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HomeMy WebLinkAbout09/25/2000 Work Session . . . ". . ,> MINUTES OF THE WORK SESSION OF THE SPRINGFIELD CITY COUNCIL HELD ON SEPTEMBER 25, 2000. The Springfield City Council met in Regular Session at Springfield City Hall, Jesse Maine Meeting Room, 225 Fifth Street, Springfield, on Monday, September 25, 2000, at 5 :31 p.m. with Mayor Leiken presiding. ATTENDANCE Present were Mayor Leiken, and Councilors Ballew, Fitch, Hatfield, Lundberg and Simmons. Also present were Assistant City Manager Gino Grimaldi, Senior Management Analyst Rosie Pryor, City Attorney Tim Harold, City Recorder Kim Krebs, Development Services Director Cynthia Pappas, Finance Director Bob Duey, Planning Manager Greg Mott, and members of the staff. Guests: Dan Egan, President of the Springfield Renaissance Development Corporation (SRDC), Mark Pangborn, Board Member of SRDC, Steve Gordon, Lane Council of Governments (LCOG), and Carol Heinkel, Region 2050 Project Manager. 1. Urban Renewal District Formation. Development Services Director Cynthia Pappas was present for the staff report. Ms. Pappas said the purpose of this work session was to provide information for council and to discuss the possibility of a formation of an Urban Renewal District to spur redevelopment activities in downtown Springfield. She said the SRDC has approached the Development Services Department (DSD) about the feasibility of forming an Urban Renewal District to facilitate redevelopment of downtown. This proposal fits within the City Council goal of supporting the renaissance of downtown. She is seeking direction from council to determine whether staff should allocate time to assist SRDC to develop a proposal, or explore the feasibility of a proposal. This item is not currently included within the DSD work program, or funding. However, limited staff time is available to work with SRDC on this project. Ideally, having a consultant assist with the finer details associated with financing such a district would be advisable. She introduced Mark Pangborn, Board Member of SRDC. Mr. Pangborn introduced Dan Egan, President of SRDC, and referred to the letter included in the information packet. He explained SRDC is interested in expanding economic opportunities, enhancing the quality of life and building a stronger sense of community. In downtown Springfield, there is much land undervalued and underutilized. In order to increase economic return to business owners and to the community through support of coordinated, mixed-use development projects in strategic downtown locations, property assembly is the key. SRDC believes urban renewal can be an effective redevelopment tool if used appropriately. SRDC also believes urban renewal can compliment the historic downtown buildings which contribute to Springfield's heritage. Urban renewal is often used for tax increment financing. However, SRDC is not suggesting that avenue, but want to use it as a tool. Councilor Hatfield stated his is interest in hearing more about urban renewal districts. If it is decided to move into an urban renewal district, he would like to see the council serve as the governing board. He said it is important to look at an urban renewal district, and tax increment financing as two totally separate entities. Council Work Session September 25, 2000 Page 2 . Mayor Leiken requestd staff provide council, when they return in October, with some alternatives or different examples of urban renewal districts, and include staff recommended financing options. Councilor Simmons said whatever the ultimate decision, he would cautioned staff and council to develop it in a manner so as to not create a further problem or hardship in the future. He supports looking at this as an alternative. He is not in favor of tax increment financing and stated the Washburne District is probably one of the success stories of non-urban renewal. Councilor Pitch agreed with Councilor Simmons. During these discussions she wants to make it clear she is a member of the SRDC Board. This is one of the top issues for the Governors Community Solutions Team, and they would like council to at least review the possibility of an urban renewal district. She is not in favor of tax increment financing, or taking this to a vote of the public, at this time. Councilor Lundberg completely supports Renaissance for the downtown area. However, she needs to feel more comfortable with the relationship the city has with SRDC. She would like to hear more information about what the goals are for SRDC, and wants to make sure this is partnership. . Economic Development Manager John Tamulonis said an Ordinance, which was passed in the 1980's, states the current council is now the Urban Renewal Agency. Council can change it's role and re-convene as an Urban Renewal Agency. The Urban Renewal Agency is governed by separate guidelines than that of the council. This difference is a key piece staff should explore and present to council at their nextwork session. 2. Metro Region Open Space and Parks Proposal. Cynthia Pappas was present for the staff report. Ms. Pappas stated the purpose of the work session which was to discuss this proposal, and agree to meet with elected officials from Eugene, Lane County and Willamalane to jointly decide whether to pursue a study of metropolitan regional open spaces and parks issues. Currently park and open space programs in the metro area occur under the auspices of a number of jurisdictional authorities with different purposes and different mandates. While successful in their own right, these efforts are only marginally coordinated and lack a common vision. This proposal seeks to provide a strategy to unify these efforts resulting in a connected park and open space system encircling the metropolitan region. Ms. Pappas said Lane County Commissioner Dwyer asked this matter be included on the United Front lobbying list last year. Due to the cross-jurisdictional responsibilities for such a proposal, this item could not be added to that list without concurrence from all participating governments and agencies. In early 2000, the metropolitan area government's chief administrative officers asked Lane Council of Governments (LCOG) to prepare a map and brief analysis of the implications ofthis proposal. This task has been completed and has been presented to the Eugene City Council, the Lane County Board of Commissioners and the Willamalane Board. Each of these bodies received this information enthusiastically, and agreed to meet in November in ajoint session with the other elected officials. . Council Work Session September 25,2000 Page 3 . Steve Gordon, from LCOG, was present and provided information to council of what they might derive from the study. A vision would be the first step not just a traditional land use plan acpompanied by a strategy. Council could from that process, identify some key targets would be of most interest to Springfield. Further, might be important to identify what state and federal monies would be most appropriate to help achieve these targets. Through this process council may be able to identify who some local partners may be that share this vision. He provided examples of how Springfield would benefit from this. Councilor Hatfield said he would be willing to meet in November as long as it would be a meeting with a purpose. He said cooperation and looking at this regionally is important. However, he is concerned about the loss of sovernty . Councilor Fitch said she is glad to see this report is more concentrated than the first report. She is in favor of a meeting in November, and looking at the regional partnering. Councilor Lundberg said she likes the idea of using an existing body, and adding Willamalane, rather than developing a new governing body. Sovernity must be stressed. Outside the bigger process, she would like to see the City of Springfield and Willamalane work closer on open space issues in the city. . Councilor Simmons said EWEB and SUB need to be partners is this decision also, and should be available for this discussion. This would provide an opportunity to look at many issues, and create a United Front effort for other funding opportunities. Discussion ensued regarding the ownership of land, and whether land exchanges with the BLM are an option. Ms. Pappas said because Springfield is surrounded between two rivers, it has a greater opportunity for different types of recreational corridors. She reminded Council these are only ideas, and there will be a check point at the end of Phase I, allowing Springfield to examine the process at that point. Funds are identified in the DSD budget should council approve this proposal. Mayor Leiken said with the Team Springfield concept, and a new Director of Will am alane. coiordination of these ideas between the city and Willamalane is very important. 3. Update on Region 2050: Creating a Growth Management Strategy for the Southern Willamette Valley. Planning Manager Greg Mott was present for the staff report. He said Carol Heinkel, R2050 Project Manager was in attendance, and would be presenting a brief slide show highlighting Region 2050. He reminded council of their endorsement on the merit of a regional problem solving agenda in July 1999. At that time council joined 10 other cities and Lane County in adopting a resolution in support of this endeavor. He referred to Attachment 4 of the information packet Resolution #99-45. As a result of this unanimous political advocacy, LCOG received a grant to prepare and administer a work program for this project. A key component of this work program is the establishment of the Regional Policy Advisory Board. Staff is requesting council appoint a representative for the advisory board. . Council Work Session September 25,2000 Page 4 . Carol Heinkel presented a 10-minute slide presentation highlighting the Region 2050 Strategy. ' This presentation was prepared for all regional adopting officials. Ms. Heinkel provided an overview of how Region 2050 was developed and funded. She explained that Region 2050 is a long range planning effort and it will be many years before actual steps are taken to implement proposals put forward through this process. She said Phase I will result in many tangible products. She provided information as to who would guide Region 2050. After council discussion, Mayor Leiken appointed Councilor Hatfield to be the representative for the advisory board, with Councilor Ballew as the alternate. Councilor Hatfield commented this is something needed and valuable, and hopes the explanations will be advisory in nature. Councilor Fitch thanked both Councilor Hatfield and Ballew for their willingness to serve. ADJOURNMENT The meeting was adjourned at 6:25 p.m. Minutes Recorder - Kim Krebs \ . A~, City RecOrd~ .