Transportation Committee Report October 2022

The Transportation Committee continues to meet the 1st and 3rd Wednesdays of the month at 1:15-2:00 via zoom and the 4th Thursday evening at 7:00-8:00pm to accommodate different schedules. As we get new members, we need to reassess whether this schedule is preferred by the majority.

Actions taken by the committee this month:

1) Letter to LTD regarding route changes on the 24 around Safeway and accessibility concerns

2) Request sent to EPD for radar trailers on East and West Amazon

3) Sidewalk Vegetation cleanup – received 2 requests, was rained out, pending reschedule. The two properties that requested sidewalk work did not have any visible impediments to using the sidewalk.

4) Compiled and sent a spreadsheet of streets/areas of most neighborhood concern to the City of Eugene.

5) Fox Hollow Donald  to West Amazon Speed study was completed, we await to hear results

6) Social media postings regarding: an article questioning what the best charging set up will be as many renters in the neighborhood transition to electric cars, LTD’s community survey results and community report

7) Linda Duggan attended LTD Board meeting and Accessible Transportation meeting.

Other notes:

-The City of Eugene is currently recruiting for new members to the Active Transportation Committee. Applications are due by the end of November for a start in January.

-Neighbor John Q Murray wrote a piece on LTD driver working conditions as safety concerns rise.

-City Street Repair Bond on your ballots will equal a slight rise in property taxes due to rise in assessed values. In SEN, road repair funds would be spent mostly in hills area. We have no way to tell where the active transportation funding would be spent, which would be pending the city’s further public engagement on the topic.

-Neighbors are advised to ride the bus whenever you can so that we can keep service to the neighborhood in the future! LTD will be conducting a comprehensive service review starting in January, which will look at route ridership to inform a future decision about service.

-Amazon Neighbors raised concerns at their meeting about sidewalks in their neighborhood. According to current city operations,street repair bonds will not be used on privately owned sidewalks, which is the majority of the sidewalk network.

Tugman Tuggers October 2022 Committee Report

By John Ostrom

• We held only one formal volunteer work event in October on Wed. October 5^th. We cancelled the event on Wed. October 19^th due to unhealthy air quality. However, we did receive a bark mulch delivery in mid-October. This mulch has now been spread following weeding and prep around several trees and shrubs in the park’s north end and central lawn.
• Two new trash cans have been added to the park near the playground and shelter areas. The trash can near the restrooms and in the north end have been removed. Discussion has been initiated with the City P&OS and initial support has been given for at least a replacement trash receptacle in the north end.
• Our planting initiative of approx. 200 native trees, shrubs, forbs and grasses in the park’s north end is scheduled for Wed. 11/30, Thurs. 12/1 and Fri. 12/2.
• The restrooms at Tugman Park have now been closed for this upcoming winter season (2022-2023). A port-o-potty has been brought in and sits at the SE corner of the park near 38^th Ave.
• We have submitted a new planting plan to P&OS for additional trees in the central lawn near the creek side pathway as well as a plan to remediate an overgrown invasive grassy area just south of the plaque circle in the north end. We’ve received initial feedback from P&OS and these endeavors will need to be vetted further by several P&OS team members.
• I’ve initiated dialog with P&OS personnel about renewing our Park Adoption agreement. Our current two-year agreement expires in February 2023. I plan on signing it as Co-Lead in February.
• Orders have been placed with P&OS for sun hats and T-shirts for Tugger volunteers.

Join the Great Oregon ShakeOut 10-20 at 10:20

Join members of the Southeast Neighbors disaster preparedness committee, Ready Southeast, in participating in the annual earthquake preparedness drill this Thursday, Oct. 20, at 10:20 a.m.

See the Great Oregon ShakeOut website to join people across Oregon practicing earthquake safety.

If Thursday morning isn’t convenient for you, register your ShakeOut drill for any day of the year at any time of your choice. You can also include people in multiple locations through video conferencing.

You can also participate through your neighborhood association in the Second Annual city-wide preparedness drill, Oct. 29.  Nearby neighbors will participate from about 10 a.m. to 11 a.m. to practice sending messages from your block of your neighborhood to the city’s Emergency Operations Center. Southeast Neighbors, contact David Monk or your local block captain for details.

Looking for fun, food, and free helmets? Join us for Sunday in the Park on Sunday, Oct. 2, from 12 p.m. to 4 p.m. at the Amazon Community Center.

Here’s your chance to celebrate the end of summer with SmartTrips Eugene! This mini-festival in the park is fun-and-free focused, with plenty to do at no cost to you! Show up ready to move with activities by Healthy Moves, a pop-up dance party with DJ Rortron, and a bike skills course with Safe Routes to School. If you’re feeling silly, capture the moment with a Photo Booth by Delene & Co.

FREE bike valet will be provided by Cascadia Mobility for those of you who ride your own bikes to the event. Local vendors are joining us, so enjoy some food and drink from Red Five Hot Dogs and Just Ice Shaved Ice! Haven’t ridden that bike in a while? Bring it down for a FREE bike wash from Shift Community Cycles. You’ll also have the opportunity to register your bike with Bike Index and get all the latest information on e-Bike rebates from EWEB.

For more: Eugene Transportation InMotion – News to Move You for October 2022

SEN Communications Committee masters neighborhood website

The Southeast Neighbors group is awesome.

by Better Eugene Springfield Transportation (BEST)

BEST signs demand for OTC reforms

Better Eugene Springfield Transportation (BEST) signed on to a letter to Governor Kate Brown asking her to pause appointments to the Oregon Transportation Commission until the process better represents all Oregonians.

September 13, 2022

The Honorable Kate Brown, Governor of Oregon
900 Court Street, Suite 254
Salem, OR 97301-4047

Cc: Interim Senate Committee on Rules and Executive Appointments

Re: Oregon Transportation Commission Appointment Process and Nominee

Dear Governor Brown,

Oregonians have time and time again demanded strong climate goals. To meet these, Oregon needs leaders who are visionary, climate-smart, and capable of and committed to taking our state’s transportation system in a new direction. We need leaders connected to the needs of diverse communities across the state and who understand the power of these communities to effect change when they’re meaningfully engaged.

Oregonians demand real transportation solutions. Transportation is our state’s highest greenhouse gas emitter contributing to climate change and the second highest cost for households after housing. The stealth epidemic of traffic violence costs Oregonians lives and livelihoods. And an estimated one-third of Oregonians don’t even drive.

Beyond our climate impact from transportation, Oregon’s families, workers, and businesses deserve better. We demand access to a complete transportation system that is safe, reliable, affordable and accessible, and which helps us meet our economic goals. 

We know you understand the need for transportation to evolve in the 21st Century. Your Executive Order 20-04 directed state agencies to reduce and regulate greenhouse gas emissions, including those from transportation.

Mindful of these considerations, we ask you to reconsider your current Oregon Transportation Commission (OTC) appointment process and nominee.

1) The OTC needs visionary, climate-smart, and diverse leadership in a time of crisis and change. 

Heat domes. Wildfires. Traffic fatalities. Congestion. Gentrification. Inflation. This is no time for business as usual. The OTC should be leading the Oregon Department of Transportation (ODOT) into the future, with an unswerving commitment to equity, innovation, and inclusion, leaving behind the costly, deadly, unfair, fossil-fuel dependent systems of the past.

The OTC should also reflect the growing diversity of Oregon and the diversity of people who depend on transportation. Oregon’s transportation future must be decided by people who represent more perspectives and more of Oregon’s communities.

Even Oregon’s historically highway-oriented ODOT is embracing the need to do business differently with its Strategic Action Plan, which prioritizes system modernization, racial equity, and sustainable funding.

Visionary, climate-smart leadership is essential to achieve ODOT’s strategy.

2) Your current OTC appointment process fails Oregonians. 

The OTC is one of the most powerful unelected decision-making bodies in the state. Every appointment is critical and should be carefully considered, focused on the urgent need for leadership for change, and carried out transparently.

The process for making this appointment thus far has failed to meaningfully engage stakeholders and local jurisdictions, including those who have been effectively engaging with the OTC in the last few years, and undermines Oregon’s ideals of open and transparent government.

It is time not to double down on the past, but to look to the future with more inclusive, representative transportation decision-making.

3) Representation matters. 

Replacing outgoing Commissioner Alando Simpson, a Black business owner from ODOT Region 1, with a white, retired legislator from Region 2 fails to ensure that the OTC is representative in as many ways as possible, including age, race, ethnicity, income, and geography. Over half Oregon’s population resides in the Greater Portland Metro region and billions of dollars are planned for transportation investment in this area in the next decade. 

This appointment continues the outdated legacy of appointing only people who regularly get around by private vehicle, ignoring representation of those who are locked out of that opportunity by disability or poverty. It fails to incorporate the concerns of youth and older adults about their own needs for transportation and for their future in an increasingly dire climate crisis.

At this moment, when Oregon is grappling not only with a rapidly escalating climate crisis and an increasingly deadly system, but also taking on enormous debt for large investments and finding new funding to pay for the system, we need new approaches and new ways of thinking. We need commissioners who look forward, who listen to the needs of more people, and who are ready to do the difficult work to reform the system and resolve key regional investments.

The proposed appointment would make the OTC less diverse in every way, and would impede implementation of ODOT’s strategic action plan. 

4) Pause the current OTC appointment process.

Oregonians will not accept regressive investments in transportation any longer. It is time for the OTC to better represent Oregonians and our needs.

We ask you to pause this process. Do not go forward with this rush appointment. Let the next administration make the decision. 

 

5) The OTC needs to be reformed.

We are eager to see guidelines put in place to ensure that the process to appoint members to the OTC is more open and robust and to institute reforms to ensure the OTC is representative of and responsive to the needs of all Oregonians. 

We are in discussions with state legislators interested in seeing the OTC better represent and serve the interests of all Oregonians and the needs of the future.

We are grateful for your consideration and welcome further conversation about this issue. 

Signed, 

1000 Friends of Oregon, Brett Morgan

Better Eugene-Springfield Transportation (BEST), Rob Zako

Climate Solutions, Vee Paykar

Oregon Environmental Council, Sara Wright

Oregon Just Transition Alliance, Joel Iboa

Oregon Walks, Ashton Simpson

Rogue Action Center, Dana Greenblatt

The Street Trust and The Street Trust Action Fund, Sarah Iannarone

Verde, Vivian Satterfield

Additional coalitions as of September 19, 2022:

Coalition of Communities of Color, Taren Evans

Getting There Together Coalition, Ariadna Falcon Gonzalez

Just Crossing Alliance, Chris Smith

Additional organizations and businesses as of September 19, 2022:

Ardelis Inc., Brian Roddy

Bend Bikes, LeeAnn O’Neill

Bikabout, Megan Ramey

Bike Loud PDX, Kiel Johnson

Gorge Pedal, Armando Zelada

Lithic Technology, Robert Galanakis

Mt. Scott-Arleta Neighborhood Association, Matchu Williams

Onward Oregon, Lenny Dee

OPAL Environmental Justice, Lee Helfend

Oregon and SW Washington Families for Safe Streets, Michelle DuBarry

Oregon Physicians for Social Responsibility, David De La Torre

Pedal Bike Tours, Todd Roll

Plugstart, Thor Hinckley

Portland: Neighbors Welcome, Aaron Brown

Portland Youth Climate Strike, Adah Crandall

Safe Routes to Schools, Valerie Rosenberg

Sunrise Beaverton, Amy Johnson

Sunrise PDX, Danny Cage

Sunrise Rural Oregon, Cassie Wilson

[The letter also includes endorsements from individuals.]

Wall pours start Sept. 20 for East 40th water tanks

by the EWEB East 40th Water Storage Project Team

Eugene Water and Electric Board Concrete work on the East 40th water storage project is well underway and will continue through late spring and early summer 2023. The project is on schedule and on budget.

What to expect:

Both of the 7.5 million gallon tanks are being constructed concurrently, beginning with the floors, then walls and columns, and eventually roof slabs.

The floor of the first tank is poured and cured, and the wall forms are going in while the floor of the second tank is poured. Floor pours for the second tank will start at 7 a.m. on Sept. 19, Sept. 29, and Oct. 12.

The contractor will begin pouring the walls on Sept. 20. They will use a crane to inject the concrete through “windows” in the wall frames. Pours will occur twice a week starting at 8 a.m.

By the end of the month, the support columns will start going in.

The concrete trucks and pumps will create engine noise and a loud humming sound. In between pours, while concrete is setting, it will be fairly quiet at the site.

Reminders regarding general construction impacts:

We will only do work during hours that the City of Eugene noise ordinance allows and we will communicate work hours as the work progresses.

Truck noise such as beeping is not easily mitigated as that is an OSHA-required safety feature and needs to be loud enough for someone to hear while wearing hearing protection. When possible, trucks will be routed around the site to avoid the need to back up.

While we can’t anticipate or mitigate all impacts, we will be responsive to your questions, suggestions, or concerns. Please reach out to us directly so that we can quickly address any issues that arise by email at water.storage@eweb.org or by phone at 541-685-7899.

Contact us with questions
If you have questions or input, please don’t hesitate to reach out to the project team at 541-685-7899 or water.storage@eweb.org. Emails sent to this address will reach:

Laura Farthing, Project Manager/Senior Civil Engineer
Jen Connors, Communications Supervisor
Jeannine Parisi, Customer Relationship Manager
Wally McCullough, Water Engineering Supervisor

Public hearing set Sept. 28 for 30th Avenue plan

by Becky Taylor, Senior Transportation Planner, Lane County

The public is invited to comment on the 30th Avenue design recommendation during a public hearing Wednesday, Sept. 28, 2022 at 5:30 p.m.

Join the online meeting or join by phone: +1 (469)-949-9300 Phone Conference ID: 972 438 750#

With the goal of reducing crash severity for all roadway users—whether walking, biking, driving, or taking transit—the recommended design would:

• Repave and restripe the existing roadway from Spring Boulevard to Eldon Schafer Drive to provide two vehicle travel lanes in each direction, as well as a protected walking and biking shoulder along the south side of 30th, separated from vehicle traffic by a short concrete wall;
• Create center turn lanes at the existing intersections with 30th Avenue at Forest Boulevard and Bloomberg Road (the north/south park entrance);
• Replace the signalized T-intersection of 30th/Eldon Schafer Drive with a roundabout;
• Create bicycle and pedestrian crossings on Gonyea Road.

The design elements above are subject to commission approval because 30th Avenue between Spring Boulevard and Eldon Schaffer Drive is under Lane County’s jurisdiction.

Lane County staff offered additional recommendations for other agencies that have jurisdiction over other portions of 30th Avenue.

Recommendations for City of Eugene

• Create a protected walking and biking shoulder on the south side of 30th Avenue from Spring Boulevard to Agate Street to provide a physical connection from Lane County’s portion of 30th Avenue to the existing sidewalk at Agate Street
• Consider installing a roundabout at the Agate Street / 30th Avenue intersection

Recommendations for Oregon Department of Transportation

• Install warning lights on the narrow bridge crossing of 30th Avenue over I-5 until the interchange and bridge can be redesigned and replaced.
• Provide walking and biking amenities along both frontage roads east and west of I-5, known as Franklin East and McVay Highway, respectively.

Recommendations for Eugene, ODOT, and Lane Community College

• Consider additional off-road walking and biking connections in the area, especially northwest of 30th Avenue and McVay Highway.

This design recommendation is the result of an 18-month planning process that included technical analysis and engineering provided by Toole Design and public involvement organized by Cogito.

Thanks to the Central Lane Metropolitan Planning Organization for providing funding for the planning process. Thanks to the hundreds of community members who participated in the process and provided input that helped us identify the changes most needed to reduce the high rate of fatal and serious-injury crashes on 30th Avenue.

The full report of the planning process along with the design concept drawings can be accessed online at Lane County’s East 30th project website.

The public hearing is being conducted by the Transportation Advisory Committee, known as the “TrAC.” The TrAC will develop a recommendation to Lane County commissioners on whether to approve, modify, or deny the design recommendation.

If the design concept is approved, the next step in the process is refining the design. Lane County will seek additional MPO funding for the additional design work. Construction funding has not yet been identified.

The TrAC is a volunteer citizen committee appointed by the Lane County commissioners.

Due to the heat advisory, air quality, and rolling power outages, the Saturday in the Park event originally scheduled for Sept 10, 2:00 p.m. to 5:00 p.m. at Amazon Community Park, will be rescheduled for Sun, Oct 2, 12:00-4:00, at Amazon Community Center.

John Quetzalcoatl Murray for the Southeast Neighbors Preparedness Committee, also known as Ready Southeast, speaking on behalf of Don Metheny, David Monk, and Larry Kirkpatrick.

[00:00:13] The National Weather Service in Portland has issued a red flag warning for our area and we’re going to get another one of those east winds coming in that blows any existing fires towards our Metro areas.

[00:00:29] We’re asking preparedness leaders to continue to monitor conditions throughout the red flag warning period, which is Friday at 11:00 AM to Saturday at 11:00 PM.

[00:00:39] Here’s Southeast Neighbors. We correspond to two different evacuation zones. On one side of Amazon Creek to the west we’re Evacuation Zone 25. And then on the other side of Amazon Creek and all the way to LCC to the east we’re Evacuation Zone 31. So that’s important because they may start using these numbers as we have these east winds blowing fire toward the city folks may need to leave.

[00:01:08] And it’s not just an existing fire. Any ignition source in these conditions can be very hazardous. So, try to avoid using motorized equipment that might throw sparks and ignite a fire in these super dry conditions.

[00:01:22] You can find all about the emergency evacuation zones at the city of Eugene website.

[00:01:28] We know that in any emergency there are going to be more needs than there are responders. The professionals just won’t be able to get to us in time. So we have to watch out for our nearby neighbors.

[00:01:40] We have split up our neighborhood into 10 different areas basically five on the west side of Amazon Creek, and five on the east side of Amazon Creek. We’ve asked that all of those area leaders:  Be prepared at level one, have your go bag ready, be ready to evacuate.

[00:01:58] Make sure you have enough fuel in your vehicles. You may run out of fuel if we’re all stopped in traffic somewhere, and any other preparations for evacuation you need to make: Large animals, pets.

[00:02:10] And folks who are super well-prepared: We know that our transportation system cannot handle the volume that’s required for a mass evacuation due to wildfire. So if you’re a little ahead of the curve, and you understand what it’s going to be like, please arrange to carpool with one of your nearby neighbors. Plan that in advance, maybe leave at an earlier level.

[00:02:35] If an evacuation does occur, we can help just doing what we’re trained to do, what we know how to do. Go check on our next door neighbor, say, Hey, did you know that it’s level one warning.

[00:02:49] If we get an evacuation notice, check on your nearby neighbors. Make sure they know about that. Continue to educate your nearby neighbors about the evacuation zone numbers that apply to us and teach them how to sign up for alerts so they will receive these alerts on their computer, in their email, on their phone, in the future.

[00:03:07] The other interesting twist in this event is that EWEB has identified much of Southeast Neighbors as a high-risk service area and prone to power outages. So we have to be aware of that as well. You can keep that radio charged and listening for any communications, that’d be great.

[00:03:31] Be ready for power outages. Maybe have some extra ice in a cooler.

[00:03:35] Keep an eye on the air quality to see when you need to stop allowing outside air to enter your home and when you need to start filtering the air and check on any nearby neighbors that may be in need of some special attention—especially if we do have a power outage here in Southeast Neighbors.