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HomeMy WebLinkAbout02/06/2017 Regular City of Springfield Regular Meeting MINUTES OF THE REGULAR MEETING OF THE SPRINGFIELD CITY COUNCIL HELD MONDAY FEBRUARY 6,2017 The City of Springfield.Council met in regular session in the Council Chambers,225 Fifth Street, Springfield,Oregon,on Monday February 6, 2017 at 7.00 p.m.,with Mayor Lundberg presiding. ATTENDANCE Present were Mayor Lundberg and Councilors VanGordon, Wylie, Moore, Stoehr,Woodrow and Pishioneri. Also present were City Manager Gino Grimaldi,Assistant City Attorney Kristina Kraaz, City Recorder Amy Sowa and.members of the staff. PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE The Pledge of Allegiance was led by Mayor Lundberg. SPRINGFIELD UPBEAT 1. Mayor's Recognition 2. Other a. CASA Check Presentation from Symmonds 800M Niel Laudati,Legislative and Public Affairs Manager said this was the 5t"time Springfield had hosted the Symmonds 800M race in downtown Springfield. We had two USATF sanctioned world records set at this particular event. It was the only Springfield-centric event that was held daring the 2016 Olympic Trials. The City partnered with CASA,and wonderful nonprofit located in Springfield,and raised $1500 for them. Katie Gatlin, Director of Development and Communications of CASA,was present to accept the check. Ms. Gatlin said they appreciated their support through this event.They were able to serve as many kids as they did last year,not only because of the finds,but because of the awareness it brings and the volunteers who advocate for the children in the courtrooms. Mayor Lundberg came down to present the check to Ms. Gatlin. CONSENT CALENDAR Councilor Stoehr said he would like to remove Item 5.b. from the Consent Calendar and move it to Business from the City Manager to allow time for the public to comment. 1. Claims 2. Minutes a. January 9, 2017—Work Session b. January 17,2017--Work Session e. January 17,2017—Regular Meeting d. January 23,2017—Work Session City of Springfield Council Regular Meeting Minutes February 6,2017 Page 2 3. Resolutions a. RESOLUTION NO.2017-01 —A RESOLUTION TO ACCEPT CITY PROJECT P21099• 58TH STREET PEDESTRIAN CROSSING. b. RESOLUTION NO.2017-02—A RESOLUTION TO ACCEPT CITY PROJECT P21101 DOWNTOWN LIGHTING -PHASE 1 c. RESOLUTION NO. 2017-03—A RESOLUTION TO ACCEPT CITY PROJECT P31028• PINEHURST PHASE 2 PUBLIC IMPROVEMENT PROJECT(PIP). d. RESOLUTION NO. 2017-04—A RESOLUTION TO ACCEPT CITY PROJECT P31030• FILBERT ME,EADOWS FIRST ADDITION PUBLIC IMPROVEMENT PROJECT PIl' . 4. Ordinances 5, Other Routine Matters a. Liquor License Application for Xiaoti Cafe,located at 631 W Centennial Blvd, Springfield, OR. IT WAS MOVED BY COUNCILOR VANGORDON WITH A SECOND BY COUNCILOR PISHIONERI TO APPROVE THE CONSENT CALENDAR WITH ITEM 5.B REMOVED AND MOVED TO BUSINESS FROM THE CITY MANAGER. THE MOTION PASSED WITH A VOTE OF 6 FOR AND 0 AGAINST. ITEMS REMOVED FROM THE CONSENT CALENDAR PUBLIC IIEARINGS -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. BUSINESS FROM THE AUDIENCE 1. David Strahan, Springfield, OR. Mr. Strahan spoke regarding truly affordable housing. In the upcoming year and next year,the potential loss of almost 1400 low-income housing units in Glenwood which directly affects housing in Lane County. Currently, our truly affordable housing market has very little available and an almost two-year wait list on Section 8 housing. Before the City looks at things such as $150,000 SWAT vehicles,that they look at what else could be done with that money directly towards housing. That$150,000 could provide permanent housing for up to 6 years for 120 people,and could provide up to 20 micro-houses or other forms of housing that are in dire need now in Springfield.Before going forward with the vehicle purchase, look at our housing crisis and put that money to work getting our citizens off the streets. 2. Kris McAllister Springfield, OR Mr.McAllister said he got a lesson regarding the spending order for the Suburban.At first, he was wondering how else they could use those funds. After getting information from the City Manager's office and Police, he was able to understand more how this budget order was able to be done. There are very strict lending and sales items available through the Federal Forfeiture funds. There is a lot of money there,and he would like to see more training options in the future to help stop reoffending or help those in our criminal justice system to get on their feet as they are often part of our unhoused. City of Springfield Council Regular Meeting Minutes February 6,2017 Page 3 3. Charles Densen S rin f eld OR Mr. Densen spoke against spending the funds for the armored vehicle. He volunteers with many community groups that help those that need food or are unhoused. He sees a dire need for the City to address those issues. I.n Eugene,two people died from exposure of being unhoused. The priority for safety in our community should be to address those issues rather than another armored vehicle in the area.We needto look at where we are focusing our energy to protect our own community. 4. James Barber Springfield, OR Mr. Barber said he is not sure what incidents dictate the need for another annored vehicle. One issue to consider is the militarization of our police. It is happening across our nation and is not a good thing.We need to move towards de-escalation procedures so maybe this money could be better spent on better de-escalating procedures. We need to demilitarize our police force. A force that can exert its will on another will lends itself to not listening and is not as objective. That is what they tend to see. COUNCIL RESPONSE CORRESPONDENCE AND PETITIONS 1. Correspondence from Oregon Communities for a Voice in Annexations Regarding Senate Bills 114 &258 with attached staff response. IT WAS MOVED BY COUNCILOR VANGORDON WITH A SECOND BY COUNCILOR PISHIONERI TO ACCEPT THE CORRESPONDENCE FOR FILING.THE MOTION PASSED WITH A VOTE OF 6 FOR AND 0 AGAINST. BIDS ORDINANCES BUSINESS FROM THE CITY COUNCIL 1. Business from Council a. Committee Reports i. Councilor Moore reported that she attended the Historic Commission on January 24, and the Books and Brews Fundraiser for the Library. She also participated in the Point in Time homeless count on January 25 and she was at the Ebbert Memorial Church.They were serving dinner and it was effective to her to put faces on the numbers we receive. City staff member Erin Fifield and several others were there and they spoke to 49 homeless individuals. She commended Ebbert Memorial Church who served dinner to 180 people that night. Councilor Moore said she attend the Community Listening Event at Springfield High School.The event was well attended by elected officials. Faces were put on the discriminatory stories and behavior we hear about in our area. There was a call for the institutionalized racism that exists in the area,asking for public agencies to respond. City of Springfield Council Regular Meeting Minutes February 6,2017 Page 4 Councilor Moore said she also attendedan event and heard Ta-nehisi Coates, author of "Between the World and Me" at the Matt Knight Arena speak regarding being a black man in a white America. She noted that her emphasis this year was being a spokesperson for justice for those that don't have a voice to speak for themselves. BUSINESS FROM THE CITE'MANAGER 1. Purchase of Police Armored Vehicle.(item removed from Consent Calendar) [Richard Lewis] (05 Minutes) Chief Lewis provided a staff report on this topic.The City is very limited in what it can use Federal Forfeiture funds for in the Police Department. It has to be for law enforcement purposes only. He referred to a book that outlines what the funds can.be used for.In the past,the funds have typically been used to purchase equipment,vehicles and training.The funds can't be used to cover salaries for employees unless it is short duration(one year.or less). The money comes from federal seizures and drug cases. They are supposed to spend the money within a three-year period of time,although that doesn't always happen.The funds discussed this evening have been building up over a longer period of time. In the past,they have used the funds to purchase a vehicle for the narcotics officer and K9 and for different weapon systems. In this request,they are looking to purchase an armored Suburban,which will look no different from any other Suburban on the road.He understands the concern about the Police looking militaristic and that was discussed when looking to purchase an armored vehicle. This vehicle will give the Police the ability to go down the road as any other vehicle,with the exception of the emergency lights. It will give the officers the opportunity to have some cover for different situation. The vehicle is not strictly for SWAT,but would be used for patrol for barricaded subject calls, armed subject calls, or shots fired calls. It is not going to be driven every day and he hopes to keep it for about 20-25 years.He recognizes it is a significant purchase,but provides the officers in those crisis situations,with protection.Eugene and Lane County have a vehicle that does look more like a military vehicle that can be used,but it takes time to secure it when a crisis situation is occurring. Councilor Moore said she asked if these funds could be used to support Cahoots in the future. Chief Lewis said 15% of the funds could be used for programs. The intention is for law enforcement and investigations, focusing on drug cases. Councilor Woodrow added that in March of last year this was vetted in the Springfield Police Advisory Committee(SPAQ. She said it was a community response with the SPAC and then went to the Budget Committee and was approved. It has gone through a public process,and they are now ready to make the purchase. The use for this vehicle is for emergencies,and can be a rescue vehicle and offer protection to both officers and citizens in a situation with an active shooter.The City doesn't have anything now that affords us that opportunity. Chief Lewis said the department also had to vet this through the Federal government and received approval. There is an Executive Order that came from President Obama that required agencies that were going to spend asset forfeiture money to get prior approval.The focus of the Executive Order was to demilitarize the Police Department. Councilor Wylie said she has seen high speed chases where people open fire on the police.This occurs in our local area. She asked if this vehicle could go at high speeds. City of Springfield Council Regular Meeting Minutes February 6,2017. Page 5 Chief Lewis said it was not built to go at high rates of speed and won't be used as a pursuit vehicle. Councilor Stoehr asked how many incidents over the last year could have required an annored vehicle. Chief Lewis said about once a month. He anticipates that detectives will use this when they go to execute a search warrant. Many times when officers execute a search warrant,they don't know what could happen and they sometimes need a place to evacuate to if shots are fired.This would afford the officers the best protection possible. When the SWAT tears goes out,they expect the arrest team to be fairly close to the house when the incident is happening. Being able to move the vehicle closer to the house would provide them better protection than a regular vehicle. Councilor Stoehr asked if most of these cases are drug related. Chief Lewis said the majority of search warrants are drug related.The vehicle will be used in different situations, some involving drug activity and.some not. Councilor Stoehr said he has the utmost respect for the department and the job they do.They have a very dangerous job and they perform it with dignity. He feels the general trend towards superior weaponry can create a certain mindset on the part of the department.He noted a situation in which a mental health issue was handled in a military engagement, in part as a result of the armed vehicle. The Police responded in a certain way,and the victim also reacted in a certain way.He is not planning to vote on this as he feels he doesn't have the background on this subject. He wanted to voice the concerns of his constituents. Chief Lewis aid this vehicle would not change how they respond to calls,or make them more aggressive.It is just providing one more tool to protect officers,similar to vests and other safety measures. Councilor VanGordon said Chief Lewis's description of this as a protective measure life vests is valid. It is a piece of safety equipment to protect officers and the public, and that has been the focus during the public process. He noted that housing is an issue, and this doesn't take away from that,but this set of funds is very strictly regulated. He is very supportive of this purchase. Councilor Wylie said she encouraged people who are concerned about expenditures to get involved in the budget process.Many of the shootings are done by those who are mentally ill and need care. Unfortunately, our police officers need protection,too,so they are not shot from random shootings. This gives a safe base for officers while negotiating. Councilor Pishioneri said vests are expensive and issued individually to officers and he looks at this as a rolling vest. Officer deaths are up 167%this year,and we need to be protected.This is an excellent rescue vehicle and that is the intent,not to cause public alarm, but for protection. It is not an armored vehicle and doesn't look like it is a threat. One officer's equipment is about$8000-$9000,and a regular Suburban is about$65,000. He feels this is a good investment and will help protect the public and our officers. Councilor Moore said she appreciates Councilor Stoehr bringing this up for discussion. Mayor Lundberg said she is very supportive of the vehicle, and has faith in the Police Department to use these funds in the best way possible. This will allow us to outfit our Police so they can do the best City of Springfield Council Regular Meeting Minutes February 6,2017 Page 6 for our community. She appreciates that it does demilitarize the vehicle. The Police Department makes good choices about what we do.This money is very specific and we are doing what they are intended to do. She referred to Councilor Stoehr's decision not to vote and asked the City Attorney when it was appropriate not to vote. Ms.Kraaz said she would check Council Operating Policies and Roberts Rules of Conflict. She understands that a person only abstains when there is a conflict of interest or an affirmative reason not to engage in a vote. Councilor Stoehr said the reason he was considering abstaining is that he hasn't been involved in the process of approval. After reviewing resources,Ms.Kxaaz said the Council Operating Policies don't address abstention. Roberts Rules of Order states that a member has the right to abstain, but it is generally advised not to abstain unless you have an affirmative reason for doing so, such as a conflict. Councilor Stoehr said he affirmative reason is that he was absent from the Budget Committee meetings. IT WAS MOVED BY COUNCILOR VANGORDON WITH A SECOND BY COUNCILOR PISHIONERI TO APPROVE THE PURCHASE OF AN ARMORED SUBURBAN FOR FISCAL YEAR 2017 AND AUTHORIZE THE CITY MANAGER TO SIGN THE CONTRACT FOR PURCHASE.THE MOTION PASSED WITH A VOTE OF S FOR AND 0 AGAINST (1 ABSTENTION—STOEHR). 2. Regional Wastewater System Development Charge(SDC)Fee Modifications Effective March 1, 2017. Matt Stouder,Environmental Services Manager presented the staff report on this item. In 2016,the MWMC restructured its debt obligations by paying off revenue bonds issued in 2006,plus an advance refunding of the revenue bonds issued in 2008. This resulted in a lower debt obligation and significant interest cost savings. Subsequently,the MWMC modified the Regional Wastewater SDC Project List to reflect the most current capital project and financing costs,resulting in SDC fee modifications as outlined in the 2017 Regional SDC Fee Schedule.The MWMC adopted the new SDC fees on January 13,2017 and requests that Springfield implement the new fees. To ensure equity and fairness of the Regional Wastewater SDC fee amounts,a review of MWMC's SDCs by establishment type(residential,commercial, industrial), including the strength of the wastewater discharge,was completed.The SDC data was applied using the existing 2009 MWMC SDC methodology. With assistance from Galardi Consulting,the analysis included refreshing the SDC capital project list(2017 thru 2027)and associated financing costs to reflect current data. The MWMC held a public hearing to discuss the proposed changes on January 13,2017. Low strength includes residential(single family, multi-family, etc.)and some low strength commercial development. The law strength SDC fee increased by 2.384%,which corresponds to aper dwelling unit increase of less than$40.The medium to super high strength discharge for commercial and industrial SDC fees result in decreases ranging from-0.758%to-4.614%. City of Springfield Council Regular Meeting Minutes February 6,2017 Page 7 Normally an inflationary adjustment is applied to the MWMC SDC fees based on the Engineering News Records(ENR)Construction Cost Index(CCI) each July 1.This year's adjustment would be 3.0%for all development types.Given that the 2017 MWMC SDC fee schedule will be implemented on March 1,2017,the MWMC has determined that an inflationary adjustment will not occur on July 1. Councilor Moore said she appreciated the reduction to industrial, but noted there was an increase for residential who are the ones that are hurt the most. Mr. Stouder said the SDC's are for new development only. Councilor Pishioneri complimented Matt and staff for their due diligence and making the SDC's equitable across the board so everyone is paying their fair share. IT WAS MOVED BY COUNCILOR VANGORDON WITH A SECOND BY COUNCILOR PISHIONERI TO AUTHORIZE THE CITY MANAGER TO IMPLEMENT THE 2017 REGIONALS WASTEWATER SDC FEE SCHEDULE EFFECTNE MARCH 1,2017.THE MOTION PASSED WITH A VOTE OF 6 FOR AND 0 AGAINST 3. Other Business. BUSINESS FROM THE CITY ATTORNEY ADJOURNMENT The meeting was adjourned 7:33 p.m. Minutes Recorder Amy Sowa Christine L. Lundberg Mayor Attest: City Rec er