HomeMy WebLinkAbout11/06/2006 Work Session
City of Springfield
Work Session Meeting
MINUTES OF THE WORK SESSION MEETING OF
THE SPRINGFIELD CITY COUNCIL HELD
MONDAY, NOVEMBER 6, 2006
The City of Springfield Council met in a work session in the Library Meeting Room, 225 Fifth
Street, Springfield, Oregon, on Monday, November 6, 2006 at 6:00 p.m., with Mayor Leiken
presiding.
ATTENDANCE
Present were Mayor Leiken and Councilors Woodrow (via conference phone), Lundberg, Fitch,
Ballew, and Ralston. Also present were City Manager Gino Grimaldi, City Attorney Joe Leahy,
City Recorder Amy Sowa and members of the staff.
Councilor Pishioneri was absent (excused).
1. Lane Transit District (LTD) Pioneer Parkway Bus Rapid Transit (BRT) EmX Environmental
Assessment (EA).
Transportation Manager Tom Boyatt presented the staff report on this item. The Parkway BRT
is supported by Council as the next phase of BR T implementation in the Metro area because it
provides a connection between downtown and the growing Gateway commercial and
employment center. In April 2006 Council approved a motion endorsing the proposed Locally
Preferred Alternative (LP A) for the project provided certain issues were addressed. The LP A
was modified to address issues raised and the EA carries the modified LP A as the preferred
alternative to a no build alternative. After meeting with Council again at the end of July 2006,
LTD released the EA for public comment on September 20,2006 and closed the comment record
30 days later on October 20, 2006.
L TD staff will present comments received on the EA corridor design, and answer questions
about the project. With Council and County Board endorsement, L TD will submit the EA to the
Federal Transit Administration for a Finding of No Significant Impact (FONSI) decision. The
FONSI is necessary to continue to pursue the project for construction.
The attached Draft Resolution endorsing the project also calls out the process by which the
project design will be approved by the City for permitting and construction. Staff is proposing
that the Parkway BRT construction project be reviewed and approved by the City using the
normal Private Improvement Project (PIP) process. Staff believes that the project warrants this
method of review and approval because it is a large and complex project with many ofthe design
details not yet engineered. Staff also anticipates entering into an Intergovernmental Agreement
(IGA) with LTD to specify the terms and conditions of using City right of way for BRT on an
ongoing basis. This type of Use Agreement was previously executed between LTD, ODOT and
the City of Eugene for Phase I of the BRT that runs between downtown Eugene and downtown
Springfield.
City of Springfield
Council Work Session Minutes
November 6, 2006
Page 2
Mr. Boyatt said because L TD liked to do their projects in partnership, they were seeking
endorsement from the City Council before submitting the EA. He introduced t TD General
Manager, Mark Pangborn and L TD Project Manager, Stephano Viggiano. Mike Eyster, L TD
Board member, was also in attendance. With Council's approval, the next phase would be the
design phase, in which the City's public works staff would playa key role. He acknowledged
that comments had been made about impacts to the median in the parkway corridor and L TD
would discuss those issues.
Mr. Viggiano referred to a map showing the EmX corridor. The first corridor was located in
Eugene along Franklin Boulevard and was scheduled to open in January 2007. Pioneer Parkway
EmX corridor would be Phase II. He described that route. . He said public input had been
received from LTD during this five year process. He discussed what some of that public
involvement included. He noted that the Locally Preferred Alternative (LP A) had not changed.
The EA comment period closed on October 20, and very few comments were received during
that period.
Mr. Viggiano referred to a map in the middle of the table showing the corridor from South A
Street to F Street. He discussed some of the ways a third lane for the EmX would be
accommodated along this corridor. LTD heard concerns from Aletha Lou regarding parking, so
the design maintained parking for that business. They also received a comment from a resident
along that part of the corridor regarding parking. That parking had also been retained. Most
homes along this section of the corridor fronted the side streets and had parking on the side
streets. He noted one exception and the accommodations that were being made for that property.
He referred to a recent concern that was raised from Springfield Cleaners and loss of parking.
He said staff had some ideas and would be working with that business to try to find a solution.
As they progressed through the design phase, they would continue to address and resolve issues.
Councilor Ralston asked if diagonal parking could be an option at Springfield Cleaners.
Mr. Viggiano said that could be considered, but noted some possible issues with that option. He
said they could come back with options if Council wanted, but Council felt there was no need as
long as LTD was working to resolve the issue. Mr. Viggiano discussed the design in the median.
There was a lot of public input regarding the median, including keeping the bike/pedestrian path
at its current location and retaining the trees. In considering these issues, it made more sense to
locate both lanes along the east side of the median. He referred to a drawing showing the lanes
in the east part of the median. He referred to a letter from Don Lutes expressing concern about
losing the median. Mr. Lutes' preference would be to have the southbound third lane on Pioneer
Parkway West. He explained issues in doing that. He said putting both lanes on the east side of
the median was the preferred option in the public comments received.
Councilor Fitch asked how often vehicles would be passing in that area when up and running.
Mr. Viggiano said there would be ten minute service in each direction.
Councilor Lundberg asked if the buses would run at night.
Mr. Viggiano said they would run on twenty minute intervals at night.
City of Springfield
Council Work Session Minutes
November 6, 2006
Page 3
Councilor Lundberg asked about lighting along the corridor.
Mr. Viggiano said that would be part of the design work. LID would work with City staff and
the public on that design and lighting would be considered at that time.
Councilor Lundberg said lighting was a priority along that corridor for safety of pedestrians.
Mr. Viggiano said they could find a solution. He showed another design showing both lanes in
the median, but noted that design was not the preferred option. He discussed landscaping that
could be included to make it look like it was still green space.
Councilor Lundberg suggested low shrubs for safety.
Mayor Leiken asked about the objections to the second option.
Mr. Viggiano said it took more of the median and put EmX lanes closer to the bike path.
Councilor Fitch said as traffic got busier along Pioneer Parkway, that extra lane could be used
for emergency vehicles if needed.
Mr. Viggiano referred to the section of the corridor from Centennial to Q Street. He discussed
some of the issues along this section and how they were being resolved.
Councilor Ralston asked if the signs on the corner for Hamlin Field would be replaced when that
corner was changed.
Mr. Viggiano said those signs would be replaced and noted that the extra lane would not impact
the playing fields. He referred to the map showing the segment from Q Street to the roundabout
on Harlow Road/MLK Parkway. He said LTD would be planting trees when needed to replace
others or to add to the aesthetics.
Discussion was held regarding that segment.
Mr. Viggiano said the lane along the MLK Parkway was already built and the lane along
RiverBend Drive was being built. The design on International Way had been determined. He
explained. Gateway Street and Harlow Street were mixed traffic design with curbside stations.
L TD would look for other opportunities for queue jumps as the Gateway/Beltline design was
completed by the City.
Councilor Ballew asked about the distance between stations.
Mr. Viggiano said it was about one-third ofa mile. He described where some of the stations
would be located along Harlow Street.
Discussion was held regarding the amount of auto traffic along that stretch of Harlow Road due
to the number of auto related businesses.
City of Springfield
Council Work Session Minutes
November 6, 2006
Page 4
Councilor Ballew asked about International Way and left turns.
Mr. Viggiano brought out a picture of that area. He explained how cars would turn left in that
area. There would be access to every driveway.
Councilor Lundberg discussed signage for the EmX and noted that it would need to be in place
well ahead of the actual changes. It would need to be very clear.
Mr. Viggiano said the signage would be very unique for the EmX. L TD would learn a lot from
the Franklin Corridor as to what would work best. It would need to remain clear but simple.
Mayor Leiken said a lot of things would be worked out through the Franklin Corridor. Once this
phase of the EmX was open, Royal Caribbean, Symantec and PeaceHealth would be at full
capacity.
Mr. Viggiano said they were learning from this first phase and were excited to see future phases
as they connected.
Councilor Fitch said the staff from LID and the City had worked hard on this. So much had
been done behind the scenes. They had worked with people to resolve issues and make it
happen. It had been a lot of work. She said she felt in five years Eugene would want their
second phase.
Mr. Viggiano said the Steering Committee did recommend Council approve this proposal. He
noted that two of the new EmX vehicles had arrived and there would be an unveiling Thursday
morning at the Eugene Station at 9:00am. The Mayor and Council were all invited and
Congressman DeFazio would be there~
Councilor Ralston asked if inflation factors had been included in the cost estimate.
Mr. Viggiano said inflation had been built into the estimate and they had gone back to the cost
estimator with new project information. The estimate was made on projections for 2008/2009.
He said LTD received their Connect Oregon funds and they submitted a Small Starts Funding
application in September. They wouldn't know until about February if they received that
funding, but they had received information that their application looked positive.
Councilor Ralston asked about the remainder of the costs.
Mr. Viggiano said LID had been saving in reserves and had the amount needed. He said LTD
would not be coming back to City on this project for funding, but may on other projects.
Discussion was held on the remaining costs.
Mayor Leiken asked about the Connect Oregon funds and if they were available.
City of Springfield
Council Work Session Minutes
November 6, 2006
Page 5
Mr. Pangborn said they had a signed contract at this time. The funds were supported from
lottery funds.
Councilor Ballew asked about an agreement with LTD for use of the City's right-of-way.
City Attorney Joe Leahy said Mr. Goodwin was working on that issue. LID would be in the
City's right-of-way and would need an agreement.
Mr. Viggiano said LID had signed an IGA with Eugene and the State for use of their right-of-
way in the first phase. The State required an agreement for twenty year use.
Councilor Fitch said the Chairman of the Steering Committee said she could stay on as a citizen
member after her term as Councilor had ended. The Mayor would appoint a new representative
from the Council.
2. Discussion of Commercial and Industrial Lands Data Report.
Planning Manager Greg Mott presented the staff report on this item. State law requires each
city's comprehensive plan to include an inventory of industrial and other employment land
suitable, available and necessary for economic development opportunities for a 20 year period.
The Metro Plan satisfied this inventory at acknowledgment in 1982, but the lack of a
contemporary database of conditions and status led the Metro area elected officials and Lane
Metro Partnership to co-sponsor an evaluation of the metro area supply. The attached report
includes a newly developed database of current conditions and offers an array of data sets that
are useful for government and the private sector in considering appropriate development sites for
a particular use.
It is important to note that ECONorthwest's report is not the complete inventory required by law,
nor is it a policy document. The requirements for commercial and industrial buildable lands
inventories include the supply, a demand analysis (not included in this report) and provisions to
match projected demand with an adequate supply. This report makes no assertions or
assumptions that the supply included in this database is adequate. However, the report does
identify additional work necessary to get to that point and includes a list of policy options for
additional consideration, including an endorsement of the complete buildable lands inventory as
specified in Oregon Administrative Rules (See page 22-24 of attachment). While there may be
additional options or variations on these options, staff agrees with the suggestion by
ECONorthwest that creating a complete inventory is the most logical next step to take. Ifthe
Council agrees, a follow-up work session should be scheduled to consider work scope, costs,
project duration and possible funding sources for one or more of these options.
Mr. Mott said the report was a database and preliminary analysis. He said this project was
dictated by the amount of money and time available. At the joint meeting with Lane County,
Terry Moore from ECONorthwest made it clear that the database they were able to create was a
system model that could be given more attention, with funding, and be an ongoing, sustainable
model that government and private citizens could use to prepare reports, look at trends and keep
abreast of the inventory. The report had not been perfected to that point as of yet. The data in
the model was data that already existed and the sources and quality of the data could be
City of Springfield
Council Work Session Minutes
November 6, 2006
Page 6
improved. There were regional geographic information people meeting to determine how that
data could be improved. That group hoped to make recommendations on a fit land-use database
by the late Spring 2007, once the regional spatial adjustment project was concluded. The next
steps were outlined in recommendations from ECONorthwest on page 22 and 23 of the report
included in the agenda packet. To perfect the Commercial and Industrial Lands inventory, there
were two distinct parts: the supply side and the demand side. From that, would be derived what
was needed for the City's twenty-year inventory. This report would constitute a significant
portion of the supply side. The City could conduct a demand analysis whether they pursued
further supply analysis or not. He discussed demand for certain property. The focus was to
make this a better model with better data. After the City knew the demand, and after they had
better information on the supply, they could determine what action to take. He said the
conclusion of the entire study would be about two or three years and the cost would be several
hundred thousand dollars.
Mayor Leiken said he read through the report and felt the document tiptoed the issues.
Springfield was using common sense to determine where we wanted to go. He said it was a start,
but not very useful. He agreed the information was not accurate and up-to-date. He said of the
options listed, he would agree with option 4 on page 23 of the report. He said it was just a start
to look further at expansion. He said all anyone needed to do was to look around and see that we
were short of commercial property. This report could be used as a guiding point only to give
direction on the next steps.
Councilor Ralston said the concept of the report was good. He felt the City needed to take it to
the ultimate level, perhaps option 3. Once commercial and industrial studies were complete,
residential would fall right in. He explained. He said it was irresponsible not to go forward.
Councilor Fitch said we were in a number of updates for Metro Plan, TransPlan, etc. She asked
when the next one was required.
Mr. Mott said the City just received notice that we had completed periodic review.
Councilor Fitch asked how the City could have completed periodic review if we didn't have a
twenty year supply.
Mr. Mott said when this started it was twelve years ago. The City finished a residential land in
1999, the TransPlan in 2001 and Goal 5 just recently.
Councilor Fitch said the report stated that "there has not been a comprehensive Goal 14 study
completed since the metro plan was adopted in 1986". She asked if that was correct. Yes. She
asked how it could have been completed without current studies showing we have a twenty year
supply.
Mr. Mott said when the City received the periodic review notice in 1994, the State was not
concerned about industrial land.
Mr. Grile said when periodic review began, it was a compliance review for all statewide
planning program standards. That ceased to be the case about ten years ago. Now the City and
City of Springfield
Council Work Session Minutes
November 6, 2006
Page 7
State negotiate a work program and choose which things go into the periodic review process.
Typically, the jurisdiction chooses things that they would prefer go before LCDC for review,
rather than a post-acknowledgement amendment which would go to LUBA.
Mr. Mott said when they received the notice in 1994, it identified a number of tasks, but didn't
identify a complete update of the metro plan. The planning directors prepared cost estimates of a
full periodic review and a leaner periodic review. The elected officials chose the leaner version.
Councilor Fitch asked ifthe periodic review was done within the original cost estimate. No. It
was only to take a year or two and took twelve years. She noted that a lot was added by other
jurisdictions. She asked what the designation of 'completed the periodic review' meant.
Mr. Mott said in the next five to seven years, the City could receive a notice to update our
planning.
Councilor Fitch said we had no ability to require other jurisdictions to be accountable for doing
the Goall4 study.
Mr. Mott said that was correct. The State didn't object to a jurisdiction conducting this type of
study, but would not require it until the State had some reason it needed to be done.
Councilor Fitch asked about what type of reason would be needed. She said if Springfield did
our own study, but remained part of TransPlan and Metro Plan, could Springfield make
adjustments to be in compliance with the twenty year supply without going to the other
jurisdictions.
Mr. Mott said we would need to make the argument that our concern was with respect to the
population and employment we expect to come to Springfield. People wanting to open a
business or build their home in Springfield cared that there was a place to build a home and start
their business. TheCity could project what was likely to happen in the future by looking at the
past, and that could be translated into land use needs.
Councilor Fitch asked if we could change our UGB without our partners.
Mr. Mott said the urban growth boundary (UGB) amendments that went over a river or ridgeline
automatically required Eugene to be involved. He discussed the different way UGB amendments
were processed.
Councilor Ballew said Springfield and Eugene had different corporate viewpoints, so there may
never be agreement on purposes and aims. She asked if Springfield was currently feeding our
own system with Geographic Information System (GIS) information. Yes. She said our data
was as good as we could make it and we were doing it ongoing, which was good. She asked if it
was done by tax lots.
Mr. Mott said it could be done in a variety of basis: by tax lots, by polygons, meets and bounds
descriptions, etc.
City of Springfield
Council Work Session Minutes
November 6, 2006
Page 8
Councilor Ballew asked if Eugene was doing something similar in keeping their database up-to-
date.
Mr. Mott said they were. The network of GIS staff would come to a point where they would
make recommendations on how the data should be stored and maintained, most likely not in
Regional Land Information Database (RLID). Springfield could maintain every land use data in
Springfield. There was other data related to land use in the City that the City could access.
Springfield could be the sole repository for that data.
Councilor Lundberg asked about the relationship with this information and the Information
Technology (IT) upgrades.
Mr. Mott said the technology fee recently enacted would enable the City to store information in a
more precise way. It would also speak to other systems currently in place. He explained. Every
permit issued was put into Tidemark, which was already in place. He said the LaserFiche
program would allow us to connect all of the information and make it accessible.
Councilor Lundberg said real estate investors had information on what was available regarding
land. She gave an example in the Gateway area. She said she would like these issues to be just
between each City and the County, not all three. She was not interested in putting more time and
effort into this unless it was required by the State or if it would enable Springfield to unlock
itself from Eugene. She said the report stated that "jurisdictions are only interested in
redevelopment that results in higher density". She disagreed with that statement and explained
why.
Councilor Fitch said Springfield needed to know long term where we wanted to go so there was a
plan in place.
Mayor Leiken asked Councilor Woodrow ifhe had any questions.
Councilor Woodrow said his questions had been asked by Councilors Ballew and Lundberg.
Councilor Ralston said if this was done right, it could be used now and forever. It would be
updated through the program. He said Springfield may have to explore ways to do things
without Eugene's approval.
Mr. Mott said it sounded like Council didn't want to pursue any of the options.
Mr. Grimaldi asked if Council wanted to do a needs analysis. If a needs analysis was done, it
would give Springfield the opportunity to have that conversation about expansion if a need was
shown.
Mayor Leiken said it would only show the need within Springfield's jurisdiction.
City of Springfield
Council Work Session Minutes
November 6, 2006
Page 9
Councilor Ballew said she would like to know how much the needs analysis would cost and how
much time it would take before proceeding. Council agreed.
Mr. Mott said Springfield was doing a needs analysis for residential in Springfield only.
Mayor Leiken asked staff to first come back with the cost before moving forward.
Mr. Grimaldi said staff would come back with costs and where this study could lead.
Mayor Leiken said he would like further discussion between the planning directors regarding the
metro plan and creating more autonomy between the communities.
Councilor Lundberg wanted information on who would be involved because staff was already
stretched.
ADJOURNMENT
The meeting was adjourned at approximately 7:10 pm.
Minutes Recorder - Amy Sowa
\.
Attest:
Am~
City Recoroer