HomeMy WebLinkAbout06/10/1996 Work Session
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City of Springfield
Work Session
MINUTES OF THE MEETING OF THE
SPRINGFIELD CITY COUNCIL HELD
MONDAY, JUNE 10,1996
The Springfield City Council met in Work Session at Springfield City Hall, Jesse Maine Room,
225 Fifth Street, Springfield, Oregon at 6:05 p.m. with Mayor Morrisette presiding.
Present were Mayor Morrisette and Councilors Ballew, Beyer, Burge, Dahlquist, Maine and
Shaver. Also present was City Manager Mike Kelly, Assistant City Manager Gino Grimaldi,
City Attorneys Joe Leahy and Meg Kieran, City Recorder Eileen Stein, Administrative Aide
Shari Higgins, Development Services Director Susan Daluddung, Code Enforcement Officer
Jackie Murdoch, Community and Economic Development Manager John Tamulonis, Sports
Center Coordinator Howard Wade and members of staff.
1. Nuisance Abatement Procedure Improvements
Development Services Director Susan Daluddung introduced Code Enforcement Officer
Jackie Murdoch and City Attorneys Joe Leahy and Meg Kieran. Ms. Murdoch explained that
the proposed ordinance establishing a new nuisance abatement procedure would apply to one
percent or less of the current code enforcement cases, and only when compliance through the
normal abatement process involving the Municipal Court can not be achieved.
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Ms. Murdoch explained the proposed ordinance amending Springfield City Code, Chapter V,
Offenses, Article I, Nuisances in General, includes housekeeping items and clarification of
terminology. The changes to the abatement process are a collaborative effort between the City
Attorney's Office, code enforcement staff, and Ms. Daluddung, to achieve a more effective
process for those who will not comply with the Municipal Court rulings and under the normal
citation process.
Ms. Murdoch explained the current process for such cases includes citing the responsible
party to Lane County Circuit Court, obtaining a court order and eventually gaining entry to
the property to proceed with the clean-up process. This process necessitates the City
Attorney's Office spending time in court representing the City, as well as time preparing the
legal documentation for trial. Approximately $5,000 per year is allocated for litigation in the
Code Enforcement budget which has not been sufficient to cover the cost of all cases of this
type. For example, in the 1995-96 Fiscal Year, Ms. Murdoch stated she anticipates spending
$23,000 on litigation.
Councilor Shaver asked if the property owner is the ultimate person responsible, as defined
in Section 5-1:-1, Definitions. Ms. Murdoch replied yes, but explained how code enforcement
staff does contact the renter or occupant first in an attempt to reach compliance before most
property owners are contacted.
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Councilor Shaver suggested changing the title of "Hearings Officer" under the definition
section to "Hearings Official" as it is used more consistently throughout the ordinance. He
also suggested providing a specific definition for storage, including the amount of time
allowed to provide storage and what types of items which are not specifically vehicles can be
stored.
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Work Session - 6/1 0/96
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Ms. Kieran discussed the definition of storage and what types of additional language the
Council would like to see included in the ordinance. After discussion, Council agreed by
consensus, to have language specific to the number of days a vehicle could be stored included
for discussion at the first reading of the ordinance.
Mr. Leahy clarified the ordinance wording regarding the responsible person versus the
property owner and referenced Section 5-1-1. Ms. Murdoch explained the citation process in
detail and how at each step the responsible party is provided with the information about the
nuisance abatement section of the City Code.
Councilor Maine asked how using a Hearings Official would reduce the cost of litigation.
Ms. Kieran explained that the use of a Hearings Official versus Circuit Court would satisfy
the right for due process. There was a discussion regarding the cost of the Hearings Official
and how the clause of providing a written protest could obstruct the process. Ms. Kieran
discussed why the new process proposed.
Councilor Dahlquist suggested use of the word "existed" versus "exists" in Section 5-1-9,
Abatement Procedures - Separate from Penalty.
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Ms. Murdoch stated staff would incorporate the changes suggested.by Council and would
bring the ordinance back to Council for further review. By consensus, Council agreed to
adoptthe ordinance, with the revisions as discussed, including providing a more precise
definition of the word "storage."
Ms. Murdoch provided Council with information regarding the code enforcement program.
She stated the current ordinance adopted in 1994, has been very effective. So far in 1996, she
has received 800 complaints and stated the addition of a part-time Clerk II has provided the
program with much needed clerical assistance and has allowed her to spend more time on
mediation and court preparation. She stated code enforcement staff recently completed six
neighborhood sweeps and there has been noticeable improvements and positive response from
the neighborhoods.
2. Broad Base Programs Proposal for Multi-Sports Fieldhouse at Springfield Sports Center
Facility
Ms. Daluddung stated board members from Broad Base Programs were invited to attend the
meeting to provide Council with their new proposal for a multi-sports fieldhouse at the
Springfield Sports Center facility. She explained that room tax funding in the amount of
$14,000 has been set-aside based on Council's review of the proposal. She introduced
Management Analyst/Sport Center Coordinator Howard Wade and Broad Base
representatives Kathy Gran, President and Dick Lee, Treasurer.
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Mr. Lee thanked the Council for their support and provided background information on the
1995 Room Tax funding in the amount of $25,000, provided by the City of Springfield.
Based on market research, Broad Base programs has devised a three-phase strategy toward
building its multi-sports fieldhouse/arena.
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Work Session - 6/10/96
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Mr. Lee stated the first phase of the development would be to construct a smaller facility than
the original plan and would fit into the existing Urban Growth Boundary (UGB). Mr. Lee
asked that the Council approve the room tax set-aside, so they could launch their $5 million
corporate fundraising campaign and begin planning for Phase I of development. Mr. Lee
mentioned the name of the building would be the McKenzie Sports Arena.
Mr. Lee introduced project architects Gary Marshall and Lee Kerch, who presented a slide
show. Mr. Kersh spoke about the entire or three-phase project and showed slides of the
proposed interior and exterior of the facility. Mr. Marshall spoke about Phase I and the
amenities that would be included in it.
Broad Base community representative, Greg Vik, spoke about construction costs associated
with the development of Phase I. He also provided the Council with costs for fit, furnishing
and equipment, financing and debt service, which all together total $5.5 million. He spoke
about the board's general fundraising goal and the major media kick-off event planned for the
near future. Mr. Vik stated Broad Base needed to identify a fundraising coordinator, who
would assist the board in reaching their $3 million fundraising target.
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Mr. Lee read letters of support and stated many organizations in the community have
contacted Broad Base regarding funding or in-kind assistance. Councilor Ballew asked how,
the in-kind donations totaling $60,000 have been valued. Mr. Lee explained that over 4,000
hours of in-kind donations have already occurred and the values are placed by the donator.
Councilor Burge stated he was pleased to see Broad Base proposing the phased approach. His
concern over the high price of the original project, caused him to meet with Broad Base board
members and help guide the project toward the phased approach. He stated he is comfortable
with the proposal and believes it is worthy of both Council and community support.
Mayor Morrisette asked why the Hoops facility in Salem was built for $1.8 million and the
proposed Broad Base facility will cost in excess of $5 million. Mr. Vik stated Hoops only has
basketball courts, was not intended for multi-sports and was not constructed to the same
standards as the building Broad Base is proposing. There was a discussion regarding the type
of materials which will be used and the differences in rest rooms, showers, fixtures, trellises,
food booths and the kiosk feature. Mr. Vik also commented that the Sports Center site has
better access and visibility.
Councilor Maine said she likes the idea of completing the development in phases and would
recommend the room tax funding be allocated for the creation of a fundraising brochure. She
stated she was concerned over the due date for fundraising. She felt it may be too aggressive
and nine months may not be long enough to meet the expectations set forth. Mayor
Morrisette concurred, describing a similar project he is familiar with in Little Rock, Arkansas.
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Councilor Shaver asked if the feasibility study provided information regarding fundraising.
Mr. Lee replied it would not. Council discussed whether it is appropriate to allocate room tax
funding to create brochures. Mr. Lee stated ECO Northwest has agreed to review of Broad
Base business plan. Mr. Kelly reminded Council that they could place conditions on any
funding allocated including reviews, progress reports, or scheduling of future meetings.
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Work Session - 6/10/96
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Councilor Shaver asked how Phase II of the building would attach to Phase I. Mr. Marshall
replied the attachment would occur by a single story link between the two buildings and that
no buildings would be demolished. Only the wall separating the two buildings would be
removed. He commented that Phase II is based on cost reductions realized after the
construction of Phase I.
Council discussed the possibility of any assistance or involvement in the project by
Willamalane Park and Recreation District. Mayor Morrisette stated that Willamalane was
approached early in the Sports Center planning stages and was not interested. He stated the
land was originally acquired by the City with the intent to place a building on it, not just
sports fields.
Councilor Maine stated she would like to see the fundraising brochure within a reasonable
timeframe for the $14,000 contribution of room tax dollars.
Ms. Daluddung told Council that new language would need to be added to the existing Broad
Base lease with any Council mandated timeframes, since it would be beneficial to the Broad
Base board to have a signed lease with the City when they begin their fundraising efforts.
Ms. Daluddung stated the new lease would be brought back to the Council for approval. Mr.
Leahy suggested adding two items to the lease; I) a deadline for providing the Council with a
perfected brochure and; 2) a deadline for providing the Council with an updated business
plan. Ms. Daluddung stated the lease would be provided to Council by July 8, if the revisions
were completed.
3. Business from Council
Councilor Ballew handed out a draft memo that she would like to send to the members of the
Intergovernmental Human Services Committee (IHSC) regarding the last IHSC meeting and
Springfield's commitment to fund social services. Council discussed the issue of the
Intergovernmental Agreement and the intent for future funding. Councilor Ballew asked for
any comments regarding the memo as soon as possible, as she would be forwarding it to the
IHSC members by mid-week.
ADJOURNMENT
The meeting adjourned at 7:42
Minutes Recorder - Shari Higgins
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ayor Morrisette
ATTEST:
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City Recorder