Item 2A: Approval of City Council Minutes

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find an additional $6 million somewhere, either through budget cuts that result in loss of service or some form of increased revenue. 2. We will continue implementing our Regional Prosperity Plan. We are planning a summit to examine data about the outcomes of our efforts and the best direction for us to take. The new big idea that we have developed with the Governor’s Regional Solutions team is a proposal to build the South Willamette Valley Technology Business Accelerator to transition local businesses from start-ups to larger companies that can provide higher wage jobs. For us, this would mean providing early-stage technology start-ups with affordable office and lab space close to university research, faculty and students. Doing this would provide these businesses with access to high capacity university equipment and expertise in an open environment that fosters the exchange of ideas and collaboration. It would connect them to mentors, give them guidance on business formation and outside investment, and provide sales and marketing support. The program would fill a need for such resources in this state and the accelerators are envisioned to be located in both Eugene and Corvallis. Just yesterday, Governor Kitzhaber was here to discuss this proposal. 3. Downtown revitalization will continue with an emerging Arts and Culture District. There are already many pieces of an arts district in place and more to come with Lord Leebrick’s new theater and the downtown Bijou soon to open. Imagine our historic downtown post office becoming the new Lane County and Eugene museum of history. Think about how we could learn about and preserve all facets of Eugene’s very interesting history, good and bad, and all points in-between. We’ll design a city hall that not only is where people come to be part of the municipal decision- making process but also a place where people can convene, where our rich cultural diversity is visually honored, and perhaps even where an indoor farmers market can find a home. 4. We will have the opportunity to connect our downtown to our river and to create more opportuni- ties for us all to enjoy this renewed area of our riverfront. EWEB has master planned the EWEB-owned riverfront property and, as decisions are made to move forward, the city council and general public will have a part in the implementation of the plan. 5. We continue to implement our Climate and Energy Plan. We will ratchet up our community commitment to mitigation and adaptation strategies. Recent research has shown us that our community supports addressing climate change: 77% of our residents agree that climate change is human-caused; 81% agree that climate change requires us to change our behavior; and 75% support stronger regulation of greenhouse gases. Two young people from our community have taken legal action on climate change. State leaders have filed amicus curiae brief in support of Kelsey Juliana and Olivia Cherniak’s appeal to compel our state to take action to protect Oregonians under the Public Trust Doctrine. These are our future leaders and they join young people in 49 states in filing such briefs. MINUTES—City Council January 5, 2010 Page 6