04/12/1976 Meeting - Laserfiche WebLink

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neighborhood associations for an initiative petition to effect a Charter change for a more equitable assessment procedure, and to support those people owning property abutting Willamette between 39th and 50th in attempting to convince the Council to more equitably assess the cost of this project and to reduce the cost thereof through elimination of bike lanes and installation of sidewalk on one side only. e Mayor Anderson in response to Mr. Schulz' proposal for toll booth and Mr. Wiper's concern about the cemetery property, proposed the title of "Pearly Gates" for the entrance to the improved section of Willamette Street. Mr. Allen noted Charter amendment that provided for assessment against properties on both sides of the street for sidewalk installed on one side only. He said if a sidewalk was installed on one side only and another was later determined neces- sary on the other side, the new one could be built and also assessed against both sides. He said that even thought the Willamette Street project had been bid twice before, there had never been a formal remonstrance filed, it was simply a matter of the Council's having decided not to proceed. He said the bid prices in 1968 were $7.18 per front foot; in 1970, $13.38, so there was no question about an in- flationary spiral on public works improvements. Al Williams, traffic engineer, speaking with regard to comments on bike lanes, sug- gested that lack of bikes in the South Willamette area now was not good criteria for determining whether a bike facility should be installed. The primary purpose of bike paths, he said, was to attract bikes and encourage their use. He said the Bicycle Committee, in updating the Master Bikeway Plan, made the decision not to remove this bike route from the overall network. Mr. Williams continued that staff recommendation for installation of sidewalks on both sides of Willamette was in line with direction to enhance pedestrian uses where possible. It seemed ~ to him that uses on the west side of the street - the cemetery, church, etc. - ~. would generate a certain amount of pedestrian traffic. Mr. Allen explained that programs under which Federal or other agency funds could be used for this project had been investigated. However, he reminded the Council that even if Federal or County funds were used, the same general procedure would have to be used to meet the cost - assessment to abutting properties for the 28-foot minimum width. Federal and County funds could not be used to increase the subsidy to abutting properties, he said. Manager asked whether adoption of the ordinances proposed for action at this meet- ing would preclude any design changes in the project. Mr. Allen thought provi- sions of the ordinances were broad enough to allow the design to proceed in line with testimony presented at this meeting. He said that would be taken into con- sideration in the final design. Council Bill No. 1087 - Paving Willamette Street from 40th Avenue to 600 feet south of Coachman Drive was read by council bill number and title only, there being no Council member present requesting that it be read in full. Mr. Keller moved second by Mr. Haws that the bill be read the second time by council bill number only, with unanimous consent of the Council, and that enact- ment be considered at this time. Councilman Bradley asked whether a two-thirds vote of the Council would be re- quired to override the objections presented. Mr. Allen answered that a formal remonstrance would have to be filed before the tWQ-thirds majority would be required. . 4/12/76 - 8 ),g,t