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<br />Our parks were also there in this recession, offering “stay-cation” activities for families. Parks bond funds <br />and matching grants allowed renovations and developments in seven neighborhood parks. This simply would <br />not have been possible without the sweat equity of the many neighborhood groups involved. <br /> <br />? <br /> The Budget <br />All this work with partners to help in these tough times was truly remarkable. We dealt with a $12 million <br />dollar budget hole, kept our employees, provided services and made progress toward a sustainable budget. <br />Our staff and manager did quite a job. We downsized through attrition, reduced our fleet and brought our <br />legal staff in-house (as promised) to cut costs. Staff made many sacrifices and we thank them. <br /> <br />? <br /> Eugene Counts <br />Despite our best efforts, we face yet another $6-8 million dollar deficit in the general fund. We have invited <br />the community into the discussion of what is most important. We call it Eugene Counts. I like this name <br />because of its double meaning that what happens in our city does matter – it “counts” - and that we are <br />accountable to show our citizens our progress on their behalf – an ongoing report card if you will. <br /> <br />As you have seen, we are looking for ways to provide the services our community wants, as well as the <br />critical ones that are currently underfunded, such as public safety. <br /> <br />? <br /> Shared responsibility <br />Some of the services are ours alone and some are shared with our partners. <br /> <br />Clean energy sources, water, and air matter, and they are shared responsibilities with EWEB and LRAPA. <br /> <br />A public transit system that efficiently and cleanly allows mobility of people and goods is essential and is a <br />shared responsibility with LTD, and the state and federal governments. <br /> <br />Access to food and shelter, justice and civil rights is a shared responsibility. We will continue our strong <br />partnership with the Human Rights Commission and other groups working to protect basic human rights. <br /> <br />Public Safety is definitely a shared responsibility and one that touches every facet of our lives. <br /> <br />Ensuring our children are educated, healthy and prepared for the future is a shared responsibility. Recently, <br />the council passed a resolution in support of measures 66 and 67 that help protect funding for all of these <br />shared responsibilities. Please vote in January. <br /> <br />We have done much together and we have much more to do in the upcoming year. To wrap this up, I will <br />mention some 2010 goals. As you know, many long-term ones continue and we are working with you on <br />defining others. <br /> <br />2010 goals <br /> <br />1. We’ll focus on an aggressive, regional economic development plan that includes bringing in stimu- <br />lus funds, local business support, downtown revitalization, and turning our assets into job growth. <br />We‘ll expand partnership opportunities with the University of Oregon to help achieve these goals. <br /> <br />2. We’ll focus on a successful, collaborative policy discussion regarding our land supply needs that <br /> <br /> <br />MINUTES—City Council January 5, 2010 Page 7 <br /> <br />