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need to integrate all of the planned capital projects to avoid any potential internal conflicts in <br />objectives and to take advantage of opportunities to leverage economies of scale and <br />infrastructure efficiencies. This need caused the Commission to expand the scope of CH2M <br />HILL's contract to generate a formal update of the Facilities Plan. The expanded scope directed <br />CH2M HILL to integrate the projects related to the WWFMP, the Biosolids Management Plan, <br />and the updated regulatory-based analyses and follow the formal DEQ guidelines for Facilities <br />Plans. The end product, a state-approved Facilities Plan, is a requirement for eligibility for many <br />State and Federal grant and loan programs. <br /> <br />MWMC began its review of the recommendations from the Facilities Plan work in November, <br />2003, at a special evening interactive workshop that was advertised through the newspapers and <br />via direct mailings to potential interested parties. Attendees at the workshop were added to the <br />interested parties list for the project. The Commission reviewed and provided further guidance <br />on the plan at its January, 2004, meeting, and an additional evening open house was advertised <br />and conducted on March 3, 2004. Answers to questions raised by the public were prepared and <br />distributed to interested parties. The Commission held a public hearing on April 22nd and <br />continued it to May 6th to provide additional time for written and/or oral comment to be <br />submitted. Press releases, direct mailers, display ads, and legal notices were all used as <br />appropriate. Please see the attached sample of materials that document this process. <br />(Attachment C: Facilities Plan Public Outreach and lnvolvement Activities) <br /> <br />SDC Methodology Update Projects: 1997 and 2004 <br />A 12-member CAC was appointed by the Commission in 1996 to review and update the systems <br />development charge methodology used for the regional wastewater program. The CAC met 13 <br />times in 1996-97 and forwarded a consensus recommendation to the Commission. The meetings <br />were advertised and a public comment period was provided at all of the CAC meetings. Public <br />hearings were advertised and conducted by the Commission and the two City Councils, and the <br />methodology was subsequently adopted by each body without opposition. <br /> <br />In 2002, MWMC initiated a change in the methodology to include 10 years of capital project <br />costs in the SDC calculations rather than the 5 years provided for by the 1997 methodology. <br />This change was not implemented under threat of litigation by the Home Builders Association of <br />Lane County (HBA). The two Cities, MWMC, and the HBA entered into a settlement agreement <br />in September, 2003. That agreement provided for continuation of the 5-year list of projects and a <br />facilities valuation current as of July, 2002. <br /> <br />The settlement agreement also directed a timely update of the SDC methodology, with the <br />involvement of a CAC, such that a new methodology could be in place for implementation July <br />1, 2004. As raised by Councilor Bettman at the May 24th Council meeting, the current SDC <br />revenues do not reflect the total costs of capital projects that will be needed to provide for <br />community growth over the next 20 years. This was true under the 1997 methodology, which <br />was based on a 5-year project list, and with the current interim methodology as established under <br />the settlement agreement. <br /> <br />In October, 2003, the Commission appointed a 14-member CAC to update the SDC <br />methodology in a manner that would: (1) comply with new statutes that take effect July 1, 2004; <br />(2) provide equity among existing and future users; and (3) provide revenue adequacy. This <br />CAC met 9 times between October, 2003, and March, 2004. The meetings were public, and the <br />CAC included a public comment period at each meeting. Galardi Consulting and CH2M HILL <br />provided technical guidance to the project, and LCOG facilitated the CAC. <br /> <br /> <br />