HomeMy WebLinkAbout1997-0603 Council Mtg MIN MINUTES FOR THE REGULAR MEETING
ASHLAND CITY COUNCIL
June 3, 1997
PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE
Mayor Golden called the meeting to order at 7:05 p.m., Civic Center Council Chambers.
ROLL CALL
Councilors Laws, Hauck, Hagen, and DeBoer were present. Councilors Reid and Wheeldon
were absent.
APPROVAL OF MINUTES
The minutes of the Regular meeting of May 20, 1997 were approved with the following
amendment to page 11, strike last sentence of 6th paragraph "Clarified for council that
'recreational flying' is rare."
SPECIAL PRESENTATIONS & AWARDS
1. Mayor's Proclamation of the month of June as "National Safety Month."
2. Mayor's Proclamation of June 14 as "Flag Day in the City of Ashland."
3. Presentation of retirement certificate to Firefighter Marty Burns and
Firefighter/Engineer Bill Robinson.
1. Mayor Golden read aloud the Proclamation declaring the month of June as "National
Safety Month."
2. Mayor Golden read aloud the Proclamation declaring June 14 as "Flag Day in the
40 City of Ashland."
3. Mayor Golden read aloud memorandums from Fire Chief Keith Woodley
commemorating the retirement of firefighters Marty Burns and Bill Robinson. The Mayor
read aloud the retirement plaques before presenting them to Marty Burns and Bill Robinson.
She thanked them for their years of service and congratulated them both on their retirement.
CONSENT AGENDA
1. Minutes of boards, commissions and committees.
2. Confirmation of Mayor's appointment of Donald Fitch, Ken Ehlers and Jennifer
Hall to Airport Commission.
3. Request for termination of public utility easement at 2510 Siskiyou Blvd.
Councilors Hagen/Hauck m/s to approve consent agenda. Voice vote: all AYES. Motion
passed.
PUBLIC FORUM
Open at 7:17pm
Terry Adams, 580 Weller Lane/to request approval from City Council for renewal of the
Athletic and Activities Levy. Requested that City Council place a measure before voters at
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the September 16 election. A copy of the School Board Resolution was provided. He
• indicated that he just wanted to start the process.
City Attorney Paul Nolte indicated that if the council wishes to place this item on the ballot
for the September election it has until July 17 to determine the form of the questions for the
voters in amount and term.
Councilor Hauck indicated it should be prepared to discuss putting on ballot and there was a
general consensus among the Mayor and council members that this should be done.
Dennis Jarvi, 117 High Street/Presented a booklet entitled the "Real Cost of Growth in
Oregon," a study compiled by Eben Foder calculating the true cost of building a house in
Oregon. He indicated that most residents are subsidizing developers on SDC's.
Councilor Don Laws clarified that one of the problems is that the SDC can only cover
certain costs of a new development, not all, and much of the difference between SDC costs
paid and the figure in Eben Foder's book is because of services that the city cannot give
SDC's for. He said that State law only permits charging for 5 things, streets, sewers, storm
sewers, water and parks, nothing else can be charged for. He asked Mr. Jarvi if he would
like to serve as a citizen on the SDC committee, as it be nice to have a citizen on the
committee as most people who are on the committee to revise methodology to set SDC's are
usually developers and builders.
r• Mayor Golden asked to borrow the book for copying for the council and said that SDC's on
transportation would be revisited at the Transportation Planning Session. Mayor Golden
indicated that by keeping a tight urban form, Ashland is trying to minimize the expense to
taxpayers because services are already in existence.
Councilor Hagen indicated that the legislature is proposing to address the funding of schools
and dealing with the fiscal impacts of growth, requiring cities to do calculations on what
fiscal impact would be before growth is allowed.
Public Forum Closed at 7:31
NEW & MISCELLANEOUS BUSINESS
1. Request by Schneider Museum of Art to mount street banners on lighting
standards in median islands on Siskiyou Blvd. at Wightman Street.
City Administrator Brian Almquist read aloud the request of Schneider Museum of Art to
mount fabric banners on city light poles on the center island of Siskiyou Blvd. at Wightman
Street.
Councilors Hagen/Hauck m/s request by Schneider Museum of Art to mount street
banners on lighting standards. Voice vote: all AYES. Motion passed.
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2. Proposal to lower residential water rates by 7.7% effective July 1, 1997. (Public
• comments invited)
Finance Director Jill Turner presented to council a proposal to adopt lower residential water
rates, addressing rate needs for the next couple of years. The capital improvement plan and
the three year budget had been addressed, and they had reviewed customer classes and usage
of customer classes both in peak times and average demands. The issue of whether to
increase block rates of year round seasonal rates or the old style of rates prior to adopting
rate design had been discussed. She indicated this is basically a 5% overall rate decrease
with 7.7% for residential customers and no change for commercial customers. She said that
the commercial rates are approximately $1.30 to $1.35 per 100 cubic feet and the residential
rates go from less than $1 to approximately $1.92. A commercial customer is much less
able to change operations based on water rate, so they were given a slight discount and
premium for their quantity charged difference. Residential customers have more flexibility,
especially with regard to irrigation, so they are given more of a discount at the lower level
and have a higher end rate.
Councilor DeBoer asked if the base monthly charge for water meters remains the same.
Finance Director Jill Turner confirmed there would be no change in the meters for customer
class.
Mayor Golden asked if people would be charged $8.30 twice if they had two meters based
• on the old irrigation system.
Councilor Ken Hagen said he would like to address the possible funding for conservation
measures instead of a decrease of 7% in water rates to customers, with more focus to be
placed on irrigation systems.
Finance Director Jill Turner indicated that during the next year a 4% increase is planned for
the water conservation budget, and there is a commitment to the Forest Interface Project
which is partially funded through water. She said the Crowson Reservoir project can be
funded the first year for approximately $300,000, and the Ashland Terrace Street waterline is
planned for '98-'00 which is primarily being paid by Systems Development Charges but also
a portion of rates. She felt the plan was adequate to carry through and to complete the
projects.
Councilor Don Laws said that conservation efforts must increase with population increases
but we are on target with the conservation department.
Councilor Ken Hagen feels an incentive could be given for people to put in drip irrigation
systems which are very efficient. He feels we have an opportunity to pick up the pace in the
conservation program. However, he feels comfortable with the rate decrease.
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Councilor Alan DeBoer feels the water usage chart is encouraging because use has decreased
• over the last decade by almost 4%, even though there was a significant increase in water
connections.
Mayor Golden indicated this is the first time she has known any rate going down yet rates
have gone up a dozen times, and she feels it is much easier to increase than to decrease
rates, and once they are increased, things get adjusted. She feels there is ample funding for
conservation but if more is needed to fund conservation, it is within the purview of the body
to do that. She also indicated that Dick Wanderscheid worked with City Administrator Brian
Almquist and Finance Director Jill Turner on the rate decreases.
Councilor Hauck feels that if Dick Wanderscheid indicated more programs are needed then
we would be willing to come up with money for those conservation programs if they are
necessary. However, he said he is comfortable with what the City is doing.
Councilor Alan DeBoer invited public comments. He inquired of Jill Turner how this would
affect the budget. He said he shared the Mayor's concern that perhaps this isn't enough. He
was concerned that the commercial users were not getting a decrease.
No motion was taken. This will be voted for separately under the Ordinance section of
this agenda.
3. Set special meeting of City Council for June 30, 1997 at 4:30pm in Council
• Chambers to adopt 1997-98 Budget.
Councilors Hauck/DeBoer m/s to set a special meeting of City Council for June 30, 1997
at 4:30pm in Council Chambers to adopt 1997-98 Budget. Voice vote: all AYES.
Motion passed.
4. Request for Water Service to Property on Dead Indian Memorial Road.
City Administrator Brian Almquist read Memo from Jim Olson regarding request for water
service to property on Dead Indian Memorial Road. He indicated this property is outside the
City limits but within the Urban Growth Boundary.
Councilor Alan DeBoer questioned the memo provided by the City regarding water rates and
that all rates and charges for water service provide outside city limits will be 1.5 times rates
for water services provided within the city and wanted to know if that included the hook up
charges.
City Administrator Brian Almquist confirmed that is for water service only, and connections
and SDC's are additional.
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Councilors Laws/DeBoer m/s water service connection to property on Dead Indian
• Memorial Road. Roll Call vote: Laws and DeBoer, YES. Hauck and Hagen, NO.
Mayor Golden requested some background on why two of the councilors voted no.
4
Councilor Hauck replied that a policy has not been adopted about how to deal with outside
water connections and until a policy decision is made he will not vote for any hookups
outside of city limits.
Councilor Hagen said he agreed with Councilor Hauck and gave the same reason.
Mayor Golden inquired as to when we would have a policy on water hookups outside the
City. She said she is opposed to water being given outside the city, although there are
extenuating circumstances in this instance. She feels city government has been remiss in not
addressing this issue and it needs the City's immediate attention. She felt this should be
neither approved or disapproved at this time but the City should come up with a policy. The
Mayor said she doesn't believe a policy would exclude a situation such as this one in the
urban growth boundary where there is contaminated water and no other alternative.
Councilor Don Laws stressed that the vote has to be completed under council rules but if the
Mayor would vote no and then if one of the other councilors who had previously voted no
would agree to reconsider this could be placed on the table until a study is completed.
• Mayor Golden voted no. Councilor Hauck moved for reconsideration.
Councilors Hauck/Laws m/s for reconsideration of the vote and to put back on the
table. Voice vote: all AYES.
Councilors Laws/Hauck m/s that this matter be put on the table and decide on an
appropriate way to develop policy with all due speed. Voice vote: all AYES.
Discussion followed among council. Councilor Hauck suggested that information will be
gathered about the exact cost of providing services and to bring back a resolution. It was
agreed that a resolution will be brought back.
Mayor Golden said her recollection of the resolution put together previously did not have any
reference to a situation such as in this instance and this should be reflected more completely
with any resolution brought forward in the future.
Councilor DeBoer indicated he did not like the resolution because of the prohibiting of water
connections yet it signified a $2,000 fee to hook up which he feels contradicts itself. He felt
the fee was acceptable, but the wording should be changed.
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City Attorney Paul Nolte indicated that Councilor DeBoer was right in indicating the
• resolution prohibits water connections outside the city limits. He read aloud a section
regarding connections authorized by resolution of the council after a notice and public
hearing where the council finds the connection is determined to be in the best interests of the
city and not detrimental to the city's water facilities or resources.
Councilor Hauck added that the policy has not been adopted as an official policy so
individual needs are met as they arise.
Mayor Golden indicated a vote cannot be taken on a resolution such as this before it is
placed on the published agenda.
City Attorney Paul Nolte clarified that a vote can be taken on a resolution by reading it by
title only unless someone requests that the entire resolution be read, and it must be placed on
a future agenda.
Mayor Golden suggested that John and Mary Bergren return at the next council meeting and
the matter will be readdressed at that point.
ORDINANCES. RESOLUTIONS AND CONTRACTS
1. Reading by title only of "a Resolution of Intention to Provide for Improvements
to Upper Sheridan Street, Schofield Street and Monte Vista Street Consisting of
Paving, Curbs, Gutters, Storm Drains, and Sidewalks, and Setting a Public
• Hearing" (Hearing set for July 15, 1997)
Pete Belcastro, 447 Monte Vista Drive/representing most of the neighbors in the Monte
Vista/Sheridan/Schofield proposed LID. Indicated the neighbors have been meeting as a
group and trying to design their neighborhood as it is impacted by a development close by,
and the proposed LID requiring paving the streets. He feels this is not acceptable to the
neighborhood because of equity, safety, and benefits of the cost to all involved, and the cost
outweighs the benefit that the neighborhood will receive from the LID. He indicated no
one is opposed to the development but their presence is changing the scope of the
neighborhood. He addressed the issue of safety driving down on Schofield onto Highway 99
on an 18% grade. He indicated that when it is icy it is safer traveling down a dirt road and
driving will be very dangerous on a paved surface. On July 15 they will return at the Public
Hearing with a proposal designed which will achieve all of the goals for the developer.
Councilor Hagen said he thought possibly that staff may return with different cost allocations
and feels that the new 18-unit subdivision will bring more traffic down Schofield and
Sheridan. He felt that Lots 500, 501, 702 and 703 will very infrequently drive on the new
streets but are being assessed a substantial amount. He feels the new development should
take on a larger burden of the cost. He doesn't think that 25% is enough and would suggest
42% which is in keeping with the new 18 units.
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Councilor Laws agreed with Councilor Hagen and suggested that where there is a
. development of five or more units that causes an LID to be formed, that the developer should
pay for any amount above the normal street cost. He added he found it encouraging that the
neighbors are approaching this proposal in a sane and rationale manner.
Councilor Hauck said he would like to see some alternatives before the Public Hearing.
Councilor DeBoer addressed the concerns of Schofield going into Highway 99 right at the
turn where the curbs are in the middle and felt this creates a dangerous situation. He said
that Planning wants sidewalks on both sides, Monte Vista is almost a path, and costs could
be significantly reduced by making modifications to the one way in and one way out. He
feels that if Schofield is opened up when paved, all the traffic will go via Schofield and this
will create a dangerous situation. He would like to give latitude to Planning on the sidewalks
and the street and readdress how to do this improvement. He added, however, he was not in
favor of half streets.
Planning Director John McLaughlin said they have sidewalks one side on Sheridan and
Schofield, but no sidewalks on Monte Vista because of the lack of an adequate right-of-way.
He said that should an LID not be formed, there is an opportunity to do a half-street
improvement of Sheridan for the upper portion with a sidewalk on one side. This would cost
approximately $57,000. The part that would be missing is the curb and gutter on the other
side.
Councilor Hagen said he thought it amazing that a cost is proposed when only proposing
paving, curb and gutter on Monte Vista, and pavement, curb, gutter, and sidewalk on
Schofield with the bulk of the cost taken up on Sheridan. Hagen points out that because
sidewalks are not being put in on Monte Vista, the overall cost of the project seemed very
high. He also feels there is more at issue than just dust; the stormwater running down the
streets is carrying a lot of sediment into water rights.
City Administrator Brian Almquist confirmed that council was looking at three different
financial schemes and options.
Planning Director John McLaughlin confirmed for the Mayor that Lot 2302 was in fact in the
county and the city could not assess that parcel.
Councilors Hauck/Hagen m/s to approve Resolution 975. Roll Call Vote: Laws,
Hauck, Hagen and Deboer, YES. Motion passed.
2. Reading by title only of "a Resolution Certifying that City Provides Sufficient
Municipal Services to Qualify for State Subventions."
Councilors Hagen/DeBoer m/s to approve Resolution 97-,9. Roll Call Vote: Hauck,
Hagen, DeBoer and Laws, YES. Motion passed.
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3. Reading by title only of "a Resolution Adopting Water Connection Fees and
• Water Use Fees Pursuant to Section 14.04.030 of the Ashland Municipal Code
and Repealing Resolutions 94-60."
Councilors Hauck/Laws m/s to approve Resolution 97%A3
3 .
Discussion followed: Councilor Deboer pointed out that on Exhibit A-2 where it addresses
rates outside the city limits, he felt the issue of connection fees should be added to the part
where it gives the rates, and if this could be amended to 1.5 times the rate for water service
and connection fee, this would make it clearer.
Councilor Hauck clarified that all rates and charges for water service provided outside the
city limits will be 1.5 times the rates for water service provided within the city limits. An
equivalent language would be connection fees provided outside the city limits would be 1.5
times.
Councilor Deboer addressed the issue of the actual resolution which allows for increases to
CPI and whether this was in the old resolution.
Councilors Hauck/Laws m/s to approve amended Resolution 97--0,5�— to include
adding 1.5 times on the connection fee. Roll call vote: Deboer, Laws and Hauck, YES.
Hagen out of room. Motion passed.
• 4. Reading by title only of "a Resolution Regarding Membership in the City/County
Insurance Service Trust Property Self-Insurance Pool."
Councilors Hauck/Laws m/s to approve Resolution 97-_o�a—. Roll call vote: Deboer,
Laws and Hauck, YES. Hagen out of room. Motion passed.
5. Reading by title only of "a Resolution Declaring the Canvass of the Vote of the
Election Held In and For the City of Ashland, Oregon, on May 20, 1997."
Councilors Hauck/DeBoer m/s to approve Resolution 97- A/ . Roll call vote: DeBoer,
Laws, and Hauck, YES. Hagen out of room. Motion passed.
OTHER BUSINESS FROM COUNCIL MEMBERS
There was no other business from council members.
AD.TOURNMENT
Meeting was adjourned at 8:46pm.
ces Berteat ec Secretary Cathenne M. olden, Mayor
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