HomeMy WebLinkAbout03/24/1997 Work Session (2)
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MINUTES OF THE WORK SESSION MEETING OF
THE SPRINGFIELD CITY COUNCIL HELD
MONDAY, MARCH 24, 1997
The city of Springfield council met in Work Session in the Library Meeting Room, 225 Fifth
Street, Springfield, Oregon, on Monday, March 24, 1997 at 8:00 p.m., with Mayor Morrisette
presiding.
ATTENDANCE
Present were Mayor Morrisette, Councilors Ballew, Beyer, Burge, Dahlquist, Maine and Shaver.
Also present were City Manager Michael Kelly, Assistant City Manager Gino Grimaldi, City
Attorney Joe Leahy, City Recorder Eileen Stein and members of the staff.
1. TransPlan Update Policy Maker's Decision Package
Greg Mott presented the staff report on this issue. Fourteen transportation strategies are being
proposed, as the basis for developing a draft metropolitan transportation plan (TransPlan.)
The strategies would be used to develop draft policies, ordinances and state required
benchmarks for meeting statewide transportation planning goals. The draft plan would be
developed during the next four months and then be presented to the planning commissions
and elected officials for review and approval prior to release to the public.
The council reviewed this material at its March 3rd work session and continued the discussion
until March 24. Council expressed a desire to have more Springfield staff input in the
evaluation of the strategies. Springfield staff have reviewed the proposed strategies and
provided comments and a recommendation for each strategy. In some cases staff have
proposed alternative wording for the strategy language. The Eugene city council and Lane
County Board of Commissioners will review the issue in early April.
Planning Manager Greg Mott discussed the conflict resolution process that would occur for
any differences that may arise in strategy language. He said the conflict resolution forum
would be the Metropolitan Policy Committee (MPC). City Planner Mel Oberst and
Transportation Planning Engineer Masood Mirza reviewed the fourteen strategies and the
staff recommendations for alternative language.
Mr. Oberst reviewed the staff recommendation for changing the wording of Strategy # 1. The
council concurred with the staff recommendation.
Mr. Oberst reviewed the staff recommendations for no change in the language of strategies
two, three and four. Council concurred with the staff recommendations.
Councilor Beyer discussed Strategy #5. She commented on the declining resources for transit
improvements. Mr. Mirza discussed the reference to transit resources and mentioned Strategy
#14 to seek additional resources for transit improvements. Council discussed whether transit
should be limited to simply bus transit versus rail transit between the two cities. Council
concurred with the wording of Strategy #5.
Work Session Meeting Minutes
March 24, 1997
Page 2
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Mr. Oberst reviewed the staff recommendation for the wording of Strategy #6. Councilor
Burge said he would like bike count data on quarterly or monthly basis. Strategy #6 was
approved as recommended.
Council discussed Strategy #7. Councilor Maine said the city needed to be more proactive in
ensuring pedestrian safety on Main Street and working with ODOT on this issue.
Councilor Beyer agreed and said the city needed to be proactive in ensuring pedestrian safety
on Gateway Street. Strategy #7 was approved as recommended.
Strategies #8 and #9 were approved.
Council discussed Strategy #10. Councilor Maine commented on county projects in the UGB.
Strategy # 1 0 was approved.
Council discussed Strategy #11 and approved it.
Council approved Strategies #12, #13 and #14.
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IT WAS MOVED BY COUNCILOR SHAVER, WITH A SECOND BY COUNCILOR
DAHLQUIST, TO ADOPT STRATEGIES RECOMMENDED FOR TRANSPLAN
INCORPORATING STAFF RECOMMENDATIONS. THE MOTION PASSED WITH A
VOTE OF 6 FOR AND 0 AGAINST.
Councilor Burge expressed concern whether staff recommendations provide the flexibility
needed to ensure that any strategies might be implemented in a manner consistent with
Springfield's community values. Mr. Oberst said the alternative language recommended by
staff was intended to provide this flexibility.
2. Allocating Transient Room Tax (TRT) for FY 1997-98
Susan Daluddung introduced this item. The city council provided staff direction on several
uses ofTRT at its February 24, 1997 work session. Council requested more information on
ongoing projects (Chamber of Commerce contract, Filbert Festival, Island Park Band
Pavilion). Additionally, the City Manger asked for information on costs to keep the Planning
Division's counter open 40 hours per week and turnaround times below the 120 day period as
mandated by State law. The information is assembled here for further direction and decisions
by city council and to prepare the FY 1997-98 budget.
Materials supplied for the ongoing projects and for program staffing were included in the staff
report. Attachment I outlines a possible expenditure scenario for TRT for FY 97-98,
including reallocations and possible reserve amounts. Council needs to give additional
direction on four proposals and make a final decision on previous discussions, as well as
accept the entire Room Tax budget for FY 97-98.
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The Chamber of Commerce reports on recent contract performance issues and requests a
continuation of funding at $30,000. The Filbert Festival requests continued funding at
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March 24, 1997
Page 3
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$25,000. With anticipated construction this summer, the Island Park Band Pavilion project
will spend allocated funds. The Springfield Concert Band requests an additional challenge
grant of $1 0,000 to complete the project's 48' X 40' concrete base and help purchase the
removal covering/structure to complete the project.
Given the uncertainty of Ballot Measure 47, council discussion in February and March
directed staff not to use the Room Tax Committee's allocation process and to include
Economic Development and Museum operations rather than fund Sports Center staffing.
Direction also included transferring Arts Commission staffing with Library staffing to the
Library, the total tentatively funded at .5 FTE. Additionally to continue processing land-use
applications within the statutory 120 day approval limit and provide 40 hours per week public
assistance at the DSD front counter. The staff report described an add-back of .8 FTE for an
estimated cost of about $45,175.
With the exception of the Island Park Band Pavilion project, the proposals could be
accommodated within the projected revenues from TRT. Reallocating some unexpended
project funds from previo,us years could allow funding for the Island Park Pavilion project
and retain funds for other projects in reserves.
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Filbert Festival representative Tim Flowerday answered questions about the next phase of the
Island Park Band Pavilion. Mr. Flowerday said the total cost would be between $100,000 to
$120,000. The challenge grant request is only $10,000. The unfunded amount is $55,000
which would be sought through private foundation grant funds. Councilor Burge said the city
made an initial $10,000 investment and an additional $10,000 was being requested. He
wondered if the city would end up having to pay the unfunded amount in future years.
Councilor Shaver asked how the city could limit future money going to the ORM Challenge
Grant. Economic Development Manager John Tamulonis said an outcome on that matter will
be known in the next few days. He said, at this time, no additional outlays will be needed
next fiscal year. There may be some additional expenditures needed that will come out of the
grant money already appropriated. Mr. Grimaldi said the concept of a museum at the
Weyerhaeuser site is no longer being considered. The remaining issue is what to do with the
property and the grant appropriation.
Councilor Shaver asked the status of the Broiler Festival challenge grant. He said the city
should reappropriate this challenge grant. Council concurred. Councilor Burge confirmed
that staff would soon know how much of the ORM challenge grant could be reappropriated,
Councilor Shaver asked about the contracts for the Chamber of Commerce and Filbert
Festival. Dan Egan commented on Chamber of Commerce contract. He said discussion
could be held when council discusses the room tax budget in May. The same for the Filbert
Festival.
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Councilor Shaver commented on the planning and development issue paper. Development
Services Director Susan Daluddung discussed the proposal. She proposed to make a .6 FTE
Planner full time and .4 FTE for customer assistance. She discussed the impacts of this
-- . '~ork Session Meeting Minutes
March 24, 1997
Page 4
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proposal on department operations. Councilor Burge supported the proposal and Councilor
Maine agreed.
Councilor Burge apologized for his recent opposition to discussions about a joint levy
proposal.
ADJOURNMENT
The meeting was adjourned at 9:25 p.m.
Minutes Recorder - Julie Wilson
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Bill Morrisette
Mayor
Attest:
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