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HomeMy WebLinkAboutCM041411CITY OF CENTRAL POINT City Council Meeting Minutes April 14, 2011 I. REGULAR MEETING CALLED TO ORDER Mayor Williams called the meeting to order at 7:00 p.m. II. PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE III. ROLL CALL: Mayor: Hank Williams Council Members: Allen Broderick, Bruce Dingier, Carol Fischer, Kelly Geiger, Kay Harrison, and Matthew Stephenson were present. City Manager Phil Messina; Assistant City Manager Chris Clayton; City Attorney Paul Nolte; City Recorder Deanna Casey; Police Chief Jon Zeliff; Community Development Director Tom Humphrey; Parks and Public Works Director Matt Samitore; Finance Director Bev Adams and Captain Kris Allison were also present. IV. SPECIAL PRESENTATION • Rogue Valley Council of Governments Annual Presentation Executive Director Michael Cavallaro presented the Council with the 2011 Program and Financial Update for Rogue Valley Council of Governments. He stated that they have maintained an overhead rate of 17% for four fiscal years. He presented the list of projects for the valley as a whole and by jurisdiction. V. PUBLIC APPEARANCES -None VI. CONSENT AGENDA A. Approval of City Council Minutes for March 24, 2011 B. March 2011 MPO Summary Allen Broderick made a motion to approve the Consent Agenda as presented. Matt Stephenson seconded. Roll call: Allen Broderick, yes, Bruce Dingier, yes; Kelly Geiger, yes; Carol Fischer, yes; Kay Harrison, yes; Hank Williams, yes; and Matt Stephenson, yes. Motion approved. VII. ITEMS REMOVED FROM CONSENT AGENDA -None VIII. PUBLIC HEARINGS, ORDINANCES AND RESOLUTIONS A. Public Hearing -First Reading Ordinance Declaring that Blighted Areas Exist within the City of Central Point, Recognizing the need for an Urban Renewal Agency to Function in the City, and Adding Chapter 2.62 to the Central Point Municipal Code Providing for the City of Central Point City Council Minutes Apri114, 2011 Page 2 Exercise of the Agency's Powers by the Central Point Development Commission Assistant City Manager Chris Clayton presented an ordinance which would add chapter 2.62 to the Central Point Municipal Code declaring that there exists within the City of Central Point blighted area as defined in ORS 457.010 and that there is a need for an urban renewal agency. In March, 2011 the Council directed staff to proceed with the steps to begin the process of declaring blight in the City and creating a Urban Renewal plan. The proposed ordinance declares that blight exists within the city, and authorizes the steps to create the Central Point Development Commission. The membership of the Commission would consist of the City Council and the authority and responsibilities of the Central Point Development Commission will be limited to those specified in ORS 457. The proposal will cause minimal impact to the budget. There will not be any specified line item in the 2011/2012 recommended budget. The majority of work will be done in house. The only financial impact would be staff wages which will already be allocated. Adoption of the ordinance only sets in motion the further review and consideration of plans to specifically identify and address the City's blighted areas. The plan for the Central Point Development Commission will be to build city pride and a positive image. Matt Stephenson made a motion to move to second reading an Ordinance Declaring that Blighted Areas Exist within the City of Central Point, Recognizing the need for an Urban Renewal Agency to Function in the City, and Adding Chapter 2.62 to the Central Point Municipal Code Providing for the Exercise of the Agency's Powers by the Central Point Development Commission. Kay Harrison seconded. Roll call: Allen Broderick, yes, Bruce Dingier, yes; Kelly Geiger, yes; Carol Fischer, yes; Kay Harrison, yes; Hank Williams, yes; and Matt Stephenson, yes. Motion approved. B. Public Hearing, Resolution No. 1285, A Resolution of the City of Central Point Setting Water Rates Mr. Clayton stated that in 2009 the FCS Group completed a water rate study which confirmed that a water rate increase was necessary to meet current and future needs and to maintain water distribution service levels currently provided by the City. A comprehensive rate analysis and future rate recommendations were presented to the Council. After deliberations the Council adopted a "cost of service" rate. plan which included an inverted block rate structure to be implemented over a period of ten years; a plan which included annual water rate adjustments and gradual increase of repair and replacement fees. Over the last few months a series of variables have negatively impacted the revenue projection contained in the analysis. An unusually wet winter/spring City of Central Point City Council Minutes April 14, 2011 Page 3 water year; unusually short summer; and an increase in water purchase price from Medford Water Commission of 6.4%. The proposed resolution has an updated analysis which takes into consideration the City's need to stabilize water revenues, the need for conservation, the increasing need for low income utility subsidy, and future Medford Water Commission increases to the City. The city must pass some of the increase on to the citizens because the water fund is not healthy enough to absorb the entire increase. There was considerable discussion regarding the Medford Water Commission increase in fees to the local jurisdictions. Committees are currently working with the Medford Water Commission to spread the increase throughout all users of water, not just the local jurisdictions. The proposed increase changes the base rate not the consumption rates. This will help stabilize the water fund throughout the year regardless of the weather or usage by customers. There was discussion regarding consideration of multiple units on one meter. This causes a hardship for the property owner when it is hard to distinguish which unit is using the most water. Staff stated that a second meter could be installed. This type of issue would be an amendment to the ordinance rather than a change in rate structure. Mr. Clayton stated that the rates will continue to be reviewed on an annual basis before the budget is adopted. There is concern that we are encouraging citizens to conserve water but when they do we increase the base rate. Council encourages the discussion with Medford Water Commission to reduce the charges to local jurisdiction. Kay Harrison made a motion to approve Resolution No. 1285, A Resolution of the City of Central Point Setting Water Rates. Bruce Dingler seconded. Roll call: Allen Broderick, yes, Bruce Dingler, yes; Kelly Geiger, yes; Carol Fischer, yes; Kay Harrison, yes; Hank Williams, yes; and Matt Stephenson, yes. Motion approved. IX. MAYOR'S REPORT Mayor Williams reported that he attended: • the Medford Water Commission meeting where they continue to discuss the rate increases to local jurisdictions. • a meeting in Ashland with the Governor. They discussed the issues surrounding Erickson Air Crane, and the need to annex them into the City. • a TRADCO meeting at the airport. X. CITY MANAGER'S REPORT City Administrator Phil Messina reported that: • The first Budget meeting will be Monday, April 18th at 6:00 p.m., dinner will be served at 5:45, the second meeting will be April 25tH Cih~ of Central Point City Council Minutes April 14, 2011 Page 4 • There will be no Council meeting on May 12th due to a lack of agenda items. • He attended a meeting with Jeff Griffin to discuss options for Erickson Air Crane. • He attended a Managers Conference in Washington. XI. COUNCIL REPORTS Council Member Matt Stephenson stated that he attended. a SOREDI Board meeting where they talked about the regional water issues. The Angel Investor project is moving forward and looks promising. Council Member Carol Fischer reported that she will be attending the cemetery clean up this weekend and Shannon Moulin resigned from the Multicultural Committee. Council Member Kay Harrison reported that she attended the Medford Water Commission meeting. Council Member Kelly Geiger reported that he: • Attended the "burn to learn" on Haskell. • Attended the School Board Meeting where they discussed budget cuts. Council Member Allen Broderick reported that he attended the Parks and Recreation Foundation meeting. The Arts Commission meeting was cancelled due to lack of members in attendance. XII. DEPARTMENT REPORTS Assistant City Manager Chris Clayton reported that LOC is providing an Oregon Planning Procedures training on May 24th. This would be a good class to help explain some of the confusing land use laws in Oregon. If Council members would like to attend. Parks and Public Works Director Matt Samitore updated the Council on 5th and Victoria. They will be going 12 feet deep in areas which is causing the construction to take longer than expected. Rogue Valley Sewer Services is working in the area of 9th and Oak Streets. They will try to work in the evenings so as not to disturb the daytime traffic around McDonalds. Finance Director Bev Adams reported that: • Staff has been working on budget preparation for next week. • Staff attended violence in the workplace workshop, resulting in the adaption of the front counter to help the area feel more secure. Community Development Director Tom Humphrey reported that: • He attended a Rogue Valley Transit District Boundary Amendment Committee where they are discussing the expansion of boundaries to enhance their services. • He attended a Technical Advisory Committee meeting. City of Central Point City Council Minutes Apri114, 2011 Page 5 • RPS hearings concluded with the Jackson County Planning Commission today. They wilt now work on forwarding a recommendation to the County Board of Commissioners for final adoption. • Staff is working with Twin Creeks owners for the Rail Crossing. We are still waiting on the flood maps to be approved by FEMA for that area. t: 1 XI11. EXECUTIVE SESSION -None XIV. ADJOURNMENT Matt Stephenson moved to adjourn, Kay Harrison seconded, all said "aye" and the Council Meeting was adjourned at 8:32 p.m. The foregoing minutes of the April 14, 2011, Council meeting were approved by the City Council at its meeting of April 28, 2011. Dated: ~ /q Ilt t L Mayor Hank Williams