Loading...
HomeMy WebLinkAboutCM012209r~ ~; CITY OF CENTRAL POINT City Council Meeting Minutes January 22, 2009 I. REGULAR MEETING CALLED. TO ORDER Mayor Williams called the meeting to order at 7:00 p.m. ll. PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE III. ROLL CALL: Mayor: Hank Williams Council Members: Allen Broderick, Bruce Dingler, Carol Fischer, Kay Harrison, and Matthew Stephenson were present. Mike Quilty was excused. City Administrator Phil Messina; City Attorney Doug Engle; Public Works Director Bob Pierce; Police Chief Jon Zeliff; Interim Community Development Director Matt Samitore; Interim Finance Director Bev Adams; and City Recorder Deanna Casey were also present. IV. PUBLIC APPEARANCES_-None V. CONSENT AGENDA A. Approval of January 8, 2009, City Council Minutes. B. Acceptance of Second Quarter Financial Statement C. Approval of Leasing City Property on Old Stage Road to Cynthia Lakin Bruce Dingler made a motion to approve the consent agenda as presented. Matt Stephenson seconded. Roll call: Allen Broderick, yes, Bruce Dingler, yes; Carol Fischer, yes; Kay Harrison, yes; and Matt Stephenson, yes. Motion approved. VI. ITEMS REMOVED FROM CONSENT AGENDA -None VII. PUBLIC HEARINGS, ORDINANCES AND RESOLUTIONS A. Second Reading -Ordinance No. 1924, Adding Chapter 3.28 to the Central Point Municipal Code to Impose a Motor Vehicle Fuel Tax and Amending Section 11.20.050 to Provide for Reductions in the Transportation Utility Fee [] Interim Community Development Director Matt Samitore explained that there were no recommended changes at the first reading of this ordinance initiating a local fuel tax. There will be a one month delay in the collection of the funds due to the process through the state. This does not need to be fiscally changed in the ordinance. Central Point City Council Minutes January 22, 2009 Page 2 Mayor Williams stated that this is not a public hearing but the Council is interested in public opinion and opened the discussion to the public. Ted Clark -Maple Street Mr. Clark stated that if the Council wants to pay California type taxes they should move back to California. There have got to be other options available, he asked if the other cities in the valley are in favor of this type of tax. John Peacock -Freeman Road Mr. Peacock stated that the sales for the businesses in Central Point will go down if the tax is implemented. Sydnee Dryer -Attorney representing a Central Point Citizen Her clients have asked her to represent them in opposition of this tax. She stated that local jurisdictions have publicly said they are against this type of tax. There is a likely, hood the big. rigs will go someplace else to get their gas which will cause a hardship on the stations in town. The City should. wait until the State figures out what the best approach is. Paul Romain -Portland Attomey for Petroleum Association Mr. Romain stated that the Petroleum Association is working with the State for a gas increase. They are in favor of that increase going to the cities and counties where it belongs. Local gas taxes cut into the income of the stations that have to do the extra paper work. City Councils should keep taxes in the hands of the legislature and out of the hands of the voters. If the Council approves this ordinance it is likely it will go to through the initiative process. Cities and counties are working against the legislature when they pass these types of taxes. Tammy Conn -Rose Valley Drive Ms. Conn stated that she is against the fuel tax and would be the chief petitioner of the referendum if the Council approves the. ordinance. She presented a stack of letters with signatures against the tax. Lynette Bristow -Central Point PO Box Ms. Bristow presented a stack of papers signed by people against a fuel tax. John Watt -Medford/Jackson County Chamber Representative Mr. Watt stated that the chamber is interested in fixing Oregon roads and gutters. They have been working with the state and counties to get funds to help the cities fix local streets. The State now has strong new legislators who are willing to work with the Cities and Counties on this issue., He asked the Council to postpone this local tax until June 15"' and let representatives work with the State. Brad Hicks, President/CEO of Medford/Jackson County Chamber Mr. Hicks serves as Chair on TRADCO. They understand the issues the cities are facing. He believes the state will increase the tax to help the cities. The Chamber voted to oppose a focal fuel tax in Central Point. The timing for this type of tax is bad. He asked to give the legislature time to work on this issue. Central Point City Council Minutes January 22, 2009 Page 3 Lee Hamilton - Manzanita Street Mr. Hamilton feels it is unfair for the Council to pass a local tax without a vote of the citizens. Rick Samuelson -Central Point Florist Mr. Samuelson stated that this will affect the local businesses in town that rely on the local stations for their fuel needs. Mayor Williams closed the open discussion. Mr. Samitore explained to the Council the background and discussions that have led to this decision. The city would rather see a regional or state fix, but they do not believe it will come in a timely manner. There was discussion that if the state does increase the state tax the Council could always amend the ordinance accordingly. There was discussion regarding the cost of a vote and how a fuel tax will affect the local businesses. Jackson County should be held accountable for the streets they own in the cities. I(ay Harrison made a motion to approve Ordinance 1924, Adding Chapter 3.28 to the Central Point Municipal Code to Impose a RAotor Vehicle Fuel Tax and Amending Section 11.20.050 to Provide for Reductions in the Transportation Utility Fee. Matt Stephenson Seconded. Roll call: Allen Broderick, no, Bruce Dingier, yes; Carol Fischer, no; Kay Harrison, yes; and Matt Stephenson, yes. Motion Failed. City Attorney Doug Engle explained that the motion fails because three is not a majority of the six Council members present. B. Resolution No. 1197, Declaring the Annexation of 9.37 Acres of Land Located on 1lVest Vilas Road and Table Rock Road, Identified on the Jackson County Assessor's Map as 36 2V1136CD, Tax lots 300, 400, 500, 1000, and 2400,, 37 2lAI 01 BA Tax Lot 600, Into the City of Central Point, Oregon Mr. Samitore explained this is an annexation of six tax lots at the request of the property owners. This property is located west of Vilas Road and east of Table Rock. All property owners are in favor of the annexation. All annexation criteria have been met. Matt Stephenson made a motion to approve Resolution No. 1197, Declaring the Annexation of 9.37 Acres.. of Land Located on. HVest .Niles Road and Table Rock Road, Identified on the Jackson County Assessor's Map as 36 2V1I 36CD, Tax lots 300, 400, 500, 1000, and 2400, 37 2tA101 BA Tax Lot 600, {nto the City of Central Point, Oregon. Bruce Dingier seconded. Roll call: Allen Broderick, yes, Bruce Dingier, yes; Carol Fischer, yes; Kay Harrison, yes; and Matt Stephenson, yes. Motion approved. C. Resolution No. 1198, Declaring the Annexation of 0.877 Acres of Land Located South of East Pine Street, .Identified on Jackson Central Point City Council Minutes January 22, 2009 Page 4 County Assessor's Map as 37 2W 01C Tax Lot 3000, Into the City of Central Point, Oregon Mr. Samitore stated this annexation is at the request of the property owners and meets all required annexation criteria. The requested annexation is one tax lot located at 1860 E. Pine Street. Matt Stephenson made a motion to approve Resolution No. 1198, Declaring the Annexation of 0.877 Acres of Land Located South of East Pine Street, Identified on Jackson County Assessor's Map as 37 2W 01 C Tax Lot 3000, Into the City of Central Point, Oregon. Kay Harrison seconded. Roll call: Allen Broderick, yes, Bruce Dingier, yes; Carol Fischer, yes; Kay Harrison, yes; and Matt Stephenson, yes. Motion approved. D. Resolution No. 1199, Setting a Public Hearing and Initiating Proceedings to Vacate a Pedestrian Easement Located Between Mendolia Way and Diego Court Mr. Samitore stated that at a Ward I meeting in October neighbors requested the City vacate a paved pathway that connects Mendolia to Diego Court. The proposed resolution initiates the proceeding so that staff can research and return to Council. When the pathway was constructed it was the only way for pedestrians and bicyclists to get from Grant Road to Hanley and West Pine without going- all the way to Taylor or Beall Lane. They are concerned that the path is not lit at night and there have been numerous occasions where there has been illegal activity on the pathway. Mayor Williams opened the discussion up to the public Sheila Hagadone -Mendolia Way Ms. Hagadone stated that 15 of her neighbors have signed a petition recommending the vacation of the pathway. She stated that her property is adjacent to the path. There has been trash and other things thrown in her yard, people walk their animals through and do not pick up their mess. She is afraid at night because it is not lit and people have hidden in the shadows in the past. Kyle Jensen -Jean Louise Circle Mr. Jensen stated that he has had abreak-in at his home recently. The path is a perfect escape route for criminals. It is a safety issue for the neighborhood. Ann Marie Cottine -Mendolia Way Ms. Cottine stated that her property is next to the path. It bothers her at night when she hears noises in that. area. There is trash that gets thrown into her yard from people using the path. Matt Stephenson made a motion to approve Resolution No. 1199, Setting a Public Hearing and Initiating. Proceedings to Vacate a Pedestrian Easement Located Between Mendolia .Way and Diego Court. Kay Harrison seconded. 0 IJ Central Point City Council Minutes January 22, 2009 Page 5 Roll call: AI1en Broderick, yes, Bruce Dingier, yes; Carol Fischer, yes; Kay Harrison, yes; and Matt Stephenson, yes. Motion approved. !/III. COUNCIL BUSINESS Council .Member Matt Stephenson stated that it may be appropriate to revisit the fuel tax issue after the legislature has had a chance to visit the issue. He does not have much faith that they will do anything, but it will show good will on the side of the City. Council Member A11en Broderick would like to contact the County and try to get them to fix the streets that belong to them in the City limits. City Attorney Engle will research when the Council can revisit this issue. lX. AAAYOR'S REPPORT Mayor Williams reported that he will be attending Mayor's Day at the Capitol with City Administrator Phil Messina. They plan to have one on one time with local representatives. X. CITY ADII~INISTRATOR'S REPORT City Administrator Phil Messina reported that: ® He will be driving to Salem with the Mayor for Mayor's Day at the Capital. ® He attended the Central Point Chamber Board meeting. • City Staff had their annual awards lunch. The employee of the quarter is Debbie Dunlap, and the employee of the year is Detective Kris Allison. XI. COUNCIL REPORTS Council Member Matt Stephenson reported that he attended the Medford Chamber Forum. Council Member Carol Fischer reported that she attended the GREAT Graduation at Scenic Middle School. Council Member Kay Harrison reported that: • she attended the Fair Board Meeting. ® she attended the RVSS Board meeting where they decided against collecting a franchise fee. ® She attended the Awards Lunch at City Hall. Council Member Allen Broderick reported that he attended the Awards Lunch at City Hall. Xtl. DEPARTINENT REPORTS Public Works Director Bob Pierce reported that: Central Point City Council Minutes January 22, 2009 Page 6 • The City has located alternative sites for sandbag preparation and distribution in case of a flooding event. • The lawsuit regarding the sidewalk trip hazard may go to trial in October. • The tree trimming program has begun. Interim Finance Director Bev Adams reported that Budget meetings will be scheduled for April. Interim Community Development Director Matt Samitore reported that: • he has received some feedback from Planning Commission members regarding the motion made by Council on January 8, 2009. • He would like to know who the Council representative will be for the Parks and Recreation Commission. Allen Broderick stated that he would be willing to be on that Commission. • The bids will be closing for the landscape proposals for Don Jones Park. Staff will return at the first meeting in February with an award recommendation. Police Chief Jon Zeliff reported that: • Scenic Middle School had their first GREAT Graduation. • Nicki Peterson is the new Police Office Specialist in the Police Department. • Several blight houses in town are in the process of being removed or corrected. • There was a traffic enforcement effort with high school students. 21 students were cited over two days. Staff will be working with parents and students on this issue. XIII. EXECUTIVE SESSION -None XIV. A®JOURNAAENT Kay Harrison moved to adjourn, Matt Stephenson seconded, all said "aye" and the Council Meeting was adjourned at 8:42 p.m. The foregoing minutes of the January 22, 2009, Council meeting were approved by the City Council at its meeting, of February 12, 2009. Dated: ~ - ~ 3 - D ~ ~~~~~/~ ~^~G~~~ Mayor Hank Williams ATTEST: ity Recorder