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Minutes - 09/23/2002 COUNCIL MEETING MINUTES SEPTEMBER 23, 2002 TAPE READING 0001 DATE. COUNCIL CHAMBERS, CITY HALL, CITY OF WOODBURN, COUNTY OF MARION, STATE OF OREGON, SEPTEMBER 23, 2002. CONVENED. The meeting convened at 7:00 p.m. with Mayor Jennings presiding. 0010 ROLL CALL. Mayor Councilor Councilor Councilor Councilor Councilor Councilor Jennings Bjelland Chadwick Figley McCallum Nichols Sifuentez Present Present Present Present Present Present Present Staff Present: City Administrator Brown, City Attorney Shields, Public Works Director Tiwari, Public Works Manager Rohman, Community Development Director Mulder, Police Chief Russell, Finance Director Gillespie, Park Director Westrick, Library Director Sprauer, City Recorder Tennant 0031 PROCLAMATION: WOODBURN FALL CLEAN-UP MONTH. Mayor Jennings asked Councilor McCallum to read the proclamation since he is an active participant in coordinating this semi-annual Livability Task Force project. Councilor McCallum read the proclamation which declared September II - October 12, 2002 as Woodburn Fall Clean-Up Month urging local residents, businesses, churches, and civic organizations to take pride in our community and assist in the city-wide cleanup effort scheduled for Saturday, October 12th. Volunteers will meet in the east parking lot ofthe High School at 8:30 a.m. and individuals interested in participating in the clean-up project are asked to call Kezia Merwin at City Hall. Clean-up areas will be along the major highways, the downtown area, and selected city streets. 0332 CHAMBER OF COMMERCE REPORT. Alma Grijalva, representing the Chamber Board, provided the following update of Chamber events: I) Candidate Forum will be held on October 7, 2002, 7:00 p.m., in the City Hall Council Chambers and candidates for the positions of City Council Ward IV, Marion County Commissioners, State Representative, and State Senate have been invited to participate. Citizens are encouraged to come meet the candidates and ask questions before they cast their vote. 2) The Chamber Auction will be held on Friday, September 27th, at Tukwila OGA beginning at 5:30 p.m.. Page I - Council Meeting Minutes, September 23, 2002 COUNCIL MEETING MINUTES SEPTEMBER 23, 2002 TAPE READING 3) The annual Chamber Board retreat will be held on October 2nd for the purpose of planning activities for 2003. 0428 WOODBURN DOWNTOWN ASSOCIATION REPORT. Mark Wilk, WDA President, updated the Council on WDA projects in progress. In an effort to beautify downtown, signs will be posted in business windows encouraging people to use available trash cans in the downtown area rather than littering. A crew from the WDA organization will also be cleaning up the downtown area on October 12th. In regards to the Front Street lighting project, the trenching and laying of electrical lines has been completed for about 1/3 of the project and it is anticipated that this portion ofthe project will be completed by the first of the month. The lights will be strung in the trees adjacent to the railroad tracks between Hardcastle A venue and Cleveland Street. He also provided the Council with copies of minutes from their recent meetings. 0630 Jim Keller, 1919 Westwood Dr, Keizer, stated that he is a candidate for the Marion County Treasurer's position in the upcoming election and he appreciated the opportunity to introduce himself to the Council. 0730 Police Chief Russell thanked the Council for giving him the opportunity to attend the FBI Academy in Quantico, V A over the last 10 weeks. He stated that the training covered a multitude of topics including budgets, terrorist prevention, communications, and forensic science. 0813 CONSENT AGENDA. A) approve the Council minutes of September 9,2002; B) accept the Recreation and Park Board minutes of September 10, 2002; C) accept the Livability Task Force minutes of July 15, 2002 and August 8, 2002; and D) receive the Library Monthly Report for July 2002. FIGLEYINICHOLS... consent agenda be adopted as presented. The motion passed unanimously. 0830 COUNCIL BILL 2414 - ORDINANCE GRANTING WOODBURN AMBULANCE SERVICE INC A NON-EXCLUSIVE FRANCHISE FOR AMBULANCE SERVICES WITHIN THE CITY. Council Bill 2414 was introduced by Councilor Chadwick. Recorder Tennant read the two readings of the bill by title only since there were no objections from the Council. On roll call vote for final passage, the bill passed unanimously. Mayor Jennings declared Council Bill 2414 duly passed with the emergency clause. Page 2 - Council Meeting Minutes, September 23, 2002 COUNCIL MEETING MINUTES SEPTEMBER 23, 2002 TAPE READING 922 COUNCIL BIL~ 2415 - RESOLUTION AUTHORIZING EXECUTION OF A COLLECTIVE lBARGAINING AGREEMENT WITH THE AMERICAN FEDERATION pF STATE. COUNTY. AND MUNICIPAL EMPLOYEES (AFSCME) LOCAL 642. Councilor Chadwick introduced Council Bill 2415. The bill was read by title only since there were no objections from the Council. It was noted that there was a typographical error in the second paragraph and it should read "...bargained in good faith...... Mayor Jennings also thanked the City Administrator for his excellent job in negotiating the contract with the general service employees. On roll call vote for final passage, the motion passed unanimously. Mayor Jennings declared Council Bill 2415 duly passed. 1024 REJECTION OF ALL BIDS FOR HERITAGE PARK ACCESS RAMP. Bids for the construction of an ADA compliant access ramp to the recreation facilities in Tract A of Heritage Park were received from the following contractors: All Concrete Spec. Inc., $62,396.00 (Schedule A alternative) and $48,624.00 (Schedule B alternative); and Kostenboarder Contracting, $25,620.20 (Schedule B alternative). The engineer's estimate for Schedule A alternative was $20,600.00, and $15,640.00 for Schedule B alternative. FIGLEY /NICHOLS... reject all bids for the Heritage Park Access Ramp, Schedules A and B, and direct staff to devise a less costly solution to the project requirements. The motion passed unanimously. 1065 LIBRARY STAFFING ADJUSTMENTS. Library Director Sprauer requested authorization to make staffing adjustments that would allow for the hiring of a full-time Librarian and a full-time Library Assistant within the budget allocations for fiscal year 2002-03. FIGLEY/NICHOLS... approve the proposed changes in the Library personnel staff for the 2002-03 fiscal year as set forth in the memo. The motion passed unanimously. 1091 PUBLIC HEARING: WOODBURN AMBULANCE SERVICE. INC. RATE ADJUSTMENTS. Mayor Jennings stated that, following the hearing, he will be asking the Council to introduce the Council Bill which would address the rate adjustments. Mayor Jennings declared the public hearing open at 7:20 p.m.. Finance Director Gillespie stated that the ambulance service is requesting a base rate per call increase from $661 to $837 and a mileage rate increase from $10 to $16.50 per mile since there has been a change in the Medicare reimbursement schedule. Medicare is decreasing their payment to providers over a 4-year period and the first reduction went Page 3 - Council Meeting Minutes, September 23, 2002 COUNCIL MEETING MINUTES SEPTEMBER 23, 2002 TAPE READING into effect on April I, 2002. By January 2004, the Medicare reimbursement will have dropped from $580 to $309. It was noted that 59% of the calls for service are covered by Medicare. Additionally, the company's revenues have been further reduced by the Attorney General's office legal opinion that State Gas Tax revenues are not to be used for uninsured indigell1t victims of traffic accidents. The rate increase will make up for the loss of revenues from the first two years of Medicare reductions and the loss of revenue from the State. It was noted that the last increase in rates was approved by the Council in January 2000. Councilor Bjelland questioned what service is provided to indigent victims ifthe State is no longer reimbursing the ambulance service for ambulance services. 1458 Shawn Baird, representing Woodburn Ambulance, stated that they still respond to the scene and provide necessary services to the victim(s). The Motor Vehicle Accident Fund was established several years ago with gasoline tax funds available to pay for service calls in which victims had no source of available funds to pay for the service. Those calls will now be totally uncompensated to the service provider. Mayor Jennings questioned if the ambulance provider has to accept what Medicare pays as full payment even though the cost for the service is greater. Mr. Baird stated that, as of April I, 2002, the Medicare payment is now considered as payment in full and the service provider is not allowed the bill the patient for any balance. It was noted that the changes in the reimbursement schedule now place the burden of additional costs on those individuals who utilize the service (approximately 20%) and are not covered under Medicare or considered indigent. In regards to the local convalescent rate, Mr. Baird stated that they had left the rate in the resolution but they have not been billing patients under that category since they have not been providing that type of service due to the availability of other service providers who provide that type of service. Councilor Bjelland questioned if there are other rates that should be considered outside of what is listed in the draft resolution. Mr. Baird stated that their company does not have any other rates in effect at this time, however, at the end of the Medicare phase-in period, they will be coming to the City to ask for a completely different type of rate structure. No one in the audience spoke either for or against the proposed rate adjustments. Councilor Bjelland expressed his concern with having only one basic rate structure when there is a significant increase in that base rate structure. He felt that there should be at least two rates involved depending upon the level of service that is provided to the patient. 2255 Mayor Jennings closed the public hearing at 7:37 p.m.. In regards to the cost, Mayor Jennings stated that, based on his prior experience with the Ambulance Service and the Fire Service, patients who are conscious and not on life support have always been able to make the decision ifthey want to be transported to the Page 4 - Council Meeting Minutes, September 23, 2002 COUNCIL MEETING MINUTES SEPTEMBER 23, 2002 TAPE READING hospital thereby incurring a ambulance service cost. Councilor McCaUum concurred with Councilor BjeUand's comments and expressed his opinion that the ambulance service deserves to receive a fair and just profit. The service is necessary within our community but unfortunately some patients will be paying for others based on the payment restrictions imposed by government agencies. Councilor Figley stated that she feels some frustration on this issue in that fuU payment seems to be the responsibility of so few people who utilize the service. COUNCIL BILL 2416 - RESOLUTION ESTABLISHING RATES AND CHARGES FOR WOODBURN AMBULANCE SERVICES. INC. Council BiU 2416 was introduced by Councilor Chadwick. The bill was read by title only since there were no objections from the Council. On roU caU vote for final passage, the bill passed unanimously. Mayor Jennings declared Council Bill 2416 duly passed. The rate adjustments will become effective on October I, 2002. 2643 CITY ADMINISTRATOR'S REPORT. No report was made by the City Administrator. 2662 MAYOR AND COUNCIL REPORTS. Councilor Nichols questioned when the State Transportation Dept. would be fixing the pothole on the 1-5 bridge. Public Works Manager Rohman stated that he has notified them of the maintenance issue and he will contact them to check on the status of the repair work. Councilor Figley stated that she had observed the work being done by the Downtown Association and feels that it will enhance the downtown area. Councilor McCaUum stated that it was a pleasure to be hosted by the Fire Department to see the new training facility in Brooks. Mayor Jennings and Councilor Chadwick also attended the tour and this facility will provide our local fire district with a high level of training without having to provide and maintain our own facility. Councilor McCaUum also thanked Public Works Manager Rohman for his working with the State of Oregon and WiUamette Railway in getting the railroad crossing repaired on Highway 99E. He also thanked Park & Recreation Director Westrick for his presentation at the Chamber Forum regarding the proposed Community Center. Mayor Jennings stated that there is now a new fence in front of the Association Building on Front Street and the walkway has been opened up to aUow pedestrian traffic on the sidewalk. Mayor Jennings stated that Executive Secretary Kay Vestal is retiring at the end of this month after 25 years of service to the City. A smaU reception was held earlier today and he gave her a gift from the Council in appreciation of her work for the Council. Page 5 - Council Meeting Minutes, September 23,2002 COUNCIL MEETING MINUTES SEPTEMBER 23, 2002 TAPE READING He also stated that he had visited with 16 students of the Junior class last Wednesday for the purpose of discussing potential appointments to various City boards and committees. 3239 Finance Director Gillespie stated that installation of a projector is in progress in the Council Chambers that will allow for power point presentations and DVD video tape presentations. This project will also provide a direct video signal for WCA T. 3394 EXECUTIVE SESSION. Mayor Jennings entertained a motion to adjourn into executive session under the authority ofORS 192.660(1)(h), 192.660(1)(i), and I 92.660(1)(f). FIGLEY /BJELLAND... adjourn to executive session under the statutory authority cited by the Mayor. The motion passed unanimously. The Council adjourned to executive session at 7:55 p.m. and reconvened at 9:13 p.m.. 3418 Mayor Jennings stated that no action was taken by the Council while they were in executive session. FIGLEY/MCCALLUM... City Administrator's monthly base salary be increased by 10% effective October 1, 2002 and a contract reflecting that change be brought back to the Council for approval. The motion passed unanimously. 3469 Mayor Jennings stated that he also wanted to let the Council know that on November 15th there will be a "Roast" for the outgoing Mayor and invitations will be sent out next month. 3572 ADJOURNMENT. NICHOLS/MCCALLUM... meeting be adjourned. The motion passed unanimously. The meeting adjourned at 9: IS p.m.. APPROVED ~ . P, ~ RI HARD JENN S, YOR ATTEST (0~~ Mary T ant, Recorder City of Woodburn, Oregon Page 6 - Council Meeting Minutes, September 23,2002