Item A: Triple Bottom Line Framework

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ATTACHMENT A Economic Prosperity How would an action or proposal affect the local economy and what are its costs to the community, now and over the long term? How does the proposal or action support responsible stewardship of public resources? In developing his recommended budget for FY11, City Manager Jon Ruiz is asking these and similar questions to understand the potential impacts of various options and to develop a balanced budget approach that aligns with the Council Vision and Values, adopted in May 2009. The Eugene City Council’s vision is to: Value all people, encouraging respect and appreciation for diversity, equity, justice, and social well-being. We recognize and appreciate our differences and embrace our common humanity as the source of our strength; Be responsible stewards of our physical assets and natural resources. We will sustain our clean air and water, beautiful parks and open spaces, livable and safe neighborhoods, and foster a vibrant downtown, including a stable infrastructure; and Encourage a strong, sustainable and vibrant economy, fully utilizing our educational and cultural assets, so that every person has an opportunity to achieve financial security. Values: Safe Community; Sustainable Development; Accessible and Thriving Culture and Recreation; Effective, Accountable Municipal Government; and Fair, Stable and Adequate Financial Resources. Incorporating the framework and tools into discussions and decision making within the organization will take several forms. The greatest value so far has come from the thinking and conversations inspired by application of the framework. Consequently, staff training emphasizes dialogue over isolated analysis – with recognition that a TBL tool is not a number-crunching device offering objective data and output. Applying the framework and employing specific tools is intended to focus energy on discovering what may have been unknown about the effects of a project, decision or service and thinking about ways to improve outcomes. In the coming weeks and months, staff will provide summarized triple bottom line information to council in agenda item summaries and other materials. Upcoming examples include Neighborhood Matching Grants funding and the Community Climate and Energy Action Plan. With growing familiarity and expertise with the framework and particular tools, as well as feedback from council, TBL presentations should become more common over time. Staff also is exploring ways to make the tools more accessible to other agencies and the public, and there is interest in evaluating proprietary options. For more information, please explore a slide presentation and tools via links on the right-hand side of the City’s Sustainability Commission web page: http://www.eugene-or.gov/sustainabilitycommission. Staff also is available to present information in a council meeting, at your request.