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HomeMy WebLinkAbout10/06/1997 Work Session . MINUTES OF THE JOINT MEETING OF THE SPRINGFIELD CITY COUNCIL AND WILLAMALANE PARK AND RECREATION BOARD HELD MONDAY, OCTOBER 6, 1997 The city of Springfield council met in a joint work session with the Willamalane Park and Recreation District Board, in the Jesse Maine Room, 225 Fifth Street, Springfield, Oregon, on Monday, October 6, 1997, at 6:00 p.m., with Mayor Morrisette presiding. WELCOME AND INTRODUCTIONS Present were Mayor Morrisette, Councilors Ballew, Beyer, Dahlquist (6: 10 p.m.), and Shaver. Councilors Burge and Maine were absent (both excused). Willamalane Board members present were Chair Janice Morrisette, Wayne Hill, Blake Hastings, and Rob Adams. Ms. Morrisette said James Mayo was not able to attend. Also present were Willamalane Superintendent Dan Plaza, City Manager Michael Kelly, City Attorney Joe Leahy, City Recorder Julie Wilson and members of the staff. I. The New Bob Artz Park. . Mr. Adams provided information regarding the Bob Artz Park. He said a third field would be built resulting in a three-plex softball complex. He said softball was popular in Springfield. Mr. Plaza clarified that of the $1 million project cost, the property value was in addition to that cost. The $1 million was an approximate cost for recreational resources (ball field, restrooms, parking, lights, etc.). Mr. Adams said the project should be complete by fall of 1998. Road improvements were included in project costs. 2. Eastgate Woodlands. Mr. Hill provided an update on this project. He explained the Eastgate Woodlands area was the recreation area from 1-5 east and the area near the river. By a vote of the people, the land was transferred from Lane County, then to the city of Springfield, then to Willamalane Park and Recreation District. He said a 15-member advisory committee for the project met once per month for about three years. Mr. Hill served as chair of that committee. Springfield had five representatives on the committee. . Mr. Hill provided information about the boat launch and pedestrian and bike paths. He said they have tried to improve this area by reconfiguring the trail from the parking lot to the boat launch. He discussed path improvements and repaving. He said Eagle Scouts helped to install picnic tables and benches. Lane County prisoners also assisted with a cleanup project. Nearby Nature, a volunteer organization, also assisted with restoration work. American Veterans Post #16 members periodically monitor and pick up litter. Mr. Hill discussed the River Trails project. He said Willamalane has been working with the city on this project. The project developer was Ainslie Krans. He said the ivy and bushes were being maintained. . 3. Willamalane Park Swim Center. Mr. Hastings discussed financial needs for the Swim Center. He said the facility was in bad shape and needs many improvements. The Board hoped for voter support when presented with another bond measure in hopes of obtaining needed financing. Roofing demolition was Minutes of the Joint Meeting with Willamalane Board October 6, 1997 Page 2 . one immediate option to pursue. The facility could then be used as a summer facility. Willamalane staff was considering initiation of request for proposals for this project. Interim financing was still an issue. Private financing was another option. Mr. Hastings expressed a desire to have this complete by this summer. Councilor Shaver said many residents think the city of Springfield owns the pool. He has received many comments suggesting roof removal or the use of a temporary inflatable roof until the repairs are complete. He urged Willamalane to look into bids for roof removal. He also discussed monetary value of the lumber that could be salvaged/removed. 4. Child Care Program\Kids Club. Mr. Adams discussed the Willamalane Kids Club. He said children of different ages were served by this program. He said vacant school buildings were being used for the Kids Club program. He discussed benefits of the well managed program. He said the program paid for itself. 5. Cooperative Efforts with City Staff. . Ms. Morrisette recognized many cooperative efforts between Willamalane and the city. Some efforts included coordination for special events and projects, children celebrations, park days and sign production. She recognized the significant financial savings resulting from the operation and maintenance of the regional fuel facility, SDC fees, Willamalane computer ties to the city. She reviewed many other areas of joint cooperation, including city access and use of Willamalane Buildings for drills and emergency situations. City employees also used the Memorial Building for noon activities. Ms. Morrisette said the district pool was used for a city fitness program. Water safety training to firefighters was another coordination effort, among many others. Mr. Plaza said the Police Department works very closely with Willamalane and recognized their efforts in assisting when needed. 6. City Budget Overview. Mr. Kelly provided a brief overview of the city's General Fund and impacts of Ballot Measures 47/50. He said the measures would have impacts of approximately $2 million. He explained council directed staff to take a two-year approach in dealing with the reductions. He briefly reviewed the inventory of services project. Mr. Hill asked about the option of raising the tax base. Councilor Shaver said council was trying to carry out what the citizens have directed. He said this was not necessarily the proper time to ask for funding. He said once reductions are initiated as directed, citizens will be able to make better decisions on what services are available with current resources. 7. Other Business. . a. Revenue Generating Opportunities. Councilor Shaver discussed the current tax base, infrastructure money, library fees, and other issues which complicate the financial formula. Minutes of the Joint Meeting with Willamalane Board October 6, 1997 Page 3 . He appreciated the cooperation between Willamalane and the city. He explained Willamalane uses machinery owned by the city and the city in turn utilizes Willamalane owned machinery. He also encouraged board members to communicate through electronic mail (e-mail). He commented on the convenience of using e-mail. Councilor Shaver discussed city funds used to build a bike path through Island Park. He said there was a section of pedestrian way between the Administration Building and the Depot. He said a sidewalk was needed. He also said appropriate street lighting was needed. . Councilor Shaver discussed the telephone lines on the bike path along D Street which have been there for three years. He said when D Street was relocated, the utility company moved the poles to the land aside old D Street which became a bike path. He said the entire area was reconstructed. Power and cable lines were moved to the land aside the , street. On the river side, telephone lines have been draped along trees. In talking with the appropriate people, they said they had difficulty working with Willamalane to site a vault for fiberoptic cable. They were not able to obtain an easement from Willamalane to do this. Councilor Shaver recognized the revenue generating opportunities associated with the sale, lease or rental of the space. The company now selected another option. He said the city was missing out on fiber optic opportunities and Willamalane had an opportunity to generate revenue. He said as a Board they need to send a message to staff stating they did not want to turn down income opportunities such as this. Councilor Shaver discussed telecommunication tower issues. He discussed the proposed tower ordinance and the need for co-locations (more than one provider on one tower, on top of buildings). Councilor Shaver discussed a provider who was turned down by Willamalane to place a tower on top of the pool building in Thurston area. Mr. Plaza replied that the proposal received was rather obtrusive and the board rejected it. It was not appropriate for Lively Park. ADJOURNMENT The meeting was adjourned at 7:05 p.m. Minutes Recorder - Julie Wilson ~id' ~ Bill Morrisette Mayor Attest: .