Springfield City Council — January 5, 2026

0:05 Good evening everybody. I'm going to call the Springfield City Council work session to order with roll call. >> Mayor Van Gordon >> here. >> Councelor Weber >> here, councelor Mo >> here, >> councelor Rodley >> here, >> councelor Buck >> here, >> and councelor Stout >> here. Thank you. >> All right, we have three work session items to this evening. The first one is the fisc year 2025 annual comprehensive financial report. Good evening, counselors. >> So, wait before you get started, Meg, I heard a rumor today. >> It's a rumor. >> It's It's still a rumor. Is this your last compreh annual comprehensive financial report with us?

0:50 >> It is. >> It is. And Christina will take it next year and she will You'll be in excellent hands. And so how many years of service has this been with the city of Springfield? >> 21. >> Oh, congratulations. We appreciate all the work that you've done for us over the years. >> I've liked it here. I was telling Nathan that I just I don't necessarily I'm not as excited as I should be to to leave. So, but our audit went well the last year. So, um glad to leave on that note. >> Move on top. >> So, this is Ryan Pascarali. He's with the auditing firm Red W. And he has been

1:35 the audit partner on our audit for the last 10 years, I think, >> roughly. >> Um and he'll speak to what they found >> or didn't find or something like that. Absolutely. First of all, I did not get a vote on make retiring or not. than I really wish I had. But >> hey, neither did we and we both like voting on stuff and we recommend retiring. Thank you, Meg. Um, so as she said, my name is Ryan Pascarella. Uh, I work for REDW. We're a auditing firm of about 350 people now. Um, and we kind of span the United States. Uh, I was formerly with Grove Mueller and Swank and we were purchased by REDW. And so now I come

2:20 here under the REW name, wearing a jacket and all that fun stuff in there. Um, so I am here to talk about the audit for the year ending June 30, 2025. Um, what is an audit? An audit really is you want me to come in as a licensed Oregon municipal auditor to look at the records that you have to look at the financial statements that you drafted and give um an unmodified opinion on it. The goal with any audit is to get an unmodified opinion, which really means we don't we didn't find anything significant in the audit that would think that there are enormous errors in your financial statements. The auditing standards say, I need to attempt to give

3:08 you an unmodified opinion, which means um I'm giving reasonable assurance that there are no material errors in the financial statements. And just need to be clear about that. I'm not looking at every single dollar in those financial statements. That's not what the auditing standards require. I am just saying reasonable assurance, no material errors within that. And that's with the numbers, but that's also with the disclosures and all the other information that is in your financial statements. So, every year we come and do it looking for that essentially. Okay. So, the audits that uh my firm performs for the city on an annual basis. First of all, an audit of the city itself and you do have the annual

3:54 comprehensive financial report um that comes out of that um which is a pretty good size document. Um we audit CEDA because there's enough expenditures year-over-year in CEDA to require its separate audit. uh we perform a federal compliance audit basically looking at the federal funds that the city has received either directly or through the state or some other organization and we test for compliance with the federal rules related to that as well and then there's some minimum Oregon minimum standards work some compliance work also and so there's multiple things that happen and I'll say a short amount of time essentially um We start the audit

4:40 communication stuff roughly in May somewhere in there. Um where we just kind of figure out what's changed year-over-year for the city, have processes change, all of that. And we just try to get a good understanding so we can plan our audit. And then we spend couple weeks in October and in November, December just trying to get everything wrapped up related to it. Your audit is required to be submitted to the state of Oregon um within 6 months. So December 31st. I just finished a very busy season for myself and so I'm hoping to have some time off here pretty soon. But the city of Springfield has done an excellent job with

5:26 hitting deadlines, hitting goals that we have as far as what we need from the city. And then as me said, I'm a little slower than she wants me to be. Um, but I can live with that one. Required to be submitted by December 31st. The date on the actual issued financial statements, I believe, is December 2nd, which helps me tremendously with a very busy December happening. So, I really credit the city for making sure you're hitting the deadlines that you need to in there essentially. Um, other things. So, every year you're required to submit a financial statement to the state and that basically just follows, you know, the reporting rules, governmental

6:12 reporting rules. Um, in excess of that, you do the annual comprehensive financial report which has other information in there as well, analysis and such. it isn't actually a required component with the goal being that you get your GFOA certification which is the um government finance officers association. It gets the ACTUER gets independently looked at um and graded to make sure it meets the requirements that are necessary. I had to double check and I did earlier 44 consecutive years getting that award. I mean, that's phenomenal, honestly, because if you mess up something in a year, they can say, "No, we're not going to give you the certificate this year. Please try

6:58 again next year." kind of thing on there. But 44 years, that's Well, I was wondering how long you were here, but you told me. So, >> boy me. >> Uh, so that's one of the longer consecutive streaks that I've seen. So, I think just historically, um, Springfield has had a solid finance department in there. And so kudos at that point in there. >> 44 years. There we go. Okay. So we finished our audit like I said beginning of December in there. Um so really there were no findings related to it. U one small thing I'll point out but that is it. So for the city you got an unmodified opinion which means I'm given reasonable assurance there are no material errors within your financial

7:43 statements. CEDA got the same thing. Um the one minor thing that we noted in the M state regulations report uh one of your funds, the ambulance fund has a negative ending balance in it. And so that's just something that needs to be reported to the state so that they're aware of it so they don't have to go searching through the document every time looking for it. So it's just in there at this point. Um, and a lot of that has to do with like the payroll liabilities that are attached with it. The governmental reporting has changed all let's say over the last, you know, 10 12 years or so and really looked at payroll liabilities and what should be

8:28 showing in your financial statements. So, we've got the like the net pension liability related to the unfunded PERS. Um we've got um some other postemployment benefit liabilities that magically appear and lots of estimates um in the current year compensated absences change a little bit because they're still adding on to kind of the payroll liabilities. And what I mean by that is really um with your sick time, how your sick time is being reported within your financial statements. All it did was just grow your liability in there. And so, you know, all of that really is helping with how that fund became negative at that point. Anything you want to say about else about that? >> We generally are making transfers from

9:14 fund 100 to help support the ambulance fund. >> Yeah. Yeah. And so to to me it wasn't like, oh my gosh, this is egregious and everything. It was just like I said, I put it in the state report just to report it to the state as necessary. Um, I mentioned we have to do a federal compliance audit. Um, and with everything, right, there's rules on what we look at year-over-year as far as the different grants that the, uh, city receives. So, this year we looked at the Corona virus again. Um, there's just been a lot of money running through Corona virus, so it pops up with most of my clients. Um, and then we looked at the, uh, CDBG program as well. Um, and so between those two programs, we did

10:00 not have any findings related to how the the money is being spent and the rules essentially that the federal government asks me to look at in there. So most of this information is summarized in the governance letter that I provided to you. Um, and basically I mean you read through it is boring. Boring is great in my job. you don't you don't want the other type of um presentation that I end up doing sometimes. But really, I just want to say I mean the city has really got themselves in a good place with your finance department. I appreciate that. It makes my job as you know the auditor very easy, very quick to get through the information that we need to essentially. So I am here just to see what kind of

10:45 questions the council has. Anything you want me to go into more detail about related to it? Does anybody have more questions? Um, I think we're good. The the two the two things I just want to point out. One of them is the introduction portion and the background material in the city. If you know, if anybody's interested in learning a ton about the city, starting to read the introduction to this is a really good grounding on everything that is going on in the city. You don't have to read the whole audit. just read the intro portion. >> Another piece is just to sort of just to offer my thanks to the finance department. Um, you know, good financial stewardship takes a ton of work and I

11:30 think we all all appreciate the effort that you guys put into this. And I I will say so the introduction section that you talk about at one point there was a comment coming back from I think GFOA about you know you're putting way too much work into this introduction section right but it is such a valuable tool you know just to understand what's happening with the city so I think it's worth it I I don't care what they say well >> it's not for them >> all right I think we are good thank you for uh coming and doing a brief presentation. Thank you. >> The request to formally accept it will be on the consent calendar at the regular session. >> All right. Great. Thank you. >> Thanks. >> All right.

12:18 >> The next item is Court of Record with Nate Bell. I'm going to remove this. I think I'm far enough away from everybody. Uh good evening, uh mayor and council. Uh tonight's, uh work session is, uh looking for direction on whether's interest on your part in the city's municipal court, uh becoming a court of record. Uh to give you some background on this, uh in the 2025 Oregon legislative session, House Bill uh 2460 was passed uh which requires uh courts

13:03 to notify defendants of the right to be transferred to a court of record. Uh the city's mun municipal court is not a court of record. Uh Lane County Circuit Court is uh so they could be requested to be moved to Lane County Circuit Court. Uh if that was to happen, uh we lose jurisdiction uh over that case. Uh where this becomes an issue for us is we're unique and that we have a municipal jail. Uh this could potentially undermine the uh efficacy of our jail. Uh the process to become a court of record is pretty straightforward. Uh attached uh to your packet this evening is an ordinance. And so it requires that you pass an ordinance declaring uh the court to be a court of record and that we file that with the state of Oregon and that we pass all the requirements to be a court

13:48 of record. Uh and then we'd additionally need a recording software uh and equipment uh as well as a uh second court clerk in the courtroom. Um as far as equipment goes, we have equipment that is compatible uh with the software that we're looking at. Uh we installed that equipment uh during the pandemic. So that piece is fortunate. Uh for the software we're looking at for the record. Uh it's an industry standard software uh used by a lot of courts um throughout the state. Uh it has a uh cost of annual cost of $5,200 per courtroom. So we're looking at two courtrooms. Uh so $10,400 uh annual ongoing cost. And then the second component being uh a court clerk, a second court clerk in the courtroom. We currently have a vacancy that we haven't filled for a number of years. Uh

14:35 so it's in the budget. It's been reflected uh in the budgets that we've passed as well as our 5-year forecast. However, we have been enjoying those savings for a number of years. Uh it's it's been an experiment on my part to see if we could operate uh the court with less staff. Uh it has been challenging. Um but we have managed to do it up until now. Uh if we become a court of record, we would need to fill that position. Uh that position has a uh roughly uh a cost of $120,000 annually. So to become a quarter record, we'd be looking at about $130,000 annual ongoing cost. Uh and with that, I'm going to turn over to you for questions. Uh, councelor Rodley, >> thank you and thank you for this. Um, in addition to the annual costs, is this a thing we do once and we never have to do

15:21 it again or is this something that has like ongoing reporting or things that we would have to it would take capacity to stay on top of? >> So, it has uh the ongoing operating component which is it's a higher standard of operating your court. You're recording uh all of the activities of that court. though that yes is ongoing indefinitely. In terms of becoming a quarter record, uh that's just once. Once we become a quarter record, we're a quarter record moving forward. Uh and then again, the ongoing annual costs. Does that answer your question? >> Uh councelor Stout, >> um I'm excited about this in a lot of ways and especially getting to know some of the great people working in the courts over there is just exceptional. Um I I'm wondering um I'm always dollars

16:09 and cents. So is there any return on the investment of becoming a record of record financially speaking for uh the city? I mean is there do we receive additional fees? Is there additional monies coming in to kind of balance out the additional $130,000 we would have each year? >> That's a good question and I don't think I have a complete answer for that. Um but um you know what I I can say is there is uh a potential risk and vulnerability to the city financially by not becoming a court of record. U specifically if if the case is transferred to the circuit court um our city prosecutor still needs to prosecute that case and so it could have added time and cost associated with the prosecutor contract that wouldn't show up immediately um but it would show up eventually uh in those uh negotiations

16:55 when that contract is renewed. Um and then additionally, uh we have a very significant investment in our municipal jail and uh anything that would potentially uh undermine that investment. Um you know, and when you look at this cost compared to the the cost of running that jail, it's it's significantly smaller. Okay. Anybody else? All right. I think you've covered all of our questions. So, I think you're bringing us back in regular session. Yeah, it'll be back in regular session public hearing uh and uh first reading. >> All right, great. Thank you. >> All right. Thank you. >> All right. Third item is the regional wastewater expansion and metrop plan amendment discussion for Gan and Chryall.

17:53 I can. There you go. When it's green, it's good. >> Hit it again. >> Yeah, you got to hit it again. >> I can do a brief int. So, um, tonight's item is about, uh, the regional wastewater system, the potential for expansion to Creswell and Gan, um, and a potential metrop plan amendment to facilitate that. Um, tonight, um, introducing Vincent Marello from the city of Creswell, Dan Hurley from Lane County Public Works. Um, and they have a brief presentation. Uh, this is just really for information and discussion tonight. No action is requested. Um there will be future action based on um them submitting the applications in the metro plan

18:38 amendment. >> Great. Thank you, Jeff. Good evening, mayor, counselors. Thank you for your time this evening. Uh so yes, we're here to update you on this uh project that's been going on for many years. Um actually around regional wastewater expansion. um actually found a report that went back to the 60s of of an engineering report that looked at connecting Gan um to the Eugene Springfield Metro wastewater. Um so it's been an idea that's been around for a long time. Um we the board of county commissioners got very interested in this after the great great um recession um and looked at this as a potential project for increasing econom economic fatality in in the region um in Gan. Um but as the years have gone on um the

19:24 project has has changed and expanded um to potentially expand connection to the Short Mountain Landfill. Um more recently um connecting the city of Creswell and then very recently and just in the last couple months there have been some conversations around um connecting Junction City. So we'll talk about um some of those things. I just wanted to bring you up to speed on this um issue. It's been since May of 2023 that we were last here in front of the council talking about this project and there's been some turnover with your council. So, I want to make sure that you're all aware of where we're at with this project and to get your guidance as we consider moving forward with a potential metro plan amendment. So, we're having a uh work session here tonight with you. There will be one on January 21st hopefully with the city of Eugene. at after that we'll formulate

20:11 how we move forward with the metro plan through the through the process and I'll get more into that as we go through some slides here. So let's see. So goan is uh you you're probably all familiar with goan. You know we're it's just a you know a few miles south down interstate 5. Um but it's a unique area in the state. Um it has more than 300 acres of largely contig contiguous industrial land. Um, and it's at this unique intersection for transportation with um, highway 99, Interstate 5. There's a rail connection there. There's plentiful power with the Bon Bonfield Power Administration substation. Um, it's serviced by a water district. Um, has access to fiber optics, communication, close access to labor markets. Um, but this area hasn't

20:57 expanded largely due to some regulatory barriers because it's not an incorporated city. uh this is unincorporated Lane County and also uh because of wastewater they're they're um the the residents residences there industries are serviced by septic systems which um severely limit the growth potential for that area. So the board of county commissioners started working this around 2010 um 2011 and and worked towards developing what they called the great plan, the Gan regional employment and transition plan. And through that process, we we worked through a land use action to receive an exception to one of the the statewide planning goals, goal number 14, to be

21:44 able to uh upgrade that zoning to allow for urban levels of industrial um development. Through that process, it was identified that uh we needed to do more work around the waste wastewater limitation there. Um so in 2015 um the the county commissioned a study um that was conducted by Kennedy Jinx Consultants to to look at the feasibility of of providing wastewater services in this area and they looked at several different options with lagoon systems and connecting into the MWMC system. And so, um, we've had great cooperation with MWMC, our Metropolitan Wastewater Management Commission, um, looking at this over the years. Ultimately, it was decided that, um, connecting into the existing Eugene

22:29 Springfield system was the most economically, um, viable um, and had the best outcomes environmentally um, tying into this very well, you know, award-winning system. So, uh, that feasibility study outlined a conceptual plan running along Highway 99 with a force main. Um, and then through that process, because Goan has is in close proximity to the short mountain landfill, we started considering what it would take to connect the landfill to go and then ultimately into the system. And so, if you're not familiar with uh, you know, landfill operations, landfills generate a large amount of waste water. there this there's open acreage of of garbage that you know as precipitation filters

23:15 through that waste it creates what we call leeate so that's landfill waste water and we produce up to about 25 million gallons of that leeate each year that waste water currently comes to the MWMC system but we have to transport it by by trailer trucks um and it's becomes quite an operation um for for the landfill when we have these high precipitation events we can have to kick into 24-hour operations where there's, you know, over 30 trucks and, you know, a day going through or um more than that. Sorry. Um but it becomes quite an operation and it's the worst time you want to have tanks of of waste water, you know, going, you know, 24 hours, you know, down down Highway 99 99 with this

24:01 wastewater. Um, we've had one one tip in the past and thankfully it didn't rupture, but I'm trying to avoid that and and also the carbon emissions of of this trucking that we've been doing since 1997 I believe. Um, so there's a big environmental benefit there. Um, as we've continued to move through this project, um, wanted to get more information about the costs. We did a a financial study in 2017 that estimated the construction costs and some different it evaluated some different models to proposed for buyin costs into the system. Also recommended a lot of um different options for uh operations and maintenance. Um what we would need to do for um land use and permitting and amending intergovernmental agreements.

24:46 And so um starting to work through how we would put all this together in 2022 uh working with some consultants we developed what was called the project definition report. So this got into greater detail on the the the needs for pump stations and and the the force main lines estimating flows um and the number of hookups and such. Um so that has quite a bit of detail if we want to get into that more in more detail. Um and then more recently we've had conversations with the city of Creswell. So they're in in a unique position um which I'll let uh Vincent speak to about. >> Thank you. The next couple of slides I'm going to try to do a summation in in my dialogue here. So we are currently operating under a a agreement order with

25:34 DEQ and that's a nice way of saying we have a moratorum on us that as we fulfill certain conditions uh they award us what are called equivalent dwelling units more connections and we've been making really great progress with that and we've had great conversations with DEEQ um to kind of lay out a schedule that's that's in the presentation for when we will be able to um have that order taken care of. Hopefully have a connection to the metro wastewater system and put all of this be behind us recently and it's not reflected here because we just got an email today. Um they are willing to have some extension in our timeline for our facilities plan. The facilities plan

26:19 has been a little bit up in the air because of all of these conversations and some of the commitments that we need to make. So again, a couple of weeks ago, we had a really good conversation with them and they're willing to take a look at that given our decision to uh request um a an extension to Springfield and go through the metrop plan amendment. The cost for this ranges, well, we've looked at a couple of alternatives. One is to build a new plant ourself, and that's roughly $70 million just to construct it. as new DEEQ regulations come out and as things start to wear down, there'll be millions of dollars of investment um maybe every 5 years or 10 years dep depending on on the circumstance. One of the

27:04 alternatives we looked at was connecting to Metro Waste. Um that number is around 40 to 45 million in working with Lane County. Um and Lane County is putting their finance package together um which is adding time to the schedule and that is upsetting DEEQ because of our agreement um that we have with them. So we've talked to Lane County about um Creswell taking on that financial commitment which is about another $12 million. So that's putting the project up close to about 50 $52 million still less than than the 70. And then whatever agreement we get into Lane count with Lane County, Lane County would would pay us back. So we would just basically

27:50 front that money so we can move expeditiously or as expeditiously through this through this process. Um we did meet with uh Metro Wastewater Commission a couple of months ago and they did give us their as much as they can with a lot of things that still need to be worked out a a sense of support that that they like the idea. They see the value of it not only to Creswell but also to the wastewater commission with adding new users and collecting more more money into the system. And with the connection comes certain upgrades to the system that Creswell would have to help fund. So that's also a benefit to the wastewater uh commission. Uh I guess their their mindset as well. I think I

28:37 summized the couple of slides. >> I think that's it. Um so thank you Vincent. Uh so just to bring you up to speed of of kind of where we're at in the process. So in 2023 we started down the path to amend the metro plan. And so the reason why that's necessary is is currently the the metropolitan Eugene Springfield metropolitan plan. Um we call the metro plan prohibits extension of wastewater beyond the urban growth boundary. Um and then there's some limit if if that was amended the the the system could connect by state law to other municip nearby mun municipalities within their UGBS to rural uninccorporated areas communities um and to landfills. So the the what

29:22 we're proposing at this time is allowable under state law but we would need to amend the metro plan for that. So we knew that back in 2023 when we started down this process just for goan in the landfill. Um and at that time uh your council voiced support generally. However, wanting to know more about the costs and and wanting to protect existing rateayers and wanting to know more about capacity issues. And then we had those same sort of conversations with the city of Eugene and with there was a joint planning commission. And so um we stepped back from that and kind of put it on the back burner. There were lots of other things going on at that time and but we continued to work on addressing those issues around cost and capacity. So I'm going to talk about a couple of those things. Um so just but

30:09 just to say we weren't count weren't contemplating contemplating Creswell at that time when we started down the path um for a metrop plan amendment. So, as we're coming back again, the board of county commissioners has voiced support for bringing Creswell into this conversation. Um, and then I'll say, you know, Junction City recently approached us. Um, they're looking at a similar situation with a moratorum on housing. Um, and we haven't had a conver conversation with our board yet. I I think I think the board would be supported based supportive based on previous conversations, but it's just too new. um into the conversation. We just haven't had the opportunity to talk about that yet. So um at the end we'll talk about different options of moving forward. Um but going going back to kind

30:55 of where we're at in the process, we wanted to explore these issues around capacity and uh cost. So on the capacity piece um talking with MWMC, they they were willing to engage a consultant uh Jacob Solutions Incorporated to look at some of these capacity issues. They did a preliminary study and found that for for the most case um the system can handle the capacity and Matt Stouter here is here and could talk in more detail. Um but we're looking at like a 2 to 3% increase in flows compared to the whole system over a you know 20 plus year time horizon. So not not a huge huge impact to the system but there are some localized potential areas where we need to look further into with specific

31:40 trunk lines coming into Springfield. We've been having some conversations with City of Springfield staff to look into that in more detail, but in general, the the existing system has capacity. Um, but it will need some more analysis. However, the timeline for additional um improvements that are contemplated for the system could be um sped up by by increasing the the flows coming into the system. >> Dan. >> Yeah. >> And we may need Matt for this. So are you saying that with Creswell and Goan connected that we have enough capacity in the Glenwood portion of the system or >> and and if you are is that including

32:25 is that a current state or is that in including our planned buildout of the area? >> Great questions. So the the areas where we saw potential capacity issues are in the Springfield trunk trunk line that extends from Glenwood to where it terminates um along uh the Franklin McVey highway where where we would connect in from Gan and then also the the Gan pump station and then potentially transporting across over to the on the other side of the river to to get to the rest of the system. Um and and please correct me if I didn't uh explain all of that right. So we do need to do some more analysis around that. But I will just say that it's the intention of this project is that the

33:11 the new users into the system pay for will pay for those needed upgrades to so that we're paying our way. Um in addition so we'll talk about the so let me come come back to that one too. Um so the other piece is around cost. So with that 2017 study, there were a couple different models that the consultant proposed and we've had several conversations over the last several years about which was preferred. Ultimately, we've landed that MWMC is supported supportive of um these new flows using their methodology, the system development charge SDC methodology um for the costs to connect those flows into the system

33:56 with the caveat and and so there's been some estimating on those costs and those are shown on the slide here. Um, so these costs shown are just the connection costs, not the um construction costs. But the the issue right now is that MWMC is in the process of updating their methodology. Um, and that's going to take them into mid 2026. So there's the awareness by Lane County and Creswell that when those um when that SDC methodology is updated, we will need to refresh these um connection cost estimates. Um so the other piece is that we're proposing an additional 5% out of network ongoing charge um to the to the new flows being added into the system

34:42 for the additional you know runtime on on on pumps and materials needed at the the wastewater system. So so that the new users are are fully paying their way and it's not impacting existing rateayers. >> Go ahead. It comes from Council Bell, you're on mute still. >> What's the def definition of units? >> That's a great question that I might have to defer to Katherine for or if anybody want to speaks to that speak to that. Um I I would need to get back to you counselor that it's not my area of expertise. It's my understanding or if anybody wants to speak to that raised hand. Oh, Catherine. >> Oh,

35:31 we're promoting you, Catherine. Hang on. >> We're going to pause for station identification Good evening everyone. Yes, I can. >> Oh, there can you show me can you show me the table again? Um, share the screen and I'll u show you the question. >> And Katherine, can you introduce yourself and your role? >> Yes, sorry. I am Katherine Geese. I'm with West Associates and I've been um supporting City of Creswell as a technical adviser through this um through this effort. Um and so the units

36:18 are uh so you can see there's a uh there's two units. The first two rows are the maximum dry weather flow and the peak hour wet weather flow. So those are in million gallons per day. Um so that would be the flow through the pipeline. Um and then the second two are maxim wet weather BOD which is the BOD load and the maxim weather TSS load. and those are pounds per day. Um so the flow numbers kind of represent you know the flow from the sewer uh contributors to the sewer system contributors as well as ini flow so infiltration flow. Um and then the loads those represent just what are being contributed to by the users.

37:06 >> I'm still not sure what a unit is. >> A unit well it's so it's the the unit the value each value there. So for example under Creswell where it says 1.9 under units that means that uh Creswell on an annual average basis um I mean on a maxim dry weather basis so in a max month in dry weather the flow that they'd be contributing to the system is 1.9 million gallons a day. I'm not sure why the table is labeled this way but that's that's what that number means. And then the the next number under that the three means the peak hour the absolute peak flow that crossall would contribute is 3 million gallons per day. Um so in the SDC process

37:55 these values are used they're plugged into an equation that's developed by MWMC that says what are your flows for these values? what are your loads for these values? You plug those in and then you plug it into an equation and it gives you a dollar amount. So I think probably that equation says, you know, plug in unit here and then that's what this table is just showing what was assumed that went into that equation. Does that help? >> Thank you. I think she said so many million somethings. It's a lot of water. >> Can I ask >> about the table? >> Well, let's Hey, I think that she said

38:42 it was gallons. Did you Catherine, did you say it was >> Yes, it's a million gallons per day, which is a typical unit of wastewater flow uh that we often refer to. >> Okay. So, we'll go to councelor Bradley and then we'll come back to councelor. >> My question is a little bit different. So if if um if your question is on this topic, I could defer and wait till you ask that and then we could move on. >> Yeah. I I'm just curious under those on the parameters the BOD and the TSS. I just don't know what those mean. >> Yeah. So go ahead Katherine. >> Sure. uh BOD is biochemical oxygen demand uh which is is a kind of a complicated uh chemical parameter but it's of the organic content of the water

39:28 and TSS is total suspended solids. Um so both of those again are very common parameters used in wastewater treatment to describe and characterize waste water. >> That was thank you. Um, so this is all focused on the the now, like what this would take to do this now and what it's looking like now. And I know you mentioned Dan that there's some um maybe considerations about change and methodology because what one of the things I'm curious about is there's the what we do now and then there's the what does this I mean what does this look like after Creswell and Gan and Junction City and then because of it there's additional housing that's been developed and we've developed in Glenwood and so

40:14 I'm wondering if there if we're at the point yet where you all are building out like this is what it looks like in 20 years or in the future. >> So I I think Gohead. >> Well, I I think for the Creswell piece, what's built into the model is Creswell's population at 7500. Um, which is, I think, a 15 or 20 year projection. Currently, we're at 5,800. Um, and realistically, in 20 years, we don't see it growing to 7,500, but that was the number based off of the population projections. and and for goan it's it's a full buildout of those industrial and remaining residential lands. Um but I think Matt um >> we're going to pop Matt you want to grab

40:59 a chair and we'll pull on up. >> Good evening Matt Stoutder MWMC executive director and city of Springfield environmental services director. Um yeah, so the capacity that was looked at by Jacobs for MWMC and for the city of Springfield systems, the flows coming from G uh Gan and Crestwell, we did a a full build outlook. So we looked at the 20-year service of the 20-year um horizon and full build out in the communities. What would those what would those flows be at the plant and is there was there excess capacity available beyond the 20-year need that would be available? And the answer for the plant was for the most part yes. There's you take the whole 20-y year build out, you build out the cities, there's still available capacity

41:45 in excess. That's what the charge for STC's would be getting you. There, however, was not capacity uh in the Glenwood pump station, nor in the the local line running up McVey Highway, which was discussed. um that needs further analysis and would need to be once we decide you know what the engineering solution is that's needs to be determined to be determined it would be who would pay for it and how would it be structured >> okay so can you clarify that one point when you say who would pay for it and how would it be structured like if we say yes to all this and we're going forward right is there any scenario which Springfield rateayers would be buying more capacity on the Glenwood uh on that Glenwood wood line

42:30 >> there. I mean, there could be, but we heard from C this council and the Eugene council previously that they did not want that to be the case and so we would structure it so that that wouldn't be the case. >> So, so to to be fair, that would be one of those details to kind of be worked out later in the in the process to make sure and I know this is a lot of money that you know Creswell is looking at and I and I respect that's a this is a tough ask. Um the other I think the other question that I have is when you model the outy years um as far as do our rates stay stable right so you've talked about in 20 years we're going to build this out we're going to have 7500 people in in Creswell right but like when when you think about the SED SDC methodology are our rate projection staying stable in

43:16 those outears >> so I don't know I can answer that definitively My sense is yes because for the city of Springfield the only the user fees are based on flow components. So what does it cost to con to convey the flow from A to B. Uh for MWMC there's a conveyance component and a treatment component which is why we have the the BOD and the TSS numbers up there because it's not only about capacity of flow at the plant is about capacity of different pollutant parameters. Um so I think if we take care of the engineering solutions in the with the line in Franklin and at the pump station um and create the capacity and somebody pays for that um that needed capacity then I don't see I don't see a foresee an issue in the local lines. Um I do want to be

44:01 clear that like in the Glenwood pump station for example we're going to need to most likely drop in a fourth pump. um if that to to convey that across there may be something else that's needed um additional work but you know that cost is going to be need it's going to need to be determined who pays for it um I don't think our board is interested in paying for it we would need to work out a solution where it gets paid in order for for that to move forward we'd have to have a we'd have to come up with some you know a deal >> so I think that maybe one of the outstanding questions right we're slowly working back who's paying for it and how Creswell's accessing accessing the system is ultimately what we're we're saying is like, hey, Creswell as a community is going to have to somehow identify the source to to to pay pay that need or Creswell in a in a partnership with Lane County is going to

44:46 do that, whether that's through federal funds or a loan program. Is that the path we're working down? >> I I would say correct. you know, all we've agreed to at this point is the the methodology for the SDC's and and so the SDC's have a component that looks backwards to what capacity we're we're using that that has already been built and then there's a forward-looking component of what is going to be needed for the future. So, um we would be paying for that through that methodology for immediate needs for upgrades for the infrastructure to to convey the flow you from Creswell clear to the pump station. If there are things that are needed to accommodate that, then Lane County and and Creswell need to be on the hook for that. So, what we're So, this is just

45:31 the first step that we're we're looking at here, which is a policy decision. You know, is the council supportive of the policy of extending wastewater outside of of the UGB. Then, we'll need to go through a a financial plan. We will need to amend the MWMC intergovernmental agreement. And so you'll be a party to that as well um to make sure that that this satisfies you know all the entities in the system. >> Okay. Do you have more slides before we start asking more questions? >> I do just have a couple more. Yeah. Okay. >> Is it? >> Yeah. >> So if I can go to the next slide. My clicker is not working. Okay. Um

46:30 Okay. Oh, now I went too far. Okay. Um, so kind of big picture, you know, why would you want to consider this? Uh, one big piece is the economic vitality for the region. So, you being able to add jobs in Goan. There isn't a whole lot of housing in Goan. Um but but but residents in Springfield would be interested in in those jobs for for sure. Um the increased housing in Creswell, there's people that you know live in Creswell but work in Springfield. So it's, you know, looking at it on a regional economic perspective. >> There's also um efficiency and environmental benefits. You know, I would say that wastewater systems throughout Lane County, you know, in the in the rural and small incorporated cities are struggling. you know, the cost to maintain these types of systems given the regulatory environment and and

47:16 the the small streams that they may be discharging to um makes it it's becoming more and more cost prohibitive for for these areas to sustain wastewater systems. Um and so there will be better environmental benefits by managing this through one, you know, very well-run system um that's that's uh able to comply with all the permit regulations. Um, we talked about the landfill leech issue. Um, and I just want to talk about that, you know, the as we look at some of these infrastructure improvements, they they may not all be needed right away. Um, you know, we're talking about goan building out over probably a 20 30 year time horizon. Um, where that may make sense to look at that, you know, 15 years down the road, but there

48:01 would need to be an agreement up front of when that when that's needed that that would would have to happen. Um there's the issue as Vincent talked about about uh increasing the the the rateayer base um to support future upgrades to the system. If you have more users in the system, we can spread out that cost. Um again talked about this 5% out of network search charge so that um there wouldn't be existing increases to existing rate payers. And then you know as we're talking about how to craft this as a metrop plan amendment the way it's we were looking at it currently for just goan the landfill and creswell doesn't mean that we're opening you know opening up for sprawl to service you know everywhere you know that where could we could potentially reach we're just talking about these

48:47 specific areas now if we talk about junction city I would love to hear your feedback on that but it's just such a new point in the conversation there is the option where we could craft a more general um amendment where wastewater services could be um extended where it's you know technically feasible or you know with the support of MWMC or something like that. Um but we'd like to hear your feedback on that. Um and then I think I have one more slide two more slides. Um so again we talked about why the metrop plan amendment is needed. Um I think we've covered all that. Um and then the last part is just the next steps talked about the two work sessions um with your council with city of Eugene. The next step would go to a

49:33 joint planning commission meeting. So a convening of the three planning commissions um and then the planning commissions would deliberate, give their recommendations to the councils. Then we would have a joint elected um public officials hearing um between Eugene, Springfield, Lane County, and then finally come back for deliberations and action. So, we're trying to get through that before your summer break in July. Um, that may be too aggressive to get through that, but we'd like to get as far as we can down the road so that we can um be able to answer this question for Creswell. >> All right, Councelor Stout first and then and then we'll go to councelor Buck. >> Thank you. Um, I'm I'm largely supportive of this idea because I don't see it as, you know, paving every space between down, you know, Springfield and

50:19 Greswell and go. don't see it as an instrument to do that. I think it is good as on the long term and I appreciate the approach. Uh my concern and question is um property owners and is there going to be much interruption with current property owners um especially within the Springfield city limits? You know, will they when we're if we go through with this plan, have we thought through okay, yeah, we're going to have to, you know, um bugger up um what is it called? the uh Franklin Boulevard for a while or not Franklin Boulevard um which whichever the McVey highway is on that one or are there going to be certain land owners that are going to have an issue with their properties? Those are the questions that I'm asking. I'm just wondering how have you thought through much of that and I'm also concerned with that as it goes to go, but that's not really my perview.

51:04 Mhm. Uh, councelor, I I think if if there comes a point where we need to increase the size of that trunk line along McBay, there would be a disruption. Um, but I think that again, that's going to take a lot more analysis to find out when that would need to happen. Um, if if that can accommodate just the crestall flows for now and then we look at go over time, that could be quite a ways down the road before that would need to happen. Um, as far as the pump station upgrades, I don't think that that would have a significant in increase on or impact on on property owners. Um, but then the the line down um, Highway 99 could have impacts, you know, will have impacts o over time as that line would extend um through a trench that that impacts property

51:49 owners. Yeah, >> Councelor Buck, uh, thank you for for the presentation. Um, I definitely appreciate all the work that's gone into this. I think it's an exciting project and an exciting opportunity. Uh, particularly when you consider the region. Um, I do want to know um I'm very interested to hear um the what comes back from the planning commissions. Um, I think that's that they're an important part of the process and their feedback is is really helpful. So, I'm very interested to hear where that is. And and you've already gone to them in the past. Um, and I know the project has kind of evolved since then. So, I'd be very interested to kind of hear the evolution of that conversation

52:35 with them. Um, so that that'd be helpful. And then just to clarify, making sure I understand. So in respects to goan there was a portion of it that could that wouldn't necessarily need to happen immediately but then the pump station would need to happen immediately in goan is that I I got a little lost as to what needs to happen sooner than later and what can get pushed off for 15 years that that I got a little lost there. So so you could clarify that that'd be helpful. >> Sure. Thank you counselor. I think we are going to need more analysis on that before we can definitively say. So, um we have we've only done the pre that that project definition report that preliminary engineering and that was for Gan. Um Creswell has done a similar um

53:22 preliminary engineering but we would need need to take this to the next step of a full engineering um design further capacity analysis. Um Jacob's analysis was also very preliminary. So I think I I'm not sure that I can answer that at this point unless Matt you have. >> So I can ask answer it from the Glenwood pump station. We're having a consultant do an analysis right now. We actually have a pump being dropped in there right now but we're looking at additional analysis uh to accommodate this and what do we take and we'll have an answer for that in the coming months. Um but my expectation is that we couldn't accommodate Crestwell flows right now with the existing capacity or the existing infrastructure that we have in place. So, and I realize I invited myself up here. I can go sit down, but I wanted to address the uh mayor's

54:07 comments. Um, one of the things that I look out for in my role is for Springfield is how is this going to benefit Springfield rateayers and and Eugene rate? Is it going to benefit those rateayers? And so, certainly, you know, Gan, Creswell, Junction City stand to gain from connecting to our system. Um, we want to be compensated and made whole. However, I think I don't want to get into it tonight, but there's a there's other things that these communities had to offer to MWMC that ultimately would benefit Springfield and Eugene rateayers. Um, for example, uh, solids, the solids processing and solids handling. We apply solids to ryrass fields and cooperative agreements with farmers. Uh, those farmers are, um, leaving the program right now are concerns with PAS. It's a long story. I don't need to get into it here. Um Junction City and Creswell have indicated they'd be willing to

54:52 potentially partner with us to apply PAS or PAS to apply bioolids um on their uh grounds. So that potentially would be a long-term um savings to Eugene Springfield. There's other examples I can give, but I won't get into it now, but we are considering that. So >> all right, Katherine. >> Yeah, I just wanted to comment um in case this wasn't clear just to try to answer the question that was asked. Um, so you know, City of Creswell, as we indicated earlier, is under a mandate. They have to get this system in place. And so they must construct a a pipeline and pump station that connects Crestwell through Goan and all the way up to the MWMC system. As we were talking about,

55:39 go on the other hand, um, is not necessarily in that same timeline. Um so when we were saying earlier that you know that that Creswell might construct the infrastructure first and then go would buy in later as the rest of their collection system gets developed. That's what we mean. And so I think the question my understood the question was you know yes a pump station and pipeline from goan all the way through the system would be constructed as soon as it could be to comply with Creswell's timeline and then more flows would come in as the go collection system in that area gets developed which isn't really on a current timeline.

56:24 >> That's thank you. Um and I I want to start by echoing what my colleagues have said. I really appreciate the work and the collaboration that has gone into this. Um because I think this is a great model for how we do this work. Um but one of the things that you said was around um you know that we have this policy conversation and then we move into the work. But how I'm seeing this is that I think there's going to be a few policy conversations as we move through it. Um because I think there's a do we start here and how you know what happens there and the other thing is I think there's definitely some economy of scale right as you bring in to your points about bringing in additional rateayers that there is and there is the potential for this to become this sort of behemoth

57:09 unmanageable thing. And so I think for me as we move forward and maybe this is something the planning commissions can dig into too, looking at those sort of sections of like okay we make these initial policy conversations and then how are we going to like make sure that the management is like who's doing what and when. Um because I think that it could potentially um it sounds really organized and we talk about it or we look at it on paper and we're like we'll have a timeline and the crest will come in and then maybe go but it could happen in some ways that it could get really messy. So, um, I feel also generally supportive particularly of the the process and the fact that we're taking our time to figure this out and I'm probably going to want a few check-ins as we move through this to see where it's going and definitely want

57:55 that sort of planning commission input. I it's so helpful to hear from the other municipalities as to what you are looking at and what you're willing to do. um and to sort of get just keep our keep I'm I'm not ready to like make a decision and let it go is what I'm saying. Thank you. >> All right. Um I think what you're hearing is we're generally supportive. Um in fact, I think I'm we're gen I'm generally supportive of having a conversation and letting the Junction City conversation uh develop in a way that's organic too, right? Like Creswell is going to tell us a lot about what the other re like what the other uh small small cities go through. I keep thinking back to the parts of the story of the city of Coberg where we did not figure this out and you know and that was

58:40 probably 20 years ago and when you look at the price of them providing wastewater services to their you know uh their their citizens I keep thinking about that question about affordability and what actually u makes it uh affordable to live in the rural part of Lane County. And so I just want to kind of caveat that with going, okay, as this conversation develops, we've got to get it right for some of these smaller cities in a way that makes sense and gives them a path forward because we cannot have the, you know, the the thing that happened to Coberg, you know, happened to places like Creswell or Junction City. And I understand that's going to take a little bit of time. The other part that I want to make be really clear about is I think the Lee 8 line is a is an important part of this story.

59:25 You know, especially as we hear people talk about more investments around water intake points through Glenwood. Um, right. The idea that we're trucking gallons and gallons and gallons of wastewater through a water intake point makes no sense whatsoever. Right? like and the idea that we're going to get more time and energy spent on making this connection from Glenwood into the south part of the of the county is I think really important and I believe the you know this council has sent numerous letters to the county saying hey we're behind this I know it's going to mature in a way that makes some sort of sense but also um this has been a lot of work so far and I'm glad that to see it develop and the last thing I I'll say before we we we let you guys go is in a tough position here Like I think we all see that we see how hard you guys are

1:00:10 working and how um how much this sits on your community and even though we've got a lot of work to be done, I just want you to know that when you go back to your community, know that we know that you guys are in a tough position around how do you develop how do you do it at an affordable rate and how do you make it so that you can live in Creswell and you know build a great community down there. >> I really appreciate hearing that mayor. Thank you. I'll uh we have great staff and they've been working um very hard and for very long with Lane County to come up with a feasible solution because there will be a rate increase for Creswell and it's it's going to be moderate to significant and we're going to look at programs to minimize that impact but that's the reality and uh also we don't have a choice so it's it's

1:00:57 going to be what it is and we're going to make the best of it. Dan, do we need to give you more direction then? >> No, that's perfect, Mayor. Thank you. I just want just one more point. Um, >> is that this is a statewide priority, too, and and the direction we're heading as a state. Um, the off governor's office of regional solutions is very involved in this project and has been a great convenor because there's many many entities and staff. And so, we have three different work groups going. one looking at the metrop plan piece of it, one looking at the funding um options and so they're bringing in you know potential agencies that can help fund this this project and then also looking at the technical aspects around the engineering of it. So um there's just a lot of people working on this project you know just a few represented here today um but it's it's a larger sort of

1:01:44 regional project of of interest for the state. >> Great. Thanks for sharing that. Um and we look forward to hearing back from you guys again. >> Thank you for your support. >> Thank you. That was our last item. So, I'm going to go and adjourn the work session and we have until 7 o'clock. >> Call the regular session of the Springfield City Council to order with roll call. >> Mayor Van Gordon >> here. Councelor Weber >> here. >> Councelor Mo here. >> Councelor Rodley >> here. >> Councelor Buck here. And councelor Stout >> here. Thank you. Can you please join me in the pledge of >> allegiance

1:02:31 to the flag of the United States of America and to the republic for which it stands. One nation, indivisible, liberty and justice. There is one time designated for public testimony this evening under business from the audience. If you are attending in person, please complete the request to speak card located at the front of the council chambers and turn them into the city recorder. If you are joining us online with a tablet, smartphone, computer and wish to speak during business from the audience, please use the raise hand feature in Zoom. The

1:03:16 order of public testimony is as follows. Anyone in the council chambers and then anyone who has raised their virtual hand. First item, please. Mayor, the first item is the human trafficking prevention month proclamation, and this is your item. We're going to start the year with a proclamation. Um I think Graciey's going to make a couple of comments that'll come up here. Gracie, the I'm going to read the proclamation and then um what I asked Gracie to do was just to spend a minute talking about human traffick uh prevention month and then we'll take the picture. Whereas human trafficking is a public health issue and uh and a crime that

1:04:01 harms health and well-being of individual families and communities of often across generations. Whereas human trafficking is a crime involving the exploitation of people for labor, service or commercial sex. Whereas human trafficking can happen to anyone, but certain populations are at greater risks, including people affected by abuse, violence, poverty, unstable living conditions, or social disconnection. Whereas, it's essential that residents of Springfield work together to raise awareness in a way that honors those impacted. We must educate ourselves about the myths and facts of trafficking, spread the word about prevention and intervention resources and join formal campaigns and trafficking. And whereas an effective response to human trafficking requires a

1:04:46 coordinated victim- centered approach that includes collaboration between citizens, elected officials, and government departments, as well as law enforcement, service providers, medical professionals, and lived experience experts to ensure survivors do not fall through the cracks as they seek safety and services in their journey. I Shan Van Gordon, mayor of Springfield, proclaim January 2026 to be human trafficking prevention month in in Springfield and call upon all citizens to join our efforts to increase education and work collaboratively to prevent human trafficking in our community. All right, Gracie, could you just share a few words and thoughts about human trafficking prevention month? You got to switch it to green. There you

1:05:31 go. >> Are we good now? Perfect. Okay. Thank you, mayor. appreciate it and I appreciate all of you and your time tonight. Um, January is human trafficking prevention month and so we really appreciate this opportunity for Springfield to proclaim it as such. Um, one reason why this is so important to us and just our community in general is this is something that we see every day. It's something that happens in our community. I think it's something that's often overlooked that we pass by on the streets, but it's important to all victims and survivors that we recognize this and come together. This is something we can only combat com um once we do this all together. It's not something we can do by ourselves and so having your support behind us um really just helps combat the effort against trafficking. Thank you. >> All right. Thank you. And we're going to take a picture over here.

1:07:29 item, please. Mayor, the next item is the consent calendar. >> I move approval of the consent calendar. >> Second. >> Can you call the role, please? >> Yes. Councelor Weber, >> yes. >> Councelor Mo, >> yes. >> Councelor Rodley, >> yes. >> Councelor Buck, >> yes. and councelor Stout. >> Yes. Thank you. >> Motion passes. Five yeses, zero nos. Next item, please. >> Next item is business from the audience.

1:08:18 I have one card this evening. It is from Cali Aklint. >> Good evening, mayor and city councilors. My name is Calli Ackland and I live in Ward 4. Um, I don't have a prepared comment tonight. I didn't think I'd be able to make it, so kind of just going off my notes app. Um, first I am here again to ask for a payroll tax rate that maintains current library services and positions. I know obviously that's not on the agenda today, but um just coming back from the break and wanted to make sure that it was still fresh in your minds as it's uh that decision is coming up soon. Uh, additionally, I wanted to ask uh about ICE. It's been about a

1:09:03 month now since constituents, about 20 constituents, came and spoke about ICE and expressed their fears and concerns about the ICE raids. Um, and how ICE has been detaining people without due process, taking legal immigrants off the streets. Um, and I was disappointed that the city didn't even issue a statement of support before going on holiday break. So, I'd like to ask if you guys know when you'll be saying anything um or responding rather to those constituents requests. And then um lastly, as I was pulling in here, I parked in that library parking lot and noticed that one of the lights is out, which makes an entire corner just really dark and it just feels kind of uncomfortable uh parking there and

1:09:49 walking uh alone in the evening. So, I wanted to ask if the city could put that on a project list. Thank you. Thank you. I don't have any other cards. Neil, are there any other hands? >> No hands for this item. >> Okay. All right. Or see the light. >> Yes, ma'am. Thank you. And I appreciate uh your comments and bringing that to our attention. We've made a concerted effort in the city to improve um the lighting around and underneath city hall and uh for the safety of our community and our employees. And as somebody that pays attention to the uh safety, I think that's a an issue. So, we will definitely put that in our operations uh

1:10:36 queue to get that addressed as soon as possible. Thank you. >> Thank you. And I just had a I guess a couple of comments for I really just want to talk about what I think is on folks's minds with uh that and Cali brought it up and that's the issue around safety, trust, and how we care for one another in Springfield. We're committed to being a city people are treated with dignity and respect, where neighbors feel safe and supported, and where we prioritize honesty and openness. And while as a city we continue to explore meaningful ways to support our community, I think we should ask the city manager to work with team Springfield to prepare a community statement that affirms who we are as a city. A statement that reflects our core values as a community of opportunity where people feel respected and free to

1:11:21 gather to celebrate and to belong. And if everybody's good with that, >> mayor, I'm happy to bring that forward with our team Springfield partners. We have a really strong partnership with team team Springfield and I'm proud of the relationships that we have to address uh issues that are a concern to our everyone in our community. Um I'm proud to live in Springfield. I'm proud of our community and I'm proud of the way that we care for each other and I think it's appropriate to express those values. Thank you. >> Are there any other council responses? Next item, please. Uh you have ordinances next on your agenda. Ordinance number one is the C

1:12:07 Comcast franchise extension ordinance. This is an ordinance to extend the terms of ordinance 6208 granting Comcast of Oregon 2, Inc. a franchise for operation of cable telecommunication systems adopting a severability clause and providing an effective date. This is a first reading. No action requested and Josiah Roomfield is here for this item. Uh good evening. Uh council council action is requested to extend Comcast existing cable uh television franchise through June of 2027. Since 1991, Springfield, Lane County, and Eugene have jointly negotiated and granted Comcast this franchise for the operation of a cable tele uh cable communication system. Current negotiations are nearly complete

1:12:53 and all parties are optimistic that resolution will be achieved before this extension expires. The proposed ordinance would only extend the terms of the current franchise, although the terms and conditions would remain the same. A proposed franchise renewal agreement will be brought before council when the negotiations have been completed. >> How many times have we extended this franchise? >> Uh, the last time it was renewed was in 2018 and I believe it's been extended yearly since then. >> Okay. So, it's the continuation of the same 2018 conversation and >> and we feel reasonably comfortable that like we've got line of sight to getting to a resolution. >> Yes, we do. >> Okay. I appreciate that. Thank you. Any

1:13:38 other questions? All right. I believe it's first reading only. No action requested. Thank you. >> Thank you. Next item, please. >> Uh, ordinance number two is annexation of territory to the city of Springfield, annex 5.67 acres of employment mixeduse property Glenwood located at map 17-03-34-4. That's tax lots 800, 900, 1100, 1200, and 1402 withdrawing the same territory from the Glenwood Water District. Again, for the record, this is an ordinance annexing certain territory 17-03-34-44

1:14:29 tax slots 800, 900, 1100, 1200, and 1402 to the city of Springfield and the Lamalain Park and Recreation District, withdrawing the same territory from the Glenwood Water District, adopting a severability clause, and providing an effective date. This is a first reading, and Tom Severs is here for this item. Good evening and happy new year councelor and or mayor and city councilors. I am Tom Severs, senior planner in with the current planning section. Uh tonight the council is requested to consider the first reading of an ordinance to annex an approximately 5 and a half 5.67 uh acre area that includes five tax lots in Glennwood.

1:15:16 More specifically, the proposed annexation area is outlined in red and it's currently improved with commercial businesses. The applicants are the property owners who initiated the annexation by submitting the required application materials. The site is zoned Glennwood employment mixed use with the urbanizable fringe UF10 overlay seen here by the opaque shading. As you can see by the orange dashed line, it is contiguous to the city limits along the north and east boundaries. If annexation is approved, no other zoning changes are requested except for the removal of the UF10 overlay. With annexation, the subject's site will be removed from special districts such

1:16:01 as the UF10 overlay depicted here by the absence of the opaque shading and removal from service areas such as the Glenwood Water District. Again, no other zoning changes will occur with this application. There are four approval criteria for annexations in the Springfield Development Code which were fully analyzed in the staff report and summarized as follows. one or criterion A within UGB and contiguous to the city limits. Again, as previously stated, it is contiguous to the city limits along the north and east boundaries. Criterion B consistent with policies of the Springfield comprehensive plan and metro plan. Policies 27, 29, 33, 34, and 35 of the 2030 comprehensive plans

1:16:46 urbanization element are met through this application as the annex land will be fully within the Springfield urban service area. Criterion C within boundary for minimum level of key urban facilities to be received in a timely and efficient manner. Policies 29, 31, and 32 of the 2030 comprehensive plans urbanization element are met through this application as well. If annexation is approved, the subject territory can easily obtain key facilities and services from the Franklin Boulevard rightway. These facilities and services will include sanitary sewer connection, subwater and electric service, fire protection services from the Eugene Springfield Fire Department, and police services from Springfield Police. The subject

1:17:31 site is currently within the service area of the Wamlain Park and Recreation District. And lastly, criterion D, annexation agreement. An annexation agreement has been prepared by staff and is ready to be signed by the applicants. The agreement covers obligations for the applicants and for the city, including any financial responsibilities. The agreement includes details on future connection to key urban facilities and services and withdrawal from special service districts. If the annexation is approved by city council during the second reading, then the agreement will be ready for execution by the city manager. Thank you all and I'm here for any questions you may have. >> Are there any questions? So, with an annexation, and I know we

1:18:17 changed our annexation procedures, so you may have to remind me, we don't have to do a public feel like a test. Uh, this is one that doesn't need a public hearing. Um, and it's in the packet that Tom prepared that it is still an ordinance without a public hearing. >> Perfect. I think we both passed. All right, then we have no questions. This is first reading only, no action requested. Next item, please. Uh, ordinance number three is the Aspen Street Menllo Loop Ordinance, Special Service District Correction. Um, this is again a first reading and Tom Severs is here for this item. I'm sorry, I'll read the ordinance into the record. An ordinance withdrawing a segment of Aspen Street and Menlo Loop from the Rainbow Water District and providing an effective date.

1:19:05 >> Tom Severs, current planning section here again. Uh so you have seen this item before uh prior to the break there was I believe a legal error with uh the items I had brought previously. Uh so this is once again just trying to correct the erroneously stated uh service districts that were in the original ordinance. Uh and and that is it. >> All right. Any questions? All right. This is first reading only. No action requested. Next item, please. >> Next item. You'll see a pattern here with Tom Severs. Um item four is a Laura Street ordinance special service district correction. This is an ordinance withdrawing a segment of Laura Street from the Rainbow Water District and providing an effective date. Again,

1:19:50 this is a first reading and Tom Severs is here for this item. I am still Tom Sever current planning section. Uh same thing with this one. Erroneously stated service districts in the original ordinance to be corrected in this ordinance. Are there any questions about this? All right, Tom, before we let you go, you know, it it could be uh you know, get three agenda items. We'll throw the fourth one for free. All right. This is um first only, no action requested. Thanks. Next item, please. Your fifth ordinance is a court of record. This is an ordinance declaring Springfield Municipal Court to be a court of record under OS 221.342. This is a first reading and Nathan Bell is here for this item.

1:20:36 >> Right. Uh good evening, mayor and council. Uh Nathan Bell, finance director. Uh the item in front of you this evening is a request to conduct a public hearing and a first reading of an ordinance declaring Springfield Municipal Court to be a court of record. Uh being that we just discussed this early in the evening, I'm going to turn it right back over to you. >> All right. Are there any questions about this? All right. This is first reading only. No action required. public hearing. >> It doesn't have a public hearing on it. >> We don't. Okay. >> I passed this test. All right. Next item, please. Any business from the city council? Uh the only item that I have is that the

1:21:22 20th we'll be going over uh committee assignments uh for the for the year. We're probably um and we're probably going to have to go through these multiple times. Um but if you have a committee that is not working for for you from time or maybe you're just ready to switch from a policy perspective and try something new, please give me a call and so I can start moving people around. Um other than that, does anybody have anything else? >> All right, next item, please. Any business from the city manager? Just a quick update for council on uh two different days this week. I will be going to Springfield High School to uh talk to their leadership class about what it means to be a city manager, what a city manager does, um how it impacts

1:22:08 uh our community and hopefully maybe inspire a few kids to get into public service. However, I as much as I speak in public, which is a lot, I do admit a little bit of trepidation of talking to high school students. Um, so I'm just going to have to get over that and know that they will not care and that's okay. And I will try to let them know that high school really doesn't matter right now and it's going to be fine. So that may I'll probably save that for the undecided get in trouble from the teacher. Uh, >> we do not want to hear it if you get detention. >> I promise I will not, Mary. Then that's all I have. Thank you. >> Next item, please. Uh the next item is business from the city attorney, but Mary Bridget, we have a question for you. The u last item that Nathan Bell brought up, the court of record did not

1:22:55 have a public hearing on the agenda, but it did have a public hearing within his AIS. Should we hold that public hearing? >> Uh you can, but it's not the type of um ordinance that requires a public hearing. So that's probably where the discrepancy is. votes, but it's the council's decision if you want to hold one quickly just to cover yourself, but it's not necessary. >> I'm seeing head nods like we missed a public hearing. Do you need to reread the item? >> Yes, I could do that. Um, this is um under ordinances, a court of record, an ordinance declaring Springfield Municipal Court to be a court of record under OS 221.342.

1:23:40 All right, I'm going to go ahead and open the public hearing for this item. I don't have any cards. Do we have anybody online that wants to speak? No hands for this item. >> I'm going to close the public hearing and this is a first reading only. No action required. Next item. >> Next item under business from the city attorney is item number one, Ward 4, city council resignation acceptance and interim council counselor appointment process discussion. And Mary Bridget is here for this item. Uh good evening, mayor and council. I'm here tonight to um begin the first discussion on uh filling the or making the appointment for the interim counselor for the ward for vacancy. Attached in your packet is a resignation letter from counselor Blackwell. The first step in this process is for the council to um declare uh that that

1:24:26 position is vacant and then you'll move forward with the um appointment process. I'll be coming back to you on January 20th with a process. You will have a public hearing on um that evening to see if there's any public input about the process for appointing the interim counselor for Ward 4. Um if there's not other direction from you, I plan to bring forward a similar process to previous uh council appointment process, which is approximately a 30-day application period. um then an opportunity to review the applications um and interviews um and then uh deliberation and appointment. All of these items will be in open session, not an executive session. So they'll be at

1:25:11 regular meetings. Looking at the schedule, um I think you should be on track uh if it goes as planned to be appointing someone in April. >> All right. Uh, councelor Rodley, >> April. Um, so can you just so that folks know, can you kind of talk through the process because this whoever whomever we appoint will not fill out the remainder of councelor Blackwell. They would be running would they have to run in May? No, in November. So um so the charter provides that in situations like this where the vacancy occurs early in someone's um term that an interim

1:25:56 counselor is elected at the next general bienial election which is the upcoming November 26 election. So you'll appoint uh someone ideally in April. That person's term will be through 2026 essentially and then the community will have an opportunity to elect somebody at the November general bienial election um to fill the remainder of that term which is two years. So, it's a different situation than we had with the previous vacancy where um councelor Buck assumed further along in that term and then the ward five seat is just up for election this coming May just like any other election. So, something different there. And then I believe if people are interested in voting or I'm sorry in running in the general bienial they would um have to get in their paperwork

1:26:43 I think in August. So thinking about that >> and when we meet again on the 20th we're going to have an opportunity we'll have an opportunity to go in specifics through all those dates >> and I think for the public the best thing you can do is read the packet information if you're interested in this on the 20th and listen to that conversation. >> Are there any other questions >> in any different direction about the process? Um, we you can also provide that information on the 20th, but if you think of something uh please let me know, but I'll be bringing forward something similar to what you've seen before. >> Um, I think you starting with that would be a very good good idea. The last two times we've used that process, it's been fairly effective. >> Yeah. >> And yeah, so um the only other thing I

1:27:29 would just mention is uh councelor Blackwell is an was an exceptional counselor and she will be missed in in city hall and we wish her the best of luck. >> Definitely. >> All right. I think we need a motion. >> I move to accept the resignation of Beth Blackwell as W4 city councelor and declare the position vacant and provide guidance on the process for appointing an interim city counselor. >> Second. >> Neil, could you call the vote, please? >> Yes. Councelor Weber, >> yes. >> Councelor Mo, >> yes. >> Councelor Bradley, >> yes. >> Councelor Buck, >> yes. >> And councelor Stout, >> yes. Thank you. >> Motion passes. Five yeses, zero nos. Uh, next item, please. Any other business from the city attorney? >> Uh, no other business. Just welcome back. >> We are adjourned. Thank you everybody.