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HomeMy WebLinkAbout07/03/2000 Work Session . MINUTES OF THE WORK SESSION OF THE SPRINGFIELD CITY COUNCIL HELD ON MONDAY, JULY 3, 2000 The Springfield City Council met in Work Session at Springfield City Hall, Library Meeting Room, on Monday, July 3, 2000, at 6:02 p.m. with Mayor Weathers presiding. ATTENDANCE Present were Mayor Weathers and Councilors Ballew, Fitch, Hatfield, Leiken, Lundberg, and Simmons. Also present were City Manager Mike Kelly, Assistant City Manager Gino Grimaldi, City Attorney Tim Harold, Administrative Coordinator Shari Higgins, Finance Director Bob Duey, Senior Management Analyst Rosie Pryor, and members of staff. Also present were Special Citizen Advisory Committee members Jimmie Balumas, Lee Beyer, Terry Beyer, Alisa Carrillo, Phil Edwards, Brian Goodwin, Patrick Lucanio, and Al Monce. 1. Special Citizen Advisory Committee Levy Recommendation. Mayor Weathers announced the work session would solicit no public input, but allow the citizen committee and consultant to provide information. She said during the regular meeting, immediately following, council would accept public testimony under Business from the Audience. . Finance Director Bob Duey was present to introduce the topic, as staff to the Special Citizen Advisory Committee. He said the committee concluded the council should refer a $3.5 million dollar serial levy to the voters of Springfield at the November 2000 General Election. The committee worked over a seven-week period to review 33 proposals to improve city services before unanimously voting to recommend the levy. He said if council determined to move forward on a proposed levy, the city would have 30 to 60 days to decided on process and dollar figure. Committee Representative Alisa Carrillo said the committee began with $46 million dollars in projects/proposals that the 14-member group worked on during their assignment duration. She explained the themes of public safety, education, and qualities of life were the ones that emerged as most important, after committee review, discussion, and ranking. She said the committee determined there were major gaps in the existing level of city services and the level needed to achieve the goals of the community. Another aspect was the service enhancements needed to bridge existing budgetary gaps. Ms. Carrillo highlighted the committee's process and recommendation, a $3.5 million dollar levy proposal. Mr. Beyer and Mr. Lucanio both shared their support for the levy. Mr. Beyer felt continuation of existing service levels was very important. Mr. Lucanio supported the levy to allow the Police Department to move forward its Police Long Range Plan, specifically community policing. Senior Management Analyst Rosie Pryor introduced Kelly Middendorf from Moore Information, Inc., who was present to review the results of a recent community survey. The survey was commissioned by the city to learn voter reaction to the Special Citizen Advisory Committee's recommendation of a proposed levy. . City of Springfield Work Session - 7/3/00 Page 2 . Ms. Middendorf said staff developed the components tested with input from council leadership. The priorities tested were both initiated by the survey and from voters opinions. She said the compiled data was presented to assist the council in making a decision regarding a proposed levy being placed on the November 2000 General Election. Ms. Middendorf eXplained the methodology of the public opinion research conducted, including the sample 300 interviews, where respondents were systematically selected from a vendor list of voters in the city on June 17 and 18,2000. She said the sampling error associated with the survey was +/- six percent at a 95 percent confidence level. Ms. Middendorf reviewed components ofthe survey and its results. The survey respondents were told some brief information, including the cost of $1.66 per thousand of assessed property value, or $166 for the owner of a $100,000 home. She highlighted the areas of the survey, including: voters not being supportive today (40% for and 47% against); the subgroups who were supportive; reasons citizen would support a levy; the local anti-tax sentiment; plurality support for a smalIer measure ($2.5 milIion); messages that generate majority support; messages that would not generate support; specific responses to questions 11-16; and respondent priorities from questions 17-28, listing priorities and non-priority items. . Members of the council and special committee asked Ms. Middendorf clarifying questions regarding the survey. The topics included the undecided voters and their demographics, the number of homeowners versus renters, party affiliation, zip codes, and age of voters sampled. Ms. Middendorf stated it would be very important to show the voters what benefit they would receive with the addition of staff or changes to service levels. Other items discussed were the growing use of the Internet, both 10calIy and statewide; the lack of history on mail-in elections due to the limited number of elections held; having separate items placed on the ballot to bring out pockets of yes voters; and the possible competition of other agencies placing items on the November ballot also (Lane County and the Springfield School District). By consensus, council agreed to continue with an information seeking process, including holding public meetings, contacting local groups and employee unions regarding their support, and publicizing a City Council public hearing on July 24,2000. This would allow council time to make a more informed decision prior to beginning their summer recess, Councilor Lundberg suggested holding specific focus groups along with the public meetings. Mayor Weathers suggested contacting interested community groups and volunteers who would be willing to assist if a levy were supported by the council, to seek their interest level. Councilor Hatfield agreed and said it would be very important to have a core group of volunteers, as well as an education campaign that would show the voters the direct benefit to them if they were supportive of additional funding to the city. There was not consensus to scale down on the dollar amount now, but some council members did express an interest in reviewing what a $2.5 million dollar levy would include and how it would benefit the community. Committee members stated they hoped council would not reprioritize the ranking of proposals/projects if they did decide to reduce the dolIar amount. . Mayor Weathers and the City Council gave thanks to Special Citizen Advisory Committee for their time, effort, and recommendation. City of Springfield Work Session - 7/3/00 Page 3 . ADJOURNMENT The meeting was adjourned at 7:17 p.m. Minutes Recorder - Shari Higgins ATTEST: c~~ . . ~~.w~~ Maureen M. Weathers, Mayor