CC Minutes - 01/07/08 State of the City

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and Chicago combining their purchasing powers for green solutions and to create green jobs at home - jobs that help put sustainable practices in place, are built on social equity, and pay well. In Oregon, Governor Kulongoski has embraced sustainable jobs and practices as the basis for Oregon’s economy, much as we have been doing here. He hopes that Oregon can offer leadership on a number of fronts and I want Eugene to be a significant part of this work. It is no coincidence that Sequential BioFuels is located here, and that the largest solar panel display in the state is on one of our industrial roofs. The governor has also required every state department including ODOT to do their part to reduce carbon emissions. As we approach all new regional planning efforts in transportation and land use, the state requirements give me hope. Necessity is the mother of invention and may help ODOT respond to climate change and finite resources, allowing it to be more creative and energy-conscious, rather than simply laying more roads. The challenges are great and so are the possibilities. I know 2008 will be a very challenging year at every level. We must continue to build on the momentum we have to address the major issues nationally and locally. We have the talent, the heart and the chutzpah. We are, after all, Eugene. Thus, my to-do list for 2008 includes the following goals: • Eugene leads in sustainable practices and supports the growth of sustainable businesses as a key to strengthening our economy; • Eugene continues to implement the Sustainable Business Initiative recommendations, moving toward carbon neutrality and zero waste; • Eugene develops a climate protection strategic plan; • The West Eugene Collaborative (WEC )completes its recommendations for addressing traffic and transportation issues in west Eugene; • Eugene reviews the recommendations of the Blue Ribbon Committee on Homelessness and ef- fective goals and strategies are adopted; • We collaborate and successfully plan for downtown, increasing the pace of reinvigoration of West Broadway; • Eugene addresses its neighborhood pothole backlog; • Eugene advances the Cultural Policy Review’s strategies to increase support for arts and cul- ture; • Eugene and our partners host a hugely successful and green Olympic Track & Field Trials; • Eugene considers an independent auditor for the City of Eugene; MINUTES—State of the City January 7, 2008 Page 8