CC Minutes - 02/08/11 JEO Public Hearing

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MINUTES OF JOINT PUBLIC HEARING WITH EUGENE CITY COUNCIL, Page 7 METROPOLITAN POLICY COMMITTEE, AND LANE TRANSIT DISTRICT BOARD OF DIRECTORS, FEBRUARY 8, 2011 how irresponsible LTD is with money that is supposed to be used to run buses. This is an irresponsible use of money, including paying for art projects and a Facebook page. He has accepted an offer to chair the Lane County chapter of Americans for Prosperity, which will train the silent majority. Erin Ellis, South 32 Place, Springfield, urged support for the No Build option of the Locally Preferred Alternative. EmX is a single mode improvement to the detriment of other modes of transportation. It is irresponsible for government to authorize any recommendation for the project that would spend millions of dollars of taxpayers' money and destroy private businesses. The LTD vision statement states that it wants to provide the "best transportation system available." However, it has cut 20 percent of basic bus service, while at the same time pursuing this project that would cost a lot. We need to take into account the No Build analysis for 2031 that assumes there will be no other transportation improvements for the next 20 years (which is unrealistic). She could not find data that shows greenhouse gasses will be down. She does not understand how using underutilized 60 -foot buses will save money. LTD claims EmX will reduce traffic congestion, but Eugene has the best commute time when compared with other cities. Businesses located on West 11 Avenue take advantage of the consistent vehicular traffic as it represents potential customers. She asked people in the audience who supported No Build to stand. She submitted a list of signatures of those who opposed the project. The West Eugene EmX is a flawed plan. Paul Conte, (address not given),spoke as chair of the Jefferson Westside neighbors and said he would submit written testimony after he received information previously requested from LTD regarding capital and operational costs. He asked the officials to review the information on the Jefferson Westside website, which compares data and assumptions for West 6th /7th Avenue and West 11 /13 Avenue. This analysis provides a scenario -based approach that is a realistic assessment of the alternatives. The basic difference is that the LTD focused on one additional route to the northwest. The analysis shows that the West 6th /7th Avenue route will have lower capital costs, lower operating costs, fewer negative impacts, higher ridership, and will be accessible by more people. The reasons for preferring the West 6 /7 Avenue route are overwhelming and will save $30 -$40 million in construction costs and eliminate negative impacts to close residential areas. Ruth Koenig, (address not given), said she was already older, and giving up her car for the safety of others. The American Association of Retired People reports that Eugene is friendly to the elderly population. LTD needs to think about boomers who are here. She used to use a bike to travel around the city for attending church and shopping, but is no longer able to do that. She uses the bus successfully to get downtown, to the art museum on campus, and to the hospital from the core of downtown. Environmental issues need to go to the top of thinking for the project. She is sorry for people who will lose money, but she wants good rapid transit, and thinks EmX is phenomenal. She owns some property along the proposed route, some of which will be lost to the project, but she will have to make accommodations. Jack Radey, Garfield Street, Eugene, thanked LTD for providing superior service. He opposes the West 11 Avenue EmX. He does not like government spending on bad ideas. The EmX project is based on projections, and he is hesitant to believe projections. He urged caution, noting the faster EmX service to downtown Springfield has resulted in cuts in other routes. Pauline Hutson, Taylor Street, Eugene, represented residents for responsible transportation. She described public transportation in the Salt Lake City area, with a 100 -mile long corridor. She expressed concern over children becoming homeless. There are too many planners, developers, and transportation people who need to justify their jobs to make money. LTD staff and Board members went to Washington, D.C., on public money. They are using public money on a public relations campaign. She asked if LTD has a commercial interest in development along the proposed route. Another hearing is needed. Eugene needs the right form of transportation.