement policy that was shared with vendors and exhibitors. Highlighting the area’s award winning water, no single-serve water bottles were provided throughout the event as registrants were encouraged to bring their own reusable bottle, and, thanks to the conference venue’s participation in Love Food Not Waste, more than 2.39 tons of recyclables and food waste were diverted from the landfill. In an unprecedented move in the National Neighborhoods, USA organization, Eugene offered attendees the option of opting out of paper copies and instead provided online electronic access to conference material. More than 40 percent of attendees accepted the offer and opted out of printing. The planning team also established a robust inclusion policy that even prompted one attendee who had utilized accessibility assistance to call and thank staff for all of their work to make the conference accessible to all. To limit barriers in attendance further, a need-based scholarship program, supplemented by a work-trade option, was created for local conference attendees. While Eugene is one of the smallest municipalities to host this conference, everyone can be proud of the lasting impacts and legacy established as it moves into the future. For additional details, contact Neighborhoods Planner and conference coordinator, Rene Kane at Rene.C.Kane@ci.eugene.or.us. EUGENE CITY COUNCIL NEWSLETTER PAGE 1 June 5, 2014