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Minutes - 08/04/1997 Workshop TAPE READING 0022 0050 ...". COUNCIL WORKSHOP MEETING MINUTES AUGUST 4, 1997 DATE. COUNCIL CHAMBERS, CITY HALL, CITY OF WOODBURN, COUNTY OF MARION, STATE OF OREGON, AUGUST 4, 1997 CONVENED. The council met in a workshop session at 7:14 p.m. with Mayor Kirksey presiding to discuss November Ballot Measure priorities. ROLL CALL. Mayor Councilor Councilor Councilor Councilor Councilor Councilor Kirksey Chadwick Figley Hagenauer Jennings Pugh sifuentez Present Present Present Present Present Present Present staff Present: City Administrator Childs; Finance Clerk Deen Administrator Childs noted the purpose of the meeting, stressing the short time line before the filing deadline, and offered three issues which could be consid~ed for the November ballot: - Increase Planning and other Miscellaneous Fees - Bond Issue to Construct Centennial Park - Increase Gas Tax Administrator Childs noted that the Council has identified a potential need to increase the planning and other miscellaneous fee schedule, and that it is now achievable only through a vote because of Measure 50 ramifications. He listed some possible arguments for and against the increase in fees: PRO: Long running need for Planning fee structure, by a vote of the people. updated land Use now achievable only Page 1 - Council Workshop Meeting Minutes, August 4, 1997 .----r--~----~ -.... similar need for review and update of other routine city fees and charges. Increased financial support needed for adequate staffing to handle current volume of Land Use Planning activity. Popular sentiment that developers, existing taxpayers should pay associated with accommodating new rather than the costs growth. CON: Exact nature and amount of revised fees not yet fully determined. May still be some question as to whether specific fees require vote. No track record established among other cities regarding this type of measure. (Ci ty of Salem does have a similar fee increase measure on the November 4 ballot.) Arguably lesser financial impact to city than other possible ballot measures. Councilor Pugh questioned whether the Council had made a decision to raise the fees. 0111 Administrator childs stated that it was his understanding that the Council was in favor of raising the fees in order to adequately staff and fund the department. Mayor Kirksey stated that she thought it was the consensus of the Council to raise the fees. Councilor Figley stated that she felt it was apparent that our fees are abnormally low and particularly on things that are labor intensive. She stated that she felt very strongly that we need to leave the fees impacting the average tax payer where they are and set fees for big projects that would come closer to market rate, and that the City can charge the market rate and not stifle development in the City. Councilor Pugh questioned whether we needed to license major engineering firms. Page 2 - Council Workshop Meeting Minutes, August 4, 1997 ",----- 111 I ......... 0168 Mayor Kirksey stated that she felt we could have more complex forms for them, but that the rules and fees charged are ultimately the Council's responsibility. After further discussion, Councilor Jennings stated that he thought the issue is not ready to put on the ballot. Councilor Figley stated that she felt strongly that the city should have exact numbers for the fees and felt the development community should have the right to be heard at a public hearing before putting the issue on the ballot. 0210 Mayor Kirksey stated that the Council needs to give staff direction on the issue and questioned whether the Council was ready to raise fees for the next budget year. Council Figley stated that the City does need to raise fees, but that it would be difficult to have the fee schedules ready for the November ballot. She suggested that perhaps it would be better to work toward the May ballot. It was the consensus of the Council to delay the issue until at least the May, 1998 ballot. 0300 Administrator Childs introduced the next item, which was the possibility of a bond issue to construct Centennial Park: PRO: Would facilitate timely full completion of high profile facility desired and needed by the community. Opportunity to capitalize on current degree of citizen support for Park and Recreation facilities as evidenced by recent passage of aquatic center bond measure. Possible attractiveness of cost to taxpayers (as compared to rates for aquatic center/new schools/county detention facility.) Would complement and enhance fast-track construction of school facilities next door. Page 3 - Council Workshop Meeting Minutes, August 4, 1997 -,-.--..-. - , CON: Double majority rule necessary for passage of measure. It would require 50% of registered voters to cast votes and 51% of those to vote in favor of the measure. Precise updated total project cost not yet available. possible perception of "yet another tax." 0358 will require concerted commitment and effort on the part of advocates. Councilor Figley stated that she felt that some progress needs to be evident to the citizens before the issue goes on the ballot. This would lend more credibility for the citizens. She also stated that she felt there should be another meeting to investigate what funds are available. Mayor Kirksey stated that the City has $70,000 available and need to be doing something with it. Councilor Jennings reminded the Council that some of the money has already been used to come this far with the project, and that the citizens probably aren't aware of all the things that have been done. Administrator Childs stated that the $70,000, the work already done and other outstanding pledges, represents to Centennial Park about what the FEMA money meant for the aquatic center. 0411 Councilor Jennings stated that he did not feel the measure has a chance to pass on the November ballot. Councilor Figley agreed with Councilor Jennings, and stated that she felt that if the City could show some results that they were working on the project, it could possibly be put on the Mayor November 1998 ballot. Councilor Sifuentez stated that she felt the City needed to be aggressive in soliciting help from the School district, as this park will be so much to their benefit. Councilor Figley stated that she has heard many complaints on the false starts, etc. on the project and suggested that the Council set up a task line to show the voters that we have been and are doing something in regards to Centennial Park. Page 4 - Council Workshop Meeting Minutes, August 4, 1997 .,-~----- - . ~ Mayor Kirksey stated that parks help kids. If they are playing ball in a park, they are not on the streets. It was the consensus of the Council not to put the issue on the November ballot. 0626 Administrator childs introduced the third item for consideration for the November ballot, an increase in the gas tax. PRO: Demonstrated transportation funding needs. Possible perceived "commitment" to put this on the ballot due to previous publicity. Apparent popularity of local gas tax as a funding mechanism (based on margin of passage with original city gas tax). CON: Issue not yet "of the table" with specific course of action determined. Transportation funding issue "up in the air" on a statewide basis. The need to recognize the possibility of a well financed campaign against the measure. Councilor Pugh asked what has happened with the Governor in regard to the statewide gas tax. 0718 Councilor Jennings stated that he has sat in a Transportation commission Task Force meeting with the Governor, and he felt that the Governor will not call a special session to enact the bill. He also stated that the Governor is not in favor of cities having their own gas tax. Administrator Childs stated that the timeline was very tight if the issue is to be put on the November ballot. He reminded the Council that there is only one more regular Council meeting, after the issue is removed from the table, to fine-tune whatever is needed and to bring an ordinance to the Council. Page 5 - Council Workshop Meeting Minutes, August 4, 1997 1105 1158 ~ councilor Jennings stated that he voted to go ahead with putting it on the ballot. Since the funding is up in the air, he suggested looking at an ordinance with a clause stating that if a state law is enacted and we would receive the same amount of money from our tax, we could void our tax. He felt that the people could choose between a bond issue or the gas tax, which would be partially paid by freeway traffic. He also stated that he felt the gas tax issue stood a better chance of passing if the centennial Park and fee increases were not on the same ballot. councilor Figley suggested the council put the issue on the November ballot. councilor Figley spoke of the concern of the lack of leadership in the statewide issue, and stated that she felt that the city could revoke it's tax if necessary. Administrator Childs stated that the ordinance must be finalized at the second meeting in August (August 25), as the Council needs time to review the wording, etc. councilor Jennings reiterated that the issue be "pulled from the table" at the August 11th meeting and staff be directed to draft a new ordinance. He asked the Mayor if the public would be allowed input at that meeting. After some discussion, Mayor Kirksey stated that she felt the public should have the opportunity to be heard, however this should be as a part of the regular Council meeting, not as a separate public hearing. The consensus of the council was to remove the issue from the table at the August 11th Council meeting and direct staff to draft an ordinance, and that the issue would be placed on the November ballot. The workshop was adjourned at 7:50 PM =-, APPROVED ~ NANCY A. K o ATTEST ~~~ Mary enn t, City Recorder City of Woodburn, Oregon Page 6 - Council Workshop Meeting Minutes, August 4, 1997 -..--- 'II I