City Council Newsletter - 09/07/06

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The businesses began with a Good Company-led workshop to teach the fundamentals of sustainability with a focus on life-cycle and supply-chain management. Next, working one-on-one with business owners, Good Company conducted an “executive assessment” focused on energy, fuel and climate impacts, materials, waste and recycling, water use, indoor-air quality, habitat, landscape and stormwater management and authentic branding and communications. The process concluded with concrete, feasible and affordable action steps to improve operations and marketing. While each business had unique risks and opportunities, many had similar needs. Common areas for significant improvement included energy efficiency, use of non-toxic cleaning products and the selection of packaging with increased recycled content and future recycling capabilities. Many businesses were also neglecting to improve customer loyalty by disclosing business practices. On October 31, from 8 – 10 am, Good Company will present results of the program to other companies in “Sustainability 101 for Business,” a two-hour workshop co-sponsored by the City and the Eugene Area Chamber of Commerce. The first half of the workshop will consist of a brief introduction to sustainability issues, the assessment process, and the assessment tool. The second half will review the demonstration project results to bridge the gap from concept to application. The demonstration program and subsequent class is supported with City funds provided for sustainable economic development. [Good Company is a local research and consulting firm that helps clients measure, manage, and market their social and environmental performance.] For more information, call Mike Sullivan, Community Development Division, at 682-5448. Work on Reconstruction of Hilyard Street Drawing to a Close Substantial completion of the Hilyard Street reconstruction project is just around the corner. The contractor, Wildish thth Construction, opened one lane between 24 and 18 avenues in time for the start of classes on Wednesday, and full reopening of the street is scheduled for Saturday afternoon. Project Manager Steve Gallup said the $2 million project has thth proceeded as anticipated. “The first section from 13 to 18 was done right on time, and the second section has taken just a couple of extra days because we had to excavate a bit more than we had planned in a couple of locations,” he said. Travelers quickly adjusted to the street closure and seemed to appreciate good signage and the variety of traffic information, Gallup said. Nonetheless, everyone is heaving a sigh of relief that the end of the job is in sight and that the weather has cooperated. For more information, call Steve Gallup at 682- 8460. EUGENE CITY COUNCIL NEWSLETTER PAGE 2 September 7, 2006