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CITY OF CENTRAL POINT
City Council Meeting Minutes
September 23,1999
I. REGULAR MEETING CALLED TO ORDER
Mayor Walton called the meeting to order at 7:00 p.m.
II ROLL CALL: Mayor: Bill Walton
Council Members: Garth Ellard, Carol Fischer, Bob Gilkey, David
Gilmour, Bill Stults, and Donna Higginbotham.
City Administrator Jim Bennett, City Attorney Doug Engle, Public
Works Director Lee Brennan, Finance Director Bill Brugger,
Planning Director Tom Humphrey, and Building Secretary Sue
Meyers were also present.
III. PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE
IV. INTRODUCTION OF GUESTS
V. MINUTES
A. Approval of September 9 1999 City Council Minutes
Garth Ellard made a motion to approve the minutes as presented. David Gilmour seconded.
Roll Call: Motion passed unanimously.
VI. PUBLIC APPEARANCES
Thomas Dietrich, 134 Bush Street, and Annette Larison. 250 Bush Street, appeared before the
Council, following up on their earlier petition for stop signs at ls` and 2"d Streets on Bush. Public
Works Director Lee Brennan reported that Bush Street may be identified as a collector street in the
Transportation System Plan. The speed studies that have been conducted show that the average
speed traveled is 25 miles per hour. Tom Dietrich stated that they were there to avoid an accident
involving a child, as many children play on that street and cross to the school playground. He felt
that the speed survey was not conducted during prime times, and that people slow down when they
see an unmarked car parked along the street. Mayor Walton suggested that Mr. Brennan could
contact Mr. Dietrich when the Transportation System Plan (TSP) is completed. Mr. Brennan said
he would contact Chief Sweeny about the possibility of having a reserve officer conduct a speed
study from Mr. Dietrich's porch. City Administrator Jim Bennett suggested doing the analysis
between 4:30 and 6:00 on a school day.
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September 23, 1999
Page 2
VII. BUSINESS
A. RVMPO Presentation (RVCOG)
Dan Moore, Rogue Valley Council of Governments, presented a report on the RVMPO Work
Program, including a completion schedule. Council Member Ellard questioned the status of a
Highway 140 bypass. Council Member Gilmour suggested diverting trucks around the downtown
area to improve air quality and building more bike paths in the city. Mayor Walton suggested postal
drop boxes be placed at strategic locations around the city to cut down on vehicle trips. Mayor
Walton presented a letter to the Council that he had prepared addressed to Skip Knight, MPO and
RVCOG to begin this process.
Garth Ellard made a motion to encourage the U.S. Postal Service to place mail drop boxes at
strategic locations throughout the city as a strategy to reduce vehicle miles traveled. Donna
Higginbotham seconded. Roll Ca11: Motion passed unanimously.
Mr. Moore reported that the TOD is basically completed and RVCOG is now working on the
modeling, with plans to present any ordinances needed for the adoption of the TOD in January and
finish implementation by June. The TSP is scheduled for completion in December, and Mayor
Walton instructed Dan Moore, RVCOG, to present to the Central Point City Council a single plan.
The TOD and TSP are both under the umbrella of RVCOG, therefore a single comprehensive plan
is requested. Council Member Ellard stated that we need viable plans, rather than "conceptual"ones.
Council Member Gilmour expressed the need for the Downtown Revitalization Plan, TOD and TSP
to be compatible.
B. Resolution #858, A Resolution Adopting a Year 2000 (Y2I~ Plan for the City of Central
Point (Bennett)
Jim Bennett, City Administrator, reported that the Contingency Plan for Y2K is in place. He feels
the City has made a commitment to do everything we can in order to be Y2K ready. Council
Member Gilmour suggested curtailing vacation or leave time for critical people in January. Council
Member Ellard asked if the City had run actual physical tests of City systems and Mr. Bennett
assured the Council that this has been done.
David Gilmour made a motion to approve Resolution 858, Adopting a Year 2000 (Y2I~ Plan
for the City of Central Point. Garth Ellard seconded. ROLL CALL: Motion passed unanimously.
C. Planning Commission Report (Humphrey)
Planning Director Tom Humphrey presented the Central Point Planning Commission Report for the
Central Point
City Council Minutes
September 23, 1999
Page 3
regular meeting on September 21, 1999.
Tabled a public hearing to consider a site plan introduced by Dr. Curtis Tyerman to construct
a 2250 square foot dental office building at 348 Oak Street. The subject property is located
in the C-2, Commercial-Professional zoning district and the hearing will be re-noticed at the
earliest possible date to include a related request to vary from parking and infrastructure
requirements.
Continued a public hearing to consider a site plan introduced by Tom and John Hamlin to
add about 840 square feet to an existing restaurant building at 407 Front Street. The subject
property is located in the C-5, Thoroughfare Commercial zoning district and the hearing was
continued to resolve issues associated with the extent and relative cost of public
improvements.
The Commission was invited to develop an agenda for a joint meeting with the City Council
and responded by stating that they would like to have Building and Public Works staff
explain permit processing once a planning proposal is tentatively approved. They will
consider other agenda topics at their next meeting.
D. Department Reports (Department Heads)
Public Works Director Lee Brennan introduced Tom Ames of Ray's Food Place. Mr. Ames
requested a temporary closure of part of First Street between Pine to Oak for a barbeque to be held
in conjunction with the Jackson County Rodeo on Saturday, October 23, 1999.
Garth Ellard made a motion to temporarily close a portion of First Street between Pine and
Oak Streets for a barbeque to be held Saturday, October 23,1999. David Gilmour seconded.
Roll Call: Motion passed unanimously.
Mr. Brennan announced a surplus equipment auction to be held October 16. Mr. Brennan will
present a list of equipment to the Council on October 14, asking that the equipment be declared as
surplus.
Finance Director Bill Brugger reported on the new utility billing program. It is Y2K ready and meets
postage regulations that will be in effect in the year 2001. The utility bills will be sent out in
envelopes that can also contain newsletters or flyers and will contain a consumption graph for up to
two years. There will be a place for messages as well as a place for utility department regulations.
There was some discussion on the use of utility billing for newsletters, a community calendar,
explanation of the permit process, etc. Mayor Walton suggested using the back side of the statement
in order to save paper. Mr. Brugger also reported on the progress of the car towing program.
Planning Director Humphrey announced that the final day for the Growers Market will be
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City Council Minutes
September 23, 1999
Page 4
Wednesday, September 29, and invited the Council members to attend a ceremony to recognize the
vendors. He also stated there will be a de-briefing meeting that they may like to attend, which will
allow all those involved to make recommendations for improving next year's market.
VIII. CITY ADMINISTRATOR'S REPORT
City Administrator Jim Bennett announced the following dates:
• September 30 -Oregon Economic Analyst at City Hall to discuss population projections.
• October 4 - ODOT -Transportation Workshop in Grants Pass -reservations required.
• October 5 -Flu shot clinic at City Hall for City employees and their families.
• November 12,13 and 14 -League of Oregon Cities annual conference in Eugene.
Mr. Bennett also announced that he will be attending the International City Managers Association
National Conference in Portland from September 24 to September 30.
Sue Slack was appointed interim County Administrator, and may be invited to fill the post
permanently.
Council Member Ellard asked about the progress on the Central Point Perk drive-up window. Mr.
Bennett reported that the engineering, done by the City Engineer, has been completed and given to
the Browns for their review in order to choose from the options presented. The City is ready to meet
with the Brown's contractors.
IX. COUNCIL REPORTS
Council Member Bill Stults reported that the Medford Water Commission is working to eliminate
an odor and taste problem with local water. The water is safe, but a higher percentage of river water
is being used. He also reported that BCVSA has presented an ordinance to reduce fees for mobile
home park and he suggested that the City consider reducing water rates for mobile home parks. He
will be attending the Southern Oregon Tobacco Free Summit on October 8.
Council Member Bob Gilkey reported that both Council meeting dates in November fall on a
holiday. Mr. Bennett stated that, per ordinance, the meetings will be moved to the previous weeks,
November 4 and November 18. Mr. Gilkey also requested a study session regarding our future
source of water.
Council Member Carol Fischer reported on the Central Point Cruise Show and Shine. She suggested
recognition from the City, as the money raised for the event goes to charity. Mr. Bennett asked her
to find out the identity of this year's charity, and report back to the Council.
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Central Point
City Council Minutes
September 23, 1999
Page 5
X. MAYOR'S REPORT
Mayor Walton discussed the possibility of providing basic cable television to shut-ins in the City.
He met with representatives of Falcon Cable and they were amenable to the idea. It was suggested
by the Council that some of the future franchise fees could be directed toward this cause.
XI. EXECUTIVE SESSION
Garth Ellard moved to adjourn to Executive Session. Carol Fischer seconded, all said "aye" and the
Council adjourned to executive session at 9:15 p.m.
The Council reconvened into open session at 9:52 p.m. No action was taken.
XII. AD30URNMENT
Garth Ellard moved to adj ourn, David Gilmour seconded, all said "aye" and the Council meeting was
adjourned at 9:53 p.m.
The foregoing minutes of the September 23, 1999, Council meeting were approved by the City
Council at its meeting of October 14, 1999.
Dated:~a~~ /99
ATT
Deputy Recorder
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Mayor Bill Walton