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The incoming Obama administration has indicated that it will quickly be putting forth a stimulus <br />package to help this country's ailing economy, and Eugene is ready to take advantage of what <br />that might offer the working families in our region. We can do this if we are on the same page. <br />Eugene has a list of over $200 million in "ready to go " projects that fit the stimulus criteria given <br />for job creation and infrastructure improvement. We expect these projects, iffunded, could create <br />4, 404 well paying jobs by the end of next year — with an emphasis on green industry. These <br />include jobs in development and construction, alternative energy, accessibility, pavement <br />preservation, bike and pedestrian improvements, parks and trails, water reuse and pollution <br />control projects. <br />But we need to be sure that we are also aware of what other public institutions, our utilities, our <br />private sector, and our legislators have prioritized. We want to be sure we maximize our potential <br />by working effectively together at the state and federal level. That is our first order of business. <br />In the short run, economists tell us that our local attention should be on finding ways to help our <br />local businesses survive these difficult times. I have spoken to councilors and the city manager <br />and we are ready to facilitate those discussions immediately with our regional partners, business <br />community and other stakeholders. That is our second order of business. <br />Moving from Hynix to solar is our community goal for the reuse of that facility in responding to <br />current energy needs, green jobs, and the tax base. Let's hope that is the big deal Astrologist <br />Joanna Mitchell was predicting. <br />There are a couple of other important related items that we must put our efforts behind. <br />Lane Community College is key in job preparation, retraining, affordable education, and specific <br />training for some of the green economy work sectors. It is essential that our state budget includes <br />investment in our community college and we need to work with our legislators to ensure that <br />outcome. LCC is always important but never more than now. <br />LTD is key in carbon reduction, transportation access for many and jobs. LTD has been <br />extremely successful and the EmX is recognized for its innovation at both a national and <br />international level. It does not make sense for LTD to cut services just when we need more people <br />to use it as a major source of transportation. We must find a way together to put our transit <br />system together faster and with increased capacity to keep moving forward. <br />I bring LCC and LTD up because of their huge impact on our city's quality of life and economy. They are <br />not under our governance; but are key to what we are trying to achieve. <br />For the future we will boldly move forward a progressive economic plan; building on <br />the foundation we have laid together. <br />I invite our regional partners, both public and private, to join us in preparing for an Economic Summit <br />early this year to lay the course for our future. We cannot wait for who shows up. We cannot wait for <br />what will be allotted. We must go after what we want for our communities: more jobs that pay well, <br />decrease our impact on climate change and finite resources, and take full advantage of the changing <br />world economic opportunities. I have long believed that with crisis comes a moment to do things <br />differently and better. <br />The groundwork has been laid and now is the time for bold steps forward into the future. <br />Keeping the City on track is essential. <br />While being innovative, we also have to be steady at the wheel in these uncertain times, providing basic <br />MINUTES —City Council January 7, 2009 Page 7 <br />