06/08/1987 Meeting (2) - Laserfiche WebLink

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e providing adequate police and fire services. She said the City should also adequately fund the replacement and repair of streets and sewers. She said there are severe sewer problems in the older parts of Eugene. Ms. Bentsen said plans to enlarge the Eugene Library were completed in 1979. Since then, the council has undertaken other projects. She said she has not been told how much money has been spent on economic development but it has not resulted in bringing any companies to Eugene. The money spent on economic development has not benefitted her or the city as a whole. She said she objects to the extension of sewers to the Willow Creek area and the development of the Riverfront Research Park. She asked the councilors why an increase in sewer rates is necessary. Mayor Obie suggested Ms. Bentsen obtain a copy of the material on sewer rates received by the council. Dick Beers, 2185 Carmel, said he opposes the proposed increase in sewer rates. He said he opposes the use of City funds outside the city limits and he does not approve of spending City funds in the River Road area. He asked why the beginning working capital in the budget was decreased $3.1 million. Mr. Beers said the Consumer Price Index in Portland is 3.2 percent but Eugene is requesting a 6 percent increase in sewer rates. He said the only growth in Eugene last year was annexation of properties in the River Road area. He said the City requests additional funds each year. He suggested the City decrease the operating costs of the sewer fund five percent. He asked how much the total sewer charges will be. e Tom Kyle, 2757 Kismet Way, is Plant Manager of Chef Francisco. He said the .. company uses about five million gallons of water a month. He said he understands that an increase in sewer rates is needed because the wastewater treatment plant is oversized. He said Chef Francisco is considering an expansion of its plant here and continuous rate increases will jeopardize the expansion. Mr. Kyle suggested initiation of an efficiency study or anything else that will stop the sewer rate increasing. Mr. Bennett said people should be careful about indicating that jobs will be used as hostages. He said the same issue is often raised when rezonings are requested. He said he is tired of such statements. He said the councilors want a good economic climate. He said Mr. Kyle should say so if sewer rates are critical to a decision about expanding the Chef Francisco plant. He said Mr. Kyle should say so if the company will not expand in Eugene if the sewer rates are increased even one percent. Mr. Kyle responded that sewer rates are a consideration in Chef Francisco's expansion plans. Mayor Obie suggested Mr. Kyle present the council with a comparison of projected sewer costs here and sewer costs in other communities. e MINUTES--Eugene City Council June 8, 1987 Page 6