HomeMy WebLinkAbout07/10/2000 Work Session
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MINUTES OF THE WORK SESSION
OF THE SPRINGFIELD CITY COUNCIL
HELD ON MONDAY, JULY 10, 2000
The Springfield City Council met in Work Session at Springfield City Hall, Jesse Maine Room,
225 Fifth Street, Springfield, on Monday, July 10,2000, at 5:30 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 Joe Leahy, Senior Management Analyst Rosie Pryor, Administrative Coordinator
Shari Higgins, Development Services Director Cynthia Pappas, Community and Economic
Development Manager John Tamulonis, Planning Manager Greg Mott, and members of staff.
1. Update by Broad Base Programs on Activities in Developing the Springfield Sports
Complex.
Community and Economic Development Manager John Tamulonis was present for staff report.
He provided a hand-out of the Springfield Sports Center, Site Plan (Draft), with the Springfield
Recreation Center highlighted. Mr. Tamulonis introduced Dwight Purdy who was present
representing the Broad Base Board. Also present was State Representative Bill Morrisette, who
had the initial vision for a Sports Center in Springfield. Mr. Tamulonis showed a video, used for
on-going fundraising efforts, donated by Bruce O'Neill at United States Basketball Academy
(USBA).
Mr. Purdy spoke about efforts of community members on the project, including Roy Gray and the
Wooley Family. He said the fundraising committee had been working hard and was very
optimistic. Mr. Purdy stated in order to secure loans, the city would need to deed the property
and title to Broadbase. They had spoken with legal counsel regarding title reversion, joint
parking lot use, and futher guarantees that the city might want. Mr. Purdy said he felt the city
would have little financial risk and explained that Mr. Gray had a history of being a good
business owner in Springfield with his current business, Kick City.
Councilor Hatfield spoke as council liaison to the project. He provided details on the1funding of
the project, including information from his contact with US Bank regarding lending on a 50-year
loan. Councilor Hatfield said most lending institutions would probably not lend to a non-profit
organization without history, even having the property title. He explained the personal guarantee
as he understood it would be made by Mr. Gray.
There was council discussion regarding deeding the property with a reversionary clause. The
intent of Broadbase and their funding sources were also discussed.
Councilor Lundberg asked if another non-profit would be willing to assist with both the funding
and management of the facility. Mr. Purdy said both the YMCA and Boys and Girls Club had
been contacted.
Councilor Ballew said she would not be willing to provide Broadbase with the property title. She
felt a 50-year lease at a cost of $7.00 per year was sufficient and that the city had shown good
intent on partnering. To-date, the city has spent approximately $1 million dollars on the project.
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Work Session - 7/10/00
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Councilor Simmons suggested using a lease cost option. By assigning the lease to Broadbase as a
non-profit, they could then use the property only as an affordable recreational site for community
youth. He felt unless an agreement could be achieved to protect the citizen's interests, then no
title should be granted, even for a limited timeframe.
Councilor Leiken stated he would like to hear from other financial institutions and asked if
Broadbase could provide council with more information. He asked if the title was not the sole
factor for achieving a loan, then what other factors were.
Mr. Purdy said Mr. Gray had agreed to personally guarantee the loan. He said most banks they
contacted would require first place, and would insist on the title.
Council held a discussion on the need to further collaborate on the project. They agreed by
consensus, not to allow the deed to be given to Broadbase. Council members agreed to consider
future action based on information presented by Broadbase. All agreed the Sports Complex is a
good community project that would benefit many, but they asked for more specific information
from lenders prior to any additional commitment from the city.
Mayor Weathers suggested less than a two-year reversion clause, with Broadbase possibly
obtaining one loan for construction and one for operation. Councilor Hatfield suggested the
reversion clause be set at 90-days if any other use occurred other than affordable, public youth
facility.
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2. Discussion of new State Highway Access/Approach Review Standards.
Planning Manager Greg Mott was present for the staff report. He introduced Tony Martin and
Jerry Jester, from the Oregon Department of Transportation (ODOT), Region 2, Access
Management. Mr. Mott said a copy of the Division 51 Rule -Highway Approaches, Access
Control, Spacing Standards and Medians was distributed to council on July 3. He explained that
ODOT's new approach standards went into effect on April 1, 2000 and apply along the frontage
of all state-owned facilities. The facilities in Springfield subject to these standards include Main
and South A Streets; Jasper Road; South 420d Street; Pioneer Parkway and Franklin Boulevard in
Glenwood. He discussed the coordination of the new state regulations with the city's
development review process.
The new standards dramatically change past practice by establishing minor and major deviation
protocol for public approaches not in compliance with spacing standards applicable. A minor
deviation is processed locally by ODOT staff and is required by rule to be completed within 120
days. A major deviation is processed by committee in Salem, but must also be completed within
120 days. He referred council to the staff report listing options for procedural responses to the
rule.
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Mr. Martin provided history on the Division 51 Rule. He said most of the rules are not new, but
were recently expanded on, per direction from the State Legislature. He explained major and
minor processes, plus appeal applicability. He explained the public comment period and adoption
that occurred on February 9, and how the rule went into affect on April 1, 2000. Mr. Martin said
the new access rules were created to provide consistency across state and take into consideration
private and public property rights.
Council reviewed the three options as presented in the staff report (Attachment 2).
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Councilor Hatfield asked about East Main Street access and how it wouldbe processed for future
development. Mr. Martin explained the rules are the same, but standards vary based on rural
areas and the types of drivers using access points.
Mayor Weathers stated her concern over setting standards and not having developments fit. She
asked if the standards are flexible within time limits. People will not complain to ODOT when
they can not place a driveway off of Main Street, but they will come to the city for resolution.
Mr. Martin said it is hard to have both flexibility and consistency. He stated he would continue to
work with the City of Springfield regarding process review clarification.
Mayor Weathers said ODOT needs to plan now for funding of planning studies that cities need to
make viable long-term solutions. Some transporation rules seem to be in conflict with local plans
and focus. There is also a frustration to small communities who have unfunded mandates. Mr.
Martin stated he understood what issues local governments face.
Councilor Simmons asked who is the applicant upon appeal of access/approach standards, the city
or the developer. Mr. Martin said it would depend on the circumstances, as jurisdiction may
change when streets are improved. There was a discussion of specific examples.
Council shared concern over the120 day review period. Mr. Martin replied the 120 day time
period is for all decisions, not just access standards. He explained how the city would work with
ODOT on applications, impact analysis, duplicate efforts, city requirements, etc. Mr. Mott
referred to one of six examples in his briefing memorandum.
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Councilor Ballew spoke about ODOT's regulations and how the city's current approach access
and local through traffic meet the development needs of the community. Councilor Simmons
asked ODOT to fund the much needed corridor study. '
Mayor Weathers asked staff not to add another level ofrevie to development applications, just to
accommodate the Division 51 rules.
By consensus, council agreed to Option 2 regarding the city's development process, with
continued cooperation from ODOT. Mayor Weathers asked for a review of the process in six
months, and respond to State Legislature if necessary, regarding proposed changes.
ADJOURNMENT
The meeting was adjourned at 7:00 p.m.
Minutes Recorder - Shari Higgins
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Maureen M. Weathers, Mayor
ATTEST:
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City Recorder