ENB-1.01 - Urban Services Policy

BCP-ENB-1.01

WHEREAS, the City of Portland finds there is a need for a higher level of urban services in the urbanized, unincorporated area surrounding Portland, and that it is in the City's interest to participate in resolving the service needs; and

WHEREAS, the City recognizes that integrated nature of the metropolitan area and the essential role of the central city and wishes to enhance the economic well-being of the entire area; and

WHEREAS, the present lack of services constrains the region's economic growth and its residential , commercial and industrial development; and

WHEREAS, the service deficiencies may also create long-term health hazards for the region; and

WHEREAS, the City has established the existing physical, financial and institutional capacity to serve a wider area, particularly for the most costly, capital-intensive services such as sanitary sewage collection and treatment and drinking water; and

WHEREAS, future jobs for City residents depend upon timely provision of a full range of urban services to developable industrial sites, while many of the region's potential industrial sites presently unserved are located within the City's rational service area, but outside present City boundaries; and

WHEREAS, the City finds it must establish an urban services boundary to know where it will ultimately be responsible for providing service so that it may efficiently plan, design, finance, and construct facilities to serve both existing and prospective areas; and

WHEREAS, the City's comprehensive Plan calls for an urban services boundary, prepared in coordination with Multnomah County and adjacent jurisdictions; and

WHEREAS, the City of Portland finds Portland taxpayers may bear a significant cost of future services to the urbanized, unincorporated area surrounding Portland, even if these services are delivered by other jurisdictions, and that there is a need to spread the cost of providing urban services in the region more equitably among all residents and property owners receiving services; and

WHEREAS, the City finds that the most cost effective and rational method for the delivery of urban services within the urban services boundary is through full-service city government but is prepared to consider other service delivery approaches that may be effective and efficient, such as contract agreements with those desiring City services; and

WHEREAS, the City is prepared to provide property owners and residents in portions of the urbanized, unincorporated area with the option of receiving urban services from Portland upon request of those desiring such services;

NOW THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED by the Council of the City of Portland that the City of Portland hereby adopts the following Urban Services Policy:

1. The City shall establish, in cooperation with neighboring jurisdictions, an urban services boundary for the City of Portland that defines a rational service area within which the City can meet the service needs most effectively and at the lowest cost. The urban services boundary shall be approved by the City Council upon completion of the public process provided for amendment of the City's Comprehensive Plan and may be amended form time to time in accordance with this policy and the Comprehensive Plan.

2. The City shall acknowledge its role as principal provider of urban services within the established boundary and plan for the eventual delivery of urban services according to a phased program of improvements meeting the service needs of individual areas.

3. The City shall coordinate closely with other jurisdictions providing services within the established Portland urban services boundary to ensure continuing delivery of effective and efficient urban services.

4. The City shall consider requests for delivery of services within the urban services boundary wherever the following conditions exist:

5. The City shall deliver services within the urban services boundary by means of annexation to Portland or, on an interim basis, through alternative approaches that are demonstrated to be in the best long-term interest of both the City and future service areas.

6. The City shall consider delivery of services to areas outside the established City of Portland urban services boundary only where the City determines that there is a clearly defined need for each service, that expansion of the urban services boundary and full-service provision by the City are not appropriate, that the conditions in number 4., above, are met and that improved services may be expected to enhance the City's ability to meet the service needs of existing City residents and businesses.

7. The city shall initiate and maintain a public education program within the Portland urban services boundary to inform residents and property owners of the need, benefits and costs to deliver City of Portland services within that area. The City will coordinate this public education program with similar efforts by service providers and community organizations operating in the Portland metropolitan area.

8. The City shall provide for a process of public participation in the implementation of this policy, assuring that property owners, residents, and existing community organizations in areas affected by proposed changes in service delivery have opportunity to review and comment on plans for such changes.

BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that nothing in the Urban Services Policy shall be construed to amend or repeal the City of Portland's existing service and annexation commitments stated in Resolutions 31762 and 32750.

Resolution No. 33327, adopted by Council February 23, 1983.