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HomeMy WebLinkAbout2012-0417 Documents Submitted at Mtg `��i7��z 'Parwy Ashland Chamber of Commerce Report to City Council: April 17, 2012 Downtown Survey results: Conducted March 23—April 3, 2012 Issue: Perceived Behavioral problems in Ashland's downtown Executive Summary Background: In May of 2011,the Ashland Chamber of Commerce submitted a proposal to the City of Ashland Ad Hoc Steering Committee on Homelessness containing a number of observations and recommendations created by the Chamber's Task Force on Homelessness. In addition to the recommendation of the Donation Box program to help those who facing or experiencing homelessness (currently underway), the Task Force brought to the attention of the Steering Committee a number of issues businesses, residents and visitors had experienced with inappropriate and illegal behavior in the downtown. These issues were primarily concerned with safety and property damage. It was stated in the report from May 24, 2011, to the Steering Committee that "Behavior issues that the Task Force defined that are prevalent in the downtown core and need significant attention include: aggressive panhandling, public intoxication and illegal drug use, public urination, intimidation, stalking, threatening language, vulgar and lewd behavior and language, aggressive dogs and defecation, vandalism, loud music and drumming, and the blocking of sidewalks and walkways." Since that time, a number of individuals on the Ad Hoc Steering Committee stated that they did not believe there was a problem in the downtown and that we should "get thicker skins". Some individuals on the Steering Committee conducted their own survey called the "Plaza watch" and determined again there were no problems. Action: After this information was presented to the Ashland Chamber of Commerce Board of Directors, it was decided a survey of the downtown businesses was necessary in order to determine if indeed there was a problem in the downtown with inappropriate behavior and to convey that information to the City Council. The Chamber of Commerce Task Force developed a survey and then met individually with businesses throughout the downtown from March 23—April 3, 2012. In this very short amount of time, 79 completed surveys were received in addition to a letter from the Oregon Shakespeare Festival. A copy of the survey questions is attached. Many hours of time was spent by these volunteers in talking with the businesses downtown who expressed great appreciation for being asked their opinions on this issue. They were more than willing to 1 d ' go into great detail as to their experiences. The majority of the businesses chose to give their opinions strictly on a confidential basis due to fear of reprisal. A sad commentary on how this issue has impacted citizen's right of free speech without fear of condemnation or retaliatory action. This circumstance underscored why the Council does not hear publically from many business owners at meetings which might lead the Council to the conclusion that there is a lack of concern over this issue. We found this could not be further from the truth. There is great concern over the acceleration of behavioral problems in the downtown as you will see from the results contained in this report. The Chamber felt it was critical that you read verbatim comments made by businesses while protecting their confidentiality so we transcribed their comments under the following categories indentified in the survey: Personal, Employee, Customer and Community Safety, Property and Health concerns, Overall observations. Summary: There were a total of#79 surveys received 64 businesses or 82% experienced some or all of the identified issues 14 businesses or 18%did not experience issues of bad behavior primarily due to their location on the edge of the downtown core—no panhandling due to lack of foot traffic Changes in appropriate behavior: 82%felt there were significant increases in problems over the last few years 17%thought it was about the same 1%felt there were no significant increases in problems over the last few years Individual comments taken verbatim regarding issues of safety: Personal safety: No sense of security Cannot walk from Plaza to businesses without being harassed I've been spit in the face by a homeless man 2 I have experienced illegal behavior from transients in the downtown core—public use of drugs, alcohol, profanity, vandalism and public urination. All of this makes us feel unsafe and unable to also share in public spaces I have noticed that some of the homeless have become more aggressive. A panhandler tried to intimidate my daughter for her restaurant leftovers We are always aware of the transients and try to avoid contact with them for our safety and sanity I want it to stop. I dread walking to the car at night Foul language, drugs As an Ashland resident, noticed major changes in the increased numbers around OSF and Plaza areas. Not comfortable anymore walking later in the evening in the area Daily transients ask for things and demand and then get pissy They smoke and the smell comes in the shop There is almost always someone sitting on the sidewalk across from our entrance begging, sometimes with a dog. They approach me, my employees and patrons, have outbursts and unmanageable behavior and uncooperative The noise factor is a very disturbing at night as a resident downtown. The drumming, yelling, we are intimidated to access or walk through our town or enjoy sitting anywhere from the Chamber to the Plaza. Feel sorry for businesses on the Plaza—not as affected up the street Boyfriend was assaulted up the street Business is on side street so not as affected but I sympathize with shop owners who have groups of young folks and dogs hanging out for hours on the sidewalk near their businesses. Street musicians are sometimes an asset. Homeless sleeping in covered doorway—employees have to step over them to get inside While enjoying a walk and ice cream with daughter on the plaza, passed two girls that were pan-handling and when we did not pay attention to them, one of the girls shouted, "Bitch keep eating your ice cream, fat ass" 3 I have personally been chased by a homeless person who I asked to leave my own property carrying a large rock threatening to "bash my skull in" We had to "trespass" transients for refusing to leave at closing time,they have abused our refill policy by coming in with cups out of the trash. Our customers have been yelled at and harassed outside the building for"handouts". They have damaged our bathrooms with graffiti. As a female I avoid walking to my car at night Personally, I have been harassed Personally walking past Black Swan w/ daughter had to go out into street because of homeless crowd My husband was attacked on the greenway by homeless dogs very injured. Broken shoulder, scapula, ribs =was given dogs back w/out paying any medical. Our insurance denied due to third party liability A big guy came in and acted weird & made me worry if I have to lock the doors, scary& bad vibes. I cross the street to avoid them on the corner to avoid confrontations My wife and I have seen the effects of vandalism much too many times on our early morning walks in downtown Ashland. WE have seen, may times, leftover food containers (garbage) littering the entrance to the (BLANK) shop, apparently left by lazy slobs from the night before. On our walks we've recently noticed dog feces completely covering the sidewalk in front of both (BLANK) and (BLANK). Chautauqua Square has also been a hangout of loiterers who are oblivious to people simply trying to walk down the sidewalk while they congregate in a huddle. We've also noticed broken planters, trees, windows, drinking fountains, and the headless stature of Abraham Lincoln. Most recently, there was a large group of young people with dogs that slept on our property. They were extremely drunk and unable to function rationally. Unfortunately, it seems they purchased the alcohol (drugs) with money received through panhandling. They were a danger and a nuisance and of course we felt concerned and sad to see people so self destructive. 4 Employee Safety: Employees do not feel safe leaving late at night Vagrant men have personally harassed me when leaving work in the evening. One man urinated in my presence on a store wall. Most of our employees are women and we constantly feel fear and intimidation when vagrant men are loitering near our store. I don't always report lewd behavior towards me (female) because I know it won't be dealt with quickly enough or at all Employees coming and going from work to cars feel unsafe—some harassed Cannot walk from Plaza to businesses without being harassed Cursing and cussing at employees They harass our employees and especially our hostess On numerous occasions employees have to cleanup garbage and vomit They sleep in front of our business and we have to clean a mess up in the morning Our employees often feel uncomfortable or scared at night when men sit on the bench outside the store. They often make rude comments to the women. It makes us scared to be along at night in the store. Our staff has had to change their route walking to cars at night based on where the homeless are sleeping in the downtown; also our staff tries to avoid working alone at night Had inappropriate behavior effect me and my employees by scary men coming in and not leaving, employees not feeling sage to be alone or walk Fellow staff members harassed regularly Aggressive panhandling almost daily Loitering in front of store—throwing leftover food on sidewalk Employees have experienced transients use of drugs, alcohol, profanity and public urination on a daily basis There have been nights where employees feel unsafe doing regular closing duties such as taking out the trash/recycle, locking up and walking to car, etc., because groups are camped out front. On a daily basis, we are interrupted by inebriated people occupying and shouting profanities 5 Harassed employees and customers Transients pee in corners, yell and scream at themselves, scare my employees Employees daily reporting foul language and obvious drug use Panhandling outside on public bench and harassing customers and employees; continually trying to use our bathroom Transients come in business and have become belligerent when asked to leave Employees are concerned for their safety when leaving after dark as they have to park on upper side streets that are not well lit ...an individual on heroin stumbled into our shop and threatened our employee. A second incident that week involved a,schizophrenic individual entering our shop and intimidating an employee. The police were needed in both cases to remove the individuals from the store. Employees are intimidated on Main Street often avoiding certain areas to avoid problems. They came inside & ask my employee for money I have had vagrants harass employees verbally and threaten violence. Customer Safety: Customers are afraid to come downtown, we have had people yelling at our customers and being aggressive both with words and actions Customers complain of transients obvious use of drugs and alcohol, offended by profanity aggressively expressed to them personally Customers do not come in when certain people are outside our shop Harassing our guests and customers on a regular basis Homeless come into the restaurant to use the bathroom and try to get some change from our customers Complaints from guests being harassed on Plaza Customers comment or complain about groups of unkept people and aggressive panhandling 6 Customers complaining about people cursing at them and expressing their concerns of not wanting to come shopping in downtown area anymore Customers feel uncomfortable shopping in the downtown area Customers have said they don't like to bring their children to our end of the street when transients are hanging out Had an opening and two belligerent people came in and scared customers Patted a young woman's behind Customers offended by vagrants with animals not in control Visitors and local customers often comment on the rude behavior of people on street corners. They will sometimes not walk across the street if certain people are there. They people on the corners often harass, panhandle and swear or make unsavory comments to passers by. Bench out front draws homeless. Sometimes they yell profanities at people that are coming into the store. They decide to keep going instead of shopping. Tourists have told me many, many times they do not enjoy the Plaza gathering and will not come back Occasional smoking and loud music affects business People harassing our patrons as they pass other parts of downtown to come to our establishment. Bad for business and tourism in this town Residents complain about transients regularly Annoying to our visitors— regular complaints on a variety of actions Comments from clients concerned about the issues here; quite often groups spend the day on the bench out front. Sometimes it gets pretty bad and they follow clients or staff yelling obscenities and harassing Our customers are intimidated as they walk through town and complain Transients scare my customers and makes customers walk on the opposite side of the street to get away from them —bad for business Brother visiting complained of being harassed by panhandlers 7 Daily—Customers constantly ask about "our homeless problem" Customers complain about the aggressiveness & "scary dogs." Clients comments on the street people and homeless problem;they are often intimidated. In fact, at least one family decided against Ashland as their future home due to this problem Have had customers comment on how uncomfortable it is to use sidewalk to get to our business with all the people congregating and dogs. The tourists want to get away from them as soon as possible—so they won't stay around & shop. Customers don't want to cross the street b/c they want to avoid the rowdiness Customers coming into our business have been harassed not only for money but also yelled at for no reason—they loiter in front which deters customers away from building Sometimes freaking customers out We have had assaults on our customers Loitering in front of the store, but not often. Customers have observed alcohol on their breath & are reluctant to come in when they are right outside my door flying their sign. Had a man enter establishment and pass-out during peak dining hours—police had to remove him Most of the complaints from my guests are not reported. Rather,they choose not to shorten their stay or not come back to Ashland People harassing on the street is getting much worse and the number of negative comments I receive from my guests is constantly increasing Disruptions to our guests occur almost daily. Serious problems with homeless on our property or the vacant lot next door to us occur once a week Patrons during busy holiday had front row seats to witness a man strike a women in the face and knock her out Had a man threatening to kill himself, screaming&yelling on sidewalk in front of patrons dining. Had to call police and the man had to be taken away by police with force. We have had incidents involving harassment of customers and employees 8 Multiple incidents of guest leaving with leftovers and as they leave the building being harassed to give up their take-out bags Disruption to our guests-forcefully asking for money, commenting on guest's personal appearance in suggestive ways, guests afraid to walk Water Street at night. For many years the (Oregon Shakespeare) Festival has been troubled at the impact certain members of the transient homeless community in Ashland have upon the wellbeing of our community. We believe that there are many who are homeless by circumstance and do what they can to extract themselves from this situation. However, we also believe there are some members of the homeless community who choose to be disruptive. We see an ebb and flow of people who congregate in front of the Black Swan Theatre, who often are under the influence of drugs and/or alcohol and who frequently harass our patrons and employees. I am not talking about benign panhandling but rather am talking about abusive language and intimidating behavior if patrons are not responsive to their requests or demands for financial assistance. Many patrons and company members have spoken about their fears and anxiety. Many choose to avoid that area altogether so they are not placed in a confrontational situation. Many have expressed reluctance about returning to Ashland. This is a serious problem that could affect the wellbeing and economic health of our community. Community Safety Suspicious people waiting to buy alcohol for minors customers observed Having talked to many homeless, Ashland is known as an easy and profitable place to get money with little police intervention Young kids are hanging out with transients, can make more money than they can at McDonalds We have witnessed a few brawls outside the shop, people on drugs falling into our store, using our backsteps as restrooms Notice more transients in town in the past five years—feels that some are choosing this lifestyle and Ashland good spot to hang out. I only know that you can't give most people something for nothing. That's the major problem with our entitlement society today. I love the donation box idea. I really think there is a difference between panhandling and busking and like artistry (of the buskers) 9 Worrisome is our observation of Ashland kids hanging out with vagrants we suspect of drug use and drug dealing. Much worse and bigger problem. In the past, it seemed we had a small and more "regular" crowd of Vets hanging out near our store. Though often publically intoxicated,they did not panhandle or harass people as much, and at least we knew their names. Now the faces change more often, lots of young and rough men seem to be coming through, and we have noticed overt drug dealing including some evidence of heroin problems. We have talked to many people in Medford and they say they will not come to Ashland for this reason Constant panhandling on & around our building. One aggressive incident in which police were called Obvious drug dealing and use of near public restrooms, behind creek and on roof of public restrooms During good weather its worst, but 3 times a week or so there is a disruption, whether it is loud panhandling or peeing in Will Dodge Way or heckling while walking on the sidewalk. Cannot walk down sidewalk without hearing foul language,very uncomfortable with children Regular panhandling in front of store Blocking sidewalks and front entrance Drunken misconduct & inappropriate verbal communication in Will Dodge Way, the 2 bench areas on Pioneer & E Main (both sides of street). I have literally seen people passed out on the sidewalk in daylight b/c of drunkenness. Large groups of men, or men alone, "hanging out' and being loud, aggressive, rowdy or obscene and occasionally threatening and generally intimidating to the women who work in our store, would be customers, or folks passing by on the street Drug dealing or doing in front of our shop Litter (cigarettes) or vomit in front of our shop Aggressive begging As shop owners we have noticed ominous trends in the vagrant community that Ashland hosts—including shoplifting, drugs, and harassment. As parents of young children, we find ourselves choosing not to walk downtown as we used to enjoy doing so much. Getting 10 harassed in some way seems par for the course these days. That is very sad for us and we are concerned for the future of business and family in Ashland. Lots of abusive panhandling Also, the congregation that develops in front of the Black Swan is especially outspoken and heckles many walking by Especially in the summer people panhandle right outside our office. We have had verbally abusive people (probably mentally ill) come into our office on more than one occasion. A group of three Ashland high young girls were accosted by a transient in front of the Black Swan Theatre. He grabbed one of the girls by the arm. A visitor walked by and yelled at him to let the girl go. All three girls were frightened and made a police report. When talking with the girls after the incident they mentioned how they and their friends experience harassment and rude comments all the time by transients and they no longer want to walk downtown or go to Lithia Park. They were saddened by this fact as they grew up here and they are sick of it. It makes me wonder how we can expect families to want to raise their children here with this sort of thing so common. Drunken and abusive behavior by transients experienced on a regular basis—fights, hitting dogs, and screaming and yelling when they don't get what they want or just expressing themselves—no consequences to their actions and bad behavior Property damage/Health We've had 3 front windows smashed along with broken flower pots Dog feces on sidewalk ...destruction and vandalism of our property. Property is often damaged or destroyed. Our back door and windows have been replaced numerous times. People have been caught bathing in our bathroom sinks. The alley behind and next to our building is being used as a public restroom Homeless/transients often "dine & dash" and bother customers also "drink & run" Had tables and chairs moved and thrown into creek bed Have had multiple dine and dash 11 Have had property stolen —umbrellas, condiments, silverware, candles Have had graffiti damage too many times to remember Plants torn out, cig buts all over, loud music for $that overshadows our_or music Property damage—graffiti, stolen items from our gardens, rocks thrown through glass doors. Man ran in stole cutlery off table & ran out. Dog waste on ground in front of store, Many problems with graffiti on building with spray paint Our windows were spit on and our planter was dug-up, we called the police Have caught people urinating on property during day, as well as finding vomit &feces in parking area in morning Regular minor vandalism on the calle Generally making a mess out front of store. A fire about 4 stores away We have had problems with graffiti on our building and as well as other vandalism. Had property broken, stolen and vandalized weekly We often find cigarette butts in our flower pots, in our doorway, and beer cans, etc. Slashed tires, trash around property, people camping around property We've had 3 front windows smashed along with broken flower pots Dog feces on sidewalk They have cost many businesses and homeowners around Ashland way more money than they should —burning down homes and businesses Regularly, we have had signs ripped down, etc. We have actually had human feces on our back doormat several times which we have to clean up. Urine under the doors Messes to clean up in front and back of store on a regular basis Vandalism and public urination Sign ripped down on one occasion 12 Dogs left to go to the bathroom on sidewalk in front of store constantly Tear our plants from planters Daily large groups congregate on benches—leave trash all over Broken windows and such, Graffitti, People on roof Drunken people would urinate in front of store—broke window Tires slashed No property damage except graffiti. Property owner is paying for the costs involved to install security cameras. Burned down recycling container causing power outage to entire building Patio chairs and tables thrown into the creek Back entrance has been used as a bathroom many times Their dogs use the sidewalk as a bathroom—no cleanup ever done Our entrance is vandalized often. They dig in the trash cans, smoke cigarettes and leave mess Comments made numerous times at the end of the survey questions: More aggressive and disruptive behavior mentioned several times Ashland becoming a draw-worse in the last two years More aggressive, more mental health issues, more wintering over More fights, feel more unsafe in the off-season as there are fewer tourists and only residents Many people commented that they like the donation boxes and would like to help those who truly want to be helped off the streets Many times in the surveys women mentioned feeling threatened and unsafe 13 Police Presence: A question was asked if they had experienced crime, did they report it and how was the police response. Every person who made the decision to report a crime felt that the police responded quickly and took appropriate action. A number mentioned they did not always call the police because they believe there is nothing they can do. By far the majority cited a lack of police presence in the downtown and noted when there was police presence,there was a decidedly different environment and substantial lessening of crime and inappropriate behavior. Many requested the Council consider increasing the police presence in the downtown year round. 14 *kUtt 4f(Ilm I� Allen G. Drescher, P.C. PL..Q�-"r }�ru 21 S. Second Street - P.O. Box 760 Allen G. Drescher Ashland, Oregon 97520 Deanna Costen Attorney at Law Tel: (541) 482-4935 /Fax: (541)482-4941 Paralegal drescheral n aol.com www.ashiandoregonlawyer.com April 16, 2012 Mayor John Stromberg Ashland City Council 20 East Main Street Ashland, OR 97520 Re: Problems Caused by Transients Dear Mayor Stromberg and City Councillors: The results of the survey conducted by the Chamber of Commerce regarding transients in the downtown area come as no surprise to me. I attempted to deal with these problems for 28 years as municipal judge. The county jail will not hold transients arrested in Ashland for malicious mischief, harassment, public intoxication, disorderly conduct, trespass, theft, open container of alcohol, possession of marijuana, or other offenses that are committed daily by transients in the downtown area. Do not expect any help from the county or state or federal government. This is a local problem, and it will continue to get worse, as it has worsened over the last 35 years or so that I have observed it. I ask you to take the Chamber's survey seriously as this is a serious problem, and the only people with the authority and ability to address it are you. Thank you. Sincerely,,n wvt\ Allen G. Drescher —Original Message From: xxxxxxCilamail.com Sent: Tuesday, April 17, 2012 11:26 AM To: kelsevCcdashlandchamber.com Subject: Ashland Chamber Website Feedback Contact Us Reply Form From: k perry EmailAddress: xxxxxx @gmail.com Phone: Subject: panhandlers Nature of Suggestion: Information I would like an email response: yes Message: Hi first off I would like to say my husband and I have been coming to Ashland for 35 plus years. In that time we have seen many changes, and for the most part they have been very positive, that being said; we no longer view coming to Ashland as a positive experience.We were going to move to Ashland from Bend and open a small business but after our last three visits (March 2011, July 2011, Dec. 2011)we have moved elsewhere. The number of panhandlers each time and their aggressive nature permanently altered our view of Ashland (one panhandler sat in the square with a large sign that simply said F"K)We are not prudes but this is not what we wanted our friends and family to see when they came to visit us. Just thought you would like to know how some people view your town. P.S. Our new neighbors used to visit your town as well but also find it to be like walking a gauntlet to move around Ashland. Just very sad. Barbara Christensen From: John Stromberg [john @council.ashland.or.us] Sent: Tuesday, April 17, 2012 3:35 PM To: Barbara Christensen Subject: Fwd: City Council Contact Form Submitted Please include in the record for tonight's meeting. Thanks. John Stromberg Mayor 541 552 2104 (direct) 541 488 6002 (secretary) This email transmission is official business of the City of Ashland, and is subject to the Oregon Public Records Law for disclosure and retention. If you have received this message in error, please contact me at 541.552.2104. Thank you. From: "City of Ashland, Oregon" <parkershames @opendoor.com> To: council @ashland.or.us Sent: Tuesday, April 17, 2012 12:45:02 PM Subject: City Council Contact Form Submitted Full Name: Heidi Parker Phone: Email: parkershamesa,opendoor.com Subject: New Members for Homeless Steering Committee Message: Dear Mayor Stromberg and Ashland City Councilors, I am writing to express my appreciation to you for agreeing to re-appoint the Homelessness Steering Committee to.another year of service, and to express my gratitude to Councilors Slattery and Voisin for their many contributions to the work of the committee. We are happy to welcome councilor Mike Morris, as a new liaison to our committee, and look forward to orienting him to the work that we have already begun. I was surprised to hear at the last Council meeting that both Council liaisons are being replaced. I understand that Councilor Slattery feels the need to move on from the HSC, and I respect his choice to do so, but for the sake of continuity, I would ask that you consider re-appointing Councilor Voisin as the second Council liaison to our committee, as she is part of the current Day-Use Center sub-committee that has been actively researching and conducting interviews with non-profit organizations and business owners in our region over the past few months. Our committee has several sub-committees, but this particular sub-committee's work is mid- cycle, and I feel it is important to have some continuity if we are to be successful. Thank you for considering my request. I look forward to welcoming and working with whomever the new appointees to the Homelessness Steering Committee are. Due to my responsibilities with the La Clinica Mobile Health Center, I am unable to attend the City Council meeting tonight, but please include my request as part of the public record. Thank you for considering my request, and thanks for all that you do in service to our community. Heidi Parker, Chair Ad Hoe Homelessness Steering Committee Tel.: 541-482-1520 email: parkershames(a)a opendoor.com t 5 u.✓JV�is�-l.� '�rw•y Gc�.�-f Attachment A-- Scope of Work 2012 Certified Local Government Grant (OR-12-02) Grantee: City of Ashland GrantAmount. $14,490 Match Amount: $14,490 The grant funds and matching local contributions will be used to accomplish the work items detailed in the Budget and Work Description sections that follow. OPRD Heritage Programs staff must approve any changes to this Scope of Work. PROPOSED BUDGET 1 Administration Staff $1,630 Total $1,630 2 Other Preservation Activities Registration/lodging/food $1,260 Materials&Equipment $240 Travel $245 Staff $1,160 Volunteer time $510 Total $3,415 3 Planning,Review and Compliance Staff $3,650 Volunteer time $4,630 Total $8,280 4 Public Education Printing,Design,etc. $8,000 Materials&Equipment $2,750 Staff $2,000 Volunteer time $900 Contractor/Consultant $2,000 Total $15,650 Total Project Budget $28,975 WORK DESCRIPTION 1• Administration $1,630 Products: Write grant reports,manage projects,hire consultants,process paperwork and contracts. Standards: Project Standards: •Allowable costs and services must be related to the administration of this grant: application/contract processing,project oversight,reimbursement requests,etc. 2. Other Preservation Activities $3,415 Products: Attendance of two commissioners and one staff at the Oregon Heritage Conference. Attachment A for Certified Local Government Grant#OR-12-02 page 1 of i Standards: Project Standards:Activities in this program area include any activity that is eligible for HPF assistance but that does not readily fall within one of the Program Areas described above,or involves Multiple Program Areas and the activity cannot reasonably be divided among the specific Program Areas. One example is HABS/HAER documentation projects. •Completed work must be consistent with The Secretary of the Interior's"Standards for Archeology and Historic Preservation,"which include the"Standards for Preservation Planning." •The grantee must submit to the SHPO copies of all contracts with the consultant(s)for professional services and all reports,drawings, etc. completed for the project.Any purchases or contracts for services over$500 should follow appropriate procurement procedures,including obtaining at least three estimates. •All reports and publications related to this project must give credit to the State Historic Preservation and National Park Service. "This publication has been funded with the assistance of a matching grant-in-aid from the Oregon State Historic Preservation Office and the National Park Service. Regulations of the U.S.Department of the Interior strictly prohibit unlawful discrimination on the basis of race,color,national origin,age or handicap. Any person who believes he or she has been discriminated against in any program,activity,or facility operated by a recipient of Federal assistance should write to: Office of Equal Opportunity,National Park Service,'1849 C Street,NW,Washington,D.C. 20240." •Pictures of exhibits,programs and events are required for reimbursement.Digital images of 300dpi or higher are preferred.If the images are not digital,then prints must be professionally printed. 3- Planning,Review and Compliance $8,280 Products: Regular design review and commission meetings. Standards: Project Standards: Eligible costs and activities include those related to local"design review"as well as to participation with the SHPO in state or federal compliance activities for properties within the local government's boundaries. •Activities and products must be consistent with local,state,and federal preservation standards and guidelines,including the National Register bulletin"How to Apply the National Register Criteria for Evaluation"and the Secretary of the Interiors"Standards for Rehabilitation". • The grantee must maintain records of cases it reviews and the decisions it make. 4• Public Education $15,650 Products: Create public education materials regarding the value of historic properties and historic designation in community pride,tourism and property values.Materials will include brochures,postcard mailers(1,700),handouts(1000),and two interpretive panels. Host historic preservation month activities including a guest speaker,a National Register cemetery clean-up,two guided walking tours, local preservation awards,preservation month banner and posters. Standards: Project Standards: •Prior to starting the public education project,the grant recipient must receive written approval from Heritage Programs on the final work plan and final draft of publications prior to printing and distribution. •The grantee must submit to Heritage Programs copies of all contracts with the consultant(s)for professional services and all reports,drawings,etc. completed for the Attachment A for Certified Local Government Grant#OR-12-02 Page 2 of 3 project.Any purchases or contracts for services over$500 should follow appropriate procurement procedures, including obtaining at least three estimates. •Prior to publication,a draft of all products,newsletters,brochures,etc.must be submitted to and approved by Heritage Programs. •Printed publications must include the following statement: This publication has been funded with the assistance of a matching grant-in-aid from the Oregon State Historic Preservation Office and the National Park Service. Regulations of the U.S.Department of the Interior strictly prohibit unlawful discrimination on the basis of race,color,national origin, age or handicap. Any person who believes he or she has been discriminated against in any program,activity,or facility operated by a recipient of Federal assistance should write to: Office of Equal Opportunity,National Park Service, 1849 C Street,NW,Washington,D.C.20240. •Pictures of exhibits,programs and events are required for reimbursement.Digital images of 300dpi or higher are preferred.If the images are not digital,then prints must be professionally printed. Attachment A for Certified Local Government Grant#OR-12-02 Page 3 of 3 Memo CITY 61F'. ASHLAND To: Mayor John Stromberg and Ashland City Council From: Mike Faught,Public Works Director : ei'_ Date: April 17,2012 Re: Master Plan Questions The following questions were posed by the Mayor in advance of today's City Council presentation of the proposed Master Plans. Staff and consultants have worked to provide concise answers for your information. Please contact me if you have further questions. Question G. Why can't we just do TAP? In short, it does not meet all of the AWAC-defined Level of Service goals, nor does it provide the most cost-competitive solution. The alternative supply options are combined into"packages"to meet the pre-selected level of . service goals(including meeting annual demands,peak demands, and supply redundancy— detailed in TM 14). The full TAP project alone will not meet the increase in peak demands. Therefore, this option had to be combined with expansion projects to the existing WTP. When combined with the improvements needed at the existing WTP,this supply package was only marginally less expensive than construction of a new WTP. The "Mini-TAP"component of the package is designed for emergency use only, which is not unlike what many other cities do with neighboring water purveyors. This idea was proposed as a lower cost method to improve supply redundancy. The alternative to build a backup WTP provides only partial redundancy, since it still relies on the same water source. The"Mini-TAP" connection,when combined with the new WTP alternative, provides full redundancy. Question #2. Will increased conservation plus a new rate structure threaten our city's great trees and/or make it.hard far people to grow their own food? • The recommended conservation measures outlined in TM 3 will not threaten the City's great trees. The recommended conservation program focuses on improving public education and water use efficiency,i.e. using the appropriate amount of water for the existing and future uses. Watering restrictions will be limited to periods of drought and curtailment. e Higher water rates can encourage conservation, but they can also present a financial hardship for some and cause people to choose to not maintain vegetable gardens. People can either choose to plant and maintain less lawn or grow crops that are most appropriate for this climate, as well as use more efficient irrigation techniques in order to maintain their gardens while still conserving water. Public Works Dept. Tel:541/488-5347 20 Main Street Pas 541-1488-8006 Ashland.Oregon 97520 TTY: 800(735-2900 w .ashland.or.us G:1pub-wrks�eng=-54 Right Water Right UseWdmnWWACl2012-04-1 M012-04-17 Memo RE WMP questions(3).doc Question #3. Re TID:Are costs of acquiring additional water rights included and is the additional amount of water included in the appropriate figures? s Additional TID water would need to be acquired through a contract with TID rather than through a water right,just as the current TID water is supplied. Tech Memo IT, section 313, page 7 explains this in greater detail. TID costs are budgeted and incurred on an ongoing annual basis, but the increased costs would not be incurred until the water is needed, which is sometime after 2030. • In a related question, Ashland participates in the WISE project. Question #4. Re Mini-TAP:Are the start up and delivery charges described and also factored into the analysis (Le. if we actually had to use it)? 0 These costs are not yet included,but staff anticipates that startup and water delivery costs will be relatively small because a relatively small amount of water would be needed for true emergencies (the current proposal). Talent would likely charge a "wheeling fee" to give us access to water in their reservoir, and Medford would likely charge a per gallon charge. The price structure and terms will need to be negotiated. Ouestion #S. Re Increasing Reeder Impoundment:Is this really a meaningful option under any circumstances, Le. isn't Reeder's existing and expanded capacity a small fraction of annual water use? Or am I missing an important point about/cow our system works (quite possible)? • We evaluated constructing a new impoundment(TM 11)to provide the needed storage and found it to be expensive,having significant environmental impacts, and there were doubts that the City would even have rights to the newly impounded water. Those issues combined with the fact that the additional source is not projected to be needed until 2038 lead the AWAC to drop this option from further consideration at this time- The City may wish to reconsider this in the future as more information becomes available. • Yes the YMCA's well is one of the four wells scheduled for testing. Question #6. Re Sustainable Infrastructure Maintenance Plan. I believe we have developed one but'don't know what it 'looks like! Is it a schedule or formula for annual maintenance and periodic major component replacements?And is there any kind of smoothing process to avoid periodic spikes for the capital costs of major component replacement?Also what does the cost structure for sustainable maintenance of the infrastructure look like? •The CIP for the water system includes an annual investment of$370,000 in critical pipeline replacements, and additional.annual replacement plans for other infrastructure such as fire hydrants(See Chapter 7,projects D-6 and D-8). This $370,000/yr value was identified as 1%of the asset value,which was deemed affordable for the City. The primary goals of these CIPs were to: 1)provide a level or renewal and replacement investment in the City's infrastructure to keep pace with its inevitable need for replacement with time due to deterioration with age, and 2) avoid spikes in capital costs due to unanticipated infrastructure replacement due to failure. Public Works Dept Tel:5411488-5347 20 E.Main street Far 5414488-6006 Ashland,Oregon 97520 TTY: 800835-2900 www.ashland.or.us ®� G1pub-wrks\eng108-54 Right Water Right Use%AdmnWWAC�2012-04-17\2012-04-17 Memo RE WMP questions(3).doc Question # 7. The 5%conservation component should be listed with the other components of the Plan because it&an essential part and because it has its own costs (as shown in the table). In addition I think there is a conceptual gap here in that the Water Plan seems to imply that the City can create the 5%saving via staff using the techniques described in the Council Communication but, in fact, don't we need the community to cooperate? Put another way, all the techniques are to help voluntary water conservation but if we don't achieve it(by when, btw?)then are we going to do compulsory water conservation of some kind? • The CEP does include the cost of the Water Conservation Management Plan and Smart Controller Pilot Program(Chapter 7,Project S-13 and S-14). The CIP does not include any costs associated with various rebates that might be offered to the City's customers to encourage additional conservation for two reasons: 1) some of those costs are already part of the City's budget, and 2)it has not yet been determined what programs the City might implement to achieve the higher conservation goal. • The Water Master Plan assumes that the additional 5 percent conservation is achieved by 2020. Question #8_ The graph in the Council Communication is very nicely rendered but it's full of terms that are not defined or explained, e.g. "bridging strategy", "ccf', "rate stabilization account', "TAP only option'. Those could cause a lot of mischief imho, either at the Council meeting or after. Maybe an explanation should be added on a separate piece of paper so someone can look at it and the chart at the same time. • Bridging Strategy=AWAC's recommended minimum requirements project list,which includes piping TID, adding a half time conservation position and testing four ground water wells. • ccf= 100 cubic feet of water. • Rate stabilization account=an account used to help fund future water system capital improvement projects to avoid rate spikes when the City is actually realizing the costs associated with the larger CIPs. • TAP=Talent-Ashland-Phoenix pipeline. • WTP=water treatment plant • Minimum Requirements Strategy=Capital Improvement Plan (CIP) projects that the City will be required to complete(i.e., not driven by City policy). Question #9. I think you need to show the timetable for the start and completion of each component of the Plan and this should accompany the Council Communication, not just be part of a big attached report • This is presented in the last two pages of Chapter 7 of the Water Master Plan, which was included as an attachment to the Council Communication. A copy is attached to this email. Ouestion #10. Is the new rate structure going to allow as, raider certain conditions, to not sell enough water to cover fixed costs?If so, what will we do and, in particular, can we get caught Public Works Dept Tel:541/488-5347 20 E.Main Street Fax:541-/488-6006 ��® Ashland,Oregon 97520 TTY: 800!735-2900 w .ashland.or.us G1pub-wrkslengl08-54 Right Water Right Use\Admn\AWAC1201 2-04-1 7\2012-04-17 Memo RE WMP questions(3).doc again in a vicious cycle where we raise rates and usage goes down so Hutch that revenues drop and we continue to not cover fired costs? e The proposed rate structure modifies the existing rate structure with the sole objective of addressing under-recovery of revenue resulting from the last two years of wet springs and early summers. This has resulted in reduced water sales during these irrigation months. In order to address tbis, the City and AWAC targeted a revision to the base portion of the water rate (that is the fixed portion of the rate based on meter size). By increasing this base rate by 10%(and keeping the use portion of the rate as is), the City is estimated to increase total water rate revenue by approximately$185,000 thereby offsetting the under-recovery via reduced water sales. This is a seen as a reasonable and prudent adjustment to what may be a temporary wet weather pattern. e It is also the case that the City should monitor the effects of the base rate adjustment in terms of budgeted vs, actual revenue during the coming year. If further adjustments to the base rate need to occur,the City may consider a further change to the base portion of its water rate. Ouestion #IL With both the water and wastewater rate schemes I thinkyou are . recommending advance funding in order to smooth out the increases. But I don't find an esplicit/clearjustifrcation for this in the Council Communications. In particular, doesn't the smoothing strategy assume that the people paying higher rates in the near term in order to have lower rates in the future and less disruptive increases along the way, expect to be here to reap the benefits?Or are you also arguing that people ought to accept the strategy because previous residents have done the same for them/as? For clarity,the wastewater financing plan does not include an.advance financing strategy, so the following responses to the question are reflective of the Water Master Plan financing strategy. • The AWAC recommendation is to use the advance funding tool.This approach was recommended because of the significant capital costs planned for FY 17 and FY 18 ($22.7 million or 64%of the total CIP cost). This produced unacceptably large rate spikes for these years. The best option to reduce these rate increases was the advance funding mechanism where rates are raised in advance of the need to spend the revenue thereby building up a fund balance that"buys down" the FY 17 and FY 18 revenue requirement spikes. The result is a smoothing of the rate increases over 10 years which was AWAC's preferred direction. *The five year build up period for the rate stabilization account is short enough that the turnover in population will not create significant inequities. This strategy effectively levels future rates which is a benefit to the vast majority of current rate payers as the residential turnover in the next five years will be relatively small. e Finally, the CIP is predicated on issuing 20 year revenue bonds. The debt service payment to retire these bonds will be Spread over 20 years which proportionately allocates costs among existing and future customers. Public Works Dept. Tel:541/488-5347 20 E.Main Street Fax:541-/48"006 Ashland,Oregon 97520 TTY: 800r735-2900 w .ashland.or.us - G\pub- rksteng108-54 Right Water Right UselAdmnWWAC12012-04-1712012-04-17 Memo RE WMP questions(3).doc WASTEWATER Question #I. Re Sustainable Infrastructure Maintenance Plan: I believe we have developed one but don't know what it 'looks like' Is it a schedule or formula for annual maintenance and periodic major component replacements?And is there any kind ofsmoothing process to avoid periodic spikes for the capital costs of major component replacement?Also what does the cost structure for sustainable maintenance of the infrastructure look like? The Comprehensive Sanitary Sewer Master Plan(CSSMP) included a review of the City's existing operation,maintenance, and replacement budgets with sustautability objectives in mind. Specific anticipated major replacement activities for the treatment plant and pump stations were included in the Capital Improvement Plan, and are summarized in Chapter 13. For minor equipment, a short-lived asset inventory was developed and an average annual budget recommendation of$93,500 was recommended(Section 133.)_ A recommended annual replacement/rehabilitation budget was also developed for the collection system at an additional cost of$627,000/year(Section 13.3). Priority 1 capital improvements and short-lived asset replacement was accounted for in the rate analysis. To avoid drastic rate increases, Keller Associates recommends an extended schedule of capital improvement using a combination of new debts and cash reserves. This strategy minimizes rate increase and delays an aggressive pipeline replacement/rehabilitation effort until after the Priority I capital improvements are all financed. Beginning in 2019, the City will have available cash flows to begin an aggressive pipeline program. It should also be mentioned that the City operates and maintains a Cartegraph asset management system. As part of the sewer study, Keller Associates reviewed how replacement projects were prioritized and made recommendations to improve the system. Continuing to upgrade and maintain the system will ensure that the City's resources are allocated to the highest priority areas. Question #2. Under what circumstances could we have an incident in which raw or partially treated sewage spills into Bear Creek,either under current conditions or with the new plan? DEQ requires that the system be able to accommodate flows resulting from a 5-year storm event in the wet weather period or a 10-year storm event in the dry weather period. For lift stations, these flows need to be conveyed with the largest pump out of service. Currently,Ashland does not meet these criteria, and there is a potential for raw sewage overflowing into Bear Creek at the_ following locations: • Overflow of the Bear Creek trunk line during a winter storm event with a probability of exceedance every 5 years(refer to Figure 5.1 in Appendix A for locations identified from computer modeling). e Overflow at the Ashland Creek pump station resulting from a combination of high flows and one pump being out of service. With planned priority improvements, the bottlenecks in the existing trunk line and pump station will be eliminated,and an overflow of raw sewage is not anticipated for the DEQ required design criteria However,it should be noted that a significant majority of overflows nationwide are a Public Works Dept Tel:5411488-5347 20 As l Main Sheet Far.541-1488-8006 or�, Ashland,Oregon 97520 TTY: 800/7352900 www.ashland.onus G:1pub-wrks\eng\08-54 Right Water Right UselAdmnVAWAG12012-04-1712012-04-17 Memo RE WMP questions(3).doc result of inadequate maintenance. Proper maintenance is required to ensure that pipelines and lift stations function as they should. Failure to maintain the lines or pump stations could result in a pipeline blockage that results in an overflow to Bear Creek. This would be the case for the Bear Creek trunk lines,nearby pipelines, or yard piping upstream of the oxidation ditch at the treatment plan. Fortunately, the City of Ashland has an aggressive cleaning schedule that mitigates potentials for this kind of overflow event. The City also regularly inspects the lift stations and completes routine maintenance activities. Other potential contributors to an overflow event could include a major flood that overtopped sewer manhole rim elevations(this was not evaluated as part of the scope of this study), construction activities that could cause a failure in the pipeline, failure of a potentially old section of pipeline, and an illicit discharge of large volumes of water into the'anitary sewer system.. In the event that individual capacities of wastewater treatment facilities are exceeded, the City risks the possibility of discharging treated wastewater that does not meet the requirements of their NPDES discharge permit. Individual capacities of various facilities are summarized in Table 9.15 of the report. While individual process capacities may be exceeded resulting in poor treatment, backing up into control weirs,and create other treatment process challenges, no "overflows"are anticipated to occur within the plant under design flow conditions. However, if some unit processes are taken offline for maintenance,the City could be at risk of hydraulic and treatment bottlenecks. It is for this reason that many maintenance activities should only be completed during seasons of low flow. Additionally, with the completion of the Priority improvements,the City will be able to have added system redundancy and protection during peak flow events. Question U. I think you need to show the timetable for the start and completion of each component of the Plan and this should accompany the Council Communication, not just be part of a big attached report A timetable of expenses for each of the Priority 1 projects is illustrated in Table 14.2. Most projects are anticipated to occur over multiple fiscal years. Public Works DepL Tel 541/488-5347 20 l Main Street Fax 5414498-6006 5-290 Ashland,Oregon 97520 TTY: 800/735-2900 , w .ashland.or.us G:\pub-wrks\eng\08-54 Right Water Right Use\AdmnWWAC\2012-04-17\2012-04-17 Memo RE WMP questions(3).doc WITSICIwicr I.Ai I ik: Fimlnckli 1;orucasi March 2012 niwe s priority i cal,ijai for I mnalion 21112 11111 2014 2015 2016 2017 1-Y C0,91, 2012 '2013 21111 21013 2016 21117 2013 11 all", ter Treal mr,i t Plant Membrime S),qumt 562411,10 S611.1,000 Oullall[W.Calion 21,000 22j)(M 25,000 94010 436.000 14151.1100 Shodinp 261,(J(10 451J000 52141,000 Backup Puttabic iji1 Sioxi,j Pt,jr, 41N9AWO 1314,000 112,NO li 6000 Qvidmum,Dilch Shell 4,735.000 1-16.000 Itul 1.955,000 2.J123,000 RAS PuniPS 1(141,0011 10'7;(1('10 Womcmiur m;wu Ilan Updotc ISS,OpO 7(+,(.100 791011 Fucililiv:i 114,o 37.000 37M00 o:11LIT1,11L $9270.000 SO 311107000 $619.000 5',77SAKIO 3642.000 Collection 8yxtcni Impra%enitntx Jll"wid 2,V Pamlkl I'llinklivic Along[,Ica Creek $20J0110 I I l),00fj 5038,gU0 5460,000! 15"Mail) Al...Is Mmullain Ave 3,000 )OMWO OOk S1.21" I ruill"Ima 4 6.(100 1 All) 4,000 .11,000 A Sl 15"Moin 621,000 I[AVO 16,000 107,004 157-000 12"N Iiin A I.,lig,11 jjjjr,jo,l J I 1,00d 6j)(10 4,U00 1 A 0,000 146,000 12"Sigkiyou!Sled Weill )2,0081 7,000 M is,ej Jancou I I I Pored 04 1192-000 125,0013 I31.000 I I MIN 119.000 Portahle Hum Meters 04.004 (A.1100 SiorITI Wmer Inilow Sl,dv (AGM Tutid Cdleclwn $3.263.000 b I 252L) S US fLI 10 3311!111(10 $ 1 3105,0011 5404,11110 _"5X(000 PIUMUTI I 10TAI—Adjusled $12.535.000 11.000 $928.000 52.852,000 53.141,000 $3.242 0( S725,0110 COASIuvitillatell t I],is pmjw rest is liNud b., 11CF06utior,1r41i,(lie supplier,and doeCz iwl increase tilic Lo inflalim'. 000'LSL'9 4 000'[90'£ $ I 005'04[ $ OOS'O11E $ 009,04E $ 009'0111, $ 000'00L $ - $ OOo'OZL $ 000-GI $ 1 000'OLS'L 4 000'002 $ - $ lelolgnS uo!inq!als!0 S 000'00L $ 000'00L $ 6u!nlep l!OmOsaa GAME) ZL-0 �r $� 000`02 MVMW SOMEONE MEMBERS M190111 000'02 $ - alepdnueld AaleS LL-0 $ 000'SL $ 000'SL $ alepdn ue!d Iwluoo uogoauuoo ssojo 70 00004D $ 000'9[[ $ 000'46 $ 000'46 $ 000'44 REEMUN$ 000'44 $ [000:OZ $ a .,:, -� alepdnue!'d:asuod NTOUaBrawa 6-0. ..-a- f `.::` s' wea6a,l a1aW oea?1 oIPeN ea 000'00[E 4 - $ welboid luaweMlda�l ad!d 9-0 1000i1,4£ 4 smoomm : �`. :•; a, sb moms= A21:19 a�,peoa tlaaa0 uewlol 40 000'L4E $ - $ Md WN ABM l!l b-0 $ 000000 1 $ b3.- 000'008'1, $ 000'002 $ , senyewellynoruaS9?j� eoN doo;!luogelctdwna saieis3vwed. £-0 000'004 4 000'00£ $ 000'002 $ 000'o0L $ salepdn ueld JGISM aaleM Z-0 MINIM] 000'05 $ , ,.,,.. ,ea 000'05 $ asnoyaaeM releM•le uoOelS./olawalal 1,-0x. 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N El HE N ki Kai I laa>a8a3ea�al o1:a11pelS :6u�i. !d!eue9011 VL-S S 000'022 4 000 OOZ $ 000 0Z $ sluawenw wl uol7elS wnd IS aoeaaal 011 OL-S 000`OOE 4 r" i000b, OLD ,;�.. •y, ;;; a�elul 41da0 elgeuen nsaa iapaay 000'06 1 000,U S 000'00[ S aouegwo0 l0W1 peob SS833V ASea lapaaa 8-S 4 000`0£ 4 000'0£ $ 000'09 $ uo..----aldw7(omc nsa a�aoaa L-g 000'00£ 4 000'00£ S 000'09 $ 000'09 $ 000'09 $ 000'09 $ 000'09 $ 000'0[ $ 'nSaa Jepeea u! lOWl luaw!pOS 9-S $ 000'oZl 4 00 0'90[ $ 000'21, $ 110130fL1SW$]26pllpvNlOd 1SaM NBw'_l OUelUSH 5-S 00008 4 000'08 $ 000'04 $ 000'04 $ lga;eS we(]ZL lied 0N3d 4-S EROSION MISSION ROBINSON S - S 00006 $ $ S 'a1eM 'OS ouloa°l3 / d Cq-f,a lnlonS o-N3Bm S a ol 1 u 6lnasSwe00N3 S MONSOON VERNON���� x. `�. z" ',ye'R '•<„ zl�*d 7k1Rffi1XBa"<^' - _.. ., � Alddns ..i.'A9? r J: MiMt �'� rw Z£OZ-£ZOZ•+J . 1,, , •ZZOZ AA•<Wp .. . �, rz,"W, f r:�2 .. ,.._ '4?.Se.+ Sxta�3, td.*� nwnw° .: »,: n� ,+, + pery A ; ";." w t�r,x.y e- s�,w--.•ngA, F ` IZOZ Ad .,OZOZ Ad ,;t;,6LOZ Ad 9�OZ Ad, - LLOZ Ad 91,02 Ad 'SLOZAd •-tiLOZ Ad - n xarkleaud' x .: ¢ia"rtir 3 �` a S -` a^' `^3 , s£ �w.� .,. ZLOZ _`- ,��ti a...4', . , wlel-6001 v . r - +" "` 4"'lFq� ., q,. ,�z:°ewc`w x ti - .. .- I wlal'llg4$ -. are. s.r• �� ueld Sluawanoadwl lellde0 Zy algel a R! Table 7.2 Capital Improvements Plan current _ .. Short-Term _ .. _. -. __ _ _. Long-Term ID NAME - - - FY 2013-2022 FY 2023-2032 6 FY 2017 FY 218 FY 2019 FY 2020 FY 2021 FY 2022 FY 2012 FY 2013 FY 2014 FY 2015 FY 201 0 _ _ _ _ _ _ Total PIPES Project Extents - 'P 1 9vy Lana Morton Street to west end Ivy,Lane I $ 35;000, $ 311;0001 '$ 346;000 $ P-2 Ivy Lane South Mountain to FH-16AD-038 $ 10,000 $ 84,000 $ 94,000 $ - P=3 Normal Ave Siskiyou Blvd to HomesAve $ '50,0001 '$ .467,000 -,7$- 517.000 1.$ - P-4 Walker Ave Siskiyou Blvd to Ashland Middle School $ 75,000 $ 709,000 $ 784,000 $ - P-,5 Parker Street Walker Ave to Lit Way $ ,20;000 $ 142;000 I$ 162,000 $ P-6 Harmony Lane Siskiyou Blvd to Lit Way $ 10,000 $ 55,000 $ 65,000 $ - PP_7f .Lit Way. Joy Avenue to Ray Lane -' $ 5,000 $ 30,000 -� i$ 35;000 $ P-8 Ray Lane Lit Way to Joy Ave $ 5,000 $ 49,000 $ 54,000 $ P=9 Beach.Street Larkin.Lane to Iowa Street $ 10,000` ,$ '.81,000 $'91;000 7 P-10 AHS Property Fire hydrant in school property $ 9,000 $ 81,000 $ 90,000 $ - 'P-11 Vista Street Fork St to Hillcrest St $ '149,000 • $ '149,000 $ P-12 Vista Street Intersection of Vista, Hillcrest,Glenview Dr $ 5,000 $ 5,000 $ - P-13 Meade Street VistaSVHilicrest to Iowa Street $ 235,000 $ 235,000 $ P-14 Elkader Street Ivy Lane to Pinecrest Trail $ 72,000 $ 72,000 $ - P-15 Ivy Lane South Mountain Ave to Elkader St $ 64,000 $64,000 '$ P-16 South Mountain Ave S.Mountain Ave to Emma St $ 6,000 $ 6,000 $ P 71 South Mountain Ave From'S. Mountain Ave to FH 16AD-043 $ 17,000 $ 17,000 $ P-18 Pinecrest Trail Penny Drive to Woodland Drive $ 178,000 $ 178,000 $ P_19 Pinecrest Trail Walker Ave to Starlight Place $ 396,000 $ 396,000 $ P-20 Penny Drive Woodland Dr to Weissenback Way $ 83,000 $ 83,000 $ - P_21 Woodland Drive Leonard St to Pinecrest Trail $ 52,000, 52;000 '$ P-22 Hiawatha Place Walker Ave to FH 15CA-020 $ 58,000 $ 58,000 $ - P-23 Morton Street FH 16AC-023 to PRV 12 $ 130,000 ,$ 130,000 $ P-24 Ashland Mine Road Cedar Way to Fax Street $ 115,000 $ 115,000 $ - P_25 Fox Street Ashland Mine Road to N.Main Street $ 54,000 •$ 54,000 $ P-26 Almeda Drive Almeda Dr to Dog Park Road $ - $ 35,000 5-27: Skycrest Drive Orchard Stto south end of Skycrest Dr $ $ 162,000 P-28 Crispin Street Oak Street to Patterson Street $ $ 131,000 P29. Oak Lawn Ave Oak Street to Sylvia Street $ '$ 29,000 P-30 Sylvia Street Oak Lawn Ave to FH 04CA-019 $ - $ 64,000 P-31 Black Oak Way Tolman Creek Road.to Bellview Ave. $ $ 85,000 P-32 Oak Knoll Dr Twin Pines Creek Dr to Cypress Point Loop $ $ 287,000 P_33 Ashland Street Tolman Creek Rd to Washington St $ r$ 432;000' P-34 1-5 Crossing Washington St to Clover Lana $ - $ 794,000 Py35 .Ditch Road Strawberry.PS to Grandview Dr $ 75,000 $ 75,000 $ 75,000 $ 225,000 $ P-36 Lithia Lithia Water Line $ 70,000 $ 70,000 $ P_37 Iowa Street S.Mountain Ave to Wightman8t $ - '$ 640,000, P-38 Granite Street Strawberry to Pioneer $ - $ 300,000 P=39 B Street Oak St to 5th St .$ $ 250;000 P-40 Terrace Street Iowa to TID Ditch $ $ 350,000 Piping Subtotal $ - $ 45,000 $ 445,000 $ 617,000 $ 824,000 $ 370,000 $ 621,000 $ 159,000 $ 574,000 $ 193,000 $ 299,000 $ 4,147,000 $ 3,559,000 TOTAL $ 275,000 $ 552,000 1 $ 2,513,0001 $ 2,787,000 1 $ 3,130,000 $ 8,940,000 $ 10,451,000 $ 459,500 $ 714,500 $ 593,500 $ 439,500 $ 30,580,000 $ 13,426,000 4/17/2012 To Ashland City Council Members Regarding deer feeding in Ashland 1. I have lived in Ashland 40 years, and at 717 Roca St, 2 blocks above the University Science Building for 25 years. We have a serious deer problem in my neighborhood. A neighborhood walk shows deer devastation of trees and hedges up to deer height, most yards with tall fences or barren landscapes. This is a far cry from the beauty of years past. We may be a tree city USA, but in my neighborhood young trees are in cages, vegetation is beautiful only above deer height, and only if it is hardy enough to survive deer eating, and trees and gardens are viewed through fences and barriers. 2 . Deer like Ashland because the food is good. The Ranger at Department of Fish and Wildlife said that usually a doe produces one or two fawns . As the food in Ashland is so good, our deer are often producing triplets. Each city doe potentially creates 1 - 3 more deer every year. 3. Wild animals are the responsibility of the Dept of Fish and Wildlife. On their website they have 2 useful flyers - "Don't Feed Deer and Elk" and "Reduce Deer Damage in Your Yard". Both clearly state that we should not feed deer and that feeding deer creates problems for deer and people. One interesting statistic they shared is that more deer get killed in Jackson County by cars than by hunters. � 4 . There are 2 types of deer feeding occurring in Ashland: deliberate feeding where residents willingly give food to deer, and unintended feeding, where residents have vegetation available for deer that deer like. The ranger I spoke to said that if we reduce deer feeding we will reduce the number of deer in town, or at least reduce the rate of growth of the city deer population. 5. I would like the Council to take a stand in stating that we have a deer problem in some parts of Ashland - a problem with domesticated city fed deer, and that all evidence suggests the numbers are increasing and the problem will not go away. I would like them to ban intentional feeding of deer, and encourage residents to reduce unintentional feeding by implementing the measures described in the Oregon State University extension Service Flyer. 6. The "Don't Feed Deer and Elk" flyer describes 6 problems feeding deer can create. All are of concern to me, I am especially concerned that we will not take action until someone gets hurt. 7 . I understand that this is a controversial issue. I also realize we can't eliminate feeding, but a ban would start the education process needed to deal with this issue. 8 . I was very touched by a PBS documentary on raccoons in Korea - that were destroying Buddhist monasteries. Even Buddhist monks who devote their life to caring for all beings finally hired exterminators . We need to do something sensible before we have to take more radical action. Thanks You, Alison Laughlin 717 Roca St Ashland OR 97520 541-482-3196 O la# DON ' T l I• EL e Well-intentioned people often feed deer, elk and other wildlife without realizing the problems feeding can create: • Artificial feeding concentrates wildlife, which leads to the easier spread of disease and parasites and easier take by predators. • Feeding deer and elk attracts their natural predators like cougars and coyotes to areas of human activity. • Once wildlife associate people with giving them food, they come to expect it. Feeding will invite more deer and elk to your property and encourage them to stay. • Artificial feeding can cause deer and elk to become habituated to humans and aggressive towards them. • Concentrating deer and elk in human-settled areas can lead to an increase in vehicle collisions and conflicts between wildlife and pets. • Concentrating deer and elk can hurt habitat by encouraging excessive grazing. Every year, ODFW also sees seemingly healthy deer and elk die because they have been fed the wrong food by well-intentioned people. Their diet requirements actually change with the seasons and are best met by native forage. Deliberately feeding deer or elk may inhibit digestion and lead to death by starvation or infection. ODFW does feed deer and elk at several wildlife areas during the winter, to keep them off adjacent agricultural lands where they damage crops. These feeding programs are long-term commitments that require significant financial and staffing resources. Feeding starts early in the season so deer and elk's digestive systems do not have to quickly readjust to new food types, and continues every day, no matter what, until forage conditions improve. Feeding areas are located away from human-populated areas to decrease conflicts. ODFW also conducts disease testing at some feeding sites. For more information, visit ODFW's web page at www.dfw.state.or.us or call your local ODFW field office or ODFW Headquarters at 800-720-ODFW (6339) OREGON r OREGON DEPARTMENT OF FISH AND WILDLIFE FlMBWIId The Wildlife Garden EC 1557 Reprinted November 2002 _ $1.50 Reduce Deer Damage in Your Yard E. Henning,J. Kelljs K. Kyles, and N.Allen Deer grazing outside your window can be a welcome sight, unless the deer are eating your favorite flowers.Their spring and summer browsing can kill or severely damage young garden and landscape plants. Once deer are attracted to your yard, discouraging them is not easy. But, there are ways you can reduce damage to your plants while still enjoying the deer's presence. Kinds of deer in Oregon There are four kinds of deer found throughout the Pacific North- west.The most common kind or species is the mule deer.There are two subspecies of mule deer: those found on the east side of the Cascade Mountains, and the Columbian black-tailed deer that generally are found west of the Cascade Mountains. Columbian white-tailed deer are found along the Columbia River in northwest Oregon, in southwest Oregon near Roseburg, and in southwest Washing- Eric Henning,Jasmine ton.They are listed as Kelly,Kristin Kyles, endangered. students,Department of Even less Fisheries and Wildlife; .i and Nancy Allm,Extension common is wildlife instructor; the Idaho {- \\ Is Oregon State University white-tailed deer found Figures I through 7 are in northeast ��— ` reproduced from Den Proofing Your Yard and Oregon and \ Garden by Rhonda Idaho. Massingham Hart, 1997 by Rhonda Massingham Hart,used with permission from Storey Publishing LLC. ® OREGON STATE UNIVERSITY EXTENSION SERVICE Elements of deer habitat Shelter Deer are most active during the hours of Deer require plenty of food and water. early morning and evening, and they bed in They are an "edge" species,which means that sheltered areas most of the day. Common they prefer to feed (or browse) in open areas places for deer to find shelter are old-growth near cover, usually forests or dense shrubs. forests, low overhanging trees, dense shrubs, Open areas created by humans, such as clear- and tall-grass meadows. Deer are ruminants, cuts, cropland,parks, and urban yards and which means they need to chew their cud to gardens, provide lots of edges for deer to feed digest their food.They fill up on food quickly, in. and then find a safe, sheltered spot to regurgi- tate and chew their cud. Shelter also protects Food deer from weather and predators, and gives Deer eat an average of 7 pounds of food them a place to rest and raise their young. per day.They prefer to eat a variety of foods and move around nibbling on different plants. They eat over 500 kinds of plants. Strategies to reduce damage Deer have favorite foods, and they search for them even when other foods are abundant. Tolerate deer in your yard They like lush green gardens with tender new Tolerating deer and learning to coexist shoots of grasses and plants. Some of their are easier than trying to keep deer off your favorite foods are buds of many kinds of trees, property entirely. Larger, established plants vegetables,vines, shrubs, herbs, and grass. usually are able to recover from mild brows- In the spring, deer favor leafy plants and ing.Winter browsing by deer usually is not so agricultural crops such as wheat, alfalfa, clover, harmful, because many plants are dormant and peas. In late summer, they add fruit to and can recover in the spring. Deer move their diet along with peas, beans, and corn. from place to place according to the season,so Damage to ornamental plants often is most you might not see them in your yard year severe during spring and summer.Acorns are round. an important food for deer in the fall and winter. In winter, deer eat almost anything, Put in deer-resistant plants including lichen, dead leaves, twigs, bark, and Design your landscape to be unattractive evergreen boughs. to deer by putting in deer-resistant plants (see The habits of deer revolve around EC 1440,Deer-resistant Ornamental Plants). sources of food, and they often are seen in the Test plants before planting by setting them same places again and again. If deer find good out for a few days to see if deer ignore them. things to eat in your yard,you can expect that Plants that might deter deer have a strong they will be back. scent, thick or leathery leaves, or fuzzy, bristly, or spiny textures. Water It can be hard to find plants deer dotA Deer drink 2 to 4 quarts of water a day. like. Some deer eat plants that other deer They might drink from a birdbath, pond, or ignore. Preferences also vary by season and fountain in your yard. region. 2 A//ow your dog to guard fencing, and, if it is supported properly with A dog can be an effective deterrent to metal or wooden stakes, it is effective at deer. But, a dog on a chain is no threat.To be keeping deer out. effective, the dog must be able to run loose The mesh should be at least 8 feet high. within a fenced yard.You might try the no- Since the mesh is not easy to see, hang strips fence dog fence.This is an invisible fence of white cloth about 4 feet high for every made by burying a thin cable around the 12 feet of fence so that deer can see it.You can perimeter of your yard.Your dog wears a radio remove the strips after a month or two, collar that transmits a signal to warn him if he because the deer will have learned to take an goes near the line. If he gets too close, he gets alternate route. a mild shock. Dogs quickly learn the bound- Plastic mesh is not as durable as metal or aries, but they give chase if the incentive is wood. It might last only 10 to 15 years. But, it strong enough. is much less expensive, and it is easy to work Invisible fences do not work with all with. dogs, and they might not be right for some Durable fences places. Consult a knowledgeable supplier or There are different styles of durable dog trainer before you install an invisible fence fences that work well to keep deer out.A for your dog. standard deer fence (Figure 1) should have a minimum height of 8 feet. Deer usually won't Fencing jump when they can't see the other side, so, if the fence is solid, then a 5-foot fence is high Perimeter fencing enough (Figure 2). The most effective deterrent to deer is to fence them out of a garden or yard.You'll need to surround the entire area and leave no holes or openings. Perimeter fencing can be made of plastic mesh,wood, chain link, or wire.Trees can be used as natural posts.Tall, dense hedges and shrubs might look nicer than plastic or metal fencing, but they are less effective. If you are planting a new garden and o�ardor want to protect it, put the fence up first. It is easier to prevent deer damage than to correct ! ' it. Nondurable fences Many gardeners have found that black doe afoot W11 or wire plastic mesh works very well around gardens. It is easy to use,and you can buy it at most 1 home and garden stores or order it on the Internet (do a search for"deer fencing").The Figure 1.A vertical deer fence should be at least mesh is less noticeable than other types of 8 feet high. 3 n IMTIT Y Figure 2. A solid wooden fence can be both Figure 3.A slanted deer fence uses a combination attractive and deer-proof of height and width to defeat deer. Deer are not able to jump high and wide Individual fencing at the same time, so a slanted fence also is Curious browsing by deer can kill young effective (Figure 3). A slanted fence should be plants, so you might need to protect certain 4 feet high with the angled part at 45 degrees. plants until they become established. Fencing This style fence uses up more space than other or netting around individual trees or shrubs types. deters deer from eating them. Another deerproof fence is the double Black plastic mesh works well for pro- row fence (Figure 4). It should be 4 to 5 feet tecting individual plants and is easy to install. tall with the fences 4 to 5 feet apart.You can Support the mesh with stakes or poles. Be sure use the space between the fences for planting. it is well spaced from the plant, because deer Electric fences also are effective against prefer to eat the buds and new leaf shoots deer and can be less expensive than other types (Figure 5). of durable fences. However, electric fences require more maintenance and can short out easily if vegetation near the fence grows too high. 1 4R p✓ j � � Yr �j �,R vY '�� I "1 •� Figure 4.A double-row fence consists of side-by- Figure 5. Nylon or wire mesh can protect vulner- side vertical fences. able plants effectively. 4 Buck rubs You can choose from several commercial During the fall, you might notice that products available from garden stores or the bark is stripped off of small trees. In deer nurseries. country, this is probably because male deer You also can create your own home (bucks) are rubbing their antlers aggressively remedies.You must be careful not to use any to remove the velvet covering(Figure 6). substance that could poison or harm any These trees are called buck rubs.The deer wildlife or plant species. Some common home return to use the same trees every year. remedies include deodorant soap, pepper To protect small trees, use a protective spray, human hair, and low-wattage flashing trunk wrap.The ones you buy at garden lights hung around the property. centers usually are made of Vexar®tubes. Or, You can use soap in two different ways. you can use strips of old inner tube or plastic One is to hang deodorant bar soap from trees mesh (Figure 7). or place it on stakes around the perimeter of your garden.The other way is to spray all the plants with a mixture of 1 part deodorant soap Repellants and 50 parts water. Deer have an acute sense of smell,which they use to locate food. Certain scents can deter deer effectively, if they are used properly. They are called deer repellants. Deer repel- lants must be reapplied often, because rain dilutes their strength and the scent wears off. �i r 4 ° d' � �1 ^ '4 1 \\4/0 1101 h(l Figure 6. By late summer,bucks have begun rubbing Figure 7 Protective trunk wrap can prevent off the velvet from their antlers. damage caused by bucks rubbing their antlers. 5 Homemade pepper spray also can be For more information effective. Mix 4 to 5 tablespoons cayenne pepper or 2 tablespoons hot pepper or OSU Extension publications Tabasco with 1 gallon water.Add 1 table- Deer-resistant Ornamental Plants, EC 1440 spoon vegetable oil. Mix well and spray (1994). 754 directly on plants where needed. Reapply See these other publications in The often, especially after rain. Wildlife Garden set: You can hang balls of human hair from Attract Hummingbirds to Your Garden, trees or place them on stakes surrounding the EC 1541 (2002). $1.50 area you want to protect. Attract Reptiles and Amphibians to Your Yard Flashing lights, such as a string of Christ- EC 1542 (reprinted July 2002). $2.00 mas lights, cast shadows that frighten deer. But, deer quickly learn that the lights are not Create a Garden Pond for Wildlife, EC 1548 harmful and ignore them. (reprinted April 2002). $1.50 Create a Butterfly Garden, EC 1549 (2002). $1.50 Coexisting with deer Feed wild Birds, EC 1554 (2002). $1.50 1. Do not try to feed deer. Feeding wildlife Create Roosts for Bats in Your Yard EC 1555 can have detrimental effects both to the (2002). $1.50 wildlife and your property. Build Nest Boxes for Wild Birds, EC 1556 2. Change your deterrent tactics throughout (2002). $1.50 the year so deer do not become accus- To order copies of these publications, tomed to them. send the complete title and series number, 3. Deer moving across roads can be a danger. along with a check or money order for the Collisions hurt people and kill many deer amount listed (payable to Oregon State every year. Drive more carefully during University), to: twilight hours. If one deer crosses the road Publication Orders in front of you, be prepared for more. Extension &Station Communications Deer often travel in pairs or small groups. Oregon State University 4. Bucks in rut can be dangerous to pets, 422 Kerr Administration livestock, and humans.As a general rule, Corvallis, OR 97331-2119 Fes; 541-737-0817 never approach deer, and especially be We offer discounts on orders of 100 or wary of bucks during the fall rutting more copies of a single title. Please call season. 541-737-2513 for price quotes. 5. If your problems with deer persist, contact the Oregon Department of Fish and Wildlife for other possible solutions. 6 World Wide Web Link, Russell. Landscaping for llrldlife in the You can access our Publications and Pacific Northwest. 1999. University of Videos catalog and many of our publications Washington Press, Seattle&London, in $ on the Web at eesc.oregonstate.edu association with the Washington Depart- ` ment of Fish and Wildlife. other publications Fargione, M.J., P.D. Curtis, and M.E. Rich- Web sites mond. 1991. Resistance of Woody Orna- Extension &Experiment Station Communi- mental Plants to Deer Damage, Fact Sheet cations, Oregon State University: 800. Cornell Cooperative Extension, eesc.oregonstate.edu Ithaca, New York. The Internet Center for Wildlife Damage Hart, R.M. 1997. Deer Proofing Your Yard and Management, University of Nebraska- Garden. Storey Books, Pownal,Vermont. Lincoln: http://wildlifedamage.Ltnl.edu/ 7 Correspondence regarding the Keeping of Chickens From: "Donald Kay" <Ilk322 @charter.net> To: "John Stromberg" <john @council.ashland.or.us> Sent: Monday, April 2, 2012 1:30:36 PM Subject: Re: Chicken Coop Health Concerns Dear Mayor Stromberg, I am a professor at Southern Oregon University. About 25 years ago I became quite familiar with fungal disease caused by bird droppings when I became ill from pigeon droppings that contaminated Churchill Hall. Another Professor working in Taylor Hall became so seriously III from pigeon droppings that she could not return to work. There was a large legal settlement from this professor's case and a very costly cleanup of the contaminated sites. It is possible for one neighbor's chicken raising activity to injure another neighbor and contaminate their house. A 20' distance between a chicken coup and a neighbor's house greatly increases the likelihood of fungal contamination. I am not a lawyer, but I do know that there are issues of liability if there is personal injury or property damage. I hope that City of Ashland spends more time researching these issues before revising Health and Sanitation Chapter(9.08) of the Ashland Municipal Code. Sincerely, Donald Kay On Apr 2, 2012, at 11:16 AM, John Stromberg wrote: Hi, Donald Thanks for this message. Can you give me a little background information: who are you and what do you do? how does it happen that you have the understanding/experience to make this suggestion? John Stromberg Mayor 541 552 2104 (direct) 541 488 6002 (secretary) This email transmission is official business of the City of Ashland, and is subject to the Oregon Public Records Law for disclosure and retention. If you have received this message in error, please contact me at 541.552.2104. Thank you. From: "Donald Kay" <110220)charter.net> To: johna()council.ashland.or.us Sent: Monday, April 2, 2012 10:24:14 AM Subject: Chicken Coop Health Concerns Dear Mayor Stromberg, I understand that in April the City of Ashland will be deliberating on a request to revise Health and Sanitation Chapter(9.08) of the Ashland Municipal Code; shortening the distance from 75' to 20'for the location of chicken coups from neighboring houses,for the purposes of expanding egg and poultry production for personal use. Effectively controlling H. capsulatum spores from becoming aerosolized when droppings are removed during coop cleaning takes a level of expertise and attention that the average chicken hobbyist does not possess. There is real health risk in exposing the hobbyist, their family members and their neighbors to the inhalation of the fungi spores that cause the lung disease, histoplasmosis. Because of the health hazard, posed by increasing the proximity of chicken coups to neighboring houses, I urge the City of Ashland to deny the 20' distance request. I am attaching links that give more detailed information on health risks and safety issues: Article from the CDC- Histoplasmosis: Protecting Workers at Risk http://www.cdc.gov/niosh/docs/97-146/ Article on Chicken Coops&Respiratory Disease http://www.ehow.com/facts 5837848 chicken-coons-resoiratorv-disease.html Article on Chickens&Lung Disease http://www.ehow.com/about 6636998 chickens-lung-disease.html thank you for your consideration, Donald Kay Barbara Christensen From: Brandon Goldman [brandon.goldman @ashland.or.us] Sent: Monday, April 02, 2012 11:05 AM To: City Council; Council Business Cc: Bill Molnar; Brandon Goldman, Barbara Christensen, Dave Kanner; Diana Shiplet Subject: Fwd: Chicken Coop Health Concerns City Council, Below please find an email (public testimony) received today regarding the proposed Green Codes updates to be reviewed at second reading tomorrow. As Mr. Kay has included three specific links relating to his stated concern I am sending you this email directly. Additional letters received prior to the Council meeting, will be provided as hard copies at the meeting. Thank you, Brandon Brandon Goldman, Senior Planner City of Ashland, Planning Division 20 East Main Street, Ashland OR 97520 (541) 552-2076, TTY: 1-800-735-2900 FAX: (541) 552-2050 brandon.goldman(a ash land.or.us This email transmission is official business of the City of Ashland, and it is subject to Oregon Public Records law for disclosure and retention. If you have received this message in error, please contact me at (541)552-2076. Thank you. From: "Donald Kay" <Ilk322 @charter.net> To: goldmanb @ashland.or.us Sent: Monday, April 2, 2012 10:50:19 AM Subject: Chicken Coop Health Concerns Dear Mr. Goldman, I understand that in April the City of Ashland will be deliberating on a request to revise Health and Sanitation Chapter(9.08)of the Ashland Municipal Code; shortening the distance from 75'to 20'for the location of chicken coups from neighboring houses,for the purposes of expanding egg and poultry production for personal use. Effectively controlling H. capsulatum spores from becoming aerosolized when droppings are removed during coop cleaning takes a level of expertise and attention that the average chicken hobbyist does not possess.There is real health risk in exposing the hobbyist, their family members and their neighbors to the inhalation of the fungi spores that cause the lung disease, histoplasmosis. Because of the health hazard,posed by increasing the proximity of chicken coups to neighboring houses, I urge the City of Ashland to deny the 20'distance request. I am attaching links that give more detailed information on health risks and safety issues: Article from the CDC-Histoplasmosis: Protecting Workers at Risk htti)://www.cdc.gov/niosh/docs/97-146/ Article on Chicken Coops&Respiratory Disease http:/twww.ehow.00m/facts 5837848 chickencoops-respiratory-disease.html Article on Chickens&Lung Disease htto:/MNm.ehow.com/about 6636998 chickens-Iung-disease.html thank you for your consideration, Donald Kay 1 Green Code Updates - Additional Letters received From : Kim<fineday @mind.net> Sat, Mar 31,2012 02:46 PM Subject : Re: Ashland Green Codes updates To : brandon goldman <brandon.goldman @ashland.or.us> Responding to your information below: ONE counselor suggested correlating chicken numbers to lot size(Morris). A flock size has no relation to lot size except with the 20 foot from neighbors house rule. If some one wants half their backyard to be for chickens why should Ashland stop this if it is kept clean. LIMITS SHOULD BE RELATED TO SPACE THE ANIMAL NEEDS not lot size. Ultimately it really IS NOT a city issue as long as the set back is met. Relating it to lot size could be prejudicial against those that can only afford a small lot/home. Again no one is going to have a flock large enough to have an egg factory so having ANY clause about sales is unnecessary. The USDA rules are for the poultry owner to follow and not a city issue. WHY NOT have Farm activity in residential areas. It used to be common place. Cities and towns all over the country are changing their rules to ALLOW farm activity- See San Diego, San Francisco, Columbia Mo., Detroit, Boise(which did not mention urban farming and changed their codes to encourage it)and more. Many are changing codes to both allow and foster farming including requiring all un-used city owned land to be leased out for farms. You know I think writing anything about storing chicken waste is unnecessary other than a coop should be kept clean and odor free. Requiring people to keep their chickens inside during dark is also UNNECESSARY. If they want to keep their chickens alive they will do this. Chickens left outside will not bring predators to our neighborhoods. They are already here. In my neighborhood the apartments behind me not shutting their garbage has the raccoons there nightly and they do not come over to my coop. Thanks for all your work on this. I overall believe we are in an over legislating spiral in Ashland and that this rule could be so much simpler. Ultimately I just want the city to encourage self-sufficiency. Best, Kim From : Kim<wolf @mind.net> Sun,Apr 01,2012 09:10 AM Subject : Chicken coops To : brandon goldman<brandon.goldman @ ashland.or.us> Another request. Drop the size requirements for chicken coops. They are too small and do not work even for a few birds. We should be encouraging people to have more room for an animal not less. More humane. Thanks, Kim Blackwolf Letter regarding the Keeping of Chickens From: Christine Ashrow <csplash3 @gmail.com> To: planning @ashland.or.us Sent: Thu, 12 Apr 2012 14:03:07 -0700 (PDT) Subject: back yard chickens Dear Mr. Goldman, I am a home owner in the city limits of Ashland. Two years ago neighbors installed a coop and 8 chickens on our shared property line, approximately 30 feet from my house. Ever since then, my yard has been inundated with flies in the summers and bad smells all year, making it very unpleasant to open my windows for fresh air. The chickens are also attracting rats and raccoons looking for food. I have raised many chickens_for eggs in a rural setting, and know the ins and outs of a healthy chicken habitat. The owners do there best and clean the coop often, but it is just the way chicken coops are. I like chickens, but honestly don't believe they should be in close residential areas. Many of our neighbors feel the same way and there are already several coops in this neighborhood. If more people are allowed to raise chickens in this way, I fear it will create real health issues and bad feelings, as well as very stinky neighborhoods. These are farm animals and should be limited to rural arias. Please step in before this issue escalates into a real problem. Thank you very much for your time reading my 2 cents. Sincerely, Christine Ashrow /cm dd Barbara Christensen From: City of Ashland, Oregon [avid_dk @yahoo.com] Sent: Tuesday, April 17, 2012 3:34 PM To: council @ashland.or.us Subject: City Council Contact Form Submitted Full Name: David Kelly Phone: Email: avid dk(W,vahoo.com Subject: Chicken Coop Fires Message: Before the council votes on approving the Green Initiative Ordinance with regards to the "Chicken Agenda" I want to point out the two chicken coop fires in the Rogue Valley in the last 24 hours. It should be noted that there have been at least two house and/or garage fires caused by backyard chicken production in Portland in the last nine months. How many years would it take for all the backyard hens in Ashland to cover the cost of even one lost house let alone a multi-house fire. Just something to consider. Thanks for hearing my concern. David t