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Council agrees to submit non‑binding letter to U. of Oregon Sustainable City Year program
Summary
Council signaled support for submitting a non‑binding letter of interest to the University of Oregon Sustainable City Year program by the March 2 opt‑in date, naming downtown/Main Street revitalization as an example project to pursue.
A councillor who researched the University of Oregon Sustainable City Year program told colleagues that other participating cities reported savings, strong community engagement and useful student/faculty work products. The program requires a non‑binding statement of interest to start conversations; councilors said that is reversible and allows time to refine a project.
"It's really just as there's it's so noncommittal... we are saying we have a project in mind, that we think might be something that we could leverage this program to accomplish," Councillor (speaker 5) said, describing dialog with program staff. Councilors discussed whether to reference one or two candidate projects on the form; downtown/Main Street revitalization was proposed and several members expressed support. City Manager Whit Sheidner said he will submit the non‑binding letter on behalf of the city unless a councillor objects at the next business meeting.
Staff and council emphasized the form starts a conversation rather than a binding commitment and that the program director has offered to present to Toledo in person. Council asked staff to coordinate contact information and follow up with the program for a formal presentation.
