HomeMy WebLinkAboutItem B - MWMC Budget and CIPEUGENE CITY COUNCIL
AGENDA ITEM SUMMARY
Action: Ratification of the Metropolitan Wastewater Management Commission FY04-05
Regional Wastewater Program Budget and Capital Improvements Program
Meeting Date: June 28, 2004 Agenda Item Number: B
Department: Public Works Staff Contact: Peter Ruffler
www. cl. euget~e, or. us Contact Telephone Number: 682-8606
AGENDA ITEM SUMMARY
This is the process of annually ratifying the Metropolitan Wastewater Management Commission
(MWMC) Regional Wastewater Program Budget and Capital Improvements Program (CIP), as
established under the 1977 intergovernmental agreement (IGA) between the City of Eugene, the City of
Springfield, and Lane County. MWMC was formed to provide wastewater collection and treatment
services for the Eugene-Springfield metropolitan area. The regional budget provides funds for all
operations, maintenance, administration, and capital project management for the Eugene/Springfield
Water Pollution Control Facility, Biosolids Management Facility, Biocycle Farm, Seasonal Industrial
Waste Facility, and the regional wastewater pump stations.
BACKGROUND
The purpose of the Regional Wastewater Program is to protect public health and safety and the
environment, by providing high-quality wastewater management services to the Eugene-Springfield
metropolitan area. MWMC and the regional partners are committed to providing these services in a
manner that is effective, efficient, and meets customer service expectations.
Since the mid-1990s, the commission and the Regional Wastewater Program staff have worked together
to identify the following key outcomes, or goals, which focus on what the fiscal budget will serve to
accomplish:
1. High environmental standards
2. Fiscal management that is effective and efficient
3. A successful intergovernmental partnership
4. Maximum reliability and useful life of regional assets and infrastructure
5. Public awareness and understanding of the MWMC, regional wastewater system, and the
relationship to Willamette River water quality.
These key outcomes, or goals, are in direct alignment with the City Council goals.
Council Action History
Following established policies set forth in the IGA between the City of Eugene, the City of Springfield,
and Lane County, the Eugene City Council has annually ratified the MWMC regional budget. Last year,
the Eugene City Council ratified the MWMC Regional Wastewater Program Budget and CIP on May
12, 2003.
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At the May 24, 2004, City Council meeting, ratification was deferred to the June 14, 2004, meeting
following a request for additional information in response to questions raised by councilors concerning
efforts toward public outreach and involvement activities. The Agenda Item Summary (ALS) for the
June 14 City Council meeting included 1) a historical chart of the plans reflected in the budget process
over the years with corresponding outreach and involvement activities; 2) a summary table of the
regional wastewater program's public awareness, education, and involvement efforts; and 3) a
comprehensive memorandum with detailed explanations of this history with appropriate, representative
samples of outreach and involvement activities.
At its June 14, 2004, meeting the council was unable to address the MWMC Regional Wastewater
Program Budget and CIP due to time constraints. The item was postponed until June 28, 2004, and is
scheduled for action at the work session prior to the council meeting.
Policy Issues
Ratification of the annual regional wastewater program budget is necessary to maintain provision of
wastewater collection and treatment services to the Eugene/Springfield community. Failure to ratify by
any of the governing bodies that are signatory to the MWMC intergovernmental agreement results in the
current year regional wastewater budget being rolled forward until any disputes over the budget are
resolved. Shortfalls in revenue necessary to meet increased expenses in FY04-05, such as those related
to increased energy and chemical expenses and higher labor costs, may increase the risk of
noncompliance with regulatory requirements or other operational or maintenance restrictions thereby
resulting in decreased efficiencies and higher, longer-term costs from deferred activities. Capital
expenditures by MWMC are also prohibited if the budget is not ratified.
Council Goals
The MWMC Regional Wastewater Program Budget and CIP are related to the City Council goal of:
· FAIR, STABLE AND ADEQUATE FINANCIAL RESOURCES
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
Financial and/or Resource Considerations
The budget presented herein for ratification is for the regional wastewater program only as MWMC
contracts with the City of Eugene for operation and maintenance of the regional facilities and with the
City of Springfield for administration and capital program management. The City of Eugene's budget
for providing these services is included in the Public Works Department Budget. Funding for the
operations and maintenance of the local wastewater system, including sewer lines and pump stations, is
addressed separately within the Public Works Department budget.
Timing
Ratification of the FY04-05 MWMC budget by the City of Eugene Council needs to occur prior to the
end of June 2004, in order to avoid interruption in operation as of July 1, 2004. The MWMC is
scheduled to meet on June 30 to adopt the ratified budget. If the Eugene City Council elects to pursue
Option 2 below and return the budget to MWMC with specific modification requests, the ratification
process would begin again with all three governing bodies.
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OPTIONS
1. Approve the motion to ratify the FY04-05 MWMC Regional Wastewater Program Budget and CIP.
2. Return the FY04-05 MWMC Regional Wastewater Program Budget and CIP to MWMC for
modification with specific requests for reconsideration.
STAFF RECOMMENDATION
It is recommended that the City of Eugene Council ratify the proposed FY04-05 MWMC Regional
Wastewater Program Budget and CIP.
SUGGESTED MOTION
Move to ratify the FY04-05 Metropolitan Wastewater Management Commission Regional Wastewater
Program Budget and Capital Improvements Program.
ATTACHMENTS
Please note:
· The FY04-05 MWMC Regional Wastewater Program Budget and CIP were previously
distributed for the City Council meeting on May 24, 2004.
· An historical chart of the plans which have been reflected in the budget process over the years
with corresponding outreach and involvement activities was previously distributed for the City
Council meeting on June 14, 2004.
· A summary table of the regional wastewater program's public awareness, education, and
involvement efforts was previously distributed for the City Council meeting on June 14, 2004.
· A comprehensive memo with detailed explanations of this history with appropriate,
representative samples of outreach and involvement activities was previously distributed for the
City Council meeting on June 14, 2004.
FOR MORE INFORMATION
Staff Contact: Peter Ruffler
Telephone: 682-8606
Staff E-Mail: peter.j.ruffler~ci.eugene.or.us
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