HomeMy WebLinkAbout03/23/1998 Work Session
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MINUTES OF THE WORK SESSION MEETING OF
THE SPRINGFIELD CITY COUNCIL HELD
MONDAY, MARCH 23, 1998
The city of Springfield council met in work session in the Jesse Maine Room, 225 Fifth Street,
Springfield, Oregon, on Monday, March 23, 1998, at 6:00 p.m., with Mayor Morrisette presiding.
ATTENDANCE
Present were Mayor Morrisette, Councilors Ballew, Beyer, Burge (6:05 pm.), Dahlquist, and
Shaver. Councilor Maine was absent (excused). Also present were City Manager Michael
Kelly, Assistant City Manager Gino Grimaldi, City Attorney Tim Harold, Senior Management
Analyst Rosie Pryor, City Recorder Julie Wilson and members of the staff.
1. Review ofTCI Franchise.
Senior Management Analyst Len Goodwin presented the staff report on this issue. The city
has granted a franchise to TCI to provide cable television services. This work session offers
the council an opportunity to review TCI's performance pursuant to that franchise.
The city has granted a non-exclusive franchise to TCI to provide cable television services. As
franchisor, the city is responsible for protecting the public's interest and assuring that TCI
complies with the terms of the franchise. Those terms have not recently been reviewed by the
council. It is timely to review them at this point because franchise activities have received an
increased level of public attention. TCI General Manager Mike White and members of his
staff were available to answer questions from the council.
Mr. Goodwin reviewed the staff report provided in their agenda packets.
Councilor Shaver said this issue has been discussed during MPC meetings. Mr. Goodwin
discussed the new method of calculating fees along with a potential [mancial audit.
Mr. Goodwin answered questions about Public Access Television.
Councilor Shaver discussed a limited franchise review. Mr. White discussed notification of
changes to be implemented and effective May 1.
Councilor Beyer said she now had digital cable access. She said some channels were still not
being received. Mr. White discussed access to channels 96, 97, 98 and 99 and changes to be
implemented. He also discussed the availability of free television converters.
Councilor Ballew said she had heard a report or opinion that some areas in the United States
were charged higher rates to help support lower rate areas. She thought our area was paying a
higher rate. Mr. White said TCI followed FCC calculation rates. Mr. Goodwin discussed the
rate calculations and the objective to provide service.
Councilor Ballew asked questions about the payment schedule. She referenced page 11 of the
staff report. She thought the payment schedule should be moved up slightly. Mr. Goodwin
said this could be a negotiating factor.
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Work Session Meeting Minutes
March 23, 1998
Page 2
Councilor Shaver requested clarification that council agreed with the direction in which MPC
was going and council agreed this was correct.
Mr. White discussed the schedule of converting and upgrading their system.
Mr. White discussed the rate increase. He discussed programming cost and the direct impact
these costs have on TCI rates.
2. Presentation and Discussion of the Drinking Water Protection Recommendations from the
Planning Commission.
City Planner Sarah Summers presented the staff report on this issue. The Springfield
Planning Commission has accepted the recommendations of the Drinking Water Protection
Task Force with one modification and is passing on these recommendations to the council.
The council will review the recommendations and ultimately adopt a final Drinking Water
Protection Management Program.
In June 1997, the Springfield Committee for Citizens Involvement appointed a ten-member
Citizen Task Force to provide the Planning Commission with recommendations on drinking
water protection options. A Drinking Water Protection Plan is a work task in the Metro Plan
Periodic Review Work Program. Since Springfield's groundwater has been delineated,
drinking water is a significant Goal (#5) resource which must be protected. The Task Force
met over a period of four months and presented prioritized recommendations to the Planning
Commission in February 1998. These recommendations were accepted by the Planning
Commission with one modification. The recommendations have previously been distributed
to council members.
Chuck Davis, Springfield Utility Board, provided a presentation regarding the Wellhead
Protection Plan, approval requirements and history regarding water protection and a detailed
map and diagram. He also discussed the water table levels and how groundwater levels differ
in other locations. He also discussed contaminant levels and wellhead locations. He said this
has been an issue of discussion. He said the majority of the water was in the central and
moved to the west of Springfield. Tim Hanley also answered questions regarding this issue.
Councilor Burge again raised the issue of wellhead locations. Mr. Davis discussed Task
Force recommendations regarding the location of wellheads. Sometimes there are benefits to
surrounding industrial communities to relocate a well. If the community wanted to relocate a
well, it should be considered. He said finding water was a little more difficult than just
drilling for water. Mr. Davis discussed detailed information regarding drilling for a well,
screening for protection, water table levels, shut off of wells and the different depth levels
drilled.
Mr. Davis explained the different layers and elevations between the ground surface and about
30 feet depth.
Task Force members present were George Greer, Dean Trotter, Jenny Lauretzen, Bill
Carpenter and Susy Eddie.
Work Session Meeting Minutes
March 23, 1998
Page 3
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Mr. Greer said other cities were surveyed and the Task Force was able to benefit from
information provided by other cities. He said the majority of members supported all
recommendations made. He also commended the Planning Commission for their contribution
to the project.
Mr. Greer said financial impact was not addressed. He said political expediencies that will
come into play when this is implemented were considered so these would be practical
recommendations. About nine categories were agreed upon. The rankings were agreed upon
for the most part. He said the overlay zone had the most immediate impact on businesses and
residents in the area.
Councilor Burge said this was an important issue. He wondered if Eugene had conducted the
survey. Mr. Greer said Eugene had the ability to take water from the old aqua foods and was
investigating other options with SUB.
Mr. Davis discussed the availability of water rights and the cost of drilling for wells.
Mr. Greer said water quality was important and also reviewed the graph on page five of the
staff report. Monitoring programs are in place and are good programs. It is suggested that
resources continue to be allocated to these programs. He also discussed the hazardous waste
program and proper disposal of these items.
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The septic system program was also discussed. This did have the potential to impact water
quality. Ultimately we do not have jurisdiction over areas outside the city limits.
Mr. Greer answered questions regarding septic tanks that have failed. He said this should be
watched. The recommendation was an effort to gain long term perspective. Mr. Trotter
discussed companies who use chemicals and the importance of making everyone aware of
consequences related to this.
Deputy Chief Operations Bruce Hocking provided general information regarding companies
that store chemicals and said the companies are good about notifying agencies as required of a
spill, etc. He also said Deputy Chief Fire Marshall Dennis Shew participates in the HazMat
Program and could provide more information about the program.
Tim Hanley again discussed the location of wells.
Mr. Greer discussed overlay zones. He said there was a potential for people to have a
problem with this. He said their recommendation was to have a phase in period, with options
such as including buying out a well, well relocation, private partnerships, mentoring
programs, formalizing that as a broader endeavor. They could still do business and protect the
water quality. The Task Force spent a lot of time talking about the fact that in practice, this
will not have a significant impact on those doing business but will have a great impact on the
water quality.
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Councilor Burge said often the government tends to overreact and hoped that we were
cautious not to do that but still have good results. Mr. Greer agreed. He said these
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Wark Session Meeting Minutes
March 23, 1998
Page 4
recommendations were practical and he would be happy to answer any questions the council
had.
City Planner Mel Oberst suggested staff bring back specific items for council review during
another work session to further discuss this issue, including issues pertaining to cause and
effect, cost, etc. The importance of implementation was discussed.
ADJOURNMENT
The meeting was adjourned at 7:40 p.m.
Minutes Recorder - Julie Wilson
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Bill Morrisette
Mayor
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