Item A: Sustainability Commission Work Plan

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ATTACHMENTA SCFY12W USTAINABILITY OMMISSION ORK PLAN Oct. 10, 2011 Introduction The work of the Eugene Sustainability Commission for FY 12 reflects a renewed focus on important themes carried forward from recent years. With major land use and transportation initiatives still taking shape, the commission will be looking at how to integrate these initiatives to meet the sustainability goals adopted by Council. Those goals specific to reducing greenhouse gas emissions and fossil fuel use as well as adaptation to changing climate and rising energy prices are embodied in the Community Climate and Energy Action Plan (CEAP) approved by Council in 2010. Effective planning for the impacts of climate change and energy volatility provides a unifying framework for the commission and this will guide its oversight of implementation efforts. Priority will be given to the decisions Council must make on such high-level initiatives as Envision Eugene, the Transportation System Plan and EmX. The commission’s role in the coming year will be to reinforce the importance of goals Council has set and the need to be faithful to those goals in the policy decisions that are made. The commission can assist by highlighting the connections between policy decisions and the implications for reaching sustainability goals. There are also important building blocks that may not involve Council decisions but deserve commission attention such as:  Implementation of 20 minute neighborhoods  Role of bike/pedestrian travel in land use and transportation decisions and policies  Regional planning issues and sustainability initiatives  Integrated Electric Resource Plan (IERP) Communication efforts are vital to the success of the commission’s work, both in advising Council and city staff and informing the Eugene community. The commission aims to align its communication efforts to the work plan themes for FY 12. New assignments will be made for commission liaisons with attention to community groups related to work plan activities. The commission also plans to provide more frequent feedback to Council by offering comments during public hearings and forums. The commission also recognizes the importance of collaboration with other commissions, community organizations and partners. Stronger working relationships will be sought with the following groups:  Human Rights Commission (HRC)  Transportation Community Resource Group (TCRG)  Coordinated Land Use and Transportation Action Committee (CLUTAC)  Neighborhood Leaders Council (NLC)  EWEB  Metropolitan Policy Committee In the matrix on the next page, call out the intersection of primary commission activities and the focus areas for the coming year. Activities include providing policy advice and communication, engaging in outreach, education and collaboration, focusing on equity considerations, and articulating the economic benefits and implications of major policy decisions.