06/12/1985 Meeting - Laserfiche WebLink

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Mayor Obie announced that the eighth item on the agenda, Discussion of LCDC e Compliance Requirements, will be postponed. Answering a question of Mr. Miller about water meter size, Mr. Guenzler said the projected costs for Eugene Linen and the Hilton Hotel were almost a perfect allocation. Mr. Miller was concerned about some customers who might be billed for more than their share under the new system. Mr. Guenzer said there are still some inequities although the new method is an improvement. The staff is concerned about some customers who have one large meter for both their domestic use and fire protection. A lot of water is needed for fire protection and so the charges to those companies might be high. The staff would like an appeal process to deal with those customers. If the charge is not appropriate, the appeal will result in a decreased charge. Mr. Miller was also concerned about companies that use a lot of water but have small proper- ties. He wanted a statement about that eQuity of the method in the ordinance. Mr Guenzler said some of the appeal process must be coordinated with EWEB. It will be addressed in the ordinance. Ms. Schue said some business owners may want smaller water meters when they realize the new method of charging. Mr. Guenzler responded that the existing data are good and should be used for figuring charges. If a person reauests a change in the size of a water meter, the staff will evaluate the account. If there is a good reason to reduce the storm user charge, it will be changed without changing the size of the meter. e Answering a question from Ms. Ehrman, Mr. Guenzler said the new capital projects in the local sewer charge will be for projects on Prairie Road and in the Bell Estates in the River Road/Santa Clara area, for interceptors in the Glenwood area, for ongoing rehabilitation of sanitary sewers, and for storm sewer planning and improvements. Mr. Holmer asked the staff to present a single family storm sewer/sanitary sewer charge for 7-1-85 to 7-1-86 that does not indicate an increase as well as the recommended $5.70 charge. Ms. Bascom shared Mr. Miller1s and Ms. Ehrman's concerns about storm sewer charges based on water meter size and wanted to be assured that the problems can be solved. Mr. Gleason discussed EWEB concerns and said the City will be sensitive to the EWEB data base and procedure. Mr. Hansen did not think water consumption should be related to sweeping the streets. He would not approve it. He reviewed changes in regional and local rates and said the proposed ordinance should not recommend a rate change. Ms. Wooten agreed with Mr. Hansen. She asked other councilors to think about approving a user fee surcharge just because there is an opportunity. She thought citizens should be given an opportunity to vote on a user fee surcharge. She said obtaining money for the budget and maintaining the streets should be done in an overt, rather than a covert, way. e MINUTES--Eugene City Council June 12, 1985 Page 10