01/14/1991 Meeting (2) - Laserfiche WebLink

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e e e required sewering of residents in River Road/Santa Clara, and said that some attempts toward cooperation should be made between the two parties rather than trying to force residents to comply with mandatory sewer hook-ups. Vora Heintz, 1038 Jayne Drive, indicated that this fee, which has been pro- posed for several years, is illegal and unfair because it provides neither services nor benefits to residents in the River Road/Santa Clara area. There being no additional requests to speak, the public hearing was closed. In response to questions raised during public testimony, Mr. Smith said that there will be no retroactive charge to individuals who have already connected to sewers. He explained that the equalization fee is classified as an SDC; the City of Eugene is allowed to collect the sanitary sewer portion of the the SDC as a result of ORS Section 223. Mr. Smith indicated that all property owners connecting to sewers will be required to pay this fee. Reiterating a point made earlier, he said that some credits may be given, depending upon the length of time a parcel of property has been in the Lane County service district. In response to questions regarding the bond election, Mr. Smith said that the decision to exclude the River Road/Santa Clara residents from that bond elec- tion was made by the Lane County Board of Commissioners. Regarding the issue raised by Mr. Halsey regarding the impact of this charge on the ability to construct affordable housing, Mr. Smith pointed out the Eugene Code currently provides and will continue to provide exemptions from SDCs for low-income housing. Responding to questions from Mr. Nicholson, Mr. Smith estimated that approxi- mately seven percent of the individuals who have connected to sewers will not be required to pay the equalization fee. He also explained that while the main portion of the sewer treatment plant became operational in 1985, the sludge disposal facility has not yet received performance certification. The life expectancy of the entire facility is approximately 50 years. CB 4277--An ordinance concerning development charges; amending Sections 7.275, 7.277, 7.279, 7.281, 7.283, and 7.285 of the Eugene Code, 1971. Mr. Rutan moved, seconded by Mr. Boles, that the bill, with unanimous consent of the council, be read the second time by council bill number only, and that enactment be considered at this time. Roll call vote; the motion carried unanimously, 7:0. Mr. Rutan moved, seconded by Mr. Boles, to reconsider the motion. Roll call vote; the motion carried unanimously, 7:0. MINUTES--Eugene City Council January 14, 1991 Page 10