CC Minutes - 07/16/03 WS - Laserfiche WebLink

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B.WORK PROGRAM: Stormwater Fee Mr. Schoening noted the relationship of the three scenarios to the question of the fee increase. He said that an administrative review process related to the increase had occurred, which included public notice, preparation of an administrative order, and a public hearing. He called attention to an updated list of Stream Corridor Acquisitions and a map of the acquisitions, included in the Agenda Item Summary. Mr. Schoening briefly noted the staff recommendation that the council discuss the program, consider the administrative record, and approve, modify, or disallow the seven-percent increase in stormwater user fees and direct the City Manager to prepare findings and conclusions based on the standards in the Eugene Code. Mr. Pap8 called for council comments and questions. Mr. Kelly continued to be frustrated that the council had initially voted for the fee increase in October 2001, and it had yet to be implemented. He had thought it a reasonable assumption that council policy would be implemented. Mr. Kelly said that there was considerable literature demonstrating that green infrastructure in the form of open waterways was a cheaper and more effective way to manage stormwater runoff. He pointed out that the City had attempted to adopt an open waterways ordinance and had been sued because of the ordinance's regulatory and land use implications. That tool for protecting waterways was taken away. He suggested that from a free market perspective, if one want to avoid regulation, one would support the purchase of key corridors at fair market value. He wanted to hear from those opposed to the program what the alternative was, or if they felt that the approach was not valuable. He believed that unless there was another way to ensure key corridors were available for stormwater conveyance and quality, the council should vote to implements the policy it adopted in October 2001. Mr. Kelly called attention to the information on page 306 of the meeting packet, which indicated only 30 to 50 percent of the remaining priority corridors would be purchased even if the increase was implemented. Ms. Taylor concurred with the remarks of Mr. Kelly. She said that the policy was recently adopted and now staff was asking the council if it wanted to change it. She asked if staff was going to ask the council to revisit every recently adopted policy. Ms. Taylor said that the increase should be supported by those who support property rights given that the City proposed to purchase land. She said that the program was essential for a healthy environment. She concurred with Ms. Bettman and Mr. Kelly about the superiority of green infrastructure and noted the money spent by the City to educate staff and the council on the topic. She asked why the money had been spent if the City did not go forward. She noted the sunset date placed on the fee and suggested that it would be stopped just after it was started. Ms. Bettman agreed with the remarks of Mr. Kelly and Ms. Taylor. She said that the purchase of corridors was a cost-saving investment that would realize cost savings in the long-term. Speaking to objections to the program voiced by School District 4J, Ms. Bettman asked what, if any, projects were planned to retain stormwater and manage stormwater on-site at the new schools being constructed by the district. Mr. Schoening did not know. Ms. Bettman said she appreciated the district's concerns, but the district's capital program called for larger parking lots MINUTES--Eugene City Council July 16, 2003 Page 7 Work Session