Item 3F: Ratification of IGR Minutes of October 21, 2009

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“rise to the top.” She stated that one of the corridors was the Cascadia corridor, but on their map the corridor only went from Seattle to Portland. She had talked to the Oregon Department of Transportation (ODOT) and they had been surprised to hear that as well. She intended to keep an eye on it. She had suggested to staff that they apply for ConnectOregon III funds and they were looking into the feasibility of putting an application together. Mayor Piercy wondered if there would be a conversation regarding the City’s interest in rail transport as part of the United Front. She believed that it was a good time to be pushing hard in order to “get some energy behind” the rail corridor. Ms. Wilson expected that by the time the United Front trip occurred, ODOT would have an update of their rail study available. She understood that additional funding was expected. She noted that there were $103 billion in applications for the $8 billion that was available. She said she had been watching California and last week they had begun their first public hearings on their Environmental Impact Statement (EIS). She pointed out that they had begun the process of determining how and whether or not they could put together a high speed rail system over ten years ago. She averred that they had a long way to go, but now was the time to start. She had put together a planning group to host a rail summit in Eugene, one purpose for which was to remind people that Eugene was the southern terminus of the corridor. She said they had proposed to hold it on either March 9, 10, or 11. She noted that Greg Evans, who was also on the planning committee, was looking into available times at Lane Community College. She thought it would be a good time because it was after the legislative session and ODOT had assured her that their study would be available at that time. They also expected to know what the results would be regarding how the FRA would award the $8 billion. She felt that getting the Eugene Depot on the project list would present an opportunity for them to have a conversation at the federal level regarding the importance of the depot as an infrastructure piece for high speed rail in the future. Ms. Wilson said if anything changed on the project list she would make the CCIGR members aware of it. She reminded them that the final proposed list would go to the City Council during a Work Session in order to make a determination of what the final list would be. She added that prior to that time she would take the proposed list and send it to Smith Dawson & Andrews and they would review the list to determine feasibility. She noted that Smith Dawson & Andrews would be here on November 12 and 13 to discuss the projects. She believed that they would have a good idea of what projects they would recommend taking forward at that point. 5. Federal Legislation Support Ms. Wilson requested that the CCIGR authorize a letter to the congressional delegation asking them to support the following pieces of legislation: The American Clean Energy and Security Act of 2009 – would provide more money to local jurisdictions for energy efficiency; Support for Senator Kerry’s request for changes to the National Telecommunications and Informa- tion Administration Broadband Technology Opportunities Program application process – at present the way it was set up under the stimulus package was that certain entities had to apply for the funds, but not the entities that actually would use the money and this would change it so that the functioning entities could apply on their own; The Community Access Preservation Act or 2009 – would protect educational and government television, would release some of the restrictions on what some of the funds could be used for, would help prevent discrimination by companies that would charge certain amounts for certain channels, and would preserve localism; The Pathway for Biosimilars Act – would set up a situation that would reduce the cost and in- MINUTES—Council Committee on Intergovernmental Relations October 21, 2009 Page 5