HomeMy WebLinkAboutItem 4: Transfer of Water Pollution Control Property to MWMC
ECC
UGENE ITY OUNCIL
AIS
GENDA TEM UMMARY
Action: Transfer of Water Pollution Control
Property from City of Eugene to Metropolitan Wastewater Management Commission
Meeting Date: February 12, 2007 Agenda Item Number: 4
Department: Public Works Staff Contact: Peter Ruffier
www.eugene-or.gov Contact Telephone Number: 682-8606
ISSUE STATEMENT
The City Council is requested to approve the transfer a total of approximately 168 acres in two parcels
of City-titled property to the Metropolitan Wastewater Management Commission.
BACKGROUND
The City of Eugene, City of Springfield, and Lane County entered into an agreement in 1977 for the
purposes of establishing the Metropolitan Wastewater Management Commission (MWMC). The
MWMC was established as an intergovernmental entity to “construct, operate, and maintain the
Regional Sewerage Facilities.” MWMC provides regional wastewater collection and treatment to the
Eugene/Springfield metropolitan area.
The property proposed to be transferred from the City to the MWMC is composed of two parcels of land
(one at 122 acres, and one at 45.83 acres) that are part of the Seasonal Industrial Waste Facilities
(SIWF), located off of Prairie Road in Lane County. These parcels are located on the northwest corner
of the site (see the map in Attachment A), which has been used for the treatment of wastewater derived
from food processing operations in the service area of MWMC. These parcels were originally acquired
by the City pursuant to condemnation proceedings undertaken on behalf of the MWMC, and were
subsequently dedicated to the regional wastewater operations. The SIWF was classified as an
“alternative project” under the federal construction grant program, which made it eligible for funding at
85% of the costs of the property purchase and facility construction. The 15% local contribution for the
project came from local GO bonds issued by the County Service District for the regional wastewater
program.
In May 2005, the council, by ordinance, approved a revised intergovernmental agreement (IGA) creating
the Metropolitan Wastewater Management Commission as an Intergovernmental Entity and defining the
duties and powers of the commission and the three parties to the IGA. The revised IGA provides, in
section 3(b), that the parties will: “Facilitate the completion of the process of transferring ownership to
the Commission of the Existing Sewerage Facilities as defined in Appendix “A” Section VI. The
transfer of ownership process shall proceed in a timely manner as determined by the mutual agreement
of the Commission and the cities of Eugene and Springfield. The transfer of ownership shall include
consideration of the following factors:
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1.Original source of the funds for acquisitions, construction, maintenance, equipment replacement,
and major rehabilitation; and
2.Achieving equity among the regional sewer users within the Urban Growth Boundary.”
[Appendix A to the intergovernmental agreement specifies the Regional Sewerage Facilities as including
the Seasonal Industrial Waste Facilities]
The proposal for transfer of City property to the MWMC came before the council previously on June 26
and then July 10, 2006, when the council approved the transfer of property to MWMC in order to
facilitate the River Avenue Transportation Improvement project and related potential assessments, as
well as to provide clarity of ownership in support of the MWMC issuing bonds for financing the
approved wastewater Capital Improvement Program. The City of Springfield took action to transfer
titles to the site of the Springfield treatment plant and other Springfield-owned regional facilities to
MWMC on November 6, 2007 (via Resolution No. 06-44). The MWMC will be transferring a total of
14 property interests from the commission to Eugene in the near future. These interests include 13
easements associated with the West Irwin wastewater pump station, and one fee interest for property
associated with the Terry Street pump station. These two pump stations were transferred from regional
to local ownership and control several years ago under the amended IGA (May, 2005), and these
properties will complete the transition to City ownership.
In order to complete the transfer to the MWMC of all property currently titled to the City but dedicated
for regional wastewater purposes, staff is recommending that the council approve the transfer of a total
of approximately 168 acres in two parcels to the MWMC.
RELATED CITY POLICIES
The Eugene Code states “the council may dispose of real property to any governmental entity without
hearing or notice” (EC 2.868).
COUNCIL OPTIONS
1. Approve the transfer of approximately 168 acres of property to the Metropolitan Wastewater
Management Commission (MWMC) by Bargain and Sale Deed.
1.Re-open the intergovernmental agreement for the Metropolitan Wastewater Management
Commission and seek agreement with the other parties to the agreement to change the commitments
related to the transfer of property.
2.Direct staff to modify the property transfer to the MWMC.
CITY MANAGER’S RECOMMENDATION
The City Manager recommends that the council approve the transfer of approximately 168 acres of
property to the MWMC consistent with the Restated and Amended Agreement for the Metropolitan
Wastewater Management Commission.
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SUGGESTED MOTION
Move to direct the City Manager to take the necessary steps to proceed with the transfer of
approximately 168 acres of City-owned land to the Metropolitan Wastewater Management Commission.
ATTACHMENTS
A. Map of property being transferred
FOR MORE INFORMATION
Staff Contact: Peter Ruffier
Telephone: 682-8606
Staff E-Mail: Peter.J.Ruffier@ci.eugene.or.us
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