04/11/1990 Meeting (2) - Laserfiche WebLink

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e e e effort by the City to divide and conquer area residents. Mr. Morrison saw no apparent need for sewers. He took issue with the proposed exemption of unimproved parcels and said the burden would be shifted to other residents. Ethel Martinson, 1520 Elkay Drive, indicated that she would be forced to sell her home to pay her sewer assessment. Vora Heintz, 1038 Jayne Street, identified herself as a citizen with a long-term interest and involvement in the issue under consideration. She opposed the installation of sewers and considered them to be the cause of more pollution than septic systems. She considered the existing groundwater study inconclusive and flawed and spoke extensively regarding her conviction that no health hazard exists in the River Road/Santa Clara area. After presenting numerous graphs and charts, Ms. Heintz concluded that available data fails to support the conclusions of the DEQ. Doug Sabin, 320 River Road, asked about the City's sale of sewered lots for less than residents' assessments for sewering. Commissioner Rogers closed the public hearing. Responding to questions raised during public testimony, Terry Smith, City of Eugene Public Works staff, said that storm sewers are not being installed and are not part of the charges being used to estimate sewer costs, Pat Decker, City of Eugene Planning and Development Department staff, informed audience members that North Eugene High School hooked up without being charged and would be charged as part of the current project. Regarding the possibility of combining the basins into a single bid, Mr. Smith explained that awarding three separate contracts will allow local contractors to bid and will encourage more competition. Ms. Decker noted that costs of the groundwater study have not been included in the estimated cost of the project. The amount of the successful bid and financing costs will determine the final price of the project. Mr. Smith anticipated that assessments would be calculated in February 1991, after the final costs of the project are known. Regarding questions raised about the existence of a groundwater pollution problem, Mr. Lucas said that while surface sewage may not be apparent, he was convinced that groundwater contamination constitutes a health hazard. He saw no need for another groundwater study. Mr. Lucas explained that the State does not track diseases that could stem from fecal matter, but uses the levels of fecal coliform present as an indication of whether the potential of such diseases constitutes a threat to human health. Responding to questions about the assessment of vacant lots, Ms. Decker said MINUTES--Eugene City Council April 11, 1990 Lane County Board of Commissioners Springfield City Council Page 6