New Search
Staff is exploring merging Zone 3 and Zone 4 road maintenance zones. This could take some of <br />the $20 million. For capital projects, could identify projects that are important to the community <br />that solve a capacity or safety problem. The Board wants the Roads Advisory Committee to <br />develop criteria for these types of projects. Snowden highlighted some issues for consideration: <br />1) focus on large projects or small projects; 2) disbursing money by Commissioner districts; 3) <br />Cities claim no money for operation, maintenance & preservation; 4) Could spend money on <br />some State highway projects, which could be to our benefit to do this. <br />Commissioner Morrison distributed a letter dated January 24 from all the cities in Lane County. <br />Snowden suggested the Committee may want to have the CIP hearing in March to give time in <br />February to develop criteria. 'The Committee may need to have two meetings in April in order to <br />finalize recommendations. <br />Commissioner Morrison stated that she supports looking at a pool of money, but need to think of <br />1) Legislature could have an impact on 75/25 split, thus the $24 million may be less; 2) get relief <br />from Legislature on PERS liability; 3) employees hired prior to 1997, the County is responsible for <br />their medical benefits until they die. <br />Snowden stated that even if the Legislature doesn't change the split, they could pool the State <br />money and then split it among all the counties. Based on these scenarios and not enough <br />information, suggest leaving the CIP the way it is and then revise it in the summer or fall if <br />necessary. <br />Commissioner Dwyer stated that we need to develop criteria for action; wants to see the County <br />-~ get the best bang for the buck to help communities and cities, and get the best return for our <br />- money. <br />r" , Commissioner Morrison suggested moving forward and develop criteria; how much money is <br />available still .needs to be determined by the Board. <br />Engelman asked about the salmon recovery and if there is a hidden cost. Snowden stated that <br />there are about 200 culverts that are barriers to fish passage. Under the salmon recovery <br />guidelines, our road maintenance practices will change. There is about a $5 million cost to <br />replace these culverts for fish passage. Commissioner Morrison commented that she feels there <br />may be some changes made based on the new administration making changes. <br />Poage commented that we need to proceed and set up a good process and set up criteria. Even <br />if the funding isn't known yet, we could do a supplemental CIP in June. Some guidelines to <br />consider are safety, traffic, history records. He doesn't want to see the money given to <br />governments such as the City of Eugene; doesn't want the money to go to administration, but <br />wants the money to go to projects. <br />Chamard feels the money given to cities should include the $2.5 million for the County/City Road <br />Partnership Program. He expressed concern that there's no accountability on past distributions <br />to the cities and feels the County/City Road Partnership money should be reviewed for next year. <br />He feels the County should have control over the money. <br />Commissioner Dwyer stated he's talked to the cities and some of the smaller cities have put the <br />money into smaller projects. He suggested looking for ways to continue it and put more stringent <br />requirements on use of the money. <br />Poage commented that the criteria set up will reflect projects where the population is. <br />Wirtz commented that she's heard the same theme; County has a large pot of money and they <br />should give it to us. The County no longer has a bottomless pit. She expressed concern that <br />Roads Advisory Committee -January 24, 2001 <br />Page 3 of 5 <br />