HomeMy WebLinkAbout03/02/2015 Work SessionCity of Springfield
Work Session Meeting
MINUTES OF THE WORK SESSION MEETING OF
THE SPRINGFIELD CITY COUNCIL HELD
MONDAY, MARCH 2, 2015
The City of Springfield Council met in a work session in the Jesse Maine Meeting Room, 225 Fifth
Street, Springfield, Oregon, on Monday, March 2, 2015 at 5:30 p.m., with Mayor Lundberg presiding.
ATTENDANCE
Present were Mayor Lundberg and Councilors VanGordon, Wylie, Moore, Ralston, Woodrow and
Pishioneri. Also present were Assistant City Manager Jeff Towery, City Attorney Mary Bridget Smith,
City Recorder Amy Sowa and members of the staff.
1. Planning Commission Interviews.
Planning Supervisor Jim Donovan presented the staff report on this item.
Thirteen candidates have applied for Planning Commission vacancies created by Commissioner Joe
Pishioneri's election to the City Council effective November 17, 2014; this position's term expires on
7/31/2018; Stacy Salladay completed her first four (4) year term January 18, 2015 and is not seeking
re -appointment to the Planning Commission, this position's term expires 1/18/2019; Johnny
Kirschenmann completed his second (4) year term February 5, 2015, and is unable to apply for a third
term, this position's term expires February 5, 2019.
Those being interviewed this evening are:
• Thomas L. Jones, 2645 "I" Street, Springfield 97477; Mr. Jones is a Program Manager with
Peace Health River Bend Hospital
• Ronald W. Thompson II, 816 S. 72nd Street, Springfield 97478; Mr. Thompson is an
Aquatics/Water Polo Coach with Sheldon High School and U of O
• John C. DeWenter, 453 Riverview Blvd., Springfield 97477; Mr. DeWenter is a retired
Attorney
• Veronica E. Hennessey, 1469 Parker Street, Springfield 97477; Ms. Hennessey is a Manager
with Weisfield Jewelers
• Andrew W. Landon, 6721 Glacier Drive, Springfield 97478; Mr. Landon is an IT Server and
Storage Analyst with Peace health
• Marvin J. Cosby, 6384 "F" Street, Springfield 97478; Mr. Cosby is an Inspector with Johnson
Crushers International
• Sean R. Dunn, 1216 "Q" Street #2, Springfield 97477; Mr. Dunn is a Mortgage Advisor at
Director's Mortgage
• Michael G. Koivula, 723 Crest Lane, Springfield 97477; Mr. Koivula is a Retired Land
Surveyor
The Springfield Planning Commission is a seven member volunteer Commission appointed by the
City Council. The members serve four-year terms that are staggered to avoid more than two positions
expiring at the same time. Of the seven members, two appointments may live outside the City limits
and two appointments may be involved in the Real estate profession. At present, Commissioner Moe
City of Springfield
Council Work Session Minutes
March 2, 2015
Page 2
lives in the UGB and Commissioner Nelson is in Real Estate. Positions are "at -large", and do not
represent specific geographic areas.
Council Operating Policies and Procedures Section IX, (1) 1.2) states "Springfield's boards,
commissions, committees, and task forces bring together citizen viewpoints which might not otherwise
be heard. Persons of wide-ranging interests who want to participate in public service but not compete
for public office may choose to be involved in advisory boards, commissions, committees and task
forces instead. These bodies also serve as a training ground or stepping stone for qualified persons
who are interested in seeking elected public office. They also help fulfill the goals of the City's
adopted Citizen Involvement Program to have an informed and involved citizenry.
The Council decision on appointments is scheduled for the Regular Meeting Tuesday March 16, 2015.
The Mayor and Council used the same questions that were used during the February 17, 2015
interviews.
1. Why do you want to serve on the Planning Commission? (Mayor Lundberg)
2. How familiar are you with planning laws and policies and the purpose they serve in
Springfield's land use decision making process? If your experience with these laws is limited,
what actions would you take to become familiar with them so that you can participate fully as
a Planning Commissioner? (Councilor Wylie)
3. Many of the land use laws applied by the Planning Commission are state or federal mandates.
During a Planning Commission hearing how would you reconcile your own personal opinions
or support for the applicant's interests if those interests were inconsistent with the land use
laws? (Councilor Moore)
4. What is your general understanding of the relationship between the Planning Commission and
City Staff, and the Planning Commission and the City Council? (Councilor Ralston)
5. What do you think is the proper role for the Planning Commission regarding the revitalization
of downtown? (Councilor Woodrow)
6. Growth, through development of vacant land and redevelopment of underutilized land, is the
single largest source of revenue for the City's property tax supported General Fund. However,
growth does have its share of costs, included new infrastructure and the maintenance in
perpetuity of that infrastructure. As an official representative of the City, please describe your
position on growth and development. (Councilor VanGordon)
7. The economy has been stagnant for the past 3-4 years thwarting the effectiveness of the
Council's economic development goals in general and in the redevelopment of Downtown and
Glenwood in particular. Do you believe the planning commission has a role to play in the
City's economic recovery? Please explain your thinking on this question. (Councilor
Pishioneri)
The Mayor and Councilors introduced themselves to each candidate, and then interviewed the
candidates.
City of Springfield
Council Work Session Minutes
March 2, 2015
Page 3
Mayor Lundberg explained that the Council will be interviewing a total of eleven candidates for three
positions. Once they have completed all of the interviews and have had a chance to deliberate, they
will make their decision and the applicants will be notified shortly after.
Council deliberated on those that had been interviewed at both the November 17 and March 2 work
sessions.
After discussion, Council decided to move forward to appoint the following to the Planning
Commission during the March 16, 2015 regular meeting:
• Sean Dunn
• John DeWenter
• Mike Koivula
Council recommended that staff encourage Mr. Landon to apply for the position on the Development
Advisory Committee that would be vacated by Mr. Koivula.
Council recommended that staff encourage all other applicants to apply for other vacancies on other
City boards, committees and commissions.
ADJOURNMENT
The meeting was adjourned at 7:00 p.m.
Minutes Recorder — Amy Sowa
Christine L. Lundberg U
Mayor
Attest:
6iV4 JCWA—
Amy Sow
City Recorder