CC Minutes - 08/11/03 WS - Laserfiche WebLink

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There was a brief procedural discussion regarding the motion related to the stormwater fee increase that had been tabled on July 16. As Mr. Kelly could not recall his second, Mayor Torrey asked the Council President to offer a motion to the body. Mr. Pap~, seconded by Ms. Nathanson, to move the 50-cent fee increase to cover purchases of stormwater corridors. Mr. Kelly supported the fee increase because of the fact the fee had not been increased for ten years. He thought it reasonable to increase the fee to capture some of the water quality gains lost by the passage of the last motion. He pointed out that even if the motion passed, the fee would be only enough to purchase 40 percent of the high-quality corridors. Ms. Bettman said that research indicated it was less expensive to manage the stormwater system through the acquisition of corridors rather than through a piped system. She said that savings could be as high as 20 percent, and a modest investment now would have a significant return later. Ms. Nathanson supported the fee increase. She noted its relationship to the Rivers to Ridges Program as well as general livability. Ms. Nathanson did not think the council was gutting the Stormwater Program, which was budgeted at $8.5 million for fiscal year 2004. Ms. Taylor thought the council's initial decision to adopt the fee was made for sound fiscal reasons. The vote on the motion was a 4:4 tie; Ms. Nathanson, Ms. Taylor, Mr. Kelly, and Ms. Bettman voted yes; Mr. Meisner, Mr. Pap~, Mr. Poling, and Ms. Solomon voted no; Mayor Torrey cast a vote in opposition, and the motion failed on a final vote of 5:4. Mr. Meisner, seconded by Mr. Poling, moved to repeal the fee increase. The vote on the motion was a 4:4 tie; Ms. Nathanson, Ms. Taylor, Mr. Kelly, and Ms. Bettman voted no; Mr. Meisner, Mr. Pap~, Mr. Poling, and Ms. Solomon voted yes; Mayor Torrey cast a vote in support, and the motion passed on a final vote of 5:4. D.WORK SESSION: Discussion Concerning Transportation System Maintenance Fee Springfield Mayor Sid Leiken and Springfield City Councilor Tammy Fitch were present for the discussion. Mayor Torrey noted that a County representative was invited to participate in the discussion no one could attend. He called for a council discussion of the transportation system management fee (TSMF). Ms. Nathanson regretted that people did not find a moratorium on the fee to be sufficient. She also regretted that people were "digging in their heels" on the issue. The road maintenance problem was severe, and when asked to collaborate on a solution, the County declined to do so. She said that given Springfield's repeal of the fee, she hoped to work with that community, the County, and any other interested parties on a resolution for transportation funding. She thought it necessary to do something within the year. MINUTES -Eugene City Council August 11, 2003 Page 8 Work Session