HomeMy WebLinkAbout03/28/1994 Work Session
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City of Springfield
Work Session Council Meeting
MINUTES OF THE MEETING OF THE
SPRINGFIELD CITY COUNCIL HELD
MONDAY, MARCH 28, 1994
The city of Springfield Council met in the Springfield City Hall, Meeting
Room 2, 225 N. Fifth Street, Springfield, Oregon, on Monday, March 28, 1994, at
6:25 p.m.
ATTENDANCE
Present were Mayor Morrisette and Councilors Schanz, Walters, Shaver and Burge.
Councilor Beyer was absent (excused). Also present were City Manager Mike
Kelly, Assistant City Manager Gino Grimaldi, City Attorney Tim Harold, City
Recorder Eileen Stein and members of staff.
1. Human Riqhts Commission Interviews
The Council interviewed the following persons for three vacancies on the
Human Rights Commission:
1) Paul Stewart
2) Dawn Russell
3) Shannon Murphy
Other applicants, william (Bill) Eikenberry, Jr., Darrell Neet, Sue
Mandeville, Andrew Milton, Dorothy Isabell, John Martin Jones and Loren
were interviewed at previous work sessions.
Lee
The interview questions asked were as follows:
1) What specific contributions do you hope to make? What are your
personal goals as they relate to the Commission? What skills and
abilities do you have which will make you an effective member of the
Human Rights Commission?
2) Why are you interested in being on the Human Rights Commission?
Briefly describe your involvement in relevant community groups and
activities.
3) Are you familiar with the work the Human Rights Commission is doing?
Do you have ideas for improving the Commission?
4) Questions of clarification from applications.
5) Will you be able to attend Human Rights Commission meetings?
The Council will ratify the appointments of the three vacant positions at
their regular meeting on April 4, 1994.
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2.
1993 Annual Financial Report and Manaqement Letter
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Mr. Kelly introduced Neil Erickson from Grant Thorton, the city's
independent auditors. Mr. Erickson provided an overview of the documents
submitted to Council, the Management Letter and the Financial Report.
Mr. Erickson highlighted specific aspects of the Comprehensive Annual
Financial Report. He reported they have issued a "clean opinion", meaning
there are no significant areas of improvement to address.
Mayor Morrisette asked if the city's bond rating could be higher.
Erickson replied it is up to the rating agencies, but an A rating
high. Mr. Kelly added there are not any known local cities of
Springfield's siz~ with an AA rating.
Mr.
is very
Councilor Walters asked what kinds of instruments were invested in the
state government pool. Mr. Erickson stated he is not very familiar with
the pool or PERS investment portfolios, but they both invest
conservatively.
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Mr. Erickson reported the city's advance refunding would save the city
$500,000 over the next 12 years. He then discussed the city's retirement
plan and reviewed the unfunded pension benefit obligation. He explained
the differences in PERS (Life Safety employees) versus the defined
contribution retirement plan for other city employees. He explained this
amount is amortized over 30 years. Mr. Grimaldi explained this was done
intentionally to balance long range cash flows in the city's retirement
system. This money is being invested with the city and will be paid to
PERS over time.
Mayor Morrisette inquired about the cost of the audit. Mr. Erickson
replied with the Metropolitan Wastewater Management Division included, the
total was approximately $34,500.
The Council discussed specific elements of the audit including annual debt
service and Bancroft bond repayments. Councilor Shaver asked how the city
would be impacted by the inability of the federal government to meet it's
debt obligations of $2.5 million. Mr. Erickson said the most direct impact
would most likely be on tax payers, not on the city.
Mayor Morrisette said he inquired about the Bancroft debt reduction in
July. Mr. Kelly explained the effect this would have on the $10.00 cap per
$1,000 of assessed value in place per Measure 5 but he clarified that
Bancroft debt is not part of the cap. Mr. Kelly also explained the tax
coordination law that requires public agencies who share in the $10 cap to
disclose any plans to seek increases in their share of the cap.
Councilor Walters asked how the city's tax rate compares with other cities
who have separate park and recreation districts. The Council discussed the
origination of separate park districts. Councilor Burge suggested staff
review other special park districts and obtain information regarding
willamalane Park and Recreation District's budget to compare operating
costs between Willamalane and others. Finance Director Bob Duey said he
would provide an analysis.
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Mr. Erickson discussed property tax levies and the improved increase in
collections. This is due to interest percentages rates for uncollected
property taxes.
Council had a lengthy discussion regarding personal computer upgrades and
network needs, per the recommendation of the auditor in their Management
Letter. Mr. Kelly stated he is well aware of the computer issues and is
looking at new positions for our Information Services Department to analyze
city-wide computer needs, including the Finance Department.
Mr. Kelly showed appreciation to Gino Grimaldi, Finance Director Bob Duey,
past Finance Director Judy Boles and Supervising Accountant Ginger Starck
for their work on the audit process.
3. Condemnation for a Drainaqe Easement
City Engineer Al Peroutka asked for direction from the Council regarding
use of the condemnation process to acquire an easement for the construction
of a storm sewer to serve the Hayden Gardens subdivision. He explained the
proposed subdivision and reviewed the site map.
Mr. Peroutka introduced the developers, Mr. Robert Watson and Mr. George
Arthur. He explained they are on a tight time schedule to develop the
subject property this summer.
Mr. Peroutka explained the easement is within the 32nd Street Master Plan.
He explained the total area drainage needs extend up to Jasper Road and
gave specifics on the needed drainage easement area.
Mr. Peroutka stated no agreement by the various property owners has been
reached to obtain an easement in a timely manner. He explained the city is
now going through the appraisal process to possibly purchase a larger
portion of the property. Mr. Peroutka explained the eminent domain process
and how the two extra acres would decide the future right-of-way or water
quality basins.
Mayor Morrisette asked who is financially responsible. Mr. Peroutka
responded the cost will be shared between the developer and the city.
Public Works Director Dan Brown added the city would probably expend
Systems Development Charge funds.
By consensus, the Council agreed to have the City Engineer proceed with the
condemnation process. Mr. Peroutka explained this item would be brought
back to the Council at a Regular Session, after the appraisal had been
completed.
4. Street Liqhtinq Standards in Sprinqfield
Public Works Director Dan Brown gave the staff report and explained the
differences between low pressure sodium (LPS) and high pressure sodium
(HPS) street lighting. He stated the city currently uses LPS lighting and
all maintenance, including parts and labor, is handled by the Springfield
Utility Board (SUB). Mr. Brown told the Council the city of Eugene
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currently uses HPS lighting.
Mr. Brown gave background information on how the city came to use LPS. He
reviewed the special request made by Ainslee Krans last fall, for HPS
lighting for his development. Mr. Brown recalled the Council's discussion
and decision regarding that request.
Mr. Brown explained after discussion by staff, the Council and comments
from citizens, the Public Works Department conducted a survey through the
Mar-Stat Company to determine public preference on the use of HPS lighting
in the city.
Mr. Brown and Traffic Engineer Scott Morris reviewed the survey results and
answered specific questions by the Council. Mr. Brown stated he recommends
retaining LPS lighting due to the low energy consumption and new trends in
lighting expected in the future.
Councilor Burge asked if Mr. Krans is providing the city with an inventory
of replacement parts for his HPS lighting. Mr. Brown replied not
currently, but based on negotiations with Mr. Krans, the city would receive
the inventory during phase II of the development process. Councilor Burge
stated he is not pleased with developers not complying with decisions made
by the Council and trying to break commitments by seeking approval from the
City Manager.
Councilor Walters asked if the Council gave the authority for the survey to
be completed by Mar-Stat, what the final cost was, and how the questions
asked were decided. Mr. Brown answered the survey was not by request of
the Council, but based on the advice of the City Manager. He told the
Council the cost of the survey was $1,000 and the company agreed to ask a
minimal number of questions for that contract amount.
The Council discussed the long term effects of keeping LPS lighting and the
difference in long term costs. Councilor Shaver felt the city should have
a standard light policy and should wait for new technology before any
replacement begins. Mr. Morris explained the life span and maintenance
cost differences in LPS versus HPS, with LPS being lower.
By consensus, the Council agreed to continue using LPS lighting city and
directed staff to be kept abreast of new developments in street lighting
technology.
5. Business from Council
Councilor Shaver suggested the discussion regarding electing a Council
President be postponed until Councilor Beyer was present.
Councilor Burge discussed the process and timelines for filling the vacancy
of the Ward 6 Council position. He suggested the following deadlines:
April 19 for the application deadline; April 25 for interviews; and May 2
for the ratification of the appointment.
Councilor Walters asked Mr. Grimaldi for a report (with an itinerary
attached) on the city lobbying trip to Washington, D.C.
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Mayor Morrisette gave a brief recap of his meetings in Washington, D.C. He
highlighted the areas of Booth-Kelly and meetings with federal legislators
Hatfield, DeFazio and Mineta. He stated he would follow-up with a report
to the Council also.
Councilor Shaver asked Councilor Burge about the status of the Metropolitan
Area General Plan discussion process. Councilor Burge replied the process
is still on-going and an update will follow soon.
ADJOURNMENT
The meeting was adjourned at 8:30 p.m.
Minutes Recorder - Shari Higgins
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City Recorder
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