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HomeMy WebLinkAbout2018-0417 Council Mtg MIN MINUTES FOR THE REGULAR MEETING ASHLAND CITY COUNCIL April 17, 2018 Council Chambers 1175 E. Main Street 1. CALL TO ORDER Mayor Stromberg called the meeting to order at 7:04 PM II. PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE III. ROLL CALL Councilor Bachman, Councilor Morris, Councilor Slattery, Councilor Seffmger and Councilor Rosenthal were present. IV. MAYOR'S ANNOUNCEMENTS Mayor Stromberg announced that the Agenda Item XI. will be moved to the May 11 Business Meeting. He also announced the Commission vacancies. V. APPROVAL OF MINUTES 1. Study Session of March 19, 2018 2. Study Session of April 2, 2018 3. Business Meeting of April 3, 2018 Councilor Rosenthal moved to approve the minutes. Councilor Slattery seconded. Discussion: None. All Ayes. Motion passed unanimously. VI. SPECIAL PRESENTATIONS & AWARDS 1. Annual Presentation by the Historic Commission Historic Commissioner, Keith Swink and Staff Liaison Fotini Kaufman presented Staff with the annual update of the Historic Commission. 2. National Historic Preservation Month Proclamation Councilor Bachman read the National Historic Preservation Month Proclamation (see adacher9. 3. Volunteer Week Proclamation and Volunteer Recognition Councilor Morris read the Volunteer Week Proclamation (see attaclied). Councilor Slattery thanked all volunteers. VII. MINUTES OF BOARDS, COMMISSIONS, AND COMMITTEES 1 Airport Conservation Forest Lands Historic Housing and Human Srvs. Parks & Recreation Planning Public Arts Transportation Tree Wildfire Mitigation VIII. PUBLIC FORUM Business from the audience not included on the agenda. (Total time allowed for Public Forum is 15 minutes. The Mayor will set time limits to enable all people wishing to speak to complete their testimony.) [15 minutes maximum] Dennis Miller- Ashland-Spoke regarding the Golf Course. He spoke that the Parks Department has great Staff but needs more funding. He suggested that the City find a way to help the Parks Department. IX. CONSENT AGENDA 1. Appointment of Andrew Vandenberg to the Airport Commission 2. Approval of Grant Agreement from Certified Local Government for State Historical Preservation 3. Approval of Liquor License for Mix Sweet Shop Inc. 4. Approval of a Resolution authorizing a Supplemental Budget I Councilor Slattery pulled Item #4. Councilor Slattery explained that this item is a budget transfer for $24,582 for the Special Election Recall. Councilor Rosenthal questioned if the petitioners had spent any money. City Recorder, Melissa Huhtala answered no. Councilor Slattery moved to pass the Consent Agenda. Councilor Morris seconded. Discussion: None. All Ayes. Motion passed unanimously. X. PUBLIC HEARINGS (Persons wishing to speak are to submit a "speaker request form" prior to the commencement of the public hearing. Public hearings shall conclude at 9:00 p.m. and be continued to a future date to be set by the Council, unless the Council, by a two-thirds vote of those present, extends the hearing(s) until up to 10:30 p.m. at which time the Council shall set a date for continuance and shall proceed with the balance of the agenda.) 1. Public Hearing on the 2018 Community Development Block Grant (CDBG) Award and CDBG Action Plan Development and Affordable Housing Trust Fund Award. Councilor Bachman read a disclosure statement into the record: "I have not prejudged this application and I am not prejudiced or biased by my prior contacts or involvement or by any personal considerations; I will make this decision based solely on the public interest and the application of the relevant criteria and standards to the facts and evidence in the record of this proceeding". Councilor Slattery stated he was in attendance at the meetings but left before any decisions were made. Linda Reid and Rich Rowdy gave an overview of the CDBG Block Grant Ms. Reid spoke regarding the applications received. Mr. Rowdy explained that the Housing Commission spent a great amount of time looking at each applicant. Ms. Reid went over Staffs recommendation. She presented a slideshow to Council (see allaclied). Mayor Stromberg opened the Public Hearing at 7:48 PM CDBG Applicants Mary Feuell- Executive Director of Maslow Project. Ms. Feuell thanked Council. She spoke regarding homeless children. She spoke in the importance of helping children get an education. She explained that 100/ of the High School seniors they serve have graduated. She spoke that they serve 90 individuals in the community each year. Ms. Feuell spoke that this year they added a family advocate to their program. She spoke that they have housed 4 families since February. She spoke that they are in need of more staff due to the growing program. She explained that they didn't ask for the higher amount that was suggested because they know others are in need. Vickie Weiss - St. Vincent De Paul. Ms. Weiss spoke that they have served 36 individuals. She spoke that they work with individuals with financial needs that threaten their ability to maintain a home. She explained that they have created a Housing Committee which helps to get those in need housing. Ms. Weiss explained the importance of homeless prevention, outreach and transition. Duward Brown-Ashland-Ashland Housing Opportunities (AHO)-Mr. Brown thanked the Mayor and Council. He explained that they help provide housing for individuals with severe mental illnesses on a low income. He spoke that AHO has been providing for Ashland for 20 years. He spoke that they need assistance in rehabilitation of the buildings. Housing Trust Fund Applicants: Jennifer Sewetzsky- Columbia Care Services- Ms. Sewetzsky thanked Council for consideration of their proposal. She explained that Columbia Care is non-profit mental health agency. She explained that they focus on services available that meets individual's needs, diagnosis and prevention. She spoke that they help individuals live as independently as possible while getting the treatment they need. She explained that they are requesting funding to help to purchase land to develop a 25-unit apartment complex. She spoke that 13 of those will be designated for the supportive housing program and the remaining units will be affordable to people at 60% of the Median Family Income level. Councilor Rosenthal spoke that this is a great project but questioned the potential of the organization getting more than what is being asked for. He asked what the cost of the land is. Ms. Sewetzkey explained that the cost of the land is $420,000. Ken Gudger-Options for Homeless Residents of Ashland (OHRA)- Mr. Gudger spoke regarding OHRA options 1-3. He gave statistics for the percentage of children, women and men they house. He spoke to the importance of each project enhancing their program. Denise James-Rogue Valley Habitat for Humanity- Ms. James explained that this organization building houses in partnership with qualified low-income people in need. She went over the process. Councilor Bachman moved to direct staff to draft the 2018 Annual Action Plan for the use of Community Development Block Grant funds reflecting the award of CDBG funding as follows: $16,655 to St. Vincent De Paul-Home Visitation Program, $7,143 to Maslow Project, $49,653 to Ashland Housing Opportunities, $100,000 to Columbia Care, $50,000 to Rogue Valley Habitat for Humanity contingent on environmental and planning approval after July 1. Councilor Slattery seconded. Discussion: Councilor Bachman spoke in appreciation of the process. Councilor Slattery spoke that he was impressed by process and grant proposal presentations. Councilor Seffinger spoke that she was impressed with the specificity and quality of the applications. Council discussed how to utilize the remaining Housing Trust Fund money. Roll Call Vote: Councilor Morris, Councilor Slattery, Councilor Seffinger, Councilor Bachman, Councilor Rosenthal: YES. Motion passed unanimously. Councilor Slattery moved to award $300,000 to Columbia Care, $19,000 to Options for Homeless Residents of Ashland (OHRA) Proposal #2, $3345 to St. Vincent De Paul and $4,857 to Maslow give the remaining balance to OHRA for proposal #1 equaling $38,798. Motion died due to no second. Councilor Bachman moved to award Affordable Housing Trust Funding as follows: $300,000 to Columbia Care, $19,000 to OHRA Proposal #2,$3;345 St. Vincent De Paul and $4,857 to the Maslow Project. Slattery seconded. Discussion: Councilor Bachman spoke that this is a good compromise to do what can be done to help the children and the Maslow project and St. Vincent De Paul. She spoke that the downside is it does diminish the amount for next year. Councilor Slattery agreed with Councilor Bachman. He spoke that it is good to keep the programs going. Councilor Rosenthal moved to divide the motion to Part 1 to consider the allocation for Columbia Care and OHRA Proposal #2 from the k Vincent De Paul and Maslow Project. Councilor Morris seconded. Councilor Rosenthal spoke that additional funding options should go back to the Housing Human Services Commission and other organizations before a decision is made. Councilor Morris agreed with Councilor Rosenthal. Councilor Bachman agreed with Councilor Rosenthal. Councilor Seffinger also agreed with the statements made. Councilor Slattery spoke that he sees it differently and spoke in support of the Maslow Project and St. Vincent De Paul. Mayor Stromberg spoke in support of the Maslow Project and St. Vincent De Paul. Roll Call Vote: Councilor Morris, Councilor Seffinger, Councilor Rosenthal and Councilor Bachman: YES. Councilor Slattery: NO. Motion passed 4-1. Council voted on the first part of the split motion to award $300,000 to Columbia Care, $19,000 to Options for Homeless Residents of Ashland (OHRA) option #2. Discussion: Councilor Rosenthal spoke in appreciation of the work of Staff and Commission recommendations. Councilor Morris agreed with Councilor Rosenthal. Roll Call'Vote: Councilor Bachman, Councilor Morris, Councilor Slattery, Councilor Seffinger and Councilor Rosenthal: YES. Motion passed unanimously. Council voted on the second part of the split motion to award $3,345 to St. Vincent De Paul and $4,857 to the Maslow Project. Discussion: Councilor Rosenthal explained he would be voting against this. He stated would like more public process for this. Councilor Morris agreed with Councilor Rosenthal. Councilor Slattery spoke that he would like to give more consideration for the grants. He spoke that he would vote in favor for the motion. Roll Call Vote: Councilor Seffmger and Councilor Slattery: YES. Councilor Rosenthal, Councilor Bachman and Councilor Morris: NO. Motion failed 2-3. Council gave direction to bring this back to the Commission and bring back to Council. Mayor Stromberg closed Public Hearing at 8:49 PM XI. UNFINISHED BUSINESS 1. Land Use Decision amending the Comprehensive Plan Map designation and zoning for 475 East Nevada Street (Note: With concurrence of Council during Mayor's Announcements, this item may be continued to the May 1, 2018 Council meeting). This item was moved to the May I'I Business Meeting. X11. NEW AND MISCELLANEOUS BUSINESS 1. Approval of Sale of 380 Clay Street Interim City Administrator, Adam Hanks gave a staff report. Councilor Slattery moved to authorize the Interim City Administrator to execute the attached contract for the sale of tax lot 391E11C2505 to the Housing Authority of Jackson County and direct net proceeds from the sale to the City's Housing Trust Fund. Councilor Bachman seconded. Discussion: Councilor Slattery spoke that this is agood decision. Councilor Bachman agreed with Councilor Slattery. Roll Call Vote: Councilor Bachman, Councilor Slattery, Councilor Morris, Councilor Rosenthal and Councilor Seffinger: YES. Motion passed unanimously. 2. Select finalists for Councilor Position #6 City Recorder, Melissa Huhtala explained the process. Councilor Rosenthal spoke that due to such few amount of applicants would like to extend the process and do more advertising. Councilor Rosenthal moved to re-open the process for Council Seat #6 for an additional week. Councilor Seffinger seconded. Discussion: Councilor Rosenthal spoke that the due to lack of applicants would like to advertise more. Councilor Seffinger agreed with Councilor Rosenthal. Councilor Slattery spoke that he would vote against this and stated the importance to stick with process. Councilor Morris spoke in support of extending the process for a week. Councilor Bachman spoke in agreement with Councilor Slattery to stick with the deadline. Roll Call Vote: Councilor Slattery, Councilor Bachman: NO. Councilor Morris, Councilor Rosenthal and Councilor Seffinger: YES. Motion passed 3-2. XM. ORDINANCES RESOLUTIONS AND CONTRACTS 1. Police Staffing Funding Options Mr. Hanks gave a staff report. Public Input- Rick Robinson-Ashland- Spoke regarding opposition of live ticket tax. Elijah Katkin-Ashland- Mr. Katkin spoke that he is the owner of the Brickroom and spoke in opposition of live ticket tax. Councilor Rosenthal moved to direct Staff to bring back at the next available meeting a resolution increasing the Transient Occupancy Tax to 10 percent and amend the corresponding Transient Occupancy Tax Allocation Resolution to reserve the tourism restricted funds for future parking supply needs. Councilor Morris seconded. Discussion: Councilor Rosenthal spoke that increasing the hotel motel tax is the best option. He spoke to the importance to increasing police staff for the safety of the Community. Councilor Morris spoke that he partially agreed with Councilor Rosenthal and that the City does need to look at some type of ticket fee. He spoke that he will support the motion. Councilor Slattery spoke that he will support the motion but reluctantly. Councilor Seffinger spoke in agreement with the Councilors and stated she does not want the City ' to become a less affordable City. Councilor Bachman spoke in agreement with the Councilors. Mayor Stromberg spoke to the importance of the City being safe for not only the people but the officers as well. Roll Call Vote: Councilor Morris, Councilor Slattery, Councilor Seffrnger, Councilor Bachman, and Councilor Rosenthal: YES. Motion passed unanimously. Councilor Seffrnger moved to approve a resolution titled, "A Resolution Setting the Public Safety Support Fee at $1.50 dedicated to General Fund Activities Relating to Public Safety Operations and Repealing Resolution 2017-19." Councilor Rosenthal seconded. Discussion: Councilor Rosenthal spoke in support of this motion. He explained that this is a short term solution. Councilor Seffinger spoke to the importance of the safety for the public and Police Officers. Councilor Morris spoke regarding the need of new Police Officers and agreed with Councilor Rosenthal that this is a short-term solution. Councilor Slattery spoke regarding affordability. He spoke to the importance of finding a funding mechanism. Councilor Bachman spoke that she isn't in favor of a fee but spoke that this is a balance. She spoke that this is a time to look at other options for the future. Roll Call Vote: Councilor Morris, Councilor Rosenthal, Councilor Seffinger and Councilor Bachman: YES. Councilor Slattery: NO. Motion passed 4-1. XIV. OTHER BUSINESS FROM COUNCIL MEMBERS/REPORTS FROM COUNCIL LL 1SONS XV. ADJOURNMENT OF BUSINESS MEETING The Business meeting was adjourned at 9:47 PM Respectfully submitted by: City Recorder, Melissa Huhtala Attest: n Ma r fromberg 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 I). i I~ CITY OF ,ASH LAND PROCLAMATION • Historic preservation is an effective tool for managing growth, revitalizing neighborhoods, fostering local pride and maintaining community character while enhancing livability. • The historic houses and buildings of Ashland help make our City unique and provide links with aspirations and attainment of the City's pioneers and their descendants. • These fine examples of Nineteenth and Twentieth century buildings contribute to an appreciation of our heritage. • Historic preservation is relevant for communities across the nation, both urban and rural, and for Americans of all ages, all walks of life and all ethnic backgrounds. • It is important to celebrate the role of history in our lives and the contributions made by dedicated individuals in helping to preserve the tangible aspects of the heritage that has shaped us as a people. • National Historic Preservation Month is in May. Ashland has selected May 13 - 19, as Historic Preservation Week. Ashland's celebrations are co-sponsored by the City of Ashland's Historic Commission and the National Trust for Historic Preservation. NOW, THEREFORE, the City Council and Mayor, on behalf of the citizens of Ashland, do proclaim May, 2018 as "National Historic Preservation Month" and call upon the people of the City of Ashland to join their fellow citizens across the United States in recognizing and participating in this special observance. Dated this _ day of , 2018 j John Stromberg, Mayor Melissa Huhtala, City Recorder I (qyp \ [ > ~ F rr '1,'y`_t > j"Ic c~~; ~ r , ~6~ .v l~ r tYt r _ ~~S u $ 9/i c X~ -itjy 1 7 . - r lr ._...i'._•- . f-, r .t:t .Y' - t :e i ..it ~S 1 Y.__-..'2l.- l\. PROCLAMATION • President Richard Nixon established National Volunteer Week with an executive order in 1974 as a way to recognize and celebrate the efforts of volunteers. ) Q~ • Every sitting U.S. president since Nixon has issued a proclamation during{ National Volunteer Week (as have many U.S. mayors and governors), urging Americans to give e7 their time to community outreach organizations. National Volunteer Week is an opportunity to recognize and thank volunteers who lend their time, talent, voice, inspiration, support to causes they care about r~J in their community. err Volunteers provide services beyond an economic reach giving selflessly to o r many, many causes throughout the Ashland community and beyond. Q NOW THEREFORE, the City Council and Mayor, on behalf of the citizens of , 1 Ashland, do hereby proclaim April 15 through April 21, 2018 as National Volunteer Week and hereby urge all citizens to recognize the beneficial service of our citywide D ):j volunteers and thank them for lending their time, talent and support to the betterment ; kr 9 ((t(1 of the City of Ashland and communities around the world. Dated this 17"' day of April, 2017. Q1 John Stromberg, Mayor E~ ' ~ ' ¢ # A 04 ~Q1)r q~~~➢~, gq Melissa Hu to a, City Recorder )1) - qu. \ i r s~ . zT- , fr= , f~ ash y~-•>•-*---~-~r _ - ~ ~ ~ y (j~~~? U V v r2,.~ This is a great opportunity to recognize the many service hours Ashland's Community Emergency Response Team gives toward disaster preparedness. Ashland CERT volunteers are dedicated to preparing the community to endure disasters by creating a culture of preparedness. Ashland Fire & Rescue would like to recognize two individuals, specifically Paul Collins and Dan Ragen. Dan Ragen joined CERT in 2004 and was quickly recognized as an outstanding volunteer for providing his time to assist CERT in building and strengthening a member database, organizing his base members, and encouraging other members to become trained HAM Radio operators. He provides a wealth of expertise regarding radio communications, use and training. He also volunteers as the alternative deputy coordinator, and provides instructional training. Paul Collins joined Ashland CERT in 2006. Since then he has become the invaluable deputy coordinator assisting in missiomcallouts, and other events, helped create a membership guidance booklet, and most importantly been instrumental in supporting and delivering the CERT training curriculum to the community. Paul was instrumental during the Oak Knoll Fire providing leadership and management in support of the mission and goals in protecting life, property, and the environment. Additionally, Ashland Parks & Recreation would like to recognize Charlotte Kyle and Mary Pat Powers for their dedication and support at the North Mountain Park Nature Center. APRC manages 17 parks, 48 miles of trails, along with a Nature Center, Golf Course, Senior Center and a seasonal pool and Ice Rink. Charlotte Kyle is an Elementary Education student at SOU and has been volunteering with Parks and Recreation for two years. She has assisted with several of our public events and has thrown herself fully into teaching school program field trips at North Mountain Park. She has shown amazing commitment and passion for sharing nature with children. After teaching three field trip seasons, she decided to complete her undergraduate Capstone project with us and has been spearheading a project to improve our Service Learning curriculum. Mary Pat Power has been volunteering at North Mountain Park since 2005. A retired teacher and counselor, she brings many skills which help to keep several Nature Center projects running smoothly. Mary Pat records all the park's wildlife sightings, grades and summarizes all our educational assessments and helps us plan the Bear Creek Salmon Festival and Rogue Valley Bird Day. She is a birder and a member of our bird monitoring team, and she's instrumental in running Project Feederwatch, an annual citizen-science effort. F GUMMUNIT'Y UEVELOPMENT BLOCK GRANTS AFFORDABLE HOUSING TRUST FUNDS CITY COUNCIL PUBLIC HEARING 4I11I2018 DBG Public Service Grant funding (a maximum of 15% of the total annual CDBG allocation) Available • • Staff HHSC Recommendation: $23,808 Recommendation SVDP $20,000 $16,655 $16,655 Maslow Project $12,000 $7,143 $7,143 I Remaining Balance NA $0 $0 Recommendations City Council Public Hearing 4/17/2018 CDBG Capital Funding ($294,413 less $23,808 for Public Service funded activities) Available Requested Staff HHSC $270,605 Recommendation Recommendation Ashland Housing Opportunities $497653 $49,653 $49,653 Columbia Care* $0 $1007000 $1007000 `Habitat for Humanity** $0 $50,000 $50,000 OHRA 1 (Capacity Building) $0 $0 $0 ORHA 2 (Pre-Development) $0 $0 $0 OHRA 3 (Land Acquisition) $0 $0 $0 Remaining Balance NA $70,952 $70,952 Recommendations City Council Public Hearing 4/17/2018 Affordable Housing Trust Fund • Requested Staff HHSC 366,000 Recommendation Recommendation Columbia Care $3661000 $3007000 $300,000 Habitat for Humanity $50,000 $0 $0 OHRA 1 (Capacity Building) $86,338 $0 $0 ORHA 2 (Pre-Development) $19,000 $19,000 $19,000 r- OHRA 3 (Land Acquisition) $100,000 $0 $0 Remaining Balance NA $47,000 $477000 Recommendations City Council Public Hearing 4/17/2018