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HomeMy WebLinkAboutCM071201CITY OF CENTRAL POINT City Council Meeting Minutes July 12, 2001 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, Dennis Richardson, and Bill Stints were all present. Public Works Director Bob Pierce; Finance Director Bill Brugger; Police Chief Mike Sweeny; Building Official Lois DeBenedetti; Planning Director Tom Humphrey and Public Works Secretary Lisa Morgan were also present. City Administrator Jim Bennett; City Attorney Doug Engle; and Deputy Recorder Deanna Gregory were alt excused. III. PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE IV. INTRODUCTION OF GUESTS V. MINUTES A. Approval of June 28, 2001, City Council Minutes Dennis Richardson made a motion to approve the minutes with corrections. Donna Higginbotham seconded. The corrections are as follows: 1) Bill Stints abstained from the vote to approve the minutes of June 14; 2) Under Council Reports, Dick Halley reported that he and Kay Harrison attended an RVCOG meeting on water quality and healthy creek maintenance. Council Member Harrison reported that the City should take a look at developments along creek beds to ensure that the landscaping encourages a good healthy stream and to make sure that the runoff is going in the proper direction. ~, VI. PUBLIC APPEARANCES There were no public appearances. Mayor Walton closed the Public Appearances portion of the meeting. VII. BUSINESS A. Report on Mendolia Way Storm Water Retention Facility Public Works Director Bob Pierce explained the different options for the Mendolia Way Storm Water Retention Facility including placing the facility underground as had been done with another storm water facility in the area. He calculated the length of storm drain it would take to hold the same amount of water and estimated that the cost would be somewhere between $50,000 - $55,000. Council Member Dick Halley asked how the system would keep out debris and how it would be kept clean. Mr. Pierce stated that there would be a manhole access to flush the system. There was discussion about the various options and various hazards to the children in the neighborhood, as well as how the children would use this area. Councilman Dennis Richardson stated that this discussion was the result of a complaint from one neighbor and asked if this was a problem that needed to be fixed, or left alone. A resident on Mendolia Way addressed the Council and said he felt that things didn't need to be changed. Another resident, Mrs. Baskin, asked that the storm drain facility be filled in, so that it would not fill with water. After some additional discussion, it was decided that the Public Works Department should engineer a solution to the problem and then return to the City Council. Bill Stints made a motion to refer this issue back to the Public Works Department for further study. Donna Higginbotham seconded. Roll Call: Motion passed unanimously. B. Resolution No. , A Resolution Issuing a Final Order On the Appeal of the Planning Commission Decision Denying a Fence Variance at 2799 Oakview Avenue (Appellants: Richard a* Windy Middleton) (372W01 CA Tax Lot 4000) Planning Director Tom Humphrey opened by stating that the Middleton's have requested that the Council consider continuing this item until the next meeting. City Administrator Jim Bennett had prepared a resolution adopting a final order on the appeal for consideration by the City Council. The Middtetons have three other options they would tike to be considered before the resolution is acted on. In addition, the Middtetons neighbor is out of town and they would like their neighbor to be present. Mayor Walton requested that the Middtetons turn in their proposals to Mr. Humphrey and this would be on the agenda for the next council meeting. David Gilmour made a motion to defer the final decision on the appeal and consideration of the resolution until July 26, 2001. Donna Higginbotham seconded. Roll Call: Motion passed unanimously. C. School District #6 Annexation Planning Director Tom Humphrey stated that this annexation involves 23 acres of school owned property, South of Upton Road and North of Bear Creek. The District will be using this area to develop 2 to 3 soccer fields and a baseball diamond. The development will begin this summer, so that school buildings and facilities at Crater and CPE can be constructed. This property has an existing baseball diamond and land lab, a portion of which is dedicated to animal husbandry. City Staff has recommended that they pursue a comprehensive plan amendment and zone change that would allow them to raise as many animals as they have in the past. Until that time, a conditional use permit would enable them to have a limited number of livestock under the R-L, Residential Low Density zoning which will apply to the property when annexed. The annexation proposal has met all of the necessary criteria, including written consent of the property owner, location within the Urban Growth Boundary, contiguity to the City limits, and the orderly provision of public services. There was discussion of the livestock issue. Councilman Dick Halley was concerned about potential complaints and the effect it could have on them being able to continue with the FFA program and being able to keep animals. Mr. Humphrey said that, under a Conditional Use Permit, this would not be a problem. City water is already extended to the land lab, as well as existing sewer lines. Bill Stints made a motion to adopt Resolution No. 918, declaring the annexation of the School District's 23 acres of land into the City of Central Point, Oregon. David Gilmour seconded. Roll Call: Motion passed unanimously. D. Classification Plan Amendments Building Official Lois DeBenedetti, talked about the proposed job descriptions for Building Inspector II, Building Inspector I and Police Lieutenant .These positions have been approved by the Council under the 2001 /2002 fiscal year budget. There were funds moved from contract expenses to salaries to cover the Building Inspector II position. The Police Lieutenant position is a supervisory, exempt employee. The two Building Inspector positions are union employees. The Building Inspector II is a part time employee at 20 hours per week. The job descriptions are intended to be included within the City of Central Point Classification Plan which contains all job descriptions for City Employees. David Gilmour made a motion to approve the job descriptions as presented by staff. Kay Harrison seconded. Roll Call: Motion passed unanimously. E. Resolution No. 919, A Resolution Adopting a Premium Conversion Benefit Plan for City Employees Finance Director Bill Brugger stated that this plan allows for the employee portion of medical premiums to be paid with pre-tax dollars. It reduces the employees tax burden and benefits the City as well by reducing the Social Security tax liability for the City. Approximately $1,500.00 will be saved if every employee elects to participate. The only potential drawback Mr. Brugger sees would be that it could lower future employee Social Security retirement benefits. The employee has the right to participate or not participate. It is a very common practice and only covers medical premiums. Mr. Brugger recommended that the Council adopt the premium conversion plan. Mayor Walton suggested that employees sign a waiver acknowledging that they are aware that this plan could possibly lower their Social Security retirement benefits. Mr. Brugger stated that this is included in the Plan affidavit that employees must sign for this program. Kay Harrison made a motion to adopt Resolution 919, adopting the premium conversion benefit. plan for City employees. Dick Halley seconded. Roll Call: Motion passed unanimously. VIII. MAYOR'S REPORT Mayor Walton reported that there was only one complaint on fireworks at the 4th of July and only one fire was reported where a garage caught on fire. The damage was minimal. Mayor Walton commented that he had talked with Chief Sweeny and it seemed that continuing to allow fireworks in the City was the way to go and referred to an editorial in the Mail Tribune that suggested Medford should also legalize fireworks. IX. COUNCIL REPORTS Dennis Richardson- reported that: citizen participation at the 4th of July celebration was a big success and he would tike to have a thank you letter sent to the Chamber of Commerce and Linda Hagemann for their efforts. Police Chief Sweeney said he would see that a letter was sent. the City should video tape the traffic control during the fair. Chief Sweeney said he could obtain that video from City police units. Dick Halley reported that: ' he attended the Chamber meeting on July 11, 2001. Linda Hagemann gave a report on the 4th of Juty celebration and said it was great with very few problems. This is Linda Hagemann's last year and she has organized the 4th of July program for many years. He would like to see a special citation from the City acknowledging Linda for her work on the 4th of July. Bill Stints reported that: it is time for the annual tours of the Medford Water Commission facilities and recommended attending the tour on the 15th. He also saw the plans for the ozonation project at the treatment plant and was informed that the water will taste fantastic once this is completed. He will provide an update later. David Gilmour reported that: ' he would like to know how many businesses have tobacco retail licenses. Bill Brugger will provide that information; ' he would like to see a disclosure of fence requirements for corner lots that would obligate builders or real estate agents to disclose this information to their clients. David Gilmour made a motion to direct City Staff to develop an ordinance that will require disclosure of fence requirements on corner lots. Dick Halley seconded. Roll Call: Motion passed unanimously; he had gone through the Jackson County Traffic Control Plan for the amphitheater. He didn't think there was enough information in the traffic study and questioned how valid the study is. Chief Sweeney said that the County was hoping to test the plan during the fair. Chief Sweeney talked to Chris Borovansky, the Fair Manager, and the Fair will pay overtime for two police officers from the City to provide traffic control. he is very excited about the plan for downtown revitalization and would like to see an incentive offered, such as a short term property tax freeze, to help give business owners a jump start. Kay Harrison reported that: she had a really good time at the pancake breakfast. ' she will be attending the next Water Commission meeting. ' she would also like to thank the Public Works Director for getting a stop sign installed so quickly on New Haven. Donna Higginbotham reported that: she is pleased to see smoking banned from restaurants. David Gilmour added that he heard the Governor is looking at smoking in relation to Workers' Compensation health issues. X. DEPARTMENT REPORTS Planning Director Tom Humphrey reported that: there will be a workbook available in a couple of weeks for downtown business owners to assist them in pursuing funds for the downtown facade improvement program. It includes suggestions for improvements, etc. to stimulate the imagination. There are also sample drawings available. Building Official Lois DeBenedetti reported that: she has met with Marquess £~ Associates and they are preparing a structural, mechanical, plumbing and electrical analysis for the old fire station and the CPE gymnasium. School District #6 is participating in the cost of the analysis. She hopes to have the report by the 21st in time to do a presentation at the Study Session on Tuesday, July 24, 2001. Public Works Director Bob Pierce reported that: he had brought a map with him highlighting all the streets that would be included in the street overlay project this year the 2nd Street sidewalk improvement grant application was not funded. The City will have to apply for another grant or find other funding he is currently working with property owners to acquire the necessary right of ways for the Highway 99 sidewalk project. The project will be put out to bid in September. Finance Director Bill Brugger reported that: he had turned in the 2001 /2002 Fiscal Year Budget for the City to the County Assessor. He wanted to thank every body for the effort they have put into this year's budget he met with the Fairfield Inn to set up the 6% transient occupancy tax collections. In talking with them, they are extremely excited about their project and construction is far ahead of schedule. They will definitely open the 1st of August. They are also working on developing a second motel project on a site adjacent to their present location. XI. ADJOURNMENT Dennis Richardson moved to adjourn, Bill Stints seconded, all said "aye" and the Council Meeting was adjourned at 8:28 p.m. The foregoing minutes of the July 12, 2001 Council meeting were approved by the City Council at its meeting of July 26, 2001. ~~;