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EUGENE CITY COUNCIL AGENDA ITEM SUMMARY Work Session: City Council Priority Issue - Push "Arts and Outdoors" As Theme for Eugene Meeting Date: July 13, 2005 Agenda Item Number: A Department: Planning and Development Staff Contact: Susan Muir www. euget~e-or, gov Contact Telephone Number: 682-6077 ISSUE STATEMENT The purpose of this work session is to review the recommended work plan for promoting an "arts and outdoors" theme for Eugene. The goal of this Priority Issue is to strengthen and promote Eugene's arts and outdoors assets together as a way to make community livability an economic development strategy. The council is asked to approve or modify the recommended action plan. BACKGROUND In February, the City Council met to develop strategic priorities for the community; eight priority issues emerged. The expectation from council was for the City Manager to develop recommended action plans for each strategic priority and return to council during the summer for discussion, input, and adoption of the plans. The Arts and Outdoors action plan is the fifth of these eight action plans to be brought to council and it is included as Attachment A. Eugene's arts and outdoor resources are considered to be key community assets and major contributors to Eugene's overall quality of life. The purpose of this Priority Issue is to strengthen and promote these community assets together as part of a community-wide sustainable economic development strategy. By focusing on the city's arts and outdoors resources and presenting a cohesive "arts and outdoors" theme the community has the potential to realize two significant benefits: 1) sustainable economic activity can be enhanced through increased tourism and commerce; and 2) community livability can be increased by improving access to arts and outdoors amenities and events for area residents. A key outcome of the first phase of this project will be identifying the community team of which the City should be part in order to meet the goals of this priority issue. This will also be the appropriate time for the City to define its role in a broader, community-wide "arts and outdoors" economic strategy. There are several community efforts underway by agencies such as the Convention and Visitors Association of Lane County (CVALCO), the Hult Center, and others that are building on some current dynamic energy around the arts and the outdoors. It is important to continue to build on this energy and move swiftly and quickly with our partners in these efforts. L:\CMO\2005 Council Agendas\M050713\S050713A. doc