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Home My WebLink About07/06/2015 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