HomeMy WebLinkAboutItem 7: EWEB Sale of Water to Veneta
ECC
UGENE ITY OUNCIL
AIS
GENDA TEM UMMARY
Public Hearing: Eugene Water and Electric Board Water Rights
Meeting Date: December 13, 2010 Agenda Item Number: 7
Department: Intergovernmental Relations Staff Contact: Brenda Wilson
www.eugene-or.gov Contact Telephone Number: 541-682-8441
ISSUE STATEMENT
This public hearing is to provide the Eugene City Council an opportunity to hear from the public on the
Eugene Water & Electric Board’s (EWEB) sale of surplus water to the City of Veneta.
BACKGROUND
Late last year, EWEB informed the City Manager about EWEB’s interest to sell water to Veneta in order
to certify part of EWEB’s third water right and to help ensure that the water in this water right would be
available to Eugene residents in the future when needed. In mid-April, EWEB and the City of Veneta
signed a water sale contract. EWEB then submitted the contract to the Lane County Circuit Court for
validation.
On May 12, 2010, the council was presented with background information on the water sale and the
court process. The council directed staff to schedule (1) a joint meeting with the EWEB Board of
Directors before the council takes up this issue for decision; (2) a public forum, with EWEB’s
involvement, in order to provide information to the public about the proposed sale of water; and (3)
following that forum, a public hearing on EWEB’s proposed sale of water to Veneta. The joint meeting
with EWEB was held on June 7, 2010; the public information forum was held on June 8, 2010; and the
public hearing was held on June 14, 2010.
On June 28, 2010, this issue was brought back to the council. While the City Manager stated he
believed that perfection of the third water right is in the City’s interest, the City Manager recommended
that the City intervene in the validation proceeding to resolve the issue of Charter authority. The council
voted to postpone a decision on whether the council supports the proposed sale of water to Veneta until
after the Charter authority question was resolved by the court. Accordingly, the City intervened in the
validation proceeding and argued that the City Charter grants to the council, rather than EWEB, the
authority to decide to sell water outside the City’s limits.
On October 27, 2010, the circuit court decided that EWEB, rather than the City Council, has the
authority to sell water to Veneta. The City has appealed that decision.
On November 10, 2010, the issue of the sale of surplus water to Veneta was brought back before the
council at the request of the City of Veneta. The City Manager recommended that a public hearing be
scheduled for the council regarding the sale of surplus water to Veneta; and that subsequent to the public
hearing, another work session be scheduled to consider the sale of surplus water to Veneta.
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RELATED CITY POLICIES
There are no specific City policies to be considered by the City Council at this meeting; it is a public
hearing to provide the council the opportunity to hear from the public on this issue.
COUNCIL OPTIONS
No action is required at this time; however, options will be provided at the time of City Council action
scheduled for January 24, 2011.
CITY MANAGER’S RECOMMENDATION
As this is the public hearing for this item, no recommendation is suggested at this time. A
recommendation will be provided for the City Council action scheduled for January 24, 2011.
SUGGESTED MOTION
None at this time. A suggested motion will be provided at the time of City Council action scheduled for
January 24, 2011.
FOR MORE INFORMATION
Staff Contact: Brenda Wilson
Telephone: 541-682-8441
Staff E-Mail: brenda.s.wilson@ci.eugene.or.us
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