Springfield City Council — June 9, 2025

0:05 The Springfield City Council will work session to order with roll call. Mayor Van Gordon here. Councelor Weber, Councelor Mo here, councelor Rodley here, councelor Blackwell here, councelor Doyle here, and councelor Stout here. Thank you. We have one item. Well, we have many items this evening over like five different meetings, but for this meeting is one item. It is planning commission interviews. Good evening, mayor and council. So, last week you uh conducted one interview for the planning commission and it came to light that we had an applicant who had submitted her application in time but um did not get transmitted um over to us. So, she is here tonight for her interview. Um, and then at your

0:51 next regular session meeting next week, you will make an appointment to serve out the remaining term um that we have vacant on the planning commission. And so with that, Cali Auckland, come on up and welcome Hello. We're going to do a quick round of introductions and uh then we'll get started. You want to start? Beth Beth Blackwell, ward four. Steo, ward two. Corey Rodley, she her pronouns. And I'm in W three. Victoria Doyle. I'm in W five, which is

1:37 basically thirst and light. I Allan Stout Ward six which is thirsten regular. I I don't even know there already starting planet this evening. I'm Sean Vgord. I'm the mayor. It's so nice to meet you. Are you ready to uh for me to start with questions? Yes. What attracted you to planning to applying for the planning commission? Well, first I want to thank each of you, Mayor Van Gordon and city councilors and city staff for taking the time to uh consider my application for the planning commission. My name is Cali Acklland and I moved here to Springfield in February 2023 and I knew right away that I'd found my forever home. I am a resident of Ward 4. Um I've always felt called to

2:23 public service. I am a US Navy veteran and I have over a decade of experience in community focused work and volunteer roles. I'm a graduate of the Sutton Leadership Institute where I learned more about the role of local government in shaping communities and where I was inspired to begin this type of civic engagement. Um, I applied for the planning commission specifically because I want to take action and be part of shaping Springfield as it continues to grow. Um, as this is where I plan to call home for decades to come. So, I I believe that proactive and forward-thinking planning uh can create vibrant communities and I hope to have the opportunity to contribute my skills and perspective to this process. Thank you. Economic development and

3:08 infrastructure are two major council goals. If you think about how development happens, do you have opinions on how costs should be shared between developers and the public? I believe that cost sharing should be approached on a case-toase basis. uh carefully considering the specific project and its impact on the community both now and in the long-term future. Um for instance, if a new project puts strain on existing infrastructure such as water or sewer, it's reasonable that the developer should help offset these costs. Um however, we also need to be mindful of not making development so expensive that it stifles growth, especially when it comes to affordable housing or small businesses. So, I believe it's it's about finding a balance where the developers contribute their fair share. Um, and we're

3:53 incentivizing projects that benefit the community as a whole based on public input and informed analysis. If you had a magic wand, the ability to change anything in the Springfield Development Code, what would you change? I I love this question. Um, I would immediately wave my wand and fix Second Street between R and T Street. Um, cuz I used to live there and those potholes were a daily frustration. Um, but in all seriousness, there's several areas that I'd like to work on, including our uh designated climate friendly areas and uh just ensuring that all residents have access to needed infrastructure. But if I had a magic wand specifically, my dream would be to reduce the number of vacant commercial properties around town and to help fill them uh with local

4:38 small businesses. It doesn't benefit our city when storefronts stay empty because um people can't afford and or don't have the knowledge to sustain a business there. Um I opened and operated a store in the downtown area of my previous town and I was fortunate enough to also live above uh my store and like there was a health food market just across the street and lots of entertainment options within a walkable distance and it was a really great experience living and working in a mixeduse district. And so I'd love to see other small business owners have such an easy transition from uh a homebased business or an online business into a brick-and-mortar location. I think that this dream could be realistically uh initiated by offering incentives for renovating and

5:23 filling vacant commercial properties. Uh by streamlining the approval process to help new and old developers navigate that process more quickly and efficiently. and also just by intentionally collaborating with community stakeholders such as CEDA, the Chamber of Commerce, um, and small business owners, of course. So, ultimately, if I had a m a magic wand, I just want to help shape Springfield into more sustainable and vibrant community. What would you like to see the city change in the next 10 years, and how do you see the planning commission helping that? Well, building off my previous answer, um, in the next 10 years, I'd love to see Springfield be a healthy, prosperous, and attractive place to live. I envision Springfield as a place where third spaces are accessible to all, where housing is available and

6:09 affordable, and where workforce development and small businesses can thrive. Um, I think that the planning commission can play a crucial role in making this vision a reality. The commission can update zoning codes to encourage more mixeduse development, prioritize infill projects, and promote sustainable building practices. We can also work to ensure that new developments are designed to be pedestrian and bicycle friendly uh along with ample public transportation options. The commission can advocate for policies that promote uh affordable housing, such as density bonuses or reducing barriers to allow housing in mixeduse districts. And I think that by taking a proactive and forwardthinking approach that the planning commission can help shape Springfield into a place where everyone has the opportunity to thrive.

6:54 Could you describe the relationship between the planning commission and the city council and then the city staff and planning commission? So the planning commission is an advisory board of citizens appointed by city council that is responsible for directing growth and development for the city um by making regul recommendations to the council uh regarding adoptment or amendments of land use plans or regulations. City staff provides subject matter expertise and technical support to the planning commission and also implements the commissions and the council's decisions. Um, so city staff, planning commissioners, city councilors, and community members all work together to shape the city's future. All right. Thank you so much.

7:51 Okay. So, we do have a choice. Um, but last week Corey was here. So, if somebody wants to start, do if you have a preference, go ahead. Kelly. Okay. Anybody else? Okay. uh then I'm going to look on the other side cuz you guys give you guys a chance to uh think through. Well, I was kind of hoping that maybe we might have a position on city council after listening to her because um I thought I had my mind made up, but I think I've changed it. I think Callie's a good choice. Yep. Okay. I I will support the majority. We have two exceptional candidates this time. I am I am truly delighted in city staff especially for taking the extra time to

8:36 make sure we had all the candidates. So, just want to commend that. Um, and and so while I will go with the majority of the opinion of the council very happily in this case, I would I would probably stick with Corey just because I've known his investment in the community for some time and I just want to respect that and and honor that. I think he would be a great member, but I also would at the same time want to extend a very warm welcome to you and being part of this community since 23. So, um, that's that's my thought. Okay. I'm uh glad uh Celer Stout said that because that's what I think what was going through my mind is just the time that he's had in Springfield, but I really appreciate your answers and I think you would be a wonderful addition to the planning commission. So, Cali,

9:29 did you say you said Kelly? Okay. Yeah, sorry. Okay, then Sandy. So, next week, please bring Kelly forward uh for the regular session. Thank you very much. Very impressive. Excellent. I better adjourn this before you get too sidetracked. We We are We are adjourned. Thank you.