Item 3: An Ordinance Concerning Transportation System Maintenance Fees

Home Browse Search

ATTACHMENT B Public Works Administration City of Eugene 858 Pearl Street M Eugene, Oregon 97401 EMORANDUM (541) 682-5241 (541) 682-6826 FAX www.ci.eugene.or.us Date: November 21, 2006 To: Mayor Piercy and City Council From: Eric Jones, Public Works Public Affairs Manager, 682-5523 Subject: Summary of Public Input Related to Transportation System Maintenance Fee On July 24, 2006, the Eugene City Council directed staff to proceed with a public outreach and education effort and to schedule a public hearing in October on the proposed transportation system maintenance fee (TSMF). In response to that direction, Public Works staff implemented a public outreach and education plan that included producing and airing a six-minute video on Metro TV, distributing a four-page newsletter to Eugene homes and businesses as inserts to The Register-Guard and Eugene Weekly, creating a web site created to provide information and offering an opportunity for residents to submit online comments. More than a dozen presentations were made, including presentations to the Neighborhood Leaders Council, local school districts, the University of Oregon, the League of Women Voters, the United Way and other non-profit agencies, and the Housing Policy Board. Several news stories and editorials on the TSMF appeared in The Register-Guard and Eugene Weekly, and stories also ran on local radio and TV stations. Two letters to the editor were published on this topic during the public outreach period. On October 16, council held a public hearing on a proposed TSMF ordinance. Eighteen people testified at the hearing. Staff also tracked public responses and contacts received by phone, e-mail, letters, and the online comment form. Overall, approximately 70 contacts were recorded, including 14 comments submitted via the online form, 36 comments sent by e-mail, three letters and 17 phone calls. Staff has continued to receive and respond to comments following the public hearing. Many of the comments received were extensive and covered a range of issues, so it is hard to generalize the responses. Approximately two-thirds of the comments included some statement of concern about the TSMF as a method of raising revenue, with suggestions ranging from greater use of gas taxes to use of property taxes to no new or increased taxes. About a third of the comments included concern about the cost or financial impact of the proposed fee on payers, including several comments received from non- profit service providers. About a quarter of the comments included statements of dissatisfaction with City services in general and Public Works street repairs specifically. A little over 10 percent of the comments included statements of concern about billing methods. In summary, an extensive education and outreach campaign was conducted, and it is reasonable to assume that most Eugene residents have at least some level of awareness about the TSMF as a result of the outreach effort. Most of the issues raised by the hundred or so people who testified at the public hearing or provided comments in other ways have been reflected in comments made by councilors, and staff is continuing to respond to citizens and the council regarding the concerns raised and the suggestions made.