HomeMy WebLinkAbout5.28.2019 City Council Work Session MinutesMINUTES
Eugene City Council
Harris Hall, 125 East 8th Avenue
Eugene, Oregon 97401
May 28, 2019
5:30 p.m.
Councilors Present: Emily Semple, Betty Taylor, Alan Zelenka, Jennifer Yeh, Mike Clark,
Claire Syrett
Councilors Absent: Greg Evans, Chris Pryor
Mayor Vinis opened the May 28, 2019, work session of the Eugene City Council.
1. EXECUTIVE SESSION: Pursuant to ORS 192.66O(2)(e)
WORK SESSION: Franklin Boulevard Transformation Project Update
Associate Transportation Planner Larisa Varela presented information about the project
including the timeline, public involvement plan, and draft design concepts.
Council Discussion
• Councilor Syrett- expressed appreciation for and previous experience with the
presentation; expressed opposition to making street wider per multiway boulevard
trade-offs; noted lack of comparison to Pioneer Parkway with regard to medium
bikeway options; asked how EmX would interact with roundabouts; inquired if ODOT
owns East Gateway I-5 off -ramp and how planning would work with ODOT.
• Councilor Zelenka- discussed roundabouts in other locations; asked why roundabouts
would be a safer form of intersection; discussed potential for safety and efficiency
impacts in relation to experience with roundabouts; inquired about East Gateway
format and pedestrian feedback regarding lack of safety; expressed support for
roundabouts.
• Councilor Taylor- shared concerns about roundabouts; discussed what ultimate
purpose of corridor is for and what it should be for; discussed experience with corridor
and suggested need for way to intersect with streets in the corridor; expressed desire to
do something about street interactions.
• Councilor Yeh - expressed appreciation for presentation; reiterated comments
opposing wider street and two-way bike way; expressed concerns with roundabouts
and inquired about data about roundabouts in various street forms; discussed bike
signaling at Hayden Bridge; expressed approval for roundabout options and experience
with green space in corridors.
• Councilor Clark- expressed appreciation for work done by staff and public
involvement; opposed making street wider and shared lack of excitement about
roundabouts; discussed use and efficiency of automobiles and access to businesses;
asked about limiting or diminishing access points to businesses; inquired if staff have
solicited public input about the issue of access; discussed conversations with business
owners and public about fears about losing frontage in front of businesses.
MINUTES - Eugene City Council May 28, 2019 Page 1
Work Session
• Councilor Semple - expressed appreciation for the presentation and points of approval
of presentation items; discussed roundabouts and bike/pedestrian safety concerns;
expressed desire for more trees.
• Mayor Vinis - expressed support for roundabouts and trees; mentioned options for
Sunday Street public education opportunities.
The meeting adjourned at 7:00 p.m.
Respectfully submitted,
I&A dw'Ut
Beth Forrest
City Recorder
(Recorded by Samantha Roberts)
Link to the webcast of this City Council meeting: here.
MINUTES - Eugene City Council May 28, 2019 Page 2
Work Session