HomeMy WebLinkAboutItem C: Sustainability Commission
ECC
UGENE ITY OUNCIL
AIS
GENDA TEM UMMARY
Work Session: Sustainability Commission Work Plan
Meeting Date: August 9, 2010 Agenda Item Number: C
Department: Central Services Staff Contact: Keli Osborn
www.eugene-or.gov Contact Telephone Number: 541-682-5406
ISSUE STATEMENT
The Sustainability Commission reports annually to the council on its progress, accomplishments and
challenges – and obtains direction for its pending work plan.
BACKGROUND
In January 2007, the council adopted the Sustainability Initiative goal to develop the Office of
Sustainability and the Sustainability Commission. The council adopted Ordinance No. 20379
establishing the Sustainability Commission as a policy advisory body to the council and City Manager to
assist in the development of programs to create or enhance sustainable practices within the community.
The Sustainability Commission is charged with advising on policy matters related to sustainable
practices, businesses that produce sustainable products and services, City building design and
infrastructure, and related issues that directly affect sustainability efforts considered by the City Council.
The commission first met in November 2007. Its 13 members include eight appointed by each individual
councilor, a council liaison, and four at-large members. Monthly meetings typically include public
comment, reports from commissioners, and discussion of a wide range of topics – with emphasis this
last year on climate change, and land use and transportation policies.
Challenges in developing an achievable work plan are to:
ensure integration of social, economic and environmental considerations into any action
proposed;
establish priorities, given the enormous scope of potential work;
link effectively with related efforts of other advisory groups, other agencies, City staff,
community groups and elected officials; and,
respond strategically to time-sensitive items and longer-term issues.
In addition, commission members continue to stress that more resources are needed to support the
Sustainability Commission and the City’s sustainability work. The commission recognizes the work of
many staff throughout the City organization in supporting sustainability goals and indirectly supporting
the commission’s work plan. While all City departments contribute significantly to sustainable policies
and practices, there are not sufficient staff resources for in-depth research of specific issues that the
commission may wish to take action on or dedicated staffing for multiple commission subcommittees.
During the last year, the commission received direct staff support from an interim Sustainability
Manager and other City Manager’s Office staff. A new Sustainability Liaison (Babe O’Sullivan,
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formerly with the City of Portland’s Bureau of Planning and Sustainability) has joined the City
organization, and will provide direct support to the commission with assistance from others. The
liaison’s key responsibilities also will include coordinating continued progress on the Community
Climate and Energy Action Plan, Internal Climate Plan, and education and analysis using a triple bottom
line framework that considers social equity, economic and environmental impacts.
RELATED CITY POLICIES
The Sustainability Initiative Goal supports and builds on the numerous sustainability resolutions that the
council has adopted. On February 28, 2000, the City Council adopted Resolution No. 4618, which
outlined a definition and statement of intent regarding the application of sustainability principles to the
City of Eugene, and affirmed the commitment of City elected officials and staff to uphold these
principles. To further this commitment, the City Council adopted Resolution Nos. 4884 and 4887 in the
summer of 2006 regarding a sustainable buildings policy for City-owned and -occupied buildings.
In November 2006, Resolution No. 4893 was adopted, committing the City to sustainable practices and
to businesses that produce sustainable products and services. This was followed in February 2007, by
Ordinance No. 20379 which created the Sustainability Commission.
TRIPLE BOTTOM LINE IMPACTS
Although the work plan does not explicitly describe how the commission will address social equity,
economic prosperity and environmental health, these considerations would be woven into the group’s
work. Work plan themes include: Land Use and Transportation; Outreach and Education; and Ongoing
Initiatives – Monitoring and Support. The first theme includes Envision Eugene, the West Eugene EmX
and the TransPlan update. The outcomes of these efforts have significant “triple bottom line”
implications. The same is true for Ongoing Initiatives, including the Community Climate and Energy
Action Plan, Food Security, and Waste. Council feedback on particular concerns is welcomed.
COUNCIL OPTIONS
The council could:
1. Approve the proposed work plan as a framework. This would require council establishment of a
joint subcommittee of the Sustainability Commission and Planning Commission.
2. Approve the work plan with changes.
3. Request changes to the work plan before approval
CITY MANAGER’S RECOMMENDATION
The City Manager recommends Option 1.
SUGGESTED MOTION
Move to approve the Sustainability Commission FY11 work plan.
or
Move to approve the Sustainability Commission FY11 work plan with council-determined changes.
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ATTACHMENTS
A.Sustainability Commission FY11 Work Plan
B.FY10 Work Plan Progress Report
FOR MORE INFORMATION
Staff Contact: Keli Osborn
Telephone: 541-682-5406
Staff E-Mail: keli.m.osborn@ci.eugene.or.us
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ATTACHMENT A
City of Eugene Sustainability Commission
FY ’11 Work Plan
B
ACKGROUND
The Sustainability Commission was established in 2008 as a policy advisory body to the City Council and
City Manager in the development or initiation of programs or actions that will enhance and create
sustainable practices within the City and the community. The commission shall advise on policy matters
related to:
a) sustainable practices
b) businesses that produce sustainable products and services
c) City building design and infrastructure
d) related issues that directly affect sustainability efforts considered by the council
The mission of the Sustainability Commission is:
The Sustainability Commission works to create a healthy community now and in the
future by proposing measurable solutions to pressing environmental, social and
economic concerns to the City of Eugene, its partners and its people.
PWP
ROPOSED ORK ROGRAM
The City of Eugene Sustainability Commission proposes to complete a number of specific tasks under
each of the following broad themes in Fiscal Year 2011: (1) Land Use and Transportation, (2) Outreach
and Education and (3) Ongoing Initiatives - Monitoring and Support. This section is organized by theme,
with specific tasks described under each.
TI–LUT
HEME AND SE AND RANSPORTATION
The twin challenges of global climate change and long-term energy security come together in land use
and transportation. Over the past year, the Sustainability Commission researched these issues and
developed a set of broad recommendations for Council to consider when making decisions related to
Land Use and/or Transportation (Outcome 2 – FY 10 Work Plan). With a number of key land use and
transportation policy efforts underway or expected in the coming year, the Sustainability Commission
will focus on reviewing and assessing the policy and investment recommendations coming before Council
and will provide guidance and advice in an effort to ensure that sustainability issues are being considered
and prioritized by Council.
Most of the following tasks will, we anticipate and hope, involve the Coordinated Land Use and
Transportation Action Committee (CLUTAC), a joint committee of the Planning Commission and the
Sustainability Commission.
Sustainability Commission Work Plan FY11 1
Task 1.1: Envision Eugene
The City of Eugene is actively engaged in a process to determine how the city will accommodate
commercial, residential, industrial and associated growth over the next 20 years. Over the past year, the
Sustainability Commission has maintained commission member participation on the Eugene
Comprehensive Lands Assessment. The Sustainability Commission will remain actively engaged in the
Envision Eugene process with the following:
Delegate members of the Sustainability Commission to serve on a joint land use and
transportation subcommittee with members of the Planning Commission.
Receive periodic reports from the joint SC/PC subcommittee regarding Envision Eugene.
Receive regular updates from staff regarding the Envision Eugene process.
Maintain individual commissioner involvement in Envision Eugene committee work.
Review and comment on final Envision Eugene policy recommendations to council.
Product and timeline to be determined.
Task 1.2: EmX
Implementation of Lane Transit District’s (LTD) Bus Rapid Transit (BRT) system, EmX, is fundamental
to the City’s long-term growth management strategy. With discussions and policy decisions related to
corridor prioritization, route selection and land use policy expected in the coming year, in FY11 the
Sustainability Commission will advise and engage the process generally and the council specifically in
the following ways:
Delegate members of the Sustainability Commission to serve on a joint land use and
transportation subcommittee with members of the Planning Commission.
Receive periodic reports from the joint SC/PC subcommittee regarding EmX.
Maintain commission member participation in an LTD EmX steering committee.
Review and comment on final EmX corridor prioritization, route selection and related land use
policy recommendations to council.
Product(s):
Steering Committee Meeting #1
Draft Community Base Map
Timeline:
Summer 2010
Task 1.3: TransPlan
In the coming year, the City of Eugene will begin review and update of TransPlan, the metro area
comprehensive transportation system plan. The commission will engage in the TransPlan process and:
Ensure suitable representation of alternative modes (pedestrian, bicycles, transit) in the process.
Receive periodic reports from the joint SC/PC subcommittee regarding TransPlan.
Receive regular updates from staff regarding the TransPlan update process.
Establish individual commissioner involvement in TransPlan committee work.
Review and comment on final TransPlan policy recommendations to council.
Product and timeline TBD.
Sustainability Commission Work Plan FY11 2
Task 1.4: Car-sharing
In December 2009, council requested a report from the Sustainability Commission on the
opportunities and challenges associated with implementing a car-sharing program in Eugene. In
particular, council seeks to understand the opportunities to address parking scarcity in certain
neighborhoods. The commission has convened a subcommittee to study the issue. In FY 11, the
Sustainability Commission will prepare a memo with findings and recommendations for council
consideration.
Task 1.5: Electric Vehicles
The Sustainability Commission has received regular reports from EWEB and other groups on
local efforts related to Electric Vehicle infrastructure, manufacturing and commercialization. In
addition, individual members of the Sustainability Commission have been actively engaged in
local and statewide electric vehicle initiatives. The commission will continue to participate
actively on these issues and inform council whenever relevant.
TII–OE
HEME UTREACH AND DUCATION
In line with its charge, the Sustainability Commission will pursue increased outreach and
education activities, to include:
Task 2.1: Refine Core Messages for Use in Outreach and Education
The commission will develop and refine a series of messages about City activities and initiatives, key
sustainability and climate issues, and on-going community processes for communication in community
forums, in other formal speaking engagements, and with community liaisons. The existing draft
communications plan will inform this process. The commission will also seek to strengthen its web
presence.
Task 2.2: Maintain Community Liaisons
The commission will track and provide guidance on the Joint Elected Officials (JEO) report
implementation / economic development strategy . We will also monitor/collaborate with (and use as a
partner/venue) the Chamber, GreenLane, JEO and Metro Partnership.
There may be additional community liaison opportunities, including but not limited to: partnering with
the County on community solar; working with EWEB and others to foster a culture of energy efficiency;
and working with the Neighborhood Leaders Council Committee on Sustainability (NLCCS), City
leadership and internal City structures or teams that coordinate sustainability efforts.
Task 2.3: Community Forums
Working with community partners (e.g. City Club, Chamber, City Council, NLCCS), the Sustainability
Commission will aim to develop and deliver two community forums/town hall style meetings. The
meetings will be open to the public and will bring together people representing a variety of interests. The
intent of the meetings will be to (1) share information related to the Sustainability Commission’s work
plan and mission, (2) provide a forum for input on community sustainability issues, and (3) solicit input
on sustainability goals and priorities.
Sustainability Commission Work Plan FY11 3
TIII–OI-MONITORINGS
HEME NGOING NITIATIVES AND UPPORT
Tasks under Theme III monitor and follow up on activities begun in FY10.
Task 3.1: Community Climate and Energy Action Plan
In FY11, the Sustainability Commission will:
Continue to assist in the implementation of the Community Climate and Energy Plan. The
commission will receive periodic updates.
Develop, in conjunction with City Staff, measures for tracking success in implementing internal
climate and energy action plan.
Task 3.2: Food Security
In FY11, the Sustainability Commission will:
Track and support staff efforts on food security.
Review and comment on draft Food Security Plan if funded.
Task 3.3: Waste
In FY11, the Sustainability Commission will:
Review and comment on draft internal Waste Reduction Action Plan to reduce City operations
waste to landfill 90 percent by 2020.
Develop, in conjunction with City Staff, measures for tracking success of Waste Reduction Plan.
Task 3.4: TBL Tool
In FY11, the Sustainability Commission will:
Continue to advocate for use of the TBL tool by staff and council wherever relevant.
Monitor the city’s TBL implementation and integration process.
Periodically review and comment on the TBL tool.
Seek to make the TBL tool and framework increasingly transparent and available over time in
order to strengthen both internal City decision making and community understanding of
sustainability issues.
Task 3.5: Respond to time-sensitive and emerging issues and/or issues as requested by the
City Council and/or City Manager
In FY11, the Sustainability Commission will:
Investigate issues as appropriate.
Sustainability Commission Work Plan FY11 4