Item 2G: Resolution Authorizing EWEB Bonds for Roosevelt and Downtown Projects

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ATTACHMENT C Eugene Water & Electric Board Riverfront Site Planning Project Issue Statement.On February 21, 2006 the EWEB Board of Commissioners directed staff to pursue final design of the Roosevelt site to accommodate the operations portion of the riverfront headquarters functions. This raised the question of how to plan for the functions that would remain on the site, as well as the land that EWEB would no longer need. A project team was formed to develop a project scope, which will lead to a Board Approved Master Plan that meets City planning requirements. The cost estimate for this preliminary planning work is $110,000, which is included in the $8,000,000 electric system revenue bond request that EWEB is seeking through the URBA process. Purpose of EWEB’s planning for the Riverfront Site. The Project Team has developed a Scope Document that will help guide creation of a master plan for the Riverfront site. This Scope acknowledges both EWEB’s goals and objectives as well as those expressed by the City of Eugene in the Downtown Plan. EWEB Vision: In April 2000, the EWEB Commissioners conducted a visioning process for the riverfront site. The following goals were adopted as part of that process and continue to guide the planning work for the riverfront site (“Eugene Water & Electric Board Headquarter’s Visioning”, April 18, 2000, page 1): 1. Protect the Riparian Edge, 2. Maximize Operational Efficiencies, and 3. Minimize Rate Impacts to our Ratepayers. Eugene Downtown Plan: In April 2004, the Eugene City Council approved the “Eugene Downtown Plan,” as “a framework” for Downtown Eugene. The plan calls for the City to “Partner with EWEB to develop a master plan for the EWEB site.” The principles to be applied to the riverfront site include creating a “people place” that is accessible and multi-use; provide appropriate setbacks; incorporate appropriate building and site design and incorporate educational aspects into the site. EWEB’s role in site planning.EWEB staff is working with legal counsel to clarify EWEB’s authority and role in performing master planning type work for EWEB property. EWEB has a fiduciary responsibility to ratepayers to maximize the value of the utility’s assets, including property. This includes the responsibility and authority to engage in limited land use planning processes that facilitate exercising other EWEB charter obligations related to operation of the utility and provision of essential services. Schedule for Preliminary Planning work on the EWEB Riverfront Site. ? Initial EWEB Site PlanningWork will begin after bond authorization has been obtained for the Roosevelt Final Design. This will involve preliminary planning for the EWEB riverfront site, which includes identifying possible lot line adjustments and easement locations, identifying applicable Metro Plan land use designations, determining possible zoning for identified parcels, and determining how best to meet City planning requirements (July 2006 – September 2007). ? Second phase EWEB Site Planning will begin after bond authorization for the construction of the Roosevelt Site has been obtained. EWEB would begin work on a Metro Plan Amendment, Zone Change, re-aligning tax lot lines, and related land-use changes needed to maximize the value of the land for possible sale (begin fall 2007). A Declaration of Surplus land is not part of this Preliminary Planning project and would not occur until construction of the new utility facilities have been completed on the Roosevelt site and EWEB operations have been moved off the Riverfront Site (2009 or 2010). Revised: April 25, 2006