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Todd Martin, 242 West 6th Avenue, stated that he worked at a business located between Charnel ton Street and Lincoln Street on 6th Avenue. He explained that e widening of 6th Avnue would eliminate the parking area for the business, thus forcing the business to close. He stressed that the City should consider the interests of the small businesses involved in the project area. Carl Hostika, 870 Fox Glen, a member of the Oregon State Legislature, stated that he was testifying in response to concerns that State Highway funds for the project might be lost. He stated that he had been assured by the Deputy Director of the State 'Department of Transportation that there was no imminent danger of loss of State funds but some concern did exist with the low bidder maintaining the bid level if award of the bid was delayed. Mr. Hostika said he was also informed that funds already in the Six-Year Plan would not be lost. He said he pledged himself and other members of the Lane County delega- tion to the Legislature to work with the City and the State to ensure that the City would be allowed to make its own decision regarding the project. He also stated that he would assist in any negotations between the City and the State in developing a solution. Jim Hale, 4064 Meredith Court, said a public mandate was necessary to solve the east-west transportation problems for the next 20 years. He agreed that a single vote on all three phases of the project was the best alternative, stating that stronger support for the western phases would be developed. Mr. Hale doubted that the State would withdraw funding for Phase I of the project. He felt that an election in March or June, 1985, on the entire project will present the necessary mandate which would assure funding for all three sections. He said the main issue was not trees but sOlving the east-west corridor problems for Eugene and Springfield. He said the media attention had e been focused on the trees rather than the policy considerations involved. He said the only alternative to the 6th/7th Avenue Widening Project would be a freeway through the Whiteaker Neighborhood and onto Roosevelt Boulevard. Mr. Hale stated that he was confused why proponents of the Historic Tree Ordinance had suddenly reversed their stand in wanting an election, adding that he felt their present opposition was an attempt to avoid any solution to the transporation problem. Tom Bowerman, 33707 McKenaie View, representing the Citizen's Alliance for Trees, stated that the alliance was not opposed to street and road projects where needed. He said that some aspects of the project defied the compromise they sought. He said that the citizens of Eugene had expressed their position in passing the Historic Street Tree Charter amendment, adding that all litera- ture by both sides of the issue had linked the ballot measure to the widening project. He said that no trade-offs could not justify their support of Phase I of the project. He said the alliance continued to believe that Phase I of the project was unsupported by data and would destroy the downtown. However, he said the alliance supported the need for a solution tot he congestion at the 1-105 and 6th/7th intersection. Stating that the City Manager had explained that federal regulations required that the project begin at one of the project or the other, Mr. Martin said the alliance had been informed by the Federal Highway Administrator for Oregon, through Congressman Jim Weaver, that the federal agency made no such requirement. Stating that the City Manager had also stated that the allocated funds would be lost if the City did e MINUTES--Eugene City Council November 15, 1984 Page 4