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HomeMy WebLinkAbout07/18/2005 Work Session . . . City of Springfield Work Session Meeting MINUTES OF THE WORK SESSION MEETING OF THE SPRINGFIELD CITY COUNCIL HELD MONDAY, JULY 18,2005 The City of Springfield Council met in a work session in the Jesse Maine Room, 225 Fifth Street, Springfield, Oregon, on Monday, July 18, 2005 at 6: 15 p.m., with Mayor Leiken presiding. ATTENDANCE Present were Mayor Leiken and Councilors Ballew, Ralston, Fitch, Lundberg, Woodrow and Pishioneri. Also present were City Manager Mike Kelly, City Attorney Joe Leahy, City Recorder Amy Sowa and members ofthe staff. 1. Eugene/Springfield Metro Waterways Feasibility Study - Status Report. Maintenance Manager Ed Black presented the staff report on this item. In September 2003 the cities of Springfield and Eugene, Lane County and the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers signed an \ interagency cost sharing agreement to conduct a project feasibility study ofthe Eugene/Springfield urban watershed. The objective of the feasibility study is to identify and evaluate water resource related capital improvement projects which can be implemented within the metropolitan area over the next 15-20 years. In April 2001, Dr. James Johnson, the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers' Director of Policy and Planning, visited Eugene/Springfield to inspect corps funded projects in the metropolitan area. Based on his observations, Dr. Johnson recommended that local governments take a more comprehensive, integrated approach to address water resource issues in the urban watershed. In February 2002, the United Front delegation was successful in gaining federal support for a Corps study of water resources in the metropolitan area. In September 2003, the cities of Springfield and Eugene, Lane County and the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers signed an interagency cost sharing agreement to conduct a project feasibility study. Fifty percent of the Feasibility Study costs are paid by the Corps. Eugene and Springfield are providing the local match (the other fifty percent) through a combination of in-kind services and cash. Active staff participation on the project began in March 2004. A substantial proportion of Springfield's contributions to the project will accrue from other city-funded projects either underway or planned for the future (i.e. Stormwater Facilities Master Plan, Cedar Creek Flood Plain Study, Aerial Photography, etc.) The initial focus of the study for Springfield is the Cedar Creek watershed and its relationship to our stormwater management needs. The staff presentation will include: budget; expenditures to date; and a review of maj or tasks completed or underway (citizen involvement program, ortho aerial photography, hydraulic and hydrologic study, project baseline report, and Lane County and EWEB participation). Mr. Black presented a power point presentation including several maps that outlined the area to be discussed. He explained how the Mill Race would flow into Cedar Creek. Mr. Black said a visit from the Corps headquarters would occur in late August. These fIrst stages could go on for the next five years, and the total project could go on for twenty to twenty-five years. He explained why this project was started, such as to address flood hazard, drainage, water quality issues, and riparian habitat including fish. Cedar Creek had been identified as having runs of salmon. City of Springfield Council Work Session Minutes July 18,2005 Page 2 . Councilor Ballew asked about financial obligations for the city. Mr. Black said a "without conditions" project report was being developed to establish a base line for Cedar Creek. From the report, they would identify problems, opportunities and constraints, develop alternatives, select alternatives through a public process and design and finance selected projects. He said financing could come from a variety of sources. The financing for the feasibility study was currently fifty percent federal and fifty percent local (twenty-five percent from Eugene and twenty-five percent from Springfield). Lane County contributed in-kind services. He discussed the stormwater drainage in that area. Mr. Black discussed public outreach workshops held in January at Thurston Middle School and the Eugene Public Library. A mailing of 5500 brochures went out regarding these workshops. The main theme from those workshops was the theme of flooding. The ortho aerial photography was mainly funded by the Corps of Engineers and Springfield contributed in-kind services for that part of the project. A technical assistance pool was in place to give feedback on the project. He said one of the main reasons for doing this project was to do a flood plains study for Cedar Creek. The Corps of Engineers would be starting that project this year. Only one small area had been selected at this time, but feasibility studies would be done on other areas in the future. He described the three areas that would be part of the total project. Councilor Ballew asked about the OxBow project. She asked where that was located and if it was part of this study. . Mr. Black said that was outside of this area and was not included in the study. Staff was still trying to get clarification on the land which was to be donated from Weyerhaeuser. City Attorney Joe Leahy said they were still waiting for a revised deed from Weyerhaeuser's Tacoma office. Once that was received, that could move forward. Councilor Fitch asked if there was a way to offset costs to Springfield and Eugene with regards to Lane County. Mr. Black said the city had spent about $140,000 per year in cash or in-kind services. He explained in-kind services. Lane County had a $37,000 cost for the ortho photography which was credited to the project as a match. Councilor Fitch said she was looking to the future and how the county could contribute or offset those costs with other projects. . Mr. Black said part ofthe reason the county had been included was for their in-kind participation. The hope was that the county would see the impact and become even more involved in the future. Councilor Fitch said that could be something to discuss during joint elected officials' meetings. Mr. Black said Lane County could use some of their road fund money for their share. Councilor Fitch asked about another feasibility study. . Mr. Black said an expanded feasibility study would probably begin by October 2005. It would be a year from now when that information would be gathered. City of Springfield Council Work Session Minutes July 18,2005 Page 3 . Councilor Fitch asked if they would be looking at flood plain or flow issues. Mr. Black said they would look at every aspect. The study would include land use and population, parks and open space, visible condition, water resources and biological resources. Councilor Fitch asked what area that study would cover. Mr. Black explained. Councilor Fitch asked if it could be extended across the river. Mr. Black said the project was a main stem project and the Mill Race was only a part of it. It actually included the main stem of the Willamette and the confluence ofthe Coastal Fork and Middle Fork up to Armitage. It would include the area she was asking about. Mr. Black also noted that Eugene Water and Electric Board (EWEB) had been recognized as part of the City of Eugene and had made numerous investments in the Cedar Creek area. Credit had accrued from that which meant more of a commitment from the Corps of Engineers to put more money into the project. Councilor Pishioneri said East Lane Soil and Water Conservation District had several projects they have used grant money for in that area. He asked if staff had contacted the East Lane Soil and Water Conservation District about leveraging funding for this project or sharing in some of their grant money. . Mr. Black said he didn't know if they had been contacted, but he could check into contacting them. Councilor Ballew asked if the possible change of ownership of the current Willamalane Administrative Building from public to private would have an affect on the Mill Race. Mr. Black said there were restrictions on what could be done within certain distance ofthe Mill Race. He said there could be some changes. Public ownership required a one-hundred foot riparian and private ownership required a fifty foot riparian. 2. Proposed 14th Avenue Multi-Use Path. Transportation Manager Nick Arn.is presented the staff report on this item. The Springfield Utility Board (SUB) is constructing a water line in Glenwood along the 14th Avenue corridor. Glenwood residents Steve Moe and Dave Carvo have requested city assistance for a multi-use path along a section of the 14th Avenue corridor in Glenwood in the same location as the SUB water line. . At the May 16, 2005 council meeting, Glenwood residents Steve Moe and Dave Carvo presented an idea to the City Council about a multi-use path in Glenwood along the 14th Avenue Corridor in conjunction with a SUB water line project at the same location. Mr. Moe and Mr. Carvo suggested that since SUB is constructing a water line behind the Lane Transit District (L TD) facility and tearing up the ground and laying rock over the water line there would be a good opportunity to construct a multi-use path on top of the water line along the five hundred foot western section of unimproved area behind LTD between Henderson Avenue and Glenwood Boulevard. Council directed staff to provide an update about the proposal and a May 23, 2005 Communication Packet memo was sent to council. The Communication Packet focused on the City of Springfield Council Work Session Minutes July 18,2005 Page 4 . background of the multi-use path proposal and outlined the unanswered questions and issues about the multi-use path proposal. Tonight's work session will further explore the issues and questions in order to present options for council consideration and direction. Mr. Arnis referred to a map which showed the area under consideration for this bike path. He said the proposed idea had been discussed for some time. The lighting along this path could cost the city about $50,000 for street lighting and finalizing the path. He discussed the advantages and disadvantages of the proposed bike path as noted in the Agenda Packet, Attachment A, page 2. Mr. Amis explained the two options available for council. Councilor Pishioneri said he supported this project. He said it would send a message that the City of Springfield was ready to extend a helping hand to Glenwood. He was concerned about the safety issue because ofthe location of the proposed bike path. He asked what the approximate costs would be if this project was done in the future rather than now. Mr. Arnis said staff compared costs to the 42nd Street project which was done from scratch and estimated the cost would be about $200/linear foot. That would bring the total cost of the proposed path in Glenwood to about $100,000 if the city were to do it alone. Councilor Pishioneri asked if the city would also assume liability for injuries on that path. Mr. Arnis said it would as with other city streets and bike paths. . Mr. Leahy said it would be under the city's insurance. Councilor Ballew asked if the area for the proposed bike path was within city limits. She asked how it would be patrolled. Mr. Amis said it was within city limits and they could include removable barriers to allow patrol. Councilor Ballew asked about the cost of the electric bills on the lights. She asked about lighting districts and why we don't have any formed. She noted an example from California. Mr. Arnis said he wasn't familiar with lighting districts. Mr. Kelly said lighting districts were usually done in conjunction with developments, but could be done separately. He explained how the costs would be incurred. Councilor Ballew said the city needed to be more resourceful about using the funds available. Councilor Ralston said the city should take advantage of this opportunity. It would save the city money in the long run and would bring bike traffic off the main road. He asked about having Lane Transit District (L TD) pay for the costs of maintaining the lighting. He discussed the cost savings that LTD would gain through this project. Mr. Arnis discussed Glenwood Planning and bike lanes that would still go on Franklin Boulevard and how residents would be able to use the proposed bike lane on 14th Street. . Councilor Lundberg asked him to explain the lights currently on 14th Street. . City of Springfield Council Work Session Minutes July 18, 2005 Page 5 Mr. Amis said there was minimal lighting on one end of 14th Street. Some poles would need to be added. He referred to the area on the map. Mr. Moe explained the lighting in that area and said there was a Lighting District in Glenwood that could possibly pay for the lighting costs. Councilor Lundberg asked if Franklin Boulevard would continue to have bike lanes. Yes, they would. She said she would ride along Franklin Boulevard rather than riding on an off-street path. She suggested putting this proposed bike path in the future planning rather than putting it mnow. Mr. Amis said the Request for Proposals (RFP) went out today. He said there were state statutes that whenever a state highway was improved, bike lanes had to be added. An extension to the proposed bike path could be added once the final bike plan was formulated. Councilor Fitch said it was a great opportunity for a partnership between the Springfield Utility Board (SUB), Lane Transit District (LTD) and the City of Springfield for a minimal amount of money. She said it would be a great opportunity in the future and could open it up for future development. Lighting was critical along that section. She said this project was a recommitment by the city to the people of Glenwood. Councilor Pishioneri asked how much of the $50,000 was for lighting. Mr. Amis said about $25,000. . Councilor Pishioneri asked if the city could reuse lights they would be removing in other sections of town for this section of the path. Mr. Amis said he would recommend using metal halide lighting on this path. He discussed other options. Mayor Leiken said the contract with Glenwood Water District needed to be resolved before moving forward with this project and asking the district to pay for the lighting maintenance. He said this was a very important project and was needed. He discussed the need for good solid partnerships. Councilor Lundberg discussed the importance of Glenwood Water District paying for fIre service and she agreed their contract should be resolved before this project moved forward. Councilor Fitch agreed. Councilor Ballew asked about the contract with Glenwood Water District. Mr. Kelly said it expired two years ago. He discussed some of the reasons agreement had not been reached, in part because of the Urban Renewal District and the impact that could have on the water district. Other options were being explored to come to resolution with Glenwood Water District. . Councilor Ballew said the property tax pass-through needed to be resolved as Glenwood properties annexed into Springfield. " ~ . . . City of Springfield Council Work Session Minutes July 18, 2005 Page 6 Councilor Fitch asked what the timeline was for this project. Mr. Amis said SUB wanted to begin their work in late fall, so a couple of months prior would be the time to plan and design. Councilor Fitch suggested the Glenwood Water District be informed that council was supportive of the project once the fIre services contract was resolved. Councilor Ballew clarified that she was not all that supportive of this project and she did not believe this was the best timing. ADJOURNMENT The meeting was adjourned at 7:05 pm. Minutes Recorder - Amy Sowa Attest: ~~ City Recorder