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HomeMy WebLinkAbout04/25/1994 Work Session . . . ~ City of Springfield Work Session Council Meeting MINUTES OF THE MEETING OF THE SPRINGFIELD CITY COUNCIL HELD MONDAY, APRIL 25, 1994 The City of Room 2, 225 6:05 p.m. Springfield Council met in Springfield City Hall, Meeting N. Fifth Street, Springfield, Oregon, on Monday, April 25, 1994, at ATTENDANCE Present were Mayor Morrisette and Councilors Burge, Schanz, Walters, Beyer, and Shaver. 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. Ward 6 Council position Candidate Interviews Council discussed the proposed interview questions as provided in the Agenda Item Summary and reviewed the format for the interviews. Council interviewed the following candidates for the Ward 6 City Council position: Maureen Maine Lynda Raybould Kenith Rorex A fourth candidate Sherman Terry was determined not to reside in Ward 6 and was not interviewed by the Council. Council asked the following questions of each candidate: 1) Why are you interested in serving in this Council position? 2) This will be a short appointment and probably the most important item you will work on will be the fiscal year 1994/95 budget. What is your familiarity with the proposed budget? What is your approach to the budget? 3) This November Council has referred to the voters a Charter amendment that will allow voters to decide whether to remain with existing Charter provisions or to accept a new proposal that would provide for a primary election with a November run-off. This is only half of the issue. The other half of the issue is that of ward elections. Without taking a position on the issue, would you be willing to allow the issue of ward elections to be referred to the voters? 4) Regarding the current Metropolitan Area General Plan amendment process, do you favor this process or would you favor more autonomy for Springfield? . . . , . City Work Page of Springfield Session Council Meeting two 5) What is your political philosophy on the use of the initiative and referendum process? When do you think these should be used? 6) What do you think the actual legal effect of Measure 20-08 was in the community? What did it attempt to do? 7) If you were not appointed, would you continue to show interest by volunteering for other boards, commissions or committees? 8) Would you run in November for election to this position? 9) Do you have the time to devote to other intergovernmental committee assignments that might be required of a Council member? The meeting recessed at 7:05 p.m. The meeting reconvened at 7:15 p.m. Ms. Stein reviewed the Council operating policies regarding the selection of appointees to boards, commissions and committees which includes City Council. Council discussed their preferences for the Ward 6 position. Councilor Shaver said his preferred two candidates were Maureen Maine and Lynda Raybould due to their backgrounds. He stated overall he favored Ms. Maine. Councilors Beyer and Burge concurred with Councilor Shaver. Councilor Walters spoke of the eloquent way Mr. Rorex answered the interview questions and said he had an interest in a broad number of areas. Councilor Walters also reminded the Council that Mr. Rorex participated in the 1992 General Election for the Ward 6 position. Councilor Schanz stated he felt Ms. Maine and Ms. Raybould were qualified, but would not add a different element to the Council. He described why he felt Mr. Rorex was the most qualified candidate and should be appointed. Failing to achieve consensus, the Council took a written vote: Councilor Burge - Ms. Maine Councilor Beyer - Ms. Maine Councilor Shaver - Ms. Maine Councilor Walters - Mr. Rorex Councilor Schanz - Mr. Rorex The Council agreed, according to procedure, the appointment of Ms. Maine would be ratified at the next regular meeting. 2. Millrace Status Report Maintenance Manager Ed Black provided the staff report. He explained the purpose of the briefing was to re-familiarize the Council with the Millrace project and discuss current issues. . . . ~ ~ City of Springfield Work Session Council Meeting Page three Mr. Black described the background of the project including the location and description, Georgia Pacific Donation Agreement and resulting maintenance obligations, and operating practices to manage the water flow in the Millrace. Mr. Black then described the permits that have been received by the city to manage water flow in the Millrace, including permits from the Division of State Lands and Army Corps of Engineers. Mr. Black reviewed the restrictions on the permits. Mr. Black described the city's current efforts at establishing rights to the water in the Millrace. He provided a broad overview of the water rights laws and procedures in Oregon and explained the status of efforts to apply for vested (pre-1909) water rights. Mr. Black explained current efforts underway at clarifying the land donation originally conveyed to the city by Georgia Pacific. He indicated the original conveyance was an easement which has since been clarified to be land. The Council discussed the status of issues with property owners along the Millrace, some whom were present at the meeting. Mr. Black described how the city must manage flow streams without entering the Millrace which is why access to the riverbanks is so important. Mayor Morrisette asked about the permanent inlet structure. Mr. Kelly provided background on the reasons why funding from the Corp of Engineers is not being pursued. Mr. Brown explained how the city is continuing to provide the needed analysis and studies to demonstrate compliance with State and Federal regulations. The Council discussed the terms of the original land donation agreement and the city's obligations under the agreement. Mr. Black reviewed related issues to the Millrace project, including a National Park Service grant to do a Millrace recreational visioning study and exploration of funding opportunities to enhance the millpond. The Council discussed the status of past offers to purchase lumber in the millpond. Mr. Black discussed the Conceptual Development Plan for the Booth-Kelly site and suggested the Council could address the millpond topic at a future work session. Mr. Kelly explained the pending status of a National Park Service grant that has a matching requirement. Mr. Kelly stated information regarding the match requirements for the grant would be presented to the Council in the near future. Councilor Burge asked why the city would be interested in the Millrace as a recreational area if the city does not have a parks department. Mr. Kelly responded the city has an obligation for the Millrace and the visioning project was a joint effort between the city and Willamalane Parks and Recreation District. . . . . ~ City of Springfield Work Session Council Meeting Page four He said there are times when the city takes the lead on a project for the benefit of the entire community. Councilor Burge stated he felt this is another issue where the city has taken on a project that should be the responsibility of the park district. Mayor Morrisette agreed the city should not be funding projects that are the responsibility of Willamalane Parks and Recreation District. Councilor Walters stated he served on the Millrace Advisory Committee and pointed out the potential recreational value of the project. He stated the project should not be overlooked due to jurisdictional issues between agencies. Millrace property owners Ira and Virginia Winger invited the Council to view the Millrace from their property. Mr. Black indicated that another tour of the Millrace could be arranged if there was interest. There was additional discussion regarding the need for a river hydrology study. 3. Business from Council a. Mr. Kelly explained the additional appointment of a Council member was needed to participate on the Metropolitan Policy Committee (MPC) negotiation process sub-committee. Councilor Burge stated he would like to wait until the Ward 6 appointment is made before electing a Council representative. Councilor Burge provided a handout and described the proposed changes to the current Metro Plan process. He explained the process would allow each jurisdiction to designate two people who would complete negotiations on the Metro Plan process. Mayor Morrisette clarified it would be a decision of the entire Council to ratify the appointment. b. Mr. Kelly asked Council to review the timing of the summer recess schedule. He asked the Council to check their personal schedules and touch base with City Manager's Office staff. c. Mr. Kelly told the Council the charter review process will begin in May, after the budget process is complete. He suggested Councilors check with Ms. Stein if additional information or copies were needed. d. Councilor Walters discussed the status of the City Hall sculpture project and inquired about funding sources. He stated the sculpture did not meet the objectives of what a civic sculpture should be. Councilor Walters asked why Mayor Morrisette and Councilor Beyer, who both participated in jurying the art proposal, did not return the information for Council to comment on. Mayor Morrisette described his choice of the design. Both Mayor Morrisette and Councilor Beyer explained their reasons for how they voted during the review process. Mayor Morrisette stated it was not his understanding that the Council as a whole would review the recommendation of the jurying committee. . . . .. ., City of Springfield Work Session council Meeting Page five Councilor Shaver stated the Council should give future city art work more guidance and review before final approval is given. Councilor Walters asked staff to provide the Council with the exact status of the sculpture. The Council further discussed the selection of the sculpture. ADJOURNMENT The meeting was adjourned at 8:50 p.m. Minutes Recorder - Shari Higgins it?/~~~ ATTEST: ~ Clty Record r #4331