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HomeMy WebLinkAbout05/29/2007 Work Session City of Springfield Work Session Meeting MINUTES OF THE WORK SESSION MEETING OF THE SPRINGFIELD CITY COUNCIL HELD TUESDAY, MAY 29,2007 The City of Springfield Council met in a work session in the Jesse Maine Meeting Room, 225 Fifth Street, Springfield, Oregon, on Tuesday, May 29,2007 at 5:33 p.m., with Mayor Leiken presiding. ATTENDANCE Present were Mayor Leiken and Councilors Wylie, Ballew, Ralston, and Woodrow. Also present were City Manager Gino Grimaldi, City Attorney Joe Leahy, City Recorder Amy Sowa and members of the staff. Councilors Pishioneri and Lundberg were absent (excused). 1. Historic Commission Interview. City Planner and Historic Commission Staff Liaison Kitti Gale presented the staff report on this item. Section IX, 3.8 of the Springfield City Council Operating Policies and Procedures, states that the ". .. Mayor and Council will hold formal interviews of applicants for positions on the Budget Committee, Historic Commission, and Planning Commission and a recommendation from these bodies is not necessary although they may have a representative present to participate in the interview process. . ." Springfield Code 1-10-1, Historic Commission Charge, requires that the 7-member Commission shall be residents; electors; property owners within Springfield; appointees of other Springfield public agencies such as Willamalane Park & Recreation and School District #19; or, specialists with expertise in such fields as architecture, history, architectural history, planning, or archaeology who live within the Metro-Area General Plan boundaries. For state cer:tified funding it is recommended that a majority of the Commission have professional qualifications. The vacancy on the Commission is that of John Tuttle. Commissioner Tuttle has just finished his first four-year appointment on the Commission and is seeking his second term that will extend through April 30, 2011. Council determined they would just have an informal discussion with Mr. Tuttle. Ms. Gale noted that Mr. Tuttle did a lot of volunteer work and often went out into the community to offer free information and gather input. Mayor Leiken welcomed Mr. Tuttle. Councilor Ballew asked Mr. Tuttle what would make the ideal balance of experience and knowledge among the members of the Historic Commission. City of Springfield Council Work Session Minutes May 29, 2007 Page 2 Mr. Tuttle said there had been a fair amount of turnover in the Historic Commission over the last six years, but he had found that although all new members had different backgrounds, they got along well and worked well together. He said it could be helpful to have someone with strong hands-on building experience and background. Councilor Wylie asked Mr. Tuttle to explain his experience being on the Commission for the last four years. Mr. Tuttle said it was very positive and had been very educational for him. He said he lived in the Historic District so was able to work with a lot of his neighbors. He said it felt good to be publicly involved in that way. He wanted to continue on the Historic Commission because the Washburne District was an asset to the community. A lot of young professional people were moving into the Washburne District and were looking at ways for the downtown to grow and improve. Councilor Woodrow thanked Mr. Tuttle for his service on the Commission and for reapplying. He asked if the Historic Commission was looking at other areas of Springfield. Mr. Tuttle said he had not seen the Commission looking too much farther than the Historic District and the downtown. People moved into the Washburne District because it was fairly slow paced and was close to downtown. Mayor Leiken said the City was consIdering designating downtown as an urban renewal district. He asked if it would be an issue for those in the Washburne District if things started picking up downtown. .' Mr. Tuttle said it would not. People in the neighborhood were waiting for more to go on downtown. Mayor Leiken asked Mr. Tuttle ifhe had any questions of the Council. Mr. Tuttle said he had concerns about the Justice Center and the traffic and B Street. He asked if money would be spent on the periphery of that area regarding landscape and signage. He said he was'concemed that all the money would be spent on the building and not on surrounding aesthetics. He said he wanted it to have a good presence in the neighborhood. Mayor Leiken said he appreciated the feedback and appreciated Mr. Tuttle's service and the time he has given to this Commission. Mr. Tuttle said they had received a good public response as a Commission and had made friends. Ms. Gale said this position was scheduled for appointment on June 4 during Council's regular meeting. She then responded to Councilor Woodrow's question regarding other areas in Springfield. Almost the whole city was surveyed and there was not a very favorable call for having a house registered on the historic registry in other areas. There was not another district in Springfield, but there were a number of separate houses that could be registered. The Historic Commission was going to request a meeting with Willamalane Parks and Recreation District to discuss the possibility of registering the Heritage House. City of Springfield Council Work Session Minutes May 29, 2007 Page 3 Councilor Wylie asked how the Historic Commission got the signs that homes posted showing the year built and who originally owned the home. Ms. Gale said the Historic Commission had someone that could make the signs, but the property owners ordered them because the Commission didn't have fund to purchase them. She didn't believe they were very expensive, but said she could look up the price. 2. Planning Commission Interviews. Planning Manager and Planning Commission Staff Liaison Greg Mott presented the staff report on this item. There are six candidates for three positions. The incumbents, Mr. David Cole and Ms. Gayle Decker will have completed a 4 year term on .June 2, 2007 and informed the Development Services Director that they would not seek re- , appointment. Incumbent, Mr. Steve Moe will have completed two 4-year terms on June 5, 2007. Planning Commissioners are unable to serve a third 4~year term. The City received six applications for three vacancies during a one month recruitment process. Ms. Justine D. Michaud resides at 1512 T Street and is employed by Village Health Services, 1755 Coburg Road, Eugene. Mr. Michael J. Walker resides at 555 16th Street and is employed by Ad Pro Northwest, 659 A Street, Springfield. Ms. Terri A. Leezer resides at 555 16th Street and is owner of Ad Pro Northwest at 659 "A" Street; Springfield. Ms. Sheri E. Moore resides at 1955 16th Street and is a retired School Teacher from Marcola School District. Ms. Laura J. McNamara resides at 470 "T" Street and is employed by Orthopedic Healthcare, NW at 1200 Hilyard Street, Eugene. Mr. Eric T; Smith resided at 1351 Lawnridge Avenue and is owner of Aquila & Priscilla's at 1843 Pioneer Parkway, Springfield. The Council decision on appointments is scheduled for its regular meeting of June 4, 2007. Council members chose which question they would ask each candidate. Mr. Mott said there were critical matters coming before the Planning Commission in June. Staff would like the existing Planning Commission members to stay on through June, with the newly City of Springfield Council Work Session Minutes May 29, 2007 Page 4 appointed members in attendance to listen and learn the process and issues. The new commissioners would come on board during the July meeting. Mayor Leiken and the Council thought that would be a good idea. Council introduced themselves and interviewed the following candidates: . Justine D. Michaud . Michael J. Walker . Terri A. Leezer . Sheri E. Moore . Eric T. Smith . Laura J. McNamara The questions asked were: I. Why are you interested in serving on the' Planning Commission? 2. Many of the land use laws applied by the Planning Commission are state or federally mandated. During a Planning Commission hearing how would you reconcile your own personal opinions with the applicant's interests when those interests do not comply with the land use laws? 3. How familiar are you with the planning laws and policies? The State of Oregon is performing the first comprehensive review of the Oregon land use system since adoption of Senate Bill 100 in the 1980's. It's being called "The Big Look". If you had 2 minutes to testify before the statewide task force charged with performing "The Big Look" what would you advise them? 4. The Planning Commission generally meets two evenings each month and additional evening meetings are sometimes necessary. There are also materials to be reviewed in advance of these meetings that may take a couple of hours to read. Given your work and/or family demands, can you fully participate as a Commission member? 5. How would you recommend balancing the community's need for attractive commercial and industrial development with the rights of property owners? 6. Did the candidate have any questions for the Council? Following the interviews, Council discussed the candidates and their qualifications., Council consensus was to appoint Eric Smith and Terri Leezer to the Planning Commission during their regular meeting on June 18,2007. Council decided to discuss the third candidate with Councilors Lundberg and Pishioneri regarding the issue that one of those third candidates worked with and resided at the same location as one of the selected candidates. Councilors Lundberg and Pishioneri would be provided a copy of the tape so they could listen to the interviews and provide input before Council made their final decision. Ifnecessary, candidates could be brought back for a second interview. City of Springfield Council Work Session Minutes May 29, 2007 Page 5 Council determined staff could notify Eric Smith and Terri Leezer that they would be appointed on June 18 and also notify the other four candidates that Council was still deliberating and they would be notified once a decision was made. ADJOURNMENT The meeting was adjourned at 7:15 pm. Minutes Recorder - Amy Sowa e4~~ -Si:dneyW:-Eeiiren Christ '" ~~YOl- Council Pr Attest: . ~ bun-- Amy So , City Recorder