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• Strengthen and Promote Community Arts and Outdoors Assets -Eugene's arts and outdoor <br />resources are unique assets of our City and major contributors to the community's overall quality of life. <br />Strengthening and promoting these vital assets has two significant benefits: 1) improved sustainable <br />economic activity through increased tourism and commerce and, 2) enhanced community livability with <br />expanded access to arts and outdoor amenities for area residents. <br />,A Cultural Policy Review (CPR) was approved by the City Council in July, 2007. An implementation team <br />made up of staff and community members was appointed to move forward with priority 1 strategies, <br />focused on strengthening the relationship between the City, the arts, and the business community; <br />reviewing Hult Center operations; and implementing a community awareness campaign to highlight the <br />value of the arts. In May 2008, a consultant was hired to evaluate and benchmark Hult Center operations. <br />The $27.5 million Parks, Athletic Fields and Preservation of Open Space bond measure approved by <br />voters in the November 2006 election continued to provide funding to implement the Parks, Recreation <br />and Open Space (PROS) Plan that was approved by the City Council in February 2006. This plan is <br />guiding the City in the acquisition and development of parks, recreation, and open space projects. <br />Construction was underway in FY08 on three all-weather sports fields in partnership with local school <br />districts, land for a Santa Clara community park was purchased, and a major land purchase around <br />Golden Gardens Park was concluded. Several parcels to expand the City's ridgeline trail corridor were <br />purchased and several others were under negotiations for purchase. <br />In FY08, Eugene successfully hosted the 2008 U.S. Olympic Track and Field Trials. The City worked with <br />a wide range of community organizations, businesses, the State of Oregon, and the University of Oregon. <br />In preparation for the Trials, the City's 12-mile river path system was enhanced using a mix of donations <br />and State of Oregon funding. During the Trials, several programs were held to encourage youth to lead <br />active and healthy lifestyles, and to develop the future of track and field. <br />Enhance Understanding of Race Issues and Improve Community Relationships -The Council <br />priority on race outlines a plan that the Council as a body, and the Mayor and councilors as individuals, <br />can use to build a better understanding of race issues among themselves and improve race relations in <br />the community. In FY08, funding for outreach on the Diversity and Equity Strategic Plan was approved <br />and the City contracted with the University of Oregon's community. planning workshop for outreach work. <br />City Council and staff continued to make a significant effort to develop community conversations on race- <br />related issues, and staff training continued to be provided to ensure that community diversity is <br />recognized, welcomed, and addressed in delivery of services. Promotion of this goal was considered as a <br />factor in City grant applications, and the City hired a consultant to facilitate dialogue and understanding <br />between police and communities of color. <br />Develop a Strategy to Help the Homeless in Eugene -Because homelessness has the potential to <br />touch every resident and area within the City, the scope of this goal was expanded to include community <br />members who are "at risk" of becoming homeless because they cannot afford food and shelter. The FY08 <br />budget allocated $100,000 to address homelessness in two different categories: funds for prevention, and <br />day services for homeless people. This funding was distributed to five local community non-profit <br />organizations providing these services. The Mayor, with the approval of the City Council, appointed a <br />committee of representatives of non-profit and public organizations serving the homeless. The committee <br />examined the local impact of homelessness. A final report was submitted by the committee in April 2008. <br />It concludes that the depth and complexity of the needs are significant and identifying funding solutions is <br />challenging. The committee also concluded that existing laws and policies contribute to the problem and <br />a future review was recommended. <br />Sustainability Initiative -The Sustainable Business Initiative Report was presented to City Council on <br />October 23, 2006. One of the -key recommendations was to develop an Office of Sustainability and <br />Sustainability Commission that supports broad sustainable practices and create a tool chest of items <br />needed to support businesses that produce sustainable products or provides or utilizes sustainable <br />practices. Council adopted an action plan in July 2007 and a citizen Sustainability Commission was <br />appointed and organized, supported by an Office of Sustainability. The commission developed a <br />workplan that was subsequently approved by Council in May, 2008. The plan focuses on eight broad <br />issues: climate change, transportation, triple bottom line, land use, green building, business, food, and <br />waste. Across these issues, the commission will consider internal City operations, community initiatives, <br />education, and outreach. <br />6 <br />