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HomeMy WebLinkAboutSSM013102CITY OF CENTRAL POINT City Council Study Session January 31, 2002 MEETING CALLED TO ORDER Mayor Walton called the meeting to order at 6:00 p.m. II. ATTENDEES Mayor: Bill Walton Council Members: Dave Gilmour, Dick Halley, Kay Harrison, Donna Higginbotham, Dennis Richardson and Bill Stults were present. City Administrator Jim Bennett; Planning Director Tom Humphrey; Public Works Director Bob Pierce; Police Chief Mike Sweeny; and Deputy Recorder Deanna Gregory were also present. III. BUSINESS A. Discussion with Jackson County Fair Board on Amphitheater Mayor Walton explained the reports the Jackson County Fair Board has presented to the Council. He stated that the main concerns of the City are that: • RVTD is not mentioned in the Traffic Plan for alternative transportation to help alleviate the amount of traffic entering the amphitheater. • pedestrian traffic was not considered or addressed in the transportation plan. • the study did not take in to account the topographic conditions for the stage and the proposed sound barriers. He showed a map of elevation for throughout the City. He stated that the Blue Bird Heights Apartments will be taller than the sound barrier walls. • the Noise Impact Study states that the DEQ levels should not exceed 100 dBA. He stated that rock bands insist on 107 dBA and there are no suggested repercussions it they go over the 100 dBA level. • there are residential homes that will be effected by the noise impact, he would prefer the theater be at a more remote area. Mayor Walton suggested that a twenty foot berm be accompanied by a sound absorbing modular panel be on top of the berm. He also recommended a ten foot high concrete tilt up or cinder block wall be installed along the eastern side of I-5 to discourage pedestrian traffic from trying to cross I-5 on foot. Council Member Gilmour stated that the reports are very detailed and a lot of work has gone into these reports. He would like to see alternative transportation suggestions such as sidewalks along Penninger Lane. He also would like to know who will be monitoring the sound level and enforcing the penalties. Council Member Kay Harrison would also like to see pedestrian options in the traffic study. She encourages the use of shuttles and busses. Council Member Donna Higginbotham would like to see some stipulations as to how the sound levels will be enforced. Council Member Bill Stults asked how many concerts would be held each year in accordance with the annual fair concerts. Council Member Dick Halley explained that he has attended several of the meetings to discuss these issues with the Board and he feels they have done their best to address the concerns of the Council. Council Member Dennis Richardson would like to see an auto shut off system in place so that if the sound system goes above 100 dBA it would automatically shut down the system. He would also like to see a cap on the amount of big ticket events allowed each year. Craig Stone from Craig Stone and Associates representing the Jackson County Fair Board. Mr. Stone stated that the Traffic Study was done on a worst case scenario assuming that each car would have two people per car. They do plan on using RVTD and Shuttles. The suggestion made by one of the Council members to allow cars with several people in them to park closer than cars with one or two people as an incentive to share rides. They are still interested in looking into alternative transportation. The Fair Board is dedicated to keeping the sound under the 100 dBA level. They would be willing to look into a system that shuts down if it is attempted to go over that amount. The Amphitheater Committee would like to see a list of concerns of the Council so that they can address each one. He stated that there would be eight to 15 events per year for big ticket items. They would also like to use the theater for local events such as graduations, school activities and community events in addition to the eight to 15 big ticket events. The concert season would be from May to September. The next step for the Amphitheater will be the finalizing of the sound study, filing with the County for a conditional use permit. They should have a decision to begin construction in approximately six months if the County approves the conditional use permit. Mayor Walton opened the discussion Katy Marshall, 2855 Heritage Road, Central Point. Ms. Marshall stated that she lives close to the expo and hears the concerts and noise every year. She would like to see some kind of accountability standards for abuse of the noise level. Rick Bettenburg, Central Point Business owner Mr. Bettenburg feels that the sound mitigation should be sufficient and will help with the current noise level during the Fair. He stated that this will be good for local businesses and the Downtown area of Central Point. Jerry Herbold, 308 Glen Way, Central Point Mr. Herbold is representing the Central Point Chamber and supports the Theater because of the economic help it will provide to Central Point Businesses. Rob Hernandez, 2056 Boes Ave, Central Point Mr. Hernandez feels this would be a great promotion for the City of Central Point. He agrees that the Fair Board has done a great job on both studies. Ed Mayer, Jackson County Sheriffs office Mr. Mayer stated that the security level at the events will be high and improved over past events. Sam Inkley, 5123 Gebhard Rd Mr. Inkley stated that educating the public about alternate entrances to the Expo would be a good idea, they could use the North Medford interchange and come in past the Airport down E. Pine Street. Toni Hernandez, 2056 Boes Ave, Central Point Mrs. Hernandez stated that the current events at the expo have not been a big problem with sound in her neighborhood and the improvements should make the current events better Lisa James, Business woman, White City Ms. James stated that the ecanamic value to Central Point should out weigh any remaining concerns for the City Council. June Brock, Vice President, Jackson Gounty Fair Board Ms. Brock is glad to see that the City Council is more at ease with the idea of the Amphitheater. The Board is very concerned with addressing all the questions that the council has about the project. Sue Kupillas, Jackson County Commissioner Mrs. Kupillas spoke on behalf of the Gounty Commissioners. She explained that they wank to have a good relationship with all the communities though out the county. They are glad that things are working out between the County and the City Council for the residents of Central Point. IV. ADJOURNMENT The Study Session for January 31, 2402, was adjourned at 7:35 p.m.