Loading...
HomeMy WebLinkAboutCM012821 CITY OF CENTRAL POINT oregw City Council Meeting Minutes Thursday, January 28, 2021 I. REGULAR MEETING CALLED TO ORDER The meeting was called to order at 7:00 PM by Mayor Hank Williams II. PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE III. ROLL CALL Attendee Name Title Status Arrived Hank Williams Mayor Remote Neil Olsen Ward I Remote Kelley Johnson Ward II Remote Melody Thueson Ward III Remote Taneea Browning Ward IV Remote Rob Hernandez At Large Remote Michael Parsons At Large Remote Staff members present: City Manager Chris Clayton; City Attorney Sydnee Dreyer; Police Chief Kris Allison; Police Captain Dave Croft; Parks and Public Works Director Matt Samitore; IT Director Jason Richmond; Community Development Director Tom Humphrey (Arrived at 7:45 pm); and City Recorder Deanna Casey. Special Guests: Fire Chief Bob Horton and County Commissioner Dave Dotterrer. IV. PUBLIC COMMENTS County Commissioner Dave Dotterrer introduced himself to the Council and explained that he is the liaison for Central Point. V. CONSENT AGENDA RESULT: APPROVED [UNANIMOUS] MOVER: Rob Hernandez, At Large SECONDER: Taneea Browning, Ward IV AYES: Williams, Olsen, Johnson, Thueson, Browning, Hernandez, Parsons A. Approval of January 14, 2021 City Council Minutes B. 2021 Arbor Day Week Proclamation C. OLCC Change of Ownership - Colvin Oil, LLC VI. ORDINANCES, AND RESOLUTIONS A. Ordinance No. , An Ordinance Amending in Part Central Point Municipal Code Chapter 8.08.010 Weed Abatement City of Central Point City Council Minutes January 28, 2021 Page 2 City Attorney Sydnee Dreyer explained that in 2019 the City amended its weed abatement ordinance in an effort to provide additional tools to reduce fire hazards. The code designated a fire season in order for the city to inform city residents of fire season; and when fire restrictions go into place. The code also provided for discretionary provisions for firebreaks on larger parcels. Staff has determined that it is in the public interest to designate the start of fire season for May 1 rather than June 1 given that fire seasons are becoming longer and hotter, and to ensure that fire hazards are removed by the time fire risk becomes significant. This will allow staff to notify property owners of the need to reduce weeds and other vegetation. After the recent fires along the green way and concerns about the fire hazards still present. Staff recommends mandating firebreaks on properties larger than 1-acre in size rather than leave it at discretionary. There was discussion that the ordinance could state that fire season ends with the Forest Service designation. Fire Chief Horton stated that the District Forester designates fire season start and finish each year. Staff feels that the proposed amendments will cover Central Point's needs for code enforcement. Mike Parsons moved to approve the first reading of an Ordinance amending in Part Central Point Municipal Code Chapter 8.08.010 Weed Abatement. RESULT: 1ST READING [UNANIMOUS] Next: 2/11/2021 7:00 PM MOVER: Michael Parsons, At Large SECONDER: Kelley Johnson, Ward II AYES: Williams, Olsen, Johnson, Thueson, Browning, Hernandez, Parsons VII. BUSINESS A. Fire District No. 3 Update Fire Chief Bob Horton updated the Council on Fire District business. Officials knew the morning of the Alameda fire that there could be issues. Every available fire fighter was on duty that day and ready to help. There was a lot of devastation, but it could have been worse. The district is participating in follow up with the community and county to move forward and be more proactive with fire fuel issues. Central Point has done a great job with their portion of the greenway. He is looking forward to working with the city to reduce the fire danger along the greenway. The districts major focus is on fire fuel reduction and community risk assessment. They are collaborating with organizations to place bins around the county so people can dispose of items when the burn season is short and they are not allowed to burn debris. The Fire District Community Connect platform launched allowing the community to share information in case of fire. The district can evacuate or help citizens in case of an emergency. The program is accessible through their website. The data can help the district be aware of disabilities or animals that might need assistance during City of Central Point City Council Minutes January 28, 2021 Page 3 emergencies. He explained the Community Care program available to the citizens. They have paramedics who respond to 911 calls for assistance with medical issues that do not require an emergency room call. The District has been finalizing their strategic plan, and thanked those from the city who have helped with the process. They discussed risk reduction efforts along the g reenway. B. Jackson County FD3 Hazardous Vegetation and Combustible Material Abatement Draft Ordinance City Manager Chris Clayton explained a proposed Vegetation Ordinance to reduce and mitigate the risk caused by devastating wildfire and smoke in our county. One specific effort includes establishing a county wide Hazardous Vegetation and Combustible Materials Ordinance aiming to reduce and manage hazardous fuels. The destruction caused by the fires in 2018 and 2020 are examples of damaging fires fueled by unmanaged vegetation. Chief Horton explained that the Rogue Valley Fire Chiefs Association created the ordinance for the Rogue Valley with hopes that the County Commissioners will adopt the ordinance and the local cities will incorporate portions of the ordinance into their codes. There was discussion regarding specific areas along the greenway that are fuel for wildfires. The document has not been presented to the Commissioners yet and they are expecting changes to be recommended. There are efforts at the state levels to address concerns regarding wildfires in Oregon. The Fire Chiefs Association will wait to present the ordinance to the County once the legislators have had a chance to see if they can address the issue state wide. It would be nice if the county had something in place to help with wildfire fuel issues and a way for the county and cities to address issues that are right outside our city limits. This item was presented to the council for consideration and hopefully support in the future. RESULT: FOR DISCUSSION ONLY C. Central Point Little League Concept Plan Mr. Clayton updated the Council about the potential of the Little League Fields. A private investor approached the city about significant upgrades to the baseball fields and how the city could participate. We have already designated funds to help make improvements but may recommend waiting until these discussions are complete. He explained the different conversations regarding the upgrade options for the fields. The private investor is willing to pay 50% for the project. Staff recommends a 2021 - 2023 capital investment in the Central Point Little League Complex/project. There was discussion regarding the property being outside the city limits and concerns about the city paying for property improvements that we do not have jurisdiction of. If we kept the city funding portion to 25% we wouldn't need to ask citizens to be funding the fields. We could look for other investors to help for field City of Central Point City Council Minutes January 28, 2021 Page 4 naming rights. The little league board has never been in favor of the city participating or taking over the fields. However there is new leadership and they are very interested in the city helping with the fields. There will be further discussions after we have spoken with the Board and presented options to the Budget Committee. RESULT: FOR DISCUSSION ONLY D. Planning Commission Report Community Development Director Tom Humphrey presented the Planning Commission report for January 19, 2021: • The Commission held a public hearing to consider a tentative plan for the development of a 5-lot residential subdivision to be known as Covington Court in the residential single family (R-1-6) zoning district. The project site is located south of Pittview Avenue on Covington Court. The Commission approved the subdivision • The Commission held a public hearing to consider a major modification to the White Hawk master plan considering a phasing plan and housing plan in phase 1. This project is located on Gebhard Road. The Commission accepted the findings in the staff report, agreed with the conclusions and approved the modification subject to two conditions including those set forth in the original approval. The applicant will work with the Public Works Department to revise engineering design plans to provide for parking on Gebhard Road as part of the road improvements. • The Commission held a public hearing to consider a tentative plan for the development of phase 1 of the White Hawk Master plan. They accepted the findings in the staff report, agreed with the conclusions and approved the tentative plan subject to two conditions including those set forth in the original approval. Compliance with requests from other agencies are part of the conditions of approval. • Staff reviewed and answered questions about various development projects and planning applications occurring around the City. RESULT: FOR DISCUSSION ONLY VIII. MAYOR'S REPORT Mayor Williams reported that he attended the LOC Regional Roundtable for Southern Oregon. There was discussion about the fires in Southern Oregon and needs for the Greenway. IX. CITY MANAGER'S REPORT City Manager Chris Clayton reported that: • Staff will be bringing back an IGA to take over some of the tax lots on the Greenway. • We have seen good numbers in regards to PERS. This is good news for the City and our employees. • Staff has begun discussions with the General Services Unit for bargaining agreement. City of Central Point City Council Minutes January 28, 2021 Page 5 • There will be a tour of the US Cellular baseball fields next week to see how they are set up and run. • He will be sending out the budget calendar in an email tomorrow. The hotel motel revenues are increasing and starting to recover. • We have seen an increase in vandalism throughout town. Public Works and our Police Department have been working to find the culprits and clean the vandalism. • We have received a notification that the airport is considering a nonstop flight to Dallas, TX. X. COUNCIL REPORTS Council Member Kelley Johnson reported that she attended: • the Study Session. • the Fire District No. 3 Board meeting. • the RVCOG Board meeting. • the Central Point Chamber Board meeting. Council Member Taneea Browning reported that: • She attended the study session this week. • She attended the Medford Water Commission meeting. • She was able to work with the Eagle Scouts at the Arboretum. • She attended the League of Oregon Cities round table for Southern Oregon Cities. • The Virtual Day at the Capital was very interesting today. There were good discussions. Council Member Melody Thueson reported that she attended the School Board and Union meeting. The kids are coming back to in person learning next week. Council Member Mike Parsons reported that: • He attended the Planning Commission meeting. • He attended the Reed building tour. • RVSS held a board meeting and discussed a public water quality program. They are already seeing water quality issues because of the 2020 fires. • He attended the LOC virtual Roundtable discussion. Council Member Rob Hernandez reported that he attended the study session and Bond Oversite Committee meeting. Council Member Neil Olsen reported that: City of Central Point City Council Minutes January 28, 2021 Page 6 • He took a drive by of the EXPO vaccination clinic. • He attended the Reed Building Tour. • He attended the Planning Commission meeting. • He attended part of the LOC Day at the Capital. Xl. DEPARTMENT REPORTS Parks and Public Works Director Matt Samitore reported that: • The vandalism in town has mostly been at Pfaff Park at the restrooms. Staff will be locking the restrooms at night. They will be open during the days and closed at 5:00 pm. We will be putting a porta-potty next to the restrooms for use in the evening. • The skateboard park issues have pretty much been solved now that we are closing it at night. The CSO has been working well with the park users. • The City is moving forward with improvements on the Pine/Hamrick intersection and a new signal at Hamrick/Beebe Road. • There has been a slight delay regarding the operations center due to illness at S & B James. Police Chief Kris Allison reported that we are in the legislative season and seeing a lot of police reform bills up for discussions at the State level. Police Lieutenant Dave Croft reported that: • They have been working on vandalism incidents at Pfaff Park and off Grant Road. Public Works has done a great job working with the Police Department to clean up on the graffiti right away. • They are working on surveillance cameras at the skate park and Pfaff Park. • We have had open recruitment for two officers over the last few weeks Community Development Director Tom Humphrey reported that there will be a joint Planning Commission meeting next week with Jackson County Planning Commission. City Attorney Sydnee Dryer was very impressed with Planning Director Stephanie Holtey and the way she has organized the meeting process for the joint planning commission meeting. XII. ADJOURNMENT Taneea Browning moved to adjourn, all said "Aye" and the meeting was adjourned at 8:52 pm. City of Central Point City Council Minutes January 28, 2021 Page 7 The foregoing minutes of the January 28, 2021, Council meeting were approved by the City Council at its meeting of ce,►cpvar a , 2021. Dated: a/1443.1 Mayor Hank Williams ATTE : ity Recorder