Joint City-County Planning Task Force

Joint City-County Planning Task Force April 30, 2014 10:00 a.m. Busch Building, 4th Floor Conference Rm., 840 Boonville Ave. Meeting #16 Task Force Members present: Tim Smith, Greene County Administrator Collin Quigley, Springfield Assistant City Manager Cindy Stein, Greene County Auditor Martha Mundt, Greene County Budget Director Jerry Moyer, Greene County Court Administrator The meeting began at 10:00 a.m. with a welcome from Collin Quigley, Springfield Assistant City Manager, and Tim Smith, Greene County Administrator. Mr. Quigley asked the members to review the notes from the April 9, 2014 meeting, and asked for a motion of approval. Jerry Moyer, Greene County Court Administrator, made a motion to approve the notes. Martha Mundt, Greene County Budget Director, seconded the motion and the notes were approved. Ralph Rognstad, Springfield Director of Planning, led the discussion on Growth Management (planning) by explaining the Vision 20/20 Plan and the Urban Service Area. Growth management has been in practice with the City since 1984 when the Urban Service Area plan was adopted. This plan was designed to contain urban growth by not expanding public infrastructure and services outside the service area, and to supply sewer without consent of annexation. In the mid-1990’s, the plan was revised to include an analysis of the surrounding area and communities. An annexation plan, which designated specific areas of the city to annex, was proposed by the City but never adopted. Mr. Smith asked if a cost analysis had been done on this proposed plan. Mr. Rognstad replied, no, but they had looked at the impact, particularly in regard to expanding fire services. Mr. Smith asked if this was in the 2002 election. Mr. Rognstad replied that it would have been about then, and resulted in amending the Vision 20/20. Mr. Smith asked Mr. Rognstad to explain voted annexation. Historically, an election was held within the City and the proposed area of annexation. The vote must be 50% plus one to pass. Upon passing it then went to court for final approval. A re-election could be held if the vote did not pass the first time. This time it must pass by two-thirds. Mr. Rognstad stated that in most cases, residents would have benefitted from the annexation by reduced costs of utilities and insurance. Mr. Quigley asked if the Vision 20/20 plan had been amended after failure of this annexation plan. Mr. Rognstad said the annexation plan was dropped due to the high level of opposition judging from the election results in the first target area. In the Vision 20/20 plan, three overall development scenarios were proposed: compact, no change, and balanced. The balanced approach was recommended. Mr. Rognstad went on to state how a compact development pattern can now be seen within the community. This appears to be driven by the development community, with more of this growth taking place in the center of the city. Next, Mr. Rognstad explained the Priority Development Review Policies. These seven policies, which are reflected in the Field Guide 2030, are used by City staff to review development applications. These policies are: • Protect existing neighborhoods • Encourage increased intensity of development in activity centers and along urban corridors • Encourage mixed-use development      • Encourage development that facilitates multi-modal transportation choices • Encourage reuse of existing buildings and redevelopment of existing areas • Encourage development that contributes to a self-reliant, local economy • Encourage the development of the City’s green network (reducing the impact of development upon the environment by managing stormwater, protecting water quality, increasing the use of greenways trails, and encouraging biking and walking) Kent Morris, Greene County Planning Director, continued the discussion on growth planning by explaining its early history in Greene County. In the late 1970’s and early 1980’s, the development pattern had begun to move outside the city limits due in part to land being less expensive in the more rural area. With this growth came an increased awareness of the water supply and quality, the cost of infrastructure, and the number of private wells and onsite wastewater systems. In the early 1980’s, Dr. Ken Thompson and Thomas Aley completed a groundwater quality study titled “Septic Fields and the Protection of Groundwater Quality in Greene County, Missouri”. This study was funded by the City of Springfield, City Utilities, Fantastic Caverns, and Greene County. With these growth factors in mind, the Urban Service Area was established and adopted in 1984 by the City and City Utilities. Although Greene County had passed regulations requiring the Suburban Residential Districts (R-1) be connected to public sewer, they did not officially adopt the Urban Service Area until it was amended in 1999. During this time, City Utilities choose to opt out of using a specified service area. In 2006, the Urban Service Area expanded, and agreements were established with most of the municipalities within Greene County. Mr. Morris explained how the Greene County Land Use Plan was created and adopted in 2009. An Urban Reserve Area and an Agriculture Reserve Area had been considered as part of the original plan. Meeting with opposition, the reserve areas were not included in the plan. It was the intent to update this plan every five years; however the County lacks the finances and personnel to review it at this time. One issue currently facing the County is the lack of subdivided lots. Mr. Morris stated that single family building permits have increased while the subdivision of lots has noticeably decreased. The Ozarks Transportation Organization (OTO) has also noted the change in development patterns with the rapid expansion in the urbanizing area. Mr. Rognstad agreed with Mr. Morris, stating that while the economy is making a comeback, it is occurring in different manners. Several of the young entrepreneurial middle class are working from any site or location at varying hours and timeframes. In addition, those on the lower economic scale are becoming more informal in their labor by trading time and/or services to meet their needs. These activities do not capture the tax base and from a zoning standpoint could be considered illegal. Also, with the denser, more compact development that is occurring, there could be a reduced need for fire services while increasing the need for more police officers. Camile Knowles, Greene County Director of Human Resources, began the Employee Wellness portion of the meeting. In 2006, Greene County implemented its employee wellness program by establishing a smoke-free campus. The County worked with St. John’s (now Mercy) to provide an employee Health Risk Assessment (HRA). In that first year, 68 employees took part in the HRA. Between 2007 and 2011, 150 people were engaged in the wellness program. To encourage employee participation, a wellness committee was formed in 2013. As an incentive, the Greene County Commission pays 100% of an employee’s insurance premium if an HRA is completed, but only 90% for those who elect not to have an HRA. In 2014, only nine of 688 eligible employees did not participate in the annual HRA. Due to this year’s high percentage of participants, the County received a significant discount on their health insurance rates. Mr. Quigley asked the amount of savings due to the discount. Ms. Knowles stated she would get back with him in regard to the number. In a recent survey conducted by the County Human Resources      Department, a noted response of 49% of the participants stated cost as a factor in not going to the doctor. Ms. Knowles commented that this could eventually lead to less efficiency in the workplace. Ms. Knowles explained the “medical tourism” program offered by Satori Medical Travel. This new program allows for certain medical procedures to take place outside the United States at specified locations around the world. All medical and travel arrangements, as well as expenses, are handled and paid for by Satori. This is a huge cost savings for both the employee and insurance carrier. Ms. Knowles continued by stating that the County’s employee wellness programs include: Lunch & Learn, a walking challenge, and a reduced rate at the Springfield-Greene County Park Board’s family centers. Emily Hegg, City of Springfield Wellness Coordinator, explained In-Balance, the City’s wellness program, which was formed in 2011. The In-Balance program focuses on seven dimensions of wellness: Social, Emotional, Spiritual, Environmental, Occupational, Intellectual, and Physical. An employee wellness committee was formed to help guide this program by using input and suggestions from the employees. An employee survey revealed that HRAs and discounts to the family centers were the most desired programs. The wellness budget of $80,000 (an average of $50 per employee) came in under budget last year. In 2012, 44% of eligible employees participated in the HRA; and 47% in 2013. Membership to the family centers are at 31% of eligible employees (494 employees; 1,527 including family). The City’s wellness programs include: Code 3 Boot Camp, Weight Watchers, a walking challenge, and freedom from smoking. Mr. Quigley stated that employee success stories are being told to encourage others and to let them know the benefits to the various programs. Ms. Hegg said these stories are posted on their website. Mr. Smith asked the City’s cost for insurance per employee. Mr. Quigley stated he did not know, but could provide the answer for the final report.* Mr. Smith stated that the County was very pleased with how their insurance carrier had responded with the HRAs. Ms. Knowles added that the insurance carrier pays over half the costs of the HRA; and 150 employees are taking advantage of the discounted membership for the family centers. The next Task Force meeting is scheduled for Wednesday, May 14, 2014 at 10:00 a.m., at the Greene County Archives & Election Center, 1126 Boonville Ave. With no additional discussion, the meeting dismissed at approximately 11:20 a.m. *Post meeting information provided May 7, 2014: Mr. Quigley confirmed that the annual cost of health insurance per City employee is $5,820.00. m:\data\wp51\storm2\vbrandon\joint city-county planning task force 072613\mtg. #16\joint planning task force, mtg. #16 043014.doc