03/22/1976 Meeting - Laserfiche WebLink

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Councilman Murray asked about the "other side of the argument," what the reasons were for presenting the assumptions. Mr. Shelby replied that in the state hearings t~ere were. no really clearcut preferences indicated between air/rail/bus transporta- t~on, although state staff chose to favor rail transportation because it was more energy eff~cient. He thought public opinion would be expressed at a hearing scheduled for March 30. -- Mr. Keller moved second by Mr. Hamel to adopt the position stated by th~ Airport Commission. Motion carried unanimously. Comm 3/17/76 Discuss further Councilman Murray asked staff for a "pro and con" assessment of the Airport Commission's position on amendment to the Transportation Plan. He was not sure he understood the advantages of the Commission's stand, or what might be on the other side of the issue. Assistant Manager said his understanding was that State staff recommendation - that mass transit/intercity transit by air was less energy efficient - was put into the Plan without discussion by the Advisory Council. That position, he said, appeared inconsis- tent with a number of other transportation studies in other arms of the same agency. There was not a lot of argument on the other side other than on energy efficiencies, yet the position seemed inconsistent because of contribution of commuter service to economic Vitality of the State. Councilman Murray asked for a brief description of the long-term economic effect the city of Eugene would face taking either position presented. He thought that taking the Com- mission's position would be "going out in front" in terms of advocating expansion that may in the end be disadvantageous in terms of higher prices in supporting services. Assistant Manager said the long-term economic effect was something that would have to come from some sort of economic development plan. Mr. Murray's point could prove true, he said, if advocating expansion of commuter services was the policy direction pursued ~ by the city. However, the policy has been to require airport users to bear costs of services, costs of providing a higher standard of service at the airport facility. Councilman Murray asked to what percentage that was true now, and whether staff would advocate increasing users rates and fees at some future date. Assistant Manager answered that the percentage figures could be obtained from the Airport study. At the present time, he said, general aviation as well as scheduled aircraft are bearing the cost of maintenance of the facility, but not the debt service. He added that this would probably be the last year that would be possible without a substantial change in rates now being negotiated with the air lines. With regard to increasing users fees, Assistant Manager suggested discussing that a more length after this meeting concluded. He said if the amendment to the Plan was adopted in its present form the city would be placed in the position of encouraging more effective uses of scheduled air carrier service. However, he felt that would have the attendant benefit of balancing the Cost of operation at the airport. Councilman Murray asked that the Council continue to receive information in this re- gard. At Councilman Haws request, it was understood copies of Airport Commission minutes covering discussion of the amendment and the Commission recommendation as well as a written report would be distributed to Council members before further dis- cussion at a later meeting. L. Amendment, Regional Sewer Agreement - Copies of letter from Metropolitan Sewer Ad- visory Commission were previously distributed to Council requesting amendment to the metropolitan sewer agreement. The amendment, requested by Springfield, would allow Springfield's second member of the Advisory Commission to be a resident of Spring- .field only, and not specifically a member of the Springfield Utility Board. e 3/22/76 - 18 Hd0"