HomeMy WebLinkAbout07/18/2011 Work SessionCity of Springfield
Work Session Meeting
MINUTES OF THE WORK SESSION MEETING OF
THE SPRINGFIELD CITY COUNCIL HELD
MONDAY, JULY 18, 2011
The City of Springfield Council met in a work session in the Jesse Maine Meeting Room, 225 Fifth
Street, Springfield, Oregon, on Monday, July 18, 2011 at 6:36 p.m., with Mayor Lundberg presiding.
ATTENDANCE
Present were Mayor Lundberg and Councilors Pishioneii, VanGordon (by conference phone), Wylie,
Moore, Ralston, and Woodrow. Also present were Assistant City Manager Jeff Towery, City Attorney
Joe Leahy, City Recorder Amy Sowa and members of the staff.
1. City Council Chambers Naming Recommendation from Committee Panel.
Community Relations Manager Niel Laudati presented the staff report on this item. Council approved
a naming privilege policy in November 2007. This policy allowed for review of any naming
recommendations received .by the City. While the City did not solicit a call for naming ideas for the
City Council Chambers, one written request was received. As specified in the policy, Council would
make the final decision on all naming opportunities.
On November 25 2010 the City received a request via email to rename the City Council Chambers in
honor of former Councilor Stu Burge. The request was sent by Nadine Burge. As stated in the City's
naming policy, the City Manager assembled a committee with the charge of reviewing the request and
making a recommendation to the City Council.
The naming committee met on Wednesday, March 23 at City Hall. The committee consisted of
Tammy Fitch (chair), Corkey Gourley, Dave Ralston and Joe Pishioneri. Nadine Burge also attended
the meeting.
The recommendation formally submitted by the committee was to maintain the City Council
Chambers' current name. An alternative recommendation also considered by the Committee was to
dedicate the Library Meeting Room to Mr. Burge.
Following the November 2 meeting staff proposed using the upcoming Fountain Square improvements
to start a privately funded "recognition wall" that would allow for multiple recognitions for
Springfielders. The recommendation could have Mr. Burge as the first inductee.
The Council also had the option of doing nothing.
Mr. Laudati said Mr. Leahy spoke with Mrs. Burge who felt honoring her husband on a recognition
wall would be an appropriate way to honor him.
Councilor Wylie said she spoke with many people about this topic and they felt this solution was a
good way to honor many people that had served our community.
Councilor Woodrow said she also spoke with a number of people about this topic. She appreciated the
committee's work and staff's work to find a solution. This was a great way to honor citizens.
City of Springfield
Council Work Session Minutes
July 18, 2011
Page 2
Councilor Moore said she also appreciated the thoughts and ideas.
Councilor Ralston said if Mrs. Burge was fine with the suggestion of the recognition wall, then he was
fine with that as well. Mr. Burge had been a close friend.
Mr. Laudati said as they went through the process of remodeling the Fountain area, they would
provide the Council with options for the wall.
Councilor Ralston said he was concerned about vandalism, so hoped they would take precautions.
Councilor Pishioneri thanked Mr. Laudati for all of his efforts getting through this process. He felt the
wall was a great idea and he supported it. He would like the wall to be built to be able to expand as
there would be many other.distinguished citizens who could be honored in the future.
Mr. Laudati acknowledged Housing Manager Kevin Ko who was instrumental in finding a way to get
this done.
Councilor Pishioneri said the wall itself could be a draw in future years.
Mr. Leahy said Mrs. Burge was very wonderful, gracious and cooperative when he contacted her. She
understood what the Council wanted to do and appreciated that the Council was concerned about her.
She appreciated that the Council wanted to honor Mr. Burge in this way. Mrs. Burge would like to
participate on any committee regarding design of the wall.
Councilor Ralston said Mrs. Burge did tell the committee she would pay the private portion for the
wall recognition for her husband.
Mayor Lundberg thanked Mr. Leahy for making the call to Mrs. Burge and handling it in a very kind
manner. She thought putting the wall by the Fountain was a wonderful idea. It was a gathering place
for families and the community, and a great way to honor Mr. Burge. It could then become a historical
place highlighting citizens that had provided exceptional service to the City of Springfield.
ADJOURNMENT
The meeting was adjourned at approximately 6:49 p.m.
Minutes Recorder - Amy Sowa
Christine L. Lundberg
Mayor
Attest:
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YXX,
Amy Sow
City Recorder