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HomeMy WebLinkAboutCM052302CITY OF CENTRAL POINT City Council Meeting Minutes May 23, 2002 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: David Gilmour, Dick Halley, Kay Harrison, Donna Higginbotham, and Dennis Richardson were present. Bill Stults was absent. Interim City Administrator Brian Almquist; City Attorney Doug Engle; Public Works Director Bob Pierce; Finance Director Bill Brugger; Police Chief Mike Sweeny; Building Official Lois DeBenedetti; Planning Director Tom Humphrey; and Deputy Recorder Deanna Gregory were also present. III. PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE IV. INTRODUCTION OF GUESTS V. MINUTES A. A~groval of May 9, 2002, City Council Minutes Donna Higginbotham made a motion to approve the minutes as presented. Dick Halley seconded. Roll Call: David Gilmour, yes; Dick Halley, yes; Kay Harrison, abstain; Donna Higginbotham, yes; and Dennis Richardson, yes. Motion Approved. VI. PUBLIC APPEARANCES Shayne Maxwell, 1057 Foots Creek Road Mrs. Maxwell addressed the Council regarding the petition process for a local calling area through out the Rogue Valley. They are in the process of asking the Public Utilities Commission to link Grants Pass, Medford, and Ashland as a local calling area eliminating the long distance charges for Rogue Valley residents. Mrs. Maxwell stated that she is working with RVCOG on this process. They are asking Cities in the area to write letters to the Public Utilities Commission in support of this action. At this stage they are not certain of the cost to citizens or cities. A regional letter of support will be sent to each City from RVCOG for signatures. Mayor Walton closed the Public Appearances portion of the meeting. VII. BUSINESS A. Request to Vacate an Unimproved Alley Right-of-way Located Between Front Street and the Southern Pacific Railroad Right-of-way North of Pine Street Planning Director Tom Humphrey stated that the City has received a request from the Vella family to vacate an unimproved alley right-of-way behind the Gleaners Building (thrift store) on Front Street. The City vacated a larger portion of this right-or-way in the past but this was prior to the Vella family owning the abutting property. The passing of Lolita Vella and City of Central Point Council Minutes May 23, 2002 Page 2 the distribution of her estate has made it important for the family to resolve issues associated with their Oregon land holdings. Under State law whenever a person desires to vacate all or part of any street, that person may file a petition with a description of the ground proposed to be vacated, the purpose for which the ground will be used and the reason for the vacation. The petition shall have the consent of the abutting property owners and the consent of not less than two thirds of the owners of property immediately affected by the vacation. In this case the property owners within 200 feet to the east and west and 400 feet to the north and south. The petitions contain the required information and signatures for the Council to consider setting a public hearing. City staff is recommending that the Council fix a time for a formal hearing to vacate this portion of unimproved alley right-of-way. David Gilmour made a motion to hold a public hearing at the next available Council meeting, regarding the vacation of an unimproved alley right-of-way located between Front Street and the Southern Pacific Railroad right-of-way north of Pine Street. Kay Harrison seconded. Roll Call: David Gilmour, yes; Dick Halley, yes; Kay Harrison, yes; Donna Higginbotham, yes; and Dennis Richardson, yes. Motion Approved. B. Ordinance No. 1828, An Ordinance Amending CPMC 15.12.120 Pertaining to Sewer Line Maintenance and Connection of Sewer Laterals and Declaring an Emergency Public Works Director Bob Pierce explained that Bear Creek Valley Sanitary Authority (BCVSA) has proposed a change to existing policy (CPMC 15.12.080), wherein the property owner is responsible for the installation of the sewer lateral from the building to the main line in the street. BCVSA is willing to accept responsibility for the lateral from the property line to the main in the street, relieving the property owner for the expense of street excavation and repair. They have stated; that this is also preferable by their maintenance personnel because it allows quicker repair,' and is better understood by property owners. It also assures that the job will be done to BCVSA standards, preventing ground water infiltration. Mr. Almquist stated that they are asking for an Emergency Ordinance so that new construction will allow the laterals to be installed by BCVSA. Dennis Richardson made a motion to approve Ordinance No. 1828, An Ordinance amending CPMC 15.12.120 pertaining to sewer line maintenance and connection of sewer laterals and declaring an emergency. David Gilmour seconded. Roll Cail: David Gilmour, yes; Dick Halley, yes; Kay Harrison, yes; Donna Higginbotham, yes; and Dennis Richardson, yes. Motion Approved. C. Resolution No. 941, A Resolution Amending the Adopted Budget for Fiscal Year July 1, 2001, to June 30, 2002 Finance Director Bill Brugger explained that modifications to Budgets are often needed to adjust for unanticipated events or where allocations of resources projected in the budget are different then actual. When amendments are made and the category's total budget expenditure, within a fund, are increased by 10% or less the City Council can, through resolution amend the Adopted Budget. The proposed resolution is for unanticipated events. The resignation of the city administrator, and the budget allocation of public works wages is different than actual expenditures. In the case of public works wages, the total wages is under budget, however three funds have wage costs exceeding the Adopted Budget amounts due to water line breaks. In each fund the additional requested budget dollars for wage costs are covered by transferring budget dollars from the Materials and Supplies category. [7 City of Central Point Council Minutes May 23, 2002 Page 3 There was discussion regarding sick leave and vacation accrual time. Mr. Almquist stated that he will review the contract for James Bennett and report to the Council. Dick Halley made a motion to approve Resolution No. 941, A Resolution Amending the Adopted Budget for Fiscal Year July1, 2001 to June 30, 2002. Kay Harrison seconded. Roll Call: David Gilmour, yes; Dick Halley, yes; Kay Harrison, yes; Donna Higginbotham, yes; and Dennis Richardson, yes. Motion Approved. D. P.E.G. Access Fees Mr. Almquist stated that in connection with his review of the franchise with Avista Utilities he reviewed other City franchise agreements. He explained that when the City renewed its Cable TV Franchise with TCI in June, 1995, several new provisions were included as permitted by the newly adopted Federal Telecommunications Act. Among those new provisions was payment of a P.E.G. (Public, Educational, Governmental) access fee which would be implemented upon request of the City giving 60 days notice to the Cable Company of its desire to receive this fee. The annual fee was set at $7,500 to be paid each year over the term of the ten year franchise. The City failed to give timely notice to the Cable Company of its desire to receive the annual P.E.G. access fee payment, and thus has foregone about $45,000 to date in P.E.G. fees, which could have been used to acquire the necessary equipment to allow live broadcasts of Council meetings from City Hall. Mr. Almquist updated the Council on the cost associated with live broadcasts and options the Council has to help pay for the broadcasts. School District No. 6 may be interested in televising their Board meetings or special programing by students, this could be a shared cost with School District No. 6. There would be a .50 cent per month increase in local cable bills if the Council decides to implement the P.E.G. fee. Rogue Valley Community Television could be contacted to see what options they may have for the City. The Council decided to have the item investigated further regarding the cost to the City and Citizens and asked that the administrator report back when he has the cost estimates. VIII. MAYOR'S REPORT Mayor Walton Reported that: • a Southern Oregon University class is doing a project on the Jackson County Amphitheater. He attended the class and gave a presentation. They will keep the City informed of the information they are provided for the project • he was sworn in as President of the Jackson County Foster Grandparents Program • there will be a vehicle available for the City Council to ride in for the Fourth of July Parade • more information has become available regarding liability issues for Cities and City designed skate parks IX. CITY ADMINISTRATOR'S REPORT Interim City Administrator reported that: • he met with School District 6 regarding a request for a refund of all street SDC payments. He stated that the City is prepared to refund approximately $25,000 after discussing a re-computation of the calculation with Public Works Director Bob Pierce. • he met with General Manager Gary McDonald regarding P.E.G. access fees and the Cities desire to televise Council and school Board public meetings. City of Central Point Council Minutes May 23, 2002 Page 4 • he attended the monthly meeting of the Board of Directors, and Chamber Greeters. • he attended a study session with the ,Park Commission and supporters of the skateboard park. Reviewed costs and progress to date. • he attended a Board meeting for RVCOG. • he met with safety inspector Louis Parnell regarding proposed survey of all City facilities to identify potential worker safety hazards. • he met with the director of CCIS regarding health and dental premiums for City Employees beginning August 1. The increases will average 21 % rather than the 25% projected in the budget. • he met with City Attorney Doug Engle and Public Works Director Bob Pierce regarding recommended changes to the Avista Franchise Agreement. • he has completed ail of his meetings with individual Council Members regarding their concerns, and where they would like to see him focus his efforts over the next four months. X. COUNCIL REPORTS Dennis Richardson reported that: he has been in contact with the Fair Board regarding the amphitheater, he 28q~gested that the Council discuss the land use permit at the study session on May he attended the memorial service for Joan Gogliotta, he suggested that the Council send a resolution of condolence to the family Dick Halley reported that: he would also like to have a study session regarding the amphitheater he received a letter from Food and Friends making arrangements to transfer the equipment purchased by the program when they leave the building in July the Sr. Center has increased its membership over the last month, the programs are going good and-they anticipate a larger increase as time goes on David Gilmour reported that: he attended the memorial service for Joan Gogliotta he will be resigning from the City Council as of August 1, 2002, to run for a County Commissioner position Kay Harrison updated the Council on meetings that she had attended for PAC/MPO and RVTD. Donna Higginbotham reported that she attended a meeting with RVCOG. They have expressed interest in purchasing the Sr. Center if the City decides to sell the property when the new community center is built on South 4'h Street. XI. DEPARTMENT REPORTS Building Official Lois DeBenedetti reported remodeling changes to the Sr. Center. She also updated the Council on the amount of Building Permits issued between April 1, 2002, and May 14, 2002. Parks and Recreation Coordinator Nancy Hanson reported that: RVCOG has requested temporary use of the Old Fire Station for the Food and Friends program for the summer. They hope to have a permanent location before school starts in September. n 'l City of Central Point Council Minutes May 23, 2002 Page 5 • she has been in contact with several citizens and would like the Council to implement a Volunteer of the Year recognition program • the Park Commission/Youth Skate Park Committee had a Study Session on May 21, 2002, to discuss designs and options for the future skate park. Planning Director Tom Humphrey reported that: • the City has received notice of a public hearing for the land use permit for the Amphitheater. He explained that concerns and recommendations for conditions of approval be returned to the County by June 4, 2002. The Public Works Department would like to have a water line installed on Penninger Lane in order to loop the water line from Pine Street to Upton Road. Dennis Richardson suggested that the Council discuss the conditions at the Study Session on May 28, 2002. • Jackson County held a public meeting at Mae Richardson School to discuss options for Grant Road and Jackson Creek. There will be other meetings if the Council is interested in attending. Public Works Director Bob Pierce reported that: • RVCOG is working on a Surface Water Quality Report. He explained that this study will include the creeks in Central Point and allow the City to pinpoint the areas that need improvement. Police Chief Mike Sweeny reported that: • several agencies have helped in the death investigation of Kerry Repp. He gave credit to his officers and the other local agencies that have been helping with the case. • Central Point officers have been working hard to keep the streets of Central Point safe. He updated the Council on arrests that have taken place in the last few weeks. XII. ADJOURNMENT Dennis Richardson moved to adjourn in memory of Joan Gogliotta, David Gilmour seconded, all said "aye" and the Council Meeting was adjourned at 9:10 p.m. The foregoing minutes of the May 23, 2002, Council meeting were approved by the City Council at its meeting of June 13, 2002. ~ Dated: ayo"r Bill Walton ATTEST: Authorized Represen iv