HomeMy WebLinkAbout03/13/2006 Work Session
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City of Springfield
Work Session Meeting
MINUTES OF THE WORK SESSION MEETING OF
THE SPRINGFIELD CITY COUNCIL HELD
MONDAY, MARCH 13, 2006
The City of Springfield Council met in a work session in the Library Meeting Room, 225 Fifth
Street, Springfield, Oregon, on Monday, March 13, 2006 at 6:00 p.m., with Mayor Leiken
presiding.
ATTENDANCE
Present were Mayor Leiken and Councilors Fitch, Ballew, Lundberg, Ralston, Woodrow and
Pishioneri. Also present were Interim City Manager Cynthia Pappas, City Attorney Joe Leahy,
City Recorder Amy Sowa and members of the staff.
1. Authorization to Apply for an Oregon Department of Transportation (ODOT) Transportation
Enhancement (TE) Grant to Fund Pedestrian Improvements on South A Street and Nearby
Streets.
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Transportation Manager Nick Amis presented the staff report on this item. On February 1,2006,
ODOT announced guidelines for the 2009-2011 TE Grant Program and issued a call for
proposals. Staff is proposing a grant application that would fund the extension of a planted curb
extension similar to the one constructed in front of the Springfield Transit Station. There will be
a planted curb extension on South A between 4th and 7th Streets, allowing for a left turn refuge at
5th, 6th and 7th Streets. The curb extension would be a landscaped with drought tolerant plants to
reduce maintenance and alleviate the need for irrigation. Decorative pedestrian level lighting is
proposed for installation within the curb extensions along South A and on adjacent streets as the
budget allows. The curb extension and lighting are intended to improve the appearance of South
A, improve pedestrian lighting, and shorten pedestrian crossing distances. Staff focused TE
application ideas on the downtown area in order to improve pedestrian and landscaping
amenities; furthermore, TE funded projects are eligible on state highways, and South A is
designated State Highway 126 Business.
If the City is successful and chooses to accept a grant award, ODOT will require matching funds
to be appropriated by the City. The grant requires a 10.27% match for ODOT funds. The City's
commitment can be in the form of "soft match" which includes staff time and overhead
associated with a project. It can also be "hard match" in the form of cash or the contribution of
real property such as the donation of property or right-of-way for a project. Funds for a match
are contained in the 2007-11 Capital Improvement Program (CIP) under the Transportation
Demand Proj ect.
The Notice of Intent form is due March 23. The Metropolitan Policy Council (MPC) will review
the metro area applications that are approved through the Notice of Intent process. Completed
TE grant applications must be submitted by June 30, 2006. There is a lengthy review and
approval process that will culminate in a notification of grant awards in February 2007. If
approved, actual construction could begin in 2009.
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Councilor Fitch noted that it was about time for this improvement.
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City of Springfield
Council Work Session Minutes
March 13,2006
Page 2
Councilor Ballew asked if there would be any issues with the merchants along that stretch of the
road or from the Oregon Department of Transportation (ODOT).
Mr. Amis said he did not believe there would be issues with the merchants as no right-of-way
was needed. He said staff did check in with ODOT and they seemed to be fme with it. He noted
the previous discussion of parking lots in that area that ODOT was opposed to, but those were no
longer being considered.
Councilor Fitch said anything that looked attractive and would assist pedestrians with crossing
the street would be beneficial.
Councilor Pishioneri asked if there would be potential opportunity for something similar to go
into Glenwood.
Mr. Amis said there was a current TE grant that included a design for the McVay Highway and
the L TD Station. He said next week staff would also bring a proposal to Council for long-range
planning money for Franklin Boulevard.
Councilor Pishioneri said that would be great for continuity between Springfield and Glenwood.
Mr. Amis noted the number of bike lanes that had been added to this area.
ADJOURNMENT
The meeting was adjourned at approximately 6:03 pm.
Minutes Recorder - Amy Sowa
Attest:
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Amy Sow "
City Recor er