HomeMy WebLinkAbout10/13/2003 Work Session
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City of Springfield
Work Session Meeting
MINUTES OF THE WORK SESSION MEETING OF
THE SPRINGFIELD CITY COUNCIL HELD
MONDAY, OCTOBER 13, 2003.
The City of Springfield council met in a work session in the Jesse Maine Room, 225 Fifth Street,
Springfield, Oregon, on Monday, October 13, 2003 at 5:30 p.m., with Mayor Leiken presiding.
Mayor Leiken called the work session to order.
Planning Commission Chair Steve Moe called the Springfield Planning Commission to order.
ATTENDANCE
Present were Mayor Leiken and Councilors Ballew, Woodrow, Burge, Fitch, Ralston, and
Malloy. Also present were City Manager Mike Kelly, Assistant City Manager Cynthia Pappas,
City Attorney Joe Leahy, City Recorder Amy Sowa and members of the staff.
1. Joint Meeting with the Planning Commission
Mayor Leiken introduced the members of the Springfield Planning Commission. Members
include Steve Moe, Greg Shaver, James Burford, David Cole, Gayle Decker, Lee Beyer, and
William Carpenter.
Mayor Leiken said the following items would be part of the agenda for this joint meeting.
. Fire District Formation (20 Minutes)
· Rapid Improvement Process for Development Applications Presented by Planner Mel
Oberst and Engineer Ken Vogeney (15 Minutes)
· Nodal Development Implementation (20 Minutes)
· Issues of Concern to the Planning Commission (20 Minutes)
Assistant City Manager Cynthia Pappas said that tonight's joint meeting was a chance for the
City Council and Planning Commission to get together to discuss issues of importance to both
groups. She noted the three issues that would be discussed this evening and the staff contacts for
those issues.
a. Fire District.
Assistant City Manager Cynthia Pappas and Councilor Fitch introduced the Fire District
item.
Councilor Fitch said the Blue Ribbon Panel Committee would be meeting again on
October 22, 2003. She explained that staff and panel members have been given a great
deal of information regarding the city finances, other fire districts around the state, the
city's current situation, and other jurisdictions that may want to also annex into the Fire
District. She said that the economy of scale would be seen if larger cities joined in the
Fire District. She discussed where the money savings would come from in those
instances. She noted that the Boundary Commission needs a detailed "meets and
bounds" and it will take the City Surveyor 10 weeks of full-time work to get this
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together. When committee members met with the Fire Committee and Steve
Cornacchia, attorney for the Willakerizie Fire District, today it was determined the 10
weeks would not allow this to be brought to the December Boundary Commission, but
instead will go to their February meeting. She said the Blue Ribbon Panel will continue
to meet. She said the two things the Blue Ribbon Panel is looking at is I) whether or not
to join the Fire District; and 2) how to use any tax money that is freed up by annexing
(police services, etc.).
Councilor Woodrow agreed with Councilor's Fitch's assessment. He feels it is
important to get as much citizen involvement as possible. The committee is considering
the possibility of taking it to the voters prior to a final decision.
Councilor Fitch said it may go to a vote or it may not. This is something the panel is
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City Manager Mike Kelly said the 10 weeks of work may be contracted out because of
the impact it would have on the city's surveying department. Mr. Kelly outlined the
objectives ofthe Blue Ribbon Panel. Their recommendation will be brought to the
council at the end ofthis month or early November. A public hearing will be held
sometime in mid-November after receiving the panel's recommendation. He said staff
will meet soon with the Willakenzie Board representative to negotiate an
intergovernmental agreement which will need to address issues of transfer of staff,
transfer of equipment, etc. The work on the IGA terms and conditions should be
completed by mid-December, the panel recommendation will already be noted, and the
results from the public hearing will be known. Council will then know prior to their
recess whether or not they will pursue a fire district. This would give staff time to make
application in January for the February Boundary Commission meeting. If the Lane
County Boundary Commission approves the annexation in February, there is a time for
citizens to serve a remonstrance petition which could go to a vote.
Councilor Ballew asked who could remonstrate.
Ms. Pappas said citizens from any of the areas within the boundary could remonstrate.
Planning Commissioner Lee Beyer asked which of these areas are not currently being
. served by contract.
Councilor Fitch said it is all under contract. Those that are being served by contract
include Willakenzie, Glenwood and Rainbow Water.
Mr. Kelly said that Willakenzie has been a fire district for a number of years. The City
of Springfield has contracted with them to provide services for some of our citizens on
the perimeter. He discussed the advantages and purposes for contracting with the
district. If annexed the Willakenzie Board would govern our services. Glenwood and
Rainbow would most likely join the district at the same time as Springfield with Eugene
possibly joining at a later date, offering additional savings.
Mr. Beyer asked if those contracting for fire services are paying more than citizens
already receiving services.
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Mr. Kelly said staff is trying to find some equity between fixed costs the citizens have
already paid for and what the Willakenzie members are paying for. Those contracting
with Willakenzie know that there will be some increases in their costs in the future,
either in contracting costs or if Springfield joins this district. He said there are two
primary advantages to a fire district: I) consolidation could result in savings; and 2)
freed up tax revenue which could be used for other purposes. Fire districts are not
something new in Oregon, and there has not yet been a vote or remonstrance on those
that have gone to a district. It is a question of whether or not the council feels this is in
the citizen's best interest.
Mr. Beyer said it feels like an increased tax bill without voter approval.
Mr. Kelly said it could be perceived in that way, but there are few things city
government can do because of more restrictions regarding our taxing base. This is a
unique way to assist cities to create a district, share the expenses on a more regional
basis and if the city chooses, allocate some of that freed up money for other public
purposes. It is up to council to determine what to do with the freed up money.
Councilor Burge feels this is a very thinly veiled method to generate additional revenue
to backfill city budget deficits. He discussed the absence of staff and equipment in the
Willakenzie Fire District. He is concerned with the issue of having Willakenzie
choosing what services they offer. He said Willakenzie has no assets to bring to this
agreement. He understands it has been done, but feels it is a way to circumvent the
underlying intent of Measures 47 and 50. He does not agree with Measures 47 and 50 in
all areas, but feels it did get local government to look at their bottom line and how
money was being spent. He feels the city and its council has not been prudent in their
spending and this is not the answer to take care of the deficit. He feels the method they
are using to decide how to use $4M from the levies is incorrect. He said it is wrong to
go forward with this without the vote of the citizens. There may be a legal right, but he
feels it is not morally right.
Mr. Moe asked about the costs in forming a district and what a district would do
regarding the tax rate.
Mr. Kelly said that if the council chooses not to use any ofthe freed up money, there.
would be no increase in taxes to the citizens of Springfield. If council chooses to use
part of the levy money that is freed up, that would increase taxes at this time.
Mr. Moe feels it should go to the voters. He would be against it going forward without
the vote.
Discussion was held regarding the tax base that Willakenzie uses.
Planning Commissioner Gayle Decker asked if Springfield voters would elect board
members on the Willakenzie Board if the City of Springfield transferred to the
Willakenzie Fire District.. Mr. Kelly said there would be a new board formed within a
year and Springfield citizens would vote for their representatives on that board. He said
that the City of Springfield would have the majority of board members based on their
population.
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Planning Commissioner Greg Shaver said he appreciates the creativity. He suggested
the city conduct minimal, polling of citizens before going forward. He feels going to a
fire district gives away the major incentive property owners have to annex into the City
of Springfield. He said the ultimate savings comes with Eugene joining the district, but
we would lose the special culture of our fire department.
Councilor Fitch discussed the tax base and the levies that have been passed.' Those
levies need to be renewed every four years and citizens do not understand that. She said
if in four years a new levy is brought forward and does not pass, we will have to cut in
both the Police and Fire Department. Citizens would then be coming back to council
asking for more police and fire services. She discussed the lack of jail space and the
difficulty of holding criminals. She said there is a possibility of using these freed up
funds to build a jail. She said she does not feel it is morally wrong to try to find ways to
fix these things; council has a responsibility to do so. She discussed the cost of a jail in
Springfield. She said the Blue Ribbon Panel may choose not to use all of the freeboard
during the first year, but hold some back to help in other areas as citizens come forward
asking for certain services. That freeboard could be kept separate for these special
services. She discussed the shortages of officers, the lack of jail space and the
responsibility of council to maintain those services.
Councilor Ralston agrees with all that was shared here tonight. If council is going to
move forward with this, there has to be some reason. If it is just a push, we should not go
forward with annexing into a fire district. The city would be sacrificing more than they
would gain. He feels the most important step is to go to the citizens to find out how they
want to spend this money. The citizens have to be educated to make a good choice. He
said if citizens were not aware that they would have to come back in four years to renew
the levies, that is the fault of the city and the councilors for not educating them. He
would feel very uncomfortable about going forward without the citizens knowing what
the results would be.
b. Rapid Improvement Process.
City Planner Mel Oberst introduced Engineer Ken Vogeney. Mr. Oberst and Mr.
V ogeney are here tonight to discuss the Rapid Improvement Process for Development
Applications. Mr. Oberst said that he and Mr. V ogeney manage the Land Development
Application Review process. He said they have worked on this for a number of years
with an increasing number of applications and an increasing number of state and federal
laws. He explained the process they have used in the past. Staff found it was no longer
working in an efficient manner.
Mr. Oberst said that Assistant City Manager Cynthia Pappas contracted with an
efficiency expert, Rhonda Costanza from the Change Agency. Meetings were held with
Ms. Costanza which included staff and Mike Evans, Chair of the Development Task
Force. Mr. Oberst introduced Mr. Evans, who was present in the audience. Staff worked
together on how a process could be done efficiently by going through a process that
moves more continually. He said they learned that they could change their process
without going outside the law.
Mr. Oberst described the old process of bat ching, the storage involved and how this
slowed down the process. He said they have instituted the new process. He described
the new process and the pre-submittal meeting which allows for dialogue with the
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developer. This dialogue gives the applicant a clear understanding of the components
they are required to include in their application. Staff are using this meeting as the key
for this new process. This pre-submittal meeting reduces the number of copies the
applicant has to submit. Staff goes through a check list with the consultant and often
times the property owner. Staff encourages the consultant to bring the property owner to
this meeting to allow them to have a more candid discussion. The applicant has 180
days to bring their application back completed. Staff no longer stores paperwork as the
developer completes their application.
Councilor Ballew asked when the 180 days begins. Mr. Oberst said the 180 days begins
when the applicant receives their letter from the planner outlining areas that need
completion. He said staff is working on this process although there are still a large
number of applications in a backlog from the old process which may take up to a year to
finalize. He said once they have all applications going through this new process, staff
should be able to meet the council goal of 75 day turnaround time on every
authorization.
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Mr. V ogeney said staff was trying to improve the overall responsiveness for the
developers. To do this they have included some optional meetings and some required
meetings. The pre-submittal meeting is required so the developer can know exactly what
they need to finish. This meeting is allowing the developer to move things through
much faster, and consultants and developers are positive about these meetings. An
optional meeting comes near the end of the process, reducing the number of issues and
conditions staff has identified regarding land use decisions. Staff's goal is to shorten the
land use decisions. Staff will be able to respond more quickly to the work in front of
them. He said this same process is being implemented in the Public Works Department
for a scoping sheet relating to storm water studies. He said they currently use a scoping
sheet for transportation impact studies, and are now doing the same type of process with
storm water applications. Mr. V ogeney pointed out the flow chart on the wall which
staff put together with the consultant showing how the processes could work.
Mr. Beyer asked how much assurance there was that once the pre-submittal meeting was
over and the applicant returned their paperwork, something may still be incorrect.
Mr. Oberst said the checklist they are using is for completeness ofthe paperwork, not for
content. The planner and applicant sign this punch list and the applicant brings their
competed application back with this list. The only thing that might change if they wait
the full 6 months to bring back their completed application could be a code amendment
change. If so, that would be noted.
Mr. Beyer asked about changes and whether or not those changes would be acceptable
by staff once the application is returned.
Mr. V ogeney said there is still the opportunity during their review for conditions of
approval to modify a design if staff fmds it is not currently in compliance with city
codes.
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Mr. Beyer recalled that when the Development Code was created in the 1980's, one of
the goals was to give staff the authority to make decisions on the more routine issues
rather than send them to the Planning Commission or City Council. He asked if during
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their recent process, stafflooked back to see if there was a way to give more authority
back to the staff.
Mr. Oberst said they did not. It was an exercise at looking at the existing processes that
are in place.
Cynthia Pappas said one of the suggestions that came out of the Development Task
Force was to take a closer look at Article 31, site plan review. The task force created a
subcommittee to look at the issue of making that article more efficient. She said they did
not look at it from the perspective of giving more authority to staff.
Mr. Moe said he mentioned that issue to the task force several times during their
meetings.
Councilor Ralston asked how long it takes staff to schedule the pre-submittal meeting.
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Mr. Oberst said they schedule the meeting within 5 days from the time the applicant first
brings in their application. He said once they work through the back log, it will work
very efficiently. Once this process is fully utilized, the meeting will be scheduled with
the applicant when they bring in their application and the application will be hand-
d~livered to the staff member who will be reviewing them. Staff will then have 5 days to
review the application and create the punch list of items need for completion prior to the
meeting with the applicant. More complicated applications for large development
projects may require 10 days from the date the application is turned in until the meeting
is held.
Councilor Ballew said this process was created not only to improve the efficiency of the
application process, but to improve relationships with developers. She asked if after
time, developers would tire of attending these pre-submittal meetings.
Mr. Oberst said they do not have control over that piece of the process, but they are
hopeful that this process gives both parties a chance to be more personally involved
rather than a bureaucratic process. He said it is also efficient, timewise, for both staff
and the applicant because questions and concerns can be addressed at the meeting. He
feels it will improve relations with the applicants by improving communications.
Councilor Ballew asked about federal laws and if there is communication alerting cities
and developers to upcoming changes.
Mr. Oberst said the city works hard to alert the development community of upcoming
changes through open houses and internet access to information.
Planning Commissioner Bill Carpenter said he wants to make sure this is just a
completeness review and nothing sustentative for the permit. Mr. Oberst confirmed that
is the case.
Mr. Shaver commended staff for their work on this process. He feels this will also take
some of the burden off of the Planning Commission and City Council because conditions
will disappear at the table.
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Councilor Ralston asked how long the pre-submittal meetings take and if it takes a lot of
staff time away from other projects. Mr. V ogeney said they are scheduled for 45
minutes, for each application.
Mr. Oberst said it is a more efficient use of staff's time doing the same amount of work.
Councilor Burge discussed the formation of the task force and the purpose of the task
force in reviewing the services of the department. He said that Mike Kelly told him the
city wants to offer the best level of service possible. Mr. Burge said he appreciated those
that served on the task force. He acknowledged Mike Evans, who agreed to chair the
task force and Monica Anderson who agreed to Vice Chair. He noted the members of
the task force and their qualifications. The meetings progressed as a way to help with
task force members and staff members all learning. He said it was one of the most
fruitful committees he has had the opportunity to serve on. He said the attitudes of all of
the members and staff were very positive and it really had an impact on the meetings.
He mentioned the staff that put in a lot of hours attending the meetings and contributing
to this process. There will always be issues in these processes because of the complexity
of the issue. Mr. Burge gave his compliments to the staff and Mike Kelly for suggesting
this task be taken on. The task force members have agreed to meet once or twice a year
to review this process and refine it as necessary.
Planning Commissioner Gayle Decker agreed with the positive outcomes of this process.
She asked about Tidemark.
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Mr. Oberst explained that Tidemark is a software land use tracking program.
Mayor Leiken asked about the smaller scale, beginning builder. These developers often
require more staff time and work. He asked how staff would handle those less
experienced who do not know what they need. He asked if staff would still be able to
guarantee a turnaround of75 days.
. Ms. Pappas said that the task force discussed a consultation fee for those that need
additional guidance and take additional time.
Mayor Leiken asked if they already pay taxes, should they be charged for the
consultation fee for this service. He would like the City Council and the Planning
Commission to consider this question.
Mr. Kelly said this is a policy decision. At this time taxes pay for services provided on
public information. There does get to be a point where the questions asked are for
private benefit rather than public benefit. At that point, fees are charged.
Planning Commissioner James Burford said a developer asked him why a high school
graduate can't go in to get a building or land use permit without a Planning
Commissioner to back him up. He noted the various fees paid by builders and the fact
that when there is a problem, the builder is cited, not the inspector or the city.
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Ms. Pappas noted the chart displayed on the board and the one day response items. She
said the one day turnaround on certain items was in response to concerns from a citizen.
. It is a form of an express lane. She said they are always glad to hear suggestions.
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Mayor Leiken thanked Mike Evans and Councilor Burge for their work on this
committee. He said it is a continued work-in-progress. He commended the staff that
took the time to go to these meetings and listen to the suggestions.
c. Nodal Development Implementation.
Ms. Pappas said the purpose of this discussion is to let City Councilors and the Planning
Commission know of the communication with the representatives from the Department
of Land Conservation and Development (DLCD). The two local jurisdictions may be
facing some sanctions because they are behind in their timeline for nodal developments.
She referenced the communication piece that has been sent to DLCD that was included
in the agenda packet.
Councilor Ralston asked if we were behind on our schedule, and if so, what were our
deadline dates.
Ms. Pappas said it is not that the City of Springfield has not done what was needed, but
rather information in the media about resistance from Eugene regarding nodes they had
designated. It appears that information was applied to the whole metro area. Ms. Pappas
said the communication to the DLCD clarifies what we have done and plan to do.
Mr. Beyer asked what we need to do at this time.
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Ms. Pappas said we need to continue on the timeline we have in place. The city needs to
focus future investment on those nodes. She said the city had a consultant do a market
analysis that described the infrastructure costs for each node. The council will be
discussing Glenwood, PeaceHealth and the downtown area as possible nodes.
Mr. Beyer said the dilemma is that the city can take the steps to put the nodes in place,
but the private community needs to accept this and move forward in the development.
Councilor Fitch said that is why we are looking at being flexible enough to make it
functional but workable for the developer.
Councilor Burge said he doesn't feel lenders or developers will buy into the node idea.
Mr. Beyer said it may be best to choose just one area and focus on that area as a node for
a model and demonstration of how it could work. Councilor Burge agreed that would be
a better approach.
Ms. Pappas noted the Mohawk node and the reasons council put this as the highest
priority. This property has only one owner and they are amenable to working with staff.
The owner has reviewed the new sections in the development code regarding nodes to
get a developer's perspective.
Councilor Fitch said it is important to take each area one at a time and work with each
one to make them fit into the area in a functional way.
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Councilor Burge said that would be a good test and a way to start. This may turn out to
be the way to go in the future. Change is always difficult.
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Mr. Shaver said he feels we can't put in enough residents to support merchants. If a
node is successful, it will draw people to it, creating large transportation issues rather
than lessening them. There is no guarantee that those living there can work there. He
feels it is almost foolish. He noted the difficulties with downtown and the types of
establishments that are located there.
Discussion was held regarding regulating the establishments in the downtown area and
the limits council has in that area.
Councilor Woodrow said nodes are a state unfunded mandate that must be done, but he
does not believe it will work. He noted Mark Metzger's conversation with him
regarding nodes and some of the traffic benefits that may not seem apparent. If it helps
to cut transportation at all, it would be successful. He feels we should do it as
inexpensively and judiciously as possible.
Mr. Beyer noted different areas that this does work. He is not sure whether or not this is
why people would move to Springfield.
Ms. Decker said the only thing that will reduce transportation is when gas prices make it
impossible for citizens to drive everywhere. She does not feel that land use planning is
going to have an impact on transportation. Larger cities have a different culture and
mind set about driving. Driving is still easy in Springfield and citizens are going to
continue to drive. If a nodal development goes into the development code, it needs to be
realistic and fit with our community.
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Councilor Burge noted that government prompts much of the planning and he has not yet
seen an example of perfection in planning.
Mr. Burford said driving fits the needs of our community.
d. Issues of Concern to the Planning Commission.
Mayor Leiken asked the Planning Commission if there were any concerns they would
like to discuss.
Councilor Pitch said the City Council truly appreciates the work the Planning
Commission does regarding these difficult issues.
Mayor Leiken said he also appreciates the wealth of experience on both the Planning
Commission and City Council. He feels confident that when items go through the
Planning Commission, they have been reviewed thoroughly.
Mr. Moe said the Planning Commission tries to make recommendations that the City
Council can feel confident in approving. As long as they can do that, they have done
their job.
Mr. Shaver discussed his history with the Planning Commission. He noted the workload
is much higher than it was 20 years ago. He would like to see a way to reduce the work
the Planning Commission has to do.
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Councilor Burge said talking with others outside of Springfield and Oregon, he has
found they all have the same issues and workload. He said he appreciates the fact that
Springfield has an honest process.
Mr. Beyer said that Springfield is very pragmatic and there are no personal agendas.
Mayor Leiken closed the joint meeting at 7:09 pm.
Mayor Leiken resumed the council work session at 7: 15pm.
2. Using CDBG Funds for Downtown Revitalization Activities.
Housing Specialist Kevin Ko presented the staff report on this item. Mr. Ko said that CDBG
funds can be a valuable tool for revitalizing downtown Springfield, and may provide impetus for
further public and private investment. The process necessary to fully utilize CDBG funds for
this purpose should be explored. Mr. Ko discussed some ofthe CDBG funding that the city has
done in the past.
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Mr. Ko said the information provided in the agenda packet outlines the process the city would
need to go through to utilize these funds. These are prescribed by HUD so the criteria must be
within HUD guidelines. In the past, the funds have been used on a spot basis versus an area
basis. He described the differences. Physical decay, safety, asbestos, etc. are included in those
activities for spot basis. The advantage of identifying an area slum and blight, is that you can
still do those things done under spot slum and blight, but you can expand it to include activities
that affect or that cure conditions that cause slum and blight. Some of the conditions than can
qualify for a slum and blighted area include low rent, high unemployment, or high vacant store.
The funding could be used to purchase buildings, put in new businesses, assist business with
additional funding to increase their ability to serve the downtown area and attract new
businesses. With a slum and blighted designation the city could try to get rid of businesses that
create negative impacts to downtown. Not all the CDBG funds can be used for this. These funds
were created primarily to assist low and moderate income people. HUD requires that 70 percent
of the money spent each year must benefit moderate and low income citizens. He gave examples
of using the funds for these purposes. Those activities need to be maintained.
Councilor Fitch asked if a building could go under the low income category if an application
came in from a business for retail on the ground floor and housing for lower income on the
second floor, if it was within the slum and blighted area.
Mr. Ko said it could. He gave other examples of how low and moderate income improvements
could be completed within the slum and blighted area.
Councilor Ballew asked if this designation would allow funds to be used for acquisition and
demolition.
Mr. Ko said the funds could be used for that. He noted that the city has to pay for relocation of
business or residents if a building is condemned. He discussed environmental issues that may
come into play in regards to demolishing buildings.
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Councilor Fitch said if we designated this area slum and blighted, we would not have to put that
on documents, but could call it something else, such as renaissance.
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Mr. Ko said that is correct. When addressing it to HUD it must be called a slum and blighted
area, but in all public documents, it could be called a revitalization area or redevelopment area.
Councilor Fitch asked if there were any concerns from council.
Councilor Ralston said it needs to be defined in the form of clear objectives with a goal.
Councilor Burge discussed the downtown group which has met several times. He said there is a
high level of energy and commitment on this committee. He discussed the members in this
group. This group meets frequently and will continue to do so. Councilor Burge will be working
strongly with this group and he has high hopes for the downtown area. It will require funding
and the group met with Mr. Ko regarding funding. John Hire, General Manager of Sanipac met
with the group and has agreed to have Sanipac participate to some degree. He said they are
dealing with a list of capital improvements which include enhanced street lighting, pedestrian
lighting, trash receptacles, seating areas, landscaped areas, fac;ade improvements, parking,
acquisition and demolition. He commended Mark Metzger for the time he has put in on his own
to get information to this group. They have also discussed business recruitment and an events
calendar. The group will send a newsletter out in the future. Councilor Burge has met with the
folks from the Museum and he noted their importance to the downtown, as well as the theatre.
The group plans to form a p~rtnership with the Chamber of Commerce, Springfield Renaissance
Development Committee (SRDC), civic groups, TEAM Springfield, Rotary, etc. He said this
will only work if everybody is on the same team. He feels this is a great way to get some of the
funding necessary.
Councilor Malloy said you can't just fix the exterior. It will take business owners and citizens to
change the atmosphere of downtown. He feels he can really support this project knowing that
the downtown group is working towards this goal.
Councilor Burge said he does not waste money and will not fail to get a project completed. He
confirmed that it will take everyone's commitment.
Mayor Leiken agreed with Councilor Malloy and Councilor Burge that the private sector needs
to be involved. The CDBG funds will prime the pump to get things going. This will allow the
downtown groups to come in and make the downtown area shine. Our downtown is important to
our community.
Councilor Fitch suggested council move forward to approve this next week at the Regular
Meeting with the three year commitment, which is option one outlined in the agenda packet.
Along with that she suggested council revisits reduction of SDC's for the downtown for the
coinciding three years. She said perhaps the two items together could help to bring revitalization
downtown. She also asked Mr. Ko about additional money that was not spent last year.
Mr. Ko said there was $164,000 for the Wildish Theatre, but HUD ruled that with their
improvements, they no longer qualified forthose funds.
Councilor Fitch asked if that money could be used by June 30, 2004.
Mr. Ko said it is still there. The funds would need to be spent by June 30, 2004 because it would
not be carried over.
Discussion was held regarding relocation iss~es.
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Councilor Malloy asked if a building could be purchased just to get rid of the existing business,
or if the building would need to be torn down.
Mr. Ko said if in the description of a blighted area, a business is a cause of one of those
conditions (i.e. low vacancy, high crime, etc.) then the business itself could be removed, not the
building. He asked council if next week they would like him to bring forward the I Street project
in addition to option one. This would include a public hearing.
Councilor Fitch confirmed that and noted the funds from this fiscal year being used.
Councilor Ballew asked if there was sufficient funding.
Mr. Ko said there was sufficient funding.
ADJOURNMENT
The meeting was adjourned at 7:40 pm.
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Minutes Recorder - Amy Sowa
Attest:
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Amy So
City Recorder