HomeMy WebLinkAbout2012-0416 Study Session PACKET CITY OF
ASHLAND
CITY COUNCIL STUDY SESSION
AGENDA
Monday, April 16, 2012 at 5:30 p.m.
Siskiyou Room, 51 Winburn Way
5:30 p.m. Study Session
1. Look Ahead Review
2. Discussion of Closing the feedback loop with the City Administrator
3. Discussion of Conservation Commission Report
4. Other business from the Council
In compliance with the Americans with Disabilities Act, if you need special assistance to participate in this
meeting, please contact the City Administrators office at(541) 488-6002 (TTY phone number 1-800-735-
2900). Notification 72 hours prior to the meeting will enable the City to make reasonable arrangements to
ensure accessibility to the meeting (28 CFR 35.102-35.104 ADA Title 1).
COUNCIL MEETINGS ARE BROADCAST LIVE ON CHANNEL 9
VISIT THE CITY OF ASHLAND'S WEB SITE AT WW W.ASHLAND.OR.I IS
City of Ashland Council Meeting Look Ahead
*****THIS IS A DRAFT AND SUBJECT TO CHANGE*****
Departments :.
Responsible 4119 4123 4/26 4/30 511 5/3 5/14 5M5 6/4 6/5 6118 6119 6/26 712 713 7116 71V 8/6 8/7
4119 Bud-et:Meetin an"g`
1 Budget Messa a and Parks Department BDGT
_
4/23 ' Budget 4/23
2 Police, Fire, Community Development, CDBG, City Recorder,
Admin HR Legal,Admin Srvcs. BDGT
4/26 Budget Meeting 4/26
3 Electric, Conservation and Information Technology, PW BDGT
a 3 St'ud'ISession iTSisk"i ou Boom '®V4_/_3011
4 Discussion of Plaza Landscape and Plaza Use (Dave/Ann/Bill) Admin CD SS
5/1,*, cs:,"�.fliae i, °" '" RRe ula�C°.CoU_nc�l McQtm w£5! �7e, ,� F_F-, rru ,.. u..r...y .,:✓3 ,:f' ,9+m-? .c-i+key X�2� Z13n:
5 Proclamation re: Firewise Week John/Ali Fire PROC
6 Resolution re arding Wireless Fees Bill CD CONS
7 Annual appointments to Commissions Barbara Recorder CONS
Approval of an IGA between ODOT and the City of Ashland
e for development of the Normal Avenue Neighborhood Plan
Bill CD CONS
9 Approval of a request to connect a property located outside
city limits to the city sewers stem Mike PW CONS
10 Approval of a quit-claim deed to terminate a public utility
easement in West Bellview Subdivision Mike PW CONS
11 Misc. Fees&Charges Resolution Update(Lee) Finance PH
RES
12 Water and Wastewater Rate Increase Resolution (Mike) PW Finance PH
RES
13 Historic District Design Standards Amendments Bill CD ORD-2
14 Potential update to current camping ordinance Ter Police ORD-1 ORD-2
5/3 Budget Meeting 5/3
15 Wrap up&Set Tax Rate BDGT
5/1a Stud Session in $ISIZI ou Ro m_ ®15i14"
16 Discussion on Wireless Ordinance Bill/David CD Legal - SS
17 Discussion of Time Out Ordinance Ter /Linda Police CD Ss
*Re"ulaG1.C_ounMeetm ii �,'> "e- `t„ i :.u^+:r°x.. . `" E w h�Clra;�" ra 5/.15.
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18 Approval of MOU with ACH for mental health facility CONS
Ter /David L. Police Legal
19 5 Minute Presentation by Firewise Committee of poster
contest winner John/Ali Fire PRIES
20 Potential update to current camping ordinance Ter Police -21 1
21 Sewer line service policy(Mike) PW ORD-1 )RD-2
Page 1 of 4/12/2012
City of Ashland Council Meeting Look Ahead
*****THIS IS A DRAFT AND SUBJECT TO CHANGE*****
Departments :.
Responsible 4/19 4123 4/26 4/30 511 513 5114 5115 614 615 611 B 6119 6126 712 7/3 7/16 7/17 816 8/
6/a
22 Sewer line service policy(Mike) PW sS
=ME' - Ica ex� nre` �_ c, '++s. :•i LLwY ..�*' c?M.•xmem..a 6/5
ull Meetin
23 Library Ballot Measure Ann Admin V CONS
24 Public Hearing on Ordinance to levy taxes(Lee) PH
Finance ORD-1 ORD-2
25 Resolution to qualify for state revenues Lee Finance RES
26 Resolution to receive state revenues Lee Finance RES
27 Resolution setting appropriations Lee - Finance RES
26 First reading of update to Wireless Ord. Bill/David CD Legal ORD-1 ORD-2
29 First reading of habitual offender zone ordinance Police CD ORD-1
Ter /Linda ORD-2
30 Sewer line service policy(Mike) PW ORD-2
`sna Stud Session in Siski,o°p' R oo m 1111111111WARAN s/tsd
09p
'�., >�;, .k „�.e ular�Councd•Meetiri", - +�i �„„� _ .� _a
31 1 Ordinance to levy taxes Lee Finance ORD-2
32 Second reading update to Wireless Ord. Bill/David CD Legal ORD-2
33 Second reading of Time Out ordinance Ter /Linda Police CD ORD-2
6/26 Special Council Meeting if needed 6/26
34 Final Bud et Ad'ustments if needed Lee Finance
JE7T21 ud Session in $0 ,4u Room 7%2
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7/3 „Re ular�C,ouncil Meetin r...� - - x't a:, ' . rt'",��e . •i;* ,.•� a ._,t.s - 7/3;.':
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Page 2 of 2 4/1212012
CITY OF
ASHLAND
Council Communication
April 16, 2012 Study Session
Discussion of Conservation Commission Report
FROM:
Lee Tuneberg, Acting Assistant City Administrator, tuneberl @ashland.or.us
SUMMARY
Council has received two letters from the Conservation Commission relating to recommended actions
regarding the Road Diet and sustainability. This study session is intended to give the Commission
time with Council to discuss the recommendations.
BACKGROUND AND POLICY IMPLICATIONS:
Staff sent a memo with two attachments in early March to ensure council received input from the
Commission, albeit late for the February 11, 2012, meeting. The Commission voted on each item to
be forwarded to Council for consideration and commission members have contacted council members
on them.
The first item relates to a requested study in conjunction with changes on North main referred to as the
Road diet.
The second item identifies work the Commission has done and draft products on LEED Certification,
fuel efficiency and sustainability.
Conservation commission members will attend to provide input.
FISCAL IMPLICATIONS:
The work done and proposed by the Commission falls within current budget parameters.
Recommendations for fuel efficiency steps are expected to have.a positive impact on the budget
through cost savings. The proposed study for the road Diet is not included in the current budget.
STAFF RECOMMENDATION AND REQUESTED ACTION:
Staff recommends Council discuss the proposals and provide feedback to the Commission on both
documents.
SUGGESTED MOTION:
Not applicable.
ATTACHMENTS:
Staff memo dated March 1, 2012
Memo to Mayor& Council from Conservation Commission Chair, Jim Hartman
Report to council dated January 26, 2011 (2012)
Staff memo dated March 12, 2012
___ _ Page 1 of
CITY OF
ASHLAND
Memo
DATE: March 1, 2012
TO: Mayor& Council
CC: Dave Kanner, City Administrator
FROM: Lee Tuneberg, Finance Director
DEPT: Administrative Services
SUBJECT: Recommendations from the Conservation Commission
Attached are two letters from the Conservation Commission intended for Council review and
acceptance. Although they are directly related, but were created under separate timelines, neither was
formally communicated as requested. The memos express the Commission's perspective but some
process information is warranted and follows:
Road Diet Study Recommendation
The Committee voted to recommend an environmental assessment study as part of the analysis for
implementing the Road Diet trial for North Main and for ongoing consideration. Their vote and the
context was already sent to Council as part of their minutes from November, 2011. The concept has also
been shared with Public Works staff but not a copy of the letter.
Council Goals Relating to the Conservation Commission and Sustainability
The Conservation Commission has been working earnestly on actions relating to the Council goal
related to sustainability. The attached memo and documents recap their work toward this ongoing goal.
If you have questions on either of these documents please contact me, the liaison or the Commission
Chair. Thank you.
ADMINISTRATIVE SERVICES DEPARTMENT
D.L.Tuneberg,Director Tel:541 488-5300
20 East Main Street Fax:541552-2059
Ashland,Oregon 97520 TTY: 800-735-2900
w eshland.or.us
Dear Mayor Stromberg and members of the Ashland City Council,
At its meeting on August 24, the Conservation Commission approved a motion
urging the city government to initiate an Environmental Impact Statement on the
proposed North Main Street "road diet." Subsequently, the Commission was
advised that Public Works Director Mike Faught believes such a statement could
cost in the range of $100,000.
This cost estimate has raised concerns. Therefore the Commission requests that the
city undertake an environmental review of the project. This could include assessing
the experiences of other municipalities where similar highway changes were made.
Potential questions to be answered in a review would include:
1. Estimated increase in bicycle and pedestrian use of the North Main Street
corridor.
2. Estimated environmental and energy savings from additional bicycle and
pedestrian use.
3. Estimated decrease in auto and truck traffic on North Main Street.
4. Estimated increase in auto and truck traffic on other streets.
5. Estimated impact on environment of anticipated delays in auto and truck
- traffic.:
6. Estimated impact on energy use of anticipated delays in auto and truck
traffic. -
The Conservation Commission did not take a position on whether this study should
be-made before the "road diet" test-was initiated or as a part of the review of the
test.
Jim Hartman
Chairman"
January 26,2011
Ashland City Council,
The Conservation Commission encourages the City Council to continue pursuing the Environmental
goals established by Council in January 2011. The Commission has relied upon these goals as a basis for
the development of recommendations of objectives,benchmarks and actions to support and achieve the
stated goals.Current topics under Commission development are identified under each of the 2011 Council
goals and will be presented to Council in the near future for consideration and adoption.
Adopt land use codes, building codes, green building standards, and fee structures that
creates strong incentives for development that is energy, water, and land efficient and
supports a multi-modal transportation system.
• The Conservation Commission recommends that the City require a minimum LEED Silver
Certification for all new City buildings and retrofits.
Develop a concise sustainability plan for the Community and for City Operations
• The Conservation Commission will bring in a sustainability framework expert to City Council to
discuss the guiding principles and framework for sustainability.
• Conservation Commission will recommend and ask the City Council to adopt an Ashland
Sustainabdity Resolution that sets the foundation for sustainable City government operations.
• The Conservation Commission will further research other Oregon City's Sustainability Plans and
provide feedback to the City of Ashland.
• The City of Ashland will develop a City Operations sustainability plan with support and input,
from the Conservation Commission's research.
• The City of Ashland will appoint a Sustainability Program Manager to work across all City _
Departments
• Continue to educate and enforce anti-idling ordinance 2882 for city vehicles operations.
Develop a strategy to use conservation and local renewable sources to meet Tier 2 power demands.
• Pending
Implement specific capital projects and operational programs to ensure that City facilities and
operations are a model of efficient use of water
• Pending
I
LEED Certification Recommendation
A stated Ashland City Council goal is to:
Adopt land use codes, building codes, green building standards,.and fee structures that
create strong incentives for development that is energy, water, and land'efficent and
supports a multi-modal transportation system.
To obtain this goal, the Ashland Conservation Commission recommends that the City
require a minimum LEED Silver Certification for all new City buildings and retrofits.
"LEED, or Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design, is an internationally-recognized
green building certification system" that "provides building owners and operators with a,
framework for identifying and implementing practical and measurable green building design,
construction, operations and maintenance solutions."While the LEED rating system is in no way
perfect, it does create a viable framework for discussing and selecting the most appropriate
sustainable strategies during the design and construction of.new buildings.
Adopting a progressive building standard is the next logical step in achieving the City Council's
stated goal of long term sustainability. The Conservation Commission has made
recommendations on LEED certification in the past (2006 Fire station#2), and the City Council
has already adopted a fast-track permitting process for buildings seeking LEED certification
(City of Ashland Ordinance 3035). Unfortunately, these actions have not resulted in as
significant an impact as anticipated. To date, there are no LEED certified buildings in Ashland,
and there are only 3 LEED buildings which have attempted registration.
In order to create a development atmosphere conductive to sustainable design, the City needs
to take a leadership role by ensuring that any future building projects and retrofits achieve at
least some measurable positive affect on the environment. Creating the proposed resolution
would not only help,the City achieve its conservation goals but would also show the community
that the City of Ashland is committed to making positive change in its built environment.
Additionally, many other municipalities have adopted similar measures, including Cities of
comparable or smaller size to Ashland (Oregon City, OR, Happy Valley, OR, West Linn, OR,
Albany, CA). _
Respectfully,
4
J r
The City of Ashland Conservation Commission
i j
Council goal Recommendation: Fuel efficiency
The Conservation Commission would like to recommend the following council goals for 2012:
• Continue to educate and enforce anti-idling ordinance 2828 for city vehicles operations.
Anti-idling reminder decals (provided by DEQ) are to be installed in all city operated
vehicles (these have already been ordered). '
• Track fuel efficiency for city vehicles with the exception of vehicles listed in Ordinance
2828.
• Operate vehicles within 2mpg variance of fuel efficiency standards as published at
www.fieleconomy.gov. (Current statistics indicate a 2-19mpg variance)
• Earmark $5,000.00 to employ a grant writer in pursuit offunds for Auxiliary Power Units
for vehicles currently idling to perform duties as part of city operations and emergency
services. These technologies effectively reduce toxic emissions 50-95%
• Establish fines for all vehicles within the city Itm its.viol ating Ordinance 2828 and
engaging Diamond parking to enforce fines.,Fibes''across the nation average $100- $500
for first offence and $300-$1000 for second plus offences.%hit,b.1liviviv.atri-
online.org/researchlresults/idling_charli.pdf'
5
City of Ashland, Oregon Ordinance No. 2828: L '
.4
AN ORDINANCE ADDING SECTION\Ll 24.020.H TO THE ASHLAND MUNICIPAL
CODE TO PROHIBIT TRUCKS AND,BUSES FROM IDLING WHILE PARKED
THE PEOPLE OF THE CITY OF ASHLAND DO.ORDAIN AS FOLLOWS: -
SECTION 1. The following section is added to the Ashland Municipal Code as section
11.24.020.H '' ,\
H. Or stand or stop a truck or bus on:a public 'street,or in a public parking area with its engine
running, if such engine emits exhaust fumes mto;the air. Vehicle engines shall be turned off
tus
when loading and unloading,passengers or-merchandise. This subsection H shall not apply to:
l /Ah,enginerunning for 18s than five minutes:
�/2. A'vehicle in the moving traffic lane waiting to move with the normal flow of traffic,
`3. An engine needed to operate equipment used to load or unload merchandise,
4 Trucks under 12,000 GVW and'buses with a carrying capacity of fifteen passengers or
less,oi•\\
5. Emergency vehicles, utility company, construction and maintenance vehicles, the
engines of wh`ichh must run to perform needed work.
The foregoing ordinancei'was first READ on the 16th day of April 2002, and duly PASSED and
ADOPTED this 7th day of May 2002. Barbara Christensen, City Recorder
SIGNED and APPROVED this 8th day of May, 2002 Alan DeBoer, Mayor
Reviewed as to form: Paul Nolte, City Attorney
Safreno/Gould Page 1 2/3/2012
Council goal Recommendation: Fuel efficiency
Support Material:
Anti idling helps to reduce wear and tear on engines, lengthens engine life,reduces fuel
consumption, (201 1 city consumption 95,434.10 at a cost of$370,658.24 annually). It also
contributes to a cleaner atmosphere. Reducing idling makes good business sense. According to
the EPA the emissions from engines contain harmful air pollutants including, volatile organic
compounds (VOC), particulate matter(PM), nitrogen oxides (NOx), carbon monoxide (CO),
carbon dioxide(CO2) and other greenhouse gases. These pollutants contribute to urban smog,
acid rain, poor air quality, decreased visibility also known as regional haze, and a variety of
health problems, such as asthma and heart disease. The Conservation Commission (CC) has
obtained decals from the DEQ about anti-idling and have passed them onto city employees in
hope of them being displayed in every city vehicle.
There are several ways to track the vehicles and establish a baseline. One of the ways we
recommend would be to review the miles.per gallon (MPG) of vehicles that do not require
engine power for other uses such as city operations and emergency vehicles, A list of vehicles
was provided to the CC and we compared the MPGs; Currently,the city vehicles have variances ga
that go between 2 and 19 MPGs. The•CC believes thiVthurtyrwrll be able to'save a significant
amount of money by tracking this and setting a goal of.2MPGs variance.
The CC has asked for reports from the city fig rerout if w e adhering to the anti-idling
policy and if it is working,.However currently thereis no baseline for the CC or the city to be
able to measure their performance. A policyswill only be effective ifit is enforced and if it is not
f _ � . .,
measured it cannot be enforced.NMore simplified what ge tsmeasured gets managed.
The CC is currently working with the Public Works Superintendent, who has supplied the CC
with lots of data,-however it.ppe t that currently the_city does not track the mileage of each of
�_
its vehicles-We understand that some veFiicles'are tracked by hours due to the nature of their
work, however there 6fe plenty of,other vehicles With in the city that should be tracking mileage.
If we start 'to track the progress of the policy, we will be able to see the numbers and cost
savings. With,the savings that occur the city can then look into other alternative and methods to
help with keeping,our fleets fu ffi
fuel'e eco friendly.
t
According to a study done by Hinkle Charitable foundation we can save with anti-idling policies
_=r
I.I
1 WRIM_ .. l m
Gasoline not Gasoline not Savings CO2 Not
Engine Size burned burned Emitted
Small 6 cylinders or -- "-
less 0.5 cup 10 gallons ,$39.93 _ 22016s"
8 cylinder I cup 20 gallons $79.86 440 Ibs
Fleet of 8 trucks with 8
cylinders - 8 cups ' a_160 gallons_ $628.50 3,520
Safreno/Gould Page 2 2/3/2012
Council goal Recommendation: Fuel efficiency
The CC would also like to recommend that the council earmark $5,000 for a grant writing to
work on getting one of the many grants that are available for APU generators to be installed on
city vehicles so they do not have to idle to operate.
• In Washington state the Poulsbo Fire Department will use a $39,000 grant from the
Washington Department of Ecology(Ecology) to install generators and back-up battery
systems on emergency vehicles which will save money and reduce air pollution.
Department of Ecology News hup:ihvicw.ecv.ma.Lori lei 1"Y/20 11,178
• There are also grants through the Federal FIRE ACT Grants & Funding for generators
a
• The USDA ARRA Special Vehicle and Equipment Initiative have grants available for
generators for Emergency vehicles.
One Myth regarding idling:
(1) A car should idle before driving to warm i[up.,'��
(2) Idling a vehicle is more fuel-efficient than restarting it e
AF�� Jy
Through field tests, the American Society fMechanicahEngineers Florida Section showed that
restarting a car with a six-valve (V6) engine consumes approximately the same amount of fuel as
idling for five seconds.8 several other environmental groups advocate for either a "10-second" or
a"30-second" rule.Natural Resources Canada (A Canadian Government Agency) stresses that
idling is not an effective way'to warm up a can Ev nim winter,only 30 seconds is needed to
warm the car's engine. Other vehicle parts. such,a`he axles, do-not warm up until the vehicle is
driven.9 j 1
n.
Safreno/Gould Page 3 2/3/2012
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A
CITY OF
ASHLAND
Memo
DATE: April 12, 2012
TO: Conservation Commission
CC: Lee Tuneberg, Interim Assistant City Administrator
FROM: Adam Hanks, Project Manager, Administrative Svs & Electric Utilities
RE: Staff Response to Commission Recommendation on Fuel Efficiency
At its meeting of January 25, 2012, the Conservation Commission requested that City Staff respond to
the Commission's draft recommendation regarding fuel efficiency. The document contained five
recommended actions to implement with the goal of increased fuel efficiency and/or a reduction in fuel
consumed. Additionally, the recommended actions targeted both City Fleet operations and general
idling enforcement throughout the City.
Each recommended action is listed below in bold, with the Staff response in italic's immediately
following each action.
1) Continue to educate and enforce anti-idling ordinance 2828 for city vehicle operations. Anti-
idling reminder decals (provided by DEQ) are to be installed in all city operated vehicles (these
have already been ordered)
Ordinance 2828, adopted in April of 2002, was codified in the Ashland Municipal Code in section
11.24.020 -Prohibited Parking
H.Or stand or stop a truck or bus on a public street or in a public parking area with its engine running, ifsuch
engine emits exhaust fumes into the air. Vehicle engines shall be turned off when loading and unloading
passengers or merchandise. This subsection Hshall not apply to.
1. An engine running for less than five minutes.
1. A vehicle in the moving traffic lane waiting to move with the normal flow of traffic.
3. An engine needed to operate equipment used to load or unload merchandise,
4. Trucks under 12,000 GVW and buses with a carrying capacity offifteen passengers or less, or
5. Emergency vehicles, utility company, construction and maintenance vehicles, the engines of which
must run to perform needed work.
While City vehicles often fall within exemption 5, it is evident that City vehicle idling does occur outside
of the key clarification of the exemption "of which must run to perform needed work"
Staff agrees with the action recommendation regarding idling reminder decals (now in City Staff
possession) and will be installing them on vehicles as they are serviced by our Fleet Maintenance Staff
and will be made part of the standard checklist to ensure they remain. To provide further reminder
signage will be installed in key visible locations throughout the Service Center to prevent unnecessary
City of Ashland
ADMINISTRATIVE SVS&ELECTRIC UTILITIES DEPT Tel:541-552-2046
20 East Main St Fax:541 A88-5311
Ashland,Oregon 97520 TTY: 800-735-2900
adam @ashland.or.us
idling. Additionally, idling education will be incorporated into the required monthly safety meetings
conducted by each Department.
Note: Many of the newer heavy duty diesel powered vehicles contain an auto shut-off setting to
automate the required engine warranty warm up period which shuts down the engine after reaching the
predefined factory settings preventing unnecessary idling.
2) Track fuel efficiency for city vehicles with the exception of vehicles listed in Ordinance 2828
The current methodology for tracking fuel efficiency for all City vehicles is through the fueling station.
Each vehicle in the City fleet has a unique ID number that is entered into the fuel station prior to re-
fueling. This information is then added to the Fleet Maintenance system which records vehicle mileage
to get the_fuel efficiency rating of each vehicle.
Vehicles exempted in ordinance 2828 could encompass nearly all of the City fleet, with the only method
of distinction being the task they are being used for at a particular time. Rather than attempt to create a
subjective list of exempt and non-exempt vehicles to track, the City's Fleet Maintenance Staff suggests
that efficiency be tracked and summarized by vehicle class, such as passenger, light duty, heavy duty,
special use (street sweeper, vacu-truck, etc). Fleet Maintenance spreadsheets are now indexed by
vehicle class making class by class analysis available.
3) Operate vehicles within 2 mpg variance of fuel efficiency standards as published by
www.fueleconomy.gov (current statistics indicate a 2-19 mpg variance)
Staff has reviewed the information provided-by the EPA on the www-fteleconomy.gov site and can use
the information as a benchmarkfor several vehicle types within the City fleet. Staff contacted EPA fuel
economy staff to determine if a similar database was maintained for commercial/utility/industrial types
of vehicle fleets and was informed that the wide variety of uses of commercial/utility vehicles made
averages jar less reliable and instead recommended contacting industry specific agencies for that type
of data. Fleet Maintenance Staff have contacted Fleet Staffs in Portland, Eugene, Salem and Medford
and continues to look for a fuel efficiency standard to use for benchmarking purposes.
Benchmarking using our own vehicle usage history by vehicle class, as well as maintaining more
current vehicle specific usage information will be utilized by City Staff in parallel to any outside agency
benchmarking data.
4) Earmark $5,000 to employ a grant writer in pursuit of funds for Auxiliary Power Units for
vehicles currently idling to perform duties as part of City operations and emergency services.
These technologies effectively reduce toxic emissions 50-95%
City Staff in many different City Departments frequently write grant requests for a variety of projects,
services or materials. City Staff have reviewed APU's and their potential for the City fleet and have
contacted the Fleet Representative from the Rogue Valley Clean Cities Coalition regarding their
availability through a joint CMAQ grant application with other municipal fleets. It has not yet been
determined whether the joint grant application will be made. If not, City Staff may pursue other grant
opportunities, review the performance-of the APU's with the City of Central Point (3 APU's in patrol
cars) and purchase units through the City's equipment fund.
City of Ashland
ADMINISTRATIVE SVS 8 ELECTRIC UTILITIES DEPT Tel:541-552-2046
20 East Main St Fax:541488-5311
Ashland,Oregon 97520 TTY: 800-735-2900
w .ashland.or.us
adamcashland.or.us
5) Enforce tines for all vehicles within the city limits violating Ordinance 2828 and engaging
Diamond parking to enforce fines. Fines across the nation average $100-$500 for first offence and
$300-$1,000 for second plus offences. http://www.atrionline.org/research/results/idling chart.pdf
Enforcement of the idling regulations would be violations of the Ashland Municipal Code (AMC), which
incorporated Ordinance 2828 in AMC 11.024.020 H. Every Code section in the AMC has an identified
classification of fine consistent with Oregon Revised Statutes so the fine structure for idling currently is
set by Code and is defined as a Class B offense, which carries an initial base fine of$242, which can be
increased up to $360 or reduced as low as zero based on the decision of the Municipal Court Judge and
not at all at the discretion of City Staff or Diamond Parking.
Utilization of Diamond Parking to enforce the idling regulations beyond their current involvement of
proactive communication and verbal warnings to those that they are able to talk to, would require an
amendment to the existing contract and would need concurrence from the City Attorney's Office to
ensure Diamond is legally able to perform those duties. Depending on the additional costs for the
additional services provided, the contract amendment may require specific approval from City Council.
City of Ashland
ADMINISTRATIVE SVS&ELECTRIC UTILITIES DEPT Tel 541-552-2046
20 East Main St Fax:541<88-5311
Ashland,Oregon 97520 TTY: 800-735-2900
adam @adarn@ashiand.or.us - �=,
ashlandor.us
CITY OF
ASHLAND
Council Communication
April 16, 2012 study session
Council discussion: Closing the feedback loop with the City Administrator
FROM:
Dave Kanner, City Administrator, dave.kanner @ashland.or.us
SUMMARY
In my first week on the job, I met with each city councilor individually to solicit feedback about what
was working well, what could be improved and what your expectations were for me. This study
session item is intended to be an open discussion on communication tools, study session structure, and
other items that relate to how the Council does business.
BACKGROUND AND POLICY IMPLICATIONS:
As I met with each of you individually in my first week on the job, a number of recurring themes
emerged. They can be summarized as follows:
1. The Council does not find much value in the regular written communication tools provided by staff
except for the look-ahead.
Comment: I have made some changes to these communication tools, most notably the Council
Communication form and the weekly update. I would appreciate Council feedback on these changes.
2. The study sessions are unproductive and too often involve simply receiving staff reports. The study
sessions need to be improved.
Comment: In my experience, study sessions are—or should be—more free-flowing conversations
among the members of the governing body at which direction is given to staff. Recent study sessions
(or work sessions as I'm accustomed to calling them) have moved in that direction. A couple of
councilors pointed out to me a provision in the city code saying study sessions are not for deliberation
towards a decision. City Attorney Dave Lohman and I believe this provision has been interpreted
incorrectly to apply to duly noticed, open-to-the-public study sessions the same strict restrictions that
are applied by state statute to non-public executive sessions. The City code limitation on study sessions
appears, instead, to be intended to reserve final decision-making on matters for regular Council
meetings, while still permitting Council members at study sessions to engage in free-flowing
conversation, obtain information from staff and invited experts, and give direction to staff as to the
information to be gathered and issues to be addressed in materials to be prepared for regular Council
meetings at which final decision-making will occur.
3. The Council believes the number of board and commission meetings have become unmanageable.
Questions for the Council: ].What process would the Council like to use to consider consolidating or
limiting the scopes of some boards and commissions? 2. Is it a feasible alternative to have some
boards and commissions meet less frequently?
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ASHLAND
4. The role of the Council liaisons is not clear.
Questions for the Council: 1. Is it necessary for there to be a Council liaison to every board and
commission? 2. Is it necessary to have liaisons at all, especially for boards and commissions for which
there is no regular process for reporting back to the full Council?
5. There is frustration with the Council rule that requires an item to be placed on the Council agenda
upon request from just one Councilor.
Comment: In my experience, this is a very unusual rule. The Council may wish to consider an
alternative or alternatives in which a councilor must have the endorsement of a second councilor or
perhaps two other councilors to place an item on a future agenda. Because this "single councilor" rule
is codified, any change will require an amendment to the municipal code.
6. There was frustration expressed with the Comment to the Council list sery and a desire that we
create a way for citizens to contact the Council through the web site without having to post something
on the list serv. This has been addressed already.
FISCAL IMPLICATIONS:
N/A
STAFF RECOMMENDATION AND REQUESTED ACTION:
N/A
SUGGESTED MOTION:
This item is scheduled for discussion and direction to staff only.
ATTACHMENTS:
None.
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