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HomeMy WebLinkAboutCM072408 CITY OF CENTRAL POINT City Council Meeting Minutes July 24, 2008 I. REGULAR MEETING. CALLED TO ORDER Mayor Williams called the meeting to order at 7:00 p.m. ll. .PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE III. ROLL CALL: Mayor: Hank Williams Council Members: Bruce Dingler, Kay Harrison,, Walter Moczygemba, and Mike Quilty were present. Matthew Stephenson and Dick Halley were excused. City Administrator Phil Messina; City Attorney Doug Engle; Deputy Public Works Director Chris Clayton; Police Chief Jon Zeliff; ParKs and Recreation Manager Matt Samitore; Finance Director Jill Turner; Community Planner Dave Jacobs; Community Planner Connie Clune; and City Recorder Deanna Casey were also present. IV. PUBLIC APPEARANCES Gene Skelton, City Resident Mr. Skelton stated that he is the organizer for the Central Point D.A.R.E. Cruise and would like to formally invite all the City Council, City Employees and Citizens to the Cruise on September 6, 2008. The City will post the event on their website and help with some of the publications. School pistrict No. 6 is one of the few districts that continue to provide the D.A.R.E. program to its students. This Cruise helps raise funds to support the program in Central Point Schools. V. CONSENT AGENDA A. Approval of July 10, 2008, City Council Minutes. B. Authorization of Agreement to continue Emergency Dispatch contract with SORC C. Authorization of street closure for D.A.R.E. Cruise September 6, 2008 D. Proclamation for Southern Oregon Pride Day, July 26, 2008 Mike Quilty made a motion to approve the Consent Agenda as presented. Walter Moczygemba seconded. Roll call: Bruce Dingler, yes; Kay Harrison, yes; Walter Moczygemba, yes, and Mike Quilty, yes. Motion approved. [1 VI. ITEMS ~tEMOVED FROM CONSENT AGENDA -None VII. PUBLIC HEARINGS,. ORDINANCES AND RESOLUTIONS City of Central Point City Council Minutes July 24, 2008 Page 2 A. First Reading, An Ordinance Adding Chapter 5.27 to the Central Point Municipal Code Pertaining to the Establishment of a Multicultural Committee City Administrator Phil Messina stated that a Citizen approached the City requesting the establishment of aMulti-cultural Committee. A packet has been provided for the Council with the proposal, purpose, and benefits of creating a Multi-cultural Committee. Their direction would be in creating awareness for ethnic groups within our community regarding diverse cultural, economic and social issues. There would be no budget expenditure and staffing would be from the City Administrator and the Police Department cultural liaison, James Gilman. The Mayor and City Council would appoint the members and their terms at a Council meeting. if the ordinance is approved. Waiter Moczygemba made a motion to move to second reading an Ordinance Adding Chapter 5.27 to the Central Point Municipal Code Pertaining to the Establishment of a Multicultural Committee. Mike Quilty seconded. Roll call: Bruce Dingier, yes; Kay Harrison, yes; Walter Moczygemba, yes; and Mike Quilty, yes. Motion approved. B. Resolution No. 1186, A Resolution Setting a Public Hearing and Initiating Proceedings to Vacate Portions of Ash Street Community Planner David Jacob stated that the City received an application requesting aRight-of-Way vacation of a section of Ash Street. The Vacation would encompass 675 ft of Ash Street from Freeman Road to South 7~' Street. Ash Street is a residential street with an 80 ft ROW, a standard city street ROW is 60 ft. The area to be vacated would be 10 ft on both sides of a portion of Ash Street. ORS 271 provides two methods for vacating public ROW: 271.080) Petition process requiring consent of the owners of all abutting properties of not less than two thirds in the area affected. Notification and public hearing is required. 271.130) Initiation by city governing body can be conducted if the city can find that the vacation will not substantially affect the market value of the properties involved. At the July 10, 2008, Council meeting Herb Farber spoke under public appearances requesting. the City to initiate the proposed vacation per ORS 271.130. The Council asked staff to return with more information on this issue. In the past use of ORS 271.130 has been limited to vacations related to public works projects. In general, vacations stand on their own merit and are approved or denied based on technical issues. The only requirement on the City to initiate the vacation is a finding that the vacation will not substantially affect the property value of the abutting owners. Approval of the attached resolution does not constitute vacation approval, it only declares the City's intent to vacate, and initiates the notification and hearing. process. City of Central Point City Council Minutes July 24, 2008 Page 3 r L~ There was discussion regarding the size of lots along that street. The applicants would be able to subdivide their property and plan to build an affordable single family home. Sidewalks could still be installed with a 60 ft right of way. At present staff does not see any adverse affect to the property owners if 10 ft is vacated on each side. There would be no positive or negative effect on the city. This would be a house keeping issue for the city to bring all city streets to the 60 ft standard. Mayor Williams opened the discussion up for public comment. Richard Morgan, Ash Street Property Owner Mr. Morgan stated that his property is fairly small and cannot afford to lose any feet from the lot. He explained the history and why the street had an 80' ft ROW. He does not feel that the City should mess with the original plat of the street. Herb Farber, Farber Surveying Mr. Farber assured -that there. will be no harm to any of the abutting. property owners if the 10 ft is vacated. The easy part about this vacation is that the vacated property will automatically ga to the abutting property owner and there should be no additional paperwork to bog. down the system. There was discussion regarding a variance for this property owner. Mr. Farber stated that there are no provisions for a variance from lot size. It species in the code that in order to subdivide property it must be at least 10,000 square feet. The applicant's .property falls just short of that amount. Betty Skelton, Ash Street Property Owner Mrs. Skelton explained that the majority of the property owners in the affected area do not live in those homes, they are either rentals or part time residents. She would like the Council to take into consideration the wishes of the property owners who reside in that area. Brian and Lisa Herman, Applicant and Ash Street Property owners Mr. Herman stated that this lot is long. and thin: There will be no adverse affect on the surrounding property. If approved the new single family home would take access from Chestnut Street. They would like to build an affordable home for a rental. Joseph Hasker, Ash Street Property Owner Mr. Hasker stated that he did not sign the petition because he does not want the City to vacation the 10 feet in front of his property. He is on a fixed income and does. not want his property taxes increased because of 10 feet of property. The fees and taxes will end up forcing him to move out of Central Point. Gene Skelton, Ash Street Property Owner Mr. Skelton does not believe that his property taxes would not increase. His taxes increased recently on the property without the vacation. The document that was submitted to the City is incorrect when it states that the taxes would only increase a small amount. City of Central Point City Council Minutes July 24, 2008 Page 4 Bruce Dingler made a motion to approve Resolution 1186, A Resolution Setting a Public Hearing. and Initiating Proceedings to Vacate Portions of Ash Street. Kay Harrison seconded. Roll call: Bruce Dingler, yes; Kay Harrison, yes; Walter Mo~zygemba, no; and Mike Quilty, yes. Motion carries. Mr. Samitore reminded the Mayor that at the last meeting they discussed sending this item to the Planning Commission for a recommendation. The next available Planning Commission meeting would be in September. Bruce Dingler made a motion to amend the resolution sending this issue to the Planning. Commission for a recommendation prior to having. a Public Hearing at the ;City Council.. Kay Harrison seconded. Roll call: Bruce Dingler, yes; Kay Harrison, yes; Walter Moczygemba, no; and Mike Quilty, yes. Motion can•ies. C. Resolution No. 1187, A Resolution Authorizing the Modification of the. Traffic Median Located at the Intersection of First Street and Pine Street Deputy Public Works Director Chris Clayton stated that earlier this year the Council appointed an AdHoc committee to analyze the possibility of modifying the intersection at Pine and First Streets. This committee felt the most viable solution is to modify the median located at the intersection of First and Pine, and re-striping the traffic lane configuration on Pine Street between First and Second Streets. This option address two items that the committee considered the principal source of negative public perception: The transitional merge located on Pine Streefi between First and Second Streets; and the narrowing. to a single lane for West bound traffic near First Street. Finance Director Jill Turner stated that the 2008/2009 Street Fund revenues are tight. Staff is requesting. to expand the list of projects to include modifications to the intersection, with estimated costs for the project of $50,000. If approved the project is planned for .completion in March of 2009. The cost of the project is estimated high so staff does not have to stop the project and return to council for more funds. It was suggested that this project be moved up with a completion date of October 31, 2008. Kay Harrison made a motion to approve Resolution No. 1187, A Resolution Authorizing. the Modification of the Traffic Median Located at the Intersection of First Street and Pine Street. Mike Quilty seconded. Roll call: Bruce Dingler, yes; Kay Harrison, yes; Walter Moczygemba, yes; and Mike Quilty, yes. Motion approved. D, Resolution No. 1188, A Resolution Authorizing Signatures for Banking Services on Behalf of the City of Central Point City of Central Point City Council Minutes July 24, 2008 Page 5 Finance Director Turner stated with a change in staffing the authorized signatures for banking services need to be updated. The attached resolution authorizes City Administrator Phil Messina, and Interim Finance Director, Bev Adams to sign checks on behalf of the City. In their absence Mayor Williams, Deputy Public Works Director Chris Clayton or Council Member Quilty will be asked to sign checks. Kay Harrison made a motion to approve Resolution 1188, Authorizing Signatures for Banking Services on Behalf of the City of Central Point. Walter Moczygemba seconded. Roll call: Bruce Dingler, yes; Kay Harrison, yes; Walter Moczygemba, yes; and Mike Quilty, yes. Motion approved. VIII. BUSINESS A. Don Jones Memorial Park Phase 1 Construction Parks and Recreation Manager Matt Samitore stated that at this time the financing plan for the entire park is not available but they anticipate saving close to 20% of the overall cost of the park by building it all in this current year. With the rising costs of construction it is recommended that construction not be postponed as originally planned. The Park will be constructed in-three phases. If Council approves the financing plan for Don Jones Park the Parks and Recreation department will not plan any Capitol Projects for several years. Staff is asking for a motion to return to Council with a financing plan for Don Jones Park and a motion to award the Phase 1 construction bid to Visar Construction which came in 2.0% over the engineer's estimate of $955,000. Mike Quilty made a motion directing staff to bring back a Resolution Authorizing. a Finance Plan. for completion of Don Jones Memorial Park. Kay Harrison seconded. Roll call: Bruce Dingler, yes; Kay Harrison, yes; Walter Moczygemba, yes; and Mike Quilty, yes. Motion approved. Walter Moczygemba .made a motion to Award Phase 1 of the Don Jones Park Construction to Visar Construction. Mike Quilty seconded. Roll call: Bruce Dingler, yes; Kay Harrison, yes; Walter Moczygemba, yes; and Mike Quilty, yes. Motion approved. IX. COUNCIL BUSINESS Council Member Bruce Dingler stated that he would like to have a study session to discuss the Council Rules. He stated that he would like clarification on some of the rules and modification of some that are no longer followed. Council Member Walter Moczygemba stated that because of his job it is difficult for him to attend Study Sessions on Monday nights. There was discussion about changing the Study Session times to a lunch hour. Mr. Moczygemba stated that he will check with his schedule to see which day of City of Central Point City Council Minutes Juiy 24, 2008 Page 6 the month would work for him. The Council Members present stated that lunch Study Sessions would work for them. X. AAAYOR'S REPORT Mayor Williams stated that he attended the Fair. XI. CITY A<aAAINISTRATOR'S REPORT City Administrator Phil Messina reported that he: • Would like to thank Finance. Director Jill Turner for all the. work she has completed in her four years with the City. He wishes her luck with her new job. • Would like to thank Ms. Turner and Mr. Samitore for figuring out the funding for Don Jones Park. This has been a big, project and it will be nice to finally have the park constructed. • Attended the Oregon City County Managers Association Conference in Cottage Grove. • Held a quarterly employee meeting. where they recognized Brian Gustufson as employee of the Quarter. S#aff recognized employees who have been with the city for five and ten years. Rochelle Lake has been with the City for 15 years. • Finance Supervisor Bev Adams has agreed to be the Interim Finance Director. XII. COUNCIL REPORTS Council Member Kay Harrison reported that she attended: • the fair. • an MPOPAC meeting. • an RVSS Board meeting. • the Medford Water Commission meeting. • The Study Session. • The Bear Creek Greenway meeting. Council Member Mike Quilty reported that: • He attended the fair. • He attended the study session • Next week he will attend a meeting in Portland to discuss Oregon Transportation Funding issues. XIII. DEPARTAflENT REPORTS Finance Director Jill Turner reported that she has enjoyed working for Central Point. She is working on finishing a few projects before her last day which is August 1st. Deputy Public Works Director Chris Clayton reported that: City of Central Point City Council Minutes July 24, 2008 Page 7 • The bronze statue outside the Council Chambers has been vandalized. Someone cut it off at the ankles. They are researching companies that can repair the statue. • Staff is working on demolishing the old house on Hwy 99 next to the train tracks. • Staff is working. on the street maintenance projects. • Staff is scheduling a Joint Study Session with the County Commissioners to discuss the Twin Creeks Railroad crossing. Parks and Recreation Manager Matt Samitore reported that: • The City has received the grant to install restrooms' in our parks. They are hoping to slide the Forest Glen Park restrooms into the project. This will finalize the project of installing restrooms in all city parks. • Debbie Saxbury has volunteered to chair the committee for the city wide clean up event that has been put on hold because the previous Chair person has been unable to continue the project. • The City has purchased a new blow up screen for the movies in the park. This weeks movie is. Second Hand. Lions. Police Chief Jon Zeliff reported that: • Staff is finishing up on the interview process for the vacant police position. • The Department has received the latest update on the LEXIPOL Standards manual • Staff has submitted a news release stating that they have received an Integrity Award. XIV. EXECUTIVE SESSION -None XV. ADJOU¢2NMENT Mike Quilty moved to adjourn, Kay Harrison seconded, all- said "aye" and the Council Meeting was adjourned at 8.52 p.m. The foregoing m+nutes of the July 24, 2008, Council meeting were approved by the City Council at its meeting of August 14, 2008. Dated: g f j~~ ~ , ~ G~s~~.-~~ Mayor Hank Williams ATT City Recorder