MINUTES OF THE METRO COUNCIL

TRANSPORTATION PLANNING COMMITTEE MEETING

Tuesday, February 16, 1999

Council Chamber

Chair Kvistad called the meeting to order at 2:40 PM.

1.  CONSIDERATION OF MINUTES OF FEBRUARY 2, 1999

2.  RESOLUTION NO. 99-2754, FOR THE PURPOSE OF ENDORSING THE USE OF PASSENGER FACILITY CHARGES FOR CONSTRUCTION OF THE LIGHT RAIL PROJECT TO PORTLAND INTERNATIONAL AIRPORT

Andy Cotugno, Director of Transportation Planning, reported on Resolution No. 99-2754, which endorses a particular funding source for use on the light rail project to Portland International Airport. A copy of the resolution and staff report to the resolution is included as part of the meeting record. The overall funding package relies on funding from Portland, which they propose to use from urban renewal funds in the district through which it passes; from Tri-Met’s general fund; from the Port of Portland from their passenger facility charge source; and from Bechtel, which they will fund in lieu of lease payments for the land.

Mr. Cotugno said the passenger facility charge is a fee that is authorized by Congress to be collected locally. Congress has placed a number of regulations regarding how it is approved and how it can be sued. The use of PFCs for this purpose has to be aughorized by the Federal Aviation Administration. The formal process for FAA approval is going on now with the Port of Portland. The resolution befor ethe committee is proposed to be included in the record and submitted to the FAA as the position of the region in support of PFCs. There are certain things the FAA considers when deciding whether to approve PFCs.

One contentious issue concerning this project is whether it is directly related to the operation of the airport. In this case, the PFCs would be used to build the segment from 82nd Avenue to the terminal. Therefore there is a good case that it is directly related. There are other areas throughout the country where an attempt has been made to use PFCs for a much larger facility. Mr. Cotugno said if an effort were made to extend the rail to Gateway, this concern would be raised. He said the airport light rail project fits well within the FAA criteria.

Mr. Cotugno reported that the FAA Act is up for reauthorization. As last reported there was a proposal to increase the authorization for PFCs to permit local areas to increase their levy from $3 to $5 per ticket. The local would still need to apply and receive approval from FAA to make the increase. The proposal before the committee does not anticipate the increase. In conjunction with the possible increase, the FAA is contemplating restricting use of PFCs to not allow them to be used for light rail projects. This is because of the situation around the country where the use of PFCs is being abused. Metro has raised the concern of not being pre-empted while we are already in the process of using PFCs for the project.

The other issue the FAA raises is whether the airport is meeting all of the other needs it should meet as part the package to be funded by PFCs. The Port has a capital improvement program that identifies runway and taxiway and signalizations and communications that are funded through their PFCs, and they feel confident they can meet those needs as well as the light rail project.

bat asked what percentage of people going to piemployent area would be using light rail. acot said we have diviced ridership components business travelers/recrational/ to and from travelers. the employment piece at the terminal and general in the area. employment at airport related employees is further segmented according to arrival or departure timre. they arrive or leave when light rail is not running. so their potential is zero. Two to ten percent range applied to the segments that matter.

bat asked if there has been a traffic survey from picenter. cot yes. he is afraid the impacts of this project will be bigger than the benefit. bat asked if there is metro resources going into this. acot said no.

bat asked about the need for funds to maintain and repair existing roads. not using funds that could be used for that. this money is not connected to road maintenance. does not affect out ability to maintain roads. other than additoinal roads keep more cars off road. bat is anything we are doing with this project that will hinder us with I-205 HOV and/or bus lanes. acot said no.

is a traffic station for cascade station part of this? acot said this will be at the end. sandy blvd will be covered. 82nd and 122nd will be covered.

mot:  bat move forward without recommendation

vote:  2/0.

3.  PORTLAND METROPOLITAN AREA FEDERAL TRANSPORTATION POSITION PAPER

acot --- first handout

5.  LEGISLATIVE UPDATE ON TRANSPORTATION ISSUES

get handout from john houser. ray phelps, paul phillips.

4.  REVIEW OF THE TIP PROJECT LIST

6.  COUNCILOR COMMUNICATIONS

None.

There being no further business before the committee, Chair Kvistad adjourned the meeting at 5:15 PM.

Respectfully submitted,

Lindsey Ray

Senior Council Assistant

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