HomeMy WebLinkAboutItem 4: Ordinance Concerning Wastewater Service
ECC
UGENE ITY OUNCIL
AIS
GENDA TEM UMMARY
Action: An Ordinance Concerning Wastewater Service and Amending Sections 6.406
and 6.411 of the Eugene Code, 1971
Meeting Date: May 29, 2007 Agenda Item: 4
Department: Public Works Staff Contact: Peter Ruffier
www.eugene-or.gov Contact Telephone Number: 682-8606
ISSUE STATEMENT
This item is an opportunity for the City Council to approve revisions to sections of the Eugene City
Code dealing with Regional Wastewater User Fees. The proposed amendments would add definitions
for two customer categories and would delete specific references to individual customer types within
customer categories.
At a public hearing on May 21, 2007, one community member provided testimony. The comments were
not substantive to the proposed changes, but the speaker did ask that additional public notice and
explanation be given prior to these types of public hearings. There were no follow-up questions from
the council.
BACKGROUND
The first amendment would add definitions for “very high” and “super high” strength categories. These
customer categories were established years ago, and the annual Administrative Order and informational
brochure have included “very high” and “super high” definitions for years. This amendment would
bring the code current with practice.
The second amendment would delete the specific references to customer types for each customer
category. The Metropolitan Wastewater Management Commission (MWMC) user fee structure is
intended to charge customers in proportion to the load they place on the regional treatment facility. A
customer’s load is currently a factor of the total discharge (in kilo gallons) and strength of discharge
(measured by biochemical oxygen demand and suspended solids). As the regulatory environment
changes, new factors such as temperature may be added, which could change the appropriate strength
category for a given customer type. Also, a recent evaluation of the strength of wastewaters discharged
from restaurants has determined the need for a change in customer category for a subset of those
establishments. The current specific references to customer types within customer category definitions
present a barrier to implementing this change and future changes required to meet new regulatory
requirements.
With these amendments, Eugene Code will better align with Springfield Code, providing consistent
definitions across MWMC's service area, which is needed to ensure compliance with provisions of the
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MWMC intergovernmental agreement that require rates and charges to be applied uniformly throughout
the region.
RELATED CITY POLICIES
The council’s Vision and Goals Statement with respect to Fair, Stable and Adequate Financial
Resources reaffirms commitment to “a local government whose ongoing financial resources are based
on a fair and equitable system of taxation and other revenue sources and are adequate to maintain and
deliver municipal services.” Eliminating references to specific customer types will allow MWMC to
maintain a user fee structure that reflects relative load placed on the regional treatment plant.
COUNCIL OPTIONS
Approve changes as recommended.
?
Approve changes, with modifications.
?
Do not approve changes.
?
CITY MANAGER’S RECOMMENDATION
The City Manager recommends adoption of these proposed amendments to the definitions for regional
wastewater utility customers. MWMC leadership also recommends adoption.
SUGGESTED MOTION
Move to adopt an ordinance concerning wastewater service and amending sections 6.406 and 6.411 of
the Eugene Code, 1971.
ATTACHMENTS
A. Proposed Ordinance
FOR MORE INFORMATION
Staff Contact: Peter Ruffier
Telephone: 682-8606
Staff E-Mail: peter.j.ruffier@ci.eugene.or.us
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ATTACHMENT A
ORDINANCE NO. ________
AN ORDINANCE CONCERNING WASTEWATER
SERVICE AND AMENDING SECTIONS 6.406 AND 6.411
OF THE EUGENE CODE, 1971.
THE CITY OF EUGENE DOES ORDAIN AS FOLLOWS:
Section 1.
The definition of “General wastewater customer” in Section 6.406 of
the Eugene Code, 1971, is amended to provide:
6.406 Definitions
. For purposes of sections 6.401 through 6.645, unless the
context requires otherwise words and phrases shall have the meaning
ascribed to them. In interpreting the meaning of words in a definition, other
definitions of that word in this Code may be considered:
General wastewater customer
. (For the regional wastewater treatment
service portion of wastewater service charge):
(a) Low strength. A customer with combined BOD and SS loadings less
than or equal to [or less than] 400 milligrams per liter (mg/1). [These
low strength loadings are typical of domestic wastewater loadings.]
(b) Medium strength. A customer with combined BOD and SS strengths
greater than 400 mg/1 [but not greater than] and less than or equal to
800 mg/1. [These medium strength loadings are typical of: grocery
stores, hotels and motels, commercial laundries and theaters.]
(c) High strength. A customer with a combined BOD and SS wastewater
strength of greater than 800 mg/1 and less than or equal to 1,200
mg/1. [These high strength loadings are typical of: restaurants and
bakeries.]
(d) Very high strength. A customer with a combined BOD and SS
wastewater strength of greater than 1,200 and less than or equal to
1,600 mg/1.
(e) Super high strength. A customer with a combined BOD and SS
wastewater strength of greater than 1,600 mg/1.
Section 2.
Subsection (3)(b) of Section 6.411 of the Eugene Code, 1971, is
amended to provide:
6.411 Ratemaking
.
(3)
Limitations. The following limitations apply to charges set by the city
manager for wastewater service, stormwater service and regional
wastewater treatment service:
Ordinance -
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(b) The charges for regional wastewater treatment service shall
distinguish between the following classes of customers: single
dwelling units, duplexes, and general wastewater customer use
based on [low, medium, and high or industrial] loading strengths.
[and may impose a surcharge on high strength industrial users
based on biochemical oxygen demand and suspended solids
concentrations in excess of domestic strength levels.]
Section 3.
The City Recorder, at the request of, or with the concurrence of the
City Attorney, is authorized to correct any reference errors contained herein, or in other
provisions of the Eugene Code, 1971, to the provisions added, amended or repealed
herein.
Passed by the City Council this Approved by the Mayor this
_____ day of ______________, 2007. ____ day of _____________, 2007.
___________________________ ____________________________
City Recorder Mayor
Ordinance -
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