HomeMy WebLinkAboutCouncil Communication 06-07-2016
CITY OF
ASHLAND
Council Communication
June 7, 2016, Business Meeting
Resolution Referring to the Voters of Ashland the question of Urging the Oregon
Legislature to Refer to Voters a Measure Creating a Publicly Funded Health Care
System in Oregon
FROM:
Dave Kanner, city administrator, dave.kanner@ashland.or.us
SUMMARY
Councilor Voisin has requested a resolution to place on the November 2016 ballot a measure to urge
the 2017 Oregon Legislature to refer to a state-wide ballot a measure creating a publicly funded health
care system in Oregon.
BACKGROUND AND POLICY IMPLICATIONS:
Councilor Voisin was contacted by the citizen organization, Health Care for All Oregonians,
requesting a resolution be placed on the November 2016 ballot by the Ashland City Council to request
that the Oregon Legislature refer to a future ballot a measure creating a publicly funded health care
system in Oregon. Per AMC 2.04.030, "Any Councilor may place any item on the Council's business
meeting agenda provided that preparing the matter for Council consideration does not require more
than two hours of staff time, including policy research and document drafting. The addition proposed
by a Councilor for the agenda of a particular upcoming business meeting must be delivered to the City
Administrator no later than noon of the Wednesday prior to that Council meeting. The City
Administrator shall determine the order of business of the item. The Mayor may defer the item until a
later meeting if the agenda of a particular meeting is already lengthy or if, in the Mayor's sole
judgment, the matter is not time-sensitive, but in no case shall the Mayor defer the item to an agenda
that is more than three months beyond the date requested by the Councilor submitting the item.
Council members will endeavor to have subjects and any materials they wish considered submitted
prior to finalization of the Council packet."
COUNCIL GOALS SUPPORTED:
1. Leverage our regional and state relationships to increase effectiveness in relevant policy arenas
FISCAL IMPLICATIONS:
N/A
STAFF RECOMMENDATION AND REQUESTED ACTION:
N/A
SUGGESTED MOTION:
I move approval of the resolution titled, "A resolution of the City of Ashland, Jackson County, Oregon,
Page 1 of 2
ILAII
CITY OF
ASHLAND
to submit to Ashland electors at the November 8, 2016 General Election an advisory question on
instructing the 2017 Oregon Legislature to create a transparent public process to design a system that
provides timely access to affordable comprehensive health care for all Oregon residents, ensures
choice of provider, has effective cost controls, equitable access, and a focus on preventative care"
ATTACHMENTS:
Memo for Mayor Stromberg dated June 1
Draft resolution
Page 2 of 2
ILVI
Cover Memo
From: Mayor
To: City Council
Date: June 1, 2016
Subj : Healthcare agenda item for June 7, 2016
Councilors -
At your May 17th meeting you discussed an agenda item proposed by
Councilor Voisin titled, "Resolution Referring to the Voters of Ashland the
question of Urging the Oregon Legislature to Refer to Voters a Measure Creating a
Publicly Funded Health Care System in Oregon" and continued it to our June 7th
meeting.
I wasn't able to attend the May 17th meeting but had already started working with Joe
Graf on clarifying the included Resolution and its Exhibit A (language for a proposed
ballot measure). When I returned from out of town I met with Joe and Sandra Coyner,
learned that Councilor Marsh had been involved in similar conversations with the two of
them - and so I got in touch with Pam and the two of us coordinated our efforts.
The end result is a different Resolution and different Exhibit A, both of which have been
approved by Sandra and Joe as clarifying their original intent and that of the group they
represent. I have invited Sandra to make an oral presentation to the Council when the
continued item comes up and, in the meantime, am attaching a revised version of the
original CC to go in the June 7th packet.
The revised CC is actually a hybrid: the 'front' part is identical to the May 17 version
but when you get to "SUGGESTED MOTION;" everything that follows is the revised
Resolution and revised Exhibit A. The revised Resolution is entitled, "RESOLUTION
OF THE CITY OF ASHLAND, JACKSON COUNTY, OREGON, TO SUBMIT
TO ASHLAND ELECTORS AT THE NOVEMBER
89 2016 GENERAL ELECTION AN ADVISORY QUESTION TO ENCOURAGE
THE 2017 OREGON LEGISLATURE TO DESIGN AN IMPROVED
COMPREHENSIVE HEALTHCARE SYSTEM FOR ALL OREGON
RESIDENTS, THAT WOULD ENSURE CHOICE OF PROVIDER; HAVE
EFFECTIVE COST CONTROLS; PROVIDE TIMELY AND EQUITABLE
ACCESS; EMPHASIZE PREVENTION AND BE AFFORDABLE FOR
FAMILIES, BUSINESSES, AND SOCIETY." (You may have to skip a blank page
or two, an artifact of the hybrid process - but this specific document has been approved
by Sandra and Joe.)
That's all the 'splaining'. If you have any questions please email me and I will reply to
the entire Council.
See you Tuesday.
John
RESOLUTION NO 2016 -
RESOLUTION OF THE CITY OF ASHLAND, JACKSON COUNTY,
OREGON, TO SUBMIT TO ASHLAND ELECTORS AT THE NOVEMBER
89 2016 GENERAL ELECTION AN ADVISORY QUESTION TO
ENCOURAGE THE 2017 OREGON LEGISLATURE TO DESIGN AN
IMPROVED COMPREHENSIVE HEALTHCARE SYSTEM FOR ALL
OREGON RESIDENTS, THAT WOULD ENSURE CHOICE OF
PROVIDER; HAVE EFFECTIVE COST CONTROLS; PROVIDE TIMELY
AND EQUITABLE ACCESS; EMPHASIZE PREVENTION AND BE
AFFORDABLE FOR FAMILIES, BUSINESSES, AND SOCIETY
RECITALS:
A. The City Council of the City of Ashland, Jackson County, Oregon (the "City") has the
authority to submit to electors at duly scheduled elections advisory questions on matters of
interest to the City regardless of whether they are beyond the scope of the City's power to enact
legislation.
B. Ashland residents are directly affected by Oregon laws regarding the provision and financing
of health care to Oregonians.
C. The Oregon Legislature in chapter 712, Oregon laws 2013, required the Oregon Health
Authority to conduct a study in accordance with certain criteria set forth in the legislation, and
then recommend the best option for financing health care in the state. The study was funded by
HB2828 in the 2015 session and is to be completed in time for the 2017 session.
D. The City Council wishes to afford the voters of Ashland the opportunity to decide whether to
encourage the 2017 Oregon Legislature to design and improved comprehensive healthcare
system for all Oregon residents. This healthcare system would ensure choice of provider; have
effective cost controls; provide timely and equitable access; emphasize prevention and be
affordable for families, businesses, and society.
THE CITY OF ASHLAND RESOLVES AS FOLLOWS:
SECTION 1. At the November 8, 2016 election, the advisory question in the ballot title in the
attached Exhibit A shall be submitted to the electors of Ashland for their "yes" or "no" vote.
SECTION 2. The City Recorder shall cause to be delivered to the Elections Officer of Jackson
County, Oregon, not later than 61 days prior to the November 8, 2016 election notice of the
City's referral of the advisory ballot question and all that is required to ensure that the ballot title
as shown in Exhibit A complies with County and State requirements for submittal to Ashland
electors in the November 8, 2016 election.
Resolution No. 2015- Page 1 of 3
SECTION 3. The City Recorder shall give notice of receipt of the ballot title and notice of
electors' right to petition for review of the ballot title as provided in the laws of the State of
Oregon and the charter and ordinances of the City of Ashland.
SECTION 4. The City Attorney is authorized to modify the text of the ballot title and
explanatory statement shown in Exhibit A to comply with any rules, procedures or practices of
the Elections Officer of Jackson County to implement the requirements of Oregon law.
This resolution is effective upon signing by the Mayor.
PASSED and ADOPTED this day of , 2016.
Barbara Christensen, City Recorder
SIGNED and APPROVED this day of , 2016.
John Stromberg, Mayor
Reviewed as to form:
David Lohman, City Attorney
Resolution No. 2015- Page 2 of 3
EXHIBIT "A"
City of Ashland Ballot Measure
November 8, 2016 General Election:
Advisory Question on
Implementation of Oregon Health Care Study
Caption:
Support Legislature's efforts for significant improvement in Oregon's healthcare system.
Total 10 words (10 words permitted per ORS 250.035)
Question:
Shall Ashland voters encourage the 2017 Oregon Legislature to design an improved
comprehensive health care system for Oregon?
Total 18 words (20 words permitted per ORS 250.035 20)
Summary:
The Ashland City Council has placed this advisory question on the ballot to determine whether a
majority of Ashland voters wish to encourage the 2017 Oregon Legislature to design an
improved comprehensive healthcare system for all Oregon residents. This healthcare system
would ensure choice of provider; have effective cost controls; provide timely and equitable
access; emphasize prevention and be affordable for families, businesses, and society.
The outcome of the election on this advisory question will not be binding; it will, instead, serve
to inform the Oregon Legislature of the views of a majority of Ashland voters.
Total 96 words (175 words permitted per ORS 250.035)
Explanatory Statement:
The Oregon Legislature in chapter 712, Oregon laws 2013, required the Oregon Health Authority
to conduct a study in accordance with certain criteria set forth in the legislation, and then
recommend the best option for financing health care in the state. The study was funded by
HB2828 in the 2015 session and is to be completed in time for the 2017 session.
A "yes" vote on the advisory question would encourage the 2017 Legislature to utilize the results
of the study authorized in 2013 and 2015 to design a system that provides timely access to
comprehensive health care for all Oregon residents, ensures choice of provider, and has effective
cost controls, equitable access, and a focus on preventative care.
A "no" vote would not encourage the 2017 legislature to design a system that provides timely
access to comprehensive health care for all Oregon residents, ensures choice of provider, and has
effective cost controls, equitable access, and a focus on preventative care.
Total 161 words (500 words permitted per ORS 250.035)
Resolution No. 2015- Page 3 of 3