HomeMy WebLinkAboutSSM072307CITY OF CENTRAL POINT
City. Council Study Session
.~~,ly as, zoo?
0
MEETING CALLED TO OR®ER
Mayor Williams called the meeting to order at 6:00 p.m.
0
11. ATTENDEES Mayor: Hank Williams
Council Members: Dick Halley, Kay Harrison, Bruce Dingier,
and Mike Quilty were present.
City Administrator Phil Messina; Parks and Recreation
Manager Matt Samitore; Community Development Director
Tom Humphrey; Public Works Director Bob Pierce; Deputy
Public Works Director Chris Clayton; and City Recorder
Deanna Gregory, were. also present.
Ill. Bd1SINESS
~-. SDC Discussion
Development Coordinator Matt Samitore explained what System Development
Charges (SDC) can be used for regarding transportation funding. Mr. Samitore
explained that SDC fees can only be used for capital facilities improvements and
capacity increasing facilities.
It was explained that most of our SDC fees are in the middle of the road compared
to other cities in the valley. However, Central Point's Street SDC fees are one of the
highest in the valley and it has been suggested that we lower those fees. In order
to do that we must revise our current outdated Transportation System Plan (TSP)
and the East Pine Street Corridor with 19 .million dollars worth of improvements
including four new bridges.
Staff recommends using a new TSP which eliminates several projects from the list,
including. Hazel Street, alley improvements, Meadowbrook, Saxbury and Brad Way
widening. We would also make changes to the East Pine Street plan eliminating
projects that have been completed and subtracting some of the suggested
improvements. These items would reduce our base rates by over $700.
Making these recommended changes to the TSP and East Pine Street Plan would
bring Central Points Street SDC fees in line with the rest of our fees. We would look
at implementing a Street Utility fee to put on water bills for Central Point citizens. He
presented a list of other cities in the area that have already implemented a Street
Utility Fee. Staff would recommend a special committee to look at options for
funding the shortfall of funds for streets.
Once the TSP is updated it would free up funds to match grants for larger projects.
We would work with the local agencies on projects that could be joint ventures.
Mayor Williams opened the discussion to the public.
The Development Community has concerns about our rates for SDC's being higher
than Medford. Staff have been discussing the issue with them and trying to work the
City of Central Point
Study Session notes
July 23, 2007
Page 2
issues out. Central Point wants to attract new businesses rather than let them move
to Medford.
If the fees are too high the businesses won't come and the money wont be there
anyway.
Staff has always been helpful and most developers enjoy working with Central
Point. There has been a lot of good discussion among staff and the development
community. They encourage the city to keep SDC's m Ime with the other cities. The
tleveioopment community feels that the fees need to be spread out between the
eve pment projects and the residents. Development should not be the only ones
paying, for street improvements.
Conclusion: Staff will:
• Post a 30 day notice for SDC revisions to the Council
• do a traffic analysis for three to four projects.
• it will take at least 60 days before it will be presented to Council.
• staff recommends that it be retroactive to July 1 of this year.
• Staff will look at reducing the TSP further, most big ticket items are
part of the East Pine Street study.
• staff will look in house to see which bridge would be in the 20 to 30
year plan.
B. Library Discussion
The County Administrator is not happy with the denial of their request to support a
library bond. The Mayor would like to see a breakdown of all the expenses for
funding the. Central Point library. The County has not responded to that request and
has not provided that information.
There was discussion that the County is not willing to open the most populated
libraries. They want to do all or nothing. Council is having a hard time supporting
that.
Conclusion: The Council does not wish to make a decision on this issue until other
cities have had a chance to voice their opinion.
lV. ADJOURNIYIENT
The Study Session for July 23, 2007, was adjourned at 7:30 p.m.
J