07-25-2011 Minutes COUNCIL MEETING MINUTES
JULY 25, 2011
ono DATE COUNCIL CHAMBERS, CITY HALL, CIT Y OF WOODBURN,
COUNTY OF MARION, STATE OF OREGON, JULY 25, 2011.
CONVENED The meeting convened at 7:00 p.m. with Mayor Figley presiding.
ROLL CALL
Mayor Figley Present
Councilor Cox Present
Councilor Lonergan Present
Councilor McCallum Present
Councilor Morris Present
Councilor Pugh Present
Councilor Schmidt Present
Staff Present: City Administrator Derickson, City Attorney Shields, Economic &
Community Development Director Hendryx, Public Works Director Brown, Police
Captain Garrett, Recorder Shearer.
0:00 ANNOUNCEMENTS
A. Woodburn Fiesta Mexicana
0:00 COMMUNITY /GOVERNMENT REPORTS
A. Woodburn Chamber of Commerce — Elida Sifuentes spoke regarding the Woodburn
Fiesta organizers. Don Judson, Executive Director discussed the Chamber's role in
organizing this year's Fiesta.
B. Woodburn Unidos — Erubio Valladares, President, updated Council on the activities
of the Woodburn Downtown Unidos, especially their efforts to conduct meetings
bilingually.
0:00 PROCLAMATIONS
A. National Night Out 2011
0:13 PRESENTATIONS
A. Chamber of Commerce — Tourism Report: Kelly Lemmings, Tourism Coordinator
for Woodburn Area Tourism presented the Tourism Work Plan for 2011 -2012
(appended to agenda packet).
B. Budget Policies & Reduction Strategy — City Administrator Derickson gave a
presentation on a proposed Budget Policy and Reduction Strategy to address potential
funding challenges. Administrator Derickson reviewed the recent fiscal history of the
City and outlined some of the challenges he is expecting in the coming years.
Councilor Cox had a question regarding street maintenance funding and the decline of
General Fund support for streets. Administrator Derickson discussed the challenges
of street funding and the limitations on use of Street SDC funds.
Page 1 - Council Meeting Minutes, July 25, 2011
COUNCIL MEETING TING MINUTES
JULY 25, 2011
Council discussed the purpose of the General Fund contingency (currently set at 10%
of General Fund expenditures). Councilor Cox questioned under what circumstances
the contingency would be used and how it would be replenished. Councilor Schmidt
is supportive of the contingency and would be opposed to a reduction of the
contingency. Mayor Figley clarified that contingency would be used for one time
expenses or opportunities and the expectation is that it would be replenished in the
next budget year.
Administrator Derickson discussed the impacts of wage and benefit cost increases.
To address the escalation of these costs, policies regarding wages & benefits have
been developed. Councilor Cox pointed out that significant changes in benefit levels
would need to be bargained with the unions; Administrator Derickson agreed.
Councilor Pugh commended staff on the foresight and effort that went into
developing this proposal. Councilor McCallum agreed that this supports the goal of
transparency for government actions.
Council also discussed the prioritization of Programs and Services relative to
reduction strategies. All agreed that prioritization is important for planning purposes
but recognize cuts may come from a combination of programs & services. Mayor
Figley pointed out that simply having the discussion is valuable. Councilors Schmidt
and Cox felt that across the board cuts are more fair than prioritized cuts. Councilor
Morris pointed out that the City's prioritization of programs and services may not
align with the public's priorities. Councilor McCallum asserts that this works as a
decision framework, rather than a final decision.
1:36 BUSINESS FROM THE PUBLIC
Garry LaPoint of 850 Lawson Ave, (AM /PM) has a complaint regarding the .01 /gallon
gasoline tax. He feels that it places him at a competitive disadvantage. He also had
concern about access exiting /entering I -5. He also is not happy with the Front Street
improvements. In addition, he would like the school zones to be consistent. Finally, he
had a suggestion regarding a fee for street funding (appended to agenda packet).
1: CONSENT AGENDA
A. Approve Woodburn City Council minutes of July 11, 2011,
B. Accept Woodburn Planning Commission minutes of June 23, 2011, and
C. Accept the crime statistics report for June 2011.
• McCallum /Cox... adopt the Consent Agenda. The motion passed unanimously.
Page 2 - Council Meeting Minutes, July 25, 2011
COUNCIL MEETING MINUTES
JULY 25, 2011
2:00 TABLED BUSINESS
COUNCIL BILL NO. 2870 — A RESOLUTION AGREEING TO THE
PERMANENT CLOSURE OF THE MILL STREET RAILROAD CROSSING
PURSUANT TO AN ORDER TO BE ISSUED BY THE OREGON DEPARTMENT
OF TRANSPORTATION, RAIL DIVISION
McCallum /Lonergan... remove Council Bill No. 2870 from the table. Motion passed
unanimously.
Public Works Director Brown provided as staff report regarding the status of the
agreement between Wilbur -Ellis and Union Pacific. City Administrator Derickson
discussed the agreement between the City and Wilbur -Ellis for fencing once the closure
was complete. Councilor Cox is opposed to this Resolution because Wilbur -Ellis had
indicated it would relocate the business if the crossing was closed and Council wished to
preserve the business within the community. He feels that the City has invested a
significant amount of staff time and resources and does not feel Council should "bless"
this action. He also feels that additional investments of public funds (approximately
$18,000) necessary to complete the closure is not appropriate and does not provide a
public benefit. Councilor McCallum asked what the ramifications of a no vote would be.
He also questioned what Union Pacific's motives for the closure are. Director Brown
replied that there were many motives in play, including a move to increase train speeds
through Woodburn and the associated safety concerns. He also stated that if the City
takes a position opposing the closure, the closure would move into a contested case
process. Councilor Cox suggested that the City take a neutral position, neither opposed
or in favor of closure. Councilor Schmidt reiterated that the City's involvement in this
issue was on behalf of Wilbur -Ellis and does not support further action by the City that
will incur additional costs of staff time or funds.
Public Works Director Brown clarified the sequence of events and the standing of the
parties involved. City Administrator Derickson added that it was the City's threat of
contesting the closure that lead to the agreement between Wilbur -Ellis & Union Pacific
that will allow Wilbur -Ellis to continue to operate in Woodburn after the Mill Street
crossing closure. Staff also clarified the City and ODOT Rail roles in the closure.
Council & staff discussed the options for the resolution and the existing closure order
objection. Councilor Morris also'is opposed to expending more funds for this closure.
Council also discussed the future Hardcastle realignment project and how it fits into this
issue. Council also ensured that there were no adverse unintended consequences that
would occur should this measure fail.
• Page 3 - Council Meeting Minutes, July 25, 2011
COUNCIL MEETING MINUTES
JULY 25, 2011
On roll call vote for final passage, the bill failed with all Councilors voting against the
resolution. McCallum /Pugh... notify ODOT Rail and all other stakeholders that the
City is withdrawing its opposition to the Mill Street closure order. The motion passed
unanimously.
2:40 COUNCIL BILL NO. 2873 — (SECOND READING) AN ORDINANCE
ADOPTING BUILDING DIVISION FEES FOR INCLUSION IN THE MASTER
FEE SCHEDULE; REPEALING ALL BUILDING FEES AND CHARGES THAT
ARE INCONSISTENT WITH THIS ORDINANCE; AND SETTING AN
EFFECTIVE DATE
Recorder Shearer re -read the second reading of the bill by title only since there were no
objections from the Council. On roll call vote for final passage, the vote was 5 -1 in
favor, with Councilor Schmidt voting no. Mayor Figley declared Council Bill No. 2873
duly passed.
2:42 CLARIFYING THE DEFINITION OF CALIPER FOR TREES LEGISLATIVE
AMENDMENT 2011 -01 (WOODBURN DEVELOPMENT ORDINANCE)
Councilor Cox clarified the applicability of this action to significant trees.
Cox/McCallum.. . direct staff to return with an ordinance amending sections 1.4 & 5 of
the Woodburn Development Ordinance, as previously approved by the City Council
making the staff suggested change to the definition of "caliper ". Motion passed
unanimously.
2:45 CITY ADMINISTRATOR'S REPORT
• National Night Out: Police staff will accompany Council members to attend National
Night Out events if Council wishes.
• Another E -Blurb will be issued soon
• Rotary fundraiser for the Fall Classic at the Woodburn Dragstrip September 17/18.
Tickets are available from the City Administrator
2:47 MAYOR AND COUNCIL REPORTS
• Councilor McCallum would like to congratulate Councilor Morris on his election to
Chair of the Woodburn School Board.
Page 4 - Council Meeting Minutes, July 25, 2011
COUNCIL MEETING MINUTES
JULY 25, 2011
2:49 ADJOURNMENT
Schmidt/Lonergan... meeting be adjourned. The motion passed unanimously.
The meeting adjourned at 9:50 p.m.
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City of Woodb • egon
Page 5 - Council Meeting Minutes, July 25, 2011