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B. Work Session: Annual Briefing and Report from the Lane Regional Air Pollution Authority (LRAPA) Ms. Taylor introduced Barbara Cole, the outgoing director of the Lane Regional Air Pollution Authority (LRAPA). She commended Ms. Cole's work as director and said her tenure had seen improved staff morale, new agency headquarters, a heightened community profile, and a strengthened community educational effort. She noted Ms. Cole's response to a citizen's call about a field burning situation over which LRAPA had no jurisdictional authority; Ms. Cole had been able to work with the farmer and gain his agreement to postpone burning until conditions were better. Ms. Cole provided an update on LRAPA activities, describing the agency's mission and jurisdiction, noting the location of its monitoring stations throughout Lane County, and discussing local trends in air quality. Mr. Pap8 asked which monitoring station measured the highest ozone levels. Ms. Cole said that the Saginaw monitoring site registered the highest levels because ozone was a transport chemical that formed as reaction to the "urban soup" of chemicals. She said that as air drifted southward, high concentrations of ozone formed at that point. She said that particulate levels were highest in Oakridge, and LRAPA was working closely with that community because of concern that it might be in danger of violating new federal standards. Responding to a question from Mr. Rayor, Ms. Cole said that she did not think Eugene was in danger of losing federal funding because of the local transportation plan. If the area could not show conformity with the Clean Air Plan, it could not get regionally significant transportation plans approved. She did not perceive a problem with the proposed TransPlan in the short-term. Responding to a question from Mr. Farr, Ms. Cole confirmed that automobiles were the largest producer of ozone. She said that the Saginaw station was not close to the freeway but the cumulative emissions for the entire valley gathered at that point. She agreed with Mr. Farr that a good strategy was to decrease automobile miles traveled. Mr. Farr said that a lack of affordable housing in Eugene was driving people out of the community into small nearby communities, and they were driving greater distances, creating more ozone. Ms. Cole agreed, and suggested that increased use of telecommuting, bus pools, and van pools would help. Mr. Torrey asked what accounted for better quality of air in Eugene than in years past given that there were more automobiles. Ms. Cole attributed the improved air quality to improved auto technology and new federal standards regarding emissions. Mr. Torrey asked Ms. Cole if she would characterize the representation from City of Eugene as appropriately balanced. Ms. Cole said yes. The council thanked Ms. Cole for her presentation. C. Work Session: Toxics Right-to-Know Program Funding MINUTES--Eugene City Council October 13, 1999 Page 3 5:30 p.m.