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HomeMy WebLinkAbout05/16/2016 Regular City of Springfield Regular Meeting MINUTES OF THE REGULAR MEETING OF THE SPRINGFIELD CITY COUNCIL HELD MONDAY MAY 16, 2016 The City of Springfield Council met in regular session in the Council Chambers, 225 Fifth Street, Springfield, Oregon, on Monday May 16, 2016 at 7:00 p.m.,with Mayor Lundberg presiding. ATTENDANCE Present were Mayor Lundberg and Councilors Wylie,Moore, Ralston, and Woodrow. 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. Councilors VanGordon and Pishioneri were absent(excused). PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE The Pledge of Allegiance was led by Mayor Lundberg. SPRINGFIELD UPBEAT 1. Mayor's Recognition a. Kids to Parks Day Proclamation. Mayor Lundberg read from the proclamation and encouraged residents of Springfield to make time May 21st, 2016 to take the children in their lives to a neighborhood, state or national park. CONSENT CALENDAR 1. Claims a. Approval of April 2016, Disbursements for Approval 2. Minutes a. April 4, 2016— Regular Meeting b. April 11, 2016—Work Session c. April 18,2016—Work Session d. April 18, 2016—Regular Meeting 3. Resolutions 4. Ordinances a. ORDINANCE NO. 6353 —AN ORDINANCE ADDING SECTIONS 7.1100-7.1104 TO CHAPTER 7 OF THE SPRINGFIELD MUNICIPAL CODE REGARDING RECREATIONAL MARIJUANA BUSINESSES. City of Springfield . Council Regular Meeting Minutes May 16,2016 Page 2 5. Other Routine Matters a. Approval of the Liquor License Application for Steve's Bkfst&More, Located at 117 S. 14th Street, Suite A, Springfield, Oregon. b. Approve or Reject a Motion to Award the Purchase of a Compact Track Loader and Attachments to Peterson Cat for $145,272. IT WAS MOVED BY COUNCILOR WOODROW WITH A SECOND BY COUNCILOR WYLIE TO APPROVE THE CONSENT CALENDAR. THE MOTION PASSED WITH A VOTE OF 4 FOR AND 0 AGAINST (2 ABSENT—VANGORDON AND PISHIONERI). ITEMS REMOVED 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. Sanipac Rate Increase Request. RESOLUTION NO. 2016-14—A RESOLUTION OF THE COMMON COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF SPRINGFIELD AMENDING THE MASTER SCHEDULE OF MISCELLANEOUS FEES AND CHARGES, RATES, PERMITS AND LICENSES IN ORDER TO AMEND THE AMOUNT OF THE GARBAGE AND REFUSE RATES. Anette Spickard, Development and Public Works Director, presented the staff report on this item. Sanipac,the City's franchise hauler for solid waste, has requested an increase of 1.79 percent for residential and commercial hauling rates. This request is due to an increase approved by Lane County for the charges imposed for disposal of solid waste at the Short Mountain Landfill (tipping fee). In March 2016 the Board of County Commissioners determined that the rate imposed on solid waste haulers for disposal of waste at the Short Mountain landfill should be increased by$1.22 per ton to a new total of$76.77 per ton, effective July 1, 2016. The County's new fee structure also includes an automatic CPI increase to the tipping fee each year hereafter. Under section 16.4.b of the City's franchise agreement with Sanipac, Sanipac is allowed to pass through the cost of county tipping fee increases to Springfield customers. The proposed increase represents an increase of$0.05 per month on the 21 and 35 gallon cart, $0.10 per month for a 65 gallon cart, $0.15 per month for a 95 gallon cart, and $0.40 per month for a 1-Yard container. Sanipac last increased its rates in November 2014 and is permitted to request increases annually but is not asking for an increase this year beyond the cost of the new county tipping fee. Sanipac has requested that the increase be effective July 1, 2016 to coincide with the effective date of the county's fee. Mayor Lundberg opened the public hearing. No one appeared to speak. City of Springfield • . Council Regular Meeting Minutes May 16,2016 Page 3 Mayor Lundberg closed the public hearing. IT WAS MOVED BY COUNCILOR WOODROW WITH A SECOND BY COUNCILOR WYLIE TO APPROVE RESOLUTION NO.2016-14. THE MOTION PASSED WITH A VOTE OF 4 FOR AND 0 AGAINST (2 ABSENT—VANGORDON AND PISHIONERI). BUSINESS FROM THE AUDIENCE 1. Mitch Hanan, State Farm Insurance, Springfield, OR. Mr. Hanan spoke regarding the considered change from Lane Transit District(LTD). The owner of an auto shop across the street from Mr. Hanan's business,took over the business from his grandfather and has been running the business on his own, sometimes with the assistance of one other person. There is limited parking which is up against Main Street. If the 116 foot section goes into effect, it would take away all of his parking, and a median would prevent access to his property. There are many business owners with employees that will be impacted even with the 96 foot section. He appreciates the comments of the Council from the work session to keep the width to 82 feet, and adding traffic lights. 2. Joe Tokatly, Springfield, OR Mr. Tokatly said he has a business on Main Street and has been in discussions with staff regarding the Main-McVay project. Once he started looking at the four options,he wanted to speak out against them. The options,ranging from 96 feet to 116 feet with roundabouts, would devastate the City with the negative economic impact it would have on those businesses in terms of access, especially limiting the turning lane.Adding roundabouts will bog down traffic and there would be a loss of business. It is critical to look at the proposals very closely. He was very encouraged in the work session by the Mayor and Council remarks. They are realistic in keeping the right-of-way where it is, enhancing the avenue and making this a win-win for everyone from pedestrians, to cyclists,to transit users, and not just at the expense of business. The businesses pay for operating these systems. They need to be looking forward and addressing the issue. 3. Dan Roche, Springfield Automotive, Springfield, OR Mr. Roche noted that the Mayor attended his ribbon cutting at his business several years ago. Mr. Roche said he grew up in Springfield, graduated from Thurston High School, and is now a business and property owner with six employees. His shop on Main Street would be seriously damaged by the widening of the road which would mean not being able to bring cars into his business. There are places along Main Street that could utilize a wider turnout for buses, but the lines proposed would hurt many businesses. He feels they can spruce up the sidewalk edge,keep the width at 80 feet, keep the businesses intact and use stop light options. 4. Todd Fortier, Todd's Auto Body, Springfield, OR Mr. Fortier said he has property for his business on both the north and south side of Main Street. He loves Springfield and is glad we are looking at making our town better; however, if Main Street is widened to 116 feet,his south shop would be closed down because he would have no parking. His 7 employees would lose their jobs. It wouldn't affect his business on the north side as much, but would slow it down. They had already grown and are using all of the real estate they have. 5. Jon Mermis, Springfield Automotive, Springfield, OR Mr. Mermis is not a business owner, but an employee at Springfield Automotive on Main Street. He was born and raised in City of Springfield . Council Regular Meeting Minutes May 16,2016 Page 4 Springfield and feels this is a bad idea. Roundabouts would double the traffic in the corridor due to slowing down traffic. Taking the widened approach to 116 feet would kill a number of businesses, putting many employees out of work who live and work in this community. 6. Sue Sierralupe, Springfield,OR Ms. Sierralupe lives in Eugene and has a business in Springfield. She spoke regarding the ordinance recently passed penalizing people for helping people who are panhandling. She quoted from the Oregon Food Bank on causes for hunger in Oregon: long-term unemployment; persistent underemployment; and the high cost of food, gas, utilities and rent are forcing more and more people to seek emergency food. This is why they have, along with their allies, served $1,109,000 food boxes in Oregon for the third year in a row. The Department of Human Services has a budgetary shortfall of this year of$75M. It is clear who the first victims of this financial crisis will be. There is evidence that food insecurity contributes to obesity and subsequent health problems, particularly among women. Malnutrition can result in poor overall school achievement and compromised health throughout a child's life. Undernourished seniors can show symptoms of dementia and are more prone to falling injuries. According to the USDA, in 2013 the average moderate food bill for a 19-50 year old many was $294.80 per month, $251.70 for a woman of the same age. On average a child uses $260.30 per month by the time they are 9 or 10 years old. The top amount of food stamps' benefits a recipient gets each month is $120 per month. With increasing costs of utilities, rent and basic needs, our citizens are struggling to survive. She noted that Occupy Medical served food to 297 hungry visitors since the passage of the ordinance, up from 150- 200. As the number of hungry patients increases,the number of patients they see with conditions directly caused by malnutrition increases. She asked that they reconsider the anti- kindness ordinance. 7. Chris Bothman, Dairy Queen, Springfield, OR Mr. Bothman said he lives in Eugene and noted the impacts on 6th Street with the new EmX line. Businesses have a lot of struggles already with so many other costs, and there is a direct difference between being open for business and actually doing business. The businesses on 6th and 7th are open,but not thriving. He just remodeled the Dairy Queen, but if construction starts up it could impact his business in a way that would mean he would have to lay people off. That is a concern of all of the businesses on Main Street. He said he reminds all of his employees that he doesn't pay them, the customer pays them. The business owners are paying the City through property taxes, employee taxes and LTD taxes. He thanked the Council for listening to the businesses today. He was encouraged by the meeting this afternoon and also by the discussion during the work session. He would like to propose seeing the corridor enhanced without tearing up the street and moving fire hydrants. The changes are exciting, but if the businesses suffer, employees suffer, and Main Street suffers. 8. Dani Wright,McKenzie Feed, Springfield, OR Ms. Wright said she recently moved her business a block and a half on Main Street so she could buy her own property. She had invited the Mayor, ODOT and others to attend the meeting this afternoon and everyone accepted the invitation. She hoped to bring people together as a group to provide a positive environment to address people's concerns, anxiety and anger. She thanked them all for coming. Some suggestions that came from today's meeting included: using the bus route already in place; have a bus that goes from Gateway, along Highway 126 to the Thurston Station, where people can then ride to downtown; signalized intersections are preferred; lower speed limits; and no medians which make it difficult for large trucks to get in and out. LTD took her entrance for a stop so she now leases access to Main Street on both sides of her business. The LTD pullouts City of Springfield . Council Regular Meeting Minutes May 16,2016 Page 5 are a good option, but they need to look at it long term. Businesses she knows on West 6th in Eugene are losing$1000 a day. That type of reduction would mean a reduction in employees and impact her business. Another suggestion on the pullouts is to give the property owner a tax option for taking a portion of the property. 9. Dan Schmunk, Schmunk's Tire Center, Springfield. OR Mr. Schmunk said he was born and raised in Springfield and the business has been there for 62 years. He agreed with the previous comments. If an 8 foot section was taken, it could put him out of business. He's not ready to retire yet, but wouldn't be able to stay in business if they expanded the street. The turnouts could be a good idea and there could be room to do that. He is a proponent of roundabouts, but understands those that don't like them. He is in favor of public safety. He noted the trees planted for beautification that he has to trim each year. He would prefer they weren't there because he feels they are a safety hazard to his customers. He provided an example. He spoke regarding the fire hydrants. 10. Kris McAlister, Springfield, OR Mr. McAlister said he was here to speak about public safety and public transit. He feels Springfield has been underrepresented when it comes to LTD. It is sometimes difficult to get correct route information for Springfield when asking in Eugene. They could consider utilizing the system by using routes along Centennial instead of Main Street. Often the bus stops are a long distance from many of the apartments on Centennial, and are often 10 minutes late, so trying to coordinate timing is difficult. He noted concerns with the 'bus only' lanes and how they can be an issue as well. Placement of lights at the roundabouts is too close to the roundabout and often ineffective. These are set by the City based on trends. He feels they need more public access to public transit for safety. There needs to be more conversations with everyone involved. 11. Byron Davis,Auto Body Specialties, Springfield. OR He went through the Eugene EmX build with his business on 7th Street. He was one of the businesses that lost over$200,000. His business was open, but they had no business and had to move that facility to 6th Street. The Springfield store has 22 employees, being paid $50,000 to $90,000 per year,with vacation and retirement benefits. He represents them and will fight for them here in Springfield. He was born and raised in Springfield. He appreciates the meeting at the work session. His experience in Eugene was negative, being told one thing and then something else happening. The businesses were kept separate, unlike in Springfield where they have been brought together. So far, this process is not the same and he is proud to be from Springfield. If the Council represents businesses,they couldn't consider the 116 foot option. The businesses support a lot of families,pay taxes, and donate to the community. Safety is very important, and he would like to see how the businesses could help solve the issues. 12. Joe Bruns, Joe's Truck and Trailer, Springfield ,OR Mr. Bruns said he's not sure how he could operate his business with a roundabout as well as losing 8 to 12 feet from his property. When he started his business he was working alone, and he now has 2 full time employees. They are making living wages, and have their own homes. This effects more than just the business owner,but impacts the employees. He doesn't see how LTD can benefit 90% of the businesses it affects. The only businesses it might benefit are the large grocery and retail stores. He had to put a bike rack in to comply with minimum development standards and has never had anyone put their bike at that rack. He is happy to hear the Mayor and Councilor's ideas at the end of the work session. There can be solutions to make Main Street safe for pedestrians and bicycles. City of Springfield . Council Regular Meeting Minutes May 16,2016 Page 6 13. Susan Lee,Eugene, OR Ms. Lee said she lives in Eugene, but owns property at 5095 Main Street in Springfield. When she bought the store 20 years ago, it was messy and there was a lot of drug activity. After 6 months,they cleaned it up and don't have any problems. If property is taken away,they would not be able to run the business. The business is a convenience store and has large trucks making deliveries nearly every day. She would also like to see the speed limit lowered. They need to think of the safety of the community,but also about the businesses. 14. Joe Tokatly, Springfield, OR. Mr. Tokatly spoke regarding the ordinance adopted by the Council (unlawful transfer). He commends the Council on the policy. Our community has been dealing with the issue of homeless people because of the close proximity with the City of Eugene who has a different policy welcoming everybody to their community. That over floods our community, meaning we have to enact laws to deal with it. It is not a policy of dislike and hatred, but is a very intelligent policy. COUNCIL RESPONSE CORRESPONDENCE AND PETITIONS BIDS ORDINANCES BUSINESS FROM THE CITY COUNCIL 1. Committee Appointments 2. Business from Council a. Committee Reports i. Councilor Moore said they had a great time Saturday morning at the Spring Cleanup. It was a great opportunity to meet and talk with citizens. She appreciated all of the volunteers and the City for putting on this event. It is a very positive thing we do in the City. ii. Mayor Lundberg said she also had a good time, although was completely soaked! Everyone loves Spring Cleanup and they are all in a good mood. She also thanked everyone at the City who helped make this event possible. b. Other Business BUSINESS FROM THE CITY MANAGER BUSINESS FROM THE CITY ATTORNEY ADJOURNMENT City of Springfield . Council Regular Meeting Minutes May 16,2016 Page 7 The meeting was adjourned 7:49 p.m. Minutes Recorder Amy Sowa Christine L. Lundberg Mayor Attest: �d-U W�- City Recor r