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HomeMy WebLinkAbout03/20/2017 Regular City of Springfield Regular Meeting MINUTES OF THE REGULAR MEETING OF THE SPRINGFIELD CITY COUNCIL HELD MONDAY MARCH 20, 2017 field Council met in regular session in the Council Chambers,225 Fifth Street, The City of Spring Springfield, Oregon,on Monday March 20, 2017 at 7:00 p.m.,with Mayor Lundberg presiding. ATTENDANCE Present were Mayor Lundberg and Councilors VanGordon, Wylie(by conference phone), Stoehr, Woodrow and Pishioneri.Also present were City Manager Gino Grimaldi,City Attorney Mary Bridget Smith,City Recorder Amy Sowa and members of the staff. Councilor Moore was absent(excused). PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE The Pledge of Allegiance was led by Mayor Lundberg. SPRINGFIELD UPBEAT 1. Mayor's Recognition a. Indigenous People's Day Proclamation. Mayor Lundberg said during some of the past meetings, it was noted that it takes courage to come forward and make a statement. Part of what she considers leadership and courage is to take a look at all sides and figure out a way to come to a reasonable compromise,which is harder than taking one side or the outer because it makes no one happy. The Mayor and Council strive to find compromise and it takes courage to take that position. Mayor Lundberg read the entire proclamation and proclaimed support of the recognition of Indigenous Peoples' Day on the second Monday in October. She asked the citizens of Springfield to utilize this day as an opportunity to reflect upon the ongoing struggles of Indigenous people of this land,to celebrate the thriving cultures and values of the Indigenous Peoples of our region,and to stand in solidarity with Indigenous peoples elsewhere; encouraged other businesses,organizations,and public institutions to recognize Indigenous Peoples' Day on the second Monday in October;and committed to continue efforts to promote the well-being and growth of Springfield's Indigenous community. A member of the audience came forward to accept the Proclamation. CONSENT CALENDAR 1. Claims a. Approval of February 2017,Disbursements for Approval 2. Minutes a. February 27,2017—Work Session City of Springfield Council Regular Meeting Minutes March 20,2017 Page 2 3. Resolutions a. RESOLUTION NO. 2017-08—A RESOLUTION TO ACCEPT CITY PROJECT P21117' MAIN STREET PEDESTRIAN CROSSING CONSTRUCTION- PHASE 2. b. RESOLUTION NO.2017-09—A RESOLUTION TO ACCEPT CITY PROJECT P21085• MAIN STREET PEDESTRIAN CROSSING CONSTRUCTION AND P21058-2• LED MONUMENT SIGN. 4. Ordinances 5. Other Routine Matters a. Approval of the Liquor License Application for Pieology Pizzeria, Located at 2860 Gateway Street MT 202,Springfield,Oregon. b. Approve a Motion to Award the Purchase of a John Deere Tractor with attached Diamond Boom Mower and Diamond Rear Flail Mower to Deere&Company for$149,868. c. REMOVED. d. Allow Permitted Utility Construction Activities Outside of the Hours of lam and 6pm for Utility Work Associated with the Franklin Blvd. Project P21066. e. Approve the Intergovernmental Agreement(IGA)with Willamalane for the City's Participation in the Construction of the Veteran's Memorial Plaza and Authorize the City Manager to sign the IGA. f. Approve the Amended Council Operating Policies and Procedures. IT WAS MOVED BY COUNCILOR VANGORDON WITH A SECOND BY COUNCILOR PISHIONERI TO APPROVE THE CONSENT CALENDAR WITH ITEM 5C REMOVED. THE MOTION PASSED WITH A VOTE OF 5 FOR AND 0 AGAINST(1 ABSENT— MOORE). ITEMS REMOVED FROM THE CONSENT CALENDAR 5.c. Authorize City Manager to Sign an Agreement with Willamette Community Health Solutions DBA Cascade Health Solutions in the Amount not to exceed$276,000 to Provide Primary and Preventative Medical Services for the City's Wellness Center. IT WAS MOVED BY COUNCILOR VANGORDON WITH A SECOND BY COUNCILOR PISHIONERI TO APPROVE ITEM 5C WITH THE UPDATED FIGURES IN THE CONTRACT.THE MOTION PASSED WITH A VOTE OF 5 FOR AND 0 AGAINST(1 ABSENT—MOORE). PUBLIC HEARINGS BUSINESS FROM THE AUDIENCE 1. Dr.James Platt, S rmgfield,OR Mr. Platt said he was representing the homeowners' group for River Heights Drive development. He confirmed that public safety is a top priority with the Council.There is a significant safety issue in River Heights and he would like Council support in expediting a solution.At the last Homeowners' Association(HOA) meeting,it was asked which Council positions were up for election next: Councilor VanGordon,Councilor Wylie and Councilor Woodrow in 2018. Dr.Platt referred to a map showing River Heights City of Springfield Council Regular Meeting Minutes March 20,2017 Page 3 and described the location.Between 37'"Place and Vitus Lane is about a 100 foot drop and there is nothing there but a cliff. 37th Place has three streetlights that don't work and the streetlight at Vitus Lane and 37a'Street doesn't work. The cul-de-sac in that area is very isolated and has become a hang-out for non-residents. They have had serious problems with vandalism and a break-in at their home which was very traumatic and expensive to repair. They need to work with neighbors and city support to make 37 h Place undesirable as a place to just hang out. He has talked with Springfield Utility Board,the City's traffic department and the City's planning department.They are moving slowly to get the lights fixed. Trak engineer Dean Bishop keeps hien informed as it moves through the process and they are getting close to awarding a contract. He asked if they could put a temporary closure on 37`x' Place until the lights get fixed. City Manager Gino Grimaldi said he will work with staff to look at the situation and evaluate whether or not that is feasible. 2. Ada Ball Springfield.,_OR.(Ms.Bali had requested additional time to speak and was given 5 minutes). She would only use 3 minutes to allow a couple of students her 5 minutes. Ms. Ball works at Chippin Native Youth Center and is a committee member who has been working on this process for Indigenous People's Day over the past year. When they first came to City Council to ask that Indigenous People's Day be celebrated in Springfield instead of Columbus Day,they were advocating for a resolution. There were many meetings with the Mayor and Diversity Committee and they recently felt there was a decision made behind closed doors. She is grateful for the proclamation and that it resembles the resolution with beautiful language;however she asked if Indigenous People's Day would occur in 2018. She wants to know what it will look like next year and wondered if they would have to come back each year to explain why they feel we need Indigenous People's Day in Oregon.This was presented as wanting to work with community members, but they were caught off guard having to accept the proclamation which was not what they wanted in the beginning. She noted that Columbus was removed from the proclamation. Pushing back on these myths that are harmful to Indigenous People is a large component. It is an uncomfortable situation. She wants to stay firm that the Indigenous community in Springfield is asking for a resolution,which is a solid basis for different communities to celebrate in the way they want.The proclamation is nice, but now is not time for statements but for action. 3. Miguel Perez Sanchez Springfield.-OR. Miguel said he is a youth organizer for citywide MEChA(Movimiento Estudiantil Chican@ de Aztldn). Having Indigenous People's Day would be a step in deconstructing chains put on them at a young age that teaching of lies and ignoring that they are standing on Kalapuya land.Most of the books they read are from the colonists' perspective, how Columbus discovered America and saved the savage people.This is not reality or the perspective from the Indigenous People's standpoint. Reclaiming this day would flip the narrative and give voice to those that have been silenced for so long. He doesn't want his niece to be taught lies,but to love and learn about who she is. He is a young man separated from borders created by Europeans dividing his Indigenous brothers and sisters in the northern U.S. If Indigenous People's Day is passed,this would be a first step for his generation to begin to find pride in their heritage. This strengthens our community and makes it more integrated.Celebrating diversity allows us to value our differences and similarities. This City Council has the unique opportunity to make a very important decision that would help unify Springfield and make history. He asked that this be the day they make the decision. i City of Springfield Council Regular Meeting Minutes March 20,2017 Page 4 4. Carlos Garcia, Springfield, OR Carlos said he was currently involved in citywide MEChA. He was hoping to pass Indigenous Peoples' Day, which would be a chance for Indigenous People to be recognized for who they are, acknowledged and share their stories. Currently, they are not in text books. He hoped with the proclamation,the City can pass a resolution and make history in Springfield. S. Donna Riddle Springfield,ield,OR Ms. Riddle said she was speaking on behalf of herself and her son who is a member of the Klamath Tribe. She appreciates the efforts towards recognizing Indigenous People's Day rather than Columbus Day. It has always been a painful day for her family. It is not just about Columbus,but is about the colonization and the genocide conducted. Indigenous People's Day should be an annual event and a smart part of efforts to bring more diversity,equity and inclusiveness in our community. 6. Nangy Golden, SprinSpringfield, OR Ms. Golden said she appreciated the proclamation and thought it was beautifully written,but she believes they need a resolution. She thinks of the young children who may have to come to the Council every year to say the same thing. If there is a resolution, it will be ongoing and all of our children will know that their culture is respected and honored,and will recognize the contributions of our first people in this land. She learned as the past Superintendent and Chief Education,Officer and professor at the University of Oregon,that every student and community member needs to feel safe and respected. If the resolution was passed,this would be part of who we are in Springfield and every native child would know they are appreciated. She urged the Council to consider a resolution on behalf of our children and the people who were here long before the rest of us. She noted that throughout the United States, cities are passing resolution. She would love the community she lives,works, leads,and contributes to would be on that list. 7. 7ohanis Tadeo,Springfield,OR Mr. Tadeo said he was the SAFER(Springfield Alliance for Equality and Respect)organizer for Community Alliance of Lane County. He is here in hopes that they will be able to pass Indigenous People's Day to begin changing our current narrative and acknowledge those people who have always been here. This day is a step in a piece of many pieces needed to finish.Now they have the proclamation,but later they need the resolution so students feel they are and can be acknowledged and claim who they are.There is a division that does not acknowledge who they are. People need to be able to acknowledge themselves and feel prideful of who they are.Currently,they are not acknowledged in textbooks or classroom. They need to push for this resolution to be able to feel like they are part of this community. He hopes the next time they are before the Council,they are ready to pass the resolution.They will continue to come to Council and voice their concerns and fight for the resolution. 8. Leilani Sabzalian Springfield,.OR Ms. Sabzalian thanked the Mayor and Council for hearing them today. She feels she is put in a position where she was again prepared and now is unprepared,much like the last time they were cut off short and not everyone was allowed to speak. There is a context where she should feel grateful for the proclamation and she knows it took a lot of work including multiple meetings with the Mayor,staff and diversity committee. It may feel like a large effort to have moved this far and she respects that the integrity of the language was preserved. That is a step,but she is feeling disheartened. When looking to her City Council, she feels no one really understands her and her community and the historical and present experiences and the work she is fighting for.The decision today was concerned with the choice to choose a compromise which is privileging someone's comfort,but it is not her comfort or her community's comfort.There are numerous Italians and Italian Americans City of Springfield Council Regular Meeting Minutes March 20,2017 Page 5 who are advocates in the fight to abolish Columbus Day and advocates for Indigenous People's Day and there are numerous Italians that could be celebrated and lifted up. October is Italian-American heritage month. Italian-Americans were intent in the labor organizing in this country and working class rights, and those are the Italians we should lift up. She is a teacher/educator and when she is working with teachers, she tells them there is a difference between non-racism and anti-racism: non-racism is concerned with how you appear and anti- racism is a commitment towards racial justice. She would like them to think about how the City Council can be committed to an anti-racist stance. Her ongoing desire is to have a resolution because she doesn't want to come back every year,but wants to know the City has their back,that they are in solidarity with Indigenous Peoples and that she doesn't have to convince them of the need to recognize their community. 9. Sarita Lief Springfield,OR. Ms.Lief said there was a documentary this evening on OPB called"Broken Treaties". She appreciates the effort by the Mayor and the proclamation which was a beautiful statement. She suggests that this is a first step and not the end of this. If the Council would all take to heart the contents of the proclamation,there would be no doubt that we need this resolution. Since this was brought up in October,there had been an election and things were going on in this country.It is time for all leaders to exert leadership.They need more than just an individual proclamation;they need all of the Council to unanimously stand up and put this history behind us and move forward. Sometimes they must consider themselves representatives,but sometimes they need to be leaders, Leaders don't necessarily compromise or bow to the least. Leaders move forward. In this particular item,they all need them to be our leaders. They need to do the right thing to keep our community and our country moving forward that is healthful and dignified and welcoming for everyone. 10. Jennifer Potter Springfield. OR Ms.Potter said she was here in support of and solidarity with our Indigenous community. She appreciates the efforts with the proclamation, but encouraged the Council to move forward with a resolution. 11. Phil Carrasco,Eugene, OR Mr. Carrasco said he is vested in Springfield and is part of Grupo Latina de Acci6n Directa(GLAD). He is a Thurston High School alumnus and his parents still live in Springfield. He spoke regarding five topics. The first was Space. He wanted the Council to document how this space(podium)was usedby people of color and those that are not. He said usually, it is a white male who expects more time on their issue and it is given to him,not just here in Springfield but in other cities.The second was Compromise.Being able to compromise is often one-sided when you consider a compromise was needed in 2017 to reach this agreement,but there was no compromise with Kalapuya peoples when colonizers took the land. The third was Columbus Day. Columbus Day is not celebrated in Oregon,not because we are progressive,but because the KKK heavily campaigned against Columbus Day due to their anti-Italian,anti-Catholic immigrant views.Eventually,the Italians blended in with the whites,and now they belong. The fourth is Resolution.Tonight there was a proclamation and he was happy to hear a lot of the language in it,but it was only a proclamation. A resolution,as defined, is a formal expression of opinion or intention made; the act of resolving or determining upon an action, course of action,method,procedure,etc. the importance of passing a resolution is that it establishes language that points to potential future actions on behalf of the City government on Kalapuya land.The fifth was Goals. We must continue to foster an environment that lets diversity lead. That includes not just underrepresented people,not just including them,but following their paths towards reparation let them lead_A resolution would initiate that.We must do more and we must do it together. City of Springfield Council Regular Meeting Minutes March 20,2017 Page 6 12, Johan Sabzalian Springfield.OR Johan said he is here because he doesn't think we should celebrate a man who hated everyone,but to celebrate the people who had to fight against him to not have their land taken. He doesn't want to come back every year to repeat this. 13. Carol Heart Springfield, Ms.Heart said she been listening and has an appreciation for the words in the proclamation. She recognizes,however,that they are only words until they are put into action,and show up as absolute demonstrations of our humanity and wholeness regarding of what we look like or how we believe. She feels at this point in history in our county,we people of white skin need to find out hearts, open our ears,close our mouths and start listening with empathy to those voices that have so long called to us to be heard, seen, acknowledged, and honored as equals regardless of the color of their skin or their customs. People who came before her spoke about the Kalapuya people,Columbus and the land. She is asking the Council to begin,as privileged white people,to lead with their hearts,openness and a willingness to hear and respond well with humility and a sense of love and commitment to respect with dignity all people. She is Italian and her parents were immigrants. Every one of us who are not native, are immigrants.This isn't our land, but we have been welcomed here. COUNCIL RESPONSE Councilor Stoehr thanked them all for speaking on this issue. He has done a lot of reading about Columbus and there is a lot of controversy about what Columbus did or didn't do,but he was equally mean to all people, including his own.The best way we can honor the memory of the Indigenous Peoples in our history is to better the day-to-day lives of the Indigenous community in Springfield.. The challenge to him and the Council is to lift up the Indigenous People here in Springfield in the years going forward. CORRESPONDENCE AND PETITIONS BIDS ORDINANCES BUSINESS FROM THE CITY COUNCIL 1. Councilor Pishioneri provided an update on the Metropolitan Wastewater Management Commission(MWMC)meeting. Elections were held and the following were elected: Bill Inge, President and Peter Ruffier as Vice President.Bids went out for construction of a new facility and ten people have shown interest in that project. The capital program is showing an increase so they will be able to build up capital reserves. 2. Councilor Woodrow received a note from former Police Chief Doney about K9 training. He asked that she pass along a`hello' to the Council from Chief Doney. BUSINESS FROM THE CITY MANAGER 1. Springfield Municipal Inmate Medical,Mental Health and Dental Services. Richard Lewis,Chief of Police AIC,presented the staff report on this item. City of Springfield Council Regular Meeting Minutes March 20,2017 Page 7 The City of Springfield must make available professional medical,mental health and dental services to arrestees and inmates housed in the Springfield Municipal Jail. The City does not employ its own medical staff and therefore proposes a new contract with the current service provider. The current contract will expire on March 31,2017. The City proposes execution of a new contract with the current service provider to provide the referenced services,through June 2018. The Contractor will be responsible for basic medical care and mental health services support,to include service to female inmates housed in the Springfield Municipal Jail. Springfield Municipal Jail anticipates housing female inmates in the fourth quarter of fiscal year 2017. The Contractor will also implement and maintain an electronic medical records application to enhance the efficiency and accuracy of patient care. Chief Lewis said there will be some increases in cost due to adding 8 hours of the jail mental health aspect of the contract,some `do not exceed' amounts for pharmacy and overtime, the one-tinge purchase of equipment specifically for ferrule inmates,additional staff time for female inmates and a new Zoll machines which monitors the heart to determine if there is an actual issue.The contract takes into consideration there has been no adjustment for the past two years. Councilor VanGordon recognized Elizabeth Lyon for her input and participation on this item. IT WAS MOVED BY COUNILOR VANGORDON WITH A SECOND BY COUNCILOR PISHIONERI TO APPROVE THE CITY MANAGER TO NEGOTIATE AND EXECUTE A CONTRACT WITH WILLAMETTE COMMUNITY HEALTH SOLUTIONS DBA CASCADE HEALTH SOLUTIONS TO PROVIDE INMATE MEDICAL,MENTAL HEALTH AND DENTAL SERVICES TO THE SPRINGFIELD MUNICIPAL JAIL.THE MOTION PASSED WITH A VOTE OF 5 FOR AND 0 AGAINST (I ABSENT--MOORE). BUSINESS FROM THE CITY ATTORNEY ADJOURNMENT The meeting was adjourned 7:50 p.m. Minutes Recorder Amy Sowa Christine L. Lundberg Mayor Attest: arybq IiU� City Recor r