HomeMy WebLinkAboutAgenda - 1997-07-15Chamber Transportation Committee Meeting
July 15, 1997
• Status of the Trolley Barn:
ODOT has provided comments to LO regarding our plans for the barn.
One of those comments was that the City must have the plans stamped by
the necessary licensed expert (engineer/architect/landscape engineer).
The City is contracting with such a firm to provide the necessary
approvals.
Staff had to contact 7 different potential contractors (including HDR,
BRW, Portland, W&P railroad, etc.) before finding a satisfactory
contractor.
• Staff's "non-support" of the trolley operation:
Staff has repeatedly told the Friends (most significantly --March, 1997)
that staff is not in a position to dedicate significant time to the trolley
operation. On several occasions, staff has raised the option of subsidizing
the trolley operation by providing for a trolley manager paid for from the
General Fund. In each instance, the Council has adopted a policy
maintaining the right-of way while "seeking assistance from public and
private sources" (Resolution 93 -04, and re-affirmed 27 September, 1994.)
Staff presented the option again to the Council at the 5 / 20 / 97 meeting
and Council did not discuss the issue at that time.
• Staff obstructing the Friends/ other groups regarding trolley operations:
Staff has discussed the possibility of another organization taking over the
trolley operation. Most recently, after the March Friends meeting, staff
suggested to the Pres. of the Friends that the Friends consider taking over
the operation. Reaction was fairly positive, but the Friends have not
followed-up at this point.
• Lack of communication from staff:
Staff has been present and available to answer questions at every Friends of the
Trolley and Chamber Board meeting for the past 18 months( Friends) and 14
months (Chamber).