Loading...
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 ' " "