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Joint elected officials <br /> ~ Coburg has been seeking a Joint Elected Officials meeting for some time, to allow all the <br /> decision makers to review Coburg's request to connect the wastewater system Coburg will be <br /> building to the MWMC regional facilities. As you move forward towards such a meeting, now <br /> seems like an appropriate time to spell out exactly what Coburg is asking for. <br /> Coburg would like the Joint Elected Officials to endorse the- concept of Coburg connecting to <br /> MWMC , to set the general parameters of the conditions for Coburg's connection, and direct <br /> staff to accomplish that goal. Coburg understands that the Joint Elected Officials cannot, by this <br /> initial decision guarantee Coburg's connection. But without the Joint Elected Officials taking an <br /> affirmative step now, Coburg will never be able to connect to MWMC. <br /> Coburg wants to connect to MWMC for three reasons:- timing, cost, and environmental <br /> <br /> ~ benefits. <br /> i <br /> - Timing. If Coburg can connect to MWMC, Coburg can cut a year or more off the time <br /> needed before Coburg begins to provide wastewater service to residents and businesses <br /> in Coburg. This has become even more important with Monaco's announcement that it <br /> will be transferring 400 jobs from Bend to Coburg. Monaco's current wastewater <br /> system will be at or near capacity. Monaco's primary concern about keeping those jobs <br /> in Oregon was whether Coburg would be able to develop a wastewater system or not. <br /> Coburg would like to do everything it can to keep those 400 jobs in Lane County. <br /> - Cost. Coburg must build a collection system. Coburg expects to pay the cost of <br /> building a connection between Coburg and the MWMC system. Coburg can afford to <br /> pay to MWMC the full connection charges under the current SDC system. Coburg <br /> <br /> I <br /> cannot afford to pay more than what Coburg would pay if Coburg was a similarly sized <br /> ~ new user connecting to the MWMC system inside the Metro Plan UGB. Over the long <br /> run connecting to MWMC at the equivalent cost rate will not be significantly less <br /> expensive for Coburg users, but the initial costs can be less for the present users in <br /> Coburg at no cost to other MWMC users. <br /> - Environmental Impact If Coburg cannot connect to MWMC Coburg will discharge to <br /> the McKenzie River. This discharge will meet all applicable standards, and it will be a <br /> very small contribution to the McKenzie. But Coburg would like the Joint Elected <br /> Officials' hel to avoid the s bolic ste of the first munici al wastewater dischar e to <br /> Ym p P g <br /> p <br /> the McKenzie River. <br /> Coburg is requesting permission to pursue a connection to the MWMC system because it can <br /> work out to be the right thing for everyone. Delay would not be fair to the 400 residents of <br /> Eugene and Springfield and elsewhere in Lane County who are anxious to start work in Coburg. <br /> Coburg should not need to and cannot afford to delay the question. Coburg should not need to <br /> and cannot afford to pay more than its fair share. If Coburg can connect subject to payment of <br /> MWMC SDC charges the equivalent of a direct connection to MWMC inside the present service <br /> area, Coburg will not be paying nor receiving a subsidy: from any other user. Under the present <br /> <br />