CC Minutes - 02/25/08 Work Session

Home Browse Search

Ms. Solomon recalled hearing at a workshop on the subject that a quiet zone did not guarantee train horns would stop. Mr. Larson concurred. He said that generally, the zone quieted only routine horns, but train engineers could still sound the train horn for a variety of safety-related reasons, including work crews, people on the tracks, and when they left the yard or station. Ms. Solomon wanted people to understand a quiet zone would only silence routine horns. Mr. Zelenka supported the establishment of a quiet zone. He agreed that safety was the paramount issue and it appeared a quiet zone would improve safety. He did not favor the establishment of a local improve- ment district to fund the street closures. He also agreed with Ms. Solomon about the need for a consultant. He wanted the affected neighborhood to be involved with any street closures. Mr. Zelenka advocated for seeking funding through Representative DeFazio, suggesting that the cost be included on the City’s list of federal funding “asks.” Intergovernmental Relations Manager Brenda Wilson indicated that while the United Front priorities had been sent, an item could be added; however, federal transportation funding was appropriated in cycles, and the next appropriations would not come out until 2010. She said that the federal dollars mentioned by Mr. Larson were available only for quiet zones with 50 percent street closures, and the deadline for other federal dollars had passed. Mr. Poling agreed there was a need for a quiet zone but he was also concerned about safety issues, including the response times by police and fire, which would be affected by the closure of streets. He favored the quad gates as the best approach, even with the cost involved. He acknowledged the costs of maintaining the gates. He recommended that the City’s representatives to the United Front broach the topic with the federal delegation. Mr. Poling opposed street closures for the reasons mentioned by Ms. Solomon. City Manager pro tem Jones indicated that staff recommended a consultant be hired due to work load issues. If staff did the work involved, another work task would have to be postponed. Ms. Taylor also did not support closing streets, hiring a consultant, or forming a local improvement district to pay the costs, although she found it no more unfair here than in other situations where people were asked to pay for facilities that other people used. Ms. Taylor confirmed with Mr. Larson that the City could install one or two quad gates that would have an overall affect on safety. Mayor Piercy suggested the council needed to decisively convey its interest in the quiet zone, and recom- mended the City start the conversation with its federal delegates now even if the zone was some time away. She said the council could direct staff to work with Representative DeFazio’s Office on ways to fund a quiet zone because she was not convinced the City was aware of all the funding sources available. Mayor Piercy agreed about not closing streets for the reasons mentioned. Mayor Piercy reiterated that the council needed to contact Representative DeFazio about what it had in mind. MINUTES—Eugene City Council February 25, 2008 Page 8 Work Session