CC Minutes - 05/26/09 Meeting - Laserfiche WebLink

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Councilor Zelenka stated that the only bill before the council was House Bill (HB) 3485, which would establish a tax credit for transportation of woody biomass from forest management operations to biofuel producers. Councilor Zelenka, seconded by Councilor Clark, moved to adopt a Priority 3 Support position on House Bill 3485. Intergovernmental Affairs Manager, Brenda Wilson, stated that the bill was currently stalled in the House Revenue Committee. She explained that although the Dead Bill Deadline was on May 29, because this bill was in the Revenue Committee, it could still move. Councilor Zelenka ascertained from Ms. Wilson that the bill was an attachment to an existing bill that would provide tax credits for various products and waste streams for biofuels. Ms. Wilson noted that this was one of the tax credits the bill would create. She said it would also create a tax credit for the purchase of equipment to collect the waste materials, for recycling waste materials into other useful products, and for energy generation from woody biomass. She added that the bill would also require the Oregon Department of Energy to study biofuel facilities and to report back to the next legislature. In response to a follow-up question from Councilor Zelenka, Ms. Wilson confirmed that the tax credit for waste material would help to divert such materials from the landfill. She explained that one example used in the last hearing was that if a person was going to raze a house, the materials could be converted into biomass and the person could receive a tax credit for it with this bill. Councilor Zelenka understood that biomass was considered a renewable fuel under the Renewable Portfolio Standards (RPS). He said the standard for consideration to be renewable was that it had to be carbon neutral. He indicated he would support the motion. Councilor Taylor asked if the bill had been supported by the Seneca Sawmill. Ms. Wilson replied that Seneca did not testify on this bill. Councilor Taylor declared that wood left to rot nourished growth. Roll call vote; the motion to adopt a Priority 3 Support position on HB 3485 passed, 6:2; councilors Brown and Taylor voting in opposition. Councilor Zelenka, seconded by Councilor Clark, moved to ratify the Intergovernmental Committee’s unanimous actions on bills and approval of staff recommendations in the May 20, 2009, Intergovernmental Relations Bill Reports for bills not pulled for discussion at those Intergovernmental Relations Committee meetings. Roll call vote; the motion passed unanimously, 8:0. 4. ACTION: Resolution 4977 Adopting an Amendment to the Systems Development Charges Administrative Fee and Amending Resolution No. 4900 Councilor Zelenka, seconded by Councilor Clark, moved to adopt Resolution 4977 adopting an amendment to the Systems Development Charges Administrative Fee and amending Resolution No. 4900. MINUTES—Eugene City Council May 26, 2009 Page 7 Regular Meeting