Loading...
HomeMy WebLinkAbout02/03/2003 Regular i' . . . MINUTES OF THE REGULAR SESSION OF THE SPRINGFIELD CITY COUNCIL HELD ON MONDAY, FEBRUARY 3, 2003 The Springfield City Council met in regular session at Springfield City Hall, Council Meeting Room, 225 Fifth Street, Springfield, on Monday, February 3,2003 at 7:00 p.in., with Mayor Leiken presiding. ATTENDANCE Present were Mayor Leiken and Councilors Ballew, Burge (by conference phone), Fitch, Ralston and Woodrow. Also present were City Manager Mike Kelly, Assistant City Manager Gino Grimaldi, City Recorder Kim Krebs, and members of staff. PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE Mayor Leiken led the Pledge of Allegiance. Mayor Leiken said before moving on to the next item on the agenda he would like to note that there was a black ribbon draped on the chair in recognition of Councilor Lyle Hatfield. Councilor Hatfield passed away on Friday, January 31, 2003. Mayor Leiken called for a moment of silence in honor of Councilor Hatfield's memory. Councilor Ralston termed Councilor Hatfield his mentor. He said that Councilor Hatfield made people feel at home. Councilor Ralston said he was the most outstanding person he ever met. Councilor Fitch said that Councilor Hatfield was bright and quick to understand issues. He was articulate, caring, and there with a listening ear, and could bring compromise when needed. He shared wonderful stories about his family. She noted the difficulty that Councilor Hatfield went through during recent years with his illness. She hoped that the council could keep some of his wisdom with them. Councilor Woodrow attributed his election to the Ward 5 council position to Councilor Hatfield. When he consulted him about his interest in seeking office, he was struck by his integrity. He thanked Councilor Hatfield publicly and privately and was grateful for what he brought to the council. Councilor Burge recalled his first meeting with Councilor Hatfield and the liking he felt at that time, which only continued to grow. He said Councilor Hatfield had integrity and commitment. He did not think he would have had the strength to go on with public life in the same manner Councilor Hatfield had when he was battling his illness. His community commitment was without question. Councilor Burge believed that the Lord chose this time for Councilor Hatfield's passing because he had suffered enough and it was time for relief. He said Councilor Hatfield was a good man. Mayor Leiken said that the council had a chance to say goodbye in some measure when it witnessed Councilor Hatfield receive the First Citizen Award the previous Friday. He said that the entire community recognized Councilor Hatfield's contributions to Springfield. He said that he considered himself a lucky person to know Councilor Hatfield. They had a lot in common, both having young families. He noted Councilor Hatfield's enthusiasm for Gonzaga basketball. Councilor Hatfield had an extremely strong faith. Mayor Leiken said that while his body was Springfield City Council Regular Session Minutes - February 3, 2003 Page - 2 .' unable to go on, his soul did not. He believed that Councilor Hatfield was watching over them , from heaven, probably thinking they should move on to business. He termed Councilor Hatfield a great man, and a great public official. Councilor Fitch noted that services for Councilor Hatfield would occur the following day at 3 p.m. at Thurston Community Church on Thurston Road. CONSENT CALENDAR Councilor Fitch questioned the acquisition of the sweeper (item 5a) at this time, asking if it was really necessary. Technical Services Manager Len Goodwin indicated yes, it is extremely necessary in that the City needs to remove debris from the streets so they don't get into the storm water system, causing it to overflow. IT WAS MOVED BY COUNCILOR FITCH, WITH A SECOND BY COUNCILOR BALLEW, TO ACCEPT THE CONSENT CALENDAR. THE MOTION PASSED WITH A VOTE OF 5 FOR AND 0 AGAINST. 1. Claims 2. Minutes 3. Resolutions . 4. Ordinances 5. Other Routine Matters a. Acc~pt the Bid from Enviro-Clean Equipment for an Airvacuum Sweeper in the Amount of$112,282.60 for the Public Works Department. PUBLIC HEARINGS 1. 2003-2008 Capital Improvement Program. City Engineer AI Peroutka was present for the staff report on this issue. He asked the council to consider public testimony and to adopt the Capital Improvement Program. Councilor Ballew determined from Mr. Peroutka that nothing had changed in the document before the council since it reviewed it at a work session. Councilor Burge determined from Mr. Peroutka that the document could be modified at a later . date. Mayor Leiken opened the public hearing. There being no requests to speak, he closed the public hearing. . Springfield City Council Regular Session Minutes - February 3, 2003 Page - 3 . IT WAS MOVED BY COUNCILOR FITCH, WITH A SECOND BY COUNCILOR BALLEW TO ADOPT THE 2003-2008 FIVE-YEAR CAPITAL IMPROVEMENT PROGRAM. THE MOTION PASSED WITH A VOTE OF 5 FOR AND 0 AGAINST. 2. Public Hearing for Project P20328, Installation of Sanitary Sewer in 21 st Avenue from Harrison Avenue East lOO Feet and Vicinity, and Declaring an Emergency. ORDINANCE NO.1 - AN ORDINANCE ADOPTING THE REPORT OF THE CITY ENGINEER FOR THE INSTALLATION OF SANlT ARY SEWER IN 21 ST AVENUE FROM HARRISON AVENUE EAST 100 FEET AND VICINITY (PROJECT P20328), AND DECLARING AN EMERGENCY. Councilor Ralston recused himself from the item. City Engineer Al Peroutka was present for the staff report. He said that the project was initiated by the City Council on January 21,2003. The project was as described at that meeting, and there was a map on the back wall of the meeting room showing the location of the property and the location of services. He invited questions. Councilor Burge asked why the ordinance declared an emergency. Mr. Peroutka said that it was because of the existing conditions. The failed septic system created a health concern. . Councilor Ballew asked staffto respond to the letter from Far West. Mr. Peroutka said that there was not a remonstrance; even though the company might be in the ownership of several different individuals, it was considered to be in one ownership for the purpose of the project, and the company would benefit from the sewer. It was normal policy that all benefited properties share proportionately in the cost. Councilor Ballew asked if other properties were being bypassed by the project. Mr. Peroutka said there were two properties being passed that already had system access and had been assessed by the City of Eugene when the system was installed. Councilor Woodrow asked if the project was mainly to benefit Tax Lot 2900. Mr. Peroutka clarified that the owner of that lot had requested the sewer. That request initiated the council's examination of the project. He further clarified that the two properties he previously referred to were connected to an existing line. He referred the council to Attachment B, which showed the existing sewer and those properties, which were west of the properties being assessed. Mr. Peroutka said that the project was very small and it was not uncommon that one property owner did not want such a project. He said that it was not a majority rules situation, but the council determined the project was needed and went forward. City Manager Mike Kelly said that the city staff worked with the owner of Tax Lot 2900 when the situation first came to light on various options, and there were few options. He said that early on the owner of Tax Lot 2900 had expressed interest in having a private line crossing the Far West property to the west but the company would not provide a private easement, leaving only the public option. The septic system at Tax Lot 2900 does not work and there was evidence of raw sewage underground and in the ditches. Subsequently, staff proposed a line in the middle of the street that would benefit the lots to the north and south; the City's assessment policies called for those benefiting properties to pay. . Springfield City Council Regular Session Minutes - February 3, 2003 Page - 4 . Mr. Kelly indicated the council could choose to leave the company outside the boundary and the City could bear the extra costs. When Far West wanted to connect to the line, it could pay the City an amount in lieu-of the assessment. He added that when the city installed sanitary sewers or other infrastructure, such as a street, it considered a .property to be benefiting if it has frontage, and it does not matter if the property is vacant. He said he does not expect this to be an isolated incident in Glenwood. Councilor Woodrow asked if the costs borne by Tax Lot 2900 could be borne by the Community Development Block Grant. Mr. Peroutka said that there was no block grant available funding for the public cost of the sewer at this time. Staff had located some funds to pay the property owner's costs of abandoning the current septic system and running a line to the public system. Councilor Burge recalled past similar situations and suggested that the council bypassed its existing procedures, it always came back to haunt the council. He thought that benefiting properties should pay the assessment. Mayor Leiken opened the public hearing. . 1. Carl Hutchison, 2000 Henderson Street, Eugene, Oregon, Far West Steel Corporation Operations Manager, spoke on behalf of the owners of the company, who objected to the proposed assessment. He referred the council to the letter he sent the City. He noted the company's participation in the paying the costs of Henderson Street and 21 st Avenue and the sanitary sewer. He believed that the assessment penalized the company because a neighbor had a failing septic system. He said that Tax Lot 1100 was never planned to be connected to the sanitary sewer system. It would have been connected in the past if redevelopment beyond the wood shop now on the property were planned. There being no further requests to speak, Mayor Leiken closed the public hearing. IT WAS MOVE BY COUNCILOR FITCH WITH A SECOND BY COUNCILOR BALLEW TO ADOPT ORDINANCE NO.1 WITH THE EMERGENCY CLAUSE. THE MOTION PASSED WITH A VOTE OF 3 FOR AND 1 AGAINST (WOODROW). Mayor Leiken determined that the ordinance was passed, but because it failed to receive the votes necessary to constitute the emergency, it was determined that this would be the first reading of the ordinance only. Councilor Ralston returned to his council chair. BUSINESS FROM THE AUDIENCE 1. Donald Mainwaring, 681 48th Avenue, Springfield, spoke against City regulations that prohibited property owners from having rotting leaves on their property for more than seven days. He said that the City would not respond to dogs using his yard to defecate, which he considered a far worse problem than rotting leaves. He said that people dump pet waste all along G Street and the City never did anything about that. Mr. Mainwaring shared a "Mark Trail" cartoon from the Sunday paper, which indicated rotting organic material was good for the land. . . . . . . Springfield City Council Regular Session Minutes - February 3,2003 Page - 5 Responding to a question from Councilor Ralston regarding the rules governing compost pile Mr. Kelly indicated he would follow-up on Mr. Mainwaring's comments. He did not think that the City would normally cite someone just for having leaves on their property. 2. Dave Carvo. 4010 East 16th Avenue. Eugene, recommended that the City reconsider its development code as it related to fence standards to prohibit the installation of cyclone fencing to the sidewalk on commercial properties. It was very unattractive. He also recommended that the City examine its development code as it related to required lighting as well. He had been unable to find anything related to required lighting in the code: He thought that lighting would provide additional saf~ty and improve property values. COUNCIL RESPONSE Development Services Director Cynthia Pappas responded to Mayor Leikens question, and said Mr. Carvo's testimony related to the fencing issue were accurate. Councilor Ballew noted the conflict between property owners wishing to protect their business and the community's interest in having attractive commercial settings. CORRESPONDENCE AND PETITIONS BIDS ORDINANCES BUSINESS FROM THE CITY COUNCIL 1. Committee Appointments 2. Business from Council a. Committee Reports Councilor Ralston reported on the Housing Policy Board meeting held earlier that day. He anticipated that, at his suggestion, the board would consider different funding splits given the different population levels of the Springfield and Eugene. Councilor Fitch reported on the earlier meeting of the Finance and Judiciary Committee, which reviewed a new evaluation form for the City Manager. She commended the job City Manager Mike Kelly has done in working on the City's various financial issues. She noted that the form was somewhat different, and before the council could use it the manager would have to gather some information for the council to review and appraise. She and Councilor Ballew were in the process of final review of the form, and anticipated that the Committee return to the council with a favorable recommendation on the manager's evaluation and a recommendation regarding his compensation levels. Mayor Leiken noted the e-mail sent out regarding meeting procedures related to the upcoming Peace Health hearings and a memorandum from the City Attorney on the same subject. . . . . . Springfield City Council Regular Session Minutes - February 3, 2003 Page - 6 Mayor Leiken noted the recent Martin Luther King, Jr. Day Celebration held at the Double Tree Motel, and said the attendanc~ was fabulous. He had been very pleased. Mayor Le.iken reported that he had been appointed to the Lane Council of Governments Executive Board. Councilor Fitch requested that the Mayor consider appointing a committee to consider the proposal to rename Centennial Boulevard in honor of Martin Luther King, Jr. from the standpoint of what was in the best interest of Springfield. BUSINESS FROM THE CITY MANAGER 1. Old Olympic Right of Way Agreement. Transportation Manager Nick Amis was present for the staff report. He said staff is requesting that the City Council authorize the City Manager to enter into an agreement regarding the old. Olympic right-of-way. He described the location of the property in question, and provided some brief background, which was reflected in the agenda item summary. Mr. Arnis reviewed the main points of the agreement reached with property owner John Hammer. He said that ifthe council approved the agreement, staff would schedule a public hearing for the street vacation. Councilor Ballew asked Mr. Arnis if the City was "coming out even," dollar wise, on the agreement. Mr. Amis said yes, over the long-term. He thought the values sufficiently close. Responding to a follow-up question from Councilor Ballew, Mr. Amis pointed out the various easements located on the property. . Mayor Leiken expressed pleasure at the way the City had worked with the property owner to create a nice new industrial park. He commended City staff. IT WAS MOVED BY COUNCILOR FITCH, WITH A SECOND BY COUNCILOR BALLEW TO AUTHORIZE THE CITY MANAGER TO EXECUTE AN AGREEMENT WITH JOHN P. HAMMER PROVIDING FOR THE VACATION OF CERTAIN SEGMENTS OF OLYMPIC STREET RIGHT-OF-WAY AND PROVIDING FOR DEDICATION OF A MULTI-USE PATH. THE MOTION PASSED WITH A VOTE OF 5 FOR AND 0 AGAINST. 2. Other Business Mr. Kelly noted that this was Assistant City Manager Gino Grimaldi's last meeting before his departure to become the City of Ashland's City Administrator. He said a reception is scheduled for Thursday, February 6 at 3:30 pm, and invited the council to attend. ~ouncilors applauded and congratulated Mr. Grimaldi. BUSINESS FROM THE CITY ATTORNEY There was none. . . . .'. . Springfield City Council Regular Session Minutes - February 3, 2003 Page - 7 ADJOURNMENT The meeting adjourned at 8:00 p.m. Minutes Recorder - Kim Krebs " "