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HomeMy WebLinkAbout06/02/2014 RegularCity of Springfield Regular Meeting MINUTES OF THE REGULAR MEETING OF THE SPRINGFIELD CITY COUNCIL HELD MONDAY JUNE 2, 2014 The City of Springfield Council met in regular session in the Council Chambers, 225 Fifth Street, Springfield, Oregon, on Monday June 2, 2014 at 7:00 p.m., with Mayor Lundberg presiding. ATTENDANCE Present were Mayor Lundberg and Councilors Wylie, Moore, Ralston, Woodrow and Brew. Also present were City Manager Gino Grimaldi, Assistant City Manager Jeff Towery, City Attorney Mary Bridget Smith, City Recorder Amy Sowa and members of the staff. Councilor VanGordon was absent (excused). PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE The Pledge of Allegiance was led by Mayor Lundberg. SPRINGFIELD UPBEAT CONSENT CALENDAR I. Claims 2. Minutes 3. Resolutions 4. Ordinances 5. Other Routine Matters a. Approval of Liquor License Endorsement for Eirinn's Bistro located at 639 West Centennial Blvd, Springfield, OR. b. Approval of Liquor License Endorsement for Wholesale Market, Located at 651 W. Centennial Blvd, Springfield, OR. c. Approve the Subject Contact with Oregon Office of Emergency Management and Authorize the City Manager to Execute the Contract on Behalf of the City of Springfield. d. Approve the IGA with LCOG for the Comcast Review Contract and Authorize the City Manager to Execute the IGA on Behalf of the City of Springfield. IT WAS MOVED BY COUNCILOR WYLIE WITH A SECOND BY COUNCILOR WOODROW TO APPROVE THE CONSENT CALENDAR. THE MOTION PASSED WITH A VOTE OF 5 FOR AND 0 AGAINST (1 ABSENT — VANGORDON). ITEMS REMOVED City of Springfield Council Regular Meeting Minutes June 2,2014 Page 2 PUBLIC HEARINGS - Please limit comments to 3 minutes. Request to speak cards are available at both entrances. Please present cards to City Recorder. Speakers may not yield their time to others. 1. Supplemental Budget Resolution RESOLUTION NO 2014 -15 —A RESOLUTION ADJUSTING RESOURCES AND REQUIREMENTS IN THE FOLLOWING FUNDS: GENERAL, STREET, SPECIAL REVENUE, TRANSIENT ROOM TAX, COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENT, FIRE LOCAL OPTION LEVY, SANITARY SEWER CAPITAL, DEVELOPMENT ASSESSMENT CAPITAL, DEVELOPMENT PROJECTS, STORM DRAINAGE CAPITAL, STREET CAPITAL, STORM DRAINAGE IMPROVEMENT SDC, STORM DRAINAGE REIMBURSEMENT SDC, SANITARY SEWER REIMBURSEMENT SDC, SANITARY SEWER IMPROVEMENT SDC, SDC TRANSPORTATION REIMBURSEMENT, SDC TRANSPORTATION IMPROVEMENT, AMBULANCE, BOOTH - KELLY, EJSURANCE, AND VEHICLE & EQUIPMENT FUNDS. Finance Director Bob Duey presented the staff report on this item. At various times during the fiscal year the Council is requested to adjustments the annual budget to reflect needed changes in planned activities, to recognize new revenues, or to make other required changes. These adjustments to resources and requirements change the current budget and are processed through supplemental budget requests scheduled by the Finance Department on an annual basis. This is the final of four scheduled FY 14 supplemental budget requests to come before Council. The supplemental budget being presented includes adjusting resources and requirements in: General, Street, Special Revenue, Transient Room Tax, Community Development, Fire Local Option Levy, Sanitary Sewer Capital, Development Assessment Capital, Development Projects, Storm Drainage Capital, Street Capital, Storm Drainage Improvement SDC, Storm Drainage Reimbursement SDC, Sanitary Sewer Reimbursement SDC, Sanitary Sewer Improvement SDC, SDC Transportation Reimbursement, SDC Transportation Improvement, Ambulance, Booth - Kelly, Insurance, and Vehicle & Equipment Funds. The City Council is asked to approve the attached Supplemental Budget Resolution. The overall financial impact of the Supplemental Budget Resolution is to increase Operating Expenditures of $602,858, increase in Capital Projects $891,822, increase in Debt Services $16,690 and increase in inter -fund transfers of $113,172. These are offset by decrease in reserves $860,807, and changes in resources $763,735. Mr. Duey covered the highlights of the changes. Mayor Lundberg opened the public hearing. No one appeared to speak. Mayor Lundberg closed the public hearing. IT WAS MOVED BY COUNCILOR WYLIE WITH A SECOND BY COUNCILOR WOODROW TO APPROVE THE RESOLUTION NO. 2014 -15. THE MOTION PASSED WITH A VOTE OF 5 FOR AND 0 AGAINST (1 ABSENT — VANGORDON). City of Springfield Council Regular Meeting Minutes June 2, 2014 Page 3 BUSINESS FROM THE AUDIENCE Erin Smith, Springfield, OR Ms. Smith had requested prior to the meeting to have five minutes to speak. She said when they purchased their home in 2001, it became obvious from the high level of traffic that there was a drug house across the street. Things began to get a lot worse in the Spring of 2013 with domestic fights between the residents. The first week of May, the Police were called twice because of loud fights and on May 8, one of the residents crashed her vehicle through the closed door of the garage, hit another neighbor's car, and drove away. She was later arrested for misdemeanor hit - and -run with property damage and reckless driving. She spent 13 days in jail and apologized to Ms. Smith's husband. The neighbor, whose car was damaged, had to pay a $300 deductible for repairs to his vehicle. She and the neighbor later spoke with Tana Steer in Police who explained the type of offenses that had to occur and the timeline for the abatement ordinance. They didn't hear back from her until they visited her office on May 22 of this year. There were several other instances that occurred over the last year on the property. Over the past year, Police have responded to calls to the house more than 20 times. The residents have been arrested for burglary, disorderly conduct, assault, possession of methamphetamines, delivery of methamphetamines, and possession of a restricted weapon in the last twelve months. In most of the cases, they were out of jail in less than 24 hours. There were countless times when officers came to the residence, but the residents would not answer the door. If there would have been an arrest for disorderly conduct or criminal mischief at that time, they could have possible had the numbers needed for the abatement last summer instead of starting the whole process now. Two weeks ago, the amount of bicycle traffic at the residence was at an all -time high. On the morning of Friday, May 16, she and her son were heading to the school when they witnessed an argument between several subjects in the street and on the lawn at the residence. Her son asked if "they were doing bad stuff over there again ? ". She reassured him everything would be o.k. and that he was safe, but she didn't know that for certain. On Monday, May 19, they heard shouting outside around 11:00 p.m. and witnessed through the window and security cameras a brawl in the neighbor's yard and in the street involving four to five individuals. By the time Police arrived, everyone had disbursed. At that time, they felt they no longer had any options but to remove their son from this dangerous situation. On Thursday, May 22 while volunteering at the Maple Elementary School library, her husband called to tell her there had been a major drug raid across the street. He spoke with a Springfield police officer who assured him they had a solid case this time. A State officer told her husband that he had checked and there was no record of them contacting the abatement office in the past. They hoped that the residences would be incarcerated at least until the following Tuesday for an arraignment, followed by a longer jail sentence, but that was not the case. While the resident was at the Lane County Jail, people continued to come to his house and pound on the door, even at 2:30 a.m. There was a man going in and out of the back yard, taunting neighbors from across the street, and another man sitting in the garage with the door open looking like he was there to stay. That was when her husband decided to put up signs in the yard saying there was a meth house across the street and they needed help. Several other neighbors had placed signs in their yards, too. Since then, neighbors had all talked and they all supported what they were doing. They received cards and gifts from complete strangers and a young woman drove from Junction City to tell them she supported what they were doing and asked how she could help. She wanted the city to know this had taken a huge toll on their family. The number of arrests on the record was only part of the story. During these arrests their family witnessed police storming the resident's house. They asked the City and Police to do what was in their power to support safe neighborhoods. City of Springfield Council Regular Meeting Minutes June 2, 2014 Page 4 2. Rick Gregg, Springfield, OR. Mr. Gregg said he lives on 18`h Street. His home was behind the residence being discussed so he didn't see a lot of what went on, but now has security cameras because his neighbors are afraid. There had been people that showed guns on their street. The City needs to back up the neighbors and strengthen public safety by leveraging partnerships and resources. They are calling the Police like they are supposed to, but they are expecting the City to do something. This is not just happening in his neighborhood and they will need some tool from the City to help this situation. They don't want a situation where the citizens take over because that's not healthy for the rest of the City. He has grandchildren that should be able to play in his yard so they need to figure out with the City Attorney what can be done. Don Smith, Springfield, OR. Mr. Smith said he lives on 18" Street across from the problem house. He has lived in that neighborhood for nearly 40 years. It had always been a good neighborhood until the last few years when the tenants moved in across the street. His grandson won't play outside if the neighbors are there. It's not right that one house and one person can hold the community hostage. The neighbors are trying to do what they can, but they have to have the City help. The Springfield Police Department is great and does what they can. They had been to the house 50 times since 2010, but there had been twice as many instances that hadn't been called to the Police. He discussed the fighting and yelling from the neighbors. He had read over the information on what can be done to get rid of people like that, and he hoped the Council could use their persuasive powers to bring this to an end. 4. Riley Smith, Springfield, OR. Mr. Smith said these were his neighbors who were upset and angry and at the end of the process. He had looked over the abatement law and although it was fine, there was room for changes. He didn't think there should be a start or end date for justice, and felt the City Attorney should look into making this a retroactive process. It was frustrating that the neighbors had been asking for help for years, and now had to go through the process starting now. It is too late for many of the neighbors. The kids in the neighborhood don't have a year to wait for more arrests per the policy. The law was a little short- coming of what was needed to serve the community. It would serve the community well if they could amend it to make it retroactive 3 months, 6 months or a year. There were many other neighborhoods in Springfield and surrounding communities facing the same issues. Springfield had a standard of looking out for its citizens and now is the time to make sure that happens. Ronald En lg and, Springfield, OR. Mr. England said he lives on 18`h Street directly behind the house being discussed. He had a view from the back of the house that others didn't have. There was a lot of activity that went on at this house He has a 13 -year old son that he was concerned about walking to his grandmother's house just 6 houses away. The neighbors (in the house being discussed) intimidated them, as well as the customers who visit the house. The neighborhood has suffered through this for a long time and they are discouraged about the inability of the Springfield Police to act on anything that is a felony and can only hold people on misdemeanors. He had called the Police many times, yet the neighbor from the subject house always shows back up. The Police are doing everything they can, but this person knows how to use the system. He felt the City needed to look at the abatement process, and look back to all other arrests and calls made by the neighbors. 6. Jim Walls, Springfield, OR. Mr. Walls said he lived on Tyson Lane and has a different circumstance. He moved here from California in 1996, and is currently a business owner in this community. He had seen this happen before where property values drop due to this type of situation. He is interested to see what Springfield will do for these neighbors. He felt they didn't want to let things go rampant like it did in California. Springfield is a great city. He has City of Springfield Council Regular Meeting Minutes June 2, 2014 Page 5 invested here with his business. He said an employee of his said this type of thing happened and they needed to deal with it. He has done some research and these are good honest people (testifying). He asked the Council to please do something or he would pull his business from the City. Paul Varella, Quarry in Eugene, OR. He said many of these neighbors are his friends. He installs security cameras and these are the only residential installs he has ever done. They are very expensive and he feels homeowners should not need to install security systems in their homes. Their home values are going down, Police costs are going up for calls made, and the City has the ability to remove the problem neighbor from the house. Other homes that are empty due to foreclosure are also being used and those details will be provided to the City. Another tool at the City's disposal is eminent domain, or the threat of eminent domain under certain conditions. He asked the City to send those letters to the banks to clean them up. The individual who lives at the house is a cancer in the community and needs to be removed. Mayor Lundberg said she had one more speaker from Business from the Audience, but she asked that they wait to give Council time to address this topic. Mayor Lundberg said she used to live in that neighborhood many years ago. The nuisance ordinance was first developed in the early 1990's because of a house in that neighborhood. The Springfield Community Development Corporation was created and went into neighborhoods, cleaned them up and even bought a drug house and resold it. The house that was the biggest concern was very scary and they started the nuisance ordinance for this very situation. She knows the frustration those testifying have. The best thing they can do is to call their councilors and Mayor right away. Police and City staff can only do as much as they can, but it is pressure from the elected officials that sometimes can move things along. Because this situation is a homeowner, it has to be addressed in a specific manner in order to be effective and may take some time. She helped to get the nuisance ordinance written before she was on the Council. It will take all of us working together, which is how it is supposed to work with people coming to Council so they can figure out a community solution. She appreciated everyone coming to the Council. She asked Chief Doney to come forward to address some of the responses currently in place. Chief Doney said he understand that this neighborhood is in turmoil. He had lived in similar neighborhoods in his life. The Police Department recognizes that for every phone call to the Police Department requesting assistance, there are two or three incidents that occur when no one calls. He was encouraged by the group of people that were taking charge of the neighborhood. That was one of the reasons he chose to move to Springfield. There is a lot of good that can come out of this and the law abiding citizen will come out on top. There is a process in place — the Chronic Disorderly Property ordinance — which is similar to ordinances in other cities. The Police Department had looked at ordinances from at least eight like -sized or larger cities in Oregon and they were all very similar. Some cities had different predicate offenses that Springfield might be able to add to our City ordinance that would make it better. There are also some cities that are not as strict as the City of Springfield. He felt they could look at the ordinance, in consultation with the public, City Attorney's office and City Council. He is sorry this situation had gotten to the point where the neighbors had to come to a City Council meeting to express their concerns. He is proud to be working with this group of citizens that care, and there is a light at the end of the tunnel. Chief Doney said the Police Department has responded to this neighborhood at least twenty-four times in the last twelve months. Most of those involved cases that disrupted the neighborhood, but did not involve a predicate offense that would count towards this particular ordinance. Police response in that neighborhood should not be disregarded. There were a number of predicate offenses that did rise to the level, but didn't fall within the 30 or 60 -day timeline outlined in the City ordinance. The incident at City of Springfield Council Regular Meeting Minutes June 2, 2014 Page 6 hand happened last week and included a number of offenses that were alleged and would give the Police the ability to consider this a chronic disorderly property. They were, however, all from one incident. In consultation with the City Attorney's Office, Police sent a first -step letter to the homeowner on Friday, May 30 and received on Saturday, May 31. Chief Doney has also spoken with at least one family member of the resident, but not the resident. The resident has ten days to contact the Chiefs office. Chief Doney has talked with several of the neighbors and discussed the possibility of forming a Neighborhood Watch Program, and fifteen families had signed up so far. The Police Department made another arrest associated with that home last week. In addition, they had officers doing extra patrols in that neighborhood. Chief Doney said next steps include a stronger presence of the Springfield Police Department in their neighborhood, working with the neighbors in the Neighborhood Watch Program, and comparing ordinances with those in other cities to try to tighten them up to be more effective. The Police Department is also transitioning to a new computer system that will allow them to write a computer program to help flag certain addresses that Police respond to, coming right to the attention of appropriate staff. Councilor Moore asked if there was anything Police could do about the drug traffic in and around the house. Chief Doney said there was a search warrant served last week and two arrests were made. He noted that the Springfield Police could arrest people on misdemeanors or felonies, but the Springfield Jail held only misdemeanor inmates. Due to space limitations at the Lane County Jail, those arrested with felonies were back out on the street in a short period of time. Councilor Moore asked what other neighbors or the Police could do in other neighborhoods if they suspect drug traffic going on in a house. Chief Doney said people do report those instances to the Police Department often. Patrol officers are then notified so they can pay attention to the activity at those homes, as well as the traffic going to and from the house. They can go to the home and ask to search the house, but if not permitted can sometimes develop probable cause to get a search warrant. Good police work went into this case on 18" Street to get search warrant. Councilor Brew thanked everyone for coming and testifying. He hoped we could raise the bar in Springfield. It's great to know what other cities do, but he would like to do better. He would like to see how they could address this type of situation and find a way to initiate the process once they determine a certain number of calls have been made on a particular residence. He is a strong believer in property rights and that people can live their life in their own home, but twenty Police visits is an indicator of wrong - doing. When they discussed building the jail, it was noted that although they couldn't house people charged for a felony, often times the same arrest included a misdemeanor charge allowing Springfield to keep them in jail. He asked if they were able to do that. Chief Doney said Springfield worked cooperatively with the prosecutor, both at the City level and the State level to keep the citizens of Springfield safe. Sometimes that involved being creative in how they handled cases, while still taking into account the rights of all individuals including those that are alleged to have committed a crime. City of Springfield Council Regular Meeting Minutes June 2, 2014 Page 7 Councilor Woodrow thanked everyone for coming. One thing that makes Springfield a community is the ability for the citizens to express themselves to the Council. She asked about the time frame regarding action being taken in this neighborhood. Chief Doney said the property owner has 10 days to respond to the letter that was just sent. At that point, they are afforded the opportunity to offer some mitigating circumstances and/or plans in how to abate the nuisance. Sometimes that works, and sometimes it doesn't. The neighborhood could expect to see a lot of Springfield Police Department activity in their neighborhood. He has kids and grandkids himself, and doesn't like to hear there are people afraid to let their kids play outside. There will be plenty of police activity and pressure on the neighbor. Councilor Woodrow said she would like to see ideas of how to tighten our ordinance and allow a longer time frame. Chief Doney said there will be other neighborhoods with this problem, and he didn't want to see them endure it for 14 years. Councilor Wylie thanked Chief Doney and the speakers. She congratulated them for standing together. She is surprised because the Council hadn't heard anything about this until now, but is hearing them now. It is going to take some time to get the pieces together. They didn't want to have a neighborhood where kids can't walk down the street and feel comfortable. Council will work with staff, the City Attorney's Office and the Police Department to determine what can be done. She urged them to contact the County about the jail that was supposed to keep felons in the jail. There is a fine line between protecting people's rights and protecting people. Mayor Lundberg said they did the best thing in creating a Neighborhood Watch group. She had also served as the community outreach person for Willamalane and went out with the Police Department to try to help people keep their neighborhoods safe. An effective neighborhood group helped the Police to better do their job by providing evidence. She thanked Chief Doney for having the Police Department work on this situation. Councilor Ralston said he knew how frustrating this is for the neighbors. If it was him, he would take pictures of the neighbor's clients, although it could push them somewhere else. The neighbors need to gather the evidence and provide identification and license plate numbers to the police. Mayor Lundberg said they would look at the City's current ordinance to see if there were other things they could do, and get any changes on the agenda before summer break with an emergency clause so it would go into effect immediately. Once those changes are made to tighten up the ordinance, she wants to publicize it so other neighborhoods knew about the tools available to them. It does take some time to get this back and get approval, but they will try to get through this as soon as possible. She asked Chief Doney to come back to Council with a report before July 21 when summer break starts on how things are going in the neighborhood. 8. Steve Moe, Glenwood, OR. Mr. Moe said he lives in Glenwood and they have had a similar situation with a neighbor, but it took time to make progress because the neighbor also has rights. Mr. Moe served on the committee to improve downtown. When he was in Australia, he took pictures of the crosswalk treatments. He would like to see some intersections in Springfield consider this type of treatment in downtown. It would bring the crossings to everyone's attention. City of Springfield Council Regular Meeting Minutes June 2, 2014 Page 8 Mayor noted that Council had seen other artistic treatments for intersection crossings. COUNCIL RESPONSE CORRESPONDENCE AND PETITIONS BIDS ORDINANCES 1. Code Amendments —Elections. ORDINANCE NO. 1 —AN ORDINANCE AMENDING SPRINGFIELD MUNICIPAL CODE SECTIONS 2.205 "DEFINITIONS ", 2.215 "NOMINATIONS FOR ELECTIVE OFFICE ". 2.235 "TIME FOR FILING PETITIONS ". AND 2.270 "DISTRIBUTION OF VOTERS PAMPHLETS" City Recorder, Amy Sown, presented the staff report on this item. Updates to the Springfield Municipal Code are needed to update definitions, add language clarifying the requirements for gathering of signatures, address ORS 250.265(7) regarding time allowed for gathering signatures for an Initiative Petition in the City, and allow the City to provide an online Voters' Guide. The City Attorney's office suggests adding language that makes clear the requirements for gathering signatures for nomination for elective office. That additional language is being proposed under SMC Section 2.215(2) "Nominations for Elective Office ". In 2009, ORS 250.265(7) was amended to limit the amount of time a petitioner could have to gather signatures for an Initiative Petition to two years. The amendment to bring SMC in compliance with State Statute is proposed under SMC Section 2.235(2) "Time for Filing Petitions ". One of Council's Goals is to provide an online Voters' Guide for local elections including City of Springfield, Springfield Utility Board, Springfield Public Schools, and Willamalane Parks and Recreation District candidates and measures. Amendments to SMC Section 2.270 "Distribution of Voters' Pamphlet" are being proposed to allow the City to create that type of guide. To address language in the above amendments and elsewhere in Chapter 2, appropriate definitions have been added to SMC Section 2.205 "Definitions ". Ms. Sowa pointed out a spelling error under Section 2(4) which would be changed before the final ordinance was adopted. She described clarifications that would be made regarding definitions for Elective Officers and Candidate. No action is requested as this is a first reading. 2. Springfield Fire Code, 2014 Edition. ORDINANCE NO. 2 — AN ORDINANCE ADOPTING A FIRE CODE FOR THE CITY OF SPRINGFIELD BY ADOPTING, AMENDING, ADDING AND DELETING SECTIONS TO THE STATE OF OREGON 2014 FIRE CODE AMENDMENTS REGULATING AND City of Springfield Council Regular Meeting Minutes June 2, 2014 Page 9 GOVERNING THE SAFEGUARDING OF LIFE AND PROPERTY FROM FIRE AND EXPLOSION HAZARDS ARISING FROM THE STORAGE HANDLING AND USE OF HAZARDOUS SUBSTANCES MATERIAL AND DEVICES, AND FROM CONDITIONS HAZARDOUS TO LIFE OR PROPERTY IN THE OCCUPANCY OF BUILDINGS AND PREMISES AS HEREIN PROVIDED: PROVIDING FOR THE ISSUANCE OF PERMITS AND COLLECTION OF FEES THEREFORE: AND REPEALING ORDINANCE NO. 6257 ADOPTED JUNE 21 ST OF 2010 BY THE CITY OF SPRINGFIELD. Fire Marshal, Al Gerard, presented the staff report on this item. The Fire Code adopted by the city must be consistent with State Fire Protection Statutes, and equal to or more stringent than the Fire Code promulgated by the State Fire Marshal. The State Fire Marshal has adopted the 2014 Edition of the International Fire Code with an effective date of July 1, 2014. The Department of Fire & Life Safety is currently enforcing the 2010 Edition of the International Fire Code with Oregon and Springfield Amendments. Adoption of the 2014 Edition of the International Fire Code with Amendments will enable the Department of Fire & Life Safety to provide a high level of fire safety protection within the City. This Ordinance shall take effect July 1, 2014 upon its adoption by the Council and approval by the Mayor so that the City of Springfield Fire Code is compliant with the State of Oregon 2014 Fire Code Amendments which become effective July 1, 2014. Replacement of International Fire Code books have totaled approximately $1800 spent out of the FY13 -14 budget. Items to Note: • The 2014 Oregon Fire Code has been completely reorganized to make it easier for its users. • Traffic calming devices are prohibited unless approved by the Fire Code Official • Emergency responder radio coverage requirements have become further clarified • Emergency lighting testing and maintenance requirements are now in the fire code. No action is requested as a third reading will be held on June 16, 2014. 3. Springfield Municipal Code Amendment Removing `Uniform' in Reference to the Fire Code. ORDINANCE NO. 3. — AN ORDINANCE AMENDING SPRINGFIELD MUNICIPAL CODE SECTIONS 2.568(2)(c), 4.418(4), 5.604(l)(e), AND 7.352(7)(c) TO ALIGN WITH THE CURRENT FIRE CODE LANGUAGE ADOPTED BY THE CITY. (FIRST READING). Fire Marshal, Al Gerard, presented the staff report on this item. This is an administrative change to delete the word `uniform' from the City of Springfield Municipal Code Sections 2.568(2)(c), 4.418(4), 5.604(1)(e), and 7.352(7)(c) to align with the current fire code language adopted by the city. This is the first reading of this proposed ordinance. The word `uniform' has been eliminated from the State of Oregon Fire Code and the City of Springfield Fire Code as adopted. This is an administrative change to align the City of Springfield Municipal Code with current Fire Code language. City of Springfield Council Regular Meeting Minutes June 2, 2014 Page 10 The International Conference of Building Officials (ICBO) changed the name of its organization to the International Code Council (IC C). The ICC is the group that promulgates model ordinances for building and regulatory industry. The Fire Code is no longer referenced as the "Uniform Fire Code." This ordinance will remove the word "uniform" from the applicable sections of the Municipal Code. No action is requested as this is a first reading BUSINESS FROM THE CITY COUNCIL 1. Councilor Woodrow said the pedestrian crossings at Main and 35`h and Main and 41" had gotten their final sign -off. They would be going out to bid on June 6, with construction anticipated the beginning of August. Both of these projects involved a lot of hard work with the business owners and it is exciting to know there will be two more crossings on Main Street by the end of the summer. Little by little they are creating better safety on Main Street. The more crossings in place, the more alert both drivers and pedestrians become. The crossings would be as uniform as possible to be recognizable to everyone driving and crossing Main Street. It had taken a lot of work and staff time, and it was exciting to see the two additional crossings. Mayor Lundberg asked when the public safety announcement (PSA) would be going out about what the crossing lights mean. City Manager Gino Grimaldi said Public Works staff was working on some new videos that would be produced in -house and would be distributed as soon as they are done. Mayor Lundberg said she wanted to take the guesswork out of how vehicles and pedestrians should use the crossings, and make them more effective. PSA's can be put on TV at no cost. 2. Mayor Lundberg said letters were at their places from the Oregon Transportation Commission (OTC) and asked if the Council would be supportive of sending a letter for T4 America (Transportation for America). The OTC is lobbying for funding our trust fund for transportation at the National level which is due to run out of money in October. The State is in dire straits of how to fund anything, particularly maintenance and repairs, as well as enhancements. The lists are started years in advance to get the highway projects onto them, knowing they would eventually be funded. That may not be the case, however, so is becoming critical. They are going to look at different ways to come up with funding. Councilor Moore said she and Councilor Woodrow attended the grand opening of the new Native American Educational Facility at the end of Dos Rios /Two Rivers Elementary. It is a great facility and program. Councilor Woodrow said she had a friend who is a member of the Grand Ronde who has a grandson who attends school in Pleasant Hill. This Native American Educational Facility is not restricted to Springfield schools, but is open to her grandson as well. There are many resources for students to take advantage of. 4. Mayor Lundberg said she attend the Huerta de la Familia event at SPROUT and judged the salsa tasting contest. Although she does not do well with spicy foods, she got through all fifteen salsas and had a great time. BUSINESS FROM THE CITY MANAGER City of Springfield Council Regular Meeting Minutes June 2, 2014 Page I1 1. Electronic- Commerce Zone Preparedness. RESOLUTION NO. 2014 -16 — A RESOLUTION OF SPRINGFIELD REQUESTING THAT THE SPRINGFIELD COMMUNITY ENTERPRISE ZONE BE DESIGNATED FOR ELECTRONIC COMMERCE AND AUTHORIZING THE SPRINGFIELD CITY MANAGER TO SUBMIT THIS RESOLUTION TO THE STATE OF OREGON FOR APPROVAL UPON A FIRM'S INTEREST IN LOCATING SUITABLE FACILITIES IN SPRINGFIELD Community Development Manager, John Tamulonis, presented the staff report on this item When Springfield extended the Enterprise Zone in 2011 Springfield was considering other permutations to sponsorship and development areas to include in the application sent to the State of Oregon for consideration. Not requested, at that low point of the recession, was adding an electronic zone for those firms primarily using the internet for commercial activities that might consider locating in Springfield. With the economy improving Springfield should consider passing a resolution indicating Springfield's interest in having an E -Zone added to the local incentive package available to firms and allowing the City Manager to present the Council's request for designation to the State of Oregon upon a suitable firm's expressing interest in locating here. Oregon has five e- commerce zones to designate and Springfield could be a prime location for a variety of call centers given the range of such facilities now in our community. The `e- commerce' zone has only a small, if any, local effect (related to the minimum value of exempt property for Enterprise -Zone eligible firms) and provides for eligible firms making capital investments and doing transactions on the internet or intemet -based computer a credit equal to 25% of the capital investment made in a year against the business's annual state income or corporate excise tax liability (maximum $2 million credit in a year and unused credits may be carried forward over the next five years). Mr. Tamulonis said there were several companies interested in coming into our area. Mayor Lundberg asked if it was an extra component to the Enterprise Zone. Mr. Tamulonis said that was correct. An Enterprise Zone had to be in place first and the firm would have to be within the designated area, and could be eligible for Enterprise Zone benefits. He further explained the advantages to businesses. IT WAS MOVED BY COUNCILOR WYLIE WITH A SECOND BY COUNCILOR WOODROW TO ADOPT RESOLUTION NO. 2014 -16. THE MOTION PASSED WITH A VOTE OF 5 FOR AND 0 AGAINST (I ABSENT — VANGORDON). BUSINESS FROM THE CITY ATTORNEY City Attorney Mary Bridget said she would look at the nuisance abatement ordinance, see what other cities are doing, and what might work for the City. She did consult with Chief Doney about the warning letter sent to the property on 18 s Street and provided conservative advice to make sure we were effective if they needed to abate and go to Circuit Court to shut the property down. Councilor Ralston asked if there was a way to retroactively go back City of Springfield Council Regular Meeting Minutes June 2, 2014 Page 12 Ms. Smith said she was not sure if they could do that for this particular property, but they may be able to look at those time frames and make a change in the ordinance. They will also look at the types of offenses that would be problematic. She will reach out to other City Attorneys as well. ADJOURNMENT The meeting was adjourned 8:12 p.m. Minutes Recorder Amy Sowa Christine L. Lundberg Mayor Attest: i/.. a SMA , -.1