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Ms. Ortiz, seconded by Mr. Pryor, moved to direct the City Manager to continue to pursue <br />options for creating a quiet zone as a council priority, including directing staff working with <br />the United Front to start a conversation with Representative Peter DeFazio’s Office about <br />funding for a quiet zone of the magnitude set forth by staff with quad gates at every cross- <br />ing. <br /> <br />Ms. Ortiz thanked staff for the information and hoped the council considered it a priority for the sake of <br />things like safety and downtown development. <br /> <br />Mr. Zelenka supported the motion. At his request, Mr. Larson described a quad gate. <br /> <br />Mr. Zelenka asked if the railroads and ODOT supported quiet zones. Mr. Larson said that ODOT was <br />generally neutral, and the railroads tended to believe there was an increase in their liability because of their <br />experience in Florida. The railroads had tended to be against such zones. The railroads were more <br />comfortable with the risks they were familiar with. <br /> <br />Mr. Zelenka perceived a railroad quiet zone as a quality of life issue for residents and endorsed the mayor’s <br />recommendations regarding initiating the conversation with Representative DeFazio. <br /> <br />Mr. Pryor supported the motion because he thought it demonstrated the council’s commitment to such a <br />zone while providing it with a level of flexibility. He thought the council needed to embark on the discussion <br />now. <br /> <br />Mr. Clark agreed with Mr. Pryor. He indicated, for the purpose of legislative intent, the purpose of the <br />motion was to get the “ask” in line and begin a conversation, but not for the item to jump up in priority over <br />other United Front priorities. Ms. Ortiz and Mr. Pryor concurred. <br /> <br />Ms. Taylor expressed concern about the maintenance costs of quad gates, and noted that she personally <br />liked hearing the sound of train whistles. <br /> <br /> The motion passed unanimously, 7:0. <br /> <br />City Manager pro tem Jones confirmed that the council was directing the staff to begin the discussion about <br />funding, but no other work would occur. Ms. Ortiz recommended that staff consider returning at later time <br />with a proposal that included a consultant if that was considered necessary for work load reasons. <br /> <br />Mayor Piercy adjourned the meeting at 6:54 p.m. <br /> <br />Respectfully submitted, <br /> <br /> <br /> <br />Angel Jones <br />City Manager pro tem <br /> <br />(Recorded by Kimberly Young) <br /> <br /> <br /> <br /> <br />MINUTES—Eugene City Council February 25, 2008 Page 9 <br /> Work Session <br />