Item B: River Road/Santa Clara Annexation Policy

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2 service districts, or creation of a new City) are not ruled out by the Metro Plan (II-C-5 and 6, policies 15, 19 and 20; pg. II-F-5, policy 6). For now, a large majority of River Road residents receive a satisfactory level of urban services from Lane County and perfectly functional independent service districts. City staff acknowledge that most of the problems associated with piecemeal annexation have been solved satisfactorily at this time: "contractual arrangements among service providers smooth out the irregularities caused by the incremental annexation process" [Boundary Commission staff notes, April 6, 2006 meeting]. Instead, street annexations are depriving "islanded" residents of a right they would otherwise retain--the right to vote on any future annexation--and alarming other residents that they will lose this right soon. Many residents of unincorporated areas are reacting with hostility to what they view as aggressive and hostile action by the City. This is unfortunate at a time when RRCO is hoping to embark on a community visioning and planning process and a more positive dialog about annexation and transition options. We urge the City Council to establish a City policy and direct the City Manager to cease the practice of extended street annexations and creation of "islands" of unincorporated residents. Residents of unincorporated River Road, still a significant majority of residents in our area, deserve to be able to vote before being annexed to the City and having their existing and functional independent service districts dissolved. Just because the City does not forcibly annex such islands immediately is not the issue. Residents DO experience a change in legal status when they are "islanded", as acknowledged in the City's FAQ Annexation in Eugene (March 2006). The ongoing dialog with the City about the services and standards that are appropriate for our area (stormwater services, road maintenance and street design standards, infill standards, etc.) should be allowed to continue without the overlay of hostility in reaction to aggressive action by the City that reduces the legal rights and options of area residents. Sincerely, RRCO Board members Becky Riley, Rob Handy, Mara Wile, Kate Kelly, Teresa Damron, Marilyn Mohr, Jan Spencer, Eileen Nittler cc: Eugene City Manager Dennis Taylor, Assistant City Manager Jim Carlson, Paula Taylor (for Boundary Commission)