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HomeMy WebLinkAbout06/24/1985 Meeting / , I M I NUT E S e Eugene City Council Dinner Work Session Eugene Conference Center June 24, 1985 5:30 p.m. COUNCILORS PRESENT: Richard Hansen, Emily Schue, Freeman Holmer, Ruth Bascom, Debra Ehrma n, Jeff Mi 11 er. Mayor Brian B. Obie called the work session of the Eugene City Council to order. I. OVERVIEW OF OREGON DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION SIX-YEAR PROGRAM A. Proposed FY 87-92 Program Public Works Director Chris Andersen said there have been some changes in the way Eugene projects will fit into the Oregon Department of Transportation (ODOT) six-year program because of the passage of HB 2266, which increased the state ga s ta x . Using vi sua 1 s, Ms. Andersen sa i d a dra ft si x-yea r program wi 11 e be presented to the Transportation Commission in November 1985. The Eugene Public Works Department has submitted a list of projects to ODOT for the six- yea r program. The Transportation Commission will hold regional hearings on the program in April 1986, and Eugene representatives will participate in these hea ri ngs. The Transportation Commission will adopt the six-year program in June 1986. II. EUGENE PRIORITIES Dave Reinhard of the Public Works Department reviewed the Eugene projects which were presented to ODOT for inclusion in the six-year program. He sa i d that phases 2 and 3 of the widening of 6th and 7th avenues from Washington to Garfield and the 6th and 7th avenue extension from Garfield to West 11th have the highest priority. Three other projects are very important. They are signal and interchange improvements to the I-105 ramps at Southwood/Country Club/Club roads, reconstruction of Highway 99 North from Garfield to Beltline, and intersection improvements to Franklin Boulevard. Mr. Reinhard said the Franklin Boulevard intersections which will provide access to the Riverfront Park may have to be constructed earlier than planned if there is much devel- opment in the Riverfront Park. The Transplan data indicate that two other projects will be needed in the future--four-lane interchanges on Beltline and widening I-105 to six lanes. Commenting that it is an entrance beautification project, Councilor Miller suggested the reconstructi on of Hi ghway 99 shoul d ha ve the same pri ori ty as e the widening and extension of 6th and 7th avenues. MINUTES--Eugene City Council June 24, 1985 Pa ge 1 Responding to a request from Mayor Obie to discuss the process of updating the - six-year program, Ms. Andersen said ODOT expects the local jurisdictions to prioritize their projects. Mr. Reinhard added that the staff will continue to lobby for secondary projects. Jim Gi x, Regi ona 1 Engi neer for Regi on 3 of ODOT, sa i d there are ma ny ca tego- ries for ODOT funds. The Governorls modernization program has opened some new avenues for funding, and there are Federal preservation funds. He sa i d the 6th and 7th avenue projects fit into the modernization program, but local jurisdictions must tell ODOT how important the projects are. Then the ODOT staff will put the projects in the best category and rank them technically., Some projects may qualify for categories the local staffs are not familiar with. He suggested Eugene give the ODOT broad general priorities. I I!. GOVERNOR'S HIGHWAY MODERNIZATION PROGRAM A. Overview of HB 2266/2t Gas Tax Bill Ms. Andersen reviewed the Governorls Modernization Program. She sa i d tha t about $200 million will eventually be available for the program. Region 3 (Eugene) will probably receive about $30 million to $40 million. The program will become effective in September 1985 and revenue will begin to be received in Ja nua ry 1 986 . Responding to a question from Councilor Bascom, Mr. Gix said HB 2266 stated e that the funds will be allocated to regions "equitably. II The program is new, and a formula for allocating the funds has not yet been devised. Hearings will be held in Roseburg in July on how to equitably allocate the funds. Answering a question from Mr. Gleason, Mr. Gix said the people in eastern and central Oregon might agree to accept less modernization funds if they are assured they will continue to get preservation funds. Mr. Gl ea son sa i d a well-prepared presentation by councilors and others might influence the way funds a re all oca ted. Mr. Gix noted the Oregon Transportation Commission will want the projects to "stand on their own feet, II and then the Commission will choose which ones to fund. Responding to a question from Ms. Bascom, Mr. Gix said $150 million of the gas tax money will be used for projects in the last six-year highway program. Eugene has three projects (the high priority projects) in the development porti on of tha t program. They are in the "green book II (the 1984-1989 program) and will be considered for the modernization funds. Twenty-five million dollars of the gas tax money will fund new projects and $25 million will be designated as discretionary funds. He sa i d the Governor wa nts the Tra nspor- tation Commission to take a leadership role in economic development. B. Discretionary Portion for Possible Off-State-System Use Answering questions from Councilor Hansen earlier in the meeting, Mr. Gix said 6th a nd 7th a venues are Sta te hi ghways. Consequently, their extension is in "good shape. II The Chambers Connector out to Delta Highway is not a State e roa d. The Governor's modernization program will now enable ODOT to consider MINUTES--Eugene City Council June 24, 1985 Pa ge 2 funding non-State highways that are major arterials. Such projects will have e to be significant to the highway system. Ms. Andersen added tha t the Cha mbers Connector complements the State highway system so that it might be funded from the moderni za ti on program. Responding to a question from Councilor Ehrman, Ms. Andersen said the Ferry Street Bridge is a City facility. It is not pa rt of the Sta te system, but it might also be funded from the modernization program. Unlike the Chambers Connector, however, the Ferry Street Bridge project is several years away from being ready to go to contract. C. Criteria for Project Selection Ms. Andersen said the Transportation Commission will adopt the criteria for funding projects in the modernization program in September 1985. Funds will be allocated for FY 86 in November 1985, and Eugene will try to get the 6th and 7th avenue widening projects funded at that time. In that case, bids will be reques ted in Ja nua ry 1986. The City staff should do the preliminary design work for the widening projects. Responding to questions from Mayor Obie, Ms. Andersen said the City will be reimbursed for the design work. Mr. Gleason said it would be helpful if the council forllBlly directs the staff to do the des i gn work and, in tha t way, gi ves pre 1 imi na ry a pprova 1 to the widening project. Ms. Andersen suggested the Tree Commission could function as a design review committee for the widening projects, or the previous Design Review Committee e could be reactivated. Mr. Hansen said the people who worked on the design review committee for the 6th and 7th avenue widening last year did a good job. He urged the Mayor to appoint them to the new design review committee. Ms. Andersen reviewed the draft criteria for the Governorls Modernization Pro- gram. The criteria will be approved by the Transportation Commission in July. She sa i d the Ferry Street Bri dge mi ght be a pproved under the criteria .. Pro- jects may be on county or city arterial roads connecting to or supporting a state highway" if the City has the project designed and ready to go. There is much work that must be done on it. The extension of Beltline into Willow Creek and the extension of Roosevelt might also fit into that category. Responding to questions from Councilor Holmer, Mr. Gix said the criteria were prepared by the ODOT staff when HB 2266 was written. The modernization pro- jects are to be under contract within five years, built in seven years, and pa i d for in ten yea rs. Because the criteria were written by people north of Eugene, Mr. Gix said they may be ahead of the Eugene staff in preparing pro- jects for review. a Ms. Andersen said City representatives should testify about the criteria before the Transportation Commission. The sta ff wi 11 present a wri tten position to the council. e MINUTES--Eugene City Council June 24, 1985 Pa ge 3 D. Impact on 6th/7th Avenue Widening Schedule e Answering a question from Mayor Obie, Mr. Reinhard said the second and third phases of the 6th and 7th avenue widening will cost about $5 million to $6 million. They could be under contract next year, but constructing both phases 2 and 3 in one summer might be disruptive to the community. Approva 1 of the preliminary design work by the council will indicate strong local governmental support. Approval of the widening in the March election shows strong public support. Responding to a question from Mr. Reinhard, Mr. Gix said Eugene should indicate the City's priorities to the Transportation Commission, and those projects should have community support. The projects will compete with projects from other a rea s. Mr. Miller favored construction of phases 2 and 3 of the 6th and 7th avenue widening in one year. He said most traffic goes the whole route. Mr. Hansen said some way should be found to complete the design work on phases 2 and 3. IV. SUMMARY AND FUTURE ACTION Mr. Holmer wondered what the City should be doing to prepare for the improve- ment of the Ferry Street Bridge. He suggested a citizens' committee be e appointed to consider the problem, discuss the process for getting the design ready, and lay the foundation for the project. Some of City's projects, such as the I-105 ramps and the Franklin Boulevard intersections, will affect the Ferry Street Bridge, he said. Ms. Andersen responded that the City needs to identify a funding source for the design. The design work will cost $500,000 and the construction will cost several million dollars. If the design work is not done, it wi 11 be ha rd to get constructi on funds. Mayor Obie asked if the council wanted to include Highway 99 North in the high priority projects. Ms. Andersen responded that the City can be more forceful in getting such projects in the six-year program if the 6th and 7th avenue widening project is funded this fall from modernization funds. Money will still have to be obtained for the extension of 6th and 7th avenues. Mr. Miller said 6th and 7th avenues will be widened to Highway 99 North. From tha t poi nt it seems tha t the 6th a nd 7th extensi on a nd the improvements to Highway 99 North are of equal importance because they will provide major corridors to the west and north. Discussing the 6th and 7th avenue extension and Highway 99 improvements, Mr. Reinhard said the projects are different because improvements to High- way 99 will probably not increase the capacity of the road. He suggested the improvements to Hi ghway 99 North coul d be fi na nced wi th hi ghway preserva ti on funds. If so, the 6th and 7th extension and Highway 99 improvements will not compete with each other. - MINUTES--Eugene City Council June 24, 1985 Pa ge 4 Mr. Gi x sa i d the proposa 1 to improve Hi gh"'6Y 99 from Roosevel t to Sa rger and e Garfield to Roosevelt involves the addition of such things as turn lanes and coul d fi t into the preserva ti on ca tegory , However, in tha t ca tegory, the proposa 1 wi 11 compete wi th roo ds tha tare in ba d condi ti on, and, in tha t category, condition scores high and local support does not. He suggested sa fety enha ncement a nd a dherence to federa 1 sta nda rds shoul d be empha sized for preserva ti on funds. Ms. Ehrman said the council has emphasized the importance of the Riverfront Park for economic development. Ms. Andersen said each of the listed projects will enhance economic development. The Riverfront Park could be important under the dra ft cri teria. Mr. Gleason asked if preservation funds might be obtained for High"'6Y 99 improvements if the desi gn work is done, if a 1 oca 1 Sa ncroft bond is approved, and if the City would contribute funds. Mr. Gi x sa i d "yes. II A combination of funds might be possible. Mr. Gix said some preservation funds for the High"'6Y 99 section from Barger to Beltline might be approved because it is in the worst condition. The section closer to the city will have to be rebuilt. It needs to be widened to meet Federal standards. He has not seen an accident record on tha t pa rt of the roo d, but tha tis one of the criteria. The Bel t- line part is not an urban section. Seeking a way to get the project done, Mr. Gleason suggested the City might do some work on Highway 99 if ODOT will fund some work there. Mr. Gix said he will check on the status of the project in the ODOT workplan. It might be eligible for Federal funds. e Mr. Hansen said the widening and extension of 6th and 7th avenues will broaden tra nsporta ti on opportuni ti es. The Hi gh"'6Y 99 improvements a re not as impor- ta nt. Mr. Holmer said the improvements to 6th and 7th avenues and Highway 99 are all essentia 1 . He thought the term "economic development" in the criteria needs to be defined more clearly. He said Highway 99 is an economic development project. He suggested the criteria should be rewritten by Eugene represen- tatives so they reflect Eugenels values. They could include such things as access to the airport. Ms. Andersen sa i d the Pub 1 i c Works sta ff intends to use the term "economi c development" in different ways. Mr. G;x commented that the Transportation Commission will want to know how many jobs an economic development project will create. Responding to a question from Mr. Miller, Mr. Gix said the best way to get funding for Highway 99 is to emphasize safety improvements as well as the condition of the road. Pa rt of the rea d ha s been eva 1 ua ted a s poor and pa rt has been evaluated as fair. Roo ds in the poor ca tegory wi 11 score hi gher in the preserva ti on ca tegory. Roads should be considered for preservation every 1 5 yea rs . If they are not, ODOT should know. e MINUTES--Eugene City Council June 24, 1985 Pa ge 5 Mayor Obie directed the staff to inform the council how it should be involved e in the criteria, the priority lists, and the presentation. Discussing the improvements to Highway 99, Ms. Bascom said it has some econo- mic development value. Mr. Gix said economic development probably will have to involve increasing capacity. Highway 99 will score highest on a need for sa fety. Federal standards, including landscaping, must be met. Ms. Sa scorn reiterated that the City needs guidance about how to package the Highway 99 improvements. Answering a question from Ms. Andersen, Mr. Gix said he knew of no funds specifically for new landscaping. Mr. Obi e sa i d the Ci ty ha s sound a rguments for the improvements to Hi ghway 99. They include economic development because of the $17 million improvement to the airport and people's impression of the community as they arrive and leave it. Mr. Gix suggested that perhaps the term "economic development" could be redefined. Ms. Ehrman said neighborhood groups will probably ask why improvements to the Ferry Street Bridge are not a priority for ODOT funding. Mayor Obie wondered if the Ferry Street Bridge could be tied to the economic development of the Riverfront Park area. Ms. Andersen suggested the bridge could be included in the projects suggested for the Six-Year Plan update. e Mr. Gi x sa i d the Governor's moderni za ti on program is not necessa ri ly an ongoing program; it is aimed at building modernization projects within the next five years. The a dded revenue from HB 2266 wi 11 conti nue beyond tha t, but might be redirected to other highway programs. In response to questions, Mr. Reinhard said new signs on Interstate 5 are being added to indicate mileage to Eugene more frequently than at present. All the councilors were very pleased. Mr. Reinhard discussed the timeline for the 6th and 7th avenue extension. It will be a limited access arterial, so an election will have to be held in early 1986. Ms. Andersen added that it will be important to have one alignment that has public support. The councilors approved the preparations for the 6th and 7th avenue widening and extension by consensus. Ms. Andersen thanked Mr. Gix for his help. Mr. Hansen said Mr. Gix attended all the meetings of the design review committee for the 6th and 7th avenue widening, and his assistance was very benefi ci a 1 . Mr. Hansen appreciated his help. - MINUTES--Eugene City Council June 24, 1985 Pa ge 6 Mayor adjourned the work session about 7:10 p.m. e , Resp. e. ctfully ~~ ........,.~/:_/9 // ~; -- Mi ch al Gl eason City Manager (Recorded by Betty Lou Rarick) BLR:ss/1793C - - MINUTES--Eugene City Council June 24, 1985 Page 7