HomeMy WebLinkAbout2009-1019 Study Session MIN
CITY COUNCIL STUDY SESSION
October 19, 2009
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MINUTES FOR CITY COUNCIL STUDY SESSION
Monday, October 19,2009
Siskiyou Room, 51 Winburn Way
Mayor Stromberg called the meeting to order at 5:31 p.m.
Councilor Navickas, Chapman, Silbiger and Voisin were present. Councilor Lemhouse arrived at 5:35
p,m, Councilor Jackson was not present.
1. Look Ahead Review
City Administrator Martha Bennett reviewed the items on the Council Look Ahead,
2. Discussion regarding will the Council review and discuss the possible grant of a Conservation
Easement encompassing the Imperatrice property?
Public Works Director Mike Faught and Engineering Services Manager Jim Olson introduced Diane
Garcia from the Southern Oregon Land Conservancy (SOLC). Director of Electric Utilities Dick
Wanderscheid spoke on the possibility of using the property for renewable resources noting it would not
be needed for 7-10 years and would have to be sold as a 'flat block of power based on the contract
structure with Bonneville Power Administration (BPA), Currently renewable resources were not sold as a
flat block of power.
Mr, Olson eXplained seven tax lots comprise the property with over 800 acres broken into north and south
sections, The goal was to put as few restrictions as possible on the lower section, The conservation
easement was a permanent document that would follow the land when sold. The lower three tax lots
would have one restriction prohibiting subdividing or partitioning. The upper four lots would have
additional restrictions to protect the view shed, grasslands, wild life preserve and other native plants. Tax
lots 100, 600 and 700 would have full restrictions and tax lot 500 reserved for effluent spray if applicable.
The effluent was part of the original purchase agreement and left in the conservation easement in case of
need, The Water Master Plan and Wastewater Master Plan coming late 2009 will address the effluent and
temperature issues and take approximately two years to complete, If effluent was not used, Council could
make the easement more restrictive but not less,
Pros for the easement included that it would effectively protect the upper portion of the property and the
easement could be written for whatever uses the City deems desirable including power type reserve.
SOLC would be the grantee, have legal enforcements and act as a third party arbitrator. If there was an
RFP process, SOLC would help administer the upper lots only. Cons included the difficulty to terminate
the easement, the easement could reduce future value, sale abiliry, and not knowing the real market value
on the easement until it was in place,
Miss Garcia clarified conservation easements rarely reduce the property value and conservation properties
receive a special assessment. Staff added that exemption from property taxes was based on property use
and the City could be liable for use that was inconsistent with the easement.
Council debated going through an RFP process, establishing the easement prior to the RFP or creating the
master plan first. Concern that focusing on a master plan would be a significant shift in Council priorities
was expressed. Council decided to complete the master plan first and directed staff to bring it back as an
agenda item for the regular meeting in November.
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CITY COUNCIL STUDY SESSION
October 19, 2009
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3. Discussion regarding what direction the Council has for further development and eventual
adoption of an intergovernmental relations plan and policy?
City Administrator Martha Bennett explained there were two parts to the intergovernmental relations plan
and policy, the procedural part that would remain static and the agenda part that will require annual
updates, The Guiding Principles drive the entire document. Council and staff discussed the importance
ofthe Mayor and Council to represent the official position of the City when dealing with any other level
of government. It was the responsibility of the Mayor and Council to notify the City Administrator and
City Recorder when these types of interactions occur.
Ms. Bennett went on to explain the City would seek earmarks or specific funding requests if appropriate.
State agency contact should be a peer relationship between staff and agency and Council should go
through staff to reach those agencies accordingly, Staffs role in conjunction with the League of Oregon
Cities and State Government was described: That the City may not always support the League's stance
on issues was explained as well. Council suggested deciding what was important statewide to the City
prior to League meetings,
The need for Council to represent the City regarding regional relationships even when the City did not
have an official positi~n was iterated,
Staff asked for Council input for discussion during a future Study Session,
Meeting adjourned at 7:30 p,m,
Respectfully submitted,
Dana Smith
Assistant to the City Recorder