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HomeMy WebLinkAbout12/03/2001 Work Session . . . ''\;, MINUTES OF THE WORK SESSION OF THE SPRINGFIELD CITY COUNCIL HELD ON MONDAY, DECEMBER 3, 2001 The Springfield City Council met in work session at Springfield City Hall, 225 Fifth Street, Springfield, Jesse Maine Meeting Room, on Monday, December 3,2001, at 6:00 p.m., with Mayor Leiken presiding. ATTENDANCE Present were Mayor Leiken, Councilors Ballew, Fitch, Hatfield, Lundberg, Ralston and Simmons. . Also present were City Manager Mike Kelly, Assistant City Manager Gino Grimaldi, City Attorney Joe Leahy, City Attorney Meg Kieran, City Recorder Kim Krebs, and members of staff. 1. Draft Drug Free Ordinance/Draft Prostitution Free Zone Ordinance. Police Chief Jerry Smith and City Attorney Meg Kieran were present for the staff report. Chief Smith said included in the Agenda Item Summary (AIS) is drafts of the proposed Ordinances. Chief Smith reviewed the ordinances, and highlighted the information contained the Council Briefing Memorandum (Attachment A). Chief Smith highlighted the information on Attachment B - Exclusion Zone Ordinances Flow Chart. Chief Smith explained the court process, and the warrant process should the defendant fail to appear. There was discussion regarding the boundaries, and how those boundaries would be determined and set by the City Council. Ms. Kieran said she has requested that the City Surveyor write descriptive boundaries to be included in the final ordinances. Ms. Kieran said there is a two-year review built into the ordinance, and that staff would be able to provide council with an update and status report at the end of one year if they requested. Chief Smith said comparative statistics and findings would be provided at the time of the public hearing, as well as the status report at the end of 12 months. Chief Smith talked about how successful Eugene and Portland have been with the adoption of the ordinance as it relates to the prostitution issue. There was discussion related to the ACLU, and the need to provide them with copies of the proposed ordinances when they are in the final stages in order that they be given an opportunity to review. Ms. Kieran said it is her intent to notify them at the time of public hearing. . . . "'.. Springfield City Council Work Session - December 3,2001 Page - 2 -' There was discussion about the possibility of expanding the boundaries once the ordinances have been in effect, and the successes of the ordinance are known. Councilor Fitch asked if someone has been convicted and excluded can we post their picture on a web site where the merchants can look up and contact the police to alert them that they are back. Ms. Kieran said she did not know ifthat would. be allowed, but would find out and respond back to council. After further discussion, council consensus was to proceed with the public hearing of the ordinances in January 2002, with the understanding once the ordinances are adopted staff would provide a 12 month status report. Council said t,hey would defer to legal counsel's observation as it relates to the boundary areas. Ms. Kieran said she would get back to council with a response to the question of Councilor Fitch. 2. Business License Program. Finance Director Bob Duey, and Development Services Director Cynthia Pappas were present for the staff report. Ms. Pappas circulated a handout Oregon Business Licensing Methodologies. Mr. Duey and Ms. Pappas highlighted the information contained in the AlS. The council discussed the Pros and Cons of implementing a Business License Program. Mr. Duey responded to financial questions ofthe council. Ms. Pappas responded to questions related to the existing business license program that is administered by the Development Services Department currently. She said it raises approximately $43,000 annually and licenses 350 businesses. She said staff assigned to administer the program was eliminated as part of Measure 47/50 cuts and duties were divided among several staff members. Ms. Pappas said a recent survey conducted by the League of Oregon Cities indicates that 47 f 50 cities who responded currently operate a General Business License Program. Ms. Pappas highlighted the list below of the benefits ofa General Business License Program that include, but are not limited to: . Ensure that the City has necessary information to meet both service and regulatory obligations; . Provide a means of disseminating timely data to businesses; . City is in a proactive position to work through issues with businesses prior to businesses making an investment decision; . Elimination of the situation where taxpayers are currently subsidizing definable services that apply only to a subset of the taxpayer population; . Ensures that businesses are operating within appropriate zoning districts; . Provides a tracking mechanism and "hammer" for Police enforcement. .- . . ~ ~" Springfield City Council Work Session - December 3, 2001 Page - 3 Ms. Pappas said the Disbenefits of a General Business LIcense Program include, but are not limited to: . Attempting to generate revenue through a new fee during a "down cycle" economy; . Disincentive for businesses to locate in Springfield by increasing costs; . Perceived as another layer of government regulation. Councilor Fitch said business license fees are not her favorite, however if there can be deemed a service that the businesses receive for ii, it would then serve a purpose. If your going to do business licensing then it should include all business. She said it is important to look at the spirit of why we are doing this. The council discussed the need to spend time and design a purpose of implementing a program such as this. We need to understand what we are trying to accomplish. If a program such as this were implemented, staff must develop a process to keep the information current, such as annual renew by mail, or other options they may develop. Council discussed the need to spend time reviewing and researching with other jurisdictions on what the actual program might look like, what exemptions they may have, and then return to council in the near future with their findings. They said it is important that all of these questions be answered prior to taking to the public. The council concluded the discussion by saying ifthis program can be used as a mechanism for a valuable purpose for the business and the city then they would be supportive. It would not make sense to implement this program if there would be a net loss. Councilor Hatfield said he would bring this issue up at the Chamber Legislative Affairs meeting to see if he can generate some discussion there. He will bring his findings back to the council. City Manager Mike Kelly said a year ago in November we went to the voters for a levy that failed. Because of the Qwest franchise issues as well as higher medical and dental fees, it is anticipate that we will have a $1.5 to $2 million deficit this year. He said we are having trouble balancing the budget. He said there will be three options, cut service, cut service and raise fees, or shifting of resources, and recommend going to the voters. He said the reason staff is presenting this and other issues to the City Council are to see how they feel about different alternatives. He said the Council will see a proposal from the Management Team very soon. Ms. Pappas summarized the direction of the counci1- . Conduct more research; . Follow up with Councilor Hatfield after he holds discussions with the Chamber Committee; . Return to the council in the near future with findings and recommendations.