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HomeMy WebLinkAbout11/02/2009 Work Session City of Springfield Work Session Meeting MINUTES OF THE WORK SESSION MEETING OF THE SPRINGFIELD CITY COUNCIL HELD MONDAY, NOVEMBER 2, 2009 The City of Springfield Council met in a work session in the Jesse Maine Meeting Room, 225 Fifth Street, Springfield, Oregon, on Monday, November 2, 2009 at 6: 17 p.m., with Mayor Leiken presiding. ATTENDANCE Present were Mayor Leiken and Councilors Ralston, Lundberg, Wylie, 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 ofthe staff. Councilor Leezer was absent (excused). 1. Council Update: CDBG and HOME Program Projects 1999-2009. Housing Assistant Jodi Peterson presented the staff report on this item. Springfield had been a Community Development Block Grant (CDBG) entitlement community since 1978 and a member ofthe Eugene-Springfield HOME Consortium since 1993. The primary purpose of both HUD programs was to develop projects, and support activities and services that benefited low and moderate-income persons. Over the years, the City had used its allocations of CDBG and HOME funds to support many community-based activities throughout the City. Funds were allocated competitively through an annual process, and were typically highly leveraged with other funding sources. In this way, investments were made in the community that far exceeded initial CDBG/HOME investments. This presentation would highlight housing, parks and open spaces, community development and downtown reinvestment projects, as well as social programs that were assisted with CDBG and/or HOME funds over the past 10 years. Ms. Peterson showed a video of some of the many projects that had been assisted by CDBG, HOME and SHOP program funds. She distributed a hard copy of that presentation. Councilors Wylie and Pishioneri asked for copies of the CD. Mayor Leiken thanked Councilor Lundberg for her involvement with the Community Development Advisory Committee (CDAC) over the years. He also thanked Ms. Peterson and Housing Manager Kevin Ko for all of their hard work. He often received compliments .regarding their professionalism and willingness to work with the citizens. Councilor Lundberg said the CDAC was her favorite committee to serve on and the staffwas wonderful. She said this was a great way to highlight the good things Springfield did with these funds for the community. She often received thanks from agencies for their assistance. Councilor Ralston said it wasn't that Springfield didn't get recognition from the Housing Policy Board. They understood Springfield did things differently than Eugene, and he pointed that out to them often. City of Springfield Council Work Session Minutes November 2,2009 Page 2 Councilor Pishioneri said he and his wife were at Meyer Estates a couple of weeks ago helping with the construction (Habitat for Humanity). It was very rewarding to be part ofthat project. He encouraged others to take the opportunity to do some work for Habitat for Humanity. Ms. Peterson gave a brief update on the SHOP program. From July 1 through the end of October, she had processed thirty-five SHOP loans. The most she had ever processed in that time period was eighteen, but it usually averages about ten. They were reaching a lot of single mothers with young children. Councilor Simmons said there were other things this department did to help the face of the community, such as the hanging baskets downtown. Mr. Ko discussed stimulus funding. The City had received about $350,000 in Neighborhood Stabilization Program (NSP) funding through the State. The main purpose ofNSP was to help people buy foreclosed homes to stabilize neighborhoods. Springfield was probably going to be the fIrst jurisdiction in Oregon to close an NSP loan. It had been a complicated program and Springfield had put together a simple program, easy for lenders and realtors to understand, which had made it accessible. While at a Northwest Community Development Manager's Conference last week, he learned that Springfield was one of the fIrst to close on this type of loan. Springfield had spent about half of its $164,000 allocation of CDBG-R funds, including the parking lot behind the A3 Academy and Gateway Learning Center was done with $63,000 of CDBG-R . funds. Federal criteria to complete the projects by the end of 20 10 was being met. The funds came to the City quickly, which had put a burden on the City and staff, but they had been thankful to get the funds. Mayor Leiken asked if the fIrst time homebuyer tax credit was available through the SHOP program. Yes. He knew that Congress was looking at renewing that credit. Ms. Peterson said at a recent meeting, she learned that if renewed, it would come back in January and could possibly include a tax credit to other homebuyers. The amount was for $8000 for first time homebuyers and $6500 for other homebuyers. Mayor Leiken said the housing sales were doing fairly well, although construction of new homes was staying the same. Ms. Peterson said there had been some amazing SHOP stories. She thanked Mr. Laudati for his assistance putting together the power point. Other Business: Councilor Wylie said at the Library Foundation dinner, she had visited with Marilee Woodrow. Ms. Woodrow asked if any of the Council would like to ride in the Christmas Parade again this year. The following councilors said they would like to ride in the parade: Councilor Ralston, Councilor Lundberg, Councilor Wylie and Councilor Pishioneri and his wife. Mayor Leiken would be starting the parade. The date of the parade was Saturday, December 5. Councilor Wylie said she would relay the information to Ms. Woodrow. City of Springfield Council Work Session Minutes November 2, 2009 Page 3 2. Temporary EmX Route. RiverBend Drive to International Way. This item was pulled from the agenda. ADJOURNMENT The meeting was adjourned 6:34 p.m. Minutes Recorder - Amy Sowa Attest: fi!tt~ Amy So City Rec der