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Council raises RV sewer dump fee to $20; staff outlines plan for self‑serve dump and water fill station
Summary
The City Council adopted a resolution to raise the RV sewer dump fee from $5 to $20 to cover testing and protect the wastewater plant; staff also presented an informational plan for a self‑serve RV dump and water‑fill station on an industrial-park parcel, with estimated equipment costs of $25,000–$40,000.
The Cottage Grove City Council voted unanimously to amend the comprehensive fee schedule to increase the RV sewer dump charge from $5 to $20, a change staff said is needed to cover mandatory testing and to prevent harmful discharges at the wastewater treatment plant.
"Staff is requesting ... to increase the sewer dump charge fee from $5 to $20 to cover what actual costs for staff to perform mandatory testing and management of the dump station," Director Stewart told the council, citing past incidents in which problematic discharges nearly disabled the treatment process.
Stewart and other staff explained that samples will be tested for pH and other indicators to ensure wastes are within acceptable limits. "We can accept waste as generally within pH from 6.5 to 9 point in that range. And if you fail that test, we're not gonna allow you into the system," Stewart said, explaining why the city cannot absorb testing costs at a lower fee.
Council recorded the motion and roll-call vote at the meeting; the clerk noted Counselor Irvin as the motion maker and Counselor Wilson as the second. The resolution passed unanimously.
Public comment on the proposal included a resident's concern that a $20 fee could encourage illegal dumping into the river. One commenter said a higher fee might push some people to dump waste rather than pay, and Director Stewart acknowledged the concern while stressing the environmental and operational risks of uncontrolled discharges — citing a previous event when a hazardous dump nearly wiped out the treatment plant's biological process.
Informational proposal: self‑serve RV dump and water‑fill station
Director Stewart presented an informational plan to develop a self‑serve RV dump and a water fill station on parcel #600 in the industrial park. The proposed site could host a self‑serve dump that operates 24 hours and would reduce staff time required at the city shop. Stewart estimated equipment costs for a self‑serve water distribution or dump facility could range from about $25,000 to $40,000 plus paving and site work; final costs will depend on design and bids.
Councilors generally supported the idea as a way to serve travelers and local needs; Councilor Irvin suggested exploring reduced-cost reclaimed (nonpotable) water options for irrigation, and Councilor Wilson recommended partnership with local businesses for potential operations or expansion. Stewart said staff would begin site planning with an engineering firm and return with design and cost information and that the council would later consider a resolution to award construction bids and allocate funds.
Votes at a glance
- Consent agenda (annual liquor license renewals): approved unanimously. - Resolution amending comprehensive fee schedule (RV sewer dump fee from $5 to $20): approved unanimously.
The fee increase is effective per the adopted amendment; staff will report back with site plans and funding options if the council chooses to proceed with the industrial-park self‑serve facility.
