HomeMy WebLinkAbout01/10/2000 Work Session
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MINUTES OF THE WORK SESSlbN MEETING OF
THE SPRINGFIELD CITYi COUNCIL HELD
MONDAY, J~NUARY 10, 2000
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The Springfield City Council met in Work Session at Springfield City Hal,l, Jesse Maine Room,
225 Fifth Street, Springfield, on Monday, January 10,2000, at 5:05 p.m. 'Yith Mayor Weathers
presiding. I
ATTENDANCE
Present were Mayor Weathers and Councilors Ballew, Fitch, Hatfield, Leiken, Lundberg, and
Simmons. Also present were City Manager Mike Kelly, Assistant City M,anager Gino Grimaldi,
Administrative Aide Shari Higgins, AIC Development Services Director john Tamulonis, Public
Works Director Dan Brown, Senior Management Analyst Len Goodwin, Planner I Sarah
Summers, Environmental Services Manager Susie Smith, Maintenance M~nager Ed Black,
Planning Supervisor Mel Oberst, and members of staff.
Mayor Weathers reminded council ofthe Joint Elected Officials meeting scheduled for January
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19,2000. '
Mayor Weathers announced that the Asian Celebration was looking for a representative of the
city to provide opening remarks at the event. Councilor Ballew volunteered and Councilor
Hatfield said he might attend also.
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1. Review of Development Services Department Strategic Plan.
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AIC Development Services Director John Tamulonis was present for the staff report. He said the
department plan created was different from recent plans created by the Police Department and
the Library, due to the large number of presentations and plan/project adoptions that the
Development Services Department shares with the City Council through 0ut each year. The
department statement is: To foster lasting community livability involving; and reflecting .
Springfield's values, interests and concerns. He said the department focused on internal input,
but did solicit use of department surveys and input from the Mayor and c!ity Council. Mr.
Tamulonis reviewed the department divisions, including: Community SeIjVices, Planning,
Administration, and Community and Economic Development. i
Mr. Tamulonis said the plan was created to provide the department with a common direction, a
stronger identify, and an alignment of resources. He reviewed the assumptions and impacts and
said after each impact and assumption was identified, that both an intern~1 and external review
was conducted. Mr. Tamulonis spoke on population trends, increased mibority population,
increased value of building permits, zoning, business and employment, dhelopment and
construction timelines, and cultural impacts. He then reviewed specific i~sues such as
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redevelopment, housing, business and employment, customer issues, Springfield Tomorrow, and
partnerships with the Gateway Mall. I
Mr. Tamulonis spoke of the next steps in the seven-year plan, including dvaluation of the plan in
year three, with alterations as necessary. He said he would meet with developers in the near
future to gather a better sense of what changes are driving what occurs in' Springfield.
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Work Session - 1/10/00
Page 2
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Councilor Ballew spoke about a general business license and her surprise that the city has never
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pursued this type of license. Councilor Ballew felt monitoring, not regulating, would be
important as the city continues to grow. I
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Councilor Leiken felt the city should not pursue a general business licensd at this time, due to
existing regulations and the movement towards younger entrepreneurs, wIio would not have
regulatory or environmental problems with their technology.
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Councilor Simmons said that a business license program would have to pr~vide both a
community and city benefit prior to its conception.
Councilor Lundberg felt the city should have information on new busines~es ahead oftime and
even without regulation, should have tracking and business information or knowledge on record.
Councilor Hatfield said he was not opposed to a license, but felt adding arlother workload item to
the Development Services Department at this time might not be wise. Phis, without adding
substantial department resources and giving the community a larger benefit, he would not be a
proponent of it. '
Mayor Weathers felt the license would be a timing issue. When the comiliunity benefits
outweigh the negatives, then it will be the correct time to revisit the subje~t.
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Mr. Kelly said benefits are on a larger scale. When big businesses locate in Springfield, the city
would know what a business looked like, what chemicals they store, when they had an
inspection, etc. For smaller businesses, it would allow the city to track when a business rents a
portion of another building to assist with signage, proper exists, restroom~, etc. The issue might
help businesses to meet city regulations prior to locating, thus providing ~ valuable community
service. Mr. Tamulonis said a business license would only be a minor tool to assist businesses. \
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2. Street Fund Long-Term Financial Plan.
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Public Works Director Dan Brown was present and provided history of the Street Fund. In the
mid-1980's the fund became large enough to fund all major capital programs. He spoke about
the County Road Fund and current issues surrounding their funding sour~es. The last session of
the Legislative Assembly approved increases to the State gas taxes and ifjthe increases go into
effect, the city could expect to receive an additional $280,000 in revenue.! If the voters reject the
proposal at the May Election, then there would not be sufficient funds in the Street Fund for its
continuation after Fiscal Year 2000-01. I
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Councilor Lundberg asked about DMV licensing funding. Mr. Brown sa~d a portion is dedicated
to the State, a portion to county, and a portion to local cities, apportioned I out among all cities in
the county. Councilor Simmons feared that funding would run out at so~e point. Mr. Brown
agreed and said that prior agreements were made knowing that funding s6urces could be
drastically reduced or end in the future. I
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Senior Management Analyst Len Goodwin provided information on what would be presented
during the Public Works Department budget. He said steps are occurring now to assist
department spending, which could be put into action, if no other changes 6ccur prior to the next
fiscal year. Mr. Goodwin showed funding charts to council regarding the ~urrent Street Fund
Financial Plan and the proposed Street Fund Financial Plan. He explained the charts, including
materials and services costs, which may be high at this point and said the [lUmbers would be
continually refined. ;
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Mr. Goodwin said the concern is in the revenue coming into the Street Fund. Gas tax revenues
are a large portion of the fund. He then reviewed the expenditures by majbr object in the Street
Fund. The expenses will keep growing and if the revenue is limited or reduced, the funds will
never balance in the future. Mr. Goodwin said much project work is contracted out, but almost
all maintenance work is done with internal employees. Mr. Kelly said that many projects are
also funded from the System Development Charges Fund, not the Street Fund.
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There was a discussion regarding the reserve amounts provided by Mr. Goodwin, as well as the
gas tax receipts. Councilor Hatfield clarified the reserve amounts for FY 2000-01. Mr. Goodwin
clarified that the information presented did not assume any increase to out current level of gas
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tax revenues. If an increase occurs after the election, then the city may realize an increase in
state funding, plus a possible increase coming from Lane County. !
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Councilor Simmons felt the city should change the specifications for the construction of streets
by building them to last longer with less maintenance. Councilor Simmoris asked if the city
currently receives any funding from the State of Oregon to sweep/clean Main Street. Mr. Brown
said the state commits to sweep once per month. If local cities want incr~ased maintenance, it
becomes a city function.
Councilor Ballew clarified the department would be fine for FY 2000-0 1 ~nd for FY 2001-02,
but would continue to have large internal constraints imposed regarding spending. Councilor
Fitch clarified that the department would restrict both personal services a~d materials and
servIces.
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3. Springfield Drinking Water Protection Overlay District.
Planner I Sarah Summers was present for the staff report. Also present ~as Chuck Davis from
the Springfield Utility Board (SUB). Ms. Summers began by explaining ~his is the first plan of
its type in the State and a requirement of the Department of Land Conservation and Development
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(DLCD) to meet the periodic review approval. The plan sets city policy for protection of its
drinking water and has been certified by the Department of Environment~1 Quality (DEQ). She
said the proposed Drinking Water Protection Overlay District (SpringfielH Development Code
(SDC) Article 17) is the major implementation measure of the plan and Jould complete the
periodic review requirement. I
Ms. Summer said since the plan includes a zone change, that letters would be sent to over 16,000
property owners. She reviewed the travel zones, which each have their o~n regulations and
restrictions. Ms. Summers said the plan had a large list of requirements for new uses that need to
be included in the SDC, Article 17. She eXplained the development review process.
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Ms. Summers said Groundwater Protection "Guardians" are currently revi~wing ways to educate
the public, including signage as people approach a wellhead area. She then reviewed some of the
chemicals and restrictions, as well as Dense Non-Aqueous Phase Liquids (DNAPLs).
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Councilor Fitch clarified what might trigger an increased use. Ms. Summ~rs said the plan
regulates hazardous chemicals and DNAPL use. Councilor Leiken spoke regarding new
technology that would allow many businesses to expand production while!using the same level
or a lower level ofDNAPLs. '
It was agreed by consensus, to change the wording in Article 17, 1.7 D, tor place in parenthesis,
"except for a decrease in usage." Also agreed by council consensus, was ;to change Sections 1.8
and 1.9, where the same language appears. I
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Councilor Simmons asked why SUB was exempt. He felt a public agency should meet the same
standard that private businesses must adhere to. Mr. Davis said it is due tb the water treatment
process in using chlorine or other same type of chemicals. Council discu~sed whether others
who use the same type of chemicals should be exempt also, by possibly listing the use and not
the user names. :
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Mr. Leahy felt the overlay, as written, was defensible, as the water agenci~s serve the public and
have their best interests in mind. Others may not, such as companies with internal water
treatment processes, and they could risk the public water supply if not extremely careful.
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Mayor Weathers asked Mr. Davis and Ms. Summers to review the exemphon for the water
agencies, which allows them to conduct business with an exemption for other types of chemicals
that would not affect the clean water process. Council shared concern over making one agency
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exempt when others are not. Council felt it would be better public policYito change the
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Mr. Leahy proposed working with Planning Supervisor Mel Oberst and ~ssistant City Manager
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Gino Grimaldi who had already suggested written changes regarding water agencies. By
consensus, council agreed to allow staff the discretion to review the lang4age and make the
necessary changes. I
Mayor Weathers suggested contacting Ms. Summers with any additional questions or comments
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in a timely manner. Ms. Summers said that Sheri Stewart from DEQ called asking for a copy of
the plan. Mayor Weathers cautioned staff to communicate in a positive Jay to the property
owners. Many may have the need for more information. . I
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4. Continued Discussion of Springfield Water Resources Management I~sues.
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Environmental Services Manager Susie Smith, Maintenance Supervisor Ed Black, and Planning
Supervisor Mel Oberst were present to continue the discussion on the to~ic of water resources
management. Ms. Smith provided a handout titled "Food for thought Qu,bstions." She spoke
about the rapid growth in the 1990' s that caused city staff to focus on ne"o/ development.
However, some city storm water management regulations and practices have been altered to
meet water quality objectives. Ms. Smith provided examples of the regulations.
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Page 5
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Ms. Smith said it would be important for council to give staff an idea of tIle level of detailed
information and future involvement the council would like to have. Maydr Weathers said the
level of information depends on the topic. She suggested keeping it meaningful and at a level
that would assist council. She felt distribution should occur through the Cbmmunication Packet.
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Councilor Hatfield agreed and felt receiving information via Communication Packets and
scheduling future work sessions when a policy decision is necessary would be the most
beneficial. He said council should be involved on policy level only. I
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Councilor Ballew asked for information to be condensed and a recommended action to be listed
on each communication item.
Councilor Lundberg suggested categorizing information from each act, as' needed, i.e. Clean
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Water Act, Endangered Species Act, etc. '
Councilor Fitch agreed, but asked staff to include the 4-0 rules also. When planning for future
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development is an issue, please keep council abreast of the issues and schedule work session
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tIme as necessary. .
Councilor Simmons said he preferred a higher level of information and fe'lt council should have
information in a timely manner, whenever it applies to the city. Rather t1!.an being reactive, he
would like to make sure the city remains proactive. I
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Councilor Leiken would like information on the 4-D rule, plus regulation~ or policy changes that
affect business. :
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Mayor Weathers cautioned staff not to get too far ahead of the curve. She felt the city should not
fall behind in setting policy, but cautioned staff not to blaze the trail, as ~e don't have the
resources to learn and do it all. We can learn from others and without additional resources the
city may have a hard time continuing programs that were created to earlYjin the process.
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Ms. Smith provided information on what staff is doing in comparison to the state and local
levels. She said the 4-D rule is very complicated and the city has organizbd into the metro wide
Endangered Species Act (ESA) team to learn about the rule. Research and work planning are
involved in the team, as well as applying for grants to help fund the edudtional process for all
involved. It is clear that this a coordinating group and there are no expectations that the group
will lead or be accountable to the Springfield City Council. I
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Ms. Smith spoke regarding the 4-D rule and the Salmon Restoration requirements. She
explained the EP A considers the erosion of the fish habitat through destrJctiveness of any type a
violation. Ms. Smith detailed the implications of not complying with thel act and what types of
liability could occur. She spoke ofDNAPL's and the need to review erosion control, anything
that flows into rivers, and a mandatory native vegetation fringe. The finJI
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4-0 rule should be published in June and at that point, the city becomes liable.
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Ms. Smith said programs are now being reviewed that have already participated in a 4-D rule,
prior to Springfield. Many communities have had one year of work completed already and
Springfield would like to emulate their programs.
Councilor Fitch asked if any communities are challenging the 4-D rule. 11r. Black said staff is in
the research process currently. Upcoming public hearings will be held and Springfield has an
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opportunity to shape the future final rule with input at this point. Ms. Smith said there would be
many challenges and comments on both sides of the issue prior to the fina'l rule being published.
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Ms. Smith outlined what types of review and policy decisions would need! to be made prior to
June 19,2000. Mayor Weathers said the types of information, which need to be shared, do not
need to be packaged all at once, as it may be easier for council to digest t~e information in
smaller quantities. I
The meeting was adjourned at 7:38 p.m.
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ADJOURNMENT
Minutes Recorder - Shari Higgins
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~1A\~~
. Maureen Weathers, Mayor
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ATTEST:
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