Item B: Sustainability Commission Recommendations

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ECC UGENE ITY OUNCIL AIS GENDA TEM UMMARY Work Session: Sustainability Commission Recommendations Meeting Date: February 9, 2009 Agenda Item Number: B Department: City Manager’s Office Staff Contact: Felicity Fahy www.eugene-or.gov Contact Telephone Number: 682-5017 ISSUE STATEMENT The Sustainability Commission is proposing its second set of policy recommendations to the City Council to enable the City organization and community to operate more sustainably. The commission requests that the council pursue and approve these recommendations. BACKGROUND Introduction The council adopted Ordinance No. 20379 in February 2007, establishing the Sustainability Commission. The commission, a policy advisory body to the City Council and City Manager, is charged with advising the council on policy matters related to: sustainable practices, businesses that produce sustainable products and services, City building design and infrastructure and related issues that directly affect sustainability efforts considered by the City Council. On October 8, 2008, the council adopted the Sustainability Commission’s first set of recommendations, adopting a carbon neutral goal for City operations and agreeing to undertake a community climate action plan. The current recommendations represent the next priorities for action from the commission. The Sustainable Business Initiative Taskforce (SBI) report, the Portland Peak Oil Task Force Report “Descending the Peak: Navigating the Transition from Oil and Natural Gas” (Portland Peak Oil Report) and information presented to the commission by the community formed the basis for these recommendations and conclude the set initially proposed by the commission’s Immediate Action Subcommittee. As noted in the first set of recommendations, there is a palpable sense of urgency from members of the community and the commission. Sustainability issues are serious and imminent, and must be addressed socially, environmentally and economically. The complex challenges confronting Eugene include climate change, fossil fuel price fluctuations and a very serious recession in the local, national, and global economies. Immediate action is needed, with innovative and creative solutions and working cooperatively with a broad range of community partners. To that end, the Sustainability Commission has established liaisons with over 20 groups and organizations for sharing information and collaborating to address these issues at a community and regional level. The Sustainability Commission acknowledges and commends the many proactive initiatives within the City and on the part of the council to enable the City organization to operate more sustainably and contribute to creating a more sustainable Eugene. The recommendations from the commission are offered to the council to support and build on this action. Z:\CMO\2009 Council Agendas\M090209\S090209B.doc