Loading...
HomeMy WebLinkAbout04/09/2018 Work Session City of Springfield Work Session Meeting MINUTES OF TIM WORK SESSION MEETING OF THE SPRINGFIELD CITY COUNCIL HELD MONDAY,APRIL 9,2018 The City of Springfield Council met in a work session in the Jesse Maine Meeting Room, 225 Fifth Street, Springfield, Oregon, on Monday,April 9, 2018 at 6:00 p.m.,with.Mayor Lundberg presiding. ATTENDANCE Present were Mayor Lundberg and Councilors VanGordon, 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. Councilor Wylie was absent(excused). 1. Comcast Franchise Renewal. Neil Obringer,Management Analyst,presented the staff report on this item. Staff is representing Springfield in negotiations with Comcast for renewal of the regional cable franchise.The current cable franchise contains language referencing a Springfield customer service center; however, Comeast closed the Springfield customer service center in 2012. In crafting the new franchise agreement there are two questions on which staff is requesting input from Council; 1.) Is it acceptable to continue negotiating removal of language referencing a Springfield customer service center? 2.) If yes to above,what terms of removal would the Council find acceptable? The direction provided by Council may have a direct financial impact to the City.This question involves a potential donation to the Springfield Library Foundation for equipment at the Springfield. library. Mr. Obringer said if the Council approved of the funding to the Library Foundation,those funds would be put towards improved WiFi capacity in the Library,add remote printing capabilities,and update two educational computer devices. If the Library Foundation received$50,000,the projects noted would be done, as well as online tutoring to students and adults,ten additional devices would be available to be checked out at the Library,and they would add a desk top publishing and small business computer station for public use. Councilor Woodrow said she is fine with removal of the service center and liked the proposal of $50,000.Comcast is very involved with ARC. She explained the services and hardware they provide to ARC. She felt a larger number going to the Library($35,000)and smaller amount to ARC ($15,000)would be more appropriate as the library reaches a larger population. She likes the proposed list for the library. Councilor Moore asked why it is only$50,000 rather than $75,000 that was given in the past. City of Springfield Council Work Session Minutes April 9,201$ Page 2 Mr. Obringer said he was not involved in this piece of the negotiation,but felt it may have been due to the amounts previously given. Councilor Moore asked about a park facility for Are and if Willamalane was involved. Mayor Lundberg said they would not be involved as it would be a private park. Councilor Pishioneri expressed concern that negotiations were started before the Council was involved. The initial$75,000 was given as a gift, and the City allowed them to move across the freeway and have no presence in Springfield. He pointed out that the bus ride to Valley River is lengthy from Springfield and could be difficult for those needing to use public transportation. It is important for citizens in Springfield with transportation issues to have Comcast reasonably close, even if it is just a kiosk at Gateway or another store.He doesn't want the City to underwrite any parks because that is under Willarrialane's purview. If it was a public park,he may be more supportive. Arc should apply to Comcast independently from this for the park. Mayor Lundberg said last time when Comcast provided funding to the City,the Council was not involved in the negotiations. Mr. Obringer said he believed the Library foundation was chosen through discussions with Comcast and the previous staff member working on this agreement. Any agreement would need to be confirmed by Council. These are all preliminary options and are up for negotiations and changes based on Council input. Any final agreement would be executed into any agreement similar to what was done for the$75,000 which was documented in a side letter. Councilor Stoehr asked how many employees were working at the Springfield center. Mr. Obringer said he recalled there were 3 employees. Councilor Stoehr asked if Comcast was aware this would be subject to Council approval. He has a concern with the franchise being renewed without the requirement of the service center in Springfield. Councilor VanGordon said the business model is changing.He understands that it could be difficult for people with limited transportation to get to Valley River and he appreciated hearing that concern. He supports the direction,but would like to get some type of commitment for a presence in Springfield with a drop box, kiosk,or some other way to address those that can't get to Valley River.He supports $35,000 and$15,000,but would be fine with an even split. He said he would expect that the$25,000 was new money corning into the community. Comcast does put a lot of money in this community.He isn't sure the online printing is as a high priority as the tutoring or business solution for the library.He would encourage them to move those projects up on the priority list. Councilor Pishioneri said if the funding was provided,he would suggest funds only go to capital use for the library. He is concerned about giving to Are rather than looking at other needy organizations in the community.He would like to allow other organizations to apply for those funds so they could be leveraged throughout the community. Mayor Lundberg said she sits on the cable commission,via MPC, and there is a bigger discussion regarding the franchise agreement. She is not interested in giving Arc any of these funds. Comcast sponsors many things and she feels they have the funds to give to the community. The City gives City of Springfield Council Work Session Minutes April 9,20 1.8 Page 3 funds to Arc through Human Services Commission.The City has more limited funds so she wants them all to go to Springfield for the library. She would prefer it all goes to electronics. She is not as interested in a Springfield site,because they can drop equipment off at any UPS store. She commended City staff who respond to complaints about Comcast because they get things done. There are options available. This will have to fold into the bigger discussion. Mr. Obringer said there will be an update to the cable commission in May. From there,it is dependent on how the remainder of the negotiations goes with Comcast. Ideally it will happen prior to the August I expiration deadline. Mayor Lundberg said she would like to see Comcast offer the same $10 program that is offered for low-income school children,to low-income senior citizens. Councilor Moore said she has seen improvement in Comcast services and asked staff to share that with them. She asked if the franchise negotiations will include what they pay the City. Mr. Obringer said we can negotiate the definition of gross receipts which is used to determine how much they return to the City. We are regulated by federal law and capped at 5%of gross receipts. Councilor Moore said she didn't support a park for Are. These funds are for the citizens of Springfield. She asked if there are other groups in the City that could use funds. She asked why it isn't $75,000 this time around. She also felt customers should be aware that they can drop off their equipment at UPS. Councilor Woodrow said she is comfortable having all$50,000 to the library. She feels Comcast will provide the funds needed for Arc's park regardless. She also asked that it be relayed to Comcast that they shouldn't lower the download speed for those on the$10 program. It can make people feel like second class citizens.She would like to ask for$75,000. Councilor Stoehr agreed. He would like to advocate for giving it to the Library Foundation. Councilor Pishioneri said he agreed they should ask for$75,000, but he's not sure he wants to earmark neast runs security software program, so perhaps some of the funds it all to the Library Foundation. Cor could be used for electronic security and monitoring if we get more money. Councilor VanGordon said he is good with$75,000,making the last$25,000 less restrictive so it could be used for other uses around the building. Mayor Lundberg said she wants to know what they are looking at in regards to the franchise. Mr.Obringer said this would be separate from the new franchise.This side agreement would need to be approved by Council. Mayor Lundberg said Council would like to ask for$75,000,with$50,000 going to the Library Foundation and$25,000 for security. Councilor VanGordon added that Comcast needs to know that there needs to be a physical building in this area.The City shares the concerns of Eugene to keep a facility. City of Springfield. Council Work Session Minutes April 9, 2018 Page 4 2. Market Study for Non-Union Employees and Update to Compensation Plan. Chaim Hertz,Human Resources Director,presented the staff report on this item. Nonunion employee pay ranges have not increased since January 1, 2015. Similar to last time,the City contracted with.Gallagher Benefit Services to perforin the market survey and to update the compensation plan. The same group of agencies used in 2010 and 2014 were included, and the same criteria used to determine a comparator organization was utilized again(employer size and complexity; geographic proximity,nature of series provided). The City of Springfield Non-Union General Service positions on average are currently lagging the market 5061 percentile of range midpoints by 0.3%.This tells us that our pay plans have remained competitive over the last three years despite the CPT for Portland-Salem increasing by 7.5% over the same time period (2015-2017). There are 55 employees in this group, most of Whom are supervisors, managers and directors who perform most of the higher decision-making and risk-taking functions in the City. Mr. Hertz described the process in gathering the market infonnation. To implement the proposed plan, staff recommends that employees be moved on to the new pay plans July 1 to the closest step that isn't a decrease. This will result in an average increase of 2.38% in year one with a budget impact of$106,288. The following two years would follow the consultant's recommendation of increasing the pay plans by 1.5%per year. Implementing in this manner results in a final overall cumulative increase of 5.38%and a 3 year budget impact of$520,562.This amount falls within budget projections. For the Non-Union Public Safety employees,the consultants have recommended increasing their pay ranges by 3% a year over the next two years to keep from experiencing compression issues with the with the Lieutenant position receiving an additional 1.5%over represented police unit they supervise; the next two years. Total two-year budget impact is $118,042 and within budget projections. Councilor Stoehr asked for clarification on some of the proposed increases for public safety. Councilor VanGordon asked how many steps we have on average. Mr.Hertz responded that there are seven steps,with an increase between steps of 5% or less. Councilor VanGordon asked about what triggers someone moving to the next step. Mr.Hertz said it is based on both an anniversary but is predicated on meeting performance expectations. Councilor VanGordon said this is in line with the private sector that he knows. He is comfortable with the number and with what is being proposed for law enforcement. It is important to remember that we compete with the private sector for these positions. He would like us to look harder at how we are compensating employees and feels we can do better recognizing the work of managers. Councilor Moore asked about different ways to do this type of study. City of Springfield Council Work Session Minutes April 9, 2018 Page 5 Mr. Hertz said the annual approach is more common in the private sector due to market changes. He explained. They could start with the aging approach first. Councilor Moore asked if the Council had input to changing the process. Mr. Hertz said Council does have input. Staff could continue to keep an eye on the private market either way. The private sector uses a wider pay range with a smaller range between steps and there are some advantages to that. He also recognized the benefits with how the City's structure is set up. He explained. He would like to look at the triggers for employees moving from one range to another. Councilor Moore agreed it needed to be fair for employees. Councilor Pishioneri spoke regarding compression with public safety and asked Mr.Chaim to look at the base wages. Someone could cboose to work a lot of overtime,which would.mean they would make more than a manager. Mr. Hertz said he is speaking on behalf of the non-union staff, but agrees there is some balance. The base wage amount should be enough to encourage people to move into leadership. They need to look at and retain some width between the two. He will continue to monitor. Councilor Pishioneri said other agencies pay extra into retirement for management in lieu of higher wages. There are ways to not go into higher wages. Councilor VanGordon said this is the second year of this type of process and he is open to doing something different. He would shy away from more steps because they don't necessarily incentivize the right kind of work, He wants to look at this to make sure we are compensating people in the right way and getting the best out of everyone. Mayor Lundberg said she is fine going forward, but is interested in Mr. Hertz's experience. She would be interested if there are some adjustments to make it better or make it move forward more smoothly. Mr. Hertz said there is a lot of science to all of this. He applauded the dedication of City of Springfield employees and agrees they should be appropriately compensated for the work they do. Mayor Lundberg said she would be.interested in whatever improvements could be made to make recruitment more attractive. 3. Transportation Funding Priorities. Emma Newman, Senior Planner,presented the staff report on this item. City Council began its discussion on Transportation Funding Priorities at the March 26,2018 work session. This agenda item is a continuation of that discussion in response to Council's request to have a follow up meeting. The Central Lane MPO is starting the process to determine programming transportation funds for federal fiscal years 2019,2020, and 2021. There will be approximately$16.5 million available for the region over the three year period, after accounting for continued funding of MPO staff time(including $45,000 for City of Springfield Transportation Planning) and Point2Point program costs. City of Springfield Council Work Session Minutes April 9, 2018 Page 6 Based on Council discussions,staff has developed a range of funding scenarios to facilitate further discussion of City of Springfield priorities. The regional staff Transportation Planning Committee(TPC)will make a final recommendation later this spring or early summer. Subsequently,the Metropolitan Policy Committee(MPC)will make the final decision on regional funding allocations.Mayor Lundberg and.Councilor Wylie are City of Springfield MPC representatives. Ms.Newnan noted the scenarios offered. She also mentioned that mobilization costs are paid for each project, so would have to be charged each time a different segment of a project was done unless done continuously.There are also some issues with road closures for splitting projects into multiple segments.Finally, she noted that during a reconstruction of Mill Street,they would have to bring the street up to standards including a bicycle and pedestrian project for restri.ping and signage. Discussion was held regarding the bicycle and pedestrian portion of the project. It would be need to go through a study and public process. There would still be two lanes on Mill Street. Councilor VanGordon asked how much the extra mobilization costs would be if they broke up the project on Mill Street. City Engineer Jeff Paschall said it would be anywhere from 10-15%of the total cost.Each company has their own calculation. If Mill Street is not reconstructed now, it will deteriorate further, in part because of a water line project by SUB. Councilor VanGordon said he is in favor of including 140'Street,28"'Street, 19`h and Marcola intersection and Franklin Boulevard on the list. Councilor Woodrow said she is in favor of keeping Mill Street on the list, as well as 28'h Street, 19°i Street and Franklin Boulevard. Councilor Stoehr asked about Franklin Boulevard and the design work. Ms.Newman provided background on the Franklin Boulevard project and design work. Councilor Stoehr asked about Marcola Road and the connecting streets. Ms. Newman responded to his questions. Councilor Stoehr said he favors 28''Street, 14a'Street and Mill Street. Councilor Moore said she is in favor of 28'J' Street, 140' Street and 19`h Street preservation. She agrees Mill Street reconstruction is needed,but costs too much money. Mayor Lundberg asked about other funding sources. Mr.Boyatt said TIGER funds increased substantially.The disadvantage we have is that we don't have the match,the right of way,or the design to acquire right of way. The TIGER.rules want a quick -of-way. turnaround and like to fund project completion. We have proved we can get right City of Springfield Council Work Session Minutes April 9,2018 Page 7 Ms.Newman said there is a lot of earmarking for the beginning of the House Bill funding. We are going to receive$24M for 42"d Street which is programmed for 2023.The STIP funding we previously got through the Lane ACT will not be coming around for another three years.The State safety program has funds which we have received for the Main Street project. This is more flexible funding. Councilor Pishioneri asked about sharing the cost of Mill Street reconstruction with SUB. He noted several failed areas where SUB has dug up the street for projects.He asked if we could use those examples as leverage for Mill Street. Mr. Paschall said the City has increased the standard with SUB and are monitoring their work. It is difficult on streets that are already failing. They could have come up with a partnership for Mill Street,but the City has had difficulty finding the funds for our portion.He noted that he does sit down with SUB to review and compare their project lists annually.The street fund no longer has a budget to partner,but they do try to coordinate when we do have funds. SUB is on a robust water line iproject timeline in order to beep the system from failing. The City will work with them on South 28t'Street. He further described SUB's projects. Councilor Pishioneri said he is good with including Mill Street,28th Street, 19th Street and Franklin Boulevard. reet preservation would be the top choice for staff. Mayor Lundberg asked if the 28t'' St Ms.Newman said both 28'h Street and 14'b Street. Mr. Paschall said 14`x' Street has a lot of commercial traffic so it is better to preserve the street rather than reconstruct to minimize the impact. 28'h Street is a major truck route and would be a higher priority in his opinion. There is some sidewalk infill which would help as they bring the road up to ADA requirements. The final list Council agreed upon included: • 28"preservation • Mill Street reconstruction • New Franklin 19t /Marcola intersection Councilor VanGordon asked about the Moe Mountain prpject. Ms.Newman said it was not included in Willamalane's last bond but is part of their Capital Improvement Program (CII').The funds are not extra dollars for the purpose of this list. Councilor Moore noted that if the City is trying to attract something in Glenwood, it would be beneficial if we shore we are willing to continue to invest the continuation of Franklin Boulevard. Mayor Lundberg said the Council can consider a bond measure in the future to help with street projects. Mr. Grimaldi said staff will bring something to Council in work session. City of Springfield Council Work Session Minutes April 9, 2018 Page 8 Councilor Moore said that for that discussion, she would like to know how many streets in the City are not paved at all. ADJOURNMENT The meeting was adjourned at 7:33 p.m. Minutes Recorder—Amy Sowa Christine L. Lundberg Mayor Attest: c�$At e- Ai Sow City Recorder