02/28/1979 Meeting - Laserfiche WebLink

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- e e C. Federal Aid For Local Transportation Facilities Manager reviewed the memorandum distributed. The Department of Transportation and the Federal government have mandated the City develop a plan for transportation system, both mass transit and others, including bikes and pedestrian paths. The City has gone to a great deal of trouble and work to develop such a plan. Now th~ major elements are not going to be achievable unless the Federal government makes it possible by financing them. The plan had to be produced to even receive mass transit grants. Now the City does have a plan, but the major elements cannot be implemented without Federal funding. He identified the three major areas of concern. The first area identified was the east-west corridor. He noted, the Federal government has recommended $7.2 billion in highway aid, with half to go to interstate system and half to many other programs, including improving existing streets or building light-rail transit lines. The City's position is to encourage more emphasis on primary highway funding. The second area noted was the Ferry Street Bridge. There is a bridge replacement program, but most monies are tagged for bridges in unsafe conditions. The Ferry Street Bridge is sound and safe, but is grossly overloaded. The emphasis would be to encourage a change in the pOlicy to give more priority funding to overcrowded bridge conditions. The third area was ground transportation, with the City's position being to ask that these funds be appropriated and to encourage the Federal government to fund multi-modal improvements. He also reviewed a statement regarding smaller cities' transportation block grants. The City could ask the Congressional delegation what might be the best strategies to achieve these long-range goals, and it may be possible to talk to some Department of Transportation officials. Manager said in all of these matters, it has been pointed up the need for City participation in the "man in Washingtonll program. This would make it possible to have a person on hand in Washington to follow Federal grants, to identify problems, and to help the City coordinate solutions to those problems with the appropriate Federal agencies. Mr. Delay supported the idea of a man in Washington program. He noted more direct representation was needed. He said it's very obvious that programs are tailored to cities other than Eugene. Mayor Keller agreed. As the second largest city in the state, Mayor Keller felt this would allow the opportunity to make use of whatever resources were available in Washington. He strongly urged Council to support such a program, as it would serve the City better to have some type of representation. Manager had talked to some of the Congressional offices, -whose staff felt they could provide those services to the city. However, he felt that some of the matters were highly technical and possibly Congressional staff would not be adequate assistance. 2/28/79--7 \2.9