Legislative Policies for the 2007 Oregon Legislative Session

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City of Eugene Legislative Policies for 2007 Oregon Legislative Session City of Eugene Legislative Policies for 2007 Oregon Legislative Session providing funding and assistance to local communities be incorporated throughout V. PLANN I NG AND COMMU LAITY SERVICES oDOr. ~ Support ODOT pilot projects conducted in conjunction with local governments to explore lower-cost remedies to traffic and congestion problems faced by cities and counties across the state. A. .BUILDING CODES ~ Support the use of State Highway Funds allocated to ODOT spent "offsystem" A1. Cost Accountability when itprovides a more cost-effective and livable alternative to spending funds on When legislative action results in code changes that require local administration, there the State system, and supportlegislation to enhance flexible uses ofthese dollars. should be State accountability for the additional financial resources that will be required. ~ Support changes in ODOT access management policies that enhance community Funding should be identified before enactment to compensate for such items as personnel livability, and oppose attempts to shift costs related to highway capacity to local training, information and training for the public, and added review. government. A2. Streamlining D. CONGESTION PRICING Building codes have become a complex burden forjurisdictions administering the codes Traffic congestion can affect the economy and the environment, One strategy to reduce and for those in the building industry. Certain actions would simplify the codes for all congestion in growing urban areas maybe congestion pricing, in order to shift vehicle parties, making their administration more cost-effective and maintaining the integrity of travel times through pricing mechanisms. their intent to promote public. health, welfare and safety. Recommendation Recommendation ~ Support efforts to implement road pricing methods that significantly reduce ~ Support impro vements to State Building Codes that streamline without jeopardizing congestion. Support local jurisdictions seeking to implement demonstration pricing health, safety or integrity or infrastructure. projects. A3. Statewide Uniformity E. FEDERAL FUNDS Ensuring uniform application of Oregon building codes should be recognized. as a priority Led by a concerted bipartisan effort of Oregon's congressional delegation, Oregon has and should be funded to levels allowing effective monitoring and. enforcement. -Building substantially benefited from the recent Safe, Accountable, Flexible, Efficient codes currently are administered and enforced in an inconsistent manner throughout the Transportation Equity Act: A Legacy for Users (SAFETEA-LU), a $244 billion federal state. This has caused an atmosphere of uncertainty and unpredictability and has created transportation legislation. SAFETEA-LU maintained provisions that ensure metropolitan competition between jurisdictions with regard to development activity. areas have direct access to federal funds, and allows for local accountability in selecting and programming projects. A4. Use of Surcharge Dollars for Training and Education - Under current law, a one percent (1 surcharge is levied on building permit fees to fund.. Recommendation training and education administered by the Building Codes Division (BCD). The Oreogn ~ Work closely with city, countyand transit transportation planners to prepare early Building Officials Association, (OBOA), continues to work with BCD to ensure that the forthe eventual reauthorization of SAFETEA-LUa fewyears from now. ~ funds are used for their intended purpose and that there is adequate training provided. for ~ local building department staff. F. LOCAL FUNDING MECHANISMS Revenue tools for transportation have been under attack, as have many other local ~ Recommendation government funding tools. During past sessions, the gas dealers have worked to eliminate ~ Supportefforts ofOBOA to work with BCD to alearlydedicate revenue from the local governments' ability to levy a gas tax. Now, more than ever, there is a need to current one percent surcharge on building permit fees to fund education and preserve local revenue raising capacity in an environment of increasing maintenance. costs training programs, particularlyforlocalbuildingdepartmentstaff. antl backlog. A5. Minimum Review Time Lines Recommendation In 1999, mandatory time lines were imposed for simple, new residential construction. The ~ Oppose anyeffortto preemptlocalgovernments'abilityto raise transportation manner in which the administrative,rules were written and the complexity of the building revenue. code. system will minimize any measurable results ofthese regulations. As a result, there may be additional legislation introduced attempting to force.reduced permit issuance time. Legislated time lines have not successfully- reduced permitting times in Oregon or other states. Attitudes, plan quality, and work volume cannot be legislated and that is where much of the challenge exists. The legislation does, however,. add process, time and 20 21