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HomeMy WebLinkAbout05/10/1999 Work Session . MINUTES OF THE WORK SESSION MEETING OF THE SPRINGFIELD CITY COUNCIL HELD MONDAY, MAY 10, 1999 The city of Springfield council met in work session in the Library Meeting Room, 225 Fifth Street, Springfield, Oregon, on Monday, May lO, 1999, at 5:00 p.m., with Mayor Maine presiding. ATTENDANCE Present were Mayor Maine, Councilors Ballew, Hatfield, Leiken, Lundberg and Simmons. Councilor Fitch was absent (excused). Also present were City Manager Michael Kelly, Assistant City Manager Gino Grimaldi, Senior Management Analyst Rosie Pryor, City Recorder Julie Wilson and members ofthe staff. 1. Springfield Drinking Water Protection. City Planner Sara Summers was available to answer questions regarding this issue. The city of Springfield is required to have a Drinking Water Protection Plan. A Citizen Task Force made recommendations for the Plan, which were accepted by the Planning Commission. The council directed staff to develop the Plan using these recommendations. The proposed Springfield Drinking Water Protection Plan has been completed as directed. . A Drinking Water Protection Plan is a Springfield work task in the Metro Plan Periodic Review Work Program. Springfield's drinking water comes from groundwater aquifers and is a statewide Goal 5 resource, which must be protected. The proposed Springfield Drinking Water Protection Plan sets city policy for protection of its drinking water, and it contains the elements required for acceptance by state agencies. These agencies have been part of the process during development of the Plan and are ready to accept the Plan upon adoption by council. The Springfield Planning Commission reviewed the Plan at a work session on April 6 and held a Public Hearing on April 20. The Commission voted 6-0 with one absent to recommend approval of the Plan to the council. A public hearing for council adoption of the Plan is scheduled for May 17, 1999. The Complete Drinking Water Protection Plan was distributed on Aprill to allow ample time for review. Implementation measures for the Plan will be brought before the council later this year. There is no immediate financial impact to the city resulting from adoption of this Plan. Any financial impacts will be determined during the implementation process. . Development Services Director Susan Daluddung said the Drinking Water Protection Plan is part of our ongoing effort to meet Periodic Review Requirements. She explained this is a policy document and the policy document does not have any implementation measures. It has some ideas that can be reviewed in the future. She said the aspect of implementation would come at a later date. She said SUB has dedicated a lot of time and money to the project as wel1 as the city of Springfield. SUB has hired a person to work on the education side of this issue. Work Session Minutes May 10, 1999 Page 2 . Mayor Maine asked about the Periodic Review process. Ms. Daluddung explained that since this is a Springfield element, Springfield has adoption authority for this. It goes onto the DLCD State Land Use Planning for their acceptance. DEQ will also review this as part of the state process. Ms. Summers said after the Department of Environmental Quality approves it, it would go onto the Land Conservation Department. She said some of the periodic review elements were identified specifically for Springfield. She said this was one example and commercial lands would be another example of those specifically identified for Springfield. The city of Eugene has already addressed these issues in other way. Other agencies do not need to review those portions that are just subject to Springfield. Ms. Daluddung said the purpose of the State Land Conservation District is not just to give their approval but to make sure that it is coordinated and approved by their sister agencies. Springfield Utility Board representatives were also in attendance at this meeting. Citizen Task Force members present in the audience introduced themselves. Councilor Simmons said he had a few concerns and comments regarding the identification of hazardous sources. He asked questions regarding the sewer system and well fields. He also asked about the dump site located on the south side of 69th or 70th Streets and asked if it was identified and included on the list. The response provided was that the audience member did not think it was identified on the list. Councilor Simmons said it should be identified and enumerated. Councilor Simmons said Lane County Solid Waste has the site identified on their maps. . Councilor Simmons also discussed bag house fume, which are a by-product of a silicone plant. He also discussed a Department of Environmental Quality permitting process for a large site located under the power lines above Clearwater Landing. He said this should be researched and looked at because this contains chrome and other by-products. Councilor Simmons further discussed this issue and discussed an area located directly upstream from a well site. He discussed relocation of the head gates for the Millrace. He also discussed identification of the gravel pits west of Clearwater Landing. Councilor Simmons discussed problems that would result from digging in these areas. He referenced different sites in the area. Councilor Simmons said Springfield has taken a very responsible position on this issue and is now routing things to an approved landfill as appropriate. Councilor Simmons discussed dumping along the side on highways and freeways and the property use as landscaping. He discussed hazards such as lead and other contaminants that can leak into the groundwater. He also discussed protection of the Springfield Utility Board well field. Ms. Summers replied to concerns expressed by Councilor Simmons and further discussed the process of the Drinking Water Protection Plan. Ms. Summers also discussed development standards. Councilor Simmons acknowledged efforts but said he was referencing old conditions and things that are in the environment that need to be identified and occasionally tested. . A Task Force Member said the inventory is a living document and it is updated every year. He said they also follow-up on reports and things brought to their attention, such as comments made by Councilor Simmons. Work Session Minutes May 10, 1999 Page 3 . The Task Force Member said the referenced properties could be researched but he would need to confirm the facts of the situation prior to identifying them on the list. He did not want to impact the value of a person's property unless the facts were correct. He said they would need to look toward independent confirmation of impacted land. The information would be confirmed either through sampling or some other record, such as the Lane C(ounty listings of land fill sites. He said they would want this type of information prior to placing the property on the inventory list. They will continue to document and follow-up on information and place it on the inventory if appropriate. The Task Force Member said the EP A is in the process of doing more things to support well head protection and hoped that that kind of activity will be permitted under a grant process. Mayor Maine asked what the cost was to decommission a well. The Task Force Member said the range was between $500-800. For a well that was deeper and had a larger diameter, it could cost $1,200- $1,500. ' . Councilor Lundberg referenced page 25 of the report, regarding chemicals, and asked what was being referenced to in terms of addressing the use of chemicals. The Task Force member discussed studies completed by the Extension Service and referenced urban area use of chemicals. It was found that more fertilizer and insecticide is used per-acre in urban areas than that used by farmers outside urban areas. The goal is to try to get others to minimize the use offertilizers, herbicides and insecticides at their home and/or in combination with conservation such as reducing lawn size, use of low water landscaping, etc. Councilor Lundberg discussed the creation of an amnesty program to allow people to dispose of chemicals. Examples were discussed to better illustrate a possible amnesty program. Councilor Maine said she appreciated the citizen input being recognized. She discussed the situation of looking at new well sites and also referenced the Pierce site. The group discussed what the preference was in an area that has not yet been developed. There was recognition that new wells and regulations will restrict certain kinds of development. This issue was further discussed in detail. A Task Force Member provided information regarding definitions such as the use of "semi confined." Information was also provided regarding virus and bacteria associated with septic tanks. The group further discussed information regarding chemical use and restrictions along with site development. Ms. Summers discussed the implementation phase, the public information education program, coordination with Springfield Utility Board and Rainbow Water District, program development, funding, overlay district issues and the draft resolution that will be brought to council, for adoption, at a future date. . Ms. Summers discussed the purpose of the plan. She also said once the plan was adopted, and the Department of Environmental Quality provides its stamp of approval, the group is Work Session Minutes May 10, 1999 Page 4 . able to do whatever they would like. Also discussed was the review process and the role of the Wellhead and Drinking Water Protection Group. The group also discussed Lane County involvement and Senate Bill 1010. Councilor Leiken said he had participated on a National Environmental Agency Board, outreach and education. He said the State of Oregon has the best business volunteer cleanup efforts. He said Oregon has been set as a model for other states and we should be proud of it. He discussed situations in which the Environmental Protection Agency may supercede the Department of Environmental Quality. He commended the Task Force for their efforts. Councilor Hatfield discussed the issue of Planning Commission discussion regarding regulation ofthe use of chemicals. Ms. Daluddung said without this policy, things would have to be processed on a case-by-case basis. This policy will provide the ability to communicate and regulate in a proactive way. Councilor Leiken said it was going to be important for local business and he supported this. ADJOURNMENT The meeting was adjourned at 6:00 p.m. . Minutes Recorder - Julie Wilson ~~ Maureen M. Maine Mayor Attest: ~U)~. Ju 1 Wilson City Recorder . . MINUTES OF THE JOINT MEETING OF THE SPRINGFIELD CITY COUNCIL AND THE SPRINGFIELD ARTS COMMISSION HELD MONDAY, MAY 10, 1999 The city of Springfield council met in a joint session in the Library Meeting Room, 225 Fifth Street, Springfield, Oregon, on Monday, May 10, 1999, at 6:00 p.m., with Mayor Maine presiding. ATTENDANCE Present were Mayor Maine, Councilors Ballew, Hatfield, Leiken, Lundberg and Simmons. Councilor Fitch was absent (excused). Arts Commission members present were Linda Staver, Nada Zawodny, Diane Lay, Vicki Arnold, Judith Macomber, William Deskin, PJ Sargeant and Scott Wylie. Also present were City Manager Michael Kelly, Assistant City Manager Gino Grimaldi and Senior Management Analyst Rosie Pryor. 1. City Council/Arts Commission Joint Meeting. Arts Commission members will discuss its major activities. They are developing plans for the revival of Art Alley, as well as ways to increase art opportunities for youth. . Council created the Arts Commission in 1986. Its original charge was to create Art Alley and promote the arts in Springfield. In recent years Arts Commission projects have become more focused on youth art education and less on downtown public art. The Arts Commission is now actively involved in five major programs; the City Hall Gallery, Youth Art Workshops, the Puppet Festival, Heritage Arts Grants, and the maintenance of Art Alley. Future plans include an update of the downtown walking tour and the beginning of intergenerational mural projects. Room Tax funds are used to support the development of Art Alley. The Commission would like to revive the Art Alley project in the future and increase youth art education and involvement. An Arts Commission member provided information regarding different art alley projects, along with other projects. The Arts Commission expressed their hope to revive the project to complete additional murals. She explained that Kathy Jensen had estimated the cost for the project would be approximately $6,000. She also discussed puppet festival activities. An Arts Commission member discussed the gallery being maintained in city hall. He said this provided opportunity for artists to display their work. He also discussed the possibility of displaying three-dimensional art. An Arts Commission member discussed the Heritage Arts Grants and the promotion of historic culture. He also discussed funding of other projects. Councilor Ballew asked about the occurrence of graffiti problems. A reply was that it did not happen very often and murals don't seem to be a target of graffiti. . Mr. Grimaldi provided information regarding a city web page. Councilor Ballew thought it would be good to include information on the web page regarding murals in the area. Joint Meeting Minutes May 10, 1999 Page 2 . The group discussed the youth workshops and provided information regarding the program. Upcoming scheduled events were also discussed. Barbara Thompson answered questions from council and provided additional information regarding programs and workshops. Councilor Lundberg said she liked the fact that activities and events were accessible to everyone. Councilor Simmons discussed the positive impact the programs have and said it was amazing what was accomplished with limited funding and resources. Funding was also discussed. Mayor Maine provided some information regarding fund raising efforts. She said the group might want to consider filling their next vacant position with a person that might have interest and / or experience in fund raising. She said community support was available but a person was needed to take the lead on this. She clarified that she was not talking about turning the Commission members into fundraisers, just providing helpful suggestions. Councilor Leiken said he was also going to suggest the same thing Mayor Maine discussed. The group discussed the benefit children receive from art and music. The group discussed computer art / graphics. . Councilor Simmons discussed positive benefits of cultural and art activities. The group discussed needs for a community performing arts facility of some sort. Art walking tours was also discussed. The walking tour brochure was in the process of being updated. ADJOURNMENT The meeting was adjourned at 7:00 p.m. Minutes Recorder - Julie Wilson ~1vt~ Maureen M. Maine Mayor Attest: ~~ Jul WIlson City Recorder .