HomeMy WebLinkAbout01/21/1987 Meeting
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M I NUT E S
Eugene City Council
McNutt Room--City Hall
January 21, 1987
11 : 45 a. m .
COUNCILORS PRESENT: Debra Ehrman, Freeman Holmer, Emily Schue, Ruth Bascom,
Jeff Miller, Roger Rutan (until 12:30 p.m.).
COUNCILORS ABSENT: Cynthia Wooten, Robert Bennett.
The adjourned meeting of January 14, 1987, was called to order by His Honor
Mayor Brian B. Obie.
I. ITEMS FROM THE COUNCIL, MAYOR, AND CITY MANAGER
A. Martin Luther King Celebration
Mr. Miller commended Nancy Waggoner for her work on the recent Martin Luther
King birthday celebration. He noted that the event had been well attended and
had received good press coverage. He added that such events were needed when
reports were heard of bigotry arising around the country.
B. Alternative Growth Study
Mr. Rutan asked whether it was true that the Alternative Growth Study would be
postponed. Mr. Gleason said the Chamber of Commerce had requested that the
study be slowed down for analysis, and that had been done, but the study now
was back on a schedule. Mr. Rutan requested that the City Council have the
opportunity to examine the issue if substantial postponement of the study (for
two to three years) was being considered. He said he thought the issue was
important and he was opposed to a delay of more than a few months.
C. Council Committee Assignments
Ms. Ehrman said information on council committee assignments should be mailed
with Friday1s packets.
D. Airport
Ms. Ehrman reported that Ms. Wooten and she had attended a meeting of the
Westside Neighborhood organization and that topics of discussion had included
the airport and the library. She said a good discussion on the airport had
been held, but people still seemed misinformed and more educational efforts
were needed. Mr. Rutan said the citizen support group for the airport project
was getting underway and soon would announce its assistance in informational
efforts. He added that he hoped the City public information program would
provide quality, unbiased information. Ms. Schue said the support group was
MINUTES--Eugene City Council
January 21, 1987
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called Citizens for a Better Airport, and it now was accepting funds. She
said involvement in the group by councilors would be useful. Ms. Ehrman
suggested that the Nei ghborhood L i a i son IS offi ce notify a 11 nei ghborhood
leaders that councilors were available to discuss the airport with
neighborhood organizations. Neighborhood Liaison Christine Donahue noted
that a presentation on the airport project was scheduled for an upcoming
Neighborhood Leaders meeting.
E. League of Oregon Cities
Ms. Schue reported that she had attended a meeting of the League of Oregon
Cities. She said the the organization was doing well and was preparing for
the State legislative session. She added that she was a member of the
executive committee.
F. Be A Brick
Ms. Ba scom reported on the II Be A Bri c k" fund-ra is i ng campa i gn for the Hu 1 t
Center. She noted that Local #675 of the International Alliance of Theatrical
Stage Hands and Moving Picture Machine Operators of the United States and
Canada had contributed $1,175 to the campaign by purchasing a brick for each
of its 47 members. She challenged other local unions to participate.
Ms. Bascom reported that a campaign challenge to identify the longest family
geneology had resulted in a purchase of 33 bricks by one family.
Ms. Bascom also reported that the "Be A Brick" campaign to date had earned a
$51,000 profit to be used for capital projects, and the campaign was not yet
over. She noted that a Valentine's Day promotion would offer bricks with a
heart inscribed above the lettering for an additional $5 each. She said a
party and installa~ion ceremony was scheduled for February 12 from 11:30 a.m.
to 5:30 p.m., and all brick purchases would be accompanied by a chocolate
"brickll from Fenton and Lee chocolates, in addition to brick locaters. Ms.
Bascom said organizers hoped to earn another $10,000 by Valentine's Day.
G. National Council on Public Works
Mr. Holmer noted that he might be required to miss upcoming council meetings
because he would be attending several conferences in the next few months.
Mr. Holmer reported that the National Council on Public Works on Saturday had
issued ei ght research contracts in di fferent categori es of publ i c works:
water supply; solid waste disposal; roads, streets, and bridges; wastewater
treatment; airports; mass transit; irrigation and dam projects; and toxic
waste disposal. He noted that jails and schools were not included in the
categories that would be the focus of attention, and he said the council's
planned date of sunset was April 15, 1988. Mr. Holmer said each member of the
council had been assigned areas of responsibility, and his areas of primary
responsibility would be water supply and solid waste disposal, while his
secondary responsibilities included roads, streets, and bridges and
wastewater treatment. He said members would be expected to meet at least
twice over the next four months to consult with contractors. He also said
regular monthly meetings would be held until October or November, with the
next meeting scheduled for February 23.
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January 21, 1987
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Mr. Holmer said he would have to attend a meeting of the National Association
of Regional Councils in May, as well as another symposium in May and an
international public works symposium in Barcelona in July, at which he would
speak on capital budgeting, financing, and maintenance. Mr. Holmer noted that
the final day of the Barcelona conference would be of particular interest to
Eugene because it was call ed 1I0lympi c Dayll and woul d address the
infrastructure requirements of hosting the Barcelona Olympics in 1992. He
also noted that he would attend a July meeting of the National Association of
State Budget Officers, and in August he would attend a meeting of water
pollution control adminstrators. He said two meetings were planned for
September, and in October he was scheduled to attend, along with Mr. Gleason,
the International City Managers Association convention in Montreal.
Mr. Holmer said the public works council would reach its conclusions in
November, and publication would occur in December, with program promotion to
follow until April. He said he would attempt to keep the council informed of
relevant materials covered.
H. Police, Fire and Emergency Services Awards
Mayor Obie reported that several councilors and he last night had attended an
awards presentation ceremony for the Pol ice, Fire and Emergency Services
Department. He noted that the event had been exciting and worthwhile in
recognizing heroism in the community. He added that several lifesaving awards
had been presented, and some of those persons on stage might not have been
present if it had not been for emergency efforts. Ms. Schue noted that one
mother had appeared with her 18-month old baby, who had been saved from
choking by a 911 operator1s instructions.
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I. Mayor's Nominations
Mayor Obie noted that councilors had received memos, dated January 21, 1987,
listing nominations for vacancies on the Performing Arts Commission and on the
Airport Commission. He said he thought it would be useful for former
councilor Richard Hansen to serve on the Airport Commission through the
building stage.
Ms. Ehrman moved, seconded by Mr. Holmer, to accept
the following Mayor's nominations to the Airport
Commission and to the Performing Arts Commission:
AIRPORT COMMISSION
Steven Counard, 2635 Wilshire Drive, Eugene 97405, for
a term ending December 31, 1990.
Richard Hansen, 2744 Tomahawk, Eugene 97401, for a term
ending December 31, 1990.
PERFORMING ARTS COMMISSION
Henriette Heiny, 2806 Warren, Eugene 97405, for a term
ending December 31, 1990.
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MINUTES--Eugene City Council
January 21, 1987
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Richard Hansen, 2744 Tomahawk, Eugene 97401, for a term
ending December 31, 1990.
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Laurie Smith, 1977 Graham Drive, Eugene 97405, for a
term ending December 31, 1990.
Carol Williams, 2773 Tomahawk Lane, Eugene 97405, for
a term ending December 31, 1990.
Mr. Holmer noted that one nomination for the Performing Arts Commission was a
paid employee of a Hult Center user group. He said he would not vote against
the nomination, but he asked that consideration be given to future nominations
so that the civic commission would be neutral in issues involving staff and
users. Mayor Obie suggested amending the commission requirements if that
concern was strong. He added that he had di scussed the issue wi th the
commission and with staff, and he had felt that the nominee's experience would
be helpful. Ms. Bascom said she agreed that the user IS experi ence and
viewpoint would be a helpful addition. Mayor Obie noted that almost the only
comp 1 a i nts he had recei ved about the Hult Center concerned elderly and
handicapped audience members, and he said better coordination was needed to
respond to those audience segments.
The motion carried unanimously, 6:0.
J. Nuclear Free Zone Task Force
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Mayor Obie noted that councilors had received a memo summarlzlng conclusions
that Councilors Ehrman, Holmer, and he had reached concerning the Nuclear Free
Zone Task Force. He said questions could be referred to him or to those
councilors.
II. WORK SESSION: OREGON ROADS FINANCE STUDY
City Manager Mike Gleason introduced the item. Terry Smith, of the Public
Works Department, presented the staff report. Mr. Smith noted that councilors
had recei ved copi es of "Mak i ng the Ri ght Turn. II He ci ted a proverb, "The
handwriting on the wall is clearest when the wall is falling toward YOU," and
he said the report had been issued by those "standing close to the wall." He
also noted that the "wallll of infrastructure fell slowly, but that once it
fell, it could not be put back in place easily.
Mr. Smith said the Oregon Roads Finance Study had begun with the 2~ increase
in the gas tax that had been approved by the Legislature in response to
requests from cities, counties, and the State. He said the study identified
road needs for all three jurisdictions throughout Oregon. He showed a chart
of the study process, including a policy committee of appointed officials,
which then had established a steering committee, composed primarily of staff
members. He said the steering committee had hired accounting and
transportation engineering consultants, and a contract for about one-half
million dollars had been issued for completion of the study.
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Mr. Smith said the steering committee had reported results to the policy
committee and to the joint transportation committee, which he said now was
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January 21, 1987
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sponsoring a bill before the Legislature. He said the study had surveyed
future road needs, current revenuest and growth potential for all
jurisdictions) and that had resulted in an estimate that over the next 18
yearst there would be $32.4 billion in road needs and that $11 billion in
revenue for roads would be available from all sources. Mr. Smith said a needs
assessment had been made on 5,000 mile-long segments of roads throughout
Oregon, and that assessment had included determinations of conditions,
repairs, capacity, and safety problems. He said that sample then had been
expanded to provide an estimate of conditions on the entire 42,000-mile road
network in Oregon, and he added that such a sample should provide data with a
confidence rating of about 90 percent. He said population growth had been
considered, a set of minimum standards for tolerance had been estimatedt and
suggestions for improvements had been sought. Mr. Smith said a computer then
had analyzed all the data to provide an estimate of engineering needs over the
next 20 years. He said a current $6.5 billion backlog had been identified,
for a problem of $32 billion over 20 years. He also said addressing the
current backlog would require an additional 16~ in the gas tax now, increasing
to 55~ by 2005.
Mr. Smith showed charts illustrating State needs for preservationt operation
and maintenance, and capital needs (both new and reconstruction). He said
preservation was the largest single need. Mr. Smith then showed charts
illustrating needs of cities, and he said cities would be the least able to
meet their needs. He said if the backlog was not addressed now, problems with
spending would occur as if in a deficit.
Mr. Smith showed a road deterioration curve, illustrating that 75 percent of a
road's deterioration was expected to occur in the last 25 percent of its life.
He said Oregonls infrastructure was younger than that in some other states,
but 30 percent of the roads already were below fair or worse conditions and in
need of preservation. He said 40 percent of urban roads needed preservationt
and although only 10 percent of the road system needed reconstruction, that 10
percent accounted for nearly two-thirds of the $6.5 billion backlog.
Mr. Smith noted that many roads had been built in the 1950s and 1960s, and they
were aging at about the same rate. He also noted that road-related revenues
had not grown over the past 10 to 15 years, while construction costs over the
past 25 years had increased about 500 percent.
Mr. Smith showed figures indicating the number of drivers in Oregon per mile
of paved roads and said the figure of 50.9 drivers was closer to agricultural
states 1 i ke Iowa than to i ndustri a 1 states 1 ike Mi chi gan, whi ch had 95.2
drivers per mile.
Mr. Smith said the steering committee had attempted to rank needs according to
priorities, but no consensus had been reached. He said funding priorities for
the first six years of programs had been recommended as follows: 1) funding
of at least 80 percent of operation and maintenance needs; 2) stop the growth
of the backlog; 3) repair and preservation of important arterials and
collectors; and 4) addressing some capacity problems on arterials, with very
little attention to collectors. He said a consensus had recommended
allocating new funds according to a formula in which the State would receive
50 percent of funds, counties would receive 30 percent, and cities would
receive 20 percent. Mr. Smith said if the Legislature passed the entire
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January 21, 1987
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funding proposal, Eugene would receive an increase of about $750,000 in road-
related revenues for FY88, which would grow to an increase of almost $3
million in FY92. He said the City currently received about $2 million per
year. Mr. Smith showed needs according to jurisdictions and compared them
with the proposed distribution of new revenues. He said State needs would be
addressed first, and City and County needs would be addressed more after the
first six years. He said needs were greatest on arterials and collectors, so
most new funds would be allocated to those roads.
Mr. Smith said the proposal that had emerged from the study would increase
revenues by $1.12 billion over the next six years. The proposal included a
light-duty vehicle title fee, an increase in registration fees from $20
biannually to $40 for light-duty vehicles, and a gradual increase in the gas
tax/weight mile tax by 2~ a year over five years. He said the proposal would
allow about one-half of the needs over the first six years to be met.
Mr. Smith showed charts indicating that registration fees currently accounted
for a small portion of revenues. He said the title fee would be an entrance
charge like that in place in several other states, and he noted that most
charges were higher than the 2 percent rate being proposed. He also noted
that the title fee would be the only inflation-sensitive revenue in the
system.
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Mr. Smith said the Public Works Department could continue to work on
product i vity improvements, and he noted that the department already had
achieved improvements of 2 to 3 percent annually over the past 10 years. He
said property taxes currently carried about 17 percent of the road-financing
burden, and he said additional revenues from that source appeared unlikely,
although he added that serial levies were being used by some jurisdictions.
He said other sources of revenue mi ght i ncl ude development charges, 1 oca 1
option gas taxes, ,street and drainage fees. He said policy changes might be
needed in the area of assessments, and the steering committee had concluded
that innovative revenue sources probably would be a minor contributor.
Mr. Smith noted that Eugene's operating and maintenance costs were
considerably below average in comparison to other large Oregon cities, which
he attributed to recent productivity gains. Ms. Schue asked whether Eugene
roads were being maintained to the same standards as other cities. Mr. Smith
said he felt that the basic service level was similar but was being provided
more efficiently. He said some productivity gains still could be made. He
said Eugene' s rate of spending for overlays ($2,200 per mile annually)
probably needed to double to avoid a serious decline in the state of the
system. Mr. Gleason commended Bob Hammitt for his work in achieving
productivity gains.
Mr. Smith said road problems in Oregon could be solved by three main steps:
1) to continue to focus on productivity gains; 2) to tolerate lower road
standards; and 3) to address funding issues to avoid future crises.
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Ms. Bascom asked how much road life could be extended by making repairs before
deterioration accelerated. Mr. Smith said if the road was caught while still
in fair condition, a structural overlay could extend the life 20 years. He
added, however, that funding constraints like those at present could result in
thinner overlays, which might extend road life by 8 to 12 years before further
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January 21, 1987
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work was needed. Mr. Gl eason noted that proper roadbed des i 9n and
preservation could result in road life of about 50 years, while improper
design could result in quicker deterioration and less impact of preservation,
as well as capacity problems.
Ms. Bascom asked whether the 20 percent allocation to cities would include
funds for a State highway through Eugene. Mr. Smith said the 20 percent
allocation was in addition to other receipts. He said the funding package
also included agreement on an urban arterial program, in which the State,
county and cities would agree on spending to address the 40 percent of urban
roads in poor condition. He added that the program might not go into effect
unless the entire funding proposal was approved.
Ms. Bascom asked whether the urban arterial program would fund roads in the
area of 19th Avenue and University Street. Mr. Smith said those streets would
be eligible for the program, but they might be low on the list of priorities.
He said he thought Ferry Street Bridge or 11th Avenue might be more likely to
be funded immediately.
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Ms. Ehrman asked whether reducing spending for operation and maintenance would
result in higher costs later. Mr. Smith said a large portion of the City's
Genera 1 Fund was spent on operation and maintenance, whil e funds from
assessments and Federal aid were allocated to specific capital improvements.
Because preservation was the most difficult function for cities to fund, he
said the City had attempted to make operation and maintenance more efficient
and it had used those savings toward preservation costs. He said new funds
would be spent mostly on preservation. Public Works Director Christine
Andersen said Eugene's roads were maintained to conditions that were similar
to other Oregon cities, but better productivity and preventive maintenance
efforts were paying off in terms of less crisis management.
Mr. Smith said the City Council legislative subcommittee had voted to support
the study.
Mr. Holmer said he thought the action taken by the legislative subcommittee
had not been intended as a complete endorsement. He said he had reservations
about an increase in the gas tax, noting that the increase woul d fund new
construction at the State level, but it included no new construction for local
governments. He said he also was nervous about giving authority for a
registration fee to the County. Mr. Holmer said the study had neglected to
mention new technologies and changes in job patterns, mass transit, and other
intermodal considerations. He referred to Table 4 on page 15 and said he was
concerned about the amounts for maintenance and for repair, preservation, and
construction. He said he would be hesitant about the City taking a strong
lead in endorsing the program when funding was uncertain. He added that he
concurred in the need for preservation, but he did not favor wholehearted
support for the document.
Ms. Bascom asked whether a vote would be required on the local option
registration fee. Mr. Smith said he suspected that a vote would be required,
regardless of the county charter.
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Ms. Schue noted that an agreement to split the funds between the City and the
County was possible.
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January 21, 1987
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Mayor Obie said he was concerned that only 2~ of 10~ in taxes would be returned
to Eugene, and he suggested that a 6~ tax imposed by the County might solve
more problems for the City and the County.
Ms. Schue noted that the study had been discussed by and was likely to receive
support from the League of Oregon Cities.
Mr. Gleason said the 20 percent allocation was a baseline figure, and with the
share for arterials and State highways added, the actual receipts might be
closer to 30 percent. He added that discussion at the State level was not
ended. Mr. Gleason said he thought the most important first step was to
obtain approval for the concept of the needs study, and further negotiations
then could occur.
Responding to Ms. Ehrman's question, Mr. Smith said the allocation formula had
been agreed to by the policy committee. He said the historical allocation had
been 68-20-12, and the 50-30-20 shares had been a compromise. He said the
City Council could disagree with those shares, but he thought the allocation
was reasonable in order to allow State problems to be addressed during the
first six years.
Mr. Miller noted that revenues were not expected to be sufficient, and he
suggested that waiting six years might exacerbate the situation. He said he
thought creative alternatives were needed in the planning process. He also
noted that annexation could result in increased road problems. Mr. Gleason
said discussion of annexation still needed to be held between representatives
of the City and the County. He noted that the County road fund this year would
include $6 million more than expected.' He also noted that a local gas tax had
~ been discussed but had not yet been implemented.
Ms. Ehrman and Ms.. Schue suggested that the legislative subcommittee revisit
the issue.
Mayor Obie excused himself and turned the chair over to Council President
Debra Ehrman at 1 p.m.
III. CHANGES TO THE ANNEXATION PROGRAM TAX DIFFERENTIAL PLAN
City Manager Mike Gleason introduced the item. Planning Director Susan Brody
presented the staff report, noting that the last two agenda items were
summarized in attachments. She said numerous meetings had been held in the
River Road/Santa Clara area, in addition to telephone and mail contacts. She
added that staff members currently were helping property owners initiate two
commercial land annexations, which were to come before the council in February
and Ma rch.
Mr. Holmer moved, seconded by Ms. Schue, that the
tax differential annexation rates applicable to
annexations in the River Road Parks District, the
remainder of Santa Clara, and the Highway 99 area
be extended through March 31, 1988. Roll call
vote; the motion carried 5:0.
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January 21, 1987
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IV. CHANGES TO THE ANNEXATION PROCESS AND RELATED AMENDMENTS TO THE
METROPOLITAN AREA GENERAL PLAN
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Ms. Brody said the agenda attachment indicated that a Court of Appeals
decision recently had ruled that triple-majority annexations were
unconstitutional. She said that decision was under appeal. She also said
upcoming Legislative action could affect the issue, and four other annexation
processes were described in the memo. She said all of those processes allowed
remonstrance. Ms. Brody said the Planning Commission had recommended that the
council resolution method be used in most annexation cases. She said that
method would involve a public hearing before the Planning Commission, a
recommendation to the City Council, and a public hearing before the council,
after which the item would be sent to the Boundary Commission for a public
hearing. She said the Planning Commission also had recommended that in
uncontroversial annexations meeting certain conditions, staff direct property
owners to consider taking annexations directly to the Boundary Commission.
Mr. Holmer moved, seconded by Ms. Schue, that staff be
directed to process annexations as recommended by the
Planning Commission on January 12, 1987.
Roll call vote; the motion carried 5:0.
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Mr. Holmer moved, seconded by Ms. Schue, that the
council hold a public hearing to consider adopting
amendments to the Metropolitan Area General Plan
by modifying the lead paragraph to Policy 11 and
deleting Policy 11a and Policy lIb, Chapter II,
Section B, Growth Management and the Urban Service
Area. Roll call vote; the motion carried 5:0.
The meeting was adjourned at 1:10 p.m. to January 26, 1987.
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Micheal Gleason,
City Manager
(Recorded by Leslie Scales)
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