Item 5: Implementation Strategies for Sustainable Business Initiative

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ECC UGENE ITY OUNCIL AIS GENDA TEM UMMARY Action: Implementation Strategies for Sustainable Business Initiative Meeting Date: October 23, 2006 Agenda Item Number: 5 Department: City Manager’s Office Staff Contact: Mary Walston www.eugene-or.gov Contact Telephone Number: 682-5406 ISSUE STATEMENT This is to take action on the proposals to implement the work of the Sustainable Business Initiative Task Force. These recommendations were discussed at a City Council work session on October 11, 2006. Councilor Ortiz, who was unable to attend the meeting due to out-of-town council business, requested that no action be taken at that meeting. As a result, this item was rescheduled for October 23. BACKGROUND In April 2005, Mayor Piercy proposed the creation of the Sustainable Business Initiative (SBI). A 16- member task force was to be appointed to identify strategies, incentives, financial assistance mechanisms, and educational opportunities which could improve the local economy by generating income for local businesses and living wage jobs for employees while also conserving the environment. Shortly thereafter, the City Council approved the expenditure of $50,000 over an 18-month time frame to support the work of this initiative. The SBI Task Force held its first meeting on June 28, 2005. The task force continued to meet monthly through July 2006. As noted in the final report of the task force, the SBI was initiated to build upon the City government’s sustainability goals and to capitalize on the local private and public sectors long history of exemplary sustainability activities. The overarching goal of the SBI work was to make Eugene one of the nation’s most sustainable mid-sized communities and to become a center of excellence for community sustainability practices. From the information gathered, the SBI Task Force developed a set of recommendations for retaining, growing, and creating sustainable businesses and jobs in Eugene. The recommendations are organized around three areas: 1) City of Eugene; 2) private sector; and 3) other local governments and educational institutions. The report was presented to the City Council on September 25, 2006. There are 11 major recommendations for the City, seven for local private and non-profit sector organizations, and four for other local governments and educational institutions. The 11 for the City of Eugene are: 1. Publicly Commit to Sustainable Practices and to Businesses that Produce Sustainable Products and Services 2. Establish an Office of Sustainability within City Government L:\CMO\2006 Council Agendas\M061023\S0610235.doc