HomeMy WebLinkAbout03/20/2000 Work Session
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MINUTES OF THE WORK SESSION MEETING OF
THE SPRINGFIELD CITY COUNCIL HELD
MONDAY, MARCH 20, 2000
The Springfield City Council met in Work Session at Springfield City Hall, Jesse Maine Room,
225 Fifth Street, on Monday, March 20, 2000, at 6:30 p.m., with Council President Ballew
presiding.
ATTENDANCE
Present were Council President Ballew and Councilors Fitch, Hatfield, Leiken, Lundberg and
Simmons. Mayor Weathers was absent (excused). Also present were City Manager Mike Kelly,
Senior Management Analyst Rosie Pryor, Administrative Coordinator Shari Higgins, City
Recorder Kim Krebs, Fire and Life Safety Chief Dennis Murphy, and Deputy Fire Marshall
Dennis Shew.
1. Review of City of Springfield Hazardous Materials Program Fee Structure.
Fire and Life Safety Chief Dennis Murphy was present for the staff report. He said recently
annexed Glenwood business owners enrolled in the Hazardous Materials Program had recently
contacted the city and there is a substantial difference between the City of Eugene and City of
Springfield program fee structures. Chief Murphy said due to the substantial difference in cost to
the business owner, he felt council should be presented with options to consider regarding the fee
structure, impacts on revenue generated, and other pertinent information. He explained the
background of the recovery policy including the revised policy adopted by council in 1998, which
resulted in fifty percent funding for the program, generated by permit inspection fees.
Chief Murphy referred council to Attachment II - Permit Fee Comparison. Option #1 is
Springfield's current permit charges. Options #2 and #3 are proposals based on staff work to
compromise and become comparable to the City of Eugene regarding fee costs.
Councilor Hatfield said he favored Option #2. There was a discussion regarding the impact of a
price per permit (i.e. $150 per permit no matter the number issued) and how it would affect
smaller businesses that would not receive a discount any longer. Council was concerned over the
economy of scale.
Councilor Lundberg inquired about the number of permits currently issued. Mr. Murphy said
approximately 80 are issued currently and be provided information regarding new permits issued
to Glenwood businesses. He said funding for a partial Fire Marshall was included in the FY
1999/00 budget to assist with the needs of Glenwood.
Councilor Simmons felt the city should research the issue in detail before changing current
policy. He suggested staff check with the City of Portland and others regarding cost recovery.
Councilor Fitch asked about the initial basis for the permit structure and if staff had calculated
what one permit actually costs the city.
Councilor Leiken said the permit at his former business took approximately 10 minutes to
conduct. He asked if inspection times are more or less when multiple permits occur. Deputy Fire
Marshall Dennis Shew said the actual permit fees included training, staffing, inspection, and
miscellaneous costs.
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City of Springfield
Work Session - 3/20/00
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Finance Director Bob Duey said most city fees (including land use) are at seventy-five percent or
higher, but that Hazardous Materials were at fifty percent. Councilor Lundberg said it was
council's intent when setting the policy to keep a fifty percent recovery rate.
Council discussed the variables regarding permits, including size of business, types of chemicals,
and recovery rates.
By consensus, council agreed they needed more data prior to making a decision and asked staff to
continue research on the permit fee comparison.
Chief Murphy asked for 60 days to complete the research and to check with other comparable
cities. City Manager Mike Kelly clarified that two Glenwood businesses are currently overdue on
their permit remittance fees. Council gave approval for staff to delay any late notices or payment
remittance from the businesses until the issue is resolved in the 60-day timeframe. Mr. Kelly said
staff would try to seek reliable and non-subjective data, as well as the costs associated with
permits and indirects.
Councilor Fitch provided copies of the City Attorney evaluation form, due to Ginger Connole in
Human Resources by March 31.
Mr. Kelly and Planning Manager Greg Mott discussed the TransPlan public record and the
council's intent regarding extending the timeframe. They asked council to consider extending the
deadline from March 31, as approved by the Lane Transit District, City of Eugene, and as
expected to occur by the Lane County Board of Commissioners. Mr. Mott explained why the
request was received and provided details regarding the extension of the record. The item would
be discussed in regular session.
ADJOURNMENT
The meeting was adjourned at 6:55 p.m.
Minutes Recorder - Shari Higgins
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ATTEST:
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City Recorder