Canby council approves comprehensive-plan changes tied to septic policy, awards street contract and advances wastewater-hauling amendment

Canby’s City Council on June 3 adopted a comprehensive-plan amendment that includes a revised Strategy 1.1 on septic systems, approved a $713,812.50 contract for 2026 street maintenance and moved a wastewater-hauling contract amendment to a second reading with an emergency declaration.

The council unanimously adopted ordinance 1670, which revises Strategy 1.1 of the city’s comprehensive plan to address septic systems. City staff (Don) summarized the policy changes: “within city limits, failing septic systems will be required to connect to city sewer. Existing property functioning septic systems will be permitted to remain in use, but connection to city sewer will be encouraged,” and staff said the city will “develop an incentive program for conversion of existing septic systems within the city limits and urban growth boundary.” The staff presentation said detailed code language and any incentive program would return to council as ordinance/code-level proposals.

At the same meeting council also approved ordinance 1673, authorizing the interim city administrator to execute a contract with Roy Hauck Construction LLC for $713,812.50 for the 2026 street maintenance project; staff described the bidder as the lowest responsible bid and outlined summer paving work. The motions to adopt the ordinances were combined and carried on a 5-0 vote.

Separately, staff presented ordinance 1676, the 1st amendment to the personal services agreement with Heard (sometimes transcribed “Herd”) Farms for wastewater sludge hauling services. Staff said the contractor requested a rate increase from $2.25 to $2.40 per unit to cover higher fuel and driver costs, representing an estimated $15,000 additional annual cost; staff noted the contract allows an increase when fuel fluctuates beyond a set threshold. Council moved ordinance 1676 to a second reading on June 17, 2026, declared an emergency and advanced the amendment (vote recorded as carried 5-0).

What the changes mean: the comprehensive-plan text change is a policy-level action; it does not immediately change municipal code but signals council direction. Staff said the comp-plan language will be followed by ordinance/code work that will address implementation details such as timelines for sewer connections tied to annexation or redevelopment and the design of any incentive program. The street contract is a single-project authorization; the wastewater-hauling amendment will return for final action at the June 17 meeting.

Actions at a glance - Ordinance 1670 — Adopt comprehensive plan amendments (including revised Strategy 1.1 on septic systems): motion carried 5-0; staff will return with implementing ordinance/code items and an incentive program framework. - Ordinance 1673 — Authorize interim city administrator to execute contract with Roy Hauck Construction LLC for $713,812.50 (2026 street maintenance): adopted 5-0. - Ordinance 1676 — 1st amendment to personal services agreement with Heard Farms for wastewater sludge hauling (requested rate increase $2.25→$2.40; ~$15,000 estimated increase): moved to 2nd reading 06/17/2026 and emergency declared.

Council and staff next steps include drafting the ordinance/code language to implement the septic-policy changes, developing the proposed incentive program, and returning ordinances to the council for final action as required.