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HomeMy WebLinkAbout06/07/1993 Work Session . . . .- City of Springfield Work Session Council Meeting MINUTES OF THE MEETING OF THE SPRINGFIELD CITY COUNCIL HELD MONDAY, JUNE 7, 1993 The City of Springfield Council met in the Springfield City Hall, Meeting- Room 2, 225 N. Fifth Street, Springfield, Oregon, on Monday, June 7, 1993, at 6:30 p.m. ATTENDANCE Present were Mayor Morrisette, Councilors Maine, Schanz, Beyer, Shaver, Burge (6:35) and Walters (6:41). Also present were City Manager Michael Kelly, City Recorder Eileen Stein~ City Attorney Joe Leahy, City Prosecutor Dave Logan and members of staff. 1. Groundwater Protection Planner III Mel Oberst introduced Chuck Davis from the Springfield Utility Board (SUB) who was present to discuss groundwater protection. Mr. Davis explained SUB is embarking on a groundwater protection plan because their water sources are based entirely in the ground. He further explained the location of SUB's groundwater aquifers and the need for the program. Mr. Davis presented a video discussing one city's groundwater protection problem and how it was handled by the community. He followed the video with a slide presentation explaining background information and issues facing groundwater protection for SUB. He noted wellheads in the area of 28th and I-105 were found to have some contamination. Mr. Davis described a pilot project that examined the Weyerhauser well field. He showed maps depicting where existing leaks and spills existed and were cleaned up. Mr. Davis then showed a second map depicting potential areas of contamination and stressed the need for prevention education efforts. Mr. Davis explained both SUB and Rainbow Water District are undergoing wellhead delineation efforts to identify all groundwater wellheads in the city. He told the Council of the time frame involved in the clean up of one site and the need to begin identifying other sites at this time. Mr. Davis described other ways to protect the city's water supply, such as building a water treatment plant and utilizing water rights. Heexplained why these options were less feasible than identifying and protecting well fields. Councilor Burge stated well heads should be outside the Urban Growth Boundary (UGB), and he thought the location of the well fields was a mistake in the beginning. Councilor Shaver asked if the Eugene Water and Electric Board (EWEB) has water rights. Mr. Davis replied EVEB does and uses about 200 billion gallons per day. " . City of Springfield York Session Council Meeting Page two Councilor Shaver asked if areas with septic tanks create problems. Mr. Davis replied not necessarily, as the bacteria is treated with chlorine. Councilor Shaver also asked about paved streets. Mr. Davis said they are not really a problem, but stormwater run-off is somewhat a problem. He stated most stormwater run-off goes through well fields and describea organic systems in place that take care of most run-off caused by routine urban uses. He also said most significant problems are caused by major accidents such as tanker truck spills. Mr. Davis ended his presentation by discussing the McKenzie River Yatershed Management Plan that will be further addressing the metropolitan 'groundwater protection issue. 2. Council Business' a. Mayor Morrisette reported on an LCOG Board meeting he attended. Mr. Kelly discussed the issue of panhandling in the city and he said staff is present to respond to any questions the Council may have on the topic. Mr. Leahy gave the Council background information pertaining to the motor vehicle statues and police traffic problems. He also discussed the premature release of a confidential document to the press regarding the panhandling topic, and urged the Council to be sensitive to such memos. b. . Acting Police Chief Dick Golden discussed ORS 811.130 regarding impeding traffic and pedestrians leaving a place of safety. He explained to the Council he is concerned over officers waiting to view a violation of a panhandler, when there are more significant traffic hazards in the city. Chief Golden explained the Council could possibly craft a new ordinance that could stand the legal test, and mentioned an ordinance passed in Arizona. The Council discussed elements of a new ordinance they would like to see drafted, including making it illegal to solicit from a vehicle in a traffic lane and no soliciting from a state highway or highway shoulder. Councilor Burge stated the intent should be not to stop panhandling, but to make it safe for all citizens. Councilor Yalters mentioned a New York ordinance regarding harassment and intimidation of people in cars. City Prosecutor Dave Logan suggested asking the Attorney General for an opinion on the terminology "adjacent to or near the roadway"., Mayor Morrisette suggested solicitors obtain a license to solicit. . The Council asked questions of Mr. Leahy and Mr. Logan. By consensus, it was decided staff would conduct future research and work on crafting a draft ordinance for the city's panhandling problems. . . . .. City of Springfield York Session Council Meeting Page three ADJOURNMENT Minutes Recorder - Shari Higgins The meeting was adjourned at 7:35 p.m. ATTEST: 1~ City Record #4241