CC Minutes - 02/20/07 Public Hearing

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Council, an organization with which he was involved. It would create an opportunity for the two organiza- tions to communicate and cooperate. He thought the proposal a reasonable response to the work of the Sustainable Business Initiative (SBI) Task Force. He said communities, not just businesses, need to organize themselves around sustainable issues. He suggested that sustainability could stimulate noncom- mercial transactions among residents that would make the community more sustainable over time. He encouraged the council to look at the work being done by the Portland/Multnomah Food Policy Council. He suggested the council tie that together with the recent peak oil initiative passed by the Portland City Council, which he considered a wonderful model. Charles Biggs , 540 Antelope Street, supported the proposal and the council and mayor’s efforts toward sustainability. He expected great things of the commission and hoped it did not shy away from controversy or issues that might cause difficulty because he thought that absolutely necessary. He also hoped that the proposed commission did not avoid whole-system thinking. Zachary Vishanoff , Patterson Street, acknowledged he was a sustainability skeptic, but recommended several online essays, including “When Sustainable Development Comes to your Town” and “Monsanto’s Approach to Sustainability.” He said that big companies do things that seem environmental, and he feared large companies could try to dress themselves up as being sustainable and in return receive assistance from the City. He suggested a list of unsustainable companies be prepared by the City. He recalled an article from the Eugene Weekly explaining an SBI recommendation to ensure that developments in the Riverfront Research Park would be sustainable, which he feared could lead to the development of land that would otherwise not be developed. Kevin Matthews , PO Box 1588, Eugene, representing the Friends of Eugene, supported the creation of a Sustainability Commission and said it was a positive step forward. He commended the council. Bob Doppelt , 31740 Fox Hollow Road, who assisted with the SBI Task Force, commended the council for the ordinance, which he believed was consistent with the SBI Task Force’s recommendations. He thought the commission would help the community address things such as climate change as well as help it to take advantage of emerging business opportunities. Mr. Doppelt suggested that the council ensure that the proposed commission has a diverse membership. He also asked the council to refrain from “throwing every issue” that could not be addressed in another venue at the commission, as the commission had several SBI recommendations to address initially. He commended the council for considering the ordinance. Kathy Ging , 2878 Harris Street, asked that the council consider resource depletion and the demand placed on local resources such as electricity and water by large businesses and residences. She noted local companies with a business focus that relied on petroleum and recommended the council “re-examine Hynix.” She asked, “Family wage jobs at what price?” Companies that provide family wages may want to come to Eugene but could contribute to global warming and resource depletion. She called for companies that were more creative and wisely used remaining resources. Ms. Ging further called for a land use planning advocate on the commission. She suggested the use of solar energy and asserted that the Eugene building code was unfriendly to solar energy. She also called for more education about solar energy and suggested the slogan “Eugene: the Solar Energy Capital of Oregon” as she believed it would attract the right people and businesses. David Funk , 30806 Blanton Heights, endorsed the ordinance before the council and thanked the council for letting the SBI process proceed unhindered. He asked that the council consider the “triple bottom line” and remember the initiative was started as an economic development initiative to make businesses better and MINUTES—Eugene City Council February 20, 2007 Page 13 Public Hearing