City Council Newsletter - 08/16/07

Home Browse Search

EUGENE CITY COUNCIL NEWSLETTER August 16, 2007 City of Eugene 777 Pearl Street, Room 105 Eugene, Oregon 97401-2793 (541) 682-5010 (541) 682-5414 (FAX) www.eugene-or.gov IN THIS WEEK’S EDITION PUBLIC FORUMS ON RAILROAD QUIET ZONE STUDY BEGIN AUGUST 28 BUSY PAVING SCHEDULE SLATED FOR NEXT WEEK EUGENE’S FOURTH DOG PARK OPENS IN CANDLELIGHT PARK CITY OF EUGENE CHOSEN FOR 2007 OREGON BUSINESS MAGAZINE TOUR WRITERS’ FAIR AT EUGENE PUBLIC LIBRARY KENDALL CONCIERGE PROGRAM MESSAGES PROMOTE ONLINE REGISTRATION FOR FALL RECREATION PROGRAMS AROUND THE CITY Public Forums on Railroad Quiet Zone Study Begin August 28 A series of public forums designed to solicit input on the feasibility of establishing a “railroad quiet zone” in the downtown and Whitaker areas begins later this month. Postcards are being sent this week to more than 4,300 residents, property owners and business owners in the Whiteaker and north downtown area as part of a public involvement plan to engage community members interested in further study of the quiet zone issue. The public involvement plan was reviewed by the Whiteaker Community Council and the Neighborhood Leaders Council prior to implementation. The first public forum will be held Tuesday, August 28, from 7 to 9 p.m. at the Campbell Center, 155 High Street.The August 28 meeting will include background information about railroad quiet zones, a presentation on various alternatives and options, and opportunities for discussion and comment. A follow-up session on October 16 will review the results of the first meeting and look at one or two alternatives in greater depth. A special forum for area businesses is scheduled on Thursday, September 6, from 3 to 5 p.m. in the Tykeson Room at the Eugene Public Library, 100 W. 10th Avenue. In June 2006, the council directed the City Manager to “study the necessary steps to close up to four railroad crossings and/or convert streets to one-way at railroad crossings in order to obtain State Section 130 funding for crossing safety improvements. No closings or conversions will be constructed until a public process has been completed with a return to the council for final approval.” In subsequent analysis, staff has determined that up to five railroad crossings may require some sort of treatment for the City to be eligible for state funding. Following the public involvement phase of the study, staff will present its findings to the council at a work session tentatively scheduled for November 28. More information about the quiet zone study can be found on the City’s web site at www.eugene-or.gov/trains or by contacting Tom Larsen, traffic engineer, at 682-4959, or Rob Inerfeld, transportation planning manager, at 682-5343. EUGENE CITY COUNCIL NEWSLETTER PAGE 1 August 17, 2007