HomeMy WebLinkAboutCC Minutes - 08/22/01 Work Session MINUTES
Eugene City Council
Special Work Session
McNutt Room--Eugene City Hall
August 22, 2001
5p.m.
COUNCILORS PRESENT: Betty Taylor, David Kelly, Nancy Nathanson, Scott Meisner, Gary
PapS, Bonny Bettman, Par Farr.
COUNCILORS ABSENT: Gary Rayor.
CITY COUNCIL WORK SESSION
Mayor James D. Torrey called the special work session of the council to order. Councilors Pat
Farr and David Kelly participated by telephone hook-up. Mayor Torrey indicated that Councilor
Gary Rayor was excused from the meeting.
A.Work Session: Ballot Title Appeals-Measure 20-53 "Transportation Improvements in
West Eugene" and Measure 20-54 "West Eugene Parkway"
City Manager Jim Johnson reviewed the contents of the council meeting packet, which included
the following: 1) agenda item summary related to the item; 2) Resolution 4687; 3) the title,
question, and explanation for each ballot measure prepared by the City Attorney's Office; 4) the
appeals submitted by the four appellants. He noted materials distributed just prior to the meeting,
including: 1) August 22, 2001, memorandum from staff to the mayor and council entitled West
Eugene Parkway Projected Impacts and Mitigation Requirements; 2) a chart entitled West Eugene
Parkway-Acres of Wetland Impacts and Mitigation Requirements; 3) a chart entitled West Eugene
Parkway-Acres of Wetland Impacts on the West versus East Side of Beltline; 4) a facsimile from
Bob Pirrie of the Oregon Department of Transportation regarding the West Eugene Parkway
System Cost; 5) a memorandum from the City Attorney to the mayor and council entitled Baflot
Title Appeals-Standards and Procedures; 6) a chart entitled City Attorney's Summary of
Appellants'Positions (as related to Measure 20-54); 7) a chart entitled City Attorney's Summary of
Appellants'Positions (as related to Measure 20-53); 8) an e-mail message from appellant Rob
Zako with additional suggested changes; and 9) an e-mail message from Ms. Bettman with
suggested ballot title changes.
Mayor Torrey called for resolution of the issue regarding the sequence of the measures on the
ballot. City Attorney Jerome Lidz advised the council to adopt a motion related to the order.
Ms. Taylor, seconded by Mr. Kelly, moved to abide by the results of the City
Manager's coin toss regarding the order in which the measures appeared on
the ballot.
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Ms. Nathanson objected to the coin toss because it appeared to produce results that differed from
the resolution, which used references to "first" and "second." She thought the parkway should
appear first on the measure because it proceeded discussion of the transportation alternatives.
Mr. Kelly did not recollect council discussion of the order of the measures on the ballot. He
thought the resolution merely enumerated the measures themselves. He further indicated his
belief that his position on the order of the ballot measures had been misrepresented; he had not
requested the measures be reversed in order because he was not aware of the order; the City
Recorder had informed him that was an administrative decision. He thought it made sense to
have the alternative transportation improvements measure first because people were less familiar
with it than the parkway measure. Mr. Kelly supported the City Manager's decision as represented
by the coin toss.
Mr. Fart agreed with the analysis of Ms. Nathanson. He determined from Mr. Johnson that City
Recorder Kate Fieland was involved throughout the entire process of determining the measures'
order on the ballot.
Mr. Fart said he had considered the order in the resolution the order of the measures, not merely
an enumeration of the measures. He added he did not fault the judgement of the manager in the
matter, but disagreed with the approach taken.
Mr. Pap~ indicated his concurrence with the remarks of Ms. Nathanson. He thought the council as
a whole should have been consulted about the order of the measures on the ballot.
Mr. Meisner pointed out that, typically, the council neither established the ballot numbers or the
order of the measures. He distinguished between administrative procedure and council policy,
and said in this case the order of the measures was correctly decided by the manager. He
acknowledged the concerns expressed by other councilors, but suggested that those concerns
were based less on process than on outcome.
Ms. Bettman indicated concurrence with the remarks of Mr. Kelly and Mr. Meisner. She said the
resolution was not the governing document for what the ballot would look like, and council had not
discussed the issue of the order of the measures. She preferred to maintain the current order if
had been established by precedent.
Ms. Taylor agreed that the decision was made in a correct and neutral manner.
Mayor Torrey did not think the decision was made correctly, and that the manager was mistaken in
not returning with the order of the measures to the council. He said that the two measures were
like two people running for the same office, and the first measure would have the advantage.
The motion passed, 4:3; Ms. Nathanson, Mr. Fart, and Mr. Pap~ voting no.
Mr. Johnson indicated that, in the future, the council would be consulted on the order of ballot
measures.
Mr. Lidz briefly reviewed the memorandum entitled Ballot Title Appeals-Standards and
Procedures. He emphasized that discussion of the merits of the ballot measures was not
appropriate; the question before the council was what constituted a fair and appropriate ballot title.
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He overviewed the two charts he had prepared summarizing the appeal issues. Mr. Lidz called
attention to revised ballot titles he had prepared, and reviewed the documents. Copies of the
revised ballot titles were distributed to council members.
Mayor Torrey opened the public hearing on the appeal issues, calling for testimony first on Ballot
Measure 20-53, Transportation Improvements in West Eugene. He noted that appellant Eben
Foder had been unable to attend the meeting, but his appeal statement was included in the
packet.
Terry Connelly, Government Affairs Director of the Eugene Chamber of Commerce, spoke on
behalf of appellant David Hauser. He called for changes to the ballot title for Measure 20-53 that
reflected that the West Eugene Parkway was not among the improvements contemplated. Other
approaches contemplated were not improvements, but rather strategies to address traffic.
Because of that, the chamber proposed the title Transportation Strategies in West Eugene, not
Including the West Eugene Parkway.
Regarding the explanation for the ballot measure, Mr. Connelly called for deletion or revision of
the fourth sentence to eliminate what the chamber considered misleading information. The
sentence called for the City to work with the State on transportation improvements in west
Eugene, but the State had already made it clear to the City that it was not interested in working
with it on transportation improvements that do not address the needs of the State system. He
thought the measure should also include the socio-economic costs of down-zoning property
resulting from the cancellation of the parkway. Mr. Connelly also called for text in the measure
that made it clear the purpose of the measure was to cancel the West Eugene Parkway. He
referred councilors to the alternative text prepared by the chamber.
Rob Zako thought voters who supported the parkway might also support alternative transportation
improvements, particularly as the parkway was not projected to solve all transportation problems
in west Eugene. He did not think support of the measure precluded support of the parkway. Mr.
Zako thought the voters would be confused by an either/or choice; it seemed like the two
measures were asking the same question in two different ways. He noted his distribution of
revised language replacing the last sentence in the explanation of Ballot Measure 20-53 that read
"If this measure and Measure 20-54 both pass, both measures shall take effect." That way voters
could vote on each measure on its merits.
Mr. Zako thought it important that the measures be sufficiently clear so the voters know what they
are voting on and the council knew what it had to do with the results. He suggested that the
explanation for 20-53 be modeled on the motion the council passed on August 6 approving the
bulk of staff recommendations related to the design charette held for west Eugene. He proposed
the alternative measure be retitled Develop Comprehensive Transportation and Land Use Plan for
West Eugene. He noted the text for the question and explanation proposed by the appellants.
Mayor Torrey solicited testimony on the title, explanation, and question for Ballot Measure 20-54.
David Monk advocated for a change to the title that recognized that there were certain things that
must occur before the parkway could be built, suggesting as a substitute Initiate Amendments
Required for Construction of West Eugene Parkway. He enumerated some of the plan
amendments that must occur before the parkway could be constructed.
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Terry Connelly asked that the explanation for Ballot Measure 20-54 be modified to reflect that 68
acres of wetland mitigation would be required if the parkway were constructed, rather than 34 as
currently stated in the explanation. He also expressed concern that the statement related to
computer traffic modeling did not present the complete story to the voters in that it did not mention
the anticipated reduction in traffic on other streets in west Eugene. He thought it also inconsistent
with the concept of neutrality in the explanation. He suggested it be deleted or substitute text
added to the ballot measure explaining the benefits of those strategies in a similar manner.
Mayor Torrey indicated he would ask the council to address the titles, questions, and explanations
for each measure in turn.
Ms. Taylor, seconded by Ms. Bettman, moved to adopt the existing title for
Ballot Measure 20-53: Transportation Improvements in West Eugene.
Mr. Fart, seconded by Ms. Nathanson, moved to amend the existing title to
read Transportation Strategies in West Eugene, not Including West Eugene
Parkway.
Mr. Fart believed the change made the measure more clear.
Ms. Bettman supported the existing title as it was descriptive of what the measure was trying to
achieve, as well as neutral.
Ms. Nathanson supported the proposed change as being more clear, noting that improvements
could be interpreted as capital improvements. "Strategies" was more reflective of the concepts
discussed by the council for addressing traffic in west Eugene, which included transit and car
pooling as well as transportation projects.
Mr. Pap~ supported the amendment, concurring with the statements of Ms. Nathanson. He
thought "strategies" or "approach" more neutral.
Mr. Meisner supported the amendment because he thought "strategies" more inclusive than
"improvements."
Mr. Meisner endorsed the suggestion by Mr. Zako that the explanations of both measures be
amended so that both could pass.
Mr. Kelly did not support the amendment because of the addition of the phrase "not including
West Eugene Parkway," unless the council was to change the title of the other measure "West
Eugene Parkway Instead of Other Improvements." Regarding the use of the word "strategies," Mr.
Kelly did not object, but pointed out that most of the projects contemplated in the explanation
would be considered capital improvements.
Ms. Taylor preferred "improvements" but could accept "strategies" if the last clause was
eliminated. She agreed with Mr. Kelly about the two titles mirroring each other if a change was
made.
Mayor Torrey endorsed the amendment as clarifying the issue of what the voters were voting on.
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Ms. Bettman thought the council should be giving the community a choice of whether it wanted
the West Eugene Parkway or another package of viable strategies and improvements that
accomplished the same thing. She thought it biased to present the community with a choice of
parkway or no parkway as it detracted from what the measure has to offer.
Ms. Bettman disagreed with the mayor that the amendment provided clarity. She thought that the
council was giving voters the choice of whether they want the parkway or whether they want
another package of strategies and improvements in west Eugene that are also viable but a
different way of doing things. She said she had concerns about the remaining text as she thought
the explanation was overly focused on the parkway and did not describe what the strategies would
be. Ms. Bettman said that, to be unbiased, the council should ensure each measure could stand
on its own. She added she did not agree with the addition of text implying that each measure
could pass, which would give the voters the illusion they "could have their cake and eat it, too."
There was not enough funding for everything.
Mr. Fart said the ballot measure precluded the parkway; the other measure did not preclude other
improvements in west Eugene. He added that there was funding for transportation improvements
beyond what was allocated through the State Transportation Improvement Program.
The amendment to the motion passed, 4:3; Ms. Taylor, Ms. Bettman, and Mr.
Kelly voting no.
The main motion passed, 4:3; Ms. Taylor, Ms. Bettman, and Mr. Kelly voting
no.
Ms. Taylor, seconded by Ms. Bettman, moved to retain the existing ballot title
for Measure 20-54: West Eugene Parkway.
Ms. Bettman, seconded by Ms. Taylor, moved to amend the motion by
changing the title to $88 Million West Eugene Parkway.
Ms. Bettman and Ms. Taylor accepted a friendly amendment from Mr. Kelly to change the title to
Pursue $88 Million Funding and Approvals for West Eugene Parkway.
Ms. Nathanson suggested if a funding amount was associated with this title, it should be included
in the other title, but pointed out the level of funding required for those strategies was not known.
She opposed the amendment.
Mr. Fart concurred with Ms. Nathanson. He also pointed out that the inclusion of a dollar figure in
the title would mean people expected the cost to be exactly that.
Mr. Pap~ concurred with Mr. Farr and Ms. Nathanson. He said that the $88 million included the
$17 million already allocated, so the amendment was inaccurate.
Mr. Meisner also opposed the amendment. He did not want to pack the title with too much
information. He endorsed the approach suggested by Mr. Monk for the title as it was more
accurate.
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Mayor Torrey did not think the amendment correctly reflected the subject of the ballot measure. It
did not discuss the source of funding or the fact that there was funding allocated.
The amendment to the motion failed, 4:3; Ms. Bettman, Mr. Kelly, and Ms.
Taylor voting yes.
The main motion passed, 4:3; Ms. Bettman, Mr. Kelly, and Ms. Taylor voting
no.
Ms. Taylor, seconded by Mr. Pap~, moved to retain the existing ballot
question for Ballot Measure 20-53: Shaft City address transportation
problems in west Eugene with projects other than the West Eugene
Parkway?
Ms. Bettman, seconded by Mr. Kelly, moved to amend the motion by
substituting the following text: Shaft City address transportation problems in
west Eugene with a combination of transportation improvement projects and
strategies?
Ms. Bettman thought the motion consistent with the action taken by the council on August 6.
Mr. Kelly supported Ms. Bettman's amendment for the reason she cited, and thought it additionally
responded to the concerns expressed by appellants.
Mr. Fart did not support the amendment because the council did not have the contemplated
improvements and strategies in place or the funding to support them.
Mr. Pap~, seconded by Mr. Fart, moved to amend the amendment by
substituting the following text: Shaft City address transportation in west
Eugene with a combination of transportation projects and strategies other
than the West Eugene Parkway?
Mr. Pap~ said that the amendment to the amendment made it clear what the council was asking
the voters, and made it clear that the measure was specific to improvements outside the parkway.
Ms. Bettman opposed the amendment to the amendment as campaigning for the parkway, and did
not support the removal of "improvements" because all the strategies discussed during the west
Eugene transportation charette represented improvements. She did not want to see the issues
framed in terms of "parkway or not the parkway." She thought it did not give the measure or the
transportation solutions contemplated a chance to stand on their own.
Mr. Meisner did not support the amendment to the amendment and was unsure of his position on
the amendment. Neither captured the notion of partnership or the long-term nature of the
strategies, or the fact land use patterns would be affected.
The amendment to the amendment failed, 4:3; Mr. Pap~, Mr. Fart, and Ms.
Nathanson voting yes.
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The amendment to the motion failed, 4:3; Ms. Taylor, Ms. Bettman, and Mr.
Kelly voting yes.
Mr. Meisner, seconded by Ms. Bettman, moved to amend the motion with the
following text: Shaft City work with government partners to develop a
comprehensive, long-term transportation and land use plan for west Eugene?
Mr. Meisner wanted to emphasize the concept of partnerships and the interrelationships between
transportation and land use planning. In addition, he thought shod-term solutions inadequate, and
a long-term plan was needed. He reiterated his interest in two measures that could pass.
Ms. Bettman was concerned that the motion did not address the shod-term needs, and suggested
the motion be modified by referring to "shod- and long-term transportation, land use plan..." Mr.
Lidz suggested the alternative wording, Shaft City work with government partners to pursue
comprehensive transportation and land use plan for west Eugene? Mr. Meisner and Ms. Bettman
accepted the text proposed by Mr. Lidz.
Mr. Kelly agreed a comprehensive long-term plan was required, and thought it was implicit if the
measure passed that it would be done. However, because he did not believe that the measures
should be worded so both could pass, and he wanted to present the voters with a clear choice. If
the voters perceived the two measures as alternatives to each other, he feared that the voters
would be more supportive of a project over a plan.
Due to a concern raised by Mr. Pap~ about the connotations of the word "plan," Mr. Meisner,
maker of the motion, suggested the word "plan" be replaced by "strategy." Ms. Bettman, the
second, accepted the change.
Mr. Farr supported the amendment. He emphasized the long-term nature of the approach, saying
that it was important people understood action would not occur immediately.
Ms. Bettman said she did not support the amendment as it was not sufficiently specific.
Mr. Meisner and Ms. Bettman accepted a friendly amendment from Ms. Nathanson to substitute
the following language: Shaft City work with government partners to pursue comprehensive
transportation and land use strategies and projects for west Eugene?
The amendment to the motion passed unanimously, 7:0.
The motion passed unanimously, 7:0.
Ms. Taylor, seconded by Mr. Kelly, moved to retain the current question for
the West Eugene Parkway: Shaft City take actions to facilitate construction
of the West Eugene Parkway?
Ms. Bettman, seconded by Ms. Taylor, moved to amend the question to read:
Shaft City attempt to obtain Sxx million in funding and initiate required
approvals to facilitate construction of the West Eugene Parkway?
Mr. Johnson suggested that "xx" could be replaced by "$71.2 million." Mr. Kelly believed the figure
was in error as it was based on 1995 dollars, and should be inflated to current dollars. Mr.
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Johnson said that ODOT had indicated the issue was more complex than inflation, and it had no
further information to offer. Mr. Kelly suggested the number be inflated by two percent yearly for
the six years since the estimate.
Ms. Nathanson, seconded by Mr. Farr, moved to amend the amendment to
read: Shaft City pursue funding and transportation and land use approval to
facilitate construction of the West Eugene Parkway?
Ms. Nathanson thought the amendment incorporated all the concepts mentioned by councilors.
Ms. Bettman wanted the price of the parkway in the question, noting that other councilors
mentioned that it should be included.
Mr. Meisner supported the amendment, pointing out the explanation for the measure included the
amount of funding.
The amendment to the amendment passed, 4:3; Ms. Taylor, Ms. Bettman,
and Mr. Kelly voting no.
The amendment to the motion passed, 4:3; Ms. Taylor, Ms. Bettman, and Mr.
Kelly voting no.
The motion passed, 4:3; Ms. Taylor, Ms. Bettman, and Mr. Kelly voting no.
Mr. PapS, seconded by Mr. Meisner, moved to extend the meeting by 15
minutes, spending 7-1/2 minutes on one of the remaining items and 7-1/2
minutes for the other remaining item. The motion passed, 6:1, Mr. Farr
voting no.
Mr. Farr left the meeting.
Ms. Taylor, seconded by Mr. Kelly, moved to adopt the revised explanation for
Measure 20-53 drafted by the City Attorney.
Ms. Bettman, seconded by Mr. Kelly, moved to amend the motion by
substituting the explanation with the explanation in her e-maih City Council is
asking voters, through this baflot measure, whether to address transportation
issues in west Eugene through a combination of strategies to improve safety,
capacity, and operational efficiency. City would pursue short-term strategies
to preserve/improve existing roadways in west Eugene, including
improvements to West 11th west of Beltline; Beltline from West 11th to
Roosevelt; and the West 11~h - Beltline intersection. City would also work
with local and state governments to develop comprehensive long-term
transportation strategies for west Eugene that may include: traffic flow
improvements on West 11~h Avenue east of Beltline; new or enhanced
roadways to improve street connectivity; increased use of alternative modes
such as transit, bike paths, and possible commuter rail. If this measure
passes, XX acres of wetlands west of Beltline would be preserved. Other
costs, environmental and traffic impacts are yet to be determined. If this
measure and other City measure on same harlot (West Eugene Parkway)
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both pass, then whichever measure receives the most yes votes shaft
prevail.
Ms. Taylor supported the amendment as being more clear about what was intended than the
attorney's draft.
Ms. Nathanson thought if the explanation for the West Eugene Parkway was clear about the
benefits of the proposal, the explanation for the alternative should be clear as well.
Mayor Torrey asked how one would know the wetlands west of Beltline would be preserved. He
did not think the explanation proposed by Ms. Bettman was neutral.
Mr. Pap8 thought neither explanation spoke to the potential loss of State funding, and while both
spoke to the entire street, ODOT had indicated its lack of interest in funding improvements east of
Beltline. He felt that those facts should be made clear to the voters.
Ms. Bettman said she had reworded her motion so it did not necessarily imply the State would be
assisting the City. She thought the general wording reinforced an approach through which the
voters directed the council to pursue different types of strategies, allowing the City to compete for
funding for the strategies. She said she included text related to the wetlands for the sake of
balance, because the wetlands were mentioned in the explanation for the West Eugene Parkway.
Mr. Johnson noted that the resolution passed by the council was specific that the explanation of
the measure should include that the passage of the measure would mean the City would inform
the State to cancel the West Eugene Parkway. Mr. Kelly suggested the revision to the title
satisfied the concern raised by Mr. Johnson.
Mr. Kelly requested information on the acreage of wetlands potentially impacted east of Beltline for
the purpose of modifying the amendment. Ms. Bettman indicated the number was 44.2, and
accepted the figure as a friendly amendment.
The amendment to the motion passed, 4:2; Ms. Nathanson and Mr. Pap8
voting no.
The main motion passed, 5:1; Ms. Nathanson voting no.
Ms. Taylor, seconded by Mr. PapS, moved to adopt the revised explanation
for Measure 20-54 drafted by the City Attorney: In 1986, Eugene voters
approved route for proposed West Eugene Parkway (WEP). WEP would run
east-west from Garfield to city limits. This baflot measure asks whether to
move forward with WEP. Federal government now states entire WEP must
be included on Regional Transportation Plan's (TransPlan) funded project list.
If WEP is included on funded project list, other projects totaling SXX million
must be removed from list, or those projects need to be funded from other
federal, state, local revenues. WEP would fill approximately 50 acres of
wetlands; estimated 53 to 92 acres of restored, enhanced or new wetlands
would mitigate loss of filled wetlands. Additional approvals from federal,
state, other local governments are needed for WEP to proceed. Computer
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modefing of WEP indicates current traffic volume on West 11th at Beltline of
22,000 vehicles/day will increase by year2015 to 46,000 without WEP and to
38, 000 with WEP. If this measure and other city measure on same ballot
(West Eugene Transportation Improvements) both pass, then whichever
measure receives the most votes shaft prevail.
Mr. Pap~ determined from Transportation staff Gary McNeel that the modeling for vehicles/day on
West 11th Avenue for the year 2015 with the parkway in place should be 37,000, and offered that
figure as a friendly amendment, which was accepted by Ms. Taylor.
Mr. Kelly, seconded by Ms. Taylor, moved to amend the motion by changing
SXX million to $81 million.
Mr. Meisner did not support the amendment because of a lack of firm estimates about the cost,
and indicated he could support the phrase "...other projects totaling at least $71.2 million must
be removed from list..."
The vote on the amendment to the motion was a 3:3 tie; Ms. Taylor, Ms.
Bettman, and Mr. Kelly voting yes; Ms. Nathanson, Mr. Meisner, and Mr. Pap~
voting no; Mayor Torrey voted against the amendment, and it failed, 4:3.
Ms. Taylor and Mr. Pap~ accepted a friendly amendment from Ms. Bettman to modify the phrase
"city limits" to "outside city limits."
Ms. Bettman thought the motion should be amended to reflect the funding identified may not be
available.
Responding to a concern expressed by Mr. Lidz about the legal limit on words in the explanation,
Mr. Kelly suggested the first sentence be dropped as it merely provided history rather than an
explanation of what would occur if the measure passed. Mayor Torrey did not support that
approach.
Ms. Bettman, seconded by Ms. Taylor, moved to amend the motion by
deleting the first sentence and changing the fourth sentence to read "If WEP
is included on funded project list, other projects totaling SXX million must be
removed from list, or those projects need to be funded from other federal,
state, local revenues, which may not be available."
Mr. Meisner, seconded by Mr. Pap~, moved to extend the meeting time by 15
minutes. The motion passed, 5:1; Ms. Nathanson voting no.
The vote on the amendment to the motion was a 3:3 tie; Ms. Taylor, Ms.
Bettman, and Mr. Kelly voting yes; Ms. Nathanson, Mr. Meisner, and Mr. Pap~
voting no; Mayor Torrey voted against the amendment, and it failed, 4:3.
Mr. Meisner, seconded by Mr. Pap~, moved to amend the motion by revising
the fourth sentence to read "...at least $71.2 million..." and by revising the
first and second sentences as follows: "In 1986, Eugene voters approved
route for proposed West Eugene Parkway (WEP). ~^/'-Dvv~, ...... ,vw,~,~ running east-
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west from Garfield to city limits." The amendment to the motion passed 4:2;
Mr. Kelly and Ms. Taylor voting no.
The vote on the main motion was a tie, 3:3; Ms. Nathanson, Mr. Meisner, and
Mr. Pap~ voting yes; Ms. Taylor, Ms. Bettman, and Mr. Kelly voting no; Mayor
Torrey voted in support of the motion, and it passed, 4:3.
Amended Ballot Measure 20-53 now read as follows:
BALLOT MEASURE 20-53
Title: TRANSPORTATION STRATEGIES IN WEST EUGENE, NOT INCLUDING WEST
EUGENE PARKWAY.
Question: Shaft City work with government partners to pursue comprehensive
transportation and land use strategies and projects for west Eugene?
Explanation: City Council is asking voters, through this ballot measure, whether to
address transportation issues in west Eugene through a combination of strategies to
improve safety, capacity, and operational efficiency. City would pursue short-term
strategies to preserve/improve existing roadways in west Eugene, including improvements
to West 11th west of Beltline; Beltline from West 11th to Roosevelt; and the West 11th -
Beltline intersection. City would also work with local and state governments to develop
comprehensive long-term transportation strategies for west Eugene that may include:
traffic flow improvements on West 11th Avenue east of Beltline; new or enhanced roadways
to improve street connectivity; increased use of alternative modes such as transit, bike
paths, and possible commuter rail. If this measure passes, 44.2 acres of wetlands west of
Beltline would be preserved. Other costs, environmental and traffic impacts are yet to be
determined.
If this measure and other city measure on same ballot (West Eugene Parkway) both pass, then
whichever measure receives the most yes votes shaft prevail.
Amended Ballot Measure 20-54 now read as follows:
BALLOT MEASURE 20-54
Title: WEST EUGENE PARKWAY
Question: Shaft City pursue funding and transportation and land use approvals to
facilitate construction of the West Eugene Parkway?
Explanation: In 1986, Eugene voters approved route for proposed West Eugene Parkway
(WEP), running east-west from Garfield to outside city. This ballot measure asks whether
to move forward with WEP Federal government now states entire WEP must be included
on Regional Transportation Plan's (TransPlan) funded project list. If WEP is included on
funded project list, other projects totaling at least $71.2 million must be removed from list,
or those projects need to be funded from other federal, state, local revenues. WEP would
fill approximately 50 acres of wetlands; estimated 53 to 92 acres of restored, enhanced or
MINUTES--Eugene City Council August 22, 2001 Page 11
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new wetlands would mitigate loss of filled wetlands. Additional approvals from federal,
state, other local governments are needed for WEP to proceed. Computer modeling of
WEP indicates current traffic volume on West 11th at Beltline of 22,000 vehicles/day will
increase by year2015 to 46,000 without WEP and to 37,000 with WEP.
If this measure and other city measure on same ballot (West Eugene Transportation
Improvements) both pass, then whichever measure receives the most votes shall prevail.
The meeting adjourned at 6:50 p.m.
Respectfully submitted,
James R. Johnson
City Manager
(Recorded by Kimberly Young)
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