HomeMy WebLinkAbout10/14/1996 Work Session (2)
.
.
.
Springfield City Council '
Joint Work Session
,MINUTES OF THE JOINT MEETING OF
THE SPRINGFIELD CITY COUNCIL AND THE
SPRINGFIELD UTILITY BOARD HELD
MONDAY, OCTOBER 14,1996
The City of Springfield Council met in Joint Work Session witnthe Springfield Utility Board at
Springfield, City Hall, Library Meeting Room, 225 Fifth Street, Springfield, Oregon, on Monday,
October 14, 1996, at 6: 10 p.m. with Mayor Morrisette presiding.
Present from the City Council were Mayor Morrisette and Councilors Ballew, Beyer, Burge,
Dahlquist, Maine and Shaver (6:15). Also present were City Manager Mike Kelly, Assistant
City Manager Gino Grimaldi, City Attorneys Joe Leahy and Joe Trudeau, City,Reco.rder Eileen
Stein, Administrative Aide Shari Higgins, Development Services Director Susan Daluddlmg and
members of staff. '
, ,
Present from the Springfield Utility Board of Directors were Chair George Litzenberger, Tom
Cochran, Bob ,Adams and Bill Kittridge (7:05). Also present were General Manager Steve
Loveland and Public Relations Officer Mary Ann Rhodes. '
Present from the League of Oregon Cities was Sarah Hackett.
, I
I. Welcome and Introductions
The welcome and introductions were led by Mayor Morrisette.
2. Rate Decrease
Springfield Utility Board General Manager, Steve Loveland spoke about the recent
decrease in utility rates. He explained the Springfield Utility Board (SU:~) has always
operated like a.private business to provide the best rates and service to their '
customers. rhe recent rate change was a six perc~nt reduction. ,He kxplained the
following rate information:
Total Savings Rates Adopted 9-18-96
Residential Customers $920,407
Commercial Customers $167,372
Industrial Customers $527,841
Lighting $18,522
TotaI.Savings $1,634,142
Mr. Loveland explained that SUB provides an average monthly residential sa~ings of 19.66,
compared to regional' utility rates, to their custom~rs. '
.
Springfield City Council..
Joint Work Session ~ 10/14/96
, Page two
3'. Utility Improvements
,0'
Mr. Loveland described some important improvements that are either occurring
now orare scheduled to occur in the near future, including: 1) the sports center well;
2) the construction of a new electric sub-station beginning in 1997; 3) negotiations
with owners of a private water district to consolidate services; and 4) a large 114,volt
transition line to be constructed over the south hills that will wind around at Highway 126
and 79th Street.
Councilor Burge asked about well-head (watershed) protection efforts. Mr. Loveland
discussed the importance of protecting natural resources and spoke of future' efforts that
SUB will pursue to continue their commitment towards weli-head protection.,
4.' 'Rightsof Way Issues
,.
City M1J.nager Mike Kelly spoke about telecommunication issues 'and th~ recent
topic of deregulation. He explained there are no experts on the changes in the
telecommunications industry at this point, but introduced a City invited representative
from th~ League of Oregon Cities (LOC), Sarah Hackett, to be present.as she is very ,
knowledgeable on the-subject. Ms. Hackett is currently the LOCtelecommunication expert.
Mr. Kelly stated the area of telecommunications will continue to grow and
local governmerit must maintain some type of control. over city owneq rights of
ways. The City is trying to, determine how to provide for telecommunication needs
while planning for future needs of the City. He explained control must be lllaintained
over the rights of w~ys, but customers must also have options and the City should try not
to interfere with private business. To achieve this balance, criteria must be dl::veloped.
City staff is currently working on a draft ordinance which will allow the City to respond
to customer requests.
Mayor Morrisette asked if the City and SUB can enter into an intergovernmental
\
agreement over the joint rights of ways. Mr. Kelly eXplained that SUB may
become a provider, while the city will hold rights to properties. Mr. Loveland
explained in detail SUB's partiyipation in a fiber optics group (FOG) and how
they have hired Ii consultant to assist them in deciding whether or not to become a
provider. He mentioned SUB has also been discussing options with the' '
Eugene Water and Electric Board (EWEB) regarding becoming a provider.
Councilor Maine asked if the progression of fiber optics relates to electric use
also. Mr. Loveland explained what is currently occurring with electricity, television,
telephone use, etc., and defined the term "wheeling". ' '
.
Councilor Burge asked about the City's role as property owner versus provider. Mr.
Kelly eXplained that both the City and SUB may have the right to sell or lease space
. ' I
in the right of ways. .. '
I \
.
Springfield City Council
Joint Work Session - 10/14/96
Page three ' .
Mr. Kelly explained the process of placing conduit in the street during the initial
. construction and how the conduit could be used. in the future.
Mr. Loveland ended the topic with a discussion regarding the cost estimates
associated with fiber optics. Both Council and SUB members agreed that
the issue of telecommunications would be discussed further as the issues became.
. clearer and unanswered questions became answered.
5. Potential New Enterprises
,
Mr. Loveland stated besides fiber optics, SUB is involved with a new conservation
program involving refurbishing households, businesses and industry. They are also
monitoring the deregulation of electricity, which could create new eriterprises in .
which SUB could become involved. '
'.
Councilor Shaver inquired about the new,subdivision being placed on Poltava Street. .
He asked if SUB is considering placing pipe in the street as it is constructed. or
ifthe street will be disturbed at a later date.Mr. Loveland explained that there are
many legal questions regarding the placement of pipe in the new subdivision, such as
franchise issues with Northwest Natural Gas. He explained that it is a decisi,on that SUB is,
not prepared to make at this time.
Councilor Burge spoke. of a power surge at the beginning of the summer, in which
his residence lost some appliances due to the surge. He explained how well SUB
h~ndled the situation for,both hisfamily and his neighbors, a~d that they were well
compensated in a timely and professional manner.
. ,,' ,
Councilor Shaver asked if the City could coordinate better with SUB regarding
new development approval. Mr. Loveland replied, the City is a good partner now.
. .
and pro~ides timely assistance. and coordination to SUB staff. '
There was a discussion regarding "load" and what issues currently face the legislature at
their next session.' Mr. Loveland commented that service is quickly becoming a
commodity, as is the quality of the power, not the quantity. Mr. Klttridge spoke of power
usage in both the short-tel!TI and long-term needs of the community. '
Ms. Hackett stated that large businesses on a state-wide level have already drafted a bill for
th~ next legislative session that would allow them to not go through/local franchise
businesses to receive their power. The bill apparently has some large sponsors.
It was agreed that this upcoming legislative session would need to be monitored
closely regarding proposed bills on both power and electricity.
.
.
'.
,.
_ 1"' ..
Springfield City Council
Joint Work Session - 10/14/96
page four
6: Glenwood Jurisdictional Study
"
Development Services'birector Susan Daluddung explained the area.included
in the Glenwood Jurisdiction,al Study is approximately 467 acres, which is
currently in the City of Eugene' s jurisdiction, per the Metropolitan Area General
, Plan (Metro Plan). She explained that to date, Eugene has annexed only about'
one-third ofthe 467 acres and of that land, 68. percent is zoned industrial and
28 percent is zoried re~idential (most of the residential part is the existing mobile home ark).
Ms..Daluddung provided City Council and SUB members with background information on
, the petition from Glenwood residents. She explained issues which staff have been working
on over the last two years and introduced Len Goodwin, Management Analyst for the
Public Works Department, who is assisting with the study. Ms. D~luddung announced that
,Councilor ~urge is leading a committee which is focusing on annexation issues and that a
presentation will be made to the City Council 'at an upcoming work session.
Ms. Daluddung explained in the event that Springfield does annex Glenwood,
that the City would like SUB 'and EWEB to enter into a cooperative intergovernmental
agreement. She explained if an agreement cannot be reached, that a piecemeal agreement
would need to occur, otherwise the 1949 cooperative agreement would take precedence.
,. ,
" Counci~or Shaver asked if SUB has a substation or any"infrastructure in place in
th~ Glenw?od area. . Mr. Loveland replied no, not at the current time.
7.
Deregulation
This t~pic was covered earlier, under the topic of Rights of Way Issues.
ADJOURNMENT
The meeting was adjourned at 7:27 p.m.
Minutes Recorder - Shari Higgins '
f(:;df ~
Mayor .
ATTEST:
,-
~lJ QLQ). WtJ(i}IJJ
De ty City Recorder ' "
"