10/26/1977 Meeting - Laserfiche WebLink

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Mr. Bradley wondered to what extent the state considered certain amend- ments requiring public vote on freeways and highways. He felt if that . were true, it was a form of discrimination. Mr. Allen said with the advent of new federal regulations and environmental impact statements which have to be filed, such state requirements no longer affect programs. Vote was taken o~ the motion, which passed unanimously. Mr. Obie returned to the Junction City request. He could understand City Council, as a group, not wanting to endorse the request. He said he was'in favor of endorsing improvement of that highway, and would write a letter as an individual endorsing it. Ms. Spaulding said in the research work her committee had done, the accident rate is high on all three highways; however, the other two highwys do not have their EIS prepared and are not ready for requesting state funds, noting the Highway 99 project is ready. She felt endorsement would help their cause. Mr. Bradley moved, seconded by Mr. Hamel, to endorse the request, through a resolution, that improvement is needed on Highway 99 from Airport Road to Junction City. Mr. Delay reiterated his previous comments. He felt it inappropriate for Council to operate in a vacuum and make a resolution without adequate s tu dy . He said there are roads in deteriorated conditions allover the state, and similar roads with high death and accident rates. However, he did not want to ask staff to duplicate the state efforts to see how - to allocate state money. Mr. Lieuallen and Mr. Williams agreed with Mr. Del~y's statements. Mr. Obie felt Highway 99 was as much a concern to Eugene as to Junction City. Mr. Bradley agreed with Mr. Obie. Mr. Haws said he heard Mr. Allen say it would do no harm to make such an endorsement. Mr. Allen said a simple endorsement that that project is needed might be useful. He said it would not hurt the City as far as its own projects are concerned. The endorsement could be worded in such a way that it would not put priority over City projects. Mr. Williams again expressed difficulty with the shallowness of making such a decision with no thought or materials to study beforehand. Mr. Lieuallen felt the City of Eugene was not responsible to make it easier for people to get from Junction City to Eugene than they already do. Vote was taken on the motion, which carried with Williams, Lieuallen, and Delay voting no; Haws, Smith, Obie, Hamel, and Bradley voting aye. e 10/26/77 --6 811