Item A: River Road/Santa Clara Transition Project

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Although the more “informal” withdrawal option described above works in many “transitioning” communities, it does raise issues of tax equity and can mean that less significant crimes and misdemeanors don’t get the full attention of public safety services. Short of an enhanced patrol option or public safety district solution, where a single law enforcement agency provides full service to all residents and businesses, the gerrymandered nature of the Santa Clara and River Road neighborhoods may work against “rationalizing” police services until such time as the entire area is incorporated. Then again, the current arrangements do not seem to be excessively problematic under present circumstances. Solid Waste Solid waste collection and recycling was an issue not addressed in the Urban Services Committee’s 2002 report. Recently, City officials expressed a concern over a perceived service and rate inequity between in- City and non-City solid waste collection customers in River Road and Santa Clara. Typically in many, if not most, other communities (at least in Oregon) the local government franchises out solid waste collection, curb-side recycling and yard debris pick-up to private haulers. Rates and service levels are established by multi-year franchise agreements. To the extent that rate and service differences between City and County residents and businesses in River Road and Santa Clara is a problem, an intergovernmental agreement for solid waste haulers whereby the City’s and County’s franchise terms – service standards, services offered, rates, etc. - are made identical may resolve the issue. Water Supply The River Road and Santa Clara Water Districts provide for “retail” water supply delivery and water system maintenance for non-City properties in these two neighborhoods. The two water districts are also responsible for maintaining and replacing local water transmission infrastructure. The Eugene Water and Electric Board (EWEB) provides direct service to City residents, and “wholesales” water supply to the two local water districts. The nature, regulation and complexity of contemporary water supply systems are such that the current system of direct provision or “wholesale” delivery through EWEB is really the only viable approach. In fact, with the only remaining functions of the two water districts being “pass-through” water retailers and maintainers of the local delivery system, there is little substantial benefit left to sustaining these districts, absent some benefit as a neighborhood governed institution that has some measure of control over rates. Practically speaking, however, such small districts have little or no leverage in dictating rates or supply in a way that would appreciably benefit their local customers. The same applies to the role of the two water districts in maintaining and improving transmission infrastructure. Again, this function may have some neighborhood control benefits, but practically speaking such small water districts may be severely restrained fiscally in their ability to make major capital improvements on their own. For River Road’s non-City residents, perhaps the most important “transition” benefit of the River Road Water District is in the District’s role as the contractor with the City for City fire protection services. Absent the Water District’s intergovernmental contracting authority, or an expansion of a neighboring rural fire protection district, parts of River Road could be theoretically be unprotected with respect to fire suppression. The only other River Road neighborhood institution that could take this role on (even theoretically) is the River Road Parks and Recreation District, which is a very unlikely choice. 42 River Road/Santa Clara Transition/Heritage White Paper DRAFT 11-24-05 Service provider Review