HomeMy WebLinkAbout2015-1116 Documents Submitted at Mtg
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Southern Oregon Climate Coordination - Quarterly Meeting (November 16, 2015)
SOCAN Report
Break-out Groups from the Rogue Basin Climate Summit
Forest Health and Fire
I . Fire Resiliency Conference for June 2016 to discuss Rogue Basin Cohesive Forest Restoration Strategy
2. Community Wildfire Education Program.
Sustainable Energy and Construction
1. Promote the state-wide effort to enact an updated version of (2015) Oregon Legislative Session 1-1133470,
The Climate Stability and Justice Act.
2. Energy efficiency financing information more readily available to residents.
Health
1. Educate the public through a traveling library demonstration identifying climate change health risks and
solutions
2. Develop a SOCAN web page providing similar information.
Agriculture
I . Promote soil management that conserves and regenerates carbon, conserving water and promotes water
use efficiency
2. Help farmers identify best crop types and management techniques
3. Stimulate fuels from organic crops.
Recreation and Tourism
I . Develop activities that accompany recreational excursions educating local residents or tourists about
climate change impacts while offering hope about what they can do to benefit our future and helping the
industry become more sustainable.
Individual (Collective) Action
1. Promote the state-wide effort to enact an updated version of (2015) Oregon Legislative Session 1-1133470.
The Climate Stability and Justice Act
2. Develop a plan to educate area residents about climate science.
Transportation
1. Obtain funding and supporting RVTD and multi-modal transportation
2. Educate citizens about transportation values.
Water
1. Support and build on existing organizations and activities while exploring new approaches to
conservation and reclamation
2. Assess existing educational efforts and materials, then targeting new residents, rural users, municipal
(Domestic) users and schools
3. Support the WISE Project in any way possible.
Area residents interested in joining these ongoing discussions are encouraged to contact SOCAN at
socan.in fo' (r.(-, Ina il.com.
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Conference information and presentations can be found at: 11 _11p 'soc°.~i cl1 i matc,umin1t.1
Upcoming Events SOCAN + others
The Road to Paris Gathering. November 28 @ noon. Ashland Plaza.
SOCAN at Mountain Meadows. December 1 @ 2:30 pm - 3:30 pm. Mountain Meadows Clubhouse
SOCAN Government Group Meeting. December 1 @ 4:00 pm - 5:00 pm.
Talent/Phoenix Firehouse
SOCAN Leadership Circle Meeting: Strategic Planning. December 9
5:30 pm - 7:30 pm. Carpenter Room, Medford Public Library.
Winter Solstice Party. December 20 @ 3:00 pm - 6:00 pm. Louise's, 870 0'
Cambridge Street, Ashland
Confronting Climate Change
CITY OF
ASHLAND
Memo
DATE: November 16, 2015
TO: Mayor and Council
FROM: Stef Seffinger
RE: Priorities for addressing downtown behavior issues
After talking with a variety of constituents from the community I believe that the community
wants to see the city council in a leadership and / or a supportive role with all partnerships in the
community. This includes faith based organizations, service groups, county mental health and
social service, the business community including the chamber of commerce and Shakespeare. A
comprehensive integrated effort is necessary to be successful in addressing the complex
problems the city is facing with regard to behavior issues and homeless/ traveler issues in town.
Ashland cannot solve the issue of homelessness but it can put in place a two fold approach with
services to assist with homeless issues and support to those needing help along with city
ordinances and enforcement to address destructive unsafe unhealthy and aggressive behavior.
At the last study session a number of approaches to these issues were discussed with a direction
to the staff to address these issues. Some of the suggestions that the council has forwarded such
as the work program and ambassador program will take a take time and resources to develop.
I would like the council to look at what their top priorities are for staff to address . The
community wants to see action happen now and not a year from now. Council also needs to
address the issue of funding items that carry a price tag, especially items 2 and 3.
What I would suggest included in this discussion would be
1. Direction to legal staff to look at an aggressive panhandling ordinance.
2. Coordination with community groups to develop educational programs aimed at addressing
positive ways to help those individuals in need.
3. Council to look at options for increased funding of law enforcement and having downtown
safety as a priority with possible use of cadets.
Finally, the mayor has been in contact with the mayor of Eugene, who is working to create a
statewide coalition to leverage state action on these issues. I encourage the mayor to continue
his work with other cities in Oregon to advocate for more funding assistance with job training,
affordable housing, and preventive services and to report back regularly to the Council on his
efforts.
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