Item 2A: Approval of Minutes - Laserfiche WebLink

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Mr. Poling reported that construction activities on I-105 were generally completed. He thanked the Oregon Department of Transportation (ODOT), City staff, and all the motorists who put up with congestion during construction. He said that delays during construction at peak hours were generally minimal. While the main closures were over, Mr. Poling wished to remind citizens that the speed limit remained at 40 miles per hour while construction activities continued at the side of the road. City Manager Taylor discussed a recent visit from friends who he had taken around the community. He had been struck by the number of visitors in Eugene and how many visitors were in town for the Bach and Black Sheep festivals. B. WORK SESSION: Progressive Corridor Enhancement The council was joined by Lisa Gardner of the Public Works Department, who introduced Mike Eyster of the Lane Transit District (LTD) Board of Directors, LTD General Manager Ken Hamm, LTD Develop- ment Services Director Stefano Viggiano, and LTD EmX Project Engineer Graham Carey. Ms. Gardner recalled the council's joint work session with the Lane Transit District board the previous year to discuss the planning for the Franklin EmX corridor, future corridors, and general service issues. She said that Mr. Eyster was present to provide the council with details about progressive corridor enhancement, a strategy that LTD developed to sustain project momentum and that would lead to eventual Bus Rapid Transit (BRT) implementation. Mr. Eyster reported that LTD was on schedule with the initial phases of the BRT system. He noted the reauthorization of funding for the second phase of the Pioneer Parkway corridor was included in the current federal transportation funding bill and LTD hoped to have that corridor operational in 2010. Planning for the third EmX corridor was on hold because of the long-term decision making process for funding. He anticipated that LTD would begin planning for that corridor in cooperation with the City when more was known about the funding. In the meantime, Mr. Eyster said LTD was working on its Progressive Corridor Enhancement (PCE) Project in order to ameliorate congestion problems and make public transportation more attractive to the community. Mr. Eyster called the council's attention to Attachment A in the meeting packet, entitled Progressive Corridor Enhancement: Improving Transit on Key Corridors, which identified four levels of EmX corridor improvements, with Level 4 being full implementation of BRT. The other levels included items that could be accomplished rapidly but were short of full implementation of BRT. He said that on June 15, the board authorized staff to proceed with the first enhancement project, the River Road-Lane Community College (LCC) corridor. He anticipated completion of the PCE project by fall 2006. Other future corridors would be based on staff recommendations and would occur in one-year increments following completion of the first enhancement corridor. Mr. Eyster projected a cost of $3 million for the three future corridors, noting that funding had been requested in the current federal transportation bill. A 20-percent match was required, which LTD had budgeted. Mayor Piercy called for questions and comments. Mr. Kelly expressed appreciation for the work of LTD. MINUTES--Eugene City Council June 27, 2005 Page 4 Work Session