HomeMy WebLinkAbout09/21/2009 Regular
City of Springfield
Regular Meeting
MINUTES OF THE REGULAR MEETING OF
THE SPRINGFIELD CITY COUNCIL HELD
MONDAY, SEPTEMBER 21,2009
The City of Springfield Council met in regular session in the Council Meeting Room, 225 Fifth
Street, Springfield, Oregon, on Monday, September 21,2009 at 7:10 p.m., with Mayor Leiken
presiding.
ATTENDANCE
Present were Mayor Leiken and Councilors Ralston, Lundberg, Wylie, Leezer, Simmons and
Pishioneri. Also present were City Manager Gino Grimaldi, Assistant City Manager Jeff Towery,
City Attorney Joe Leahy, City Recorder Amy Sowa, and members of the staff.
PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE
The Pledge of Allegiance was led by Mayor Leiken.
SPRINGFIELD UPBEAT
1. Employee Recognition: Brian Conlon, 30 Years of Service.
. /
City Manager Gino Grimaldi introduced Brian Conlon, Maintenance Manager, and recognized
him for his 30 years of service with the City of Springfield. He noted some of his
accomplishments during his career with the City and his unique and positive relationship with his
staff and citizens.
Mr. Conlon said it had been a privilege to work for the City. The staff at the City were like
family. Mr. Conlon acknowledged former Maintenance Manager Ed Black and former Public
Works Director Dan Brown who served as his mentors. He thanked Council for their service.
Councilor Wylie said she had taken a tour of the Mill Race with Mr. Conlon and ASSIstant Public
Works Director Len Goodwin. Mr. Conlon helped take care of her wound when her leg was
scratched by a berry bush.
Councilor Pishioneri said he had heard positive feedback from citizens that had received
assistance from Mr. Conlon.
Councilor Leezer said Mr. Conlon and his staff had been very helpful in making the Business
After Hours event in the Museum Parking lot last year a success.
Councilor Simmons expressed his appreciation to Mr. Conlon.
2. Employee Recognition: Kim Copeland, 1 0 Years of Service.
City Manager Gino Grimaldi introduced Kim Copeland, Programmer Analyst II, and recognized
her for her 10 years of service with the City of Springfield. He discussed her accomplishments
during her years of service. Ms. Copeland had been instrumental in many of the technological
City of Springfield
Council Regular Meeting Minutes
September 21, 2009
Page 2
services for the City. Ms. Copeland served as President of the SEIU/OPEU union and did a great
job representing the employees in our organization.
Ms. Copeland said it was a great place to work, and like Mr. Conlon said, staffwas like family.
She thanked Mr. Grimaldi for making her feel comfortable during her interview when she was
fIrst hired. She thanked the Mayor and Council for all they did.
3. FireMed Campaign.
Assistant City Manager Jeff Towery presented this item. He introduced Bart Noll and Melanie
Gates from FireMed. He discussed the FireMed campaign this year and noted that the City of
Eugene was added to our list of clients, doubling the amount of memberships to be processed.
Because resources were limited, staff used process improvement and evaluated all of the systems
for membership renewal and changed them as needed. Overall, our FireMed memberships grew
by nearly five percent, a remarkable achievement in current economic circumstances. Just as
important was the efficiency and effectiveness of staff during this campaign.
Mr. Noll said the process improvement took a system that had been in place for about twenty-
three years, picking it apart, and questioning everything. He credited Ms. Gates for her work in
streamlining this system.
4. Hispanic Heritage Month - Letter of Support.
Mayor Leiken said he had written a letter of support for Hispanic Heritage Month, September 15
through October 15. He said he wanted to recognize that month. He noted that the letter was
available in the agenda packet if anyone would like to read it.
CONSENT CALENDAR
IT WAS MOVED BY COUNCILOR RALSTON WITH A SECOND BY COUNCILOR
LUNDBERG TO APPROVE THE CONSENT CALENDAR. THE MOTION PASSED
WITH A VOTE OF 6 FOR AND 0 AGAINST.
1. Claims
2. Minutes
a. July 20, 2009 - Work Session
b. July 20, 2009 - Regular Meeting
c. July 21,2009 - JEO Meeting
d. July 22, 2009 - JEO Meeting
e. July 22, 2009 - Special Regular Meeting
3. Resolutions
a. RESOLUTION NO. 09-32 - A RESOLUTION TO ACCEPT PERMIT PROJECT P3l 003
RIVER GROVE SUBDIVISION
4. Ordinances
5. Other Routine Matters
City of Springfield
Council Regular Meeting Minutes
September 21, 2009
Page 3
a. Approval of the International Way EmX Project Intergovernmental Agreement Between the City
of Springfield and Lane Transit District and Authorize the City Manager to Execute the
Agreement on Behalf of the City.
b. Approval of the Liquor License Endorsement for Mookies Northwest Grill located at 400
International Way, Springfield, Oregon.
c. Approval of the Liquor License Endorsement for The Gridiron Pizza located at 3161 Gateway
Street, Springfield, Oregon.
ITEMS REMOVED
PUBLIC HEARINGS - Please limit comments to 3 minutes. Request to speak cards are available
at both entrances. Please present cards to City Recorder. Speakers may
not yield their time to others.
1. 201O-20l5 Eugene-Springfield Consolidated Plan.
City-Planner Molly Markarian presented the staff report on this item. TIus Springfield City
Council Public Hearing is the final opportunity for the public to comment on the community's
housing and community development needs prior to the drafting of the 2010-2015 Consolidated
Plan.
The Cities of Eugene and Springfield were currently in the process of updating the Eugene-
Springfield Consolidated Plan for 2010-2015. The Consolidated Plan was required of entitlement
communities that received funds under U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development
(RUD) housing and service programs related to the needs of low-and moderate-income persons,
including the Community Development Block Grant (CDBG) program and the HOME
Investment Partnerships Program (HOME). At this time, staff was completing the information
gathering stage of the project. Data had been collected from official sources such as the Census,
and from informal citizen input via surveys and public meetings. Both jurisdictions were
required to hold a public hearing as part of the information gathering process. This public
hearing was the last opportunity the public would have to submit comments regarding housing
and community development needs prior to the next stage ofthe project, which included
analyzing the needs data, prioritizing strategies to address the needs, and drafting the Plan.
Ms. Markarian said staff did a lot more outreach to the community than had been done in the past
to determine priorities for housing needs. Attachment 2 in the agenda packet outlined the
activities performed by the cities. A survey was sent to the affordable housing providers and
social service providers in the community. That survey had a high level of response. A survey
was also made available to the public at large on the City of Eugene and City of Springfield
libraries websites, on the computer terminals in the libraries, and on the City's website. An
adaption ofthe survey was conducted at the Farmer's Markets in Eugene and in Springfield, as
well as a public meeting in June. They also used data from a United Way survey that was
conducted earlier in the year, and held several focus groups over the summer. Attachment 3 was a
high level summary of input received to date. They were looking for public input during tonight's
public hearing, as well as the Council's feedback on the emerging needs. The next step would be
prioritizing the needs.
Mayor Leiken opened the public hearing.
No one appeared to speak.
City of Springfield
Council Regular Meeting Minutes
September 21, 2009 .
Page 4
Mayor Leiken closed the public hearing.
There was no action required. Staff was just asking for any comments from the Council. There
was none.
2. Amendments to the Eugene-Springfield Metropolitan Area General Plan (Metro Plan)
Consistent with Policy G.3 of Chapter III, Section G. Public Facilities and Services; and
Amendment to Table 6, Table '18, Table 19; Map 3 and Map 8 ofthe Public Facilities and
Services Plan, a Functional Plan ofthe Metro Plan (Case No. LRP2008-000l6), City of
Springfield Public Works Department, Applicant.
ORDINANCE NO. 6245 - AN ORDINANCE AMENDING THE EUGENE-SPRINGFIELD
METROPOLITAN AREA GENERAL PLAN (METRO PLAN) CONSISTENT WITH
POLICY G.3 IN CHAPTER III. SECTION G. PUBLIC FACILITIES AND SERVICES
ELEMENT;.AMENDINGT'-.A.BLE6.T.ABLE.18.TABLE 19. MAP 3 AND MAP 8 OF THE
PUBLIC FACILITIES AND SERVICES PLAN (PFSP) TO UPDATE THE PROJECT
LISTS AND MAPPED LOCATION OF THESE FACILITIES; AND ADOPTING A
SEVERABILITY CLAUSE.
City Planner Andy Limbird presented the staff report on this item. The City Council initiated the
plan amendments on October 21,2008 in response to recommendations contained in the City's
recently adopted Stormwater Facilities Master Plan.
A joint public hearing for the subject plan amendments was opened on July 22, 2009 and the
hearing record had been held open since that time. Notification of the reconvened public hearing
was mailed to affected property owners and residents on September 8, 2009, and advertised in the
Register-Guard on September 9, 2009. All of the projects included in these amendments were
considered significant by Oregon statute, and were necessary to provide capacity for planned
development within Springfield's urban growth boundary. Implementation of the City's new
storm water Systems Development Charge (SDC) rates was contingent upon adoption of the plan
amendments.
All of the recommended projects (amendments) were derived from the adopted Stormwater
Facilities Master Plan (2008), a Springfield city-wide stormwater plan that evaluated existing
and future demand and made recommendations for system improvements including capacity,
efficiency, flood control, and water quality enhancement. All of the listed projects rose to the
level of "significant" projects as defmed by Oregon statute. The listed projects were necessary
for Springfield to accommodate planned growth within the existing urban growth boundary. City
Council recently adopted a new stormwater SDC Methodology and Project List and, once the
plan amendments were approved, new rates would be adopted in accordance with those actions.
The Springfield and Lane County planning commissions conducted a joint public hearing on
these amendments on June 30, 2009 and forwarded recommendations of support to their
respective governing bodies. The Lane County Board of Commissioners gave a fourth reading to
the adopting Ordinance on August 21, 2009 and would be in a position to adopt the ordinance
upon adoption by the City Council. Concerns expressed by the Board of Commissioners and
rural property owners at the outset of the public hearing had been addressed through amendments
to the City's adopted Stormwater Management Plan - a separate action before City Council.
City of Springfield
Council Regular Meeting Minutes
September 21, 2009
Page 5
Mr. Limbird distributed three letters received after the agenda packet had been distributed and
reviewed the letters. These letters would be included in the record.
Mayor Leiken asked a question of legal counsel. In the letter from Wicklund, on page 2,
paragraph 3, there was a sentence regarding Project 18 and 123 which referred to Liberty Bank.
His wife was region manager of Liberty Bank, and he asked if that was an issue and if he should
recuse himself from this discussion. The reference was regarding property owned by Liberty
Bank that they may use in the future to build their corporate offices.
Mr. Leahy reviewed the section of the letter and said it represented the Wicklund Trust opinion
and did not pose a conflict. He confirmed that with Mr. Wicklund, who was in the audience.
Mayor Leiken opened the public hearing.
l. Earle Wicklund. Trustee for the Wicklund Living Trust. 395l Maple Island Farm Road.
n .. ..n --Springfield.-OR. Mr. Wicklund noted that his property 'Nas 10catedjustnorth-of. ___ .
Corporate Way and was accessed through Corporate Way. Project 118 was the property
east of Corporate Way and Project 123 was the Sports Way and Royal Caribbean outfall.
that dropped into the Willamette Slough. Mr. Wicklund's family was the largest property
owner to that slough. In the six decades they had owned it, they had never had any water
cross their property. Their concern was that if water, through stormwater efforts, went
into the slough, it could back up onto their property. They were asking that if they were
modifying that slough to accommodate water, that it was done in such a fashion that it
didn't impact their property. This particular slough was a dry slough, with no infill of
water so there was a bioswale that the City built in the mid-1990's. The intent was to
filter the water before it went into the slough. The City built a large pipe which came into
the slough, but there was not much water in that pipe. His family had an outfall on the far
northwest comer of Wicklund Estate that would go into the McKenzie River. Water was
not backing up on their property, and water had not backed onto their property during the
1996 flood. He was suggesting that a bridge similar to what was seen at 42nd and
Industrial Avenue could go there just in case there was a problem.
Mayor Leiken asked Mr. Wicklund to stay in case Council had questions of him following all
testimony.
2. Steve Swift. 656 Laksonen Loop. Springfield. OR. Mr. Swift said he had an objection to
the pipe they wanted to run down 69th Street to divert possible flooding. He had lived
there since 1987, and had never experienced any near flooding. The City wanted to spend
$2.5M to put in this pipe and he felt the City could spend that money in better ways. The
reason for the pipe was for future building in the south hills, but that area had already
been built up and there was still no problem. He said he lived there during the lOO year
flood and there was no problem of it flooding. He wondered why 69th Street was paved in
concrete at a significant cost higher than asphalt and was concerned there might be a
special interest in that area that was gaining an advantage. He asked why that occurred.
City Engineer, Ken V ogeney said 69th Street was reconstructed following Council policy for
arterial and collector streets. When a street under one of those classifications came up for
reconstruction, a life cycle analysis was done for the reconstruction of that street. They looked at
the cost for paving with asphalt and the ongoing maintenance of that over the next 40 year, and a
concrete street and the ongoing maintenance of that over the next 40 years. They then compared
City of Springfield
Council Regular Meeting Minutes
September 21,2009
Page 6
the overall costs for that street and chose the least expensive to maintain over time. The prices of
asphalt over the last few years had increased, making the cost to reconstruct in concrete almost
the same, with less maintenance costs for the future.
Mr. Swift asked for the difference in cost between the asphalt and concrete.
Mr. Vogeney said he did not have those figures with him.
Mr. Leahy said that information was a matter of public record and he could get information
regarding the difference in asphalt and concrete by contacting Mr. Vogeney in the Public Works
Department.
Mr. Swift said it seemed 58th Street in front of Thurston High School would be more ofa main
arterial than 69th Street.
Mr. Grimaldi suggestedMr.~Swi-ft.~nd-Mr. Vogeney discuss this further outside of the meeting.
Mr. Swift said he appreciated the Council's time.
Mayor Leiken closed the public hearing.
Councilor Ralston asked about the $2.5M pipe.
Environmental Services Supervisor George Walker said he was involved with the Stormwater
Facility Master Plan. The project involved with 69th Street was a broad spectrum of things to
solve some existing problems, provide capacity and water quality for future development, and
provide relief for the flows that went into Cedar Creek. A conservative dollar estimate was put on
all of that work because it was unclear how much some of the property would be worth when the
project was constructed. It also allowed for expert design and construction.
Councilor Ralston asked if it was an unusual amount for this type of project.
Mr. Walker said it was not. The City's consultant developed those costs based on the size of the
basin, the amount of work required in a very tight area, removal of bottlenecks, and acquiring
land for water quality. It was a lot of work.
Councilor Pishioneri said he was concerned with this project. The drainage ditch along that street
was full of invasives that had not ever been removed.
Mr. Walker said removal of the invasives would be the City's responsibility.
Councilor Pishioneri asked if the Oregon Department ofFish and Wildlife (ODFW) was involved
in that process because of fish habitat that possibly used to be there before the invasives became
overgrown.
Mr. Walker said current policy called for contact with the ODFW as part of good stewardship and
work. He didn't know if ODFW would consider that a fish bearing stream, but perhaps a
tributary, so it would be prudent for the City to pursue that at that time.
City of Springfield
Council Regular Meeting Minutes
September 21,2009
Page 7
Councilor Pishioneri asked if McKenzie Watershed Council was involved. He would like to know
what ODFW said about whether or not that drainage ditch would have been a fish producing
stream if the City had been diligent in removing the invasives.
Mr. Walker said he would pursue that question.
Councilor Pishioneri said if it was, he was not interested in covering up streams in the City. He
noted that on the top of South 70th there was a channel that started an outflow that had since been
covered that eventually came to 69th. He didn't want to see that covered unless they made sure it
could not be fish bearing.
Councilor Simmons said the whole channel had been the subject of debate regarding the
watershed. The drainage channel didn't exist. He explained. There were no fish in that area above
Thurston Road. The whole area had been part of the Cedar Creek basin. He did agree, though,
that leaving it open was valid. The facility plan included a strategy to deal with the future growth
-- -.inthat-areaor remedy any defect that currently existed. He had..Tl't seen the fbnding for-this
project.
Mr. Walker said the design would be developed when the exact needs were determined.
IT WAS MOVED BY COUNCILOR RALSTON WITH A SECOND BY COUNCILOR
LUNDBERG TO ADOPT ORDINANCE NO. 6245. THE MOTION PASSED WITH A
VOTE OF 6 FOR AND 0 AGAINST.
3. Stormwater Management Plan Adoption.
RESOLUTION NO. 09-33 - A RESOLUTION OF THE COMMON COUNCIL OF THE
CITY OF SPRINGFIELD ADOPTING THE CITY OF SPRINGFIELD STORMW ATER
MANAGEMENT PLAN
Environmental Services Supervisor George Walker presented the staff report on this item. The
Stormwater Management Plan was most recently adopted by Council April 20, 2009. The Plan
had guided City stormwater policy in accordance with the Council's seven Key'Outcomes for
Stormwater. It also outlined activities to ensure compliance with State and Federal Clean Water
Act and Endangered Species Act requirements.
Adaptive management for assessing and implementing new opportunities for improving program
effectiveness establishing policy for stormwater management was a condition of the Plan.
Addendum 1 to the Plan provided additional clarity to the existing policies for managing
storm water discharged from Springfield urban facilities. It provided assurance that those
facilities would be governed by and meet the requirements of all applicable federal, state, county
and local regulations current at the time of development. It established direction to require
complete analysis of downstream drainage impacts. It assured facility designs would consider
issues of adjoining landowners prior to development of those facilities. It set forth provisions
regarding easements and rights to maintain and operate necessary storm water discharges.
Addendum 1 would become part of the ongoing program carried out by the City's Public Works
and Development Services Departments. Funding for these functions was derived primarily
through storm drainage user fees, development application fees, and system development charges.
City of Springfield
Council Regular Meeting Minutes
September 21, 2009
Page 8
Mr. Walker said staff met with stakeholders regarding this addendum. As other issues surfaced,
staff would continue meeting with property owners. This was presented to the Lane County
Board of Commissioners on August 26 and met with support. The plan encompassed the essence
of public testimony and concerns from the Lane County Board of Commissioners (LCBC).
Councilor Simmons said he was supportive of the addendum's intent, but when identifying the
generic flow issue with the law, the Wicklund correspondence became more of a specific issue
for a specific property. He asked if adopting the addendum as currently structured precluded the
City from doing anything that was specific to the needs ofthe Wicklund property.
Mr. Walker said it did not. The addendum directed staff to initiate those discussions. Staff had
been in discussions with Wicklund Farms for about 25 years. Staff had known that the City's
stormwater had to cross that political line because that was where the contours of the land and the
natural drainage would take that water. Staff would be remiss if they didn't address the
Wicklund's and their concerns.
Councilor Simmons said the legislative intent was to protect properties such as the Wicklund's in
a course of action in the future.
Mr. Walker said more so than ever before. The only concern for those properties years ago was
for flooding. Now the concerns were regarding water quality and everything under the Clean
Water Act.
Mayor Leiken asked when the Lane County Board of Commissioners would be taking this up.
Assistant Public Works Director Len Goodwin said on October 20.
Mayor Leiken opened the public hearing.
No one appeared to speak.
Mayor Leiken closed the public hearing.
IT WAS MOVED BY COUNCILOR RALSTON WITH A SECOND BY COUNCILOR
LUNDBERG TO ADOPT RESOLUTION NO. 09-33. THE MOTION PASSED WITH A
VOTE OF 6 FOR AND 0 AGAINST.
4. Declaration of Property as Surplus - Freightliner Ambulance.
RESOLUTION NO. 09-34 - A RESOLUTION DECLARING CERTAIN PROPERTY
OWNED BY THE CITY OF SPRINGFIELD SURPLUS AND DIRECTING THE CITY
MANAGER TO SELL SUCH PROPERTY TO DEXTER RURAL FIRE PROTECTION
DISTRICT FOR THE SUM OF $3.000.
Fire Chief Dennis Murphy presented the staff report on this item. The 1996 Freightliner
ambulance VIN lFV3GLBC9TL877868 was replaced in the active fleet in Spring 2009 on the
regular replacement schedule. The ambulance was no longer suited for the needs of Springfield
Fire & Life Safety, but was suitable for use in a small, rural department with low run volumes.
Dexter Fire Protection District had very limited resources and had an immediate need for an
ambulance to serve their district.
City of Springfield
Council Regular Meeting Minutes
September 21, 2009
Page 9
Dexter Fire was a mutual aid partner, with close proximity to the eastern boundaries of
Springfield. Adding an ambulance to their existing fleet would vastly improve medical response
capabilities in their area, and offer support to Springfield if needed.
Staff recommended that the property be offered for sale consistent with the provisions of
Municipal Code Section 2.714 and the relevant provision of Oregon Revised Statutes regulating
the disposal of public property.
Councilor Pishioneri asked why Dexter Fire would consider the ambulance suitable if Springfield
did not.
Chief Murphy said Springfield had a much larger service district than Dexter. He explained issues
regarding the larger service area. Springfield would recover all of the useful equipment on the
ambulance.
Mayor Leiken opened the public hearing.
No one appeared to speak.
Mayor Leiken closed the public hearing.
IT WAS MOVED BY COUNCILOR RALSTON WITH A SECOND BY COUNCILOR
LUNDBERG TO ADOPT RESOLUTION NO. 09-34. THE MOTION PASSED WITH A
VOTE OF 6 FOR AND 0 AGAINST.
BUSINESS FROM THE AUDIENCE
No one appeared to speak.
COUNCIL RESPONSE
CORRESPONDENCE AND PETITIONS
BIDS
ORDINANCES
BUSINESS FROM THE CITY COUNCIL
1. Committee Appointments
a. Planning Commission Appointment
This item was postponed to the October 5 Council meeting due to the fact that a
determination was not made until later in the evening in anticipation of interviewing the third
candidate after the Regular Meeting.
b. Mayor/Council Committee Assignments.
--.
City of Springfield
Council Regular Meeting Minutes
September 21,2009
Page 10
Mayor Leiken reviewed the new appointments and made the formal assignments to the
Council. He asked for input and received none.
2. Business from Council
a. Committee Reports
1. Councilor Wylie reported on the Public Safety Coordinating Council (PSCC). More
beds had been opened at the Lane County Jail. The Sheriff was going through the
process to become a Federal Marshal.
She also attended the Metropolitan Policy Committee (MPC) and was appointed as
an alternate to the Governor's task force on Green Transportation. She would provide
updates on that committee as meetings were held.
2.. Councibr-Pispioneri reported-on Travel Lane County. He said they were working on
a website and designs for the new travel center in Gateway. He explained the design.
He encouraged Council to comment on the designs and said he could provide them
with the contact information. There were some signage issues regarding the end of
the building at Gateway. It would be a benefit to have larger than normal signs and
they may need to receive a waiver from the City.
BUSINESS FROM THE CITY MANAGER
l. July 2009 Disbursements for Approval.
Councilor Lundberg recused herself from this item as there were payments included to her
employer, Marshal's Heating and Air Conditioning.
Councilor Leezer recused herself from this item as there were payments included to her company,
AdPro Northwest.
Finance Director Bob Duey presented the staff report on this item. Checks totaling
$10,759,402.50 were issued in July 2009. Documentation supporting these payments had been
reviewed.
IT WAS MOVED BY COUNCILOR RALSTON WITH A SECOND BY COUNCILOR
PISHIONERI TO APPROVE THE JULY 2009 DISBURSEMENT FOR APPROVAL.
THE MOTION PASSED WITH A VOTE OF 4 FOR AND 0 AGAINST (2 ABSTENTIONS
- LUNDBERG AND LEEZER).
2. August 2009 Disbursements for Approval.
Councilor Lundberg recused herself from this item as there were payments included to her
employer, Marshal's Heating and Air Conditioning.
Councilor Leezer recused herself from this item as there were payments included to her company,
AdPro Northwest.
City of Springfield
Council Regular Meeting Minutes
September 21,2009
Page 11
Finance Director Bob Duey presented the staff report on this item. Checks totaling $5,843,082.42
were issued in August 2009. Documentation supporting these payments had been reviewed.
IT WAS MOVED BY COUNCILOR RALSTON WITH A SECOND BY COUNCILOR
PISHIONERI TO APPROVE THE AUGUST 2009 DISBURSEMENT FOR APPROVAL.
THE MOTION PASSED WITH A VOTE OF 4 FOR AND 0 AGAINST (2 ABSTENTIONS
- LUNDBERG AND LEEZER).
3. Ratify Appointment of Human Resources Director.
City Manager Gino Grimaldi presented the staff report on this item. Staff conducted a nation-
wide recruitment for the position, opening June 26, 2009 and closing on July 13,2009. The City
received 49 applications, conducted telephone interviews with nine applicants and conducted on-
site interviews with five finalists. None of the applicants was appointed and the position was
again posted from July 31, 2009 through August 17, 2009. The City received 42 applications,
- --. conducted telephone interviews with five applicants and conducted an-site- interviews with- three - _.
fmalists.
Each candidate participated in up to four interviews as well as a meet-and-greet activity open to
all CitY employees. The interviews were comprised of 1) a mixed stakeholders panel made up of
representatives from all four bargaining units and three non-union employees; 2) Human
Resources staff members, an external HR professional and the City Attorney's Office; 3) the
Executive Team, including the City Attorney's Office and 4) the City Manager.
Based on input from each panel, a review of written submittals and reference checks, Greta
Utecht was appointed to the position of Human Resources Director.
The City Charter required that department head selections be confIrmed by the Mayor and
Council. The intent of the language was to give the Council the right to confIrm senior
management positions.
IT WAS MOVED BY COUNCILOR RALSTON WITH A SECOND BY COUNCILOR
LUNDBERG TO RATIFY CITY MANAGER'S APPOINTMENT OF GRETA UTECHT
TO THE POSITION OF HUMAN RESOURCES DIRECTOR EFFECTIVE NO LATER
THAN NOVEMBER 2, 2009. THE MOTION PASSED WITH A VOTE OF 6 FOR AND 0
AGAINST.
4. Declaration of Property as Surplus - Ford Van.
RESOLUTION NO. 09-35 - A RESOLUTION DECLARING CERTAIN PROPERTY
OWNED BY THE CITY OF SPRINGFIELD SURPLUS AND DIRECTING THE CITY
MANAGER TO SELL SUCH PROPERTY TO THE AMERICAN RED CROSS FOR THE
SUM OF $1.00
Fire Chief Dennis Murphy presented the- staff report on this item. The 1991 Ford Van VIN
lFTFE24H6MHA88308 was replaced in the active fleet in Spring 2009 on a delayed replacement
schedule. The van was no longer suited for the needs of Springfield Fire & Life Safety (SFLS),
but was functional and suitable for use by a local non-profit agency. The American Red Cross
had an immediate need for a cargo van with room to transport emergency management materials,
but lacked sufficient funding to purchase an appropriate vehicle.
City of Springfield
Council Regular Meeting Minutes
September 21, 2009
Page 12
The Red Cross provided immediate assistance to victims of disaster, including fires. They worked
closely with Springfield Fire & Life Safety to provide relief to local fire victims, as well as
. playing a critical role in the Lane County emergency response plan. Adding a van to their existing
fleet would vastly improve their ability to handle supplies and equipment necessary to respond in
an emergency.
If sold at auction, the projected salvage value of the vehicle was approximately $1000.
Springfield Fire & Life Safety felt that the Red Cross' value to SFLS alone was worth far more
than this amount. The contributions made by the Red Cross to the Eugene/Springfield area
community were even greater.
Staff recommended that the property be offered for sale consistent with the provisions of
Municipal Code Section 2.714 and the relevant p,rovision of Oregon Revised Statutes regulating
the disposal of public property.
IT WAS MOVED BY COUNCILOR RALSTON WITH A SECOND BY COUNCILOR
LUNDBERG TO ADOPT RESOLUTION NO. 09-35. THE MOTION PASSED WITH A
VOTE OF6 FOR AND 0 AGAINST.
Mr. Grimaldi reminded the Mayor and Council of the joint elected officials (JEO) meeting on
Tuesday, September 22 at 6:00 p.m. with dinner served at 5:30 p.m. Population Projections was
one of the items scheduled for discussion during that meeting.
BUSINESS FROM THE CITY ATTORNEY
ADJOURNMENT
The meeting was adjourned at approximately 8:08 p.m.
Minutes Recorder Amy Sowa
Attest:
Cit~nth--