In January, the city of McMinnville will present its residents with a meticulously detailed plan for expansion and improvement of its street system for all users - motorists, pedestrians, bicyclists and bus riders - for the next 20 years.

It will ask them to register their observations and criticisms. Then it will ask them how they want to pay for it.

The latter looms large, as the plan carries a projected cost of estimated $33.8 million, or $1.74 million a year, in 2008 dollars.

Last year, the city received $1.21 million from the state highway fund toward the cost of operating and maintaining its street system.

That is not enabling the city to keep up with street preservation projects that would save taxpayer money by taking action before severe deterioration sets in, consultant Andy Mortensen told the council and planning commission during a joint session Tuesday. And it is providing nothing for capital improvements.

"I don't want to pull any punches," Mortensen said of the funding issue. "It will be a struggle."

The tough economy and widespread job losses won't make it any easier to convince residents they're going to have to help pay for street upkeep, he said. On the other hand, not taking action will lead to deteriorating streets and increasing congestion.

The city should seek state funding whenever possible, Mortensen said, particularly for improvements recommended for state highway segments. However, that will only cover so much, he acknowledged.

He recommended the city also examine systems development charges, a road improvement bond measure and street utility fee.

The latter would mean billing residential, commercial and industrial interests annually to help cover the cost of operating and maintaining the streets, thus freeing up state money for capital improvement projects. Mortensen said such fees in Oregon typically range from 30 cents to $2 a household per month, and are usually tacked onto water and sewer bills.

Mortensen spent two years working with the planning department and a citizens' advisory committee to update the city's master transportation plan. The committee unanimously recommended the plan's adoption.

The study featured a walking tour of the city's streets and sidewalks, some professional traffic studies and an inventory of bicycle routes and pavement conditions. The aim was to determine where gaps, congestion and other problems are raising issues.

City residents won't be surprised by recommendations to upgrade major streets such as Old Sheridan, Baker Creek, Booth Bend and Hill roads, ease congestion on Second Street and add sidewalks where they are lacking. Now, however, the city has a detailed plan laying out exactly what needs to be done throughout the city, with projected price tags.

The plan, which also recommends some policy changes, can be found at www.ci.mcminnville.or.us, located on the planning department page under proposals and projects.

A public hearing before the planning commission is scheduled for Jan. 21. Addition detail will be aired in preparation for the hearing.

The plan emphasizes making the street network serve all users, not just motorists, Mortensen said. That means adding sidewalks where they are missing, upgrading older ones, adding bicycle lanes, making sure there are convenient walking routes between bus stops, and ensuring that sidewalks connect neighborhoods to each other, as well as to commercial areas and services.

It isn't necessary for the city to add bicycle lanes to every street, Mortensen said, and he doesn't think city residents want that. But he said the city needs a network enabling cyclists to reach all parts of the city.

On large, busy streets, that will mean adding special bicycle lanes. On slower, smaller streets, it will mean adding signs noting that the street is intended for motorists and bicyclists to share.

Pavement stencils of bicycles have worked well in many cities to remind motorists that they are sharing the road and need to be aware of cyclists, Mortensen said. The stencils are placed about every other block, he said, to keep the reminders fresh.

Areas where the plan recommends adding designated bicycle lanes include portions of Michelbook and Davis, portions of Baker Creek and Wallace, and along the one-way sections of Adams and Baker.

Areas where sidewalks and curb ramps are missing, and badly needed, include McDaniel and McDonald streets, Ford and Davis streets, Adams Street, Fifth Street, Macy Street and the area around Memorial Elementary School.

The plan also notes the aging bridges on Third Street and Old Sheridan Road create hazardous conditions for pedestrians and bicyclists. Both bridges are recommended for replacement, but that's an expensive proposition.

Mortensen recommends seeking state funding, but noted that the city will face stiff competition.

Replacing the bridge over the Yamhill River also would make it easier to route truck traffic along Three Mile Lane onto Lafayette Avenue, rather than up 99W and through downtown, Mortensen said. However, that would require replacing the traffic signal on Highway 18, another expensive proposal.