CC Minutes - 08/11/03 WS - Laserfiche WebLink

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Regarding the issue of traffic safety, Ms. Bettman said that the commission looked at all aspects of the issue. She thought the commission's recommendations in the area of traffic safety had been both realistic and cost-effective. Mayor Torrey requested a priority listing of what worked as far as traffic calming was concerned. He noted that he had received several complaints about the chicanes that had been recently installed in the Polk Street area. Mayor Torrey asked if the commission planned an investigation of the experience of cities using the photo red light tool. He suggested it be tested at 7 p.m. at the Washington Street Bridge intersection. Mayor Torrey also noted legislation recently passed regarding school speeding zones and asked about the impact of those changes on Eugene. Mr. PapS, seconded by Ms. Nathanson, moved to approve the Police Commission's work plan. Ms. Nathanson, seconded by Mr. PapS, moved to extend time for the item by three minutes. The motion passed unanimously. Mr. Kelly expressed appreciation for the work plan item related to improving police-community interactions. He was particularly interested in the idea of more community outreach. Mr. Taylor also thanked the commission, calling it an important tool for the chief, himself, and the City Council. He thought the commission would be very useful when the new police chief assumed his duties. The motion passed unanimously, 8:0. C.WORK SESSION: Stormwater Program and User Fee Increases Public Works Director Kurt Corey and City Engineer Mark Schoening joined the council for the item. Mr. Taylor recalled several work sessions the council held on the item and noted the motion tabled from July 16. The tabled motion to implement Scenario 1 would fund the Stormwater Program using the current service level assumption, leading to the need for the rate increase. He recommended that the council adopt the rate increase to maintain the program at its current level. While the program could live within the policy parameters of the existing program under Scenario 2, Mr. Taylor said that there were consequences and tradeoffs to reducing the amount budgeted in terms of the City's National Pollution Discharge Elimination System (NPDES) permit. Mr. Corey commended the materials prepared by Mr. Schoening and the effort of the Stormwater Management Team, which had developed the information now before the council. Mr. Corey acknowledged the council's many questions related to the program, to which staff had responded in the council materials. He believed that the program was efficiently run and noted that the Stormwater Management Team had considerable difficulty in reconciling program element reductions; many program elements could not be scaled back, and had to be eliminated. Mr. Corey did not think the City could meet its NPDES requirements with a reduced rate structure. MINUTES -Eugene City Council August 11, 2003 Page 5 Work Session