Item 2A: Approval of City Council Minutes

Home Browse Search

Mr. Papé clarified with Mr. Sessions that the figures he had offered were specific to traffic traveling to Eugene, not to Springfield. Mr. Papé said the State might not have identified a problem to the State system but that did not mean there were no local problems at the Franklin and Glenwood interchanges. He thought there were many safety issues that existed in the area in question. Ms. Taylor moved to give priority in the study to environment, aesthetic, and cost factors, as well as neighborhood impacts. The motion died for lack of a second. The motion passed, 7:1; Ms. Taylor voting no. C. WORK SESSION: Strategies for Long-Term Financial Stability for Transportation System Operations, Maintenance, and Preservation Public Works Director Kurt Corey and Senior Management Analyst Larry Hill of the Financial Services Division were present for them item. Mr. Corey reminded the council of its September 26 work session on the topic, during which it discussed the three elements of road funding in Eugene (operations and mainte- nance, capital preservation, and new construction). At that time, he had reported that a $586,000 shortfall existed in the operational budget, which was projected to grow to $800,000 in fiscal year (FY) 2007 and $2 million in FY08. He attributed the shortfall to the fact the service was funded through the State gas tax and Lane County Road Fund. The gas tax had not increased in ten years and revenues from the Road Fund had steadily decreased. The capital preservation budget continued to be about $4.7 million short annually, although some progress had been made. The deferred maintenance backlog was now in excess of $100 million. Mr. Corey indicated that additional efficiency gains sufficient to fill the gaps were not possible. Mr. Corey reviewed a series of strategies for the long-term financial stability of transportation funding. They included street lighting fees; a total or partial shift of funding for street trees and median maintenance to the Stormwater Fund and other City funds; and establishment of a transportation system maintenance fee (TSMF). He said that attachments B and D in the Agenda Item Summary (AIS) provided additional history on the TSMF. He also called attention to the staff memorandum prepared as Attachment A in response to questions regarding the City’s current list of street projects in the Capital Improvement Program (CIP). Ms. Solomon, seconded by Ms. Ortiz, moved to direct the City Manager to include in the FY07 Proposed Budget a shift in 50 percent of the funding for the street trees/median main- tenance program from the Road Fund to the Stormwater Fund. Mayor Piercy called on the council for questions and comments. Ms. Solomon believed there was a reasonable nexus between street trees, which must be watered, and the City’s stormwater system. Ms. Taylor asked about the impact of the motion on the Stormwater Fund, and if an increase in the monthly stormwater fee would be needed to address that impact. Mr. Corey said that residents would pay about 50 cents more each month. MINUTES—Eugene City Council February 15, 2006 Page 9 Work Session