CC Minutes - 07/11/11 Work Session

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used and where such improvements might encourage bicycling. Mr. Inerfeld said staff proposed bicycle improvements on North Park Avenue in recognition of how challenging it was to bicycle through that area. He said there were many improvements proposed for the areas mentioned by Ms. Ortiz. Mayor Piercy encouraged staff to provide the council with a more focused look at the facility improvements planned for the Bethel area. Mr. Farr said the Bethel area was linked to downtown through a bicycle connection from Terry Street, but that connection was out of the way, causing people to use less safe routes such as Highway 99. He acknowledged the improvements that had been made in the area but continued to advocate for better, more direct connections between Bethel and downtown and for improved access for Bethel residents to the Ruth Bascom Riverbank Trail. Mr. Inerfeld assured Mr. Farr that staff attempted to create a bicycle network for the entire city; the challenge was getting the system funded and built. Mr. Farr noted the challenge of reaching downtown from the Bethel area by either car or bicycle and advocated for improved access for all modes. Responding to a question from Mr. Zelenka, Mr. Inerfeld said that the American Community Survey indicated that Eugene had the highest percentage of bicycle commuters (about 11 percent) in the country. Mr. Zelenka asked about plans to improve connectivity to the Laurel Hill Valley and if there was a way to access the river across the railroad tracks in that area. Mr. Inerfeld reported there was a proposed project that followed the alignment of the I -5 off -ramp to the Laurel Hill Valley as well as a proposed path at the south end of the valley to connect to the Lane Community College basin. In addition, ODOT planned to widen the sidewalk on the south side of Franklin Boulevard between Walnut Street and Judkins Point. He said the Oregon Department of Transportation looked into that possibility of river access in conjunction with the 1 -5 /Willamette River Bridge and found there was insufficient clearance to create a path. Mr. Zelenka suggested the frontage road would be a good opportunity for a separated lane due to the high speed vehicles traveled when leaving the freeway. Responding to a question from Mr. Zelenka, Mr. Inerfeld said the City was using green thermoplastic paint markings to draw motorists' attention to conflict zones where bicyclists had the right -of -way. Mr. Zelenka asked the percentage breakdown for spending on bicycle and pedestrian improvements. Mr. Inerfeld did not have that information with him but said he could provide it. He asked if Mr. Zelenka was referring to discretionary dollars. Mr. Zelenka suggested the information would be most useful at the metropolitan planning organization level, although he was also interested in the City's expenditures. He recalled that the City Council directed five percent of the street preservation bond to bicycle facilities. Mr. Inerfeld said some street preservation projects funded by the bond included striping for bicycle paths where previously there had been none. He cited l Avenue as an example. Mr. Zelenka called staff's attention to a conflict area where the bicycle path crossed 19'' Avenue at High Street. Ms. Taylor asked what the City was doing in regard to bicycle theft, which was a serious problem. Mr. Inerfeld said the City offered bicycle registration to help track stolen bicycles for recovery and education on how to properly lock a bicycle. MINUTES— Eugene City Council July 11, 2011 Page 3 Work Session