Item 2A: Approval of City Council Minutes

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th Ms. Taylor asked why there were no hanging flower baskets on 10 Avenue. City Manager Taylor said the City maintained flowers in the downtown area but they were actually placed by Downtown Eugene, Inc. Ms. Taylor commented on the continuing problem of bicycle theft. She received complaints from constitu- ents regarding fireworks and hoped that the council would seriously consider banning fireworks before th people began to plan for the next 4 of July. She indicated she would likely request a work session on the subject. Ms. Piercy referred to an earlier discussion about waiving parking fees during the Eugene Celebration and encouraged the council to discuss the possibility. She said it was inconsistent to invite everyone downtown and then impose parking fines. Mr. Kelly said he was encouraged to learn that parking revenues during the celebration were only $5-6,000 and suggested that perhaps a contingency allocation could be placed on the Consent Calendar to address downtown parking during the celebration. City Manager Taylor noted the departure of Captain Elvia Williams to become the police chief in Maywood, Illinois and the retirement of Fire Chief Tom Tallon. He also observed with sadness the death of former Fire Chief Everett Hall, who served as a firefighter with the City for over 40 years and went on to become the State Fire Marshal. B. WORK SESSION: Collaborative Process to Identify a Transportation Solution for West Eugene and the FY06-09 Metropolitan Transportation Improvement Program City Manager Taylor referred to a letter from Matthew Garrett, director of the Oregon Department of Transportation (ODOT), related to the West Eugene Parkway (WEP) decision. He introduced City Engineer Mark Schoening to provide an overview of the issue. Mr. Schoening reviewed the council’s proposed resolution that would move forward the Metropolitan Policy Committee’s (MPC) adoption of the FY06-09 Metropolitan Transportation Improvement Program (MTIP) and the collaborative process for west Eugene transportation solutions. He said the Federal Highway Administration (FHWA) proposed an alternate southern route at the MPC’s June 8, 2006, meeting and illustrated that alignment on an aerial photograph. He noted that the letter from Mr. Garrett indicated a collaborative process was unacceptable because of the cost and potential delay, and if the City of Eugene was unable to accept either the WEP or the alternative southern alignment, then ODOT would recommend a “no build” decision, conclude the environmental process and terminate the WEP project. He reviewed a letter from Lane Council of Governments (LCOG) board chair Gary Williams expressing the board’s concern with the MPC’s lack of action on the FY06-09 MTIP and its inability to move forward on its delegated Metropolitan Planning Organization (MPO) responsibilities and directing that a more effective dispute resolution process be established. Ms. Piercy relayed a request from Councilor Gary Papé that the council not act on the WEP issue until he was able to join in the discussion at the council’s July 12, 2006, meeting. City Manager Taylor relayed a similar request from Councilor George Poling. MINUTES—Eugene City Council July 10, 2006 Page 2 Work Session