Agenda & Minutes

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Mayor & Council (View All)

City Council Study Session Agenda & Minutes

Minutes
Thursday, July 13, 2017

AGENDA
July 13, 2017
12 Noon
City Hall, Medford Room
411 West 8th Street, Medford, Oregon

1.  Receivership Goals & Objectives
 
2.  Microcells Code Amendment
 
MINUTES
July 13, 2017
12 Noon
City Hall, Medford Room
411 West 8th Street, Medford, Oregon

The Medford City Council Study Session was called to order at 12:00 p.m. in the Medford Room of Medford City Hall on the above date with the following members and staff present:
 
Mayor Gary Wheeler; Councilmembers Clay Bearnson, Kay Brooks, Tim D’Alessandro, Dick Gordon, Tim Jackle, Kevin Stine*, Kim Wallan and Michael Zarosinski
 
Deputy City Manager Kelly Madding; Senior Assistant City Attorney Eric Mitton; Deputy City Recorder Winnie Shepard; Building Department Director Sam Barnum
 
*Arrived as noted.
 
Receivership Goals & Objectives
Deputy City Manager Kelly Madding spoke regarding receiverships and derelict properties in Medford:
  • Code Enforcement and Building staff use the International Property Maintenance Code (IPMC) Code to determine whether homes are derelict structures
  • Home reported to Code Enforcement, which begins the process
     
*Councilmember Stine arrived.
 
  • The City uses a similar definition of “derelict structure” as used in many cities throughout Oregon
  • Building has created a list of properties that have been inspected or will be inspected in the future
  • The City will focus on voluntary compliance; waivers are available
  • Council need to balance the need for compliance with complaints received
  • Receiverships only for residential property, not commercial
  • Non-compliance is determined by building director
    • Council to determine if/when 60-day letters for compliance are sent to property owners
      • Previous letters have resulted in responses
      • Property owners moving toward compliance
    • If property goes into court system (receivership), it is time consuming
    • Changes in property ownership causes delays
    • If Building Director recommends receivership, it is ultimately Council’s decision to move forward or provide additional time
  • Homes with boarded-up windows and without other building violations staff recommends entering these homes into the receivership program
 
Staff would like Council direction regarding whether to abate, use IPMC or the receivership program.
 
Council comment:
  • The cost of the title search could pay for the abatement of weeds
  • Could spend money for one title search before deciding on the others
  • This is blight reduction program, the City does not want to retain homes
    • Weeds or boarded up windows should be abated, not put into receivership
    • Concerns regarding public health and/or safety would require more action
    • Owner-occupied houses should not be placed into receivership; determine why upkeep isn’t completed
    • Staff to determine which organizations will act as our receiver
    • Revise Code to have similar program for commercial properties
    • Council agreed to the cost of title searches for all properties on the list
 
Building Department concerns/comments:
  • Cost of the program impacting other Building Department duties/responsibilities
  • Current process involves staff from Code Enforcement and Building going to properties to inspect and determine the issues and compliance
  • No internal inspections have been completed
 
Microcells Code Amendment
Mobilitie came to the City in 2016. The company builds micro (small) cells that cell companies rent. The cells are a low-voltage apparatus that boost a signal for a small area. They are generally placed on city infrastructures to enable data usage. It is foreseeable that more companies will be contacting Medford regarding the placement of these within the city limits. 
 
Police Chief Randy Sparacino noted that small cells can reserve a portion of the data “spectrum” specifically for law enforcement and fire.
 
Council comments:
  • Fires and noise in residential areas
  • Size of the boxes and their appearance
  • Need more information regarding the franchise fees, pole use fee and perhaps a communication tax like Eugene
  • Perhaps offer exemptions for boosting the service for public safety
  • Should limit the number of cells in town
  • Possibility of smell from the diesel generators
  • Potential encroachment on properties
  • Environmental review may be required
  • Mobilitie has been sued by multiple municipalities for not complying with agreements
  • Any agreement should protect the City’s interests
 
The meeting adjourned at 1:19 p.m.
 
 
 
 
Winnie Shepard
Deputy City Recorder
 
 

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