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HomeMy WebLinkAbout07/06/1993 Work Session ~ ~ . 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 . 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. . , . 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. . 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. . . 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. . 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 $115,000, with the condition that this was the last application to be granted until the Housing Task Force had a chance to review the exemption program in context of developing a comprehensive housing policy for the city. Mr. Kelly told the Council they would formalize action on this item at their Regular Session meeting. . . . . City of Springfield Work Session Council Meeting Page four 3. Business from Council There was none. ADJOURNMENT The meeting was adjourned at 6:58 p.m. Minutes Recorder - Shari Higgins or' ATTEST: ~ttuJb~ City Recordet . #4203 . 18;ff~CV7.4'y/$ Mayor