05/08/1972 Meeting - Laserfiche WebLink

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. students can wait for rides with ease of identification of riders and motorists. He said the concept has received endorsement from Springfiel,d Cuncil and Planning Commission, Lane Mass Transit Board, and the LCOG Planning Advisory Committe~. He asked the Council's 'endorsement for implementation of the Program within Eugene. He pointed out the experimental nature of the proposal providing an opportunity to re-evaluate the program On i'ts initial performance. William DeCour, Department of Urban Planning, cited the advantages in that the program would provide for increasing the area within which students may live and reduce the number of automobiles and related traffic and parking congestion. He said it would be of particular benefit to Springfield students and students at- tending the Community College. Lane Brown, Department of Architecture, showed a map of the proposed routes and loca- tions of stations or signs taking into consideration need for leaving and entering traffic flow. He displayed a model of the structures to be used for waiting sta- tions and said the use of structure or sign will be determined by the zone in which it is located. . Dena Wild, Department of Urban Planning, said the group worked with the Mass Transit District to avoid overlapping of services and to minimize patronage duplication. She said the program is of an experimental nature, and they are re- questing permission only for implementation through removal of a maximum of two parking places at station locations. She said the RideStop organization will be responsible for the construction and maintenance of the structures and signs and for moni toring the program. The ASUO has pledged funds for staff and maintenance during the experimental stage, and other funds will be solicited from civic groups and from the ASUO and LCC for permanent operation. Councilman Williams asked about the City's liability for permitting or encouraging this type of obstruction of traffic, and for incidents which may result from picking up riders, cflrs being stolen, etc. Ms. Wild said they were advised the City would not be liable once a rider is picked up. Should anything happen as a result of placement of signs, then the RideStop organization would be the ~ftgligent party. Mr. Williams said it would appear this program would be detrimental to the poten- tial patronage of the Mass Transit District. He said he felt the Council should be concerned that any alternate system would be in competi ti'on to the Transit Distri ct' s existing market. Ms. Wil d replied that an eval uation of the program after a year is proposed to be sure there is no competition. Mr. Gloege said the concern of the Transit District was resolved and the Board indicated its willing- ness to endorse the concept. They have worked closely in location of RideStop stations so there will be no major traffic obstruction. The Council's endorse- ment would be provis'ional to implement the experiment and give an opportunity to test the concerns expressed. . Mr. Teague asked the City Attorney's op~n~on on liability and whether staff thinks there will be competition with the Transit District. City Attorney said it ap- pears the City would not be liable in RideStop's operation but asked for clarifica- ,tion of the entity which would be responsible. He said the City is merely consenting; another entity is setting up and operating the program. Manager said the experi- mental operation for a year or two will enable evaluation to determine ,if there is competition. He said there is understanding with the RideStop people that loca- tions of waiting stations will be carefully worked out from the Traffic and Public Works standpoint, probably under a revocable permi t process, wi th review by the City Attorney for the desired legal protection. There is also concern from law enforcement standpoint about personal risk for people participating in the program. Mr. Mohr moved seconded by Mrs. Campbell to accept the Planning Commission recom- mendation and give permission to implement the RideStop program, with evaluation of its operation at the end of one year. . City Attorney asked the nature of the RideStop ,entity. Ms. Wild replied that the ASUO (Associated Students of the University of Oregon) pledged money and staff to the Bilrvivai Center, a branch of ASUO, for RideStop. This endorsement also provides that the Director or Assistant Director of the Erb MemoriJal Union will enter into contracts with RideStop if necessary. Mr. Teague suggested a review of the program in six months, but Mr. Gloege said implementation will probably take that long so that six months to a year from the time the operation is actually started would give a better picture. Manager said if it is determined more formal adoption procedures are required after the City Attorney has investigated formal arrangements and legal liabilities, the proper papers will be prepared. It is understood at this point endorsement d~rects the staff to work out details of station locations, traffic patterns, etc. /a--~; 5/8/72 - 7