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EUGENE CITY COUNCIL AGENDA ITEM SUMMARY Work Session: Possible Formation of a Fire District Meeting Date: March 7, 2005 Agenda Item Number: B Department: Fire and Emergency Medical Services Staff Contact: Tom Tallon www. cl. eugene, or. us Contact Telephone Number: 682-7115 ISSUE STATEMENT In December 2003, the City of Eugene considered pursuing (or joining the City of Springfield in pursuit of) formation of a fire service district. The City Council took no action at that time, other than to request a follow-up report in approximately one year. That report is the purpose of this work session. BACKGROUND In response to impending fiscal constraints due to ballot measures 5/47/50, and the possibility of municipal service reductions, the City of Springfield in 2003 proposed annexing to the Willakenzie Rural Fire Protection District for purposes of funding and delivering fire services in the city. Eugene declined to participate. On February 5, 2004, the Lane County Local Government Boundary Commission rejected Springfield's proposal in a unanimous vote, declaring it inconsistent with the Eugene-Springfield Metropolitan Area General Plan. Later in 2004, the City of Springfield indicated interest in contracting with the Lane Council of Governments to develop Metro Plan amendments that would allow for provision of urban services by special districts. The Eugene City Council discussed this proposal on June 28, and adopted the following motion by a 6:2 vote: "...to inform the City Manager and ask the manager to inform Lane County and the City of Springfield that Eugene is not interested in pursuing a Metro Plan amendment regarding special districts or urban service delivery alternatives at this time." Councilors Pap~ and Solomon voted against the motion. The proposal to contract with LCOG was not pursued further by Springfield. At the present time, Lane County has proposed a Metro Plan amendment that would allow formation of a countywide district to provide public safety services. The Eugene City Council discussed this proposal on a preliminary basis with County Commissioner Bobby Green and then-County Sheriff Jan Clements at a City Council work session on September 15, 2004. The proposed amendment was the subject of a public hearing before the three jurisdictions' Planning Commissions, meeting jointly, on February 1 of this year. The Eugene Planning Commission discussed the proposal on February 28 and agreed to forward it to the City Council with a favorable recommendation, but also with a request that the council adopt wording such that the amendment could L:\CMO\2005 Council Agendas\M050307\S050307B.doc