HomeMy WebLinkAboutSSM091708CITY OF CENTRAL POINT
City Council Study Session Minutes
September 17, 2008
L MEETING CALLED TO ORDER
Mayor Williams called the meeting to order at 12:05 p.m.
II. ATTENDEES: Mayor: Hank Williams
Council Members: Dick Halley, Kay Harrison and Walter
Moczygemba were present.
Community Development Director Tom Humphrey; Public
Works Director Bob Pierce; Interim Finance Director Bev
Adams; Deputy Public Works Director Chris Clayton;
Public Works Field Operations Manager Rick Bartlett;
Parks and Recreation Manager Matt Samitore; Floodplain
Specialist Stephanie Woolett; Account Clerks Debbie
Dunlap and Rachel Neuenschwander; and Planning
Secretary Didi Thomas were also present.
III. DISCUSSION ITEMS
A. Street Utility Fees -moved to second discussion item
B. Enterprise Zone
Community Development Director Tom Humphrey introduced Ron Fox,
Executive Director of Southern Oregon Regional Economic Development Inc.
(SOREDI). Mr. Fox described state and county enterprise zones, their
requirements and benefits for new and established businesses. Enterprise zones
provide property tax exemption incentives to businesses, encouraging them to
locate and expand in local communities.
Mr. Fox explained that the enterprise zones concept was developed by the
legislature to benefit local communities. They offer an exemption from property
taxes to eligible businesses and existing businesses on qualifying new investments
that they might make. The land is not exempt and neither is the personal property
of the business. Another means for becoming eligible for benefits would be by
increasing the number of employees by 10% or making a significant investment in
the business.
There were questions about the availability of statistics on the overall benefits
provided to businesses since inception of enterprise zones in Oregon. Mr. Fox
advised that the Oregon Department of Revenue and the Economic Development
Department track the information, however, he didn't think that there had been an
City of Central Point
City Council Minutes
September 17, 2008
Page 2
actual study done by the State. In Medford, however, there had been a substantial
increase in the number of new jobs generated and millions of dollars invested as a
result of the enterprise zones in Jackson and Josephine counties.
Mr. Fox added that traditionally, cities include all properties located within their
urban growth boundaries. By including commercial and industrial lands,
businesses must be able to demonstrate that they are not a local retail business,
and residential properties are never eligible for enterprise zone benefits.
Mr. Humphrey added that he had given a map of Central Point to Kelly Madding
with the Jackson County Planning Department that identifies commercial and
industrial properties for possible inclusion in an enterprise zone. Mr. Fox
explained that eligibility would not begin until boundaries were in place.
Mr. Fox advised the Council of the process which the City of Central Point could
request addition of properties to be included in an enterprise zone; notice and
hearing requirements were described as well.
There was discussion regarding the types of businesses that would be eligible and
how the urban growth boundary expansion would affect the city's ability to
participate. Mr. Fox responded that once our UGB expansion takes place,
additional parcels could be added to an existing enterprise zone if desired.
SOREDI is the zone manager for Jackson County, Mr. Fox explained. They
receive the applications and check them for completeness, and then submit them
to the tax assessor's office for further investigation. Cities retain control over
which businesses are able to move into their boundaries. A City requests addition
of properties into enterprise zones by Council resolution.
Mr. Fox assured that SOREDI would be willing to come back and answer any
questions that the Council or staff might have.
Street Utility Fees
Discussion of this item was postponed due to time constraints. Another study
session will be scheduled after checking with the City Administrator.
IV. AI)JOIJItN1VI>ENT
Mayor Williams adjourned the meeting at 1:05 p.m.