HomeMy WebLinkAbout04/14/1980 Meeting
.
e
-
M I NUT E S
EUGENE CITY COUNCIL
April 14, 1980
Regular meeting of the City Council of the City of Eugene, Oregon, was called
to order by His Honor Mayor Gus Keller at 7:30 p.m., April 14, 1980, in the
City Council Chamber, with the following councilors present: Betty Smith,
Scott Lieuallen, D. W. Hamel, Jack Delay, Gretchen Miller, and Emily Schue.
Councilors Eric Haws and Brian Obie were absent.
I. FEDERAL AID URBAN AGREEMENT 4661--30TH AVENUE/HILYARD/AMAZON PARKWAY
IMPROVEMENTS (Memo distributed)
Mayor Keller stated the council had requested to hear from two neighbor-
hood groups and Lane Transit District. Others would not be heard at
this meeting unless they represented a neighborhood group or had approval
from the council.
Mr. Henry stated council had requested the Highway Department to respond
to particular concerns. Bud Shirley, Oregon State Highway Department,
was at the meeting to speak in regard to design features of the project.
This is a continuation of council discussion and an opportunity to ask
questions of specific groups regarding this development. Ellen Bevington,
a representative from Lane Transit District, was present to speak. Repre-
sentatives from the two affected neighborhood groups were also present to
speak.
Mr. Henry stated that questions were raised by the councilors regarding
the needs of LTD and Ms. Bevington would speak to that issue. In regard
to the State Highway Department, questions were raised as to how flexible
the design features are at this point and what changes could be made.
The questions to be addressed by the neighborhood groups are how the
groups perceive this improvement and whether they feel the project should
be done.
Mr. Henry stated a memo has been distributed from Don Gilman, Acting
Director of Public Works, and that staff strongly supports this project.
The memo stated that this is an implementation of the T-2000 Plan. Lane
Transit District indicates a need for certain bus stop shelters and
turnarounds. The neighborhood survey shows support. The memo also
addresses possible project revisions and whether the project could be
divided into segments or phases.
4/14/80--1
Ellen Bevington, Planning Administrator of Lane Transit District, stated .
that the councilors had been sent an official response from LTD, dated
April 9, 1980. The three main points are: first, that 30th Avenue and
, Hilyard Street is an important intersection for the bus routing system. A
north-south route on Hilyard Street cannot be made because delay at peak
hours would be excessive. Turn movements at the intersection cannot be
made because of traffic congestion, and intersection geometries make these
movements unsafe or unfeasible. Second, the 30th Avenue and Hilyard
Street project, as proposed, is a multi-modal project whose design includes
consideration for pedestrians, bicyclists, transit, and automobiles. This
project could not be justified for only pedestrians, only bikes, only
transit, or only autos. Third, the project conforms to the T-2000 plan.
In regard to Councilor Miller's question as to how many of the five-and-
. one-half blocks would need to be widened solely for transit, Ms. Bevington
stated she could not specifically answer in regard to transit, but if the
intersection does not work for automobiles, it'will not work for transit
either. The project could be scaled down to have simply bus turnouts or
on-street bus stops, but if there is too much congestion and traffic does
. not flow, LTD could not use it effectively. Additionally, 30th Avenue and
. Hilyard Street has been identified in the T-2000 Plan as a location for a
future transit node. Lane Transit District supports the improvements and
they will benefit transit for South Eugene routing.
Jim Demaris, 4595 Larkwood, President of the Southeast Firs Neighborhood
Association, stated the consensus of the association that there is a need
for this project to be completed without delay. They believe that this ~
project should continue because of traffic congestion and anticipated ,.,
development of the area. They are concerned about the problem of fuel
consumption, delays in traffic movement causing additional air pollutants,
and the availability of funding. Southeast Firs residents support this
project and urge the council to continue it as planned.
Diane Frank, Amazon Neighbors, stated the Amazon Neighbors are opposed to
this project. They feel that widening promotes increased auto use without
encouraging alternative modes. They are concerned about increased traffic
'speed with the proximity of Amazon Park and Roosevelt Junior High as this
will perhaps be dangerous to children. They are also concerned about the
possible bottleneck where Hilyard Street narrows from two lanes to one
lane at 25th Avenue and widens back to two lanes at 29th Avenue. With
increased traffic and speed, the bottleneck could pour traffic onto resi-
dential streets. They are also concerned about the light at 30th Avenue
and Alder Street which may divert traffic onto Alder Street. They are
also concerned about the turn lane at 30th Avenue onto Alder Street which
could increase the incentive for autos to use Alder Street. In general,
they feel the plan is piecemeal and they do not feel it is a plan that is
beneficial to their neighborhood.
.
4/14/80--2
-
Bud Shirley, Regional Engineer for the Oregon Department of Transportation,
stated that if this project were approved without the widening, no Federal
or State aid would be available. To get the Federal and State monies, as
currently approved, the widening is a necessary part of this project.
Jim Hanks, Traffic Engineering, stated that in regard to the Alder Street
signal, that signal was placed for facilitating pedestrian and bicycle
movements across 30th Avenue. If a through-traffic problem arises, the
diverter program could be used. Alder Street should be maintained as a
residential street without through traffic.
Mr. Hanks stated that in regard to the turn lane on Alder Street, that is
presently in existence and status quo would be maintained.
In regard to a possible bottleneck forming from two lanes going to one
lane and back to two lanes, Mr. Hanks stated that bottlenecks occur at
intersections and should not occur in that situation.
Mr. Delay asked Ms. Bevington if the Lane Transit District had been
actively working with staff since the last time this matter was before
the council in 1977 in regard to how transit would best be accommodated.
Ms. Bevington responded that the working relationship goes back a long
way. David Rinerson was an active participant working with Dave Reinhard
in 1977 and their comments have been incorporated into the design.
e
Mr. Delay asked if this was the only exploration and dialogue that had
taken place (referring to the 1977 exchange). Ms. Bevington responded
that LTD has looked at numerous alternatives. It is her feeling that
LTD's concerns have been included.
Mr. Delay asked in terms of the specific improvement proposed if there
were specific implementations that LTD has in mind or if the feeling is
just that it will generally be better for traffic. Ms. Bevington res-
ponded that LTD now has two routes that go to Lane Community College.
These routes are LCC via Harris Street and lCC Express which goes via
Amazon Parkway. All LCC service will eventually go via Amazon Parkway
because it is a more direct route. This improvement will allow for
transfers between the Harris Street route which would then be routed
further south into South Eugene. They are also looking for direct ser-
vice to the University of Oregon from South Eugene by perhaps modifying
Fox Hollow or Willamette Street routes. Then Hilyard could be used as a
north-south route.
Mr. Delay asked how she sees the bus layover lane being used. Ms.
Bevington responded that they are not looking at any expansion now but
they are looking at future use. There are routing schemes that have
been looked at for both the north and south loading bays and these are
shown on the map.
e
4/14/80--3
Ms. Miller stated that she would like to know for what time period these
I cost estimates have been calculated. Irv Berman, Traffic Engineering,
responded that the estimates were calculated with the assumption that the 4It
improvements wuld be made this year. Ms. Miller asked what would happen
if there were cost overruns. Mr. Berman responded that this would reduce
the project or they would go back to the Federal or State agencies for
additional funding.
Ms. Schue stated that the council was supplied with traffic volume counts
. that tended to show traffic had not increased on Hilyard. Mr. Hanks
replied that as far as he can tell, the material is factual. Traffic
counts prior to 1973 show total volume of around 20,000. What these
counts show is that the intersection of 30th Avenue and Hilyard Street
is a capacity problem. The volume counts on the side streets show an
increase. With development in the south hills, the results will be
increased traffic volume. All the counts were done prior to the left
turn experiment.
Mr. Delay asked whether an improvement in the intersection, if it is made,
would become a traffic attractor. Mr. Hanks replied that the hope is that
it would attract traffic that is now going through neighborhoods and that
was the primary reason for the project.
Mr. Delay asked how much traffic through the intersection would be increased.
Mr. Hanks replied that the capacity would increase about 50 percent for
through lanes. There would be a minor increase in the left turn lanes.
Mr. Delay asked why the two lanes have to go down Hilyard Street so far.
Mr. Hanks responded that is to meet the T-2000 Plan, a level of service D
with 70 percent of signals at peak. Capacity divided by expected volumes
determines how much time it would take for each movement. Then a geometric
design is developed that would handle this. For traffic to leave the
intersection, it must go somewhere. If two lanes are approaching the
intersection, it is necessary to have two lanes on the other side of the
street for traffic to flow smoothly through the intersection. It takes
approximately 100 feet of space to accept traffic coming from the south
part of the intersection. In order to weave two lanes of traffic together
at 30 miles per hour, it takes approximately 300 feet. At that location,
that would put the weave into the 29th Place intersection. So, the lane
weave was begun immediately past that intersection.
Mr. Delay asked whether, if the improvements serve as an attractor, more
traffic will be dropped onto this intersection and down Hilyard Street to
the 11th to 18th avenues section, which has parking on both sides and
considerable pedestrian/bicycle activity. Mr. Hanks responded that there
may be some attraction to Hilyard Street but they are hoping to handle
more traffic on Amazon Parkway. There are future plans which may augment
this further, but they will study the 19th Avenue and Amazon Parkway area
to try to facilitate movement. One of these plans might be the 18th to
19th avenues couplet.
e
e
4/14/80--4
e
Mr. Delay asked why two lanes of traffic could not be routed through the
parkway and one lane forward with a large sign pointing to the parkway as
a means for getting downtown. Mr. Hanks responded this could be done and
in terms of modification costs, it would be less than $200.
Mr. Delay asked if it was Mr. Hanks' estimation that this would decrease
traffic to downtown via Hilyard. Mr. Hanks replied that he thinks this
would happen anyway but this would encourage it even more. Mr. Delay
asked when the completion date would be. Mr. Hanks responded it would
be in the fall of 1981.
Mr. Delay stated the parkway ends at 19th Avenue and if the effort was
made to divert downtown traffic it would not work without downstream
improvements. Mr. Hanks agreed that that would be high priority. Mr.
Delay asked if Alder Street would remain a local street. Mr. Hanks
responded that it would.
e
Ms. Miller asked if a destination study had been done to see how many
people in cars were going downtown. Dave Reinhard responded that the
T-2000 Plan was based on a 1960 0 & D study extrapolated to current study
conditions, and he is concerned that people on Hilyard Street may end up
on High Street rather than on Hilyard Street.
Mr. Hanks stated the Amazon Parkway directional split is two-thirds of the
volume southbound and one-third northbound. Although it would seem that
it would be half and half, the destinations do not indicate that. Part of
the traffic is inhibited by the existing intersection at 19th Avenue and
the Parkway.
Ms. Schue stated that she had some problems with the plans regarding
bicycle safety. Mr. Hanks stated that the bridge will allow better vision
due to a gradual slope plus the bridge will be lighted. Bike trails are
on both sides of the Amazon Channel so if the bridge is flooded, the bike
path on the easterly side can be used. Other bridges have flooding
problems and barricades are placed for people indicating the detour.
Mr. Delay asked how many of the amenities would be funded in this project.
Mr. Hanks responded that landscaping, medians, turn-outs, trees, and berms
would be included as well as a bike lane east of Amazon Parkway and an
east-west bike lane. The athletic field and the parking lot are not
included. Approximately $200,000 is for landscaping and bike paths.
Ms. Smith moved, seconded by Mr. Lieuallen, to adopt the
resolution.
Ms. Miller stated she is concerned that we are building an expensive
project geared to the '60's, not a forward-looking project. More than
$500,000 will be spent to help people save a few minutes at rush hour.
People could rearrange their schedules. She feels it is an expensive
e
4/14/80--5
. "white elephant" project. Some roads must be built, but the object is not
to pave the entire city, but rather to leave some places desirable enough
to go to. She does not think the design is realistic for the future and ~
does not think the delays are serious enough to warrant this project. She ...
.. is not convi nced by the argument that if the moni es are not spent, they
will be lost, because it is still tax money that is being spent.
· Mr. Delay stated he is concerned about the project, although it has
. improved. He thinks the problem is that not enough creative energy has
been spent to answer some of the questions raised in 1977. He expressed
his ambivalence toward the project and stated he realizes it is part of
the T-2000 Plan. He said that if, however, we are not going to do some-
thing, it should be decided in plenty of time so staff energy and time are
not wasted. He feels the questions he raised regarding the diversion
potential are a key. He sees there are good things about the project,
such as better accommodations for Lane Transit District, but he thinks it
is too bad it does not favor the buses. It allows continuity of single-
family auto traffic. It is designed on the 30-percent transit goals for
the year 2000. It does provide better bike facilities and park resources,
as well as some amenities for transit ridership. Potential diversion
would allow the opportunity to squeeze more out of the project. He does
not know if the risk is greater in doing the project or in not doing it.
He asked for council consensus to include as a part of this resolution a
high priority to 'have staff see what can be done to make modest downstream
improvements in the 19th and Parkway area to make it an alternative route
downtown.
Mr. Delay moved, seconded by Ms. Smith, to amend the motion to ~
include downstream improvements of the Amazon Parkway as a City ...
priority.
Ms. Smith asked if this amendment would include the two left turns on
Hilyard going north onto Amazon. Mr. Delay responded that it would be
giving preferential treatment to left-turning traffic, providing improve-
ments where Amazon Parkway stops at 19th, and putting energy into diverting
traffic from Hilyard.
Ms. Schue stated she agreed with Mr. Delay's 19th and Parkway suggestion.
She lives near that area and is supportive of alternative transportation,
but Lane Transit District's statements convince her that the improvement
is needed. The long-standing City policy is for keeping traffic out of
neighborhoods and onto arterials. She will vote for the motion.
Ms. Smith stated she supports the project. It is important that council
consider the long-range plan. The 30th and Hilyard project is being
designed for anticipated needs. Within the last three years there have
been many times this intersection has been badly congested, and she is
pleased with the changes made in the design during this time. She stated
staff has been responsive to concerns and a look should be taken at the
energy saved by not idling at the intersections. She urged the council to
support the project.
e
4/14/80--6
.
Mr. Lieuallen stated he would vote against the motion. He sees the
amendment to the motion as being only an addition to the project. He
sees this as being more of the thinking from the 1960's and 1970's and
he hopes for a commitment to a new direction.
e
Mr. Delay stated he thinks the overall scenario should be looked at and
some good should be extracted from the project. It is not a freeway that
is being discussed. The council is looking very strongly at developing
a shopping center downtown and getting people downtown, rather than to
large parking-lot shopping centers. They are trying to accommodate
traffic going across an intersection as well as solve some other problems.
Mr. Lieuallen stated he understands the concern of getting people down-
town, but feels what is being discussed in this improvement is trips to
work, not trips for shopping, recreation, or cultural events. Mr. Delay
noted that economics will eventually get people to use transit.
Mayor Keller stated he supported the project in 1973 and in 1977, and
feels that the project today is a far superior one. He feels the council
should support the project because safety is the council's responsibility.
He also reminded councilors this is designed for no more than 70-percent
auto traffic for the year 2000 projections. The T-2000 Plan and Lane
Transit District support this project. He feels it is important that
the City receives some of the benefits from the State Department of
Transportation. He stated he hopes the council will support the amend-
ment proposed by Councilor Delay. Mayor Keller stated the amendment
would mean that staff could start researching and developing alternatives
for 19th and Amazon Parkway for transportation to the downtown core.
Mr. Lieuallen asked Mr. Allen for the status of the proposed project
to carry the Amazon Parkway to High Street. Mr. Allen responded that
the project called the Pearl/High Connector had in the past been with-
drawn through a similar process that the 30th and Hilyard project is
now going through. However, it still is contained within the T-2000
Plan. Staff will bring back to the City Council in the future alter-
native designs of a low-cost nature, timed for implementation with the
completion of 30th/Hilyard contsruction. .
Mr. Henry asked Mr. Delay if his interest was in making certain non-capital-
intensive improvements at the 30th and Hilyard intersection. Mr. Delay
responded that he is interested in making downtown-bound traffic work and
putting in a diverter. Mr. Lieuallen asked if this would load the north
end of Hilyard from 18th to Franklin with traffic. He stated traffic from
30th Avenue bound for downtown should take Amazon Parkway. Mr. Delay
stated the diverter would help decrease the load on Hilyard. He also
feels improvements where Amazon Parkway exits onto 19th are necessary;
this might include cutting off 19th to the west of Amazon Parkway to
local traffic only.
e
4/14/80--7
Roll call vote on the amendment; motion carried 5:1, with
Councilor Lieuallen voting no.
Roll call vote on the main motion; motion carried 4:2, with
Councilors Lieuallen and Miller voting no.
.
II. ORDINANCE FOR SECOND READING (alley vacation for St. Mary's Catholic
. Church [AV 79-3J)
Mr. Henry stated this item has had a public hearing and was held for a
second reading until payment had been received by the City. The amount of
$16,366 has been paid to the City; final approval has been recommended.
CB 2076--An ordinance authorizing alley vacation for property located
from Lincoln Street to Charnel ton Street between West lOth Avenue
and West 11th Avenue.
Ms. Smith moved, seconded by Mr. Lieuallen, that the bill be
approved and given final passage. Roll call vote; all coun-
cilors present voting aye, the bill was declared passed and
numbered 18611.
Councilor Lieuallen requested that in the future, when alley vacations
are presented to council by staff, staff let council know if the alley
is currently serving a function of assisting traffic or pedestrian flow
through the area, since this should be known prior to granting any
vacations.
e
III.. BID EXEMPTION FOR STRUCTURAL TIMBERS FOR PERFORMING ARTS CENTER
Mr. Henry stated that this request is to grant a bid exemption so staff
can negotiate in acquiring timbers for construction of the Performing Arts
Center. He referred to a memo the councilors had received from Charles
Dallas, Purchasing Agent. These are very special timbers and can only be
provided by a few lumber companies. The timbers are already cut, which is
a legal process, and this request is for negotiation approval with lumber
companies. This will also allow contributions from lumber companies.
These are extremely large timbers.
Mr. Hamel asked why an exemption is needed for timbers that have already
been purchased, and why laminated beams were not looked into. Ed Smith,
Civic Center, responded that laminated beams and steel would amount to
about the same price, only the installation costs would be different.
The timbers have not been cut, but the lumber firms and the City will be
negotiating for the large timbers. These timbers will be 13 inches by
19 inches by 32 feet long. It takes special equipment to cut these and
that is one of the reasons the purchasing agent is seeking the exemption.
Mayor Keller noted that this is part of the package that the lumber people
have presented which includes donations to be used for the center.
-
4/14/80--8
e
Mr. Hamel asked if these were Lane County mills, and Mr. Smith responded
that they are.
e
Ms. Smith asked if we could be incurring greater costs by using these
timbers rather than some other method. Mr. Smith responded that it will
be less than the amount that was budgeted because of contributions.
Mr. Lieuallen noted that he was told the opposite by the construction
manager, Doug Williams. He stated that members of the Civic Center staff
said that the project could not be changed at this date. He stated that
the City had a commitment to buy a certain amount of these timbers for
the designed project and that there were donations of $50,000 from the
timber industry. Mr. Smith responded that is correct; it has been designed
and the City does have some donations. Mr. Lieuallen asked if we are
committed to buy the trees, and Mr. Smith said no. Mr. Lieuallen asked if
we have the $50,000 donation, and Mr. Smith stated that was correct. Mr.
Lieuallen asked if it is possible that the money could be used differently
or if the donations would not be given if we did not buy the trees. Mr.
Smith stated he would have to check with the lumber people to receive
their feelings on the matter. Mr. Lieuallen asked why this would be less
expensive than going with glue-laminated beams or some other method. Mr.
Smith responded it would be because of the $50,000 donation; the amount
spent will be within the amount budgeted. Mr. Lieuallen asked him to
compare the costs of glue-laminated beams or cement pillars and stated
he did not feel he was getting a complete answer.
Mr. Smith stated that we could have a forest of glue-laminated beams,
cement pillars, or steel in the lobby, but they are asking for something
more natural and that is the reason for choosing the timbers. Mr.
Lieuallen asked for the difference in price among the different methods,
and Mr. Smith responded that the steel could be considerably more and the
Glu-lams and timbers are about the same price. Mr. Lieuallen said he
cannot reconcile this with the construction manager1s statement. Mr.
Smith asked him what the construction manager had said, and Mr. Lieuallen
responded that he had been told that this is a more expensive method by a
considerable amount than some other technology. Mr. Lieuallen stated he
had had been told that if the project was stopped now and filled out with
Glu-lams or some other method, a considerable amount of money would be
saved, and then he heard the staff say that there is no way to change the
project. Mr. Smith responded money would not be saved.
Ms. Smith moved, seconded by Mr. Lieuallen, to grant the
exemption. Roll call vote; motion carried 5:1, with
Councilor Hamel voting no.
IV. PAYMENT OF BILLS, CLAIMS, AND PROGRESS PAYMENTS
Res. No. 3343--A resolution authorizing payment of bills, claims, and
progress payments for the period March 24, 1980, through
April 14, 1980.
-
4/14/80--9
Ms. Smith moved, seconded by Mr. Lieuallen, to adopt the resolu-
tion. Motion carried unanimously.
e
v. MISCELLANEOUS
Mr. Henry reminded the council that the meeting on April 16 would be at
11:30 a.m., rather than 11:45 a.m.
Mayor Keller announced the following meeting dates:
May 29, 7:30 p.m., public hearing on 1990 Plan Update;
June 7, 9 a.m. to noon, Springfield public hearing on 1990 Plan
Update;
June 7, 1:30 to 4:30 p.m., Lane County public hearing on 1990 Plan
Update;
June 17, 7:30 p.m., joint meeting of all three jurisdictions on 1990
Plan Update.
Meeting was adjourned to April 16, 1980.
Respectfully submitted,
Charles T. Henry, City Manager
(Recorded by Lynda Nelson)
. ~~
CTH:LN:pm/CM26a19
e
4/14/80--10