MINUTES OF THE METRO COUNCIL

TRANSPORTATION PLANNING COMMITTEE MEETING

Tuesday, March 2, 1999

Council Chamber

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

1.  CONSIDERATION OF MINUTES OF FEBRUARY 16, 1999

Councilor Bragdon said the acronym “SCCs” on page two, paragraph 5 of the minutes should be “SDCs”

2.  INTRODUCTIONS

None.

7.  JPACT AGENDA REVIEW

Chair Kvistad asked that the JPACT agenda review be heard out of order. Mike Hoglund, Transportation Planning Manager, briefly reviewed the agenda for the upcoming JPACT meeting. A copy of this agenda is included as part of the meeting record.

Following the review of the JPACT agenda, Chair Kvistad left the meeting due to illness. Vice Chair Bragdon chaired the remainder of the meeting.

3.  PRIORITIES 2000 TECHNICAL RANKING REVIEW

Mr. Hoglund reviewed the Priorities 2000 technical rankings, copies of which were included with the agenda packet. He also distributed a Priorities 2000 schedule to councilors. A copy of this schedule is included as part of the meeting record. He described the process to be followed from this point on. Mr. Hoglund then responded to general questions by councilors. In response to a question by Councilor Atherton, Mr. Hoglund said the trestle repair project had been moved to a category of funding that arose out of TEA-21 for enhancement projects. Following further discussion, Councilor Atherton said unique proposals like this one could cause the ranking system to break down.

Councilor Bragdon asked how and where leveraging other funds is reflected in the technical criteria. Mr. Hoglund said this would be administrative criteria and would fall into the over match potential.

Mr. Hoglund briefly referred to the public outreach methods to be used in the process.

4.  TRAFFIC RELIEF OPTIONS STUDY UPDATE

Bridget Wieghart, transportation planning supervisor, gave a presentation on the Traffic Relief Options Study completed by her department. She distributed a packet of information describing study to councilors. A copy of this information is included as part of the meeting record. Ms. Wieghart gave a Power Point presentation showing freeways and highways that might benefit from toll lanes.

Councilor Atherton asked where the revenues from tolling would go. Ms. Wieghart said public input is being sought on where to dedicate revenues. Generally, the public wants money to be spent on or near the facility. Councilor Atherton asked whether the government could obtain a bond to build the facility and pay it off with congestion pricing revenues. Ms. Wieghart said this is possible.

Councilor Atherton asked about including Sunnyside Road as a possible road for traffic relief. Mr. Hoglund said Ms. Wieghart’s study concerns those roads with immediate congestion needs, and Sunnyside Road’s congestion problems will not fully occur until beyond 2005, when the urban reserve begins to develop. Mr. Hoglund said mostly highways and very limited access arterials were considered for the traffic relief options study. He said when the study began, Metro was already considering South/North light rail and the timing wasn’t right to approach citizens with possible congestion pricing in the area. Ms. Wieghart said the study concentrated on those projects most likely to be successful.

5.  SOUTH WILLAMETTE RIVER CROSSING STUDY UPDATE

Chris Deffebach, senior transportation planner, gave an update on the South Willamette River Crossing Study. She distributed copies of a document entitled “South Willamette River Crossing Study Group Recommendation” to councilors. A copy of this document is included as part of the meeting record. The ad hoc study group made several findings and recommendations which are set forth in the document, and it endorsed the previous JPACT recommendations.

Councilor Atherton asked staff to address the fact that there is no money to build this bridge. Ms. Deffebach said Multnomah County may need regional assistance for maintenance because there is not enough money to maintain it. If the bridge is replaced different sources of funding are being considered. Also, funds could be requested to be earmarked at the next federal transportation authorization in six years.

In response to a question by Councilor Bragdon about public input, Ms. Deffebach said staff would be approaching JPACT for a recommendation, and would be following Metro’s guidelines for public outreach.

6.  INFORMATIONAL BRIEFING ON CLARK COUNTY COMMUTER RAIL

Ms. Deffebach gave a report on the Clark County Commuter Rail. She distributed a document entitled “Clark County Commuter Rail feasibility Study--Findings Regarding Rail Capacity Conducted by Southwest Regional Transportation Council” to councilors. A copy of this document is included as part of the meeting record. She said the purpose of the study was to estimate the cost and riders for low, medium, and high commuter rail service scenarios between Clark County and Portland’s Union Station.

Councilor Atherton said using existing track is not very promising because those tracks are already in heavy usage. Councilor Bragdon said there are high capital costs and the end points are not very practical. Also, the compatibility of the types of traffic on the rail is not good. Ms. Deffebach said people often say freight should come out of trucks on the roads and onto trains, so there are pressures from both directions.

8.  COUNCILOR COMMUNICATIONS

Councilor Atherton asked Mr. Hoglund to receive more information regarding Sunnyside Road. Mr. Hoglund explained the situation briefly and offered to get more information to Councilor Atherton if requested.

There being no further business before the committee, Vice Chair Bragdon adjourned the meeting at 5:01 PM.

Respectfully submitted,

Lindsey Ray

Senior Council Assistant

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