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<br />e <br /> <br />need to block the crossing as many as 35 times a day or a total of four <br />hours. Trains need to stop and start. They need to change tracks. The 10 <br />minute period for blocking the crossing was established because of <br />complaints. <br /> <br />Replying to questions from Mr. Hansen, Mr. Reily said a railroad in La Grande <br />is allowed to block a crossing for up to an hour twice a day. To settle <br />problems, the PUC tries to have affected parties agree to a solution. <br /> <br />e <br /> <br />Ms. Wooten said she had worked hard to revitalize the Whiteaker neighborhood <br />which is on the brink of a renaissance. The business area is successful. The <br />neighborhood is cohesive and people are proud of the neighborhood. The <br />railroad is a part of the community. She would like to work with the railroad <br />if it is possible, but she did not want to destroy the sense of community that <br />has been established in the neighborhood. She did not want to violate the <br />land use plans or turn away from the public investment in the neighborhood. <br />She suggested the council consider the needs of the railroad, safety concerns, <br />and the way in which elements of the community relate to each other. She <br />suggested the council go on record as opposing the closing, be prepared to <br />defend that position before the PUC, and, at the same time, work with the <br />Southern Pacific Railroad to find a way to provide guards at the crossing and <br />to protect the neighborhood. <br /> <br />Ms. Schue agreed with Ms. Wooten. Ms. Schue did not want to be an adversary <br />of the railroad. She would like to work with the railroad and hoped it would <br />withdraw its request to the PUC for closure of the crossing. After the <br />Chambers Connector is complete, the City might negotiate a solution similar to <br />the one in La Grande in which the railroad closes a crossing for an extended <br />time. <br /> <br />Ms. Wooten pointed out the Southern Pacific Railroad had not withdrawn its <br />request to the PUC. If the railroad does not withdraw its request, she <br />thought the council would have to oppose the closure, but opposition was not <br />her first choice. <br /> <br />Mr. Holmer agreed with Ms. Wooten. He suggested the council oppose the <br />closure and take a position in favor of raising the issue again if the <br />investigation indicated the crossing should be closed. <br /> <br />Mr. Miller also agreed with Ms. Wooten. He hoped the council IS action would <br />signal the community that a decision had been made and would not be changed. <br /> <br />Mr. Obie would like to alleviate the tensions. He would like the railroad to <br />be able to close the crossing for a longer time. He thought a pedestrian <br />underpass would solve some of the problems, because there is a safety problem <br />for school children. He would like the council and the staff to develop a <br />scenario for the next few years. <br /> <br />~ <br /> <br />MINUTES--Eugene City Council <br /> <br />March 11, 1985 <br /> <br />Page 7 <br />