Ordinance No. 19757 - Laserfiche WebLink

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Page ~ Minutes She is also against assessment by those who are not elected. She said she hasn't been given a vote. The sewers were built under federal law, and should be governed by federal law. She contended that there had been no declared health hazard by any board or agency charged with that responsibility. She also said that she had asked for information about assessments before the hearing. what she had been given was inadequate. She said she wanted it a week ago. She had been called at 4:15 on Friday and advised to pick up what was available. She complained that this information was also not good enough, She was charged nearly $5.~3 for the information and believes it should have been free under the Freedom of Information Act. At this point the Hearings Official reminded her that the hearing was about assessments for work already completed. It was not helpful far the Hearings Official to hear further complaints about the need for sewers in the first instance. After considerable debate with Ms. Heintz, she agreed to address the issue of assessments. She complained that the final draft of the Engineer's report was received just before the hearing. She believed there was sufficient time to send it to citizens who could have more thoroughly understood it. Even contractors were given 3o days, she said. Citizens ought to get more than three or five minutes. Few will be allowed to make deferrals. The next speaker was Tom Heintz, vora Heintz' husband. He said that bond information is not available and wanted to know the rates that were charged for bands. He wanted to know where this information would be, He wanted to know how much time citizens might have after being notified of the final assessment, He contended that the Hearings Official had a conflict of interest because he is paid by the City of Eugene. The Hearings Official replied that he did not believe he had any connict of interest, was not going to terminate the hearing and intended to go forward with the hearing. Mr. Biedermann then advised that at the paint the levy is finally assessed, the property owner can sign an application for defen~al ar payment in installments. At that time the property owner wi11 know the exact total. He said that he has planned the calendar as best he could to try to maximize the best bond rates. He has had discussions with bond counsel. He has been looking at the market to determine the best time to sell bonds. He noted that he could obtain a good rate today. When bonds were last sold in August, 199D, the interest rate was 8 U2 % for property owners. Keith Martin noted that by state law the City of Eugene must afford the same benefits for deferral and installment payments as would be available to those within the City.