CC Minutes - 07/27/09 Meeting - Laserfiche WebLink

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route. She said that the project manager from LTD had made contradictory statements regarding the type of transit service, first indicating that it would be an express service to move people across town and then saying that people could use it to access businesses along West l P h Avenue. She questioned whether studies had been done to determine what effect there would be on congestion on that street. She said that 25 percent of the project costs would have to be paid by LTD at a time when it was also cutting services in the fixed route system due to financial shortfalls. Drix, High Street, Eugene, reported on his recent activities cleaning up the pit on Willamette Street to improve the appearance of a blemish on downtown, turning it into a beauty mark. He encouraged the council to incorporate the concept of "free" into the City's budget. Lisa Arkin, Eugene, Oregon Toxics Alliance, distributed materials to the council and discussed air pollution related to the proposed Seneca biomass plant. She supported green business and green renewable energy, but had a growing concern with the Seneca proposal because of its location within the City limits and impacts on adjacent neighborhoods in West Eugene. She said the plant would produce nearly 500 tons of hazardous air pollutants, including carbon dioxide. She invited the council to join the American Lung Association, Oregon Toxics Alliance and Lane Regional Air Protection Agency to participate in a stakeholder process to be facilitated by the Environmental Protection Agency to discuss concerns regarding the Seneca proposal. Mayor Piercy closed the public forum. She thanked those who spoke and said she would be willing to contact EWEB regarding Mr. Duchin's request. She called for comments from the council. Councilor Poling asked if a lawsuit had been filed in the Duchin case. City Attorney Glenn Klein said he did not know. Councilor Poling expressed concern with the City or council becoming involved in a legal matter and urged consultation with the city attorney before any action was taken. He said during a May work session with LTD the council was asked for feedback on formation of a stakeholders group and he felt there was some support on the council for an approach similar to the stakeholder process used for the Coburg Road project in which a wide range of community and neighborhood interests were represented. He hoped the council would strongly recommend that type of stakeholder group to LTD for the West Eugene EmX corridor. Councilor Clark thanked those who spoke. He agreed with Councilor Poling that LTD should establish a true stakeholders group that included all those who were interested in the project. Councilor Brown stated that he would also talk to EWEB on behalf of Mr. Duchin. He agreed with Councilor Poling regarding wide representation on the West Eugene EmX corridor stakeholders group. Council Ortiz cautioned that any contact with EWEB about the Duchin case should follow a consultation with Mr. Klein to assure there was no conflict. She was concerned with the lack of business involvement in the West Eugene EmX corridor to date and hoped that LTD would invite all affected stakeholders to be involved in the process, particularly business owners along the corridor and in downtown. Mayor Piercy recalled that LTD asked the council to determine what role it wished to have in the process. MINUTES— Eugene City Council July 27, 2009 Page 2