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HomeMy WebLinkAboutCM042601CITY OF CENTRAL POINT City Council Meeting Minutes April 26, 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, and Bill Stults were present. Dennis Richardson was absent. City Administrator Jim Bennett; 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. II1. PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE IV. INTRODUCTION OF GUESTS V. MINUTES A. Approval of April 12. 2001. City Council Minutes David Gilmour made a motion to approve the minutes as presented. Donna Higginbotham seconded. Roll Call: Motion passed unanimously. VI. PUBLIC APPEARANCES Bob Gilkey Mr. Gilkey spoke to the Council regarding the deregulation of electricity in Oregon. He feels that the Council should have joined with the City of Medford in requesting the postponement of SB 1149. He expressed his concerns regarding the long term effects this will have on the citizens of Oregon and surrounding States. He encouraged the Council members to talk with the Medford City Council to receive more information and re-think the idea of supporting them. Mr. Gilkey also stated his concerns regarding the Senior Center. He explained that the Central Point meals program serves many citizens who live outside of the city. He is concerned with the low attendance and suggested that the Council review the financial statements for the program and make sure that it is a viable service to Central Point citizens. He wants to make sure that the money the City has offered to help keep the center open is used wisely. Mayor Walton suggested that a Study Session be planned to review the programs associated with the Sr. Center. He encouraged the Council Members to take a tour of the facility and see how things work. Mayor Walton closed the Public Appearances portion of the meeting. Ciry of Central Point Ciry Council Minutes April 26, 2001 Page 2 VII. BUSINESS A. Ordinance No.1821, An Ordinance Amending CPMC Title 12 Relating to Trees -Second Reading Planning Director Tom Humphrey explained that the suggested changes made by the public and the City Council during the public hearing process on February 22, 2001, have been incorporated into the final draft of this Ordinance. Mr. Humphrey highlighted some of the changes: definition of significant/historic trees; private trees; tree removal/replacement; tree topping; and placement and maintenance of street trees and their standards. Bill Stults made a motion to approve Ordinance 1812, An Ordinance Amending CPMC Title 12 Relating to Trees. Donna Higginbotham seconded. Roll Call: Motion passed unanimously. B. Resolution of IntenttoAmend the Comprehensive Plan and Zoning Ordinance Mr. Humphrey stated that, in 1999, the City of Central Point received assistance from the Quick Response Program to help with the development of a neighborhood plan for the area roughly bounded by Griffin Creek, Scenic Drive, N. 3rd Street and Victoria Way. It includes Scenic Middle School, Fair City Market, and several underdeveloped residential properties. It also includes the intersection of Scenic Avenue, Upton Road, North 3rd Street and N. 10th Street which is one of the most congested and unsafe intersections in Central Point. This intersection is currently identified within the Circulation/Transportation Element of the City Comprehensive Plan as requiring complete restructuring. The project goals were to redesign the intersection and develop a land use plan for the area that would be affected by the redesign. This would involve an effort to improve vehicle, bicycle and pedestrian access to the school. A conceptual development plan was prepared by the Quick Response Team which is intended to serve as the basis for the changes to the Comprehensive Plan and Zoning Ordinances for this area. Mr. Humphrey explained that, in order to make the changes to the Comprehensive Plan and Zoning Ordinances, a resolution of intent is required. The Resolution of Intent will direct the Planning Department to proceed with a final plan for the Comprehensive Plan Map Amendment/Zoning Map Amendment and Chapter 17 -Zoning Codes. ,David Gilmour made a motion to approve Resolution 906, A Resolution Declaring the City Council's Intention to Amend the City of Central Point Comprehensive Plan and Title 17 of the Central Point Municipal Code. Bill Stults seconded. Roll Call: Motion passed unanimously. C. Oregon Public Employees Retirement System (PERS) Local Government Rate Pool Finance Director Bill Brugger explained that the Oregon Public Employees Retirement System (PERS) will establish a local government employer pool effective July 1, 2001. The purpose of the pool is to promote stability in employer rates across the state. Mr. Brugger explained that the City of Central Point has historically contributed to PERS at a much lower rate then the rate of the pool. Joining the pool is voluntary and subject to approval by each local government. Mr. Brugger explained that the benefits of pooling are the stabilizing of rates and the ability to spread the cost of a significant event, such as a disability retirement, over the entire pool instead of being borne solely by an individual employer. The City of Central Point currently has a surplus and is able to keep the City's rates low for many years to come. The City's City of Central Point City Council Minutes Apri126, 2001 Page 3 employer contribution rate beginning on July 1, 2001, will be 6% for the third consecutive year under the present calculation. If the City were to join the pool the rate would increase to 7.52% despite the fact that the City has a large actuarial surplus. At this time Staff recommends not joining the proposed local government pool. Bill Stults made a motion to not join the Oregon Public Employees Retirement System Local Government Rate Pool at this time. Dick Halley seconded. Roll Call: Motion passed unanimously. VIII. MAYOR'S REPORT Mayor Walton reported that: he attended the MPO meeting and explained current projects. he has received one call in opposition to the Diesel Fuel Tax and several in favor. the Grand Opening for Three Rivers Hospital will be May 20th. IX. CITY ADMINISTRATOR'S REPORT City Administrator Jim Bennett reported that: • he has received an update from Senator Smith's office regarding his attempts to cap wholesale prices for electricity in the western states. • he would like to adjourn into an executive session when the regular meeting ends. X. COUNCIL REPORTS Council Member Bill Stults reported that: • he was concerned about the personal attacks on City staff that were voiced during the Donna Way Study Session. He would like to see the Mayor or the City Administrator step in when Citizens are making personal attacks on City Staff. Mr. Humphrey was only doing the job that the council had previously directed him to do regarding traffic and the layout of the city. • SB99 would mandate all cities to fluoridate their water supply. The Medford Water Commission is against that mandate. • the Medford Water Commission would like to draft a Joint Conservation Plan and would like a Central Point Staff person to join the team. • there will be a bus tour to Big Butte Springs on June 21, July 19, and August 16th. Council Member David Gilmour reported that: HB 3959 passed the House today and this could affect the Central Point Smoking Ordinance if it becomes law. School District No. 6 is in favor of selling the property by Central Point Elementary to the City for the Skateboard park but they are having problems finding an appraiser. Jackson County has budgeted $100,000 for the Amphitheater. He suggested that the City encourage them to spend 10% of that on the Meals on Wheels program. Council Member Kay Harrison reported that: • she attended the Building Department Conference today in Medford. She stated that it was very educational. City of Central Point City Council Minutes April 26, 2001 Page 4 • she attended the RVTD Board Meeting. Council Member Donna Higginbotham reported that: • she is working on a committee to help clean up Jackson Creek. This committee is coordinated by RVCOG and should be very interesting. XI. DEPARTMENT REPORTS Planning Director Tom Humphrey reported that: Planning Technician Matt Samitore is in Maryland taking FEMA classes on flood insurance. there will be a seminar in Ashland on Downtown Revitalization. Public Works Director Bob Pierce updated the Council on: • the cost of installation of a gate at the end of Donna Way. • waterline projects • overlay projects • Pine/Haskell design plans • Public Works Design Standards. Building Official Lois De Benedetti stated that she has been attending a Building Conference all week in Medford. Parks and Recreation Coordinator Nancy Hanson reported that: • Central Point Elementary Students helped to plant trees forArbor Day at the school. • Vision Quest will be in May to help with Native American Culture Awareness. Kay Harrison made a motion to adjourn into executive session under the provisions of ORS 192.660 (d) and/or (i) to conduct labor negotiations and/or to evaluate the performance of the chief executive officer. Bill Stults seconded. Roll Call: Motion passed unanimously. XII. EXECUTIVE SESSION The City Council adjourned to executive session at 8:55 p.m. The City Council reconvened into open session at 10:47 p.m. Bill Stults moved to ratify the collective bargaining agreements with the Teamsters Union for General and Police Employees. David Gilmour seconded. Roll Call: Motion passed unanimously Kay Harrison moved to approve the FY 2001-2002 salary schedule for exempt City employees. Donna Higginbotham seconded. Roll Call: Motion passed unanimously David Gilmour moved to approve a modified employment agreement for the City Administrator. Bill Stults seconded. Roll Call: Motion passed unanimously rl '~~ Ciry of Central Point City Council Minutes April 26, 2001 Page 5 XIII. ADJOURNMENT Kay Harrison moved to adjourn. Dick Halley seconded, all said "aye" and the Council Meeting was adjourned at 10:57 p.m. 1 The foregoing minutes of the April 26, 2001, Council meeting were approved by the City Council at its meeting of May 10, 2001. Dated: '~-11-0~ ti Cc, Mayor Bill Walton ATTEST: ~~ s ~ .. Authorized Representativ