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MINUTES – Eugene City Council Work Session May 28, 2019 Page 1
MINUTES
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 192.660(2)(e)
2. 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.