Item 2: Ordinance Concerning Wastewater Service

Home Browse Search

ECC UGENE ITY OUNCIL AIS GENDA TEM UMMARY Public Hearing: An Ordinance Concerning Wastewater Service and Amending Sections 6.406 and 6.411 of the Eugene Code, 1971 Meeting Date: May 21, 2007 Agenda Item Number: 2 Department: Public Works Staff Contact: Peter Ruffier www.eugene-or.gov Contact Telephone Number: 682-8606 ISSUE STATEMENT This public hearing provides an opportunity for the council to hear input from the community with regard to proposed revisions to sections of the Eugene City Code dealing with Regional Wastewater User Fees. The proposed amendments would add definitions for two customer categories and would delete specific references to individual customer types within customer categories. BACKGROUND The first amendment would add definitions for “very high” and “super high” strength categories. These customer categories were established years ago, and the annual Administrative Order and informational brochure have included “very high” and “super high” definitions for years. This amendment would bring the code current with practice. The second amendment would delete the specific references to customer types for each customer category. The Metropolitan Wastewater Management Commission (MWMC) user fee structure is intended to charge customers in proportion to the load they place on the regional treatment facility. A customer’s load is currently a factor of the total discharge (in kilo gallons) and strength of discharge (measured by biochemical oxygen demand and suspended solids). As the regulatory environment changes, new factors such as temperature may be added, which could change the appropriate strength category for a given customer type. Also, a recent evaluation of discharge strengths at restaurants has determined the need for a change in customer category for a subset of those establishments. The current specific references to customer types within customer category definitions present a barrier to implementing this change and future changes required to meet new regulatory requirements. With these amendments, the Eugene Code will better align with the Springfield Code, providing consistent definitions across MWMC's service area, which is needed to ensure compliance with provisions of the MWMC intergovernmental agreement that require rates and charges to be applied uniformly throughout the region. RELATED CITY POLICIES The council’s Vision and Goals Statement with respect to Fair, Stable and Adequate Financial Resources reaffirms its commitment to “a local government whose ongoing financial resources are L:\CMO\2007 Council Agendas\M070521\S0705212.DOC