HomeMy WebLinkAbout04/12/1999 Work Session
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MINUTES OF THE SPRINGFIELD CITY COUNCIL
WORK SESSION MEETING HELD
MONDAY, APRIL 12, 1999
The Springfield City Council met in Work Session at Springfield City Hall, Jesse Maine Room,
225 Fifth Street, Springfield, Oregon, at 5:02 p.m. with Mayor Maine Presiding.
Present were Mayor Maine and Councilors Ballew, Fitch, Hatfield, Leiken, Lundberg and
Simmons. Also present were City Manager Mike Kelly, Assistant City Manager Gino Grimaldi,
Senior Management Analyst Rosie Pryor, Administrative Aide Shari Higgins, Librarian Bob
Russell, Development Services Director Susan Daluddung, Housing Programs Specialist Kevin
Ko, Museum Coordinator Kathy Jensen, Community and Economic Development Manager John
Tamulonis, and Planner II Lauren Lezell.
1. Library Long-Range Planning Committee Interim Report to Council.
Librarian Bob Russell introduced the topic and said the Library Long-Range Planning
Committee had been meeting since October 1998 and was presenting an interim long-range
report and seeking council input. Mr. Russell said after council guidance, the development of
goals and strategies would be finalized and the report completed. He introduced committee
chair, Stan Paine.
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Mr. Paine said the committee developed a mission statement, descriptions of key issues and
identified the most important roles the Library should fill in the community. He said the
guidance requested from council pertained to the direction of the plan, areas which had possibly
been overlooked and if a 10-year time frame was long enough or should the committee look
farther into the future.
Mr. Paine asked council questions from the report, and asked that their answers be included for
further consideration by_ t~e committee.
Councilor Lundberg felt the report used a thoughtful process and shared good ideas. She asked
for additional information regarding the Library District and how much revenue it could
generate. She asked additional questions on outreach programs for preschoolers and at-birth
children. Mr. Russell said the Library currently works with teen Mothers to give every child a
book at birth; as well as providing story times for preschool age children. He said added
activities and information packets were targeted for high risk children. Christine felt the Library
should also target young adults/teens and families for Library use.
Councilor Hatfield also shared his support for the report. He spoke about the growth of the
community and how the Library's mission has changed over the years. He felt the Library is a
good place not only for books, but other media items as well, and liked current outreach efforts
in the area of literacy. He felt restoring prior service levels and branch Library's could not be
achieved at this time, but were good future goals as the city continues to grow.
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Councilor Fitch said the report was on the right track. She also had questions regarding a
Library District and if it would still exist under the city or as a separate entity/tax base. She felt
the 10-year time frame was adequate for the plan, but not long enough to accomplish branch
Librarys.
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Springfield City Council
Work Session Minutes - 4/12/99
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Councilor Simmons agreed with the report but would like to see the vision extended beyond the
lO-year period. He felt the committee should look beyond and not just be happy with what the
Library currently has, but strive to seek private grants and seek help from other community
members/agencies.
Councilor Ballew complimented the committee on the report. She said the report has less of an
emphasis on adults as it did children and reminded the committee that many adult readers are
also the voters who would support future Library changes. She asked questions about the
Friends of the Library group versus a Library Foundation in terms offundraising and support.
Councilor Ballew said she did not see a Library District as a definite revenue source, and felt it
may be vulnerable as a special district and not part of the larger city organization. She asked for
more information on the creation of a Library District.
Mayor Maine said there is an upcoming potential for gauging community support, through an
update of Springfield Tomorrow. She said currently the two largest trip generators into the
downtown area are the Library and the Bowling Alley, both family oriented destinations. Mayor
Maine urged the committee to keep a broad focus on what the community wants and to partner
with other community agencies regarding growth opportunities.
Bob briefly addressed the creation of a special district and explained how it would take a vote of
the citizens. He also spoke about branch locations. There was a brief discussion of possible
future services.
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By consensus, council said the report had the right issues addressed and felt it fit into a 10-year
time frame, but a longer vision for the future should also be considered. The committee should
also build in flexibility, but not get too focused in one direction or area at this point. Council
warned that future shifts would occur and would be very important to the long-range plan.
Mayor Maine asked when council could expect the final report. Mr. Russell estimated by the
first of June, 1999.
2. Community Development Advisory Committee (CDAC).
Housing Programs Specialist Kevin Ko was present for the staff report. He said the CDAC
consists of six at-large positions from community and one representative from the Planning
Commission.
The Community Development Advisory Committee (CDAC) advises council on all matters
related to the city's housing and community development activities which are funded annually
by Community Development Block Grant (CDBG) funds received from HUD. They also serve
as the city's Human Rights Commission. Mr. Ko said the city encourages applicants who are
lower-income earners, residents of lower income neighborhoods, racial and ethnic minorities,
senior citizens, disabled individuals and female heads of households.
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Mr. Ko said there were three positions vacant, due to term expirations, and all three incumbents
were eligible for re-appointment. In addition, there was one new application for committee
. participation. The terms are set to expire March 31, 2003 and all candidates must be residents
within the city limits.
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Springfield City Council
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Mayor Maine said the CDAC meets infrequently and did not provide a recommendation.
Councilor Hatfield, liaison to the CDAC, recommended re-appointment ofthe three incumbents,
based on good performance during first terms. Mayor Maine said the council has an informal
policy to re-appoint those seeking re-appointment who are positive contributors.
By consensus, council agreed to re-appoint Dan Egan, Gayle Decker and Bonnie Peterson to the
CDAC with terms expiring March 31,2003, at their regular meeting scheduled for April 19,
1999.
Councilor Lundberg reminded council that the CDAC serves as the Human Rights Commission
on an as-needed basis. She asked staff to add human right by-law information for membership
to the CDAC. There was a brief discussion regarding recruitment efforts and contacts staff
makes with regards to applications for the CDAC.
3. Museum Committee Application Review and Appointment.
Museum Coordinator Kathy Jensen was present for the staff report. She said the Museum
Committee, Event/Hospitality Coordinator position assists with the year's major fund raising
event and assists the Director with exhibit openings and other special programs. Ms. Jensen said
one applicant, Laura Niles applied and is highly qualified to fulfill the role vacated by Susan
Oldham when her second term expired on July 1, 1998.
By consensus, council agreed to appoint Laura Niles to the Museum Committee with a term
expiring April 31, 2003, at their regular meeting scheduled for April 19, 1999.
Council members expressed their thanks to Ms. Jensen for building and maintaining such a good
team at the Springfield Museum.
4. Appoint Springfield Chamber of Commerce Nominees to Replace Springfield Business
Representatives on the Lane Workforce Partnership Board.
Community and Economic Development Manager John Tamulonis was present for the staff
report. He said the Lane Workforce Partnership (formerly SWPIC) is charged with directing the
operation of local employment and training programs funded under the Job Training Partnership
Act and serves annually over 5,000 residents and about 450 businesses in Lane County.
Mr. Tamulonis said the Springfield Chamber of Commerce Board of Directors recently approved
the nominations of Ruthie Heikkila of Cascade Fabrication, and Annie Sakagucki of SASS,
Inc./McDonald's of Springfield/Oakridge. He said the Chamber's nominating list also included
Kris Redmond. Federal regulations guiding the Partnership require the City of Springfield to
appoint from a list of business nominees made by the Chamber of Commerce.
By consensus, council agreed to appoint Ruthie Heikkila and Annie Sakaguchi to the Lane
Workforce Partnership Board with terms expiring December 31,2002, at their regular meeting
scheduled for April 19, 1999.
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5. Historic Commission Interview.
Planner II Lauren Lezell was present for the interview process. She said one applicant, Philip
Garcia, who resides within the Washburne Historic District, was present. The seven member
commission currently has three vacancies due to the expiration of two commissioner's terms and
one position which was not filled during the December 1998 recruitment period. Ms. Lezell
asked council to conduct an interview for a replacement member. With one member appointed,
the commission could function with a quorum of five members in attendance.
Mayor Maine asked Administrative Aide Shari Higgins to provide copies of the Historic
Commission charge, letting council members know of the specific requirements and expertise
needed when appointing new members. Ms. Lezell said she and the commission would become
more active in recruiting new members to fill the membership requirement of seven members.
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The Mayor and City Council asked the following interview questions:
1) Please tell the council why you are interested in the Historic Commission.
2) What specialty or skill would you bring to the commission.
3) What vision do you have for the commission.
4) Describe examplesofthe best and some of the worst Historic preservation which you have
seen.
5) The Historic Commission takes action on requested changes to homes in the area. What kind
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things would you use to balance a personal decision, while keeping in line with private
property
rights, and would you be comfortable in a Quasi-Judicial role.
6) What made you choose to live in Springfield.
After conducting the interview, by consensus, council agreed to appoint Philip Garcia to the
Historic Commission with a term expiring April 31, 2003, at their regular meeting scheduled for
April 19, 1999.
ADJOURNMENT
The meeting adjourned at 6:25 p.m.
Minutes Recorder - Shari Higgins
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ATTEST:
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