Item 6: Ordinance Concerning Solid Waste Powers

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ECC UGENE ITY OUNCIL AIS GENDA TEM UMMARY Action: An Ordinance Concerning Solid Waste Administrative Powers and Amending Section 3.250 of the Eugene Code, 1971 Meeting Date: April 27, 2009 Agenda Item: 6 Department: Public Works Staff Contact: Kurt Corey www.eugene-or.gov Contact Telephone Number: 682-8421 ISSUE STATEMENT This is an opportunity for council to discuss and adopt a proposed ordinance amending sections of the Eugene City Code dealing with Solid Waste Administrative Powers. The proposed amendments would permit the establishment of a transportation surcharge on solid waste (garbage) haulers and further permit the transportation surcharge to be used for the repair, maintenance, operation and preservation of City- owned roads and streets. If the council adopts the ordinance amending the solid waste hauler code provisions, the City Manager would then approve by administrative order a 5% transportation surcharge on solid waste hauler license fees, effective July 1, 2009, with the intention that the revenues generated from the surcharge would be used to continue to deliver street operations and maintenance services in the upcoming fiscal year beginning July 1, 2009. BACKGROUND On May 23, 2007, the Council Committee on Transportation Funding Solutions presented its report, Operating which stated that the first priority use of new revenue generated from this initiative should be “ and maintaining the existing transportation system , including on-street and off-street bike and pedestrian pathways.” One of the five sources of new revenue specifically identified to address critical shortfalls in City transportation system funding was “a solid waste collection fee surcharge…estimated to cost the average household $1 per month.” On April 8, 2009, the council discussed the City Manager’s proposed one-time funding strategy to maintain street O&M services through fiscal year 2010, which included as one of its elements a new 5% transportation surcharge on solid waste haulers. After extended discussion, a council majority voted to send this proposed new transportation surcharge on solid waste haulers forward to a public hearing in order to gather community input on the proposal. At the April 20 public hearing, the council heard public comment on a proposed ordinance establishing a transportation surcharge on solid waste (garbage) haulers and permitting that the surcharge be used for the repair, maintenance, operation and preservation of City-owned streets. This community input and subsequent council discussions raised several issues, for which staff have provided responses in Attachment A. Z:\CMO\2009 Council Agendas\M090427\S0904276.doc