02/14/1983 Meeting (2) - Laserfiche WebLink

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e Councilor Holmer noted that the treatment plant was not as highly automated as it could have been and asked why this decision had been made. Mr. Gleason responded that highly automated treatment plants had not been terribly successful and noted that the plant design would permit increased automation as technology improves. Councilor Schue noted for the public that the council recognized this was a complex issue and had spent time studying written reports on the rate proposal. She explained that due to the City's relationship with EWEB and difficulties with EWEB's billing system a flow-based rate could not be instituted immediately. She said that EWEB was concerned that introduction of a flow-based rate would result in major water conservation which would in turn affect EWEB's budget. She said EWEB therefore needed time to alter its budgets before such a rate is instituted. Councilor Wooten thanked Councilor Smith and other MWMC members for their many years of work on this plant. She agreed that the flat rate was not equitable for small users and urged that a flow-based rate be introduced as soon as possible. She said that she could support the proposed rate structure if approval included direction to the utilities and MWMC urging speedy initiation of the flow-based rate, with a request for a report back in six months on the feasiblity of such a rate and for implementation within one year. e Councilor Obie agreed with Ms. Wooten and suggested the council approve the rates for a one-year period so that the issue would be returned to the council in one year. Mr. Gleason said that such an action would make budget planning for MWMC and the utilities very difficult. He suggested that the council make any such recommendations outside the ordinances that had been presented. Ms. Smith said she felt the MWMC would support a suggestion from the council to move as quickly as feasible to a flow-based rate but suggested that the council request not contain a specific date, just a general recommendation for speediness. Ms. Wooten suggested addressing the concern through a motion that, in addition to adopting the ordinances before it, the council include on the rate structure ordinance a request to the Metropolitan Wastewater Management Commission to encourage a flow-based system by completing a feasibility study no later than July 1, 1983, including an implementation component; and that by no later than July 1, 1984, the City of Eugene should review the rate structure as adopted at this date. Councilor Lindberg commented that the publiC has repeatedly asked the City to "get out of the property tax business" and that the ordinance before the council does just that. Mayor Keller agreed and said that the council had long been supportive of user fees. Mr. Gleason urged that Ms. Wooten's proposal be considered as a separate item and not added to the ordinances, since the ordinances were codified as law. Mayor Keller suggested that the council could adopt the bills and that the resolution proposed by Ms. Wooten could be brought back for council consider- ation at the February 16, 1983, council meeting. e MINUTES--Eugene City Council February 14, 1983 Page 5