Item B: City Council Priority Issue - Strengthen and Promote Community's Arts and Outdoors Assets

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ECC UGENE ITY OUNCIL AIS GENDA TEM UMMARY Work Session: City Council Priority Issue – Strengthen and Promote Community Arts and Outdoors Assets Meeting Date: November 8, 2006 Agenda Item Number: B Department: City Manager’s Office Staff Contact: Jan Bohman www.eugene-or.gov Contact Telephone Number: 682-5587 ISSUE STATEMENT The purpose of the work session is to update the council on progress on the action plan for this priority issue. The goal of this City Council priority is to strengthen and promote Eugene’s arts and outdoors assets together to advance the community’s celebrated livability as a sustainable economic development strategy. BACKGROUND Eugene’s arts and outdoor resources are major contributors to the city’s overall quality of life and represent the best of the community’s unique assets. The purpose of this priority issue is to strengthen and promote these assets together as part of a community-wide sustainable economic development strategy. By focusing on these resources and presenting a cohesive “arts and outdoors” theme, the community has the potential to realize two significant benefits: 1) enhanced sustainable economic activity through increased tourism and commerce; and 2) increased community livability through improved access to arts and outdoors amenities and events for area residents. In February 2005, the City Council identified promoting Eugene’s arts and outdoor assets as one of eight priority issues. The action plan was approved in July 2005 and in September 2005, the City Council approved the slogan, “World’s Greatest City of the Arts and Outdoors,” to be used in promoting the Eugene as a center for arts and outdoors activities. Following approval of the action plan, the interdepartmental staff team began implementation of the plan and work progressed on the five elements of the action plan simultaneously. The updates in the attached report (see Attachment A) are organized within the five elements outlined in the original action plan. RELATED CITY POLICIES The Parks, Recreation and Open Space Comprehensive Plan and the Cultural Policy Review both incorporate significant work items included in the priority issue action plan. The priority issue also relates directly to Eugene Downtown Plan and the 1% for Arts policy, and to the goals of the Sustainable Business Initiative. L:\CMO\2006 Council Agendas\M061108\S061108B.doc