HomeMy WebLinkAbout04/12/1993 Work Session
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City of Springfield
Work Session Council Meeting
MINUTES OF THE WORK SESSION MEETING OF
THE SPRINGFIELD CITY COUNCIL HELD ON
MONDAY, APRIL 12, 1993
The City of Springfield Council met in Work Session in Meeting Room 2 of the
Springfield City Hall, 225 Fifth Street, Springfield, Oregon, on Monday, April
12, 1993 at 6:35 p.m. with Mayor Morrisette presiding.
ATTENDANCE
Present were Mayor Morrisette, Councilors Maine, Walters and Burge. Councilors
Schanz, Adams and Berg were absent. Also present were City Manager Michael
Kelly, City Attorney Joe Leahy, City Recorder Eileen Stein, and members of the
staff.
1.
Proposed Regional and Local Sewer Rates.
Gary Colwell, Environmental Programs Manager, presented the staff report.
Mr. Colwell reported that current user fees for local sanitary and storm
sewers and regional sanitary sewers were adopted by the Council on June 1,
1992. Current user fees are sufficient to fund anticipated operating costs
of the local and regional systems for the coming fiscal year. However,
local sewer fees need to be increased to provide capital funding for
planned future phases of the Springfield Interceptor Sewer System. It is
recommended this fee be increased again by 50 cents per month as was done
in 1992. Regional sewer fees are expected to remain the same for the coming
year. New sewer user fees for 1993 need to be in effect by July 1, 1993.
Council Burge asked whether the fee related to the sewer project was
separately identified and accounted for. Mike Kelly replied the answer was
yes and no. The fee for the East Main Street Interceptor project is not
separated out on billing statements, however the money collected is
deposited into a capital account which can only be used for capital
projects (versus operations.)
Councilor Burge clarified he wanted to insure this money would not be used
for other projects such as streets and bike paths. Mr. Kelly said this
revenue was dedicated and could only be used for sewer capital projects.
Councilor Burge asked how the capital account was used. Mr. Kelly
explained there are other capital needs as well as the East Main Street
Interceptor project which are also paid from the capital account such as
sewer line replacements and expansions.
Councilor Maine asked about the use of systems development charges (SDCs).
Mr. Kelly explained that SDCs are used for projects that are growth
related. This could be new lines or expansions of existing lines if
expansion is necessary for growth. Councilor Maine asked if the Main
Street Interceptor project was not growth related. Mr. Kelly replied it is
and City Engineer Al Peroutka added some SDC moneys will be applied toward
the project.
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Councilor Burge asked what construction materials would be used. Mr.
Peroutka replied concrete and PVC piping would be used. Concrete pIpIng
would be used in the main part of the line to accommodate the capacity
demands, then PVC piping at the end of the line where there would be less
demand on the system.
Councilor Burge asked how much a 50 cent fee increase would generate. Mr.
Colwell replied it wohld raise approximately $150)000 per year. Councilor
Maine asked how that would raise the $4 million necessary for the first
phase of the project. Mr. Colwell replied that most of the money for the
first phase was raised. There was already $3 million in the capital
account. Mr. Kelly added by accumulating so much, it is not necessary to
borrow as much, or the existing revenue could be used as security for a
revenue bond for the whole amount.
Councilor Burge suggested that the sewer rate be raised to collect a
sufficient amount to finance the whole project since interest rates were
currently so low. Mr. Colwell replied the most expensive phase of the
project is not scheduled to be constructed until after the year 2000 and is
estimated to cost $12 million. Mr. Colwell estimated that the rate would
have to be raised approximately $4.80 month in order to service the debt
for this phase of the project.
Mayor Morrisette commented the sewer needs for the Glenwood area must be
taken into consideration as well.
Councilor Burge asked how much money could be received from the state
revolving loan fund. Mr. Colwell replied that as much as $500,000 to $1
million could be received. That amount could go higher if the President's
economic stimulus package were to be funded by Congress, the state would be
in line to receive additional federal funding. Council discussed the
process for receiving state revolving loan funds.
Councilor Burge asked about the original bond proceeds to construct the
regional wastewater treatment plant. Mr. Kelly replied that of the
original $29 million bond, approximately $4 to 5 million was remaining, but
was being held in reserve until the outcome of the federal audit.
Councilor Burge again suggested the Council consider financing the East
Main Street Interceptor project sooner due to the current low interest
rates. He thought it would be difficult to see interest rates so low again
and it would be prudent to finance the project at the current rates. Mr.
Kelly replied that he would direct staff to prepare a spreadsheet analysis
on this issue and return to Council with this information on May 17 when
the ordinance would be under consideration by Council.
2.
Nuisance Enforcement in the Urban Growth Boundary
Development Services Director Susan Daluddung introduced Code Enforcement
Officer Jackie Murdoch. Ms. Daluddung discussed the background of the
city's practice of enforcement of its code in the urban growth boundary.
The city is responsible for all land use and building safety code
regulations and enforcement within the UGB. However nuisance enforcement is
done by Lane County. Councilor Burge requested this issue be presented to
Council for consideration. In order to undertake nuisance enforcement in
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the UGB, general fund money would be necessary to pay for additional staff,
program and legal expenses.
Ms. Murdoch presented the staff report discussing the range of options for
accomplishing this objective. Option #1 consisted of assuming complete
control of nuisance enforcement and animal control. Option #2 consisted of
assuming control of only nuisance enforcement. Option #3 consisted of
current practices remaining in effect.
Councilor Burge indicated that he was not in favor of assuming
responsibility for animal control, only nuisance enforcement. However, he
also stated he felt this responsibility could be assumed by the city
without it being necessary to fund additional staff or equipment. Ms.
Murdoch indicated it would still be necessary to amend the city's
intergovernmental agreement with Lane County on this issue. City Attorney
Joe Leahy added that these cases would need to be heard in the county
justice courts. Ms. Daluddung added additional funding would be necessary
for citing and litigation.
Mayor Morrisette asked about the turnaround time for handling complaints.
Ms. Murdoch replied it is currently three days. Ms. Daluddung indicated
the process would slow down without adding additional staff to handle
additional complaints.
Councilor Burge asked about the number of code enforcement officials in
Eugene and Lane County. Mr. Kelly replied that Eugene no longer provides
this service and Lane County has one person handling code enforcement.
Acting Police Chief Dick Golden commented that the Springfield Police
Department would only provide "dog" control versus "animal" control in the
UGB due to transporting and keeping animals. He added the Police
Department would also take on the additional responsibility of providing
protection to the city code enforcement staff in the UGB because they would
not receive it from the Sheriff's office for state police.
Mayor Morrisette suggested approaching the Lane County Boundary Commission
for funding. Councilor Maine concurred stating he could not support taking
on this additional responsibility without additional funding.
Councilor Burge stated that some spotlight needs to be brought to this
issue. He felt it was unfair that some unsightly conditions could exist
around the city, merely because a property was located just outside the
city limits. Ms. Daluddung replied the spotlight would be brought through
the Springfield Comprehensive Urban Services Analysis (SCUSA) report
currently underway. She added that by withholding city services such as a
nuisance enforcement program, it provides county residents incentive to
annex into the city. By providing this service, or other urban services,
in the UGB, there is no incentive to annex into the city.
Mayor Morrisette commented there are areas around Springfield the state
police are already not patrolling and this has caused Springfield's force
to be spread thin.
Mr. Kelly summarized that staff would draft a letter to the Lane County
Board of Commissioners requesting funding for this program.
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Mr. Andy Veber, owner of a local towing company, was invited to speak
regarding his business. He provides towing service for abandoned vehicles.
Mr. Veber was concerned about receiving police protection if he had to
retrieve abandoned vehicles in the country (UGB). Acting Chief Golden
responded the Police Department is responsible for retrieving abandoned
vehicles in the public right-of-way and Mr. Veber provides that service.
Mr. Kelly clarified it was Councilor Burge's intention to have nuisance
vehicles cleaned up on both private property and in the public
right-of-way.
3.
Other Business
Councilor Burge requested the Council reconsider an earlier decision and
recommendation of the Planning Commission to grant conditional use permits
for mini storage facilities in the downtown business district. After
review, he felt these should not be allowed after all. Ms. Daluddung
replied this request would have to go back through the Planning Commission
for consideration, but she felt it could be addressed at the first meeting
in May. She suggested Councilor Burge could raise this issue again at a
joint dinner metting between the Council and Planning Commission scheduled
for April 26.
ADJOURNMENT
The meeting was adjourned at 7:50 p.m.
. Minutes Recorder - Eileen Stein and Shari Higgins
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