HomeMy WebLinkAbout1999-0603.SS.MINMINUTES FOR THE STUDY SESSION
ASHLAND CITY COUNCIL
June 3, 1999
CALL TO ORDER
Mayor Shaw called the meeting to order at 12:10 p.m., at the Civic Center Council Chambers
IN ATTENDANCE:
Councilors Laws, Reid, Hauck, Hanson, Wheeldon and Fine were present. Staff present included: Assistant
City Administrator Greg Scoles, Ann Seltzer, and Fire Chief Woodley.
Assistant Administrator Greg Scoles explained to council that the City Economic Development discussion that
had been scheduled has been postponed until June 17, 1999, but handed out information that they could review
betbre that meeting.
I. Workshop regarding proposed new Fire Station
Scoles commented on the handouts which were given to council in regards to the fire station expansion project.
The handouts provided history and background information on the Ashland Fire Station Expansion Project along
with dates and proposed schedule of study sessions, public meetings and public hearing with adoption of
resolution. Scoles explained that staff would like to go over the background information with council discussion
and then allow the architects to go over the proposed conceptual design with council. Scoles presented dates and
proposed schedule.
Fire Chief Woodley introduced Hans Ettlin and Steven Smiley from the architecture firm of Peck, Smiley and
Ettlin Architects who made themselves available to answer questions and provide additional information on the
progress of the project. Woodley reminded council of the direction that was given to staff in regards to having
an appraisal done on the property adjacent to fire station #1, and to initiate contact with property owners. Stated
that the architecture firm was retained to provide preliminary drawings, conceptual designs, and elevations, as a
basis for public meetings to be held.
Woodley explained that the direction of staff, was to give council a brief update of the project, and to visit design
issues. This would allow them to determine some kind of process that will include public input and deliberation.
Stated that the direction is to complete all of this within the deadlines that are currently in place because of the
November ballot.
Woodley explained that staff is current on the assignments given in regards to investigating alternate sites for the
fire stations. They have explored the possibility of flip-flopping the two fire station projects and looked at how it
would impact the economy of property utilization. Stated that they will be re-visiting the outline plan for the
two buildings to see what additional efficiencies can be achieved by looking at the spacial use of the building and
the functions of the building that it is designed to accommodate. Also, other factors that may serve to make the
project as efficient, effective, and concise as possible so they can minimize the amount of land that needs to be
acquired to complete the project.
Hans Ettlin gave brief explanation on direction of their firm in regards to design and presented slides of fire
stations from other cities that their firm had been involved in. Stated that they had some experience in building
of fire stations in historic sections of a city.
Ettlin clarified for council that the proposed expansion for fire station #1 is approximately a 15,600 sq/ft size
building. Indicated on maps presented, a proposed layout of fire station #1 and #2, along with number of
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parking spaces being allowed and where they would be located. Commented that they had looked at taking the
station #2 program and seeing whether it would fit on the downtown existing site. Stated that it would not, and
explained that the major shaping design of this station is a 12 feet fall from Siskiyou to East Main. And, that the
only way you could ramp down and make this site usable on this type of access, is to have a slope and use the
apparatus bay to get a safe drive-thru. Stated that the size of the site could accommodate eight or six bays and
would only be a matter of budget resources.
Councilor Reid commented on a letter that she had submitted which raised concern regarding the fall and
topography of this site. And, that the development of this site could cost more than the development of the
Ashland Street site which is flat. Ettlin explained that the biggest costs would be paving and landscaping and that
those are direct square footage expenses. Stated that the building would be platformed out and there would be no
building of retaining walls or digging in, only a matter changing shape. Ettlin felt that there could be optional
extra expenses involved with street design and street improvements. Reid stated that her question to council and
the community is, which building do you make half again as big? Do you build the one that you are going to
spend more on per square foot, or do you build one we spend less on per square foot?
Mayor Shaw commented that it is important that the city not build a shell on Hwy 66, as it needs a "shot in the
arm" to help make this street higher in architectural integrity.
Woodley stated that it is his view, that it is a benefit to the public, not to the department itself in terms of how
clients use the Fire Department. Commented that there is a tremendous amount of foot traffic into the business
office at fire station #1, but very little at the site of fire station #2. Explained that in terms of administrative
functions, it is more a service to the community than an innate operational issue. Clarified that to change the
positions of fire station #1 to the location of fire station #2, and the level of resource remains the same, this
would not change emergency response times.
Reid voiced her concern on the location of having a training facility or visiting site for the community. Is in
favor of putting the training and administration operation of the fire stations on Ashland Street and would like to
have discussion in regards to placement of the stations. Council discussed the problem associated with or
necessity of acquiring additional land at the current station #2 site.
Scoles explained that based on the direction of the council, staff has focused on trying to develop the current site
of fire station # 1.
Reid would like to have discussion as to what site the training facilities would be located. Explained that she has
issues with how community dollars are spent, providing a training facility, and ease of parking for providing
services to the community.
Laws commented on the cost of putting fire station #1 downtown and questioned the comparison of the cost
involved in acquiring land at the current fire station #2 site in order to make this site the larger of the two
stations. Shaw commented that the site on Ashland Street would not have additional parking as compared to the
proposed site building downtown.
Fine made social statement of his wish on keeping the main fire station downtown.
Scoles reminded council that a proposal will be brought back for discussion to council in regards to programming
for fire station expansion. Explained that unless staff was directed differently, the direction would be with the
proposed conceptional designs as presented.
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Reid questioned if the program being presented at the next study session meeting would be based on current
staffing level or the surveyed staffing levels. If not, requested that this information be distributed to council
before the next meeting.
Shaw concerned with acquiring the Blue Mountain property and questioned if expansion could take place without
touching the property. Ettlin explained that to not acquire this property would create site circulation problems
that would be difficult to resolve. Fine questioned and staff was directed to contact Safeway to find out if there
is any possibility of closure or sale of this building to city.
Ettlin commented that this is an opportunity to build a civic building in a key location and visit the idea of
working with the library expansion building.
Wheeldon welcomed additional design concepts on what the building would look like coming from the back of
building, would also like to have continued input to the architects on what the council feels is important in
designing the station.
Ettlin explained other possible designs for accessing bays and their direction of access from the streets to these
bays. Comments by council regarding saving trees on property and keeping with city standards on parking
restrictions. Comments in regards to the building site, slope of property, and the importance of keeping the
building set back in order to avoid vison problems.
Reid requested copy of efficiency audit that was recently completed for the fire station.
Scoles informed council of the dates necessary for filing to Jackson County Elections in order to place a fire
station bond on the November election. Shaw requested that the resolution for a fire station bond be brought to
council for approval on July 6, 1999 rather than July 20, 1999. Scoles stated that this would be possible and if
problems arise there would still be time to make any changes on the following July 20, 1999. Scoles voiced the
importance of council keeping to the time table in order to meet the deadline of putting the approval of a
resolution before the council on July 6, 1999.
Comments by council that it may be a good idea to have SERA Architects from the library expansion, be in
touch with Peck, Smiley, Ettlin Architects from fire station expansion, as this may be a joint project in terms of
location and the bond issue.
Meeting was adjourned at 3:37 p.m.
Respectfully submitted,
Barbara Christensen
City Recorder
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