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HomeMy WebLinkAbout06/01/1998 Regular . . . '-.- t. ....,. MINUTES OF THE REGULAR MEETING OF THE SPRINGFIELD CITY COUNCIL HELD MONDAY, JUNE 1, 1998 The city of Springfield council met in regular session in the Springfield City Council Chamber Room, 225 Fifth Street, Springfield, Oregon, on Monday, June 1, 1998, at 7:08 p.m., with Mayor Morrisette presiding. ATTENDANCE Present were Mayor Morrisette, Councilors Ballew, Beyer, Burge, Dahlquist, Maine and Shaver. Also present were City Manager Michael Kelly, Assistant City Manager Gino Grimaldi, City Attorney Joe Leahy, Senior Management Analyst Rosie Pryor, City Recorder Julie Wilson and members of the staff. PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE The Pledge of Allegiance was led by Mayor Morrisette. INVOCATION Pastor David Lanning, Springfield Faith Center, provided the invocation. SPRINGFIELD UPBEAT 1. City Manager Mike Kelly recognized city of Springfield employees for their assistance during the recent Thurston High School shooting incident. CONSENT CALENDAR IT WAS MOVED BY COUNCILOR SHAVER, WITH A SECOND BY COUNCILOR MAINE, TO ADOPT THE CONSENT CALENDAR. THE MOTION PASSED WITH A VOTE OF 6 FOR AND 0 AGAINST. 1. Claims 2. Minutes a. April 27, 1998 - Joint Meeting with Police Planning Task Force b. April 27, 1998 - Work Session 3. Resolutions 4. Ordinances 5. Other Routine Matters a. Approve Liquor License Endorsement for Miles Springfield Texaco, located at 4095 Main Street, Springfield, formerly Bob's Texaco Star Market. . . . ,-, .. -- Regular Meeting Minutes June 1, 1998 Page 2 b. Authorize the City Manager to Renew the current Audit Service Contracts with Grant Thorton LLP, for the completion of the 1997/98 Fiscal year audits, in an amount not to exceed $39,732. PUBLIC HEARINGS 1. Proposed Resolution Setting Local and Regional Sewer User Fees. RESOLUTION NO. 98-31 - A RESOLUTION OF THE CITY OF SPRINGFIELD COMMON COUNCIL SETTING LOCAL AND REGIONAL SEWER CHARGES AS SET FORTH IN THE SPRINGFIELD CITY CODE. Environmental Services Supervisor Gary Colwell presented the staff report on this issue. This item was also discussed during the council work session this evening. The current local and regional sanitary sewer user fees have been in effect since July 1, 1996. Current drainage user fees have been in effect since July 1, 1995. After reviewing proposed user fee alternatives, Council may wish to approve a new schedule of sewer user fees to go into effect July 1, 1998. Mr. Colwell reviewed the proposed sewer user fees for 1998/99. Items reviewed included regional rates, local rates, operation and maintenance costs, capital fees, and user fee alternatives. User fee alternatives included flat sanitarylflat storm, flat sanitary/full storm, mid sanitary/full storm, and full sanitary/full storm. Mayor Morrisette opened the public hearing. No one appeared to speak. Mayor Morrisette closed the public hearing. IT WAS MOVED BY COUNCILOR SHAVER, WITH A SECOND BY COUNCILOR MAINE, TO ADOPT RESOLUTION NO. 98-31. THE MOTION PASSED WITH A VOTE OF 6 FOR AND 0 AGAINST. BUSINESS FROM THE AUDIENCE 1. Montell Johnson, 2475 North 31st Street, Springfield, expressed opposition to the 31st Street improvement project, U Street to V Street, due to the cost. He said the assessment would cause a financial hardship to him. 2. Sandra Holland, 3106 W Street, Springfield, expressed opposition to the 31 st Street improvement project, U Street to V Street. She said the improvement would cause additional traffic on the street. She said she was on a limited income. 3. Leonard Rice, 2355 North 31 st Street, Springfield, expressed opposition to costs associated with the 31 st Street improvement project, U Street to V Street. He expressed concern regarding the assessment cost. . . . v , ~~ Regular Meeting Minutes June 1,1998 Page 3 4. Al Pierce, representing Pierce Trust, 2515 Terrace View Drive, Eugene, expressed concern regarding the method of payment for the improvement work for the 31 st Street improvement project, U Street to V Street. He said the cost structure was a problem. 5. Dorothv Carney, 2343 North 31 st Street, Springfield, expressed opposition to the cost for the 31 st Street improvement project, U Street to V Street. She was on a fixed income and could not afford the expense. BUSINESS FROM THE CITY MANAGER 1. Initiation Request for 31 st Street Improvement, U Street to V Street. RESOLUTION NO.4 - A RESOLUTION TO INITIATE THE CONSTRUCTION OF PUBLIC IMPROVEMENTS IN THE CITY OF SPRINGFIELD PURSUANT TO THE PROVISIONS OF SECTION 2-1-2 THROUGH 2-2-9 OF THE SPRINGFIELD CITY CODE. City Engineer Al Peroutka presented the staff report on this issue. Council received a request from Attorney Bill Kloos, representing the Ambleside Subdivision developers to initiate a street improvement project on 31 st Street between U and V Streets. When council, upon petition of property owners or otherwise, desires to construct a public improvement which benefits adjoining properties and which will require an assessment against those properties for the cost of the project, council needs to declare by resolution its intent to initiate the improvement. This is the first step in the improvement process. [See testimony provided during Business from the Audience.] Councilor Maine asked if the city were to consider the full development of the street, would the Ambleside developer still contribute money to the street project in at-least equal to the amount the sidewalk would cost. Mr. Peroutka replied that there was an agreement that they would provide the cost of the sidewalks between U and V streets. Councilor Maine asked how much that would offset the assessed costs. Mr. Peroutka said sidewalk improvement on each side would be about $15 per foot. Councilor Maine asked about drainage problems at the Duck Haven subdivision. She had concerns about this. She asked if full development would improve the drainage situation. Mr. Peroutka said the drainage problem would be taken care of either way. He said when V Street is improved by Ambleside, drainage improvements will occur. Councilor Shaver said the standard was to offer either the opportunity for. the person being assessed for improvements to pay the entire amount when it is due, which is about one year after initiation, or to go on a standard ten year bancroft where that amount is amortized over a ten year period. The city then uses its authority to get the bonds as low as possible. He asked if there was any opportunity for the city to do a longer bancroft, such as a IS-year period. This could help reduce the monthly amount on a project that affects so many property owners on fixed incomes. . . . v .. :~ Regular Meeting Minutes June 1, 1998 Page 4 Finance Director Bob Duey said the city offered 20 year bancroft financing. The city changed their policy for a standard financing policy often years. That ten years can be changed upon decision of the councilor Finance Director. The policy can be revised. Mr. Duey said the payment schedule is tied to selling the bonds. The bonds would need to be sold over a certain period of time. Councilor Burge said nine of the 11 property owners have previously entered into an improvement agreement. He said those impacted were on a fixed income and did not think they would receive much benefit from the improvement project. He reminded council that the project was being prompted by a development parcel in the same general area. He said this was a difficult situation. He said it was difficult for those on fixed incomes to survive on their existing income, let alone add additional financial hardships as a result of the improvement project. Mr. Peroutka reminded council ofthe council participation policy regarding system development charges. He discussed the use of SDCs or street funds. He said the council had the authority to expend SDC funds on this project above their normal participation. Councilor Shaver discussed improvement projects and associated costs to property owners. He discussed property owner responsibilities as it relates to this issue. He said it was not fair to have to pay for a larger street than would be in a residential neighborhood. He discussed the need for everyone to pitch in and pay their portion. He also discussed options to make this project more affordable. City Manager Mike Kelly discussed the use of SDC funds. Councilor Burge expressed concern regarding the fact that the project was being proposed by a developer of 157 lots. He said the property owners were not proposing the project. Councilor Maine said the subdivision would pay into SDC that will be used again for future development. She acknowledged that this was a timing issue. She briefly discussed the benefits of SDC contributions and the timing of projects funded. City Manager Mike Kelly briefly discussed low income and fixed income assessment deferral programs. He said in the past the state did have such a program but was not sure what was available at this time. Mr. Peroutka said this would be the first step in the process for the project and no design work has been done. Staff would talk with property owners and come back to Council in about two weeks. Mayor Morrisette clarified that staff would review property owner concerns and talk with them. He said council would review this issue in approximately two weeks. CORRESPONDENCE AND PETITIONS . . . <.r . .-- Regular Meeting Minutes June 1, 1998 Page 5 1. Correspondence from Gerald and Marjorie Gorsky, 2395 31st Street, expressing opposition to the proposed improvement project. IT WAS MOVED BY COUNCILOR SHAVER, WITH A SECOND BY COUNCILOR MAINE, TO ACCEPT AND FILE THE CORRESPONDENCE. THE MOTION PASSED WITH A VOTE OF 6 FOR AND 0 AGAINST. 2. Correspondence from Tony DeMuth, 2361 31st Street, expressing opposition to the proposed improvement project. 3. Correspondence from Robert and Daisy Lind, 2359 31st Street, and Tony DeMuth, 2361 31 st Street, expressing support for the project although expressing concern regarding the assessment cost. 4. Correspondence from Carol Barnes, 2335 North 31st Street, expressing opposition to the, project improvement cost. IT WAS MOVED BY COUNCILOR SHAVER, WITH A SECOND BY COUNCILOR MAINE, TO ACCEPT AND FILE CORRESPONDENCE NUMBERS 2, 3 AND FOR. THE MOTION PASSED WITH A VOTE OF 6 FOR AND 0 AGAINST. BIDS ORDINANCES BUSINESS FROM THE CITY COUNCIL 1. Business from Council a. Committee Reports 1. Councilor Ballew reported on the League of Cities Revenue and Taxation Committee. .. She asked council members to bring forward any issues of concern. The next legislative issue package is being compiled. b. Other Business 1. Councilor Maine reminded council of the Community Conversation meeting scheduled for tomorrow at 7:00 p.m., at Springfield High School. She said several attendees are expected. An update on the healing Thurston Fund will be provided. She said elected officials would stay to answer questions and provide additional support. 2. Councilor Maine reported that the Public Safety Coordinating Council (PSCC) staff have offered support with citizen involvement and input on a potential levy. 3. City Manager Mike Kelly reported that in working with federal representatives, staff is asking that they and others talk to the President about sponsoring a conference including the six cities that have experienced similar tragedy to the school shooting . . . Regular Meeting Minutes June 1, 1998 Page 6 incident. He hoped the federal government would sponsor this and provide a forum for communities to discuss what they are doing in response to the incident. 4. Mayor Morrisette reported that he would be attending an L-COG National Association of Regional Council conference in Tulsa. He will also attend a one-day debriefing conference in Memphis. It will include cities that have experienced similar shooting tragedies such as Springfield. Some local area leaders who plan to participate are representatives of the School District, McKenzie Willamette Hospital and the Springfield Fire and Life Safety Department. BUSINESS FROM THE CITY MANAGER 1. Petition for Public Improvement of Long Ridge Drive. RESOLUTION NO.3 - A RESOLUTION TO INITIATE THE CONSTRUCTION OF PUBLIC IMPROVEMENTS IN THE CITY OF SPRINGFIELD PURSUANT TO THE PROVISIONS OF SECTIONS 2-1-2 THROUGH 2-2-9 OF THE SPRINGFIELD CITY CODE. City Engineer Al Peroutka explained that at this item would not be addressed this evening. At the request of the petitioner, the item was pulled. 2. Amendments to the City Retirement Plan. RESOLUTION NO. 98-32 - A RESOLUTION OF THE CITY OF SPRINGFIELD AMENDING THE CITY OF SPRINGFIELD, OREGON MONEY PURCHASE PENSION PLAN: AND AMENDING THE CITY OF SPRINGFIELD, OREGON RETIREMENT PLAN. " Human Resources Director Frank Hotchkiss presented the staff report on this issue. The proposed resolution contains amendments to the City Retirement Plan, and one amendment to the Money Purchase Pension Plan Section 17). The amendments can be grouped as follows: Section 1 and 9 will allow for a new provider of annuities; Section 2, 3, 4, 5 and 13 will allow a former city employee who was transferred to continue to participate in the Retirement Plan; Sections 6, 7, 8, 10, 11, 12 and 14 are administrative "housekeeping" changes that bring our plan into compliance with new laws and regulations; Sections 15 and 17 will allow the City Manager to make minor amendments to the Retirement Plan and the Money Purchase Pension Plan; Section 16 provides effective dates for amendments in Sections 1 through 15. Mr. Hotchkiss answered questions from council. IT WAS MOVED BY COUNCILOR SHAVER, WITH A SECOND BY COUNCILOR MAINE, TO ADOPT RESOLUTION NO. 98-32. THE MOTION PASSED WITH A VOTE OF 6 FOR AND 0 AGAINST. 4. Other Council Business BUSINESS FROM THE CITY ATTORNEY . . . ... .~ Regular Meeting Minutes June 1, 1998 Page 7 ADJOURNMENT The meeting was adjourned at 8:12 p.m. Minutes Recorder - Julie Wilson ~dl1I!~ Bill Morrisette Mayor r (Q)l/V'