OAR 123-042-0038: Criteria for Special Project Funding

The following Development Projects must meet the following requirements: If the Project consists (1) Solely of the acquisition of land by the Municipality, the land must be identified in the applicable land use or capital plan as necessary for a potential Development Project or be zoned solely for commercial or industrial use. A loan for such a Project must be immediately repaid if the land that is acquired through the proceeds of the loan is rezoned so as to be no longer zoned for industrial or commercial use. (2) Of a privately owned railroad, the railroad must be designated by the owner and operator as subject to abandonment within three years, pursuant to federal law governing abandonment of common carrier railroad lines. (3) Of a telecommunications system, the governing body of the Municipality shall adopt a resolution, after a public hearing, finding that the proposed telecommunications system Project is necessary and would not otherwise be provided by a for-profit entity within a reasonable time and for a reasonable cost. (4) Of an energy system, the Municipality and the serving utility must execute an ownership and operating agreement for the proposed energy system Project. This requirement does not apply when the energy system Project will be located within the recognized service territory of the Municipality. (5) Of a Marine Facility Project funded under ORS 777.267, assistance from the Fund can only be a loan that may not exceed the amount of the required local match. (6) Of a Project for a utility system that is functionally connected to, or anticipates connecting to, another Municipality’s utility system, an intergovernmental cooperation agreement that describes the duties and obligations of each entity in regard to the Project and utility system is required. A certified copy of the fully executed intergovernmental agreement must be provided before the Authority will disburse funds. (7) Of a Natural or Green Infrastructure Projects, the Municipality must identify and document the anticipated benefits of the Project, which may include, but are not limited to, contributions to community climate resilience, protection of drinking water sources, improvements in water quality, or floodwater retention.