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HomeMy WebLinkAbout08/24/2005 Team Springfield . ~ TEAM (!) Minutes of the Joint Elected Officials Meeting August 24, 2005 Agnes Stewart Middle School 900 S. 320d Street Springfield, OR 97478 The TEAM Springfield group met on Wednesday, August 24,2005, at 5:00 p.m., in the cafeteria of Agnes Stewart Middle School, 900 S. 32nd Street, Springfield, Oregon. ATTENDANCE City of Springfield Councilors: Anne Ballew, Tammy Fitch, Joe Phishioneri, David Ralston, John Woodrow; Assistant City Manager Cynthia Pappas and various members of the staff. . Springfield School District Board: Laurie Adams, Al King, and Jonathan Light; Superintendent Nancy Golden and various members of the staff. Springfield Utility Board Board: Bobbie Adams, Joe Matheau, Virginia Lauritsen; General Manager Bob Linahan and various members of the staff. Willamalane Park and Recreation District Board: Lee Beyer, Greg James, Danelle Ralston, Gary Ross and Helen Wagner; Superintendent Bob Keefer and various members of the staff. Elected Officials State Representative Terry Beyer, State Senator Bill Morrisette, and Lane County Commissioner Bill Dwyer INTRODUCTIONS AND WELCOME School Board Chair Laurie Adams called the meeting to order and welcomed all present to the ninth TEAM Springfield joint elected officials meeting and facilitated self-introductions. . REMARKS FROM LEGISLATORS State Senator Bill Morrisette reported he was happy to be back in town "among a friendly crowd" after the difficult legislative session and provided highlights of the session and efforts he was supporting. A Partnership Between the City of Springfield, Springfield Public Schools, Will am alane, and Springfield Utility Board v . TEAM Springfield Minutes Joint Elected Officials' Meeting August 24, 2005 Page 2 State Representative Terry Beyer shared that she was glad to be integrated back into the community. She reported that the session was interesting saying, "we could have done better - it could have been worse. " County Commissioner Bill Dwyer thanked TEAM Springfield for inviting him to the meeting. ANNOUNCEMENTS AND CHANGE IN AGENDA Ms. Adams announced that the Springfield Education Foundation was selling 16-month calendars featuring student art as a fund-raiser in support of Springfield schools and classroom projects. She also reported that the agenda item, Presentation to City of Springfield for City Hall Lighting Project, was removed from the agenda. In addition, Ms. Adams announced that Greg James purchasing agent for Springfield Public Schools was recently selected as the Oregon Purchasing Agent of the Year, representing the state at the national competition for all municipalities, not just school districts. Mr. James was selected as first runner up at the national conference. . SPRINGFIELD TOMORROW PRESENTATION Greg James provided an overview of the Springfield Tomorrow 2015 project, a partnership between the City of Springfield, Springfield Utility Board, Springfield Public Schools and the Willamalane Park and Recreation District. The process began with the formation of a 20-member stakeholder group with representatives for each of the four agencies who met from February to August 2005. Goals of the project were to: · Summarize community accomplishments as a result of past Springfield Tomorrow efforts · Identify pending issues and expected trends · Rank the thirteen key community values identified in Springfield Tomorrow 1999 · Develop a comprehensive vision statement for the Springfield community · Identify projects that will move the community toward achieving that vision . Mr. James reviewed the 13 key community values identified in previous iterations of the 1991-1992 process (Phase I and Phase II) and explained that the stakeholder group then ranked the values as follows: · Livable neighborhoods · Environment . Education · Economic Diversity · Unique Identity · Cultural Diversity . Social Services · Mix of Housing . Leadership · Infrastructure · Agency Cooperation · Common Good vs. Individual Need · Efficient Public Agencies . TEAM Springfield Minutes Joint Elected Officials' Meeting August 24, 2005 Page 3 In addition, the stakeholder group developed a comprehensive vision statement and identified specific projects that would be in alignment with the vision statement. Mr. James said that the mission was accomplished. He thanked committee members for their excellent dialog and participation in assisting through the process. Mr. James reviewed the Springfield Tomorrow successes (community goal #1 in 1991 was education and literacy), including the passage of a $39 million bond issue to build three new schools in Springfield. Springfield Tomorrow Phase II identified economic development as the most significant priority and the City purchased 40 acres in the Gateway area to stimulate growth. To date, Sony Manufacturing, Shorewood, Symantec, UPS, PeaceHealth RiverBend, PacificSource and Royal Caribbean Cruise Lines have been drawn to the area. The Phase III update identified public safety as the community's top concern. Mr. James explained that police bike patrols, Meadow Park neighborhood garden, two public safety levies passed in 2002, as well as voter approval of a new Justice Center and municipal jail support the community's priority for public safety . Mr. James provided highlights of each of the monthly meetings of the stakeholder group and reported that the group discussed population growth in the area, changing ethnicity of the community, home ownership, education, and mobility, all of which were critical for the committee to consider. . . He shared the Community Vision 2015 that Springfield citizens are safe, healthy, valued and educated. · Springfield is a vibrant community with safe neighborhoods. · Springfield is guided by environmentally sustainable practices. · Springfield schools prepare all students for good citizenship, achievement, and employability. · Springfield has a prosperous business community and a diversified economic base with abundant family wage jobs. . Springfield has a thriving arts and culture district. · Springfield has an aesthetically pleasing urban environment, with an extensive and accessible parks and open space system. · Springfield celebrates diversity by honoring all cultures, beliefs and races. . Mr. James reviewed the Community Projects that could be accomplished in the next two to five years. Of the 36 potential projects the group ranked the list of projects to include the top 16 projects that best fit with the vision and values. He explained that the information was then taken out into the community in survey format July 27-August 7, 2005, to determine attitudes and opinions of residents regarding community values and goals. The results reflected slightly different priorities than what the committee prioritized. The Springfield residents' ratings are as follows, out of a five-point scale: · Safe and livable neighborhoods, 4.9 · Quality Education, 4.8 · Healthy Environment, 4.7 · Quality Leadership, 4.6 · Mix of Housing, 4.5 · Well-maintained Infrastructure, 4.5 . TEAM Springfield Minutes Joint Elected Officials' Meeting August 24, 2005 Page 4 · Efficient Public Agencies, 4.5 · Good Access to Social Services, 4.4 · Cooperation among Public Agencies, 4.4 · Economic Diversity, 4.3 · Balance Between Common Good and Individual Needs, 4.2 · Cultural Diversity, 4.0 · Unique Identity for Springfield, 3.4 Mr. James shared that the challenge, as elected officials, is to make the report a blue print for the future of Springfield, as it aligns with the Springfield Quality Education Model, City projects and the Willamalane Comprehensive Plan. Mr. James thanked the group for allowing him to serve as chair of the committee. Willamalane staff member Chris Pryor was introduced and provided instructions for small group discussions around the following questions: 1. Can you agree with the Community Vision 2015 developed by the Stakeholders as written on page 14 of the report? The common priority values or themes that arose from both the Stakeholders (Task Force) process and the Community Survey include the following: a. Safe, Livable Neighborhoods b. Healthy Environment c. Quality Education Can you agree that we should be focusing on these top three community values in the next 2 to 5 years? Can you agree that the Springfield Tomorrow 2015 report should be used as a guide for future community action by TEAM Springfield? If not, what is missing? 2. . 3. 4. TEAM Springfield members were divided into four small working groups to discuss the priorities and reported back on the above referenced questions as follows: . Group # 1, reported by Gary Ross 1. Yes 2. Yes 3. Needs Change · Reliability of utility service · SUB would oppose adoption · SUB projects are not included · Priorities: Reliability Maintain low cost Maintain infrastructure . Oppose unfunded mandates . . . TEAM Springfield Minutes Joint Elected Officials' Meeting August 24, 2005 Page 5 Support growth · Extend Urban Growth Boundary to the North to match Eugene · 18-hole golf course in Gateway Group #2, reported by Cynthia Pappas 1. Yes 2. Yes 3. There's a dichotomy in the report, i.e. the project list/goals should have been asked if TEAM Springfield agrees with the priority of the projects. 4. But make sure we focus on implementing the values and goals (projects). Work on the top 16 projects. Group #3, reported by Tammy Fitch 1. Yes 2. Yes, but do not forget to balance with economic development 3. Yes. Update again looking to refine process Group #4, reported by Chris Pryor 1. Yes What does environmental sustainability mean? Parks, open spaces, garbage, safety Consider that arts and culture aren't as high w/public as committee Weight a little more toward community wants 2. Yes Still need to pay the rent - need job growth Financing from different sources What should support be for non-jurisdictions? Knowing your limits and what you can't control- realistic 3. Yes . Need to achieve more alignment with community on priorities · Reconcile the rankings around values and tasks or goal 4. Missing? Stay in Sync . Ability to change, adapt, be flexible in response · As moving forward, must provide financial costs in established priorities · Acknowledge financial constraints of taxing authority - revenue generating capability · Communication effort to build understanding Mr. Pryor said the results of the small group discussions would be presented to each of the TEAM Springfield CEOs and CAOs to be processed and considered for integration into the final plan. AGENCY UPDATES Bob Linahan, Springfield Utility Board, reported on the new electrical substations being built to support growth in the area. He said no rate increases are anticipated this year, but that they may experience rate increases next year of3.5% or less. Mr. Linahan reported the water department is heavily involved in . TEAM Springfield Minutes Joint Elected Officials' Meeting August 24, 2005 Page 6 area roadwork, estimated at $100 - $250 a running foot to replace. He reported that SUB would be providing water to Glenwood by the end of the year. Cynthia Pappas, City of Springfield, reported on the approval of the Enterprise Zone applications for Williams Bakery and Symantec, which will result in $60,000 for Arts AcademylWildish Theater facility and $60,000 for soccer field lighting at 32nd and Main streets. She affirmed the increased construction around the community and reported that a jail operations task force proposal would be coming to the CitY Council on November 14, and more information on a library levy would be shared at the annual goal setting in fall. In addition she reported that a pre-submittal meeting was held for the Justice Center facility with eight or nine firms expressing interest in the project. Bob Keefer, Willamalane, invited everyone to participate in the Willamalane Games on Saturday, August 27,9 a.m. to noon, at Willamalane Park and shared that a Civil War re-enactment is planned for September 24-25 at Doris Ranch. He reported that the second artificial turf soccer field has been completed and the north end of the 32nd Street community sports park is expected to be completed within the next 10 months. Willamalane is also in the fmal negotiations with Broad Base about the possibility of building a joint community center project. Mr. Keefer thanked TEAM Springfield for the cooperative efforts on Volunteer Park, which was dedicated in May. He said they are in the process of completing the master plan for Lively Park; involved with free summer playground programs this summer, including free lunch programs at 21 sites; and are rolling out a new computer system that will . allow on-line registration. He thanked SUB for assistance with the fiber optics. Nancy Golden, Springfield Public Schools, reported that the school board had a planning retreat today, including a visioning process, and that the district will begin communicating the achievements of the Springfield Quality Education Model process out to the community. She reported that student achievement is the core mission of the district and that data would be shared in order to be transparent - "no shame, no blame, and no excuses." Dr. Golden shared that the district has a blue ribbon committee looking at district facilities and that the idea of "signature schools" was being explored, as well as looking at options for the district's bus system to address the issue of mobility with students and allow students to stay at a school even if their family moves. Superintendent Golden thanked the entire community for supporting the school district and for their support in the building of district schools. She thanked the group for coming to the meeting and invited TEAM Springfield members and staff to join in the barbeque dinner and social. ADJOURMENT The meeting was adjourned at 6:24 p.m. Minutes Recorder: Executive Assistant Karen Lewis Springfield Public Schools . Attest: Am~ City Recorder