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HomeMy WebLinkAbout04/07/1996 Regular . City of Springfield Regular Session MINUTES OF THE REGULAR MEETING OF THE SPRINGFIELD CITY COUNCIL HELD TUESDAY, APRIL 2, 1996 The City of Springfield Council met in Regular Session in the Springfield City Council Meeting Room, 225 Fifth Street, Springfield, Oregon, on Tuesday, April 2, 1996, at 7:10 p.m., with Mayor Morrisette presiding. ATTENDANCE Present were Mayor Morrisette and Councilors Ballew, Beyer, Burge, Maine and Shaver. Councilor Dahlquist was absent (excused). Also present were City Manager Mike Kelly, Assistant City Manager Gino Grimaldi, City Attorney Tim Harold, City Recorder Eileen Stein, Administrative Aide Shari Higgins and members of staff. PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE The Pledge of Allegiance was led by Mayor Morrisette. SPRINGFIELD UPBEAT . 1. Mayor Morrisette called Council's attention to the new Community Development Block Grant (CDBG) posters and explained that it was National Community Development Week. This is the 10th annual celebration of the efforts made by the CDBG program to meet the needs of low income families in the community. CONSENT CALENDER IT WAS MOVED BY COUNCILOR BURGE, WITH A SECOND BY COUNCILOR SHAVER, TO ADOPT THE CONSENT CALENDAR. THE MOTION PASSED WITH A VOTE OF 5 FOR AND 0 AGAINST (COUNCILOR DAHLQUIST WAS ABSENT). l. Claims a. February 1996, Disbursements for Approval. 2. Minutes a. February 26, 1996 - Work Session b. February 26, 1996 - Joint Meeting With Springfield Chamber of Commerce c. March 11, 1996 - Work Session d. March 18, 1996 - Work Session e. March l8, 1996 - Regular Meeting f. March 20, 1996 - Continued Goal Setting Session . 3. Resolutions 4. Ordinances . Council Agenda April 2, 1996 Page 2 . 5. Other Routine Matters ITEMS REMOVED FROM THE CONSENT CALENDAR PUBLIC HEARINGS 1. Request for Easement Vacation (River Glen). ORDINANCE NO. 1 - AN ORDINANCE V ACA TING A 2,406 SQUARE FOOT PORTION OF A PUBLIC UTILITY EASEMENT RECORDED SEPTEMBER l, 1995. IN REEL 2093R AT RECEPTION NUMBER 9549189 IN LANE COUNTY OREGON DEED RECORDS (ASSESSOR'S MAP 17-03-23, TAX LOT 1000) (FIRST READING). Ordinance No. l, received a first reading by title only. Planner II Julia Powell presented the staff report. She reviewed the easement location on the map provided in the agenda item summary. She stated the easement will conclude Phase I of River Glen Subdivision. No utilities have been placed in or are planned for the easement to be vacated. Staff has received no negative comments from utility providers regarding the proposed easement vacation. Mayor Morrisette opened the public hearing. . No one appeared to speak. Mayor Morrisette closed the public hearing. BUSINESS FROM THE AUDIENCE 1. Diane L. Gieb, 3764 Gem Street, Springfield, spoke about the City's restriction of dog ownership to three dogs per residential unit. She has four dogs and requested the City withhold any enforcement action against her, until the Council can review and address the possibility of residential kennel permit issuance. 2. Sheldon Powelson, l404 W. l5th, Eugene, spoke to the Council on behalf of the Springfield Jaycees and their desire to hold the 1996 Broiler Festival in downtown Springfield. Mr. Powelson asked what type of information would be requested by the City, in order for plans to proceed for their upcoming festival. Mr. Kelly stated Mr. Powelson would be provided information by Assistant City Manager Gino Grimaldi, regarding the inquiry process for holding the festival. Mayor Morrisette suggested Mr. Powelson start by contacting the downtown property owners and soliciting their support. Mr. Grimaldi stated he would assist the Jaycees and keep the City Council informed. . Council Agenda April 2, 1996 Page 3 . COUNCIL RESPONSE 1. City Recorder Eileen Stein responded to comments made by Diane Gieb under Business from Audience regarding the City's restriction of dog ownership. She stated that nothing in the City Code (section 5-4-3) states that any amount over three dogs is permissible and there is not a reference in the code to a non-commerical kennel license. After discussion, Council agreed to withhold any enforcement for 30 days, or until a staff report can be produced regarding what complaints prompted staff investigation or enforcement proceedings. Mr. Kelly stated that the City Manager's Office would coordinate a response, based on information from the Police Department, regarding the non-commercial kennel license alternative. CORRESPONDENCE AND PETITIONS 1. Correspondence From Mary Lou Hanna, 825 North 3rd Place, Expressing Support for a Variance for Jack's Auto Service on 17th and Main Streets. IT WAS MOVED BY COUNCILOR BURGE, WITH A SECOND BY COUNCILOR MAINE, TO ACCEPT AND FILE THE CORRESPONDENCE. THE MOTION PASSED BY A VOTE OF 5 FOR AND 0 AGAINST. COUNCILOR DAHLQUIST WAS ABSENT, (EXCUSED). . BIDS ORDINANCES BUSINESS FROM THE CITY COUNCIL 1. Committee Appointments 2. Business from Council a. Committee Reports Councilor Maine stated at the last Lane Regional Air Pollution Authority meeting, their initial budget submittal was discussed. b. Other Business BUSINESS FROM THE CITY MANAGER 1. ArtsPlan Resolution RESOLUTION NO. 96-13 - A RESOLUTION ENDORSING ARTSPLAN. . Museum Coordinator, Kathy Jensen presented the staff report and stated that the Springfield Arts Commission endorses the ArtsPlan Resolution. She introduced Lane County arts advocate, Gretchen Hult Pierce, who provided additional information regarding the process for guiding the ArtsPlan through public meetings and volunteer involvement in the metropolitan area. Council Agenda April 2, 1996 Page 4 . Ms. Hult stated the Arts Foundation of Western Oregon was created to enhance economic visibility of the arts, provide art education and establish Western Oregon as a center for cultural activity. Springfield currently has two representatives on the Arts Foundation of Western Oregon, Sandra Rennie and Dorothy Velasco. Ms. Hult stated the first item on the ArtsPlan agenda is to establish a metropolitan area marketing plan and enhance educational opportunities. Councilor Beyer suggested designating one position on the Arts Foundation of Western Oregon Board, for Springfield Arts Commission members only. Ms. Hult stated she would present the suggestion to the board, but cautioned the use of designated seats on the board for specific interest groups. She felt that involvement for personal reasons was more important. Councilor Burge stated his support for the ArtsPlan and said the expansion to include Springfield, will benefit the entire metropolitan area. Councilor Ballew asked for information regarding the definition of an arts district. Ms. Hult stated planning wise, it makes sense for metropolitan areas to have an area geographically considered a district. Districts can provide opportunities to invest in specific art activities in a smaller scope than the entire metropolitan area. . Councilor Ballew asked what the ArtsPlan will be asking for in public funding. Ms. Hult replied that at this time there is not a specific plan for any public funding requests. She stated most funding for local arts comes from private donations, but future opportunities to incorporate public funding are also being researched. IT WAS MOVED BY COUNCILOR BURGE, WITH A SECOND BY COUNCILOR MAINE TO ADOPT RESOLUTION NO. 96-13. THE MOTION PASSED WITH A VOTE OF 5 FOR AND 0 AGAINST. COUNCILOR DAHLQUIST WAS ABSENT (EXCUSED). 2. Findings Pertaining to Property Tax Exemption Termination (Springwood. Inc.) RESOLUTION NO. 96- l4 - A RESOLUTION OF FINDINGS TO BEGIN PROCESS TO TERMINATE SPRINGWOOD. INC.'S PROPERTY TAX EXEMPTION THROUGH THE CITY'S PROPERTY TAX EXEMPTION FOR NEW LOW-INCOME ELDERLY RENTAL HOUSING PROGRAM. Management Analyst Lynn Nakamura presented the staff report. She explained that on June 21, 1993, the City Council granted Springwood, Inc. a 20-year property tax exemption of $100,000 annually for the construction of 429 units of very low- income elderly housing on 29th and Main Streets. ORS 307.515 through 307.537 and Ordinance 5667 provide authority for the City to terminate the property tax exemption if construction of the housing units is not completed within two years after the date of Council approval. Ms. Nakamura stated nearly three years have passed and the construction of the housing units is still not begun. . Ms. Nakamura explained that after the resolution is adopted, the property owners and lenders will have until the May 6, 1996, City Council meeting to provide information showing proof that the project will be completed in a timely manner. . . . Council Agenda April 2, 1996 Page 5 . Councilor Shaver asked how soon the tax exemption funding would be available for others to apply for. Ms. Nakamura replied that there are currently no applications pending, but the funding would be available as soon as the Springwood tax exemption is revoked. IT WAS MOVED BY COUNCILOR BURGE, WITH A SECOND BY COUNCILOR MAINE TO ADOPT RESOLUTION NO. 96-14. THE MOTION PASSED BY A VOTE OF 5 FOR AND 0 AGAINST. COUNCILOR DAHLQUIST WAS ABSENT (EXCUSED). 3. Other Business Mr. Kelly provided Council with handouts regarding a Springfield School District and Willamalane Park and Recreation District issue involving construction of a new elementary school and the replacement of softball fields. He explained the City has become involved in the process to assist the agencies in reaching a suitable resolution for the community at large. Mr. Kelly stated the negotiations have been difficult at times, but the City has been a willing partner in the finding resolution for all parties. Mr. Kelly reviewed the material in the handout, including the City's financial responsibility of approximately $109,000, to provide needed infrastructure. Councilor Ballew asked where the funding will come from that City has tentatively committed to. Mr. Kelly explained the infrastructure needs have been discussed with Lane County and they have tentatively agreed to provide Springfield with financial assistance. . Councilor Burge explained that when the expected participation from Lane County and the amount of people who will tap into the sanitary sewer are factored into the project cost, that the City will probably only contribute $10,000 to $20,000 of the total infrastructure costs. The City has made a commitment to expand the sewer between Main and E Streets and have applied to use Community Development Block Grant funding for a portion of the project also. Mr. Kelly asked Council to support the infrastructure funding, but stated there still could be a remonstrance because a portion of the costs would be paid for by private assessments. He explained the School District's requirements for construction of an elementary school and their commitment to the community. Councilor Shaver asked what amount of block funds the City has applied for. City Engineer AI peroutka replied for approximately two-thirds of the project cost or $100,000. He explained that street and sewer projects have been a source of block grant funding in the past. Councilor Burge stated the importance of the construction of the elementary school in mid- Springfield. Residents have bused their children for many years to other areas of town and the construction will provide both relief to mid-Springfield and the community at large. Councilor Maine stated she supports the block grant fund request. . Mr. Kelly stated the City would proceed with the infrastructure commitment and that he would provide Council with more information as soon as the resolution process was finalized. . . . ~ , , ~ Council Agenda April 2, 1996 Page 6 BUSINESS FROM THE CITY ATTORNEY ADJOURNMENT The meeting was adjourned at 8:05 p.m. Minutes Recorder - Shari Higgins ATTEST: ~ City Recorder 13#9//~~ Mayor