HomeMy WebLinkAbout07/10/1995 Work Session (2)
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City of Springfield
Work Session
MINUTES OF THE WORK SESSION OF
THE SPRINGFIELD CITY COUNCIL HELD
MONDAY, JULY 10, 1995
The City of Springfield Council met in Work Session at Springfield City Hall, Library Meeting
Room, 225 Fifth Street, Springfield, Oregon, on Monday, July 10, 1995, at 8:08 p.m., with Mayor
Morrisette presiding.
ATTENDANCE
Present were Mayor Morrisette and Councilors Beyer, Burge, Dahlquist, Maine, Shaver and
Walters. Also present were City Manager Mike Kelly, Assistant City Manager Gino Grimaldi, City
Recorder Eileen Stein, Administrative Aide Shari Higgins and members of staff.
1. Willamette Vallev Transportation Strateav
Traffic Engineer Gary McKenney provided an overview of the project and discussed the
timelines and process for reviewing and preparing the Willamette Valley Transportation
Strategy. He introduced Mr. Dave Bishop with the Oregon Department of Transportation
(ODOT) who provided an overview of the strategy. Mr. Bishop discussed the purpose and
intent of the study and explained the role of the Oregon Transportation Commission Policy
Advisory Committee.
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Mr. Bishop explained how in the process of developing the strategy, common concerns
were addressed, like the future of 1-5, the high-speed rail system and how to finance
transportation systems. The committee developed different strategy scenarios and developed
a recommended strategy.
Mr. Bishop explained the Willamette Valley Transportation Strategy is the product of
a 24-member Willamette Valley Advisory Committee on Transportation (VPACT.)
Their recommendations were presented to the Oregon Livability Council (a Governor-
appointed Council), which supports and directs educational and resource problems
within the valley. VPACT members were appointed by the Oregon Transportation
Commission to develop the coordinated transportation strategy for the Willamette
Valley only.
Mr. Bishop stated comments received from the public comment period was extended
to now conclude on July 24, 1995. He stated the strategy is only a guide for consideration by
local governments to help create local and regional transportation plans.
Mayor Morrisette asked if Mr. McKenney was satisfied with the language changes. Mr.
McKenney replied he was and stated the document will be brought back again to the
Metropolitan Policy Committee (MPC) for further review. Mr. Bishop stated this strategy is
a serious exercise by the Transportation Committee to provide input and coordination.
Councilor Walters asked about the interchange policy change on attachment 2, page 1. Mr.
Bishop clarified the language change, per MPC recommendation.
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1. Willie Combs, 334 Scotts Glen Drive, Springfield, discussed a recent convention
he attended and spoke in opposition of raising the gas tax by 1 cent. He stated Oregon pays
the highest gas taxes in the Northwest. Mr. Bishop replied that how to finance a
transportation system is what the VPACT is trying to accomplish, not to hurt the trucking
industry. Mr. Combs stated that he will continue to fight increases in gas taxes.
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City of Springfield
Council Work Session - 7/10/95
Page two
Councilor Burge asked if Oregon has looked at studies of other states to find out what works
where and how Oregon might adopt those types of policies to help offset transportation costs
in Oregon. Mr. Bishop replied ODOT staff have just completed a 50 state study and are
currently preparing a report.
Mr. McKenney stated local transportation divisions have looked at the strategy and elected
officials have discussed it at MPC. He stated staff supports the strategy and the approach
that ODOT has taken to view the "big picture" at the state level and provide support
for local governments adopting transportation plans.
Councilor Burge thanked Mr. Bishop for his effort and presentation. Mr. Bishop stated the
strategy document has good evaluation tables and suggested Council use it as a guide to plan
for local transportation efforts. Mr. McKenney handed out May 5, 1995 draft copies of
the Executive Summary from ODOT.
2. Revenue Sources for Operation of Gateway Fire Station
Mr. Kelly explained staffing of the proposed Fire Station #5 needs to be addressed if the
proposed capital bond measure passes and the station is built. He asked Council to share
ideas, thoughts and discuss proposals for staffing.
Acting Fire Chief John Garitz stated the strategy for staffing should be developed now, not
at the time the new station'is actually built.
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CouncilorWalters stated he is troubled about using Emergency Medical Services (EMS)
funds to fund staffing needs and asked if there are legal restrictions against using a user
based fund to provide personnel funding. Mr. Garitz explained FireMed collections from
Eugene are returned to Eugene and collections from Springfield are used by Springfield. Mr.
Leahy added that no resident of Eugene or Springfield is required to join FireMed.
Councilor Burge asked for a staff recommendation regarding funding options. Councilor
Maine agreed that staff input is important, but would like to set Council policy preferences
ahead of staff input. She felt it is not unreasonable to use EMS funds for staffing but was
not in favor of a first response fee. Councilor Maine stated she did not like the sale of
undeveloped land, although felt land should be sold if not needed for the future. She stated
she supports gap financing now and possibly looking at future annexation revenue or a
tax levy election as a total public safety funding package in the future.
Councilor Beyerstated she agreed with Councilor Maine, especially on the first reponse fee.
Councilor Walters stated Council had been given a lot of information and should receive a
staff recommendation. He felt Council should find a short-term solution now, but should wait
five years to complete a long-term plan as the General Fund will be in better shape in then
due to Sony and other industrial development.
Councilor Burge agreed with Councilor Maine also. He stated he is strongly opposed to
selling undeveloped land and that the property value is understated in the proposal to sell
excess land. He asked what amount a one dollar increase to FireMed would generate. Mr.
Garitz replied, approximately $12,000, and explained the formula that is an actuarial
projection to collect more in fees than the City will write-off in collectable balances.
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City of Springfield
Council Work Session - 7/10/95
Page three
Mayor Morrisette asked staff to prioritize the options presented to give Council something to
react to at a future meeting. Councilor Burge asked if support from the EMS fund, included
the cost of capital items. Finance Director Bob Duey stated the figures in the staff report
represent one year operating costs only and no capital items have been included.
Councilor Beyer asked if Springfield provides fire and EMS services for Glenwood. Mr. Garitz
replied not all of GJenwood is served by Springfield, but only people in the Glenwood Water
District or UGB area. Councilor Beyer asked how the City of Eugene collects for fire
protection for non-city residents. Mr. Garitz explained that Fire Chief Murphy has asked to
meet with Eugene staff to compare fire protection rates and the methodology used to '
compute rates for non-city residents.
Councilor Maine asked Mr. Duey what assessed rates are applied against in the fire protection
contract price increases. Mr. Duey explained each contract was negotiated separately and
there is not an assessed rate. Mr. Garitz gave specific figures regarding assessed values for
Rainbow, Glenwood and Willakenzie Fire Districts and explained when the contracts were
negotiated they were done so with a flat rate, not a rate per thousand, but were broken down
into rates per thousand for billing purposes.
Councilor Walters stated he was confused over past Council policy on property management
regarding holding onto property. He suggested selling the land assets and taking advantage
of market prices to "free" up money to provide staffing. He stated he does not see Council
consistency regarding real estate holdings.
By consensus, it was decided to review this issue at the July 24 work session with staff
recommendations and prioritizing of options. This could also be further discussed after
the Council summer recess for a final decision. Mr. Kelly felt the voters would want to
know that the City does have a staffing plan if they approve the Capital Bond Measure.
Councilor Maine inquired about the scheduled Budget Committee meeting on July 25th.
Mr. Kelly explained that citizen Budget Committee members requested the committee review
revenue issues to achieve recommendations and possible options for the Council to consider.
He explained that this meeting was discussed at the last Budget Committee meeting in May,
and may require three to four meetings in the next few months.
Councilor Burge stated his concern regarding reviewing revenue generation instead of
expense reduction or decreased operating reductions. Councilor Walters stated the City
of Eugene has a similar committee and asked for copies of their information to provide
to our Budget Committee citizen members. He suggested identifying user fees instead
of tax support. Mr. Kelly clarified this was not a committee created by staff, but a
recommendation of the Budget Committee citizen members.
The meeting was adjourned at 9:25 p.m.
Minutes Recorder - Shari Higgins
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Mayor
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City Recorder