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