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HomeMy WebLinkAboutCM102804CITY OF CENTRAL POINT City Council Meeting Minutes October 28, 2004 REGULAR MEETING CALLED TO ORDER - 7:00 P.M. II. PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE Mayor Williams invited a recently returned soldier who served in Iraq, to lead everyone in the Pledge of Allegiance. III. ROLL CALL: Mayor: Hank Williams Council Members: Dick Halley, Kay Harrison, Donna Higginbotham, Mike Quilty, Bitl Stults were all present. Nate Banry was absent. City Administrator Phil Messina; Community Development Director Tom Humphrey; Police Chief John Zeliff; Building Official Lois DeBennedetti; Finance Director Jill Turner; Public Works Director Bob Pierce; were alf present. City Recorder Deanna Gregory; City Attorney Doug Engle; was absent. IV. PUBLIC APPEARANCES Gordon Wood, a resident on Princess Way in Central Point addressed the Council regarding the second reading of an ordinance that would amend the Central Point Comprehensive Plan map and Zoning Map located in the vicinity of Scenic Avenue and North Third Street. Mr. Wood stated that we the people do not want the zone change. We the people want people who will represent them, and any Council member who votes in favor of the zone change will be recalled. Norm Bruce, a resident on Dobrot Way in Central Point spoke. He questioned whether it really mattered if people spoke at public hearings or not. He feels the survey of public input is incomplete. In his communications with neighbors, he could not find one person who supports the zone change. Mr. Bruce referred to a report released by NAH regarding health issues in high density communities, and how the closer people live together, the more susceptible they are to health problems. He feels that location isn't the right place for high density regardless of the financial status of the potential residents. He wanted clarification about who makes zoning decisions, however he is basically concerned about the quality of life and health. Becca Croft, resident on Beebe Road in Central Point spoke. She feels the opinion of the people needs to be the over riding influence. High density of R-2 is sufficient. She conveyed her respect for each of the Council members, but feels they should pass on the zone change request. V. CONSENT AGENDA A. Approval of October 14, 2004, City Council Minutes. City n/~Cential Point L'iq~ Counci/Minutes Octol~cr 28, 200 l;~ 2 Mike Quilty made a motion to approve the minutes as presented. Kay Harrison seconded. Roll Call: Dick Halley, yes; Kay Harrison, yes; Donna Higginbotham, yes; Mike Quilty, yes; Bill Stults, yes. Motion carried. VI. PUBLIC HEARINGS, ORDINANCES AND RESOLUTIONS A. Public Hearing -Second Reading -Ordinance No. 1852, An Ordinance Amending the Central Point Comprehensive Plan Map and Zoning Map at Scenic Avenue and North Third Street (37 2W 3A6, Tax Lots 4800, 4900, 5000, and 5001) (Humphrey) Community Development Director Tom Humphrey stated that this is the second reading for this Ordinance. Mr. Humphrey explained the background on the zone change and how the City worked with outside consultants to have the area master planned for development and road intersection improvements. The Comprehensive Plan was approved by the Council in the mid 1980's as a high density area. He explained that a geometric problem with road intersections was recognized, there is not a service level problem. Mr. Humphrey identified other areas in the City that has or had a high density zoning, however, nothing in the City's code protected the higher density zoning from being developed as single family dwellings. He has had communications with the local school officials, and they are in favor of the zone change. Mr. Humphrey said that the School District enrollment is flat and we are moving towards encountering the same problems that Ashland faced with enrollment due to higher property prices. Mr. Humphrey addressed the comments made earlier about listening to the people, and said that we do listen and take their comments to heart. Though, by serving the entire community's needs, it is difficult to always make everyone happy. There were questions from the Council as to whether the code has been refined to protect higher density zoning, and if there are schedules in place for the road improvements. Mr. Humphrey stated that except with the Transit Oriented Development zoning, there is not minimum and maximum density requirements. He then referred to page 2 of the agenda which covered the road improvement schedule in question. He stated that the City has acknowledged this as a problematic area for traffic flow. These improvements will happen even if this Ordinance doesn't pass. The City has an opportunity in this case to share responsibility of these improvements with the property owners. The City is working on re-arranging the TSP to ensure that these improvements are included in the Plan. There were discussions on the health concerns brought up earlier with higher density. Councilor Harrison spoke of a conference she had attended a couple years ago regarding this topic. Stress and crime are the common factors to the health issues. She added that in a development with a higher density that is done right, it actually has health benefits. The higher density encourages safely walking and/or bike riding to and from places for the resident's needs and recreation. She doesn't want to see the same thing happen in Central Point that has happened in Jacksonville and Ashland where people can't afford to live in our community. Ciq~ o/~Ccntr.~l Point City Council Minutes OdoLcr2f1, 200 Pages .? There were more traffic flow questions and differences in flow if all four parcels were approved for R-3 versus only approving the tax lots owned by the Housing Authority. Therewas also question ofwhetherthe other property owners have submitted development plans. Mr. Humphrey explained that the traffic plan that includes all four parcels is superior in design rather than each individual parcel taking their own access onto North Third Street and Scenic Avenue. He stated that it would be problematic not include all four parcels. The McBee's parcel would not be able to participate in the installation of a new north/south bound road through their parcel, causing them to build up to the Housing Authority's parcel. The Housing Authority are the only property owners that have submitted development plans to the City. Mr. Humphrey stated that if the City doesn't master plan areas as in the past, we end up with orphan properties that can not be developed or require additional approval to develop. There were questions about an existing house where a portion of the proposed road improvements would happen, and four new proposed tax lots where the existing house is. Mr. Humphrey said that the City would have to purchase the property at fair market value and remove the house. It would be more expensive for the City to make the road improvements around the property. He believes that the house is in foreclosure or soon to be in foreclosure and will be the only parcel affected by the proposed road improvements. With the creation of the four new tax lots to the east of the recommended intersection improvements, the City could potentially develop or sell them and offset the cost of purchasing the parcel. Kay Harrison made a motion to adopt Ordinance No. 1852, Amending the Central Point Comprehensive Plan map and Zoning Map at Scenic Avenue and North Third Street for 37 2W 3AB, Tax Lots 4800 and 4900, excluding Tax Lots 5000 and 5001 from the approval. Bill Stults seconded. ROLL CALL: Dick Halley, yes; Kay Harrison, yes; Donna Higginbotham, yes; Mike Quilty, yes; and Bill Stults, yes. Motion passed. B. Second Reading Ordinance No. An Ordinance Amending Certain Sections of the Central Point Municipal Code Title 15 Pertaining to Buildings and Construction (DeBenedetti) Lois DeBenedetti, Building Official, stated that this is the second reading to adopt this Ordinance. It would amend certain sections of Central Point Municipal Code, Title 15, bringing it up to date with the latest available publications for nationally recognized building codes. Kay Harrison made a motion to adopt Ordinance No. 1853, Amending Certain Sections of the Central Point Municipal Code Title 15 Pertaining to Buildings and Construction. Dick Halley seconded. ROLL CALL: Dick Halley, yes; Kay Harrison, yes; Donna Higginbotham, yes; Mike Quilty, yes; and Bill Stults, yes. Motion passed. City- ofCenUa/Point G'iq~ C'otiuci/ Mmulcs (~Gober 28, 200/ P•~ ~/ VII. OTHER BUSINESS There were no items. VIII. MAYOR'S REPORT Mayor Williams reported that he attended the Jackson County Realtors Installation of Officers meeting. IX. CITY ADMINISTRATOR'S REPORT Phil Messina reported that: • He attended the International City Managers Conference and will bring more details to the Council Retreat in January. • On October 27'h we had a city wide Employee Involvement meeting. It consisted of creating teams of employees that will be working together identifying and problem solving various factors. • He had a nice time at Nancy Hanson's retirement party today. X. COUNCIL REPORTS Donna Higginbotham reported that she attend a COG meeting regarding the Greenway. Karen Smith and herself have worked together on the Greenway for 25 years. Mike Quilty reported that: he attended the Oregon State Metropolitan Organization conference. He has been asked to represent Oregon for MPO. On November 10'h, they will be lobbying to improve transportation. which involves highways, railroads, etc. He attended a Project Development Meeting on Highway 62. JRH is doing the plan, and feels they will do a good job after seeing the plan they did for the City of Central Point for East Pine Street. Bill Stults reported that he attended a Water Commission meeting. They discussed lead & copper testing within older homes that are built within a certain time frame. There were also discussions regarding an April, 2004 court hearing regarding using pipes within 5 yrs of installation. Dick Halley reported that he attended Nancy Hanson's retirement party. XI. DEPARTMENT REPORTS Jill Turner reported that: City o/~Ce~iv-.rl Yoint City L'omxil Minutes October 2fJ, 200/ Page .S • Paula York is the new Municipal Court Clerk, Paula has been serving as Interim Court Clerk for about 6 weeks. • The Finance Department is continuing their computer training and solving little issues about the way the billing system is set up. • The Department is currently working on year end. • She hopes to have an auditor in by November. Tom Humphrey reported that: ODOT, OTAK Consultants and the City are continuing to work on the design for the Highway 99 improvements. The City will be creating an Advisory Committee specifically for this project. The committee will consist of some business owners along Highway 99, and hopefully someone from City Council and/or other city groups. The first meeting is anticipated for mid November around the 17th or 18th and will be either a breakfast or evening meeting. Bob Pierce reported that: • the speeding traffic study on Freeman Road has been completed. They are compiling some interesting information. They will continue moving the devise around the City. • Highway 99 and Pine Street is coming along nicely and Chris Clayton is doing a great job overseeing that project. ODOT has sent in their first payment of $900,000 for the project. Chief Zeliff reported that: • the Police Department had 31 finalists for 2 Police Officer openings. They will be conducting interviews for the 31 applicants on November 18th & 19th. He added that having that many finalists says a lot about the caliber of people who have applied. They are put through a series of tests that have 4 different sections. The applicant must score 70% or higher in each section to be considered. • Chief Zeliff spoke of an inter-agency command vehicle that he was able to view. The cost for one of these command vehicles is $250,000. They give local Police Department's the ability to be fully operational in the field. He reported that the Police Department is currently working on vehicle pursuit's policy changes. It will be in a draft form and will tighten up an existing policy regarding when it is appropriate to pursue, emergency response speed limit caps, etc. This will take more of the discretionary decisions off of the responsibility of the officers. The Police Department received a $47,000 block grant. • They are creating a perpetual list of needs for future grant awards. The Department was able to purchase flat screen monitors with the grant money. • They are looking to private fund sources to purchase AED's for all of the police vehicles. • The fully reflective water proof jackets are very effective. Cin- o/~Central Poittt C'in~ Council Miiwtcs October 2H, 2004 /',~~ 6 They estimated the cost of assisting through the Presidential visits between $3,500 - $5,000. Bill Stults made a motion to go into an Executive Session under ORS 192.660 (2) (i) at 8:30 p.m. Dick Halley seconded. Roll call: Dick Halley, yes; Kay Harrison, yes; Donna Higginbotham, yes; Mike Quilty, yes; and Bill Stults, yes. Motion approved. Motion carried. XII1. EXECUTIVE SESSION Bill Stults made a motion to return to Regular Session at 9:20 p.m. Dick Halley seconded. Roll call: Dick Halley, yes; Kay Harrison, yes; Donna Higginbotham, yes; Mike Quilty, yes; and Bill Stults, yes. Motion approved. Bill Stults made a motion to approve the Amendments to the City Administrator's Contract as presented.Kay Harrison seconded. Roll call: Dick Halley, yes; Kay Harrison, yes; Donna Higginbotham, yes; Mike Quilty, yes; and Bill Stults, yes. Motion approved. XIV. ADJOURNMENT Bill Stults made a motion to adjourn. Dick Halley seconded, all said "aye" and the council meeting was adjourned at 9:30 P.M. ocshob~ aSi The foregoing minutes of the x'33,- 2004, Council meeting were approved by the City Council at its meeting of 6ctober9,4, 2004. t~oV Qw..~ lei ~ ~. Dated: ~ tl I2Z~p~ Mayor Hank Williams ATT City Recorder