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HomeMy WebLinkAboutSSM031907CITY OF CENTRAL POINT City Council Study Session March '19, 2007 I. MEETING. CALLED TO ORDER Mayor Williams called the meeting to order at 6:00 p.m. II. ~ ATTENDEES Mayor: Hank Williams Council Members: Dick Halley, Kay Harrison,• Mike Quilty, Becca Croft, Bruce Dingier, and Matt Stephenson were present. City Administrator Phil Messina; Parks and Recreation Manager Matt Samitore; Community Development Director Tom Humphrey; Public Works Director Bob; Finance Director Jill Turner; and City Recorder Deanna Gregory were also present. III. BUSINESS A. Rogue Disposal Franchise Gary Penning from Rogue Disposal addressed the council explaining the performance audit in the franchise agreement. This audit is done every five years as specified in the agreement. He stated that two-thirds of Central Point residents use the curbside recycle program with Rogue Disposal. Rogue Disposal is suggesting an increase of 1 % to all the cities in the valley that currently have a franchise agreement. They would like to keep the rates the same at this time for customers. There was a 2$ CPI rate increase a few months ago. He presented the proposed franchise extension agreementwhich would extend the franchise to December 31, 2016. The City of Medford has Conclusion: Council agreed to bring this item back at a regular council meeting for approval. B. Library Funding Lee Murdod and Ross Davis presented a list of frequently asked questions and statistics regarding. the library and funding options. They explained why the County is currently m need of-funds to reopen the library system. They have bee reassured by the Federal Government that the O & C funds would be restored to the Counties. They explained that the citizens of Central Point and Jackson County need library services so that children can learn to read. There will be an election levy presented to the voters in May to help support the library system for three years. He explained the cost of running a library system that supplies as much as the Jackson County system does by providing computers, and help for people to find and research jobs. The proposed levy will keep the system as it currently is without cutting anything. It is an embarrassment for the citizens of Jackson County to not have a I~brary system in place. There are certain standards that are required in order to run a library and they do not see where there are any more places to cut services. IV: There was discussion about closing some of the outlying libraries that are not used as much as the central libraries. The Mayor asked about the cost per person and population for Central Point vs. other cities in the area. He suggested a partnership with the local school districts to help with volunteers to reduce the cost of running the entire system. The council agrees that the libraries are important but they are not sure the proposed levy is the right way to go, they feel the.cost is too high and some of the services. should be downsized. The levy would only be for three years, the council is not convinced that.the County will have another plan in place at that time. They have known for years that the OTC funds would come to an end, yet they act surprised when it actually stopped. The County should show that they are willing, to make a few sacrifices in order to provide a few services. No one likes the all or nothing approach. The County Commissioners have other options for funding the library system, the Council does not feel that all options have been reviewed or presented to the public. They would like to see other options available. Rusty McGrath -Central Point resident Mr. McGrath stated that the people in this valley are getting taxed out of their homes. He went into the library tonight and there were only ten people using the facility. Government should quit expecting businesses and citizens to fund everything with taxes. Conclusion: The Council is in favor of the Jackson County Library system, but they are not.necessarily ready.tosupport alevy nthe amount recommended at this time. They would like Friends of the Library return with more information on the cost of running the Central Point library with out the other county libraries. Staff should bring back a resolution in support of the County Library System, but not recommending. approval of the proposed levy in May. C. Expo Request for Hotel/Motel Money Jackson County Fairggrounds Manager Chris Borovanski stated that the Expo has been experiencing a funding lose through Jackson County. He stated that if they do not find a funding mechanism to help the expo the community event portions will go away. The Items that are non-revenue generating programs would have to be discontinued. The Ex o is asking the City to provide $100,000 of their Transient Occupancy Tax (TOT~to help fund the expo and their events. He stated that 23% of the TOT is suppose to be used for tourism events and the Expo brings tourists to the area. City Administrator Phil Messina explained the events that the City currently helps support at the Expo. The events at the expo does help to fill our hotels and there for helps bring in the TOT. Conclusion: Council would like to have a list of events the $100,000 would help to support. Overall they are in favor of helping with Expo events but it would have to be a requested fund each year during the budget preparation. This would not be a guarantee each -year. ADJOURNMENT The Study Session for March 1.9, 2007, was adjourned at 7:30 p.m.