HomeMy WebLinkAbout09/14/1998 Work Session
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MINUTES OF THE MEETING 0 THE
SPRINGFIELD CITY COUNCIL HELD
MONDAY, SEPTEMBER 14,1998
The Springfield City Council met in work session at Springfield City Hall, Jesse Maine Room,
225 Fifth Street, Springfield, Oregon, at 6:00 p.m. with Mayor Morrisette presiding.
Present were Mayor Morrisette and Councilors Ballew, Beyer, Dahlquist, Leiken, Maine and
Shaver. Councilor-Elect Fred Simmons and Planning Commission members Lyle Hatfield and
Jim Burford. Also present were Assistant City Manager Gino Grimaldi, Administrative Aide
Shari Higgins, Management Analyst Cynthia Pappas, Museum Coordinator Kathy Jensen and
members of staff.
1. Museum Board Application Review.
Museum Coordinator Kathy Jensen introduced Paula Chan Carpenter who represented the
Museum Board of Directors. Kathy said two positions are currently vacant, since Steve Moe
and Forrest Arnold who already filled two consecutive terms and are not eligible to reapply.
Ms. Jensen introduced prospective candidate Gary Rasmussen, who was present. Ms. Jensen
said David Holgate was unable to attend.
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Administrative Aide Shari Higgins said the terms would expire September 21,2002, not
September 14, 2001, as stated in the AIS. The terms would commence upon ratification by
the City Council.
Ms. Jensen said the optional information attachment, behind the application should not have
been presented. It was included in the packet by error.
By council consensus, David Holgate and Gary Rasmussen will be appointed to the Museum
Board of Directors on September 21, 1998, at the regular council meeting.
2. Museum Committee Application Review.
Ms. Jensen explained the sole applicant, Deborah McManman's application was received in'
March 1998, but was held until now, as Ms. McManman preferred to apply for the Registrar's
position. Ms. McManman's term, once ratified, will expire September 21,2002.
Ms. Jensen told council another application was received for the Events Coordinator position,
and was received within the city's deadline, but the day after the last Museum Committee
meeting. Since the committee by-law's state the committee must interview all applicant's
prior to City Council review, the applicant will be invited to the next committee meeting. If
the candidate is recommended for approval by the committee, then the application will be
forwarded to the council.
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By council consensus, Deborah McManman will be appointed to the Museum Committee
on September 21, 1998, at the regular council meeting.
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Work Session Meeting - 9/14/98
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3. Review By-Law Changes - Museum Board of Directors.
Ms. Jensen said the Museum Board of Directors had recently made two by-law changes. One
increases the total number of members from nine to eleven, which would assist in having
members readily available for fundraising and board projects. The second change would
allow a member whose term has expired or who may choose not to re-apply, to serve on the
board until a replacement can be appointed. The change would ensure the board remains a
legally functioning unit at all times.
Ms. Higgins said this change was adopted previously in the City Council Operating Policies
and Procedures to allow this to occur on various boards, commissions and committees. This
change to the Museum Board of Directors by-laws will make them current with council's
operating policies.
Ms. Jensen provided a hand-out of the updated by-laws, after review by City Attorney Joe
Leahy. The changes are in Section #5 and Section #2 (items underlined) of the Agenda
Item Summary, which more accurately reflect the two proposed changes.
By council consensus, the Museum Board of Directors by-laws will be changedaUhe
regular meeting of the council, scheduled for September 21, 1998.
4.- Historic Commission Application Review.
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The council discussed why Mr. Gischel was not interviewed, as the City Council typically
interviews all candidates who apply for the Historic Commission. Councilor Shaver said he
made the decision, based on Mr. Gischel being both the sole applicant and a known
commission member to the City Council. Currently there are two openings on the seven
member commission and re-appointing Mr. Gischel would leave one vacancy.
Ms. Higgins added that Mr. Gischel was available for an interview, plus was pre-approved by
the State Historic Preservation Office, prior to his ratification in October 1994. She said the
second vacant position would be posted during the next recruitment period.
By council consensus, Jack Gischel will be re-appointed to the Historic Commission on
September 21, 1998, at their regular meeting.
5. Business from the City Council.
Ms. Higgins reported that Patricia Hickle withdrew from the Planning Comission interviews.
Ms. Hickle said she did not realize the time commitment needed to be a commission member.
Mayor Morrisette asked Ms. Higgins to scheduled future applicants for board, commission,
and committee positions to arrive 15 to 20 minutes prior to their interview.
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Ms. Higgins reminded the City Council of the scheduled Joint Elected Officials meeting to be
held on September 16, 1998 at 7:30 p.m. at the Willamalane Senior Center.
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Ms. Higgins told the City Council that a formal tribute/recognition was scheduled for October
24, for Mayor Morrisette. Ms. Higgins shared the time of the event, as well as plans for the
evening. As committee chair, if anyone would like to become involved, contact Ms. Higgins.
Mayor Morrisette spoke of the Community Band and the BandShell Project which has
received over $30,000 for the pavillion in Island Park. He said the project is ready to begin
with Dorman Construction leading the way as project manager. Mayor Morrisette listed
others who are assisting and donating materials. He thanked those community members who
are helping to make the BandShell a reality.
4. Planning Commission Interviews.
The City Council discussed the interview questions. Councilor Ballew asked if the Planning
Commission is a policy making body. Mayor Morrisette responded by explaining the
commission is a body which makes recommendations to the City Council and officially the
City Council sets the policy for the City of Springfield.
The City Council interviewed the following candidates:
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George D. Davis
Lara L. Downs
Timothy Hovet
David R. Ralston
Jerry J. Ritter
Sean M. Wilson
The City Council asked the following interview questions:
1. Please introduce yourself and explain and why do you want to be on the Planning
Commission?
2. Can you describe your understanding of the relationship between the Planning
Commission and city staff and the Planning Commission and the City Council?
3. Many of the land use laws are State mandated and must be enforced. How
would you reconcile your own personal opinions and beliefs regarding personal'property.
owners' rights when they are at odds with State law?
4. What's your interpretation of planning at the metropolitan level and what is your
understanding of our intergovernmental cooperation?
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5. Some of the commission's work is to discuss refinement plans and specific areas of
Springfield, but most issues are in the form of public hearings dealing with specific
property. Staff reports are provided to the Planning Commission with multiple
recommendations. Frequently commission members will receive public testimony that is
contrary to staffs recommendation. What type of decision making process would you use
in this situation?
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6. What is your understanding of the Planning Commission's role in making needed changes
to the Springfield Development Code.
7. Have you been to a Springfield Planning Commission meeting? What is your expectation
of the time commitment you foresee with this position?
The meeting recessed at 8:00 p.m.
The meeting reconvened at 8: 10 p.m.
The City Council discussed the candidates. Council asked Planning Commission members
Burford and Hatfield to share their preferences and observations on the applicants and
interviews.
Council members shared their opinions on applicants and discussed the interviews. By
consensus, council agreed to reappoint David Ralston to the commission with a term expiring
September 21, 2002.
Council asked for Councilor-Elect Simmons' assessmentofthe applicants and interviews.
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For the second vacancy on the Planning Commission, the council voted by paper. The
outcome was as follows: Davis - 1, Hovet - 1, Ritter - 2, Wilson- 2. After further discussion
a second council vote brought the following outcome: Ritter - 2, Wilson - 4. The council will
ratify the appointment of Sean Wilson as the new Planning Commission member at their
regular meeting on September 21.
ADJOURNMENT
The meeting adjourned at 8:55 p.m.
Minutes Recorder - Shari Higgins
ouncil President
ATTEST:
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Shari Higgins, A6tlng City Recorder
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