HomeMy WebLinkAbout2012-0430 Study Session PACKET CITY OF
ASHLAND
CITY COUNCIL STUDY SESSION
AGENDA
Monday, April 30, 2012 at 5:30 p.m.
Siskiyou Room, 51 Winburn Way
5:30 p.m. Executive Session for Real Property Transaction pursuant to ORS
192.660(2)(f).
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5:45 p.m. Study Session
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1. Look Ahead Review
2. Discussion of policy on an opt out program for the City's electric automated meter j
reading program
3. Discussion of Plaza landscaping re-design
4. Continued discussion: Closing the feedback loop with the City Administrator
5. Other business from the Council
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In compliance with the Americans with Disabilities Act, if you need special assistance to participate in this
meeting, please contact the City Administrator's 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 q.
City of Ashland Council Meeting Look Ahead
*****THIS IS A DRAFT AND SUBJECT TO CHANGE*****
Departments :.
Responsible
5/3 Bud et Meetin 5no
1
Wrap-5-79-
ra u & Set Tax Rate BDGT
5na Stud. Session in Siski ou Room sna
2 Discussion on Wireless Ordinance Bill/ David CD Legal SS
3 Discussion of Time Out Ordinance Ter /Linda Police CD SS'
sns Re ular Metin C= ne 5n5
4 5 Minute Presentation by Firewise Committee of poster PRES
contest winner John/Ali Fire
5 Approval of MOU with ACH for mental health facility
CONS
Ter /David L. Police Legal
6 Extension of contract for legal services Dave L. Legal CONS
� Misc. Fees & Charges Resolution Update (Lee) Finance PH
RES
8 Potential update to current camping ordinance Ter Police Legal ORD-1 ORD-2
g First readin of No Feedin Wildlife ordinance David L. Legal Admin ORD-1 ORD-z
10 Resolution adding Conservation Commission goals to Council
Goals Lee/Dave K. Electric Admin RES
6/a S_t_u_d, Se sign in Siski—yo-01R.Uoj s/4
11 1 Sewer line service policy (Mike) PW SS
12 Discussion of Homelessness Steering Committee ?? SS
6/5 e ular Council Meetin 6/5
13 Elk's Flag ay Proclamation Barbara Recorder PROC
14 Library Ballot Measure Ann Admin CONS
t5 Public Hearing on Ordinance to levy taxes (Lee) PH
Finance ORD-1 ORD-2
16 Economic Development Update Bill CD NEW
17 1 Resolution to qualify for state revenues Lee Finance RES
18 Resolution to receive state revenues Lee Finance RES
19 Resolution setting appropriations Lee Finance RES
20 First reading of update to Wireless Ord. Bill/David CD Legal ORD-1 ORD-2
21 Police CD ORD-1
First reading of habitual offender zone ordinance Ter /Linda ORD-2
22 First reading of Sewer line service policy (Mike) PW ORD-1 ORD-2
23 Potential update to current camping ordinance Ter Police Legal ORD-z
24 1 First reading of No Feeding Wildlife ordinance David L. Legal Admin ORD-z
sn8 Stud. S_e_ssion in Siski ou Room fine
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Departments BDGT ss cc ss cc ss cc sm ss cc ss cc ss cc ss cc ss cc
Responsible 5/10 5114 5115 614 615 6118 6119 6126 712 713 7116 7117 816 817 8120 8121 913 914
Regular Council Meeting
Ordinance to levy taxes (Lee)
Study Session (in Siski ou Room)
Regular Council Meeting
Study Session in Siskiyou Room)
® • -___________®______
RegularCouncil Meeting
Study Session (in Siskiyou Room)
Regular Council Meeting
Study Session Cancelled (Labor Day)
Regular Council Meeting
CITY OF
ASHLAND
Council Communication
April 30, 2012 Study Session
Discussion of Policy on an Opt Out Program from the City's Electric Automated
Meter Reading Program
FROM:
Lee Tuneberg, Acting Assistant City Administrator, tuneberl @ashland.or.us
SUMMARY
The Electric Department has for almost 15 years been taking advantage of technology by converting to
digital meters that transmit information to radio receivers. This conversion is approximately 45%
complete. This has been done openly as a goal for operational efficiency to avoid hiring more help to
read meters. In the recent past, due to public concern about the effects or radio frequency
transmissions, agencies across the nation and in other countries are adopting programs to allow a
customer to request using non-transmitting meters. The city does not have such a policy and staff
needs direction on how the city will respond to requests to remove smart meters.
BACKGROUND AND POLICY IMPLICATIONS:
There is considerable information available in the public supporting and refuting the potential health
impacts on the human body from radio frequency (RF) transmissions. The more important question
may be one of perception or actual impact to a small percentage of the populace and how does Ashland
want to address these two aspects.
Attached is a memo from the City's Electric Distribution System Supervisor addressing our program,
trends in the industry, potential elements of an opt out program and operational impacts. The memo
includes links that provide additional information
The points to be considered by Council are:
I. Should the City adopt an opt out policy?
2. Are the fees identified by staff(approximately $60 to change back from an RF meter and
$10/month) acceptable if a policy is adopted?
3. Should any fees be reduced for customers eligible for low income or senior discounts?
4. What other questions does Council have or what other issues are to be considered before the
Electric Department proceeds with the program, converting the rest of the eligible meters?
FISCAL IMPLICATIONS:
Not having as many meters as possible utilizing RF reading technology will add cost to operations.
The costs include staff going "deeper" onto a customer's property to gather data and"handling and/or
tracking"costs in the utility billing section. The recent trend across the nation is to have the customer
bear some portion of that cost. Those costs will not be well known until the City is closer to
completing the program.
Page 1 of 2
CITY OF
-AS H LAN D
Proposed and approved fees could be incorporated into the Miscellaneous Fees & Charges update
process for easy documentation and reference.
STAFF RECOMMENDATION AND REQUESTED ACTION:
Staff recommends Council discuss the potential for an opt out program and provide direction to staff
on what, if any, conditions they would like to see in such a policy.
SUGGESTED MOTION:
Not applicable.
ATTACHMENTS:
Staff memo dated April 25, 2012
Page 2 of 2
CITY OF
ASHLAND
Memo
DATE: April 25, 2012
TO: Lee Tuneberg, Interim Assistant City Administrator
FROM: Warren DiNapoli, Electric Distribution Systems Manager
RE: Smart Meter Program
Background:
Since the late 1990's, the City of Ashland Electric Utility Department has been gradually replacing
electro-mechanical meters with electronic meters that will provide automated meter reads (AMR).
Initially the program began by converting meters that were difficult to read due to extended or steep
grade driveways, fences or dogs located behind a fenced meter installation. The conversion progressed
to ganged (a bank of meters) meter installations to gain efficiencies with multifamily dwellings and
business units. The next step in the conversion began with the converting of specific meter routes. The
conversion was temporarily suspended until a decision could be reached on whether the City would
offer an opt out program to their customers. At this time the only AMR meters that are being installed
are new connects and new services.
The new AMR meters are utilized to record only the electric consumption rather than requiring an
employee to access, read and record the electric usage at each individual meter. The employee can
access the meter read from close proximity(i.e. street or curb side) rather than reading the meter on the
customer's property. The standard meter used by the City transmits readings several times per minute
but the reading is only captured when the employee walks within range to collect the data...generally
once a month. The future direction of this program would be to investigate remote reading from a
vehicle (drive-by)thus continuing to reduce costs.
Concerns with-AMR
Concerns have been raised as to possible health issues arising from AMR programs. Even though, the
calculated levels of radio frequency transmissions for Smart Meters is well below the limits established
for these devices by the Federal Communications Commission, utilities and utility commissions are
providing an Opt Out Program for their customers. The World Health Organization (WHO)and more
recently Health Canada and Vermont Department of Health have issued opinions on the health concerns
regarding radio frequency transmission. In addition, Eugene Water& Electric (EWEB) is currently
proposing advanced'metering in which they address the possible health concerns with the meters.
http://www.who.int/mediacentre/factsheets/fs304/en/index.html
http://www.hc-sc.ec.ca/hl-vs/alt formats/pdf/iyh-vsv/prod/meters-compteurs-eng.pdf
Electric Dept. Tel:541488-5357 '
90N Mountain St. Fax:541-5522436 IAA
Ashland,Oregon 97520 TTY: 800-735-2900
w .ashland.or.us
http://healthvermont.gov/nubs/oh assessments/radio frequency radiation and health smart me
ters. df
http://www.eweb.org//public/commissioners/meetings/2012/120417/WSI AMIBusinessCase.pdf
Opt Out Programs
The industry is seeing variations in the Opt Out Programs being offered, however it appears in the early
stages that two types are emerging:
PG&E is offering just a single option for opting out of the Smart Meter Program. It is defined as follows
from their website: http://www.pae.com/myhome/customerservice/smartmeter/optoud
At Pacific Gas and Electric(PG&E), we support offering our customers a choice when it comes to
the meters at their home. We're happy to announce that the California Public Utilities Commission
(CPUC)has approved analog mechanical meters as an alternative to the SmarlMeter for our residential
customers. Please note, ifyou choose to opt-out, the following charges set by the CPUC will be added to
your energy statement:
An initial$75.00 setup charge, as well as a$10 ongoing monthly charge.
Income-qualified customers pay an initial$10.00 setup chare, as well as a 55.00 ongoing monthly
charge.
Another option offered by Central Main Power(CMP) and approved by their Commission, allows
customers a choice of two different programs. They offer the analog meter(that PG&E offers) or a non-
transmitting digital Smart Meter.
They have different cost structures for each as noted below:
1.A Smart Meter that emits no radio signal.
One-lime charge of$20,plus monthly charge of$10.50
CMP will read the meter every two months for billing, and send an estimated bill for the
alternate months. Customers will have access to hourly usage information on line, but the
data will be updated every other month after meter reading.
2.An electro-mechanical meter(like City of Ashland utilizes)
One-lime charge of$40,plus monthly charge of$12
An electro-mechanical meter with no wireless communication technology. CMP will
read the total recorded electricity usage every two months for billing, and send
customers an estimated bill for the alternate months.
What is rieht for the City of Ashland?
The programs detailed above demonstrate the possible directions the industry may take. The use of
electromechanical meters as a replacement to Smart Meters may become more prevalent, however,
industry supply is limited and accuracy is less than current electronic meters. Therefore,the city's
Electric 0 N M ntai Tex:541-88-5357
90 N Mountain St. Fax:541-552 2436
Ashland,Oregon 97520 TTY: 800-735-2900
w .ashland.or.us
program would focus on offering a non transmitting electronic meter. Since the meter would be non
transmitting, it would address customers concerning regarding the health risks associated with radio
frequency transmission.
How could our program work?
The Electric Department has converted 44.8 %of our electric meters and would continue the conversion
once a decision is reached on an opt out program. During the conversion customers would be able to
take advantage of the opt out program and would be notified in advance of their meter being converted.
Costing
The program needs to address the recovery of additional costs that are imposed upon the utility for
requesting a non AMR meter. Since our manual routes are relatively efficient due to the design of the
routes, it is expected that the cost of reading non AMI meters would be substantially higher after a route
conversion. In addition, we will need to create specific business process and possibly systems to
accommodate customers that select a non AMI meter.
Therefore the cost model would contain two scenarios. A cost to install the non-transmitting meter and
then a re-occurring cost associated with that monthly manual read.
It should be noted that the costs are estimates based on anticipated expenses; however they will be
reviewed within a year of the completed conversion.
Monthly Read
Assumptions
The cost of meter reader excluding vehicle
Utility Billing's costs have not been included in this analysis
Additional equipment has not been analyzed; the cost is only for labor.
The cost accounts for an additional 15 minutes to walk to the meter location, read the
meter, enter the read data and then return to the route.
Estimated cost$9.96
Initial Cost
Assumptions
Cost of Service person for half an hour to install the meter
Includes their vehicle and meter
Doesn't include a cost for Utility Billing or administrative costs for the program
The cost accounts for 30 minutes for an employee to travel to customers meter and
replace with a non-transmitting meter
Estimated cost$61.81
The city could also offer a 50%discount to customers who are on the "Ashland Low-Income Energy
Assistance Program" (ALIEP).
During the Conversion:
At anytime during the city's conversion to a full AMR system, customers would be able to convert to a
non transmitting meter for no initial cost. Since the meter would require additional labor to read, the
Electric Dept. Tel:541488-5357
90 N Mountain St Fax:541-552 2436 =,
Ashland,Oregon 97520 TTY: 800-735-2900
w .ashland.or.us
customer would be responsible for a monthly charge that will be assessed when the meter is converted
back to non transmitting.
Future Hurdles
The proposed Opt Out program has been developed for single residential and commercial meters. For
multiple meter banks, such as an apartment complex, the program would need to be further researched
before a determination could be made as to their participation.
In addition, the program will need to be flexible enough to adjust to changes within the industry since
these programs are relatively new.
Electric Dept. Tel:541488-5357
90 N Mountain St. Fax:541-552 2436
Ashland,Oregon 97520 TTY: 800-735-2900
w .ashland.or.us
CITY OF
ASHLAND
Council Communication
April 30, 2012, Study Session
Discussion of Plaza landscaping re-design
FROM:
Dave Kanner, city administrator, dave.kanner @ashland.or.us
SUMMARY
At the Council's April 3`d regular meeting, there was a request for a study session discussion of re-
designing and refreshing the landscaping in the downtown plaza. The city has, for several years, been
setting aside funds for purposes such as this. Other issues related to the plaza that have recently
surfaced or resurfaced (discussed further below) also warrant Council direction to staff.
BACKGROUND AND POLICY IMPLICATIONS:
The downtown plaza is, in essence, Ashland's living room. It is in all likelihood the one place in the
city in which every visitor and every resident sets foot. However,just as the carpeting and the
furniture in a living room must be refreshed from time to time, so too is the plaza (arguably) in need of
of least a touch-up. In addition to the landscaping, the benches in the plaza have become very worn
and there is an electric utility vault that at a minimum needs to be replaced, painted, or placed
elsewhere.
Staff recommends that we hire a landscape architect through an RFP/RFQ process to develop a plan
for refreshing the plaza. A committee of staff, plaza property owners and a Councilor or two, would
select the architect. (Note that under Oregon law, price cannot be used as a criterion in selecting an
architect. What's more, the value of the resulting contract is not likely to rise to a level requiring
Council approval.) As we envision it, this architect would be responsible for soliciting input from the
Council, the Parks Commission (Parks maintains the plaza, although it is not park land), the Historic
Commission, the Tree Commission, plaza businesses and property owners, as well as the public
through a public design charette and then developing a plan and cost estimates to present to the
Council.
FISCAL IMPLICATIONS:
The city places a percentage of its transit occupancy tax into a project account committed to downtown
improvements. There is currently $100,563 in that account. Any work done in connection with this
project would be constrained by the dollars available and, of course, would impact the funding
available for other potential downtown improvements.
STAFF RECOMMENDATION AND REOUESTED ACTION:
In addition to directing staff as to whether the Council wishes to proceed as outlined above, there are
other issues related to the plaza on which we need Council input. Staff requests direction from the
Council on the following:
Page I of 4
P'4&
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CITY OF
ASHLAND
1. Criteria for plaza use. The city has a permit for use of the plaza that must be approved by the chief
of police and the city administrator. Current ordinances applicable generally or applicable specifically
to the plaza set limits on the following plaza activities: sleeping on the benches (AMC 10.406.030);
having a dog present (AMC 9.16.060); blocking the sidewalk 10.64.010(C); unreasonable noises
(AMC 9.08.170(D)(1); operating sound production or reproduction devices audible at a distance of 50
feet or more (AMC 9.08.170(D)(7); and operating unreasonably loud and raucous loudspeakers,
amplifiers or public address systems (AMC 9.08.170(D)(8). These bases for denying plaza permits or
citing violators are scattered throughout the Municipal Code and may not have been consistently
applied or enforced in the past. Plaza permits requests are reviewed carefully, but seldom denied
except when potential space or sound conflicts with previously permitted activities seem likely to arise.
While there is scant criteria upon which to base a decision to approve or disapprove, realistically, an
applicant who presented a plan to draw a crowd of 400 people would likely not have their permit
approved, because 400 people would not fit on the plaza. Even an event with a crowd of 100 can be
problematic because such a crowd probably would block the sidewalk, which is a violation of city
code.
The key problems with current plaza permitting are lack of clarity on what the current criteria are
(partly due simply to not having all applicable AMC criteria in*a single location); inconsistent
application of criteria; absence of rules on certain recurring issues (such as duration of activities); and
potentially challengeable administrative discretion.
QUESTION: Would the Council like to re-examine and clarify the criteria for approval/disapproval of
plaza use applications?
RECOMMENDATION: A permit should be required if an applicant:
I. Expects to occupy a space on the plaza island larger than 40 x4 0 feet(half a tennis court) for more than
an hour or any exclusive space for longer than two hours.
2. Expects to make sounds from anywhere on the Plaza that can be heard by others more than 100 yards
(length of football field)away from the Plaza island. (Further discussion below.)
3. Plans to sell or distribute food, in which case the permit application should be accompanied by proof
that the applicant has received the necessary food service permits from the County.
4. Plans to use(and pay for)electric power
2. Exclusive use. As a matter of practice, we do not allow "exclusive use" of the plaza. However, this
term is not well defined and is open to interpretation. For instance, if a permit for plaza use was
approved for a certain date and time, and a subsequent applicant wanted to use the plaza at the same
date and time in a manner that might conflict with the already-permitted activity, we would likely say
"no" to the second applicant. It is legally questionable as to whether the city administrator has
discretion to make this decision or the decision on amplification (see further discussion below) without
clearer objective guidelines from the Council. In a somewhat different vein, staff was recently
approached by an organization (a well-established local organization) that wanted to use the plaza on
the same days of the week and at the same times on those days from April through October. Applying
this exclusive use criterion, we told them such an application would likely not be approved. (They also
wanted to close off the short street section on the east side of the plaza.)
QUESTIONS: Does the Council want to allow multiple simultaneous uses on the plaza and leave it to
the sponsors of those uses to work out any problems? Does the Council want to allow regular
recurring uses of the plaza, recognizing that such recurring use might preclude other situational use?
Page 2 of 4
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CITY OF
ASHLAND
RECOMMENDATION: Regular, recurring use would seem to be anathema to the whole notion of
"public space." Staff recommends allowing the use of any space on the plaza for no more than two
hours at a time, and no more than 10 occasions per calendar year.
3. Time limits. The plaza use permit has no limits on the length of time the plaza can be used. In the
two months I've been here, I've signed off on plaza events ranging from 90 minutes to five hours. If
someone submitted an application to use the plaza for an entire day(or days), current ordinances
provide no clear basis for denying it.
QUESTIONS: Does the Council want to impose time limits on plaza use? If so, what is a reasonable
limit? Would extended use once or twice a year be acceptable? (Several non-profit organizations now
use the Plaza for annual weekend-long events.)
RECOMMENDATION: Two hours seems to be a fair length of time for a single permittee to occupy
the plaza. .An exception for the weekend-long events by the no-profits seems reasonable.
4. Mass gatherings. The U.S. Constitution guarantees a right to peaceable assembly, although the
Supreme Court has found that local governments can impose reasonable time, place and manner
restrictions. In the case of the plaza, we do not allow gatherings to spill into the street and impede
traffic. We also prohibit the obstruction of sidewalks everywhere in the city, including in the plaza.
Our plaza use permit does not limit the size of a gathering. Realistically, however, only 100-125
people can.fit on the plaza. A gathering larger than that would spill into the street, block public
passage through the plaza and constitute "exclusive use," thereby triggering the need for one of our
recently-adopted Special Use Permits.
QUESTION: Does the Council want to limit the size of allowed gatherings in the plaza?
RECOMMENDATION: Planned gatherings on the plaza should be limited to 100 people. Organizers
of events larger than that have other options in the city.
5. Noise and amplification on the plaza. AMC 9.08.170(D)(7) outlaws electronic devices and musical
instruments which disturb the peace, quiet and comfort of passersby or which are plainly audible to
involuntary listeners in a public space who are 50 feet or more away from the sound source. AMC
9.08.170(D)(7) outlaws the unreasonably loud and raucous use or operation of a loudspeaker,
amplifier, public address system, or other device without a permit from the city administrator. AMC
9.08.170 also sets maximum allowable decibel levels for various percentages of any one hour.
Currently plaza use permits stipulate that amplification is allowed only during certain hours (June It
October 15 no later than 5:30 p.m. Tuesday - Sunday and no later than 7:30 p.m. Mondays. October 16
to May 31 no later than 9:30 p.m. Sunday - Thursday and 10:30 p.m. Friday and Saturday). The permit
further requires that amplification be audible from no more than 1,000 feet away and that residents "in
the immediate area that may be affected by the noise" receive advance notice of any amplification.
The permit further stipulates that if the Police Department has to intervene, the permit will be voided.
This issue is further complicated by the fact that the plaza is zoned C-1 Commercial, and noise or
amplification louder than 55 decibels is prohibited in a C-1 zone. Amplification audible from 1,000
feet away would certainly be louder than 55 db. (Note that normal conversation is 60 A.)
QUESTIONS: Does the Council want to allow any amplification on the plaza? If so. does the Council
want to further restrict the hours within which amplification is allowed or the decibel level permitted?
RECOMMENDATION: Amplification should be prohibited.
6. Electricity use. There are city-owned electrical outlets on the plaza. These are used only for city
events. Others who need electricity for their events (primarily for amplification) on the plaza are
Page 3 of 4
11FAW,
CITY OF
ASHLAND
advised to bring generators, which can be fire and safety hazards. Staff could develop a fee schedule
for the use of these electrical outlets. It would involve covering the cost of staff time to unlock and at
the end of the event to secure the outlet(s) as well as a use charge for the electricity.
QUESTION: Does the Council want to allow for the use of the city electrical outlets and have staff
develop a fee schedule for such use? Does the Council want to allow generators on the plaza?
RECOMMENDATION: Staff should develop a fee schedule for electricity use for the Council to
consider. Generators are a fire and safety hazard and should be prohibited.
7. Cooking. Cooking raises issues related to fire safety and state health and sanitation codes. Sales of
pre-cooked food items can cause concerns about competition with City-licensed food establishments,
as well as concerns about preferences for and degree of community benefit from certain non-profit
entities. We recently had an applicant who proposed to cook and serve food on the plaza, an activity
that requires a temporary restaurant license from the county as well as food handler permits for anyone
preparing and serving the food.
QUESTION: Does the Council want to allow cooking on the plaza?
RECOMMENDATION: No. Cooking simply raises too many fire, health and sanitation issues.
Lastly, there is an overarching question as to whether more permit criteria are necessary, and even
whether a permit is necessary at all. Presumably, there is some penalty for using the plaza without a
permit, but crowds large enough to fit under the state's mass gathering statute would not fit on the
plaza and ordinances are already in place dealing with many of the potential problems: obstructing
traffic, blocking sidewalks, excessive noise, etc. Perhaps stepping up enforcement would benefit the
community more than any ordinance modifications. Questions also arise as to what constitutes "use"
of the plaza. If a single busker plans to make music on the plaza for 30 minutes, should he/she be
required to obtain a permit? What about an unamplified band? What if that band has a dance troupe
accompanying them? What if three people want to carry signs with a political message for an hour?
It's unclear what the answers to these questions are.
SUGGESTED MOTION:
N/A. We are simply seeking direction to staff.
ATTACHMENTS:
Plaza use permit.
Noise permit.
Page 4 of 4
CITY OF
ASHLAND
PERMIT APPLICATION FOR USE OF DOWNTOWN PLAZA
Name of Applicant: Tel. No:
Address:
Date Requested: Time Requested: to
Type of Event:
Will there be amplification of music, news, speeches, etc.? (If YES, you will need to apply for a Noise
Permit) YES NO
Please note the following conditions for use of the downtown Plaza:
• The Plaza is a public right-of-way. Walkways must remain open for pedestrian access (if booths or
card tables are erected, place on the grassy area and make sure walkways remain open at all times).
The area should be kept free of trash and all card tables or other equipment removed at the
conclusion of activities.
• No commercial activities of any kind are permitted on the downtown Plaza.
• Amplification hours: Between June 1 and October 15 no later than 5:30 p.m. Tuesday- Sunday and
no later than 7:30 p.m. Mondays.
Between October 16 and May 31 no later than 9:30 p.m. Sunday- Thursday and 10:30 p.m. Friday
and Saturday.
For Official Use Only
Your application is:
D APPROVED
NOT APPROVED
SPECIAL CONDITIONS: Contingent upon approval of a Fire Permit from the Ashland Fire
Department
Date:
City Administrator
ADMINISTRATION Tel:54IA88-6002
20 East Main Street Fax:541A88-5311
800-73-290
Ashland,Oregon 97520 TTY: 800-735-2900 �
w .ashland.or.us
CITY OF
-ASH LAN D
Application for Noise Permit to Allow
Amplified Music for Special Event
Pursuant to AMC 9.08.17013 11, upon application to the City Administrator, and approval from the
Chief of Police, the City Administrator may grant permits to responsible persons or organizations for
the broadcast or amplification of programs of music, news, speeches, or general entertainment as a part
of a national, state or City event, public festivals or special events of a noncommercial nature. If the
City Administrator disproves such a permit, the matter may be appealed to the City Council whose
decision shall be final. The broadcast or amplification shall not be audible for a distance of more
than one hundred (100) feet from the instrument,speaker,or amplifier.
In addition, the applicant must contact businesses in the immediate area that may be affected by
the noise and advise them in advance of any amplification (NOTIFICATION TO SURROUNDING
RESIDENTS OF INTENTION TO HOLD EVENT WITH AMPLIFIED MUSIC- form attached for your
convenience). If the amplification is too loud, the applicant should be contacted directly by the
affected person. In the event the Police Department has to intervene, the permit will be voided at the
time of the event and amplification shall not be allowed to continue. Please be considerate of others in
your neighborhood.
By signing this application, you are agreeing to the time allotted for the amplified music to operate and
take responsibility to seeing that the information on this form is followed, including notifying
surrounding residents in advance of an upcoming event.
Name of Applicant: Phone:
Address of Applicant:
Type of Event:
Location of Event: PLAZA
Date of Event: Time of Event:
Number of People Expected: Time of Amplification: From to
Amplification: Betweeh June I and October 15 no later than 5:30 p.m. Tuesday- Sunday and no later
than 7:30p.m. Mondays.
Between October 16 and May 31 no later than 9:30 p.m. Sunday- Thursday and 10:30 p.m. Friday
and Saturday.
Signature of Applicant: Date:
When signed by both the Chief of Police and City Administrator, this application will act as your
permit for this event.
Chief of Police: Date:
❑ Permit Approved
City Administrator: Date: ❑ Not Approved
Copies to File,Police Department,Fire Department.
CITY OF
ASHLAND
Council Communication
April 30, 2012 Study Session
Continued 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. I provided a
report to you at the April 16 study session regarding what I had learned in those meetings and offered
some information on some changes I had made in response to that feedback. At least one major item is
still unresolved: the general feeling on the Council of a need to change the rule that allows a single
councilor to place an item on an agenda.
BACKGROUND AND POLICY IMPLICATIONS:
A number of things came out of the previous "closing the feedback loop" discussion with the Council:
1. The Council is happy with the recent changes to the various communications tools.
2. The Council appreciates the clarification regarding the use of study sessions and believes we're
making them more productive.
3. There doesn't appear to be any direction to consolidate or limit the number of boards and
commissions. The Council would like to ensure that the boards and commissions fulfill their
obligation to report to the Council annually. The Council would like to ensure that boards and
commissions are given an opportunity to provide input to the Council prior to annual goal-
setting.
4. The Council would like to have time set aside on its agendas for reports from Council liaisons.
(Note: This is already listed as the last item on every regular meeting agenda.)
The one item that remains unresolved is the Council rule that allows a single councilor to place an item
on an agenda. At this study session, the Mayor will present an idea as to how this rule might be
modified. Because this "single councilor" rule is codified, any change will require an amendment to
the municipal code. The Mayor will also present some ideas for how the Council might work better
together.
FISCAL IMPLICATIONS:
N/A
STAFF RECOMMENDATION AND REQUESTED ACTION:
This item is scheduled for discussion and direction to staff only.
ATTACHMENTS:
None.
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