Loading...
HomeMy WebLinkAbout11/06/1989 Meeting e M I NUT E S Eugene City Council BJ's Restaurant November 6, 1989 5:30 p.m. COUNCILORS PRESENT: Ruth Bascom, Rob Bennett, Shawn Boles, Emily Schue, Freeman Holmer, Bobby Green, Roger Rutan. COUNCILORS ABSENT: Debra Ehrman, Mayor Miller. The regular meeting of the Eugene City Council was called to order by Council President Ruth Bascom. 1. COUNCIL GOAL REGARDING CITIZEN RELATIONS Barbara Bellamy, City of Eugene Community Relations Director, reported on the efforts of the Citizen Involvement Committee (CIC) in exploration of new techniques for improving the effectiveness of relations between citizens and the council. Ms. Bellamy noted that two techniques for improving - citizen/council relations suggested by the council at its February 1989 Goals Session were use of surveys to obtain community feedback, and the use of Channel 34, the government/public access channel. Ms. Bellamy reported that a survey is the best means of obtaining accurate feedback from the community about issues of concern to them. She noted that several local public agencies use surveys as an annual tool, e.g., the school district and EWES. Ms. Bellamy stressed the importance of conducting surveys on an annual or regular basis because this allows for comparison between years, which enhances evaluation. A survey conducted by the City of Dayton is included in the packet materials. Mr. Boles commented that the annual survey conducted by the City of Dayton is used in budget planning. Input from the community survey helps shape Dayton's city programs. Mr. Boles said that the CIC will focus on comprehensive interactions between the elected officials and citizens. He noted that one example is siting of the future Lane Transit District (LTD) transfer station. The CIC is considering plans for a long-term electronic kiosk in the public library to provide the public with information about possible site alternatives. Use of a kiosk to solicit input will allow information to be collected over a longer period of time than the typical public process. Mr. Boles noted that the CIC, in conjunction with the Information Services Division long-range planning process, is also considering the use of the - MINUTES--Eugene City Council November 6, 1989 Page 1 e computer system at the library to present and gather information about current issues from the citizens. Mr. Holmer suggested that it might be cost-effective for the City to consider a survey in cooperation with EWEB or the school district. Ms. Bellamy responded that because of the broad scope of such a survey, it is often difficult to obtain enough relevant information for each agency to make it worthwhile. Mr. Boles noted that the University of Oregon is interested in setting up a survey center, and it might be possible to reduce survey cost by using this through the private contract process. Responding to a question from Ms. Schue, Ms. Bellamy said that the Dayton survey is contracted out annually to a private firm. She noted that Dayton uses a private contractor because it lacks the necessary resources to conduct a large survey, and the citizens appear to be more responsive to a survey that is conducted by a private agency. Ms. Bellamy said that the Dayton survey is conducted over the telephone; response rate is usually much higher with telephone communication. Mr. Rutan inquired about the effectiveness of a survey in Eugene. Mr. Boles said that given the literacy rate in Eugene, he felt it would survey quite well. Ms. Bellamy added that a survey is an information-gathering tool, not a decision-making tool. The council should use survey results as an information source about the community, but making decisions and shaping e alternatives will still be the council's responsibility. Mr. Bennett requested that the results from this survey be encoded geographi- cally by council ward, so that the council can identify area-specific concerns. Responding to a question from Mr. Green, Ms. Bellamy said the size of the Dayton survey was approximately 900 respondents. She indicated that a survey sample in Eugene of approximately 350 respondents would produce a 95 percent accuracy rate. Ms. Bascom noted that survey cost is not limited to the contracted service, but also includes the expense of using it as an information tool. Ms. Bascom questioned Mr. Boles about what he considers to be the greatest drawback of using the survey. Mr. Boles responded that one disadvantage of the survey is the possible community perception that council activity is not reflective of community input. Survey respondents might have this perception because citizens tend to focus narrowly on an issue, whereas the council must consider what is the best decision for the community as a whole. Mr. Holmer inquired about the role of the council in deciding on the substance of the survey questions. Mr. Boles said that the council could e MINUTES--Eugene City Council November 6, 1989 Page 2 e choose what level of involvement they want with respect to casting of survey questions. Mr. Boles confirmed that CIC will recommend a process for determining possible survey questions. The council viewed a video tape of a government channel operated in Huntington Beach, California. Ms. Bellamy noted that this video is a typical example of government programming. Ms. Bellamy said that 65 percent of the homes in Eugene have cable access; this is an unusually high number, and would be an advantage for a government information channel in this community. Ms. Bellamy noted that video materials are fairly expensive to produce. Under the contract with Lane Council of Governments (L-COG), the City spends $80,000 for management of Channel 34, operation of the government and community television studios, and live media coverage of City Council meetings. Mr. Boles noted that the relative cost associated with video production through a community television station is about one third the cost of the same services produced through the private sector for the same level of finished product. Ms. Schue questioned whether any feedback has been received from the community with regard to program success. Mr. Boles noted that he has received responses about government programming from a number of seniors, evidence that cable television is a meaningful source of their information about the City. Mr. Boles suggested that the addition of a telephone number e citizens could call to register their opinions would be one way of obtaining community response to these programs. Mr. Bennett suggested the possibility of taping Wednesday City Council meetings and cablecasting them at a later time. Ms. Bellamy noted that this would be possible if the meetings were held in the Council Chamber. Ms. Bellamy asked if the council would like to continue the council interview segments on Channel 34. Ms. Bascom said that she felt these interviews should continue, but should deal with timely issues. She added that these interviews should not be compulsory every week. Mr. Boles suggested that the council consider the possibility of producing videos on specific events of community concern, and making these tapes available for check-out at the library to serve interested citizens. Mr. Green encouraged the council to consider having more citizen partici- pation in these interviews to obtain different perspectives on the issues. I!. UPDATE ON THE FERRY STREET BRIDGE STUDY Dave Reinhard, Public Works Transportation Engineer, and William Hall, President of OBEC Consulting Engineers, provided the council with an update on the Ferry Street Bridge Study. Mr. Reinhard noted that after having developed alternatives to this proposal, a major public involvement program . MINUTES--Eugene City Council November 6, 1989 Page 3 e was initiated to seek public input about possible community impact. By January staff will compile a short list of alternatives which, through technical evaluation, can be prepared for a draft environmental impact statement. Mr. Reinhard anticipated that by next fall a package of alternative solutions will be proposed. Mr. Hall noted that there are currently 14 different alternative proposals for siting the bridge and its approaches in the Ferry Street Bridge Study. Referring to the proposals for the north end, Mr. Bennett noted that the access to Southwood Lane is owned by the State of Oregon, and questioned whether the State has been notified of changes to Southwood Lane access as described in the alternatives. Mr. Reinhard responded that representatives from the State are members of the Technical Advisory Committee. He added that it is not necessary at this early point in time to discuss the possible need for obtaining permits. Mr. Hall added that the issue will be revisited after the public hearing. Referring to alternative N4, Mr. Bennett questioned the impact this alternative would have on Sorrell Pond. Mr. Reinhard noted the pond would be a major concern for this proposal, because any off ramp would affect the pond. Mr. Bennett inquired whether consideration has been given in any of the alternatives for the possibility of accessing Coburg Road further south. He was concerned that the neighborhood around this area would not be receptive e to these alternatives because of the noise impacts. Mr. Bennett added that Coburg Road seems to be used as a regional arterial. Mr. Reinhard noted that Coburg Road between Oakway and the Willamette River is serving as a connection for several major highway changes. He added that concessions will have to be made in any of the alternative plans to disperse traffic. Referring to alternative N6, Ms. Bascom questioned the impact this alternative would have on Alton Baker Park. Mr. Hall noted that alternatives N5 and N6 have the most economic impact on the Alton Baker Park corridor. Mr. Bennett suggested that it might be possible to circumvent much trouble by directing traffic north to Beltline on the west side of Coburg Road and to 1-5 on the east side into Beltline. Mr. Gleason reminded the council that this highway system was designed 40 years ago; the proposed system must be projected for 40 years into the future. He added that there is no perfect solution, so it is important to choose the best alternative, giving consideration to all the impacts. Mr. Rutan stressed that this is a preliminary proposal with many different options. This is a good start. Mr. Boles encouraged the council to consider other types of solutions to traffic problems beyond dealing with roadway problems. He stressed the importance of ensuring that city roadways will handle long-term mass transit. e MINUTES--Eugene City Council November 6, 1989 Page 4 e Mr. Boles encouraged the council to reconcile its stand on fuel reserves to correspond with its views on environmental impact. The meeting adjourned at 7 p.m. Respectfully submitted, /~ .. City ~na 0 .---- (Recorded by Traci Northman) MNCC 110689-530 e e -- MINUTES--Eugene City Council November 6, 1989 Page 5'