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SUSTAINABLE DEVELOPMENT A community that meets its present environmental, economic, and social needs without compromising the ability of future generations to meet their own needs Economic Development Grant Recycles "Brownfields" Eugene was one of only I I cities nationwide to be awarded a Brownfield Economic Development Initiative (BEDI) grant in 2006. The $2 million grant will be used for development projects within the Downtown and Riverfront urban renewal districts. BEDI is a competitive federal program to assist cities with redevelopment of abandoned and underused property, or "brownfields," in order to create or retain businesses and jobs for low- and moderate-income persons and to increase the local tax base. Pesticide-Free Parks Pilot Launched In this pilot program, the City maintained five parks without the use of pesticides for one year. Alternate methods such as flame weeding, hand weeding, and mulching were used to control weeds in the selected parks: Awbrey, Berkeley, Scobert Gardens, Shadow Wood, and Gilbert. The pilot program will showcase the many alternate methods available to solve pest problems. Ridgeline Habitat Studied The South Ridgeline Habitat Study is the next step in planning for conservation of Eugene's natural resources, following the wetlands and waterways protections adopted in 2005. In May, Salix Associates began consulting on an inventory of important plant and wildlife habitats in the south ridgeline area. Two public workshops were held to assist citizens in submitting inventory information, andthe preliminary inventory and maps were presented at a third workshop in November. Alternatives will be presented at a public workshop in early 2007, prior to public hearings before the Planning Commission and City Council. Bonny Bettman Ward I I have served over six years on the City Council, and there are accomplishments to celebrate, especially this past year. With the hiring of Eugene's first Police Auditor the council has made great strides in bringing credibility,. fairness, and transparency to the police complaint process. It is an unprecedented benchmark in the City's efforts to restore the public's trust in our police department and improve public safety services. My goals for the coming year are, regrettably, the same as my first year on council; although their urgency is amplified by accumulating scientific evidence of dramatic climate change. We simply must act to implement land use and transportation strategies that conserve resources, minimize environmental pollution, and measurably reduce carbon emissions. We can no longer afford to plan interminably; the time to act decisively is now. We owe it to our children, and their children. Page 8 City of Eugene • Highlights of 2006 SUSTAINABLE DEVELOPS T A community that meets its present environmental, economic, and social needs without compromising the ability o f future generations to meet their own needs WestTown Adds Affordable Housing WestTown on 8th broke ground in December to create 102 downtown apartments affordable to low-income families, plus nine market-rate "live-work" spaces that offer a small business retail storefront combined with a loft apartment. The City selected the WestTown proposal by non-profit Metropolitan Affordable Housing Corporation through a competitive process in 2004. The City provided the land and affordable housing subsidies. Project Chronicles River Road History Anew report, Eugene's Historic River Road, examines development history and trends in the River Road neighborhood between 1845 and 1965, and documents the area's evolution from large wheat farms, small yuck farms and orchards, to 20th century residential patterns. The project, funded through the Oregon State Historic Preservation Office, identified strategies that will help guide future historic preservation work in the area. Schools Go Green The City of Eugene hosted the 2006 Annual Oregon Green School Summit, a statewide conference for certified Green Schools. More than 400 students, parent volunteers, teachers, and school staff attended the hands-on educational sessions to learn how to implement successful waste reduction and resource conservation programs. Since the City began participating in the program in 2003, 17 schools in Eugene have attained Oregon Green School certification. Betty Taylor _ -__ Ward 2 am proud to have been a supporter of Mayor Piercy's Sustainable Business Initiative, a participant in the successful effort to let the police auditor hire her staff, and a voice in opposition to the proposed garage subsidy for Whole Foods. I am pleased that Mayor Piercy is ~- advocatingincreased support of our Sister City commitments. s t .4 I am dismayed that our natural resources (habitat and water quality) are being degraded in ti the South Hills by developers who are not restrained by environmental considerations or by the city government. ~, I continue to hope that we will seek an equitable and reliable source of revenue, that the rights of indi- viduals who are neither powerful nor members of a protected class will be protected -and that their complaints will be treated seriously and respectfully Above all, I hope that the principles of sustainability will be applied to all government actions. I hope for fairness-common sense-and good grammar. City of Eugene • Highlights of 2006 Page 9