Item 3A: Approval of City Council Minutes

Home Browse Search

Project Descriptions for Project Nos. 333 and 506 and to Make Related Amendments to the Eugene-Springfield Metropolitan Area General Plan. Mr. Ruiz provided a brief overview of the item. Councilor Zelenka, seconded by Councilor Clark, moved that the City Council adopt Council Bill #5010 amending the Eugene-Springfield Metropolitan Area Transportation Plan and make related amendments to the Eugene-Springfield Metropolitan Area General Plan. Councilor Zelenka stated there were two projects in the resolution: Project 506, which was the North th Eugene Transportation Improvements, and Project 333, which was widening of West 11 Avenue from Terry Street to Greenhill Road. He did not support Project 333 because it was inconsistent with the West Eugene Collaborative (WEC) recommendations and moving it to the financially constrained list would make it available for funding. Councilor Zelenka, seconded by Councilor Brown, moved to amend the main motion to place Project 506 (North Eugene Transportation Improvements) on the th “Financially Constrained” list but to leave Project 333 (West 11 Avenue) on the “Future” list by: 1. Removing from page 2 of Exhibit A – the row that would place Project No. 333 on “Table 1a – Financially Constrained;” 2. Reinserting on page 4 of Exhibit A – the row from the current TransPlan that pertains to Project No. 333, showing that project on “Table 1b - Future (Beyond 20 Years)” under the “Arterial Capacity Improvements” subcategory; 3. Revising the ordinance title to delete the reference to Project No. 333. Councilor Clark asked if the amendment would affect the status of Project 506 as the City’s highest transportation priority. Transportation Planning Manager Rob Inerfeld, said there would be no negative impact on Project 506. Councilor Clark asked if the WEC recommendations placed a greater burden on the City to fund build-out in that area, and if the amendment would hamper the City’s ability to partner with the Oregon Department of Transportation (ODOT) and other agencies to build the WEC-recommended improvements. Mr. Inerfeld replied that a majority of the WEC recommendations were not related to ODOT facilities. He said that traditionally ODOT had invested most of its resources in state facilities. He said the WEC’s recommendations represented a menu of choices that fit together as part of a vision and was not necessarily one package that ODOT would be asked to support. Councilor Brown stated he would support the amendment to separate the projects. He regarded Project 506 as a top transportation priority, but Project 333 as premature at this time. He saw no compelling reason for th widening West 11 Avenue. Councilor Ortiz did not support the amendment and did not consider Project 333 premature. She said that th section of West 11 Avenue was dangerous, particularly in winter months, and it was within the urban growth boundary and important for future development in the area. She preferred to move Project 333 on to the Financially Constrained list. MINUTES—Eugene City Council November 9, 2009 Page 8