HomeMy WebLinkAbout01/29/1996 Work Session
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City of Springfield
Work Session
MINUTES OF THE WORK SESSION OF
THE SPRINGFIELD CITY COUNCIL HELD
MONDAY, JANUARY 29, 1996
The Springfield City Council met in Work Session at Springfield City Hall, Jesse Maine
Room, 225 Fifth Street, Springfield, Oregon on Monday, January 29, 1996, at 6:10 p.m.
with Council President Burge presiding.
Present were Council President Burge and Councilors Ballew, Beyer, Dahlquist, Maine
and Shaver. Mayor Morrisette was absent (excused). Also present were City Manager
Mike Kelly, Assistant City Manager Gino Grimaldi, City Attorney Joe Leahy, City
Recorder Eileen Stein, Administrative Aide Shari Higgi'ns, Development Services
Director Susan Daluddung, Community and Economic Development Manager John
Tamulonis, Finance Director Bob Duey, Planner II Robin Johnson, Public Works Director
Dan Brown, Traffic Engineer Gary McKenney, Planner III Mel Oberst and Peter Watt
and Tom Schwetz from Lane Council of Governments.
City Manager Mike Kelly explained the process for Budget Committee interviews and
announced since two of the candidates were running late, agenda items #1 and #2
would be reversed. '
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Councilor Burge announced that he will seek re-election for a second full-term on the
Springfield City Council.
1. Appointment to Board of Directors of the Eugene-Springfield Metropolitan
Partnership
Community and Economic Development Director John Tamulonis stated there is
currently a vacancy on the Eugene-Springfield Metropolitan Partnership Board of
Directors for a Class II Director position. This vacancy 'is due to the term expiration
in December 1995, of Lee Beyer, who has re-applied for another three year term.
Mr. Tamulonis stated the city received two additional applications from Douglas
Chambers and Jack Gischel (who is not a city resident). Mr. Tamulonis explained
if the Council chose to re-appoint Mr. Beyer to the Class II Director position, then
they could forward the two other applications from Mr. Chambers and Mr. Gischel
t9 the Eugene-Springfield Metropolitan Partnership's nominating committee for two
currently vacant at-large positions. '
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IT WAS MOVED BY COUNCILOR MAINE, WITH A SECOND BY COUNCILOR
SHAVER, TO RE-APPOINT LEE BEYER TO A THREE-YEAR TERM FOR THE
CLASS II DIRECTOR POSITION AND ASKED MR. TAMULONIS TO FORWARD
THE APPLICATIONS OF DOUGLAS CHAMBERS AND JACK GISCHEL TO THE
EUGENE-SPRINGFIELD METROPOLITAN PARTNERSHIP FOR REVIEW BY
THEIR NOMINATING COMMITTEE FOR THE TWO AT-LARGE POSITIONS.
THE MOTION PASSED BY A VOTE OF 6 FOR AND 0 AGAINST.
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Work Session - 1/29/96
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The appointment of Mr. Beyer will be ratified at the Council's February 6, 1996,
Regular Meeting.
2. Budget Committee Interviews
Finance Director Bob Duey presented the staff report, He explained the Council
will be interviewing one candidate for the Ward 3 vacancy, created by Anne Ballew's
recent appointment to the City Council and one candidate for the Ward 6 vacancy,
created by the term expiration of Audrey Broderick. Mr, Duey explained that Cynthia
Anderson was scheduled for an interview but chose not to attend, although she
told staff she would be willing to meet with the Council upon their request. Two other
candidates, Ronald Miller and Bryce (Rick) Storbeck, were not able to attend the
interviews this evening, but would be available on February 5, should the Council
decide to conduct further interviews.
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Mr. Duey discussed the need to again have three year staggering terms for Budget
Committee members. He stated he has been working with the City Attorney to
make this process as easy as possible and after discussion, asked thatthe Council'
make one appointment for a one-year term and one appointment for a two-year
term for the vacant positions in Wards 3 and 6. Council discussed which ward should
have which term limitation.
IT WAS MOVED BY COUNCILOR BALLEW, WITH A SECOND BY COUNCILOR
MAINE, TO HAVE THE WARD 3 POSITION EXPIRE IN ONE-YEAR AND THE
WARD 6 POSITION EXPIRE IN TWO YEARS, THE MOTION PASSED BY A VOTE
OF 6 FOR AND 0 AGAINST.
Council interviewed the following candidates:
Darrell Smith, Ward 3
Bradley Anderson, Ward 6
Council asked the following interview questions:
1) Is there anything the City of Springfield should not be spending money on, that
we are currently spending money on?
2) Are there any areas the city should be spending more money on?
3) How can the Budget Committee bring more citizens into the budget process
and create additional public awareness?
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4) With regard to the use of public funds, would you be more inclined to look at ways
to generate additional revenue for services, or reduce or limit services to balance
the budget?
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Work Session - 1/29/96
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5) How do you feel about spending now for benefits of the future, or spending
money that will not have an effect on the city for years to come?
6) What is the largest budget you have ever been involved with or reviewed?
Council discussed the interview candidates and how to process the candidates
who were not able to attend the interviews this evening. Councilor Shaver
commented that both candidates interviewed have lived in Springfield for a longer
period than the absent candidates, one for nine years and one for 20 years. He felt
both candidates interviewed would be an asset to the community.
By unanimous consensus, Council agreed to appoint Darrell Smith to the Ward 3
(one- year term) position and Brad Anderson to the Ward 6 (two-year term) position
on February 5, 1996, at Council's Regular Meeting.
3. Residential Density Discussion Follow-up
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Development Services Director Susan Daluddung introduced Planner II Robin
Johnson, Planning Manager Greg Mott and Building' Official Dave Puent. She
summarized the Council's responses on the residential density survey and explained
the common themes of the survey,
Ms. Daluddung asked that the Council give staff direction on the residential density
issue, specifically whether the issues shown in the matrix should be referred to the
Mayor's Housing Task Force and whether the Task Force should refer any issues to
the Residential Land Use and Housing Committee (CAC) for their consideration in
making recommendations to the local jurisdictions to amend the Metropolitan Area
General Plan.
Ms. Johnson explained how she assists the Housing Task Force' and discussed
the matrix table, as included in the agenda item summary, Ms. Johnson distributed
a Comparison of Housing Types by Number and Percent in Springfield and Further
Analysis of Residential Density Issue hand-outs. She referred to the demsityissue
hand-out and reviewed the number of votes per category. Ms. Johnson commented
that six out of the seven members of the Council returned their original questionnaire.
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Councilor Burge discussed his concern over parking related issues, specifically the
one and one-half parking spaces required per living unit. He felt this requirement
is not adequate and should be more thoroughly addressed by the Housing Task
Force and the Planning Commission. The Council discussed "one-size fits all"
parking requirements and suggested the Development Code may need to be
changed to vary the requirements based on the type of development (elderly, multi-
family, etc.)
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Work Session - 1/29/96
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Ms. Johnson reviewed the topics which received the highest number of Council
votes, including the quality of open space and the need for the Housing Task
Force to review the current Development Code. She stated Increased Home
Ownership received four votes and most other topics received only three votes or
less, Ms. Johnson told the Council that the questionnaire produced no distinct
consensus, but no specific contrasts either.
Councilor Shaver commented he liked the list and appreciated the time and effort
staff used to compile the information. Councilor Ballew commented the matrix
was repetitive at times.
Ms. Daluddung stated that future Council discussion will be needed to define what
"useable space" is. Therewas a discussion regarding the future of the city and it's
development needs. Councilor Burge stated the Council does not want to stifle
the development of housing, but that all future housing developments should be
evaluated on the basis of whether it would be useful in the future also. He stated
. developments should have amenities and values, and not just provide private
property owners with rental income; .
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Ms. Daluddung explained the process for further review of the residential density
issue, which will be done first by the HousingTaskForce and then the Planning
Commission. After review and comment by the Planning Commission, a draft density
plan will be presented to the Council for their review and comment.
4. TransPlan Update - Travel Forecasting Model for the Assessment of Plan Concepts:
Work Session Schedule
Lane Council of Government representatives Peter Watt and Tom Schwetz presented
information on the TransPlan tentative work schedule and the travel forecasting
model. '
Mr. Watt reviewed the tentative work schedule and proposed meeting dates as listed.
in the agenda item summary, He explained the suggested public hearing, public
review and adoption processes.
Councilor Burge asked Ms. Daluddung whether or not the Development Services
Department will be filling the vacant Planner III position, Ms. Daluddung explained
she is holding off on filling the position at this time, as the funding source has not
been secured, She told the Council that the Commercial Lands Study is a high
priority for the Planning Commission also, and as soon as the funding can be
secured, work will resume diligently on the study. Councilor Burge asked to be kept
abreast of the process with both the position anq the work on the study being
resumed.
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Mr. Watt asked if the Council had any questions regarding the schedule. Councilor
Burge stated the sched'ule was acceptable and Councilor Maine stated she
appreciated the schedule for consistency, presentation time, and shorter future
meetings. Councilors Beyer and Ballew concurred.
By consensus, the TransPlan Tentative Scheduled Check-Ins with Planning
Commissions, Councils and Boards was approved.
Mr, Schwetz explained the travel forecasting model for the assessment of plan
alternative concepts, by first reviewing the evaluation process. He discussed historic
aspects of the metropolitan transportation system and it's interactions.
Mr. Schwetz presented Council with a hand-out titled the TransPlan Evaluation
Process. Mr. Schwetz reviewed the four questions being used for the TransPlan
Evaluation: 1) is it technically sound; 2) is it environmentally sensitive; 3) is it
financially feasible; and 4) is it equitable.
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Mr. Schwetz explained to the Council how Lane Council of Governments came up
with specific performance criteria. Councilor Burge asked if trips per vehicle miles
per person will be part of the measurable criteria used. Mr. Schwetz replied yes, .
and explained the current process for measuring the performance criteria,
Mr, Schwetz presented the evaluation process which will: 1) review travel model
output and data from other sources; 2) identify major tradeoffs among alternatives;
3) summarize the technical analysis in a manner that reflects interim goals and
objectives and key areas of policy focus; and 4) develop staff conclusions regarding
the relative merits of each alternative.
Mr. Schwetz stated he and Mr. Watts will be bringing forward to the Council the
alternatives from the evaluation process before the public review process, Councilor
Shaver asked if there is still time to ask questions regarding the process and involve
citizens, Mr. Schwetz replied yes, that questions can be asked throughout the
process and are included in the process/schedule.
Councilor Burge asked if the conclusions of the assessments will address
transportation planning for the city, the metropolitan area or the entire region. He
stated that downtown Eugene's transportation needs may be different than
Springfield's downtown area, Mr, Schwetz explained that the model results will
be presented to each jurisdiction's staff and they will be seeking input from
Springfield's staff when the system improvements are designed for Springfield.
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Mr. Schwetz detailed the systematic process for determining travelers choices and
stated the model results will be measured against the state mandates for the Oregon
Transportation Planning Rule 12, requiring a reduction in vehicle miles traveled and
parking spaces per capita.
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Councilor Ballew asked about the characteristics of travelers. Mr. Schwetz stated
Lane Council of Governments has recently undertaken a survey of households
regarding travel characteristics, that had not been completed in over 30 years,
using local data. He explained the survey is intended to assist the Council in
TransPlan evaluation, but won't be the only information analyzed, He further
explained the model, the way it has been changed over the years, and recent
efforts through the Oregon Department of Transportation to upgrade models.
Mr. Schwetz detailed the model currently used. He said it includes "four-step"
factors: 1) trip generation; 2) trip distribution; 3) mode choice; and 4) assignment.
He stated the survey would allow staff to improve calibration and maximize the
accuracy of future travel forecasting.
Councilor Maine stated the model looks like a good common sense tool and that she
is impressed with the workplan and forecasting model. Councilor Dahlquist asked
Traffic Engineer Gary McKenney if he approves of the model and whether it would
assist Springfield in reaching it's transportation goals. Mr. McKenney replied he
believes the model is a valid tool for evaluating the transportation needs of the
community.
5, Other Business
a. Councilor Shaver complimented city staff their assistance in resolving a recent
citizen complaint. He stated he is impressed with the complaint resolution process
in Springfield,
b. Ms, Stein handed-out the draft Capital Improvement Program to the Council and
reminded them that this item will be discussed at the February 5, 1996, work
session.
ADJOURNMENT
The meeting was adjourned at 8:17 p.m.
Minutes Recorder - Shari Higgins
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Council President
ATTEST
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City Recorder