01/21/1987 Meeting - Laserfiche WebLink

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e work was needed. Mr. Gl eason noted that proper roadbed des i 9n and preservation could result in road life of about 50 years, while improper design could result in quicker deterioration and less impact of preservation, as well as capacity problems. Ms. Bascom asked whether the 20 percent allocation to cities would include funds for a State highway through Eugene. Mr. Smith said the 20 percent allocation was in addition to other receipts. He said the funding package also included agreement on an urban arterial program, in which the State, county and cities would agree on spending to address the 40 percent of urban roads in poor condition. He added that the program might not go into effect unless the entire funding proposal was approved. Ms. Bascom asked whether the urban arterial program would fund roads in the area of 19th Avenue and University Street. Mr. Smith said those streets would be eligible for the program, but they might be low on the list of priorities. He said he thought Ferry Street Bridge or 11th Avenue might be more likely to be funded immediately. e Ms. Ehrman asked whether reducing spending for operation and maintenance would result in higher costs later. Mr. Smith said a large portion of the City's Genera 1 Fund was spent on operation and maintenance, whil e funds from assessments and Federal aid were allocated to specific capital improvements. Because preservation was the most difficult function for cities to fund, he said the City had attempted to make operation and maintenance more efficient and it had used those savings toward preservation costs. He said new funds would be spent mostly on preservation. Public Works Director Christine Andersen said Eugene's roads were maintained to conditions that were similar to other Oregon cities, but better productivity and preventive maintenance efforts were paying off in terms of less crisis management. Mr. Smith said the City Council legislative subcommittee had voted to support the study. Mr. Holmer said he thought the action taken by the legislative subcommittee had not been intended as a complete endorsement. He said he had reservations about an increase in the gas tax, noting that the increase woul d fund new construction at the State level, but it included no new construction for local governments. He said he also was nervous about giving authority for a registration fee to the County. Mr. Holmer said the study had neglected to mention new technologies and changes in job patterns, mass transit, and other intermodal considerations. He referred to Table 4 on page 15 and said he was concerned about the amounts for maintenance and for repair, preservation, and construction. He said he would be hesitant about the City taking a strong lead in endorsing the program when funding was uncertain. He added that he concurred in the need for preservation, but he did not favor wholehearted support for the document. Ms. Bascom asked whether a vote would be required on the local option registration fee. Mr. Smith said he suspected that a vote would be required, regardless of the county charter. e Ms. Schue noted that an agreement to split the funds between the City and the County was possible. MINUTES--Eugene City Council January 21, 1987 Page 7