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? <br /> Social Services <br />One of the biggest questions we ask ourselves is how the community can better address homelessness. <br />We’ve worked together successfully to better meet needs with public/private partnerships such as <br />Project Homeless Connect and the Thomas Eagan Warming Centers. We’ve recently affirmed through <br />council resolution the rights of those with mental illness. <br /> <br />Yet, still before us is the need for housing for the chronically addicted and mentally ill. There’s a lot of <br />interest in additional shelter facilities. The city currently invests in affordable housing, support for existing <br />shelters, permanent housing efforts and prevention work. <br /> <br />If we’re serious about expanded shelter capacity, we’ll need new public/ private resources, community <br />leadership and stewardship. <br /> <br />? <br /> Climate Change <br />As we moved to build economic capacity, we’ve been fully aware of the imperative for an increased <br />response to finite resources and climate change. Our federal and state governments require us to ramp up <br />our efforts to address this issue. <br /> <br />Staff responded this year with many innovations in sustainable practices that reduced material needs and <br />greenhouse gases. These included warm–mix asphalt for street repair - thereby reducing emissions by 190 <br />metric tons; recycling existing streets in place, and white-topping. <br /> <br />Parks staff reduced fuel consumption by a whopping 20 percent, conserving more than 3,700 gallons of fuel <br />and the Wastewater division made a transition to a green fleet. <br /> <br />The city’s Sustainability Commission recommended a community climate and energy action plan be <br />developed. With the participation of many members of our community and our partners, this draft plan will <br />be complete in August. <br /> <br />Climate change has enormous impacts and the Sustainability Commission also recommended a Food <br />Security plan be developed. The scoping plan for this will be out in the next couple months. <br /> <br />We will continue to recognize public and private entities that adopt more sustainable practices through our <br />Bold Steps Awards. <br /> <br />Our work here is extremely important and we are committed to doing our part in this community and region. <br /> <br />? <br /> Infrastructure Investments <br />Public investments in our community paid off in 2009 and promises were kept. <br /> <br />Gas taxes, road bonds and stimulus dollars brought long-needed road repairs to fruition and more will occur <br />this next year. Eugene invested $16 million to fix streets in every part of the community. Our bond <br />measure had a specific list of streets to be repaired and required a 12-member citizen oversight panel to <br />verify those repairs. We‘ll continue to be accountable and good stewards in everything we do. <br /> <br />Our libraries were there in this recession, meeting our community’s needs. Three million books were <br />checked out. 7,300 children participated in our summer reading program. 800 free events served 40,000 <br />participants, including help with job searches. <br /> <br /> <br />MINUTES—City Council January 5, 2010 Page 6 <br /> <br />