03/12/1974 - Minutes Tigard Water District
333rd Regular Meeting
March 12, 1974
PRESENT: Clarence F. Nicoli, Chairman
Don W. Thomas, Secretary
John M. Wied, Treasurer
R. Verne Wheelwright
Harold A. Myers
Robert E. Santee, Administrator
John P. Miller, Foreman
Kenneth W. Baines, Attorney
VISITORS: Al Donnelly, Tigard Times
Susan Thomas, Student, Tigard High School
The meeting was called to order at 7:35 p.m. by Chairman Nicoll .
Motion was made to approve the minutes of the last meeting, as written,
Motion carried unanimously.
Motion was made to pay the vouchers. Motion carried unanimously.
Motion was made to appoint following individuals for the budget
committee:
George Marshall H. Dale Johnson
William Stebbins Michael D. O'Neil
Motion carried unanimously. Neil Longfellow is also on the budget
committee.
Motion was made to transfer within the General Fund, $20,000 from the
Operating Contingency Account (#553) to Water Costs Account (#525-2).
Motion carried unanimously.
Motion was made to increase all meter installation connection fees to
$200, making the cost of a 5/8" x 3/4" meter - $350, and a 1" meter-
$425, effective May 1, 1974. Motion carried unanimously. Present
connection fees from Bull Mountain hookups will continue to be deposited
in the Bond Sinking Fund until July 1st.
Motion was made that water meters which are purchasedprior to May 1st,
but are not flowing water prior to July 1st, be charged a surcharge to
bring the total cost up to the new charge before the water is turned on.
To purchase a meter at the lower cost, prior to May 1st, the existing
criteria which is " a foundation laid, and a main available" must be
completed prior to July 1st. Motion carried unanimously.
Motion was made regarding the alternatives proposed by Portland regarding
an additional water rate increase or systems development charge to follow
the recommendations of the Administrator and Attorney, and send the letter
as prepared to Portland Bureau of Water Works. (Letter attached). Motion
carried unanimously.
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Minutes of Regular Meeting. March 12, 1974: (Continued)
Motion was made to submit the resolution as outlined in the Administrator's
report to the Tri-County Water Districts Association. The resolution is
reiterated as follows:
"That the Tri-County Water Districts Association,
or one of its designated members, request a written
legal opinion on the merits of filing a lawsuit
charging the City of Portland as arbitrary and
unreasonable in establishing water consumption
rates to wholesale water purveyors located outside
city boundaries.
That legal fees be pro-rated to all members of the
Association based upon the number of meters in
service.
That the law firm of Wheelock, Niehaus, Baines &
Murphy, who is eminently qualified in legal matters
involving municipal water systems, be retained to
represent the Association, or the designated member,
whichever is applicable."
Motion carried unanimously.
The suggestion that the name of Tigard Water District be changed was
— tabled.
The matter of increasing the monthly fire sprinkler rates from $5 to $10
was tabled.
Motion was made to adjourn at 8:57 p.m. Motion carried unanimously.
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TIGARD WATER DISTRICT 813416. W. COMMERCIAL BT.
TIGARD, OREGON 97223
PHONE (503) 639-1554
March 13, 1974
Mr. Robert C. Hyle, Manager
Portland Bureau of Water Works
1800 S. W. Sixth Avenue
Portland, Oregon 97201
Dear Mr. Hyle:
In response to your letter dated February 14, 1974, the Commis-
sioners of the Tigard Water District prefer Alternative No. 2
to Alternative No. 1. This expression of preference shall not
be construed as an approval of either alternative, nor shall it
be construed as a waiver of any rights the Tigard Water Dis-
trict may have to attack these proposals if they are ultimately
implemented.
We feel it is inequitable to impose greater user rates for non-
residents than for users residing within the City, because,
among other things, your present system was not constructed from
tax revenues, but from user charges paid by users both within
and without the City.
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The system-development charge, which appears equitable on the
surface, imposes an excessive financial burden upon the devel-
oper outside the City, who must also bear the entire expense
of installing all mains within his development. This is not
the case for developers within the City.
It is our opinion that the inequality in water rates should be
resolved at this time, and we urge the City of Portland and all
other water customers of the City to jointly initiate an inde-
pendent study to determine the true parity between water rates
in and out of the City. We second Commissioner Lloyd Anderson's
suggestion that all facts and figures be "placed on the table. "
Very truly yours,
TIGARD WATER DISTRICT
C. F. Nicoli
Chairman, Board of Commissioners