Item 6 - Ratif.IGR Comm.Actions - Laserfiche WebLink

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The motion passed unanimously, 3:0. 3. Review Pending Legislation The committee reviewed a list of pending legislation. Priority 1 Bills Ms. Bettman inquired as to the status of SB 0295. Mr. Heuser indicated that no action was scheduled. He said that Senator Floyd Prozanski, the sponsor of the bill, was looking for other solutions because he knew the bill in its present state would not pass. Priority 2 Bills Ms. Bettman asked for more information about HB 2164 and HB 2165. Mr. Jones explained that they were bills intended to foster greater public involvement in the State transportation decision making process. The first bill would add two new members to the Oregon Transportation Commission, both of whom must be local elected officials, and the second bill would memorialize the Local Officials Advisory Committee (LOAC) in statute. Ms. Bettman questioned how appointments would be made to the OTC and LOAC, and why staff recommended the City support the bills. Mr. Jones said that the governor appointed members of the OTC, and the OTC would support the LOAC members. Ms. Bettman asked why staff was recommend- ing the City support the bills. Mr. Jones indicated staff's position of support was based on the City's interest in increasing local involvement in transportation decision-making. Mr. Heuser added that the bill was intended to keep the LOAC process funded in tight economic times. Ms. Bettman said she was opposed to both bills because she believed that the outcome would be a politicized process that did not reflect local priorities. She said that based on advice from the City's legal counsel, if a Eugene City Councilor was on the LOAC, that individual would not be obligated to vote for the City's positions. She termed it a "top-down" as opposed to a "bottom up" approach. Mr. Pap6 supported the legislation because it gave local jurisdictions more input into State transportation funding decisions. Ms. Bettman, seconded by Ms. Taylor, moved to change the status of HB 2164 from Sup- port to Oppose. The motion passed, 2:1; Mr. Pap6 voting no. Ms. Bettman, seconded by Ms. Taylor, moved to change the status of HB 2165 from Sup- port to Oppose. Responding to a question from Mr. Pap6 about what approach she would prefer to HB 2165, Ms. Bettman said she would prefer that the region form an Area Commission on Transportation, which she believed would foster broader community participation and resuk in a more fair and balanced allocation of funds. She also objected to the fact LOAC members would be appointed rather than elected. She felt a LOAC would be an additional level of influence that would not be reflective of local priorities. Mr. Heuser said that many people see a LOAC as an innocuous change and the bill had wide support. He MINUTES--Council Committee on INtergovernmental Relations February 1, 2005 Page 2