Item 3C: Resolution Forming LID for River Avenue

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ATTACHMENTB FINDINGS AND RECOMMENDATIONS SUBJECT: PROPOSED FORMATION OF A LOCAL IMPROVEMENT DISTRICT FOR PAVING, CURBS, GUTTERS, SIDEWALKS, STREET LIGHTS, WATER QUALITY BIOSWALES, AND STORMWATER DRAINAGE ON RIVER AVENUE FROM 200 FEET EAST OF RIVER ROAD TO 100 FEET WEST OF BELTLINE HIGHWAY (JOB #3693) BACKGROUND River Avenue is major collector that runs parallel to and south of Beltline Road. At its eastern end River Avenue connects to Beltline, but also crosses under Beltline to connect to Division Avenue. The western end of River Avenue connects to River Road and past North Eugene High School. The properties along River Avenue are primarily commercial and governmental (MWMC Water Pollution Control Facility, US Post Office and Veterans' Clinic) and multifamily residential. The location of River Avenue, the uses along River Avenue, and the fact that it provides access to the Willamette River and the Ruth Bascom trail mean that the Avenue has experienced a significant increase in use. The use has caused a significant deterioration in portions of the Avenue. Its age means that it is not designed for the increased use by a variety of transportation methods. The River Avenue project was initiated by Council action on June 26,2000, by adoption ofthe 2001 Capital Budget and pursuant to Section 7 .160(5) of the Eugene Code (EC), 1971. The improvement project has been included in the adopted Metropolitan Transportation Plan. This is the second time in two years the question of formation of a Local hnprovement District has been initiated. City staff designed and bid an improvement project for River Avenue in 2004. Because some ofthe properties along River Avenue are located outside the Eugene city limits, Lane County must approve the inclusion of non-city properties in the local improvement district. The Lane County Board of Commissioners authorized by Board Order assessment of the ten unincorporated properties with in the proposed local improvement district. In conjunction with a 2004 public hearing on the formation of the LID the City received sufficient remonstrances to refer the question to the Council, as required by the Eugene Code. On April 20, 2005 Council directed staff to substantially modify the design and do more outreach with the public. Nine community meetings and three stakeholder meetings were held. The community meetings involved meetings with the River Road area residents, the Santa Clara and River Road Community Organizations, the Eugene Bike Coalition and the property owners and residents of River Avenue. A stakeholder group consisted of representatives of the community organizations and the Eugene Bike Coalition and the property owners. The stakeholder group developed a design concept approved by Eugene City Council in December 2005. Staff prepared plans and specifications, and called for competitive bids for the construction of the improvements based on Council Action on December 12, 2005, pursuant to Section 7.160(5) of the Eugene Code. The Eugene Arterial & Collector Street Plan was amended to allow for the revised design. PROPOSED PAVING, CURBS AND GUTTERS, SIDEWALKS, AND RELATED IMPROVEMENTS ON RIVER AVENUE FORMATION OF LOCAL IMPROVEMENT DISTRICT Page 1