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HomeMy WebLinkAbout06/23/1997 Work Session (2) . . . MINUTES OF THE JOINT CITY COUNCIL AND URBAN FORESTRY ADVISORY COMMITTEE MEETING HELD MONDAY, JUNE 23,1997 The City of Springfield Council met in a Joint Meeting in the Jesse Maine Room, 225 Fifth Street, Springfield, Oregon, on Monday, June 23, 1997, at 6:00 p.m., with Mayor Morrisette presiding. Present were Mayor Morrisette and Councilors Shaver, Maine, Burge, and Ballew. Councilors Beyer and Dahlquist were absent (excused). Present from the Urban Forestry Advisory Committee Members were Ken Kearney, Randy Graboyes, Jeff Ard, Gene Burks and Hanalee Rozen. Also present were City Manager Mike Kelly, Assistant City Manager Gino Grimaldi, City Attorney Joe Leahy, City Recorder Eileen Stein, Administrative Aide Shari Higgins and members of staff. 1. Joint Work Session with Urban Forestry Advisory Committee Development Services Director Susan Daluddung presented Councilor Maine with a plaque for her work and dedicated service on the development of the Jesse Maine Park. Urban Forestry Advisory Committee (UF AC) Chair Hanalee Rozen presented an overview and slide presentation of trees in the surrounding area along with benefits and concerns of planting. Ms. Rozen suggested UF AC have an Urban Forest Management Plan to help create ideas for long-term development. Ms. Rozen described in detail the different types of trees planted in Springfield and their requirements for both maintenance and survival. Ms. Rozen explained past projects and activities that have been accomplished by UF AC and going activities that are currently not occurring due to limited funds available. She welcomed any suggestions the councilor public may have to obtain necessary funding and/or resources to complete UF AC projects. Ms. Rozen continued the overview of projects, of which include; community awareness, south hills development management; and administrative references and ordinances for the tree manual. UFAC has also recently completed a revision of the street tree list in a computer format. Councilor Shaver asked if the street tree list was complete. Ms. Rozen replied, yes, but she was not aware of the date that it would be presented to the Planning Commission. Ms. Rozen explained a project UF AC is currently working on with the Mayor regarding placement of plum trees on Centennial Street. They are also working with the Public Works Department to give recommendations on what kind of trees should be planted in Springfield. Upon request, they also give the same recommendations to homeowners. ' . Joint City Council and Urban Forestry Advisory Committee June 23,1997 Page 2 ' . Mayor Morrisette asked if homeowners are given the opportunity to decide whether they want street trees or not. Ms. Rozen said if a homeowner did not want a tree placed in front of their property, the city would not object due to current workload. She spoke about some streets that are in need of trees and obstacles to placement of street trees in some areas. Ms. Rozen presented a budget proposal UF AC created to enable additional projects to be completed this year. Planning Manager Greg Mott discussed the level of involvement UF AC has provided the Planning Department and Public Works Department. He said UF AC has a unique relationship with city departments, as they provide excellent products that are both economical and timesavers for city staff. Mr. Mott gave an example of the management and development of the landscape project on the south hills, and said the work UF AC has provided on this project has been worthwhile, and is the type of assistance staff needs to continue to provide good service. Mayor Morrisette agreed with Mr. Mott that the expertise received from UF AC is excellent. He also mentioned the service they provide is free to the city, as it is part of their duties as advisory committee members. Mayor Morrisette stated the council and UF AC will need to concentrate on ideas to get outside funding for UF AC. He said funding would be discussed at a later . meeting. Councilor Burge asked why the budget proposal was not brought up during the City's budget process. Ms. Rozen stated she had mentioned it before, but thought it had not been addressed due to larger subject matters. Councilor Burge said normally this proposal should have been presented as an issue paper before the Budget Committee. Ms. Daluddung replied that due to the Ballot Measure 47 reductions and reduced staffing in the Development Services Department, it would have been difficult to introduce an issue paper when staff was being laid off. Ms. Daluddung said that under Business From the Audience at the last Budget Committee meeting, Ms. Rozen did not submit a specified budget proposal, but did review the proposed budget concept. Ms. Daluddung told Ms. Rozen that a joint meeting with the council was approaching and it would be discussed then. Councilor Burge asked if the public was receptive to the educational opportunities UF AC provides. Ms. Rozen replied UF AC is far from achieving its goals, but it is very clear that citizens like to see the products and images of work UFAC provides. Councilor Shaver asked Mr. Mott if his department had researched funding for the UF A C budget proposal. Mr. Mott said there is a possibility of the tree manual being a regulatory mechanism and there may be any changes in ordinances due to the implementation of the standards. . -, Joint City Council and Urban Forestry Advisory Committee June 23, 1997 Page 3 . Councilor Shaver spoke of the presentation Ms. Rozen gave at the last Budget Committee meeting, and said there were a lot of good proposals and a lack of funds. He recommended the budget proposal come from the existing Development Services Department budget. He said the budget proposal was up to Development Services Department to decide ifUFAC's proposal was a cost-effective way to proceed and if there is a real need. If so, then a proposal can be made by Development Services staff in support of UF AC' s work plan and funding options. Councilor Maine stated there many budget items that will need to be revisited and discussed. She said this proposal will need to be discussed further also. She appreciated UF AC's proposal and encouraged them to continue pursing matching grants because would be beneficial for the city. Ms. Rozen stated the tree manual is at a point where it requires funds to complete. She said some ofthe other projects would not require funds to complete. Councilor Maine asked if there were some connection with the Storm Water Management Committee about south hills development that may have some policy implications and need council review. . Councilor Ballew stated there would be similar priorities that would come before council which will need similar consideration. Councilor B urge stated UF A C' s request was worthy of a future discussion. He agreed with Councilor Ballew that similar requests would need the same consideration and review at Budget Committee Meetings. Mayor Morrisette recommended UF AC consider obtaining private funding. He said he would be willing to work with UF AC and local wood industry businesses to obtain funding at this time. There was a discussion about which local companies provide grants. Councilor Burge agreed with Mayor Morrisette's recommendation for UFAC to seek outside funding. ADJOURNMENT, The meeting was adjourned at 6:50 p.m. Minutes Recorder: Sandi Weston ~~~~ Mayor Bill Morris tte c. .