CC MInutes - 07/24/06 Meeting - Laserfiche WebLink

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Roll call vote; Consent Calendar Item D, adoption of Resolution 4885 approving a th multiple-unit property tax exemption for property located at 673 East 14 Alley Way as amended passed, 5:2; councilors Taylor and Bettman voting in opposition. Referring to Item E, Councilor Bettman asked if the projects located outside of the urban growth boundary in Eugene and Springfield were being built in order to provide capacity for future growth. Principal Planner Kurt Yeiter replied that he understood the projects were a combination of accommodating planned growth, improving services for existing residents and in one instance providing additional backup through a joint effort with other utility districts. He said in some cases the project would relocate pipes to a more suitable location. Councilor Bettman cited references to a metropolitan-wide system and connections between three different water systems. She asked if that reflected a trend toward regionalizing the water system the way the wastewater system was regionalized. Mr. Yeiter said he did not believe the amendments before the council represented a step toward regionalization. He said the concept of a regionalized water supply had surfaced through the Region 2050 project and would be a separate discussion. Councilor Bettman said she did not think it was a separate discussion; it was a huge policy decision and before initiating the amendment to move in that direction, it was the council’s responsibility to have a discussion and make a policy decision about whether it was beneficial to the City of Eugene and the public. She intended to vote against the amendment. Councilor Kelly understood Councilor Bettman’s concerns but observed there was no amendment before the council and without even an outline of that amendment it was not possible to have a policy discussion. He would support the motion to initiate with the understanding that he would want the issue of regionaliza- tion clarified in the amendment with respect to which projects might be associated with that direction. Councilor Taylor questioned why it was necessary to vote on the item immediately. She expressed concern about inappropriate items on the Consent Calendar. Councilor Bettman disagreed that initiating the amendment did not change anything as it committed resources to pursuing a direction that the council had not discussed in terms of policy. She said that no documentation was provided in the agenda materials for the cost savings or significance of moving in a regional direction. She was concerned about regionalization and pointed to the wastewater system as an example of how Eugene ratepayers suffered under the financing structure and local control was lost. In response to a question from Councilor Kelly, Mr. Yeiter said that if there was no decision on the item 60 days from the date the staff report was forwarded to the council it was automatically denied. Roll call vote; Consent Calendar Item E, initiation of Eugene Water & Electric Board Metro Plan amendment passed, 5:2; councilors Taylor and Bettman voting in opposition. The meeting was adjourned at 8:25 p.m. Respectfully submitted, MINUTES—Eugene City Council July 24, 2006 Page 6 Regular Meeting