07/12/1989 Meeting - Laserfiche WebLink

Home Browse Search

--- . e Mr. Bennett also said he did not support Option 2. Mr. Smith said that in order to keep its options open, the City needs to begin preparatory work for both Options 1 and 2. If the City were to proceed with Option 1 but do no preparatory work for Option 2, and then if the City were to lose the annexation election, it would not be possible to begin pursuing Option 2 at that time and have sewer lines installed during the 1990 construction season. Mr. Smith said the current schedule calls for the connection of 75 percent of the property in the River Road area by 1995. He said that if the City made no progress during the 1990 construction season, its negotiating position with EPA would be more difficult, if not impossible. He said the City, even if it missed the 1990 construction season, could still meet the schedule to connect 75 percent of the properties by 1995. Ms. Ehrman said she did not favor Option 2; however, she said the City should begin the preparatory work for both options, because it might lose the annexation election. She said the City should have its fall-back position ready. Ms. Bascom and Mr. Green made similar comments. Mr. Bennett said Option 2 is unacceptable--except as a last resort after all other alternatives have been pursue~. He did not want the council to agree at this point that it is willing to consider Option 2 as a fall-back position. He said the council should focus on achieving Option 1. It should not position itself to accept defeat. e Mr. Rutan agreed, saying that the proposed strategy (Option 1 with Option 2 as a fall-back position) would put the City on the defensive from the outset. Mr. Boles said that given the history of these issues, there is no way for the City to move off of the defensive. He said the proposed strategy has the advantage of setting the alternatives clearly before the River Road residents: it informs residents that sewers are coming to the area in one way or another. Mayor Miller agreed. Ms. Bascom moved to direct staff to begin the sewer design process for the River Road area. Mr. Holmer seconded and the motion passed 7:0. Ms. Bascom moved to authorize the City to apply to the Boundary Commission for annexation of the River Road area. Mr. Holmer seconded and the motion passed 7:0. Ms. Bascom moved to direct staff to begin preparatory work for Option 2. Mr. Holmer seconded the motion. Mr. Bennett and Mr. Rutan raised questions about the meaning of the motion. Mr. Holmer explained that his intent in seconding the motion was not to commit the City Council in any final way to supporting Option 2; rather, the intent was to direct staff to prepare some of the necessary groundwork so that the City Council will be ready, if it so decides at a later date, to e MINUTES--Eugene City Council July 12, 1989 Page 4