09/14/1981 Meeting - Laserfiche WebLink

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Mr. Guenzler then discussed the status of the project, referring to a chart -- showing, for each of several project elements, the amounts already committed or expended, the amounts yet unfunded, and the amounts needed to complete essential components of the project. Reviewing these figures, Mr. Guenzler' stated that approximately $20 million is still needed to complete essential components. Mr. Guenzler then explained the priorities involved in funding the remaining compo- nents and the use of suggestions by the Department of Environmental Quality in establishing these priorities. Ms. Wooten congratulated the Metropolitan Wastewater Management Commission (MWMC) on their work to do the job needed with the limited funds available. Ms. Smith noted that Mayor Keller would be telephoning the Oregon Congressional Delegation to lobby one last time for Federal funds for the sewage facility. Mr. Guenzler said that it had originally been thought that the construction of the plant would be completed before operations were begun. It is now recognized that construction and operations will be happening at the same time. For this reason, both staff and the MWMC believe it is important to begin immediate planning for operation of the plant. Mr. Guenzler referred to an executive summary of recommendations, dated July 31, 1981, which contained a report from the Eugene and Springfield Public Works departments to the two City Managers. Mr. Guenzler said that a copy of this report would be sent to each councilor. He explained that the operation plan recommended in the report contains the following elements: 1. Reevaluation of collection sewer systems and decision on how to e deal with excess water. 2. Determination of capacity allocation for each of the cities. Mr. Guenzler explained that a 75/25 percent Eugene/Springfield split of dry weather flow capacity was currently under negotiation. 3. Determination of priorities for remaining elements of the regional fac il ity. 4. Decision on who will operate the facility. The current proposal calls for the City of Eugene to operate the facility and for the City of Springfield to provide staffing for the MWMC. In this way, the commi ss i on and staff can be independent of the operator. 5. Implementation. Mr. Guenzler then discussed specific action which would be requested of the Eugene City Council at its September 16, 1981, meeting. He explained that these same requests had been made to the Springfield City Council. The requests included authorization of agreements on the operation, maintenance, staffing, and budget of the sewage facility. Mr. Guenzler explained that the impact on the City of Eugene of the requested action would be to assure the City 75 percent of the dry weather capacity of the new facility; to allow flexibility in meeting economic development needs by permitting treatment capacity to be dealt e with on a regional basis; and to retain the MWMC as a regional decision-making body. MINUTES--Eugene City Council September 14, 1981 Page 2