08/08/1988 Meeting (2) - Laserfiche WebLink

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e Mark Glaess, 575 Union Street, Salem, said he is general manager of the Oregon Rural Electric Cooperative Association (ORECA), which represents 16 member-owned cooperatives. He said public power works well together in Oregon, and reviewed ORECA's opposition to a bill in the 1987 legislature that would have stripped local government's ability to condemn utility prop- erty. He said the group opposed the bill because it is not in the best interest of public power in the legislature. He said the decision by the council on this issue will have an impact on how public power works together in the upcoming legislature. He said opposing the transfer will make that arrangement harmonious. Richard Butler, 1200 Executive Parkway, said he is general counsel for Blachley Lane Electric Cooperative Association and ORECA. He said he opposes the ordinance and asked the council not to decide the issue on perception. He said the council is being asked to condemn and take over part of a Eugene business's attractive industrial area. The council should not establish a precedent whereby it condemns a utility's territory--no matter how low its rates are--because another utility has even lower rates. He said the council should provide evidence that economic development in Eugene, Springfield, and Lane County is being hurt by LEG's rates before it passes this ordinance. Mr. Butler pointed out electric cooperatives have a system of capital credits that give cost versatility apart from rates. He described the ordinance before the council is a political, economic, and public power bombshell. L.G. Erickson, 77724 High Prairie Oakridge, submitted written testimony. He e urged the council to cast a negative vote on the utility service transfer. He said decisions of this nature should be based on rational and logical facts in consideration of the overall regional implications, and not self- serving territorial grabs. He said he is concerned about the economic impact on the region and LEe members; the availability, quality, and cost of elec- tric power to future consumers in the area; and Oregon PUC territorial desig- nations. He said all other factors are political and empire-building in nature. Chuck Ivey, 24790 Wolf Creek Road, Crow, urged the council to study the Metro Partnership's presentation, which points out the errors and omissions of City staff. He said the problem is that four years ago LEC was the only utility willing to serve the area. From the point of a view of an LEe member, he said he is not in favor of hampering the utility's economic development potential by taking away territory. He asked the council to be fair to its neighbors in making their decision. Dean Kortge, 5330 Nectar Way, said it appears like one public agency is trying to cream off a closer-in area from another agency, He urged the council to leave things a~ they are, and commend LEC on its service system and reliability. Ed Zenith, 92160 Blue River Road, Blue River, said he is both an LEC and EWEB user. He said it is unfortunate that the area has two excellent utilities that have a disagreement. As a retired utility budget and administrative e MINUTES--Eugene City Council August 8, 1988 Page 6