HomeMy WebLinkAbout12/08/1997 Work Session
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MINUTES OF THE WORK SESSION MEETING OF
THE SPRINGFIELD CITY COUNCIL HELD
MONDAY, DECEMBER 8, 1997
The city of Springfield council met in work session in the Jesse Maine Room, 225 Fifth Street,
Springfield, Oregon, on Monday, December 8, 1997, at 6:00 p.m., with Mayor Morrisette
presiding.
ATTENDANCE
Present were Councilors Ballew, Beyer, Burge, Dahlquist, Maine and Shaver. Mayor Morrisette
arrived at 6:50 p.m. Also present were Assistant City Manager Gino Grimaldi, City Attorney
Tim Harold, Senior Management Analyst Rosie Pryor, City Recorder Julie Wilson and members
of the staff.
1. Community Development Advisory Committee (CDAC) Application Review
City Planner Robin Johnson presented the staff report on this issue. There are five positions
vacant on the CDAC board at this time. Two of those chosen will serve the remainder of
terms that expire June 30, 1999, the remaining three will serve terms that expire December
31,2001.
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Applications were received from Roxie Cuellar, Tanya Miller, Joe Mathieu, Robert Paul
Nelson, and Cluadete Eikenberry on August 27, 1997 to fill four vacant positions as
advertised at that time. Council reviewed the applications and by consensus agreed to reopen
the recruitment during the next period.
The remaining applications from Jeffrey Horowitz, Sean Harry, Dan Egan, and Bonnie
Peterson were received during the latest recruitment period ending November 26, 1997.
The CDAC consists of six at-large positions from the community, one representative from the
council, and one representative from the Planning Commission.
The CDAC advises the council on housing and community development activities, which are
funded al1l1ually by the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development. The committee
also serves as needed to evaluate complaints regarding human rights issues in Springfield.
All of the applicants meet the residence requirements.
The appointments will be made at the regular session meeting on December 15, 1997.
Also, the CDAC has not met since assuming the duties of the Human Rights Commission
(HRC). Their by-laws will be amended accordingly at the next scheduled meeting.
Council discussed their top candidates.
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By consensus the council agreed with the appointment of Roxie Cuellar, Joe Mathieu, Robert
Paul Nelson (terms through 2001) and Sean Harry and Dan Egan (terms through 1999).
Work Session Meeting Minutes
December 8, 1997
Page 2
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2. Springfield Station Project Work Plan
Management Analyst Eileen Stein presented the staff report on this issue. Lane Transit
District (L TD) has received State Surface Transportation Program funding to study the
possible relocation of the downtown Springfield LTD station. A project work plan has been
prepared and L TD is seeking council input on the proposed work plan, before it is considered
for approval by the L TD Board of Directors on December 17, 1997.
The existing Springfield station was constructed in 1982 and expanded (by one bus bay) in
1990. The current station is nearing capacity and is in need of some restoration and upgrades
to provide improved passenger amenities. Prior to investigating additional resources in the
current station, L TD would like to study the option of relocating the station to take into
account expected increases in ridership and transit system improvements.
The purpose of the study is to determine the optimal location for a Springfield Transit Station
in the vicinity of downtown Springfield. If, during the course of the study, it appears the best
location is the existing location, the study will not proceed and efforts will be redirected
towards determining needed improvements at that location.
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The study will be overseen by a steering committee, comprised of elected and appointed
officials, as well as members of the community. There will also be a technical advisory
committee consisting of staff from L TD, the city of Springfield and the Oregon Department
of Transportation (ODOT). The steering committee is expected to meet bi-monthly during
the course of the study and the technical advisory committee will meet monthly. The study
process is expected to take 18 months to complete.
The work plan outlines the study process and the steps expected to be taken. They include
forming the steering and technical advisory committees, establishing project objectives and
evaluation criteria, identifying alternatives including opportunities for joint development,
collecting information on alternatives, narrowing options for two or three sites, conducting an
environmental assessment, and finally, selecting a preferred site.
L TD staff will be present at the meeting to answer questions about the work plan.
Council recommended that the first step would be to determine whether the station should be
relocated from its existing location at all. Council would like a review of the documentation
and advantages/disadvantages of relocating the station. If there are no compelling reasons to
look at alternative locations, it would be council preference to shorten the length of the study
and focus on the modifications needed at the existing location.
Other factors to consider in making the determination should include how well the
community is served, ability to serve patrons of downtown businesses and services, safe
pedestrian access to and from the station to downtown businesses and services and the cost
effectiveness of upgrading the existing station.
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Council expressed concern about the investment in the reconstruction of B Street. Staff has
identified that approximately $140,000 in extra costs were incurred in the reconstruction of B
Work Session Meeting Minutes
December 8, 1997
Page 3
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Street due to the need to carry bus loads. Council encouraged L TD to recognize the extra
road costs for maintenance, preservation and modernization that buses place on cities.
Council suggested L TD consider the concept of sharing in such road costs and continuing
LTD's awareness of them when designing bus routes.
Council discussed the length and cost of the study and felt a decision whether to relocate the
station should take less than 18 months and $170,000.
Management Analyst Eileen Stein will prepare a letter for Council President Greg Shaver's
signature. The letter will include concerns expressed by the council.
Councilor Dahlquist will serve as council liaison on the Steering Committee for the
Springfield station project work plan.
3. Community Survey Results
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Development Services Director Susan Daluddung presented the staff report on this issue. In
anticipation of a need for further general fund budget reductions, the council authorized a
community survey to learn service priorities of community members. The survey is complete
and LaDeane Pryor, Mar%Stat Market Research, presented the results for council review and
discussion. On December 16 council will hold a mid-year. budget review. In addition to a
review of the current budget, staffwill be seeking direction for preparation of the City
Manager's proposed 1998-99 budget. The information contained in the survey is intended to
assist council and Budget Committee members in providing direction to staff.
The Mar%Stat survey shows Springfield residents consider the life-saving and investigation
services of its police and fire departments to be critical. Important services include police and
fire prevention, and enforcement programs; taking good care of city streets; buying new
books, providing children's programming and reference services, and keeping the library
open a sufficient number of hours per week.
It was also noted that it was important to assist business development, provide community
services such as low income housing, enforce building codes and plan for community growth.
Other services, such as community beautification, preserving historic resources, promoting
culture and arts programs, using tourism money for events, or providing labor for community
events are average in importance.
Most residents get information about city issues from the newspaper and about a third also get
information from television. More than half feel they don't have enough information, either
because the city does not adequately inform citizens or because news reports are biased,
incomplete, or even inaccurate.
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Springfield residents like the community's comfortable size, natural beauty, and peaceful
atmosphere, and they also feel they have good city services with a good educational system.
When asked if they receive value for their local tax dollar, 91 % of Springfield residents say
yes; 62% rated Springfield a good or excellent value.
Work Session Meeting Minutes
December 8, 1997
Page 4
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A synopsis of the survey results is contained in the Conclusions: Mar%Stat Survev. November
1997.
Ms. Daluddung discussed the process used to conduct the survey. Funds were appropriated
for the project, the council subcommittee and management team provided consensus on the
survey instrument, residents participated in the survey, data results were completed and the
presentation and review of the results are now being provided. Basic service information can
be used to evaluate upcoming budget decisions.
Ms. Pryor discussed the rating scores, reviewed results for each department, where residents
obtain information, and what factors contribute most to the quality of life. Approximately
nine to fifteen minutes were spent per person surveyed.
She also reviewed comments provided, along with community desires. Ms. Pryor
commended efforts of those participating in the community survey process.
4. Review of Draft TransPlan
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Planning Manager Greg Mott presented the staff report on this issue. The TransPlan update is
in its final stages of completion. At the conclusion of the March 24, 1997, work session
discussion of this item, the council requested a wrap-up review before public release and the
series of public hearings leading to adoption. The staff report documents go to press the week
of December 15 and become available to the public in mid-January. The three planning
commissions will hold ajoint public hearing on TransPlan several weeks thereafter.
Each policy in Chapter 2 is derived from the 14 strategies approved by council in March.
Legal counsel and transportation planning staff from each jurisdiction reviewed and revised
these policies in preparation for public release. The sample implementation measures are
keyed to the policies and to requirements of the Transportation Planning Rule, but are not
inclusive of implementation techniques the city of Springfield may pursue. Because of the
uncertainty regarding preferred implementation measures and their costs, staff may
recommend that the elected officials not adopt implementation measure as a component of
TransPlan. Instead, each jurisdiction could undertake an independent schedule and method of
implementation. The elected officials will consider public comments and planning.
commission recommendations during the public hearing and adoption process this Summer
and Fall.
Mr. Mott provided information regarding implementation discussion and affordability. He
also said ajoint public hearing would be held in April. A recommendation would be
forwarded to elected officials following this period. He also discussed timelines. Mr. Mott
was available to answer questions from council.
Councilor Shaver discussed page 1-10, finance policies. He questioned how a stable and
flexible system could be developed and maintained. Tom Schwetz, Lane Council of
Governments, answered questions regarding ODOT issues.
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Council discussed the need to have legislator support.
Work Session Meeting Minutes
December 8, 1997
Page 5
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Councilor Shaver discussed language regarding finance polices and also discussed capacity
issues. He also referenced page 1-12, Nodal development and land-use patterns.
Mayor Morrisette discussed fixed corridors.
Councilor Burge discussed the need for development and transportation plal1l1ing to be
reviewed together. Both factors were critical to each other for successful development.
Councilor Dahlquist recommended language revisions for policy definition page 1-12.
Councilor Burge said he hoped more decisive and timely decisions are made in the future. He
said it was hard to appease everyone when making transportation decisions.
Mr. Mott said the way the plan is implemented is vital. He said one thing is to figure out
what type of incentives can be generated. He said the council itself could come up with a
number of incentives that would be useful and would work He said there may be things that
can be done to reduce risk and offset costs.
"Mayor Morrisette discussed zoning. He also discussed Thurston area development.
Council discussed page 1-13, Transportation Demand Management policy language and
definition.
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Councilor Shaver discussed page 1-19, TSI Transit Policy #3. Information was provided
regarding bus queue jumpers.
Councilor Shaver discussed page 1-22, Pedestrian Policy #3, Pedestrian Environment and
Sidewalks. It was requested that language be clarified regarding lighting and existing
sidewalk areas.
Council discussed page 1-24, Eugene Airport Transportation.
Council also discussed the need for piggy back traffic options (trains). He noted 1-5 truck
traffic could possibly be reduced. Councilor Shaver felt this should be considered at a policy
level.
Councilor Shaver discussed the need to get unlicensed drivers and automobiles off the road.
Adequate transportation was need for unlicensed and uninsured drivers. He said this could
possibly increase safety.
ADJOURNMENT
The meeting was adjourned at 8:00 p.m.
Minutes Recorder - Julie Wilson
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Work Session Meeting Minutes
December 8, 1997
Page 6
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