(1) 
The city of Springfield requires developers to construct and install infrastructure improvements including electricity; water supply, distribution and treatment; sanitary sewer; storm sewer; transportation improvements; and other public infrastructure appropriate to serve proposed developments. These improvements are constructed in accordance with city design and construction standards and later dedicated to the city as “public improvements.” Often these street, water, sewer, and storm sewer improvements, particularly those constructed off-site, not only fulfill a developers obligation to provide needed infrastructure proportional to their impact, but also can and will benefit other property owners when they subsequently develop their property. Therefore, these improvements represent a benefit to those subsequent property owners.
(2) 
The purpose of this chapter is to provide a mechanism where owners of property which benefits from the construction of public improvements by another property owner will share in the cost of those improvements through payment of a reimbursement charge at the time the benefited property is developed and/or the improvements are utilized.
(3) 
Owners of property which would be subject to a reimbursement charge will be provided an opportunity to review and comment on pertinent information regarding the proposed reimbursement charges and, upon receipt, will forward the funds to the person who constructed or funded the improvements.
(4) 
The reimbursement charges established under this chapter are intended to become due and payable upon development of benefited property. Such charges are fees for service because they contemplate a development’s receipt of essential municipal services based upon the nature of that development. The timing and extent of any development are within the control and discretion of the property owner. The reimbursement charges imposed under this chapter are not intended to be a tax on property or on a property owner as a direct consequence of ownership of property within the meaning of Article XI, Section 11b, of the Oregon Constitution or the legislation implementing that section.
(5) 
The reimbursement charges established in this chapter are in addition to, and not in lieu of, other charges which may be required for development.
(Section 3.600 added by Ordinance 6230, enacted October 6, 2008)
Applicant.
A person, as defined in this section, who is required or chooses to finance some or all of the cost of a street, water or sewer improvement which is available to provide service to property, other than property owned by the person, and who applies to the city for reimbursement for the expense of the improvement. The “applicant” may be the city.
City.
The city of Springfield.
City Public Works Director or Director.
The person holding the position of city public works director or any officer or employee designated by that person to perform duties stated within this section.
Infrastructure Improvements.
The planning, design and construction of, facilities or structures dedicated to public use including, but not limited to:
(a) 
Transportation Improvement.
An improvement designed and constructed in accordance with standards adopted by the city through ordinance or policy, or required through approval of any application for a land use decision, and including, but not limited to, streets, bicycle or multi-use paths (either on- or off-street), storm drains, curbs, gutters, sidewalks, traffic control devices, street trees, lights, intersections, signals, amenities required by city construction and design standards, and signs and public right-of-way.
(b) 
Water Improvement.
An improvement designed and constructed in accordance with standards adopted by the city acting through the council or the Springfield utility board, through ordinance or policy, or required through approval of an application for a land use decision, and including, but not limited to, a well, water distribution or treatment facility, extending a water line to property, other than property owned by the applicant, so that water service can be provided for such other property without further extension of the line.
(c) 
Sewer Improvement.
An improvement designed and constructed in accordance with standards adopted by the city through ordinance or policy, or required through approval of an application for a land use decision, and including, but not limited to, pump stations, trunk sewers, lateral sewers, and extending a sewer line to property so that sewer service can be provided for such other property without further extension of the line.
(d) 
Stormwater Improvement.
A facility designed and constructed in accordance with standards adopted by the city through ordinance or policy, or required through approval of an application for a land use decision, which conveys or treats stormwater and is determined by the public works director to be necessary or convenient in the management of storm runoff by the city consistent with the requirements of the National Pollution Discharge Elimination System permit held by the city and any other state or federal stormwater and water quality standards applicable to the city.
(e) 
Electrical Improvement.
An improvement designed and constructed in accordance with standards adopted by the city, acting through the Springfield utility board through ordinance or policy, or required through approval of an application for a land use decision.
(f) 
Other Infrastructure.
An improvement designed and constructed in accordance with standards adopted by the city through ordinance or policy, or required through approval of an application for a land use decision, and including, but not limited to, other capital construction determined by the council to be necessary and convenient to the provision of services to the citizens of the city.
Person.
A natural person, the person’s heirs, executors, administrators, or assigns; a firm, partnership, corporation, association or legal entity, its or their successors or assigns; and any agent, employee or any representative thereof.
Reimbursement District.
The area which is determined by the city council to derive a benefit from the construction of infrastructure improvements, constructed or financed in whole or in part by the applicant and includes property which as the opportunity to benefit from such an improvement.
Reimbursement Fee.
The fee required to be paid by a resolution of the city council and the reimbursement agreement. The city council resolution and reimbursement agreement shall determine the boundaries of the reimbursement district and shall determine the methodology for imposing a fee which consists of the cost of reimbursing the applicant for constructing or financing a portion of the infrastructure improvement which is available to provide service to property other than property owned by the person.
(Section 3.605 added by Ordinance 6230, enacted October 6, 2008)
(1) 
A person who is required to or chooses to finance some or all of the cost of an infrastructure improvement which will be available to provide service to property, other than property owned by the person, may, by written application filed with the city public works director, request that the city establish a reimbursement district. The infrastructure improvements must include improvements in addition to or in a size greater than those which would otherwise ordinarily be required in connection with the application for permit approval and must be available to provide service to property other than property owned by the applicant. Examples include, but shall not be limited to, intersections, full street improvements instead of half street improvements, traffic signals, off-site sidewalks, connection of street sections for continuity, extension of water lines and extension of sewer lines. The city may also initiate formation of a reimbursement district. The application shall be accompanied by a fee, as established by resolution, sufficient to cover the cost of administrative review and notice pursuant to this section.
(2) 
The application shall include the following:
(a) 
A description of the location, type, size and cost of the public improvement to be eligible for reimbursement;
(b) 
A map showing the properties to be included in the proposed reimbursement district; the zoning district for the properties;
(c) 
A proposed methodology for the calculation of the special benefit to be received by properties benefited by the improvement and the data necessary for calculating the apportionment of the cost to each benefitted property; and the property or properties owned by the applicant;
(d) 
The estimated date of completion of the public improvements and the estimated cost of the improvements as evidenced by bids, projections of cost of labor and materials or other evidence satisfactory to the city public works director.
(3) 
Application for formation of a reimbursement district may be made at any time, but shall be made no later than any notice to proceed on infrastructure improvements to be subject to the district. However, the city public works director may waive this requirement upon the showing by the applicant of good cause for the delay, that the delay was not created by the applicant, and that the delay was unavoidable due to unanticipated or unforeseen circumstances.
(Section 3.610 added by Ordinance 6230, enacted October 6, 2008)
(1) 
The city public works director shall review the application for the establishment of a reimbursement district and evaluate whether a district should be established. The public works director may request the submittal of other relevant information from the applicant in order to assist in the evaluation. The public works director shall prepare a written report for the city council, considering and making recommendations concerning the following factors:
(a) 
Whether the applicant will finance or has financed some or all of the cost of the infrastructure improvement, thereby making service available to property, other than property owned by the applicant;
(b) 
The area to be included in the reimbursement district;
(c) 
The actual or estimated cost of the infrastructure improvements within the area of the proposed reimbursement district and the portion of the cost for which the applicant should be reimbursed;
(d) 
The methodology for spreading the cost among the parcels within the reimbursement district and, where appropriate, defining a “unit” for applying the reimbursement fee to property which may, with city approval, be partitioned, altered, modified, or subdivided at some future date. The methodology should include consideration of the cost of the improvements, prior contributions by property owners, the value of the unused capacity, rate-making principles employed to finance public improvements and other factors deemed relevant by the city public works director. Prior contributions by property owners will only be considered if the contribution was for the same type of improvements and at the same location (example: a sewer-related contribution in the same location as a sewer improvement would be considered, a water-related contribution in the same location as a sewer improvement would not be considered).
(2) 
The city may charge a fee for administration of the agreement. The administration fee shall be fixed by the council in the resolution approving and forming the reimbursement district. The administration fee is due and payable to the city at the time the agreement is signed (or, if specified as a percentage, shall be paid quarterly based upon the reimbursement fees paid during that quarter).
(3) 
The proposed period of time that the right to reimbursement exists shall be specified in the resolution and shall not exceed 20 years.
(Section 3.615 added by Ordinance 6230, enacted October 6, 2008)
The cost to be reimbursed to the applicant shall be limited to the cost of construction including the acquisition and condemnation costs acquiring additional right-of-way, the cost of permits, engineering and legal expenses, less that amount, if any, that represents the proportional obligation of the applicant for the property of the applicant.
(Section 3.620 added by Ordinance 6230, enacted October 6, 2008)
After the public works director shall completed a draft report required above, the public works director shall convene a meeting with all property owners within the district and the applicant. At the meeting the applicant shall describe the project and methodology for allocation costs. All property owners will then be given an opportunity for comment. In the report submitted to the council, the city manager has the discretion to recommend the district be formed as proposed, that the proposal be modified, or that the application be denied.
(Section 3.625 added by Ordinance 6230, enacted October 6, 2008)
(1) 
Within a reasonable time after the report in section 3.615, and meeting required in section 3.625, the city council shall hold an informational public hearing in which any person shall be given the opportunity to comment on the proposed reimbursement district. Because formation of the reimbursement district does not result in an assessment against property or lien against property, the public hearing is for informational purposes only and any proposed district is not subject to mandatory termination because of remonstrances. The city council has the sole discretion after the public hearing to decide whether a resolution approving and forming the reimbursement district shall be adopted.
(2) 
If a reimbursement district is formed prior to construction of the improvement(s), a second public hearing shall be held after the improvement has been accepted by the city. At that time, the city council may modify the resolution to reflect the actual cost of the improvement(s).
(Section 3.630 added by Ordinance 6230, enacted October 6, 2008)
Not less than 10 nor more than 30 days prior to any public hearing held pursuant to this chapter, the applicant and all owners of property within the proposed district shall be notified of such hearing and the purpose thereof. Such notification shall be accomplished by either regular mail or personal service. If notification is accomplished by mail, notice shall be mailed not less than 13 days prior to the hearing. Notice shall be deemed effective on the date that the letter of notification is mailed. Failure of the applicant or any affected property owner to be so notified shall not invalidate or otherwise affect any reimbursement district resolution or the city council’s action to approve the same.
(Section 3.636 added by Ordinance 6230, enacted October 6, 2008)
(1) 
After the public hearing held pursuant to section 3.630, the city council shall approve, reject or modify the recommendations contained in the city public works director’s report. The city council’s decision shall be embodied in a resolution. If a reimbursement district is established, the resolution shall be accompanied by the city public works director’s report as approved or modified, and specify that payment of the reimbursement fee, as designated for each parcel, is a precondition of receiving city permits applicable to development of that parcel as described in section 3.660.
(2) 
When the applicant is other than the city, the resolution shall instruct the public works director to enter into an agreement with the applicant pertaining to the reimbursement district improvements. If the agreement is entered into prior to construction, the agreement shall be contingent upon the improvements being accepted by the city. [See section 3.420(d)(d).] The agreement, at a minimum, shall contain the following provisions:
(a) 
The public improvement(s) shall meet all applicable city standards or comply with specific requirements imposed by the public works director, planning commission, or city council.
(b) 
The total amount of potential reimbursement to the applicant and the basis upon which such reimbursement shall be calculated.
(c) 
The applicant shall agree to provide such security as shall be required under section 3.210.
(d) 
The applicant shall defend, indemnify and hold harmless the city from any and all losses, claims, damage, judgments or other costs of expense arising as a result of or related to the city’s establishment of the district.
(e) 
The city shall collect the reimbursement fee when required under Section 3.660. The applicant shall defend, indemnify and hold harmless the city of all costs involved in the collection of these funds including but not limited to any attorney’s fees for any proceedings brought to enforce or determine the validity of any fee.
(f) 
Other provisions as the city council determines necessary and proper to carry out the provisions of this chapter.
(3) 
If a reimbursement district is established by the city council, the date of the formation of the district shall be the date that the city council adopts the resolution forming the district.
(Section 3.640 added by Ordinance 6230, enacted October 6, 2008)
The city shall notify all property owners within the district and the applicant of the adoption of a reimbursement district resolution. Such notice shall be by ordinary mail to the address of record of such owner. The notice shall include a copy of the resolution and a summary of the report, including a short explanation of when the property owner is obligated to pay the reimbursement fee and the amount of the fee.
(Section 3.645 added by Ordinance 6230, enacted October 6, 2008)
The city recorder shall cause notice of the formation and nature of the reimbursement district to be filed in the office of county records so as to provide notice to potential purchasers of property within the district. The recording shall not create a lien. Failure to make such a recording shall not affect the legality of the resolution or the obligation to pay the reimbursement fee.
(Section 3.650 added by Ordinance 6230, enacted October 6, 2008)
No legal action intended to contest the formation of the district or the reimbursement fee, including the amount of the charge designated for each parcel, shall be filed after 60 days following adoption of a resolution establishing a reimbursement district.
(Section 3.655 added by Ordinance 6230, enacted October 6, 2008)
(1) 
Nothing herein shall require the payment of a reimbursement fee in connection with a permit for ordinary repair and maintenance, nor shall anything herein require the payment of a reimbursement fee if an application is not filed within the time limit established for the reimbursement district.
(2) 
The applicant for a permit related to property within any reimbursement district shall pay to the city, in addition to any other applicable fees and charges, the reimbursement fee established by the council, if within the time specified in the resolution establishing the district, the person applies for and receives approval from the city for any of the following activities:
(a) 
A building permit for a new building;
(b) 
Building permit(s) for any addition(s) of a building, which exceed 25 percent of the value of the building within any 12-month period. The value of the building shall be the amount shown on the most current records of the county department of assessment and taxation for the building’s real market value. This subsection shall not apply to repairs made necessary due to accidental damage to the structure beyond the owner’s control or damage or destruction by fire or other natural disaster;
(c) 
Any alteration, modification or change in the use of real property which:
(i) 
Increases the number of parking spaces required under the Springfield zoning ordinance in effect at the time of permit application,
(ii) 
Increases the demand on the existing stormwater management system, or
(iii) 
Increases the flow or strength of wastewater discharged from the property;
(d) 
Connection to or use of a water improvement, if the reimbursement district is based on the water improvement;
(e) 
Connection to or use of a sewer improvement, if the reimbursement district is based on the water improvement;
(f) 
Connection to or use of a stormwater improvement, if the reimbursement district is based on the stormwater improvement;
(g) 
Connection to or use of a transportation improvement, if the reimbursement district is based on the street improvement;
(h) 
Connection or access to, or use of another infrastructure improvement as set forth by the council in the resolution establishing the reimbursement district.
(3) 
The city’s determination of who shall pay the reimbursement fee is final. Neither the city nor any officer or employee of the city shall be liable for payment of any reimbursement fee or portion thereof as a result of this determination.
(4) 
A permit applicant whose property is subject to payment of a reimbursement fee receives a benefit from the construction of street improvements, regardless of whether access is taken or provided directly onto such street at any time. Nothing in this chapter is intended to modify or limit the authority of the city to provide or require access management.
(5) 
No person shall be required to pay the reimbursement fee on an application or upon property for which the reimbursement fee has been previously paid for the same improvement. A land use approval authorizing the development in question shall not give rise to an obligation to pay the fee; only the issuance of a permit pursuant to such approval within the time limit established for the district shall create such obligation. No permit shall be issued for any of the activities listed in subsection (2) of this section unless the reimbursement fee has been paid in full. Where approval is given as specified in subsection (2) of this section, but if no permit is requested or issued, then the requirement to pay the reimbursement fee lapses if the underlying approval lapses.
(6) 
The date when the right of reimbursement ends shall not extend beyond 20 years from the district formation date, but if the district shall have initially been established for a period of less than 20 years, it may be extended by city council resolution for periods of five years for a total not to exceed 20 years.
(Section 3.660 added by Ordinance 6230, enacted October 6, 2008)
(1) 
The right of reimbursement is assignable and transferable upon 90 days’ written notice delivered to the city advising the city to whom future payments are to be made.
(2) 
The city shall establish separate accounts for each reimbursement district. Upon receipt of a reimbursement fee, the city shall cause a record to be made of that property’s payment and remit the fee to the person who requested establishment of the reimbursement district or their assignee.
(3) 
The reimbursement fee is not intended to replace or limit, and is in addition to any other existing fees or charges collected by the city.
(Section 3.665 added by Ordinance 6230, enacted October 6, 2008)
(1) 
No person may cause, maintain or use a connection to a utility improvement for which a reimbursement district has been established and for which a reimbursement charge is due and payable, unless such charge has first been paid or financed with installment payments.
(2) 
Violation of this section is a civil infraction, punishable by a fine not to exceed $720.00. Each day that a prohibited connection or use exists constitutes a separate violation.
(3) 
The remedies provided under this section are cumulative to any other remedies provided by law.
(Section 3.670 added by Ordinance 6230, enacted October 6, 2008)