05/29/1984 Meeting (2) - Laserfiche WebLink

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e e - two minor environmental issues involving some mature trees on Irvington Drive and some archaeological sites near the interceptor routes could be addressed within the design chosen. Addressing financing recommendations, Mr. Smith said that sewer user fees had been chosen over property taxes for funding the interceptors. In addition, he said that Eugene also had assessment deferral or extension programs to allow area residents to defer or extend payment of the assessment for lateral service and was recommending that the maximum income level for those programs be increased to the "low income" level. He explained that the CAT was recommending that low-interest financing be made available for residents to pay for house connection and the cost of filling in septic tanks. He said the intergovernmental agreement which established the Metropolitan Wastewater Management Commission included a catch-up charge or connection fee but that the CAT was recommending that the charge not be used based on the facts that similar fees were not used for other City services and that such charges would increase in size over the years. Mr. Smith said the bottom line for the financing recommendations was that they had no General Fund impact. Mr. Smith said the key to a successful grant application was the resolution of the DEQ groundwater pollution concern and the EPA concern that the grant money be appropriately used as balanced against the City's desire to provide assur- ances to the DEQ and EPA but to maintain local control. Referring to Figure 9.1, Mr. Smith said the CAT had reached a compromise with DEQ, resulting in a new connection schedule which would have 15 percent of the households connected to the sewer system by 1988, 30 percent by 1990 and 75 percent by 1995. He reviewed the three methods in which the schedule would be implemented and the various alternatives developed under large annexation, small incremental annexation, or incorporation of a new city. As part of the City's program to encourage annexation, the City of Eugene would allow incremental annexation, phased property taxes after annexation, and programs to soften the financial impact of the sewers. Mr. Smith explained that additional measures could be taken if the proposed connection schedule was not achieved by 1990, at which time the City could extend services beyond its limits and assess for the service. He said the City would have to rely on Lane County to adopt a sewer use ordinance to require connection to a sewer. If these measures failed to ensure connection, the DEQ had various measures to force connection to the sewers, these measures ranging from a moratorium on new construction in the county, cessation of state taxes, to court-ordered connection. He said that staff was available to answer any question on the item. Councilor Schue asked for clarification of the situation where Eugene would be forced to extend sewers beyond its city limits. Mr. Smith responded that the only manner in which the City could provide assurances to DEQ and EPA of its ability to complete the program was its ability to provide services beyond its boundary. He said the City's legal authority to do so had been presented to the two agencies for review. Mr. Smith said his own view of the worst situation would be that the City Council would have to take some action if the program was not being completed as planned. He felt that the City will have eventually annexed the majority of the area, leaving pockets of residential properties. MINUTES--Eugene City Council May 29, 1984 Page 2