Title
Resolution No. 20-14, Calling for an Election with the Question Shall Oregon City Authorize Underground Placement of a Wastewater Pipeline in Jon Storm Park and Adopting a Ballot Title
Body
RECOMMENDED ACTION (Motion):
Staff recommends approval of Resolution No. 20-14.
EXECUTIVE SUMMARY:
The Oregon City Charter requires voter approval for the City to either grant a property interest in a City park or for the construction of permanent structures unrelated to recreation on park property. Water Environment Services (WES) discussed the requirements of the City Charter with staff and desires City Commission approval to seek that permission. WES is requesting that this issue be considered to be placed onto the November 3, 2020 election ballot. WES would be required to cover costs, if any, related to this ballot measure. Draft ballot measure language has been prepared for the Oregon City Commission to provide feedback and direction to City staff and WES.
BACKGROUND:
The City Commission discussed Resolution No. 20-14 and associated materials at the May 20, 2020 Work Session. The Commissions feedback was incorporated into the Explanatory Statement and the updated version has been attached to this staff report.
Project Overview: The current outfall from the Tri-City Water Resource Recovery Facility (“Tri-City WRRF”) was constructed in 1984 and is nearing capacity during peak wet weather events. In May of 2019, WES’ Board approved the Tri-City WRRF Outfall Project, which calls for the construction of a second underground outfall pipe to carry treated wastewater to the Willamette River in order to provide safe, reliable service for decades to come. The existing outfall is structurally sound and will remain in place for use when needed, creating redundancy and building resiliency for WES’ service area communities. The new outfall will also have a positive impact on the economy by creating jobs during the construction process, supporting economic growth, and providing $200,000 towards park and natural habitat restoration within Oregon City.
Outfall Project Location: The new outfall will run from the Tri-City WRRF parallel to I-205 and under the OR 99E off ramp. It will continue under Jon Storm Park and discharge into the Willamette River just north of the I-205 Abernethy Bridge.
Outfall Project Impacts: Construction impacts will be brief and temporary, lasting only a few months. WES will prioritize the use of tunneling technologies, which would minimize impacts to the park and other adjacent properties, to the extent feasible. The project will include area enhancements such as native landscaping, riverbank restoration, trails and other identified needs within the City of Oregon City’s park plans. Our goal is to leave the park better than we found it, and in addition invest in other area enhancements identified by the Oregon City Parks and Recreation Advisory Committee (PRAC).
Project Schedule: Pending City Commission and voter approval, construction is anticipated in 2023 and 2024 - with operation starting in 2024.
Project Funding: The project, identified in WES’ 2020-2025 Capital Improvement Plan, is fully funded. The budget for the project is estimated at $21,500,000. This project will build a pipeline that is expected to provide the necessary capacity to serve the Tri-City WRRF through 2080.
Public Participation: WES hired JLA to help create a comprehensive Public Involvement and Outreach Plan. The Plan will guide outreach and communications for the WES Tri-City Water Resource Recovery Outfall Project. It will have a particular focus on WES ratepayers, Oregon City voters and the Oregon City Commission, as well as special interest stakeholder groups, such as recreational water users, environmental groups, business owners and impacted property owners. Public engagement efforts will create opportunities for impacted and interested stakeholders to provide input that informs the permitting, design and mitigation process.
OPTIONS:
1. Approve Resolution No. 20-14.
2. Ask staff to make changes to the Resolution, then add it to the June 17, 2020 City Commission consent agenda for approval.