Volunteers will vote on the most important goals at town hall meeting tonight

Hundreds of people are expected to fill Oregon State University’s CH2M Hill Alumni Center tonight to cast their votes for the most important goals of the city-wide sustainability plan.

During the third and final town hall meeting, the coalition will unveil the action plans created by 12 groups formed to tackle specific topics such as energy use, transportation, education and housing.

“I think we have a good balance of what’s visionary and what’s practical,” said Annette Mills, one of the group’s coordinators. “When we’re talking about sustainability, we’re not just talking about what’s here; it’s maybe looking at a whole new way of doing things.”

The goals are far-reaching and inclusive. They range from requiring a sustainability class for graduation to turning the city into a producer of green power.

At the meeting, people will vote electronically for their favorite goal from each of the work groups. Top vote-getters will be identified as goals the coalition will recommend pursuing first.

The coalition will follow up early next year with a random survey of Corvallis residents, Mills said, to capture opinions from a broader range of people beyond those who attended the town hall meetings and work groups.

The coalition is a network of more than 130 organizations and individuals in Benton County dedicated to creating a community in which resources are renewed at the same rate as they are used. Partner organizations include nonprofits, businesses, churches, schools and local government.

City leaders are banking on the idea. This year, the City Council invested $30,000 in the town hall meetings and has promised to use the plan to develop city policy. They’ve also promised to take the coalition’s findings into account when crafting city policies promoting sustainability next year.

Read more and tell us what you think on Green City.

IF YOU GO

What: Corvallis Sustainability Coalition final town hall meeting

When: 7 p.m. Tuesday

Where: CH2M Hill Alumni Center, 725 Southwest 26th Street

More than 40 local businesses whose work includes offering sustainable products and services will be on hand for a “Sustainability Fair” before the meeting, starting at 5:30 p.m.

Starting at 7, each of the coalition’s work groups will present the goals to be included in the coalition’s city sustainability plan.

WHAT THEY’LL SAY

At tonight’s sustainability town hall, work groups organized by topic area will run through their goals and plans for moving the city forward to sustainability. Here’s what they decided to recommend after a summer of deliberations.

Community inclusion

By 2010:

• Describe who is in Corvallis and start talking to each other.

• Foster understanding and respect through community events.

Economic vitality

By 2015, encourage 50 percent of residents, organizations, government and business to buy local first.

By 2020:

• Increase investment in locally-owned business to 1 percent of annual payroll.

• Add 1,000 jobs that increase local production by locally-owned businesses.

Education

By 2012:

• Require a sustainability course for graduation from local colleges and universities.

• Make sustainability information available to the general public.

By 2015, integrate sustainability concepts into local school curricula and facilities.

Energy

By 2020:

• Reduce per capita energy consumption by 50 percent.

• Eliminate net per capita greenhouse gas emissions.

By 2025, make Corvallis a net energy producer of renewable energy.

Food

By 2020:

• Produce 60 percent of food consumed in Benton, Linn, Lincoln or Lane County.

• Give all residents access at all times to enough food for a healthy life.

• Incorporate sustainable methods in 80 percent of gardens and farms.

Health and Human Services

By 2025:

• Reduce death and disability from chronic disease by 25 percent.

• Eliminate discharge of and exposure to toxic pollutants.

• Involve 50 percent of Corvallis residents in volunteerism.

Housing

By 2020:

• Give everyone access to affordable housing options.

• Preserve, reuse or recycle all existing homes.

• Make all housing energy efficient.

• All new construction will have minimal impact on resources and the environment.

• Reduce chronic homelessness by 75 percent.

Land Use

By 2020, all renovation and new construction will use green building practices.

By 2040:

• Create compact, pedestrian-friendly, mixed-use neighborhoods over 80 percent of the city’s land area.

• Weave natural areas with urban landscapes over 90 percent of city land area.

• Sustain 50 percent of the city with products produced within 100 miles.

Natural Areas and Wildlife

By 2030:

• Increase the city’s protected natural habitat area by 50 percent.

• Manage all public and private natural areas to optimize ecological integrity and resilience.

• Engage 80 percent of citizens in natural areas appreciation programs and restoration.

Transportation

By 2015, increase alternatives for transportation beyond Corvallis.

By 2020:

• Motivate people to reduce per capita gasoline consumption by 50 percent.

• Reduce vehicle trips 20 percent through planning.

Waste and Recycling

By 2020:

• Increase the city’s recycling rate to 75 percent.

• Cut per capita weight of landfill disposal in half.

• Increase proper disposal of hazardous waste by 75 percent.

Water

By 2025, revive Corvallis watershed habitat to support cold water native fish populations.

By 2050, cut municipal water usage in half.

Matt Neznanski can be reached at 758-9518 or matt.neznanski@lee.net