HomeMy WebLinkAboutItem A: Approval of Federal Priorities Projects List
ECC
UGENE ITY OUNCIL
AIS
GENDA TEM UMMARY
Work Session: Adoption of Federal Priority Project Lists
Meeting Date: January 21, 2009 Agenda Item Number: A
Department: City Manager’s Office Staff Contact: Brenda Wilson
www.eugene-or.gov Contact Telephone Number: 682-8441
ISSUE STATEMENT
This is an action item to adopt the Intergovernmental Relations (IGR) Committee’s recommended 2009
Federal Priorities Project List and the recommended project list for the upcoming reauthorization of the
Accountable, Flexible, Efficient Transportation Equity Act: A Legacy for Users (commonly known by its
acronym, SAFETEA-LU). These federal priority requests will be sent to the City’s congressional
delegation as part of its federal priority process (United Front).
The recommended 2009 Federal Priorities Project List includes:
·Delta Ponds (current project)
·Metro Waterways General Investigative Study (current project)
·Forest Legacy (current project)
·Franklin Boulevard -- Multiway Boulevard (NEPA request only)
·West Eugene Transportation Implementation (current project)
·Beltline Road and Corridor Study (current project)
·Fire and EMS Simulator Lab (current project)
·FAA Reauthorization (current project)
·Air Quality Monitoring Station (new project)
·Rail Crossing Quiet Zone (new project)
·Eugene Depot Site Improvements (new project)
·Eugene Multi-modal Rail Facility (new project)
·Wetlands LWCF request (new project)
·West Bank Trail Extension (new project)
·Riverbank Path System (new project)
The recommended Federal Transportation Reauthorization Project List includes:
·Franklin Boulevard -- Multiway Boulevard
·Beltline Corridor: River Road to Coburg Road
·Riverbank Path System
·Eugene Depot Site Improvements
·Eugene Multi-modal Rail Facility
·Eugene Airport – AIP FAA Reauthorization
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BACKGROUND
The United Front (UF) partnership of local governments in the Lane County region develops and
maintains a concise and realistic federal agenda. Annual federal priorities are based on local and regional
needs. By assessing local federal priorities in conjunction with anticipated legislative funding
opportunities, we greatly increase the prospects for success.
This approach has proven very helpful for congressional delegations, for several reasons. Foremost, the
delegation members do not need to reconcile the different interests of a particular region. A joint local
effort relieves them of playing the role of arbitrator or mediator in sometimes difficult matters of local
importance. In turn, the City’s congressional delegation can focus on advocating strongly for widely
accepted local priorities, which is a role they have repeatedly stated they prefer. Furthermore, the
extensive research and development that goes into producing the Federal Agenda eases the burden on
congressional staff in terms of preparing project justifications and advocating for funding. The
delegation’s staff often comes to depend on the reliability and accessibility of the UF’s Federal Agenda,
and the local staff who produce it. Consequently, the process helps build solid, ongoing relationships
that extend far beyond the merits of any one set of Federal Agenda projects.
The City Council must adopt the Federal Priorities Project List each year. The recommended Federal
Priorities Project List began with a review of opportunities for funding in the next Federal budget and
goals that are specific to Eugene or the area.
In addition, SAFETEA-LU, which expired September 30, 2008, is up for reauthorization. This federal
transportation bill establishes funding levels and policies for the federal government’s highway, highway
safety, transit, motor carrier, and some rail programs administered by the U.S. Department of
Transportation. The recommended Federal Transportation Reauthorization Project List began with a
review of opportunities for funding in the next reauthorization and goals that are specific to Eugene or
the area.
On November 20, 2008, the IGR Committee met with staff and our federal lobby firm Smith, Dawson
and Andrews, to discuss and review a list of potential priority projects for the 2010 federal fiscal cycle
and the transportation reauthorization bill. From that meeting, a list of possible federal funding
opportunities was developed.
For several reasons, Congress did not finalize the Fiscal Year 2009 budget and has adopted a continuing
resolution that does not expire until March 6, 2009. Because the City did not receive funding for any of
its federal priority projects in 2008, staff and SDA has recommended a continuation of the 2008 Federal
Priority Project List into 2009, with one exception – the West Eugene Wetlands Environmental
Education Center project.
After several discussions between staff, the Bureau of Land Management, and the Willamette Resources
and Educational Network (WREN), it has been determined that WREN is not able to meet its pledge of
raising funds and administering the education center at this time. Given this, it was recommended that
the City remove the West Eugene Wetlands Environmental Education Center project from the Federal
Priority Project List at this time.
The Federal Priority Project List and the Federal Transportation Reauthorization Project List
recommendations were presented to the IGR Committee on January 13, 2009. The IGR Committee
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unanimously approved the recommended Federal Priorities Project List (Attachment A) and the Federal
Transportation Reauthorization Project List (Attachment B).
The final lists will become part of the UF federal Agenda which will be presented to the area’s
congressional delegation, executive department staff, and other potential funding sources in Washington,
D.C. in March 2009. The attendees on the lobbying trip will include the Mayor, Councilor Taylor who is
chair of the IGR Committee, Councilor Ortiz, Jon Ruiz, and Brenda Wilson.
RELATED CITY POLICIES
Adoption of the federal priority recommendations is the making or affirming of the City of Eugene’s
policy with respect to federal legislative issues or such other matters as may come to the council from the
committee.
COUNCIL OPTIONS
The council may:
1.Adopt the Federal Priority Project List and the Federal Transportation Reauthorization Project List
recommendations.
2.Modify the Federal Priority Project List.
3.Modify the Federal Transportation Reauthorization Project List recommendations.
CITY MANAGER’S RECOMMENDATION
The City Manager recommends Council Option 1 - Adopt the Federal Priority Project List and the
Federal Transportation Reauthorization Project List recommendations.
SUGGESTED MOTION
Move to adopt the Federal Priority Project List and the Federal Transportation Reauthorization Project
List recommendations.
ATTACHMENTS
A. Federal Priority Project List.
B.Federal Transportation Reauthorization Project List.
FOR MORE INFORMATION
Staff Contact: Brenda Wilson
Telephone: 682-8441
Staff E-Mail: brenda.s.wilson@ci.eugene.or.us
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2009 - UNITED FRONT
FEDERAL TRANSPORTATION REAUTHORIZATION PROJECT LIST
CITY OF EUGENE - DRAFT LIST
PROJECT NAME DESCRIPTION REQUEST
Franklin Boulevard -- Multiway Boulevard Design, engineering, and construction to construct multiway boulevard $100 M
(with Springfield and LTD) on Franklin Boulevard in Eugene and Springfield and to make other
improvements in Eugene between Onyx and Ferry Street Bridge. Joint
project involving Eugene, Springfield & LTD
Beltline Corridor: River Road to Coburg Implementation of phases from ODOT Beltline facility study that is $50 M
Road underway.
Eugene Airport AIP/FAA Reauthorization $ TBD
Eugene Depot Site Improvements Implement additional elements of depot master plan, these could $200,000
include an additional siding, passenger loading facility, and a pedestrian
bridge over the tracks.
Eugene Multi-modal Rail Facility Fund facility located at UP yard and enable transfer between freight rail $ TBD
and truck modes. Would be implemented in conjunction with
development of deep-water port in Coos Bay.
Riverbank Path System Funds could be used for right of way acquisition, design, Engineering, $50 M
NEPA, and construction. Projects could include West Bank Path
completion, South Bank Path completion, Glenwood path, Middle Fork
Path, extending path to McKenzie River as well as bringing existing
system up to standards including lighting.
DRAFT 1/15/09
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2009 - UNITED FRONT
FEDERAL PRIORITY PROJECT LIST
CITY OF EUGENE - DRAFT LIST
PROJECT NAME DESCRIPTION REQUEST
Current Projects
Delta Ponds USACE Continuing Authorities project funded in previous years, still $1.5 M
needs funding authorized in previous WRDA bills.
Metro Waterways General Investigative USACE General Investigation project – authorized by previous $370,000
Study WRDA bills and previously funded. Includes Amazon and Cedar
Creek Planning Areas.
Forest Legacy Funding from the USFS-Forest Legacy Program to purchase oak $1.956 M
savannah and oak woodlands in the southwest hills of Eugene.
Franklin Boulevard Redesign Funds to conduct an environmental analysis of possible improvements ~$5 M
to Franklin Boulevard between the Springfield Bridge and the Federal
Courthouse. Currently, a joint project involving Eugene, Springfield &
LTD
th
West Eugene Transportation Study Facility Planning/NEPA/Preliminary Engineering for W. 11 from $5 M
th
Terry to Greenhill and Beltline from Roosevelt to W. 11.
Beltline Corridor: River Road to Coburg Implementation of phases from ODOT Beltline facility study that is $50 M
Road underway.
Eugene Airport AIP/FAA Reauthorization $ TBD
Emergency Services Simulator Lab Equipment and technology for an Emergency Command Training and $500,000
Simulation Center. The request includes funds for driving simulators,
human simulators, a communication dispatch station, digital projectors,
projection kiosk, apparatus cab and command vehicle, operator booth
and sound system, simulation software, scenario development, phone
and other communication equipment.
New Projects
West Eugene Wetlands Land acquisition for West Eugene Wetlands – BLM LWCF funds. $1.5 M
Rail Crossing Quiet Zone Improve rail crossings; possibly relocate one or more existing at grade $10 M
crossings such as Hilyard/EWEB driveway to encourage
redevelopment. The quiet zone could stimulate significant development
th
in the courthouse and 5 Street Market districts.
Eugene Depot Site Improvements Implement additional elements of depot master plan, these could $200,000
include an additional siding, passenger loading facility, and a pedestrian
bridge over the tracks.
Eugene Multi-modal Rail Facility Fund facility located at UP yard and enable transfer between freight rail $ TBD
and truck modes. Would be implemented in conjunction with
development of deep-water port in Coos Bay.
Riverbank Path System Funds could be used for right of way acquisition, design, Engineering, $50 M
NEPA, and construction. Projects could include West Bank Path
completion, South Bank Path completion, Glenwood path, Middle Fork
Path, extending path to McKenzie River as well as bringing existing
system up to standards including lighting.
West Bank Trail Construction of extension to the West Bank Trail to fill in a gap in the $1.75 M
City’s overall river trail system to improve traffic safety and
connectivity.
Air Quality Monitoring Station Fund facility to monitor air quality in Eugene. $80,000
DRAFT 1/15/09
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