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HomeMy WebLinkAbout05/01/2017 Regular City of Springfield Regular Meeting MINUTES OF THE REGULAR MEETING OF THE SPRINGFIELD CITY COUNCIL HELD MAY 1,2017 The City of Springfield Council met in regular session in the Council Chambers,225 Fifth Street, Springfield,Oregon,on Monday May 1,2017 at 7:06 p.m.,with Mayor Lundberg presiding. ATTENDANCE Present were Mayor Lundberg and Councilors VanGordon,Wylie,Moore, 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. PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE The Pledge of Allegiance was led by Mayor Lundberg. SPRINGFIELD UPBEAT 1. Mayor's Recognition a. Bike Month Proclamation. Mayor Lundberg read from the proclamation and proclaimed May 2017 as Bike Month in Springfield,OR. The City's Bicycle and Pedestrian Advisory Committee(BPAC) staff liaison, Emma Newman,came forward to accept the proclamation. b. Recognition of Former Springfield Councilor and Mayor Sandra Rennie. Mayor Lundberg read information about Sandra Rennie who had served in the City of Springfield as a volunteer in many ways, including as a City Councilor and the first woman Mayor of Springfield.Ms.Rennie passed away in 2016 while living in Washington near her children. 2. Other a. Earth Day Poster Contest Awards Laura Kier,Public Affairs Officer in Environmental Services Department, introduced this item. The 11th Annual Earth Day Poster Contest was a success with nearly 300 fourth grade students from Springfield Public Schools participating. The 2017 theme is"Earth Educators!" We asked students what they could teach others about being good stewards of the Earth, such as an action they'd like others to take to help the environment or an interesting fact about our planet. Mayor Lundberg and City staff chose the winning posters. The top five winners are as follows: City of Springfield Council Regular Meeting Minutes May 1,2017 Page 2 • First Place: Sydney Lliona Sugg,Yolanda Elementary School • Second Place: Leia Bessett,Yolanda Elementary School • Third Place: Destiny LeAnne Rose Holloway,Yolanda Elementary School • Fourth Place:Khylee Rei Dornon,Elizabeth Page Elementary School • Fifth Place: Tucker Muhs,Maple Elementary School The winning posters are on display in the City Hall lobby near the library. Ten students also earned the distinction of being chosen as honorable mention finalists. Mayor Lundberg introduced each of the five winners of the contest and presented them with a certificate. CONSENT CALENDAR 1. Claims 2. Minutes a. April 10, 2017—Work Session b. April 17,2017—Work Session c. April 17,2017—Regular Meeting 3. Resolutions 4. Ordinances 5. Other Routine Matters a. Approve Infrastructure Contract 4296-DR-OR between City of Springfield and State of Oregon Office of Emergency Management relating to costs incurred by the City responding to the 2016 Severe Winter Storm and Flooding from December 14-17, 2016; and Authorizing the City Manager to execute the contract on behalf of the City of Springfield. b. Approval of the Liquor License Application for Fairfield Inn& Suites Eugene Springfield, Located at 3003 Franklin Blvd.Eugene, OR. c. Approve amendment to Contract#1724 w/FFA Architecture+Interiors allocating funds to pay for Phase II of the Library Needs Assessment/Programmatic Facility design. IT WAS MOVED BY COUNCILOR VANGORDON WITH A SECOND BY COUNCILOR PISHIONERI TO APPROVE THE CONSENT CALENDAR. THE MOTION PASSED WITH A VOTE OF 6 FOR AND 0 AGAINST. ITEMS REMOVED FROM THE CONSENT CALENDAR PUBLIC HEARINGS -Please limit comments to 3 minutes. Request to speak cards are available at both entrances. Please present cards to City Recorder. Speakers may not yield their time to others. City of Springfield Council Regular Meeting Minutes May 1,2017 Page 3 1. Setting Local and Regional Wastewater and Stormwater User Fees Effective July 1,2017. RESOLUTION NO. 2017-12—A RESOLUTION OF THE CITY OF SPRINGFIELD SETTING LOCAL AND REGIONAL WASTEWATER(SEWER)USER FEES AND LOCAL STORMWATER(DRAINAGE)USER FEES AS SET FORTH IN THE SPRINGFIELD MUNICIPAL CODE. Matt Stouder,Environmental Services Manager,presented the staff report on this item. Each year,the City Council reviews and establishes the rates for local wastewater and stormwater user fees.These rates are established to provide adequate revenue to fund operation and maintenance(O&M) of Springfield's wastewater(sanitary sewer)and stormwater systems,a portion of the Capital Improvement Program(CIP)for each program,and various other program related activities.The Council also adopts the user fees set by the Metropolitan Wastewater Management Commission(MWMC)for the Regional Wastewater Program. The City Council reviewed and discussed options for local wastewater and stormwater user fee adjustments at the April 17,2017 work session.Council provided guidance to staff to prepare a resolution based on Option 2 for both wastewater and stormwater services. Staff has prepared a schedule of user charges for a public hearing based on a 2.5%increase in the local wastewater user fees and a 3.5%increase in the local stormwater user fees.In addition,the Council was informed that the MWMC adopted a 3.0%increase in the regional wastewater user fees that also needs to be incorporated into the schedule of user charges for FY 17-18. Staff continues to explore options to reduce pressure on user fees while continuing to meet environmental and regulatory standards.A successful strategy will,in part,depend on the City's ability to: (1)reduce interest expenses associated with existing revenue bonds;(2)continue to increase capital reserves for capital investments,and;(3)improve the ability of System Development Charge(SDC) revenues to fund a greater portion of the capital investment. This could reduce and/or defer the need to rely on future debt financing and reduce the importance of providing coverage for debt service as an operating budget constraint in the long-term fmancial forecast. Staff requests that the Council act on the resolution following the public hearing. Councilor Moore said she appreciated the fact there was a discussion about their concern in raising rates. They don't have a choice since they have to maintain the system and meet requirements from the Federal Government. She thanked staff for keeping costs as reasonable as possible. Councilor VanGordon asked for staffs thoughts on what will happen as water usage continues to drop. Mr. Stouder said as water usage drops,the associated usage of the wastewater system will drop as will the associated fees. Staff has held conversations about rate structures. The biggest impact is when large industrial users close;they do have reserves set aside for those decreases.User fees are based on 5000 gallons of wastewater generated.The average use in Springfield is about 4500 gallons and in Eugene about 3500. The difference is the size of families per household. Staff will continue to take it under consideration. Councilor VanGordon said it is a good trend with more efficient appliances,etc.It becomes a challenge when it comes to funding infrastructure because when one area drops,the revenue drops.Councilor City of Springfield Council Regular Meeting Minutes May 1,2017 Page 4 Moore had good point about the concerns in making fee increases.This Council has done a good job keeping increases to a manageable and consistent number,trying to drive closer to the inflation amount. MWMC has done a great job maintaining their costs.He thanked Councilor Pishioneri for his work on the commission. Mayor Lundberg opened the public hearing. No one appeared to speak. Mayor Lundberg closed the public hearing. IT WAS MOVED BY COUNCILOR VANGORDON WITH A SECOND BY COUNCILOR PISHIONERI TO APPROVE THE RESOLUTION. THE MOTION PASSED WITH A VOTE OF 6 FOR AND 0 AGAINST. 2. Liquor License Endorsements for the Renewal Period of 2017-2018. City Manager Gino Grimaldi presented this item on behalf of Permit Technician,Robin Holman. The public hearing this evening is scheduled for Council to receive community testimony relative to the liquor license renewal endorsement. At the conclusion of the public hearing,Council is requested to provide one of the following recommendations to the Oregon Liquor License Commission for the license renewal of the listed establishments: 1. Grant; 2.No Recommendations; 3.Do Not Grant Unless(applicant demonstrates commitment to overcome listed concerns); or 4.Deny. At this time, staff has no information that would tend to support negative recommendations on these renewals. Accordingly, subject to any public input received at the hearing,and final submission of applications meeting all of the criteria, staff recommends that the Council provide a positive recommendation for renewal to the Oregon Liquor Control Commission. Councilor Pishioneri referred to some locations that had some issues several years ago. He asked how those on the list today compare to those the City made no recommendation on in 2010. Chief Lewis said the current list of establishments doesn't raise to that level. City Attorney Mary Bridget Smith said the calls for service for those referenced in 2010 were much higher. Councilor Pishioneri said he would like to see the comparison. Chief Lewis said he could provide that information in an upcoming memo to the Council. Mayor Lundberg opened the public hearing. No one appeared to speak. Mayor Lundberg closed the public hearing. IT WAS MOVED BY COUNCILOR VANGORDON WITH A SECOND BY COUNCILOR PISHIONERI TO GRANT THE LIQUOR LICENSE ENDORSEMENTS FOR THE City of Springfield Council Regular Meeting Minutes May 1,2017 Page 5 RENEWAL PERIOD OF 2017-2018.THE MOTION PASSED WITH A VOTE OF 6 FOR AND 0 AGAINST. BUSINESS FROM THE AUDIENCE 1. Joseph Elliott, Springfield,OR. Mr.Elliott spoke regarding land use code enforcement in the urban growth boundary(UGB).His neighborhood is within the UGB. Difficulties in code enforcement happen because code enforcement is under the jurisdiction of the City and the Municipal Court's jurisdiction ends at city limits.This creates difficulty for code enforcers to enforce.In his neighborhood, someone lives in an RV in the front yard,others use their property for storage. The zoning in his neighborhood is low density residential(LDR).He spoke with Mr.Kent from the City who was very helpful and gracious and provided good information.Mr.Kent suggested he request a code enforcement hearing officer be appointed to help the City enforce where the Municipal Court cannot. 2. Steve Moe, Springfield,OR.Mr.Moe said during a recent work session on the homeless issue, Councilor Pishioneri said it wouldn't bother him if a small housing unit were brought in on wheels,placed in position, and the wheels removed. That was already done in Springfield. In about 1954, a subdivision was constructed just to the east of the current McKenzie Willamette Hospital.Homes were prefabricated, loaded on trucks, delivered on wheels one room at a time,to the final assembly location. Foundations had been poured and the houses were assembled room by room on the foundation. Mr.Moe said the City made a fine decision in selecting Rick Lewis as the new Police Chief. He spoke to the Council a year ago and suggested the City look internally for a new Chief.He knew we had the talent and experience,and by looking in-house,we would end up with someone who would be dedicated to staying in Springfield. He knew Chief Lewis would be a good selection. He joked about dealing with the new technology of driverless cars. COUNCIL RESPONSE Mayor Lundberg responded to Mr.Elliott's concern regarding enforcement in the UGB. City Attorney Mary Bridget Smith said our Municipal Court only has jurisdiction in the city limits, which makes enforcement difficult in the urban transition area(UTA)between city limits and the UGB. Through the urban transition agreement,the City does a lot of building and planning enforcement,but the enforcement mechanism is missing. Mayor Lundberg said her recollection is that the County was not interested in changing how that operates. Mr. Grimaldi said several discussions had been held with Lane County over the years,but nothing has produced a result that would address this situation. Mayor Lundberg said she has been in meetings with other residents with this issue. It has to be an agreement between the City and the County. The City would be happy to deal with some of this,but can't without a mechanism to enforce. City of Springfield Council Regular Meeting Minutes May 1,2017 Page 6 Councilor Pishioneri asked if Mr. Elliott had talked with the County Commissioners about this issue during their Board meeting.He suggested he testify during one of their meetings,and let the Board know he has talked to the City and the City encouraged him to speak to the County. This is a legitimate complaint. Mr.Elliott said he has not talked to the Commissioners yet,but did look up the schedule.He has talked with the County's Code Enforcement Office Jane Burgess who said it was up to the City. Councilor Pishioneri said he should contact County Commissioner Sid Leiken,who represents the City of Springfield. Mr.Elliott asked if that would go along with the request for a hearings officer. Mayor Lundberg said she agreed he should talk to the County Commissioners. The bigger issue is the County's willingness to change the system that is in place now. She thanked him for coming. Maybe there is a different way,but it is not likely a code enforcement hearings officer. Councilor VanGordon said most of the big changes come when people come to public hearings. The best advice is for him to talk to the County.He encouraged him to ask his elected officials to do something.Many issues get resolved that way. Mayor Lundberg said it is a conversation for the Council to talk about the UTA and how the rules could be different.These areas are the closest to our boundaries, and any discussion about how the rules could be different,UTA could adopt city ordinances. It is a worthy conversation for the Council to have sometime in the Fall. CORRESPONDENCE AND PETITIONS BIDS ORDINANCES BUSINESS FROM THE CITY COUNCIL 1. Committee Appointments 2. Business from Council a. Committee Reports 1) Mayor Lundberg said years ago,the City used to do own HOME and CDBG funds,which worked very well. We now have a HOME Consortium with the City of Eugene and need to look at the projects together. In the last round of how HOME funds were distributed, the housing that was provided through purchase of existing housing that was remodeled, and not creating new housing opportunities. She would like to recommend to the HOME Consortium that they prioritize projects that create the most new housing. She referred to the recent purchase of a church by St.Vincent DePaul which would be remodeled into housing. The City had success in prioritizing and letting organizations know about the priorities with our CDBG funds. City of Springfield Council Regular Meeting Minutes May 1,2017 Page 7 Councilor Moore asked if this came under our strategic plan. Mayor Lundberg said the request for proposals(RFP)for the HOME Consortium funds will be separate from the City projects.They can set priorities within that plan. Councilor Moore said she recalls when there were a number of projects that needed to expend their funds quickly or lose them. Councilor VanGordon said this has been discussed with the HOME Consortium for years and he is glad they are now discussing it with the City Council to get their support. One of the challenges is getting enough people coming forward with new projects.He feels they need to prioritize projects that have new units would be first. They do need to expend the funds so they don't have to give them back to Washington. Councilor Stoehr said he is in favor of creation of new units.He asked if this would be earmarked for the St.Vincent de Paul project. Councilor VanGordon said this would be for Mayor Lundberg and him to prioritize the projects based on Council direction as they come in through the RFP process,rather than earmarking funds. Councilor Woodrow said prioritizing is a good way to go and gives a voice from our Council.They haven't looked at it from a priority standpoint before.Having a concept of where our priorities are will help respond to projects. Once we set priorities, it will also help those who are submitting projects. Councilor Pishioneri agreed. He is in favor of the highest outcome for the investment. Councilor Wylie agreed. Mayor Lundberg said she would bring that forward to the HOME Consortium. She would also be asking that they consider reducing the administrative fee to 9%instead of 10%. It is in the contract which is up for renewal. 2) Councilor Moore commended Public Affairs Office Amber Fossen for the information she has been getting out about the Springfield Farmer's Market which opens this Friday at the Fountain Plaza. She is excited to see it return to this location. b. Other Business BUSINESS FROM THE CITY MANAGER 1. Ratification of the Metropolitan Wastewater Management Commission(MWMC)FY2017-18 Regional Wastewater Program Budget and Capital Improvement Program(CIP). Matt Stouder,Environmental Services Manager,presented the staff report on this item. City of Springfield Council Regular Meeting Minutes May 1,2017 Page 8 The FY 2017-18(FY 17-18)Regional Wastewater(RWP)Budget and CIP document was approved by the MWMC on April 14,2017. In preparing and reviewing the Budget and CIP,the MWMC convened three work sessions and a public hearing prior to taking action to adopt the FY 17-18 MWMC Budget. The FY 17-18 Budget funds all operations,administrative services,and capital projects planned for the Regional Wastewater Facilities. The approved operating budget is $18.3 million,which includes a total increase of 3.3%($587,570)in FY 17-18,when compared to the prior year. The CIP outlines and describes the capital projects planned for the next five years. The FY 17-18 RWP Budget and CIP document reflects a continued focus on the completion of facilities upgrades, plant performance improvements, and operations and maintenance activities to provide wastewater treatment for a growing community through 2025 in a manner that protects the public's health and safety, and the environment. The Commission took a corresponding action to adopt a 3.0%increase in regional wastewater user charges in order to fully fund the Budget and CIP. On May 1,2017 the City Council will hold a public hearing on the FY 17-18 regional rates within the City.Following the public hearing,Council is scheduled to adopt a resolution to set the FY 17-18 regional user fee rates within the City of Springfield. In accordance with the IGA,the MWMC contracts with the City of Eugene for operations and maintenance services, and with the City of Springfield for administrative services.The attached budget document provides regional program and budget summaries as well as detailed budgets for services provided by Eugene and Springfield. The budget document also provides information about how the RWP activities are driven by the MWMC established goals and performance measures. The FY 17-18 RWP Budget and CIP must be approved by the MWMC and ratified by Lane County, the cities of Eugene and Springfield,and then finally adopted by the MWMC,prior to the beginning of the next fiscal year(July 1,2017). The Eugene City Council is scheduled to ratify the MWMC Budget and CIP on May 8,2017,and the Lane County Board of Commissioners is scheduled to ratify the MWMC Budget and CIP on May 9,2017,with MWMC final budget adoption on June 9,2017. Mr. Stouder explained some of the projects being started or completed at the regional facility. IT WAS MOVED BY COUNCILOR VANGORDON WITH A SECOND BY COUNCILOR PISHIONERI TO ADOPT A MOTION RATIFYING THE FY 2017-18 REGIONAL WASTEWATER PROGRAM BUDGET AND CAPITAL IMPROVEMENT PROGRAM(CIP). THE MOTION PASSED WITH A VOTE OF 6 FOR AND 0 AGAINST. 2. Sewer System Revenue Bond Refunding. RESOLUTION NO. 2017-13—A RESOLUTION OF THE CITY OF SPRINGFIELD, LANE COUNTY, OREGON,AUTHORIZING THE SALE OF SEWER SYSTEM REVENUE REFUNDING BONDS. Bob Duey,Finance Director,presented the staff report on this item. The City Council is requested to approve the issuance of sewer system revenue refunding bonds in an amount that is sufficient to refund all or any portion of the refundable bonds and to pay costs related to issuing the refunding bonds and refunding the refundable bonds. r City of Springfield Council Regular Meeting Minutes May 1,2017 Page 9 The City issued wastewater revenue bonds in 2009 in the amount of$22,815,000 and stormwater revenue bonds in 2010 in the amount of$10,000,000. The purpose of these bonds was to finance capital improvements to the City's wastewater and stormwater systems(collectively,the"Sewer System"). The 2009 series bond redemption provisions allow the City to redeem bonds maturing on or after June 1,2019. Discussions with our financial advisor indicate that it would be advantageous for the City to refund the bonds at this time. The financial advisors have also agreed to evaluate the 2010 bonds during this process to determine if it would be in the best interest of the City to refund those at the same time. The estimated amount needed to refund the 2009 series, including all costs associated with the new issuance, is$16,798,705. The net present value of savings from the refunding is estimated at$534,000. The reduction in total debt service payments through 6/1/2029 is $2,649,000. The estimated costs and savings of refunding the 2010 stormwater bonds will be determined during the process of refunding the 2009 wastewater bonds. Councilor Pishioneri asked about the 2009 bonds. Mr. Duey said described the payoff and refinance of the bonds coming due. We will then have brand new bonds at a lower interest rate and will be paid off earlier. He said paying off the 2009 bonds now would not make enough difference to make it worthwhile.He explained how these were different than those in Metropolitan Management Wastewater Commission(MWMC). He described the savings. IT WAS MOVED BY COUNCILOR VANGORDON WITH A SECOND BY COUNCILOR PISHIONERI TO ADOPT RESOLUTION NO.2017-13.THE MOTION PASSED WITH A VOTE OF 6 FOR AND 0 AGAINST. 3. Other Business BUSINESS FROM THE CITY ATTORNEY Ms. Smith said the City received two objections to the UGB Expansion: One from 1000 Friends, and one from Johnson Crushers and Willamette Water Company together. The department now has the City's submittal and will work on responding to the objections. There is possibly a Land Conservation and Development Commission(LCDC)hearings scheduled for this summer. ADJOURNMENT The meeting was adjourned 8:00 p.m. Minutes Recorder Amy Sowa Zri4dIa Christine L.Lundberg Mayor Attest: City Reco er