HomeMy WebLinkAbout07/06/1993 Work Session
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City of Springfield
Work Session Council Meeting
MINUTES OF THE MEETING OF THE
SPRINGFIELD CITY COUNCIL HELD
TUESDAY, JULY 6, 1993
The City of Springfield Council met in the Springfield City Hall, Meeting
Room 2, 225 N. Fifth Street, Springfield, Oregon, on Tuesday, July 6, 1993, at
6:10 p.m.
ATTENDANCE
Present were Mayor Morrisette and Councilors Maine, Schanz, Beyer, Walters,
Shaver and Burge (6:12). Also present were City Manager Mike Kelly, City
Recorder Eileen Stein, City Attorney Joe Leahy, and members of staff.
1.
Springfield Tomorrow Phase III
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Mr. Kelly explained phase III of Springfield Tomorrow and described how the
process would involve a comprehensive review of the city budget including
key assumptions that shape the budget and the long range financial plan.
He reminded the Council of the findings from phases I and II, and discussed
the city's financial outlook for the next three years. He also discussed
the need for the city's major policies, established through such documents
as the operating budget, capital improvement program, development code,
annexation policy, etc., to be consistent in supporting the goals of the
community. He said in many instances, conflicting messages are given.
Mr. Kelly described the seven step process phase III would entail. The
goal of the process is to provide long term financial stability by matching
the size of the city organization with the level of service desired by the
community, using the findings from phases I and II as a guide.
Mr. Kelly said Council was requested to endorse or modify the proposed
process for phase III of Springfield Tomorrow.
Councilor Burge stated Springfield Tomorrow's conclusions and the City
Council goals are synonymous. Because so, he asked why there would be a
need to enhance staff and raise the city's FTE. Mr. Kelly provided the
acquisition of Glenwood, or north Springfield, as examples of how growth
would necessitate the addition of staff in order to service these new areas
with even the basic level of services, such as sewer hook-up.
Councilor Shaver asked about annexation of outlying areas of the city.
Development Services Director Susan Daluddung told the Council about
findings from the Springfield Comprehensive Urbanization Study and
Annexation (SCUSA) report. She stated the Planning Commission is scheduled
to review the findings in August or September and the report would be
presented to the Council in October, 1993.
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City of Springfield
Work Session Council Meeting
Page two
Ms. Daluddung sought clarification from the Council on their preference on
receiving the report. She stated she could send the policy and fiscal
issues to the Council and the land use issues only to the Planning
Commission.
Councilor Burge asked if the city could force annexation. Ms. Daluddung
explained the numerous islands and pockets of land that the city could
annex without approval by the property owners.
Ms. Daluddung discussed the overall annexation process and how those
procedures relate to the SCUSA report.
Mr. Kelly told the Council the city resources are dwindling and staff is
looking for guidance with phase III of Springfield Tomorrow. Councilor
Shaver agree with the outline for phase III, as he felt some members of the
Council and Budget Committee were frustrated over the process for approving
the 1993/94 FY budget. Mr. Kelly reminded Council the Budget Committee had
agreed to an abbreviated process on the condition that the phase III
Springfield Tomorrow would be undertaken this year.
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Councilor Walters suggested adding six more members to the Budget Committee
and not having the Council participate. Councilor Burge questioned the
participation level by some members of the Budget Committee, and felt
Council participation is definitely needed.
Councilor Beyer stated even thought it will mean extra meeting, she felt it
was important for the Council to participate in phase III. Councilor
Schanz agreed, stating the Council must be directly involved and ultimately
must make the final decisions.
Councilor Burge stated his concerns over the four upcoming union contracts
and the current benefits package offered to employees.
Mayor Morrisette said staff has done a superb job on the last three budgets
and has successfully kept the city out of a deficit.
Mr. Kelly told the Council staff will prepare a meeting schedule and bring
it back to the Council on August 23, 1993 for their approval.
2. Cloverleaf Village A artments Limited Partnership Application to the City's
Property Tax Exemption for New Low-Income El er y Rental HousIng Program.
Ms. Daluddung introduced Philip Hedrick from Bowen Development Company, who
have requested a $15,000 tax exemption from the city. She explained
allowing the exemption would raise the city's cap from $100,000 to
$115,000.
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City of Springfield
Work Session Council Meeting
Page three
Councilor Maine asked how many years the exemption would be in place. Ms.
Daluddung replied 20 years which is provided by state statute. Ms.
Daluddung reminded the Council they previously allotted $100,000 to the
Good Neighbor Care Center project, but the Bowen development would be
completed first.
Councilor Burge asked if the Council does not grant this exemption, whether
the project would still be developed. Mr. Hedrick said the exemption would
allow the development to meet 50% of the median income level requirement.
He explained they are constructing low-income elderly housing to help shift
some tenants from their already developed low-income family housing
complex, McKenzie Meadows, which would provide more space for families in
this complex.
Councilor Maine asked what the percentage is of Springfield residents who
live in the existing development. Mr. Hedrick told the Council he could
get those figures to Ms. Daluddung for their distribution. Property
Manager Jim Douglas also commented many families may congregate to these
facilities to take care of elderly Springfield residents.
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The Council discussed the property tax exemption cap and the financial
impact on the city by granting this tax exemption.
Councilor Maine stated he is not in favor of turning Springfield into a
retirement community, but does support this tax exemption based on the
developer's proven reliability.
Mayor Morrisette said the Housing Task Force should address the limit to be
set, and determine how to meet the needs of low-income family and the
elderly. Councilor Burge suggested approving this request and then not
considering any further requests until the Housing Task Force can review
the exemption process.
Councilor Walters asked if the city could create credits for dollars not
used by the Good Neighbor Care Center project and apply to this request.
Ms. Daluddung explained the time frame for the Good Neighbor Care Center
project and verified Councilor Walters comments.
By consensus, Council agreed to grant the request and raise the cap to
$115,000, with the condition that this was the last application to be
granted until the Housing Task Force had a chance to review the exemption
program in context of developing a comprehensive housing policy for the
city.
Mr. Kelly told the Council they would formalize action on this item at
their Regular Session meeting.
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City of Springfield
Work Session Council Meeting
Page four
3. Business from Council
There was none.
ADJOURNMENT
The meeting was adjourned at 6:58 p.m.
Minutes Recorder - Shari Higgins
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ATTEST:
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