HomeMy WebLinkAbout07/06/2015 Work SessionCity of Springfield
Work Session Meeting
MINUTES OF THE WORK SESSION MEETING OF
THE SPRINGFIELD CITY COUNCIL HELD
MONDAY JULY 6, 2015
The City of Springfield Council met in a work session in the Jesse Maine Meeting Room, 225 Fifth
Street, Springfield, Oregon, on Monday July 6, 2015 at 6:02 p.m., with Mayor Lundberg presiding.
ATTENDANCE
Present were Mayor Lundberg and Councilors VanGordon, Moore, Ralston, Woodrow and Pishioneri.
Also present were City Manager Gino Grimaldi, Assistant City Manager Jeff Towery, City Attorney
Mary Bridget Smith, Assistant City Attorney Lauren King, City Recorder Amy Sowa and members of
the staff.
Councilor Wylie was absent (excused).
1. Springfield Police Advisory Committee (SPAC) Interviews.
Michael Harman, Services Bureau Manager, presented the staff report on this item.
The Springfield Police Advisory Committee has two open positions available, one for a representative
of the minority community and one for a representative of the faith community. There are no current
incumbents eligible for either position.
The Committee received twelve applications for the two open positions: seven for the faith
community position and five for the minority community position. Two applicants were unable to
attend the scheduled interview session. The remaining ten applicants were interviewed on June 25,
2015 by a subcommittee consisting of Isa Aviad (At -Large), Michelle Khanthanhot (Business) and
Jack Martin (At -Large). The subcommittee reports that this was a very strong pool of applicants. For
the Faith Community representative, the subcommittee recommends that Scott Chase and Mitham
Clement be interviewed further by the Council, with a preference toward Mr. Chase by the
subcommittee. For the Minority Community representative, the subcommittee recommends that Jose
da Silva and Silvia Ceja be interviewed further by the Council, with no strong preference by the
subcommittee.
The Council chose the questions they would ask of the applicants.
Why do you want to serve on the Springfield Police Advisory Committee? (Mayor Lundberg)
What concerns or suggestions do you have for our community? (Councilor Moore)
What do you enjoy about the City of Springfield? (Councilor VanGordon)
What perspective and experience will you bring to the Police Advisory Committee?
(Councilor Woodrow)
In your opinion, where do you think the Springfield Police Department could improve the
most? (Councilor Pishioneri)
How do you think our City will change over the next 10 years? (Councilor Ralston)
The Council introduced themselves to the applicants. They interviewed Scott Chase, Mitham Clement,
and Silvia Ceje. Jose da Silva was unable to attend tonight's meeting so would be interviewed during
the July 13, 2015 work session.
The Mayor asked if the applicants had questions of the Council.
Mr. Chase asked what the Council liked about Springfield.
City of Springfield
Council Work Session Minutes
July 6, 2015
Page 2
Mr. Clement had no questions, but thanked the Council for their service.
Ms. Ceja had no questions, but commented that the meetings with other services agencies she attends
do not have a Police representative. She feels it would be important to have a Police representative.
Council discussed the applicants and their qualifications. Because they still need to interview one of
the minority community representative positions, they chose to wait until they can interview the
second applicant before making the decision for that position.
Councilor Ralston expressed concern regarding two of the applicants.
Council chose to appoint Scott Chase for the faith -based representative.
2. 2016 TEAM Springfield Budget.
Gino Grimaldi, City Manager, presented the staff report on this item.
TEAM Springfield is in the process of preparing its 2016 Budget. Mayor Lundberg has requested City
Council input regarding the 2016 proposed budget.
Each year the four TEAM Springfield agencies (Willamalane, School District 19, Springfield Utility
Board, and the City of Springfield) allocate $20,000 each totaling $80,000 for projects and activities
intended to benefit the Springfield Community. The proposed budget maintains funding for Police
Bicycle Patrol in the Downtown/Island Park area ($29,000); partial funding of the Gift of Literacy
Program ($5,000); partial funding for the Light of Liberty Celebration ($4,000); funding for other
community events to be determined ($6,000); funding for the TEAM Springfield Newsletter
($15,000); and $1,000 for bus transportation for 8"' Grade Field trips to businesses for the purpose of
exposing youth to a variety of career opportunities. The proposed budget contains $20,000 for other
projects and opportunities to be determined at a later date. Should the fiscal year end without
expending all of the funds, each agency retains its proportional share of those funds.
The City of Springfield's Fiscal Year 2016 contains the City's $20,000 contribution towards TEAM
Springfield projects.
Mayor Lundberg said she had wanted the Council to see the TEAM Springfield budget and provide
any input or feedback. The budget originally had more detailed information, but now was a bit more
open-ended. She feels the Council should see the budget every so often.
Councilor Pishioneri said he was not sure why the 8a' Grade field trip was under TEAM Springfield,
rather than just the School District. He suggested that they put the funding together for any festivals
and events, rather than identify which festival or event. That line could be re -worded as "Support City
festivals and events".
Mayor Lundberg said the 8'i' Grade field trip involves the Chamber of Commerce and is a way to get
kids out into the community so they can start thinking of themselves as workers in the community. She
appreciated the feedback and said that is why she wanted this brought to the Council so they could
discuss it and come to an agreement.
Councilor Pishioneri said the budget for bike patrol had remained the same, but the costs had increase.
He asked if the service would be decreased.
City of Springfield
Council Work Session Minutes
July 6, 2015
Page 3
Chief Doney said they don't anticipate any increase due to staffing levels. There could be a reduction
in the future until they can get their patrol officers up to speed, probably next summer due to the hiring
process and getting them through the academy.
Councilor Ralston asked if we could hire people that are already trained.
Chief Doney said they would try to get a lateral (already trained officer), but they can be difficult to
find.
Mr. Grimaldi said they would bring their comments back to the TEAM Springfield CEO/CAO group.
Councilor Woodrow asked about the Opportunity Fund balance. She asked how someone could apply
or request those funds.
Mr. Grimaldi said they had received requests for small amounts from that fund, generally for festivals,
etc. There should be a better process with criteria. There had been discussions about what some people
were thinking about, but no decisions were made.
Mayor Lundberg asked if the CAO's could develop criteria. She is concerned that the funds are spent
and the Council has no input on how they are spent.
Mr. Grimaldi said in the past, those funds were not entirely spent. Any money that is not spent from
this fund remains with each agency.
Councilor Pishioneri said he would like to be made aware of requests that come in for those funds.
Council discussed other events and activities that could use those funds.
Mayor Lundberg said they also discussed having coupons in the TEAM Springfield newsletter in order
to increase readership. The City could perhaps include a drawing for a free FireMed membership, etc.
ADJOURNMENT
The meeting was adjourned at 6:58 p.m.
Minutes Recorder — Amy Sowa
94444- �'-
Christine L. Lundberg
Mayor
Attest:
d'/
Amy Sow
City Recorder