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HomeMy WebLinkAbout2024-11-19 Council Mtg MINASHLAND CITY COUNCIL BUSINESS MEETING MINUTES Tuesday, November 19, 2024 6:00 PM Business Meeting I. CALL TO ORDER Mayor Graham called the meeting to order at 6:00 p.m. a. Land Acknowledgement" Councilor DuQuenne read the land acknowledgement. 11. PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE Council Hyatt led the pledge of allegiance. III. ROLL CALL Mayor Graham, Councilors Hyatt, Bloom, Dahle, DuQuenne, Kaplan, and Hansen were present. IV. MAYOR'S/ CHAIR OF THE COUNCIL ANNOUNCEMENT V. APPROVAL OF MINUTES a. Minutes of October 14, 2024, Study Session b. Minutes of October 15, 2024, Business Meeting c. Minutes of October 30, 2024, Special Meeting d. Minutes of November 4, 2024, Study Session Hyatt/Hansen m/s to approve the minutes. Roll Call Vote: Councilor Hyatt, Bloom, DuQuenne, Kaplan, Dahle, and Hansen. YES. Motion passed. VI. CONSENT AGENDA a. Contract for TAP ARPA Grant Scope 2 - Booster Pump Station Improvements b. Social Equity and Racial Justice Advisory Committee Appointment c. Budget Supplemental - Fire Department FEMA Grant d. Approval of Electric Master Plan Graham removed item c. as it is an accidental duplicate budget supplemental. Hansen and DuQuenne asked that item d. be removed. Hyatt/DuQuenne m/s to approve items a. and b. of the consent agenda. Roll Call Vote: Councilor Hyatt, Bloom, DuQuenne, Kaplan, Dahle, and Hansen. YES. Motion passed. Graham took up item d. as a separate item. Hansen spoke of wanting the master plan to include how the City can site and size a utility -scale solar electric farm, plan for a microgrid City Council Business Meeting November 19, 2024 Page 1 of 6 resiliency battery backup, and consider rooftop solar goals and limits. Director of Electric, Thomas McBartlett spoke a feasibility study for a solar array at the Airport which is almost complete. Kaplan spoke of looking forward to next steps of strategic planning for this. City Manager Sabrina Cotta spoke that the upcoming facilities master plan will include opportunities for including those items as well. Council discussed how this plan will serve as a building block for future planning. Kaplan/Hyatt m/s to approve the Electric Master Plan with direction to staff to begin preparations for an electric utility strategy for inclusion in the next biennium budget for prioritization in the first year of that budget. Discussion: Councilors expressed their thanks for the work done by McBartlett and his team. Roll Call Vote: Councilor Hyatt, Bloom, DuQuenne, Kaplan, Dahle, and Hansen. YES. Motion passed. VII. SPECIAL PRESENTATIONS a. Swear in Judge Mulkins City Recorder Alissa Kolodzinski swore in Judge Mulkins. VIII. PUBLIC HEARING a. First Reading ORD 3251 Repealing and replacing AMC Chapter 10.120 - Persistent Violations Police Chief Tighe O'Meara introduced the topic and provided a presentation on the history and reason for this ordinance (see attached). Acting City Attorney Doug McGeary added that the language was drafted in collaboration with law enforcement. Dahle spoke that he thought staff direction was to take the existing ELEA language and add CAP EAST and would like to take the existing language to a study session for further consideration since it is a complete re -write. Hyatt agreed noting changes in the violations and that a new municipal judge was just sworn in. Hyatt added that the current ordinance does need to updated to better aid officers. Graham summarized that the intention is to put aside two of the ordinances on the agenda and instead consider adding Cap East to the current ELEA. Dahle/Bloom m/s to direct staff to bring the existing ordinance amended to include CAP East back to the December 3 meeting for a first reading and schedule a study session for discussion of updated language of what staff proposes within the next two months. Discussion: Dahle spoke that the expanded ELEA is long overdue. He disagrees that it targets status instead of behavior and has heard directly from some of the unhoused community that support this ELEA for help and protection. It is incumbent on this body and leaders to help those more vulnerable. The current ELEA is working and changes should be made thoughtfully to get it right. Bloom spoke that the data speaks for itself. Assault is unacceptable and the decision to study further was a good compromise. DuQuenne agreed and spoke that this is about behavior not status and asked if it could come back sooner. Discussion occurred on available dates and already planned topics for study sessions. Motion Withdrawn. City Council Business Meeting November 19, 2024 Page 2 of 6 Dahle/Bloom m/s to direct staff to bring the existing ordinance amended to include CAP East back to the December 3 meeting for a first reading. Discussion: Hansen spoke support of extending the current ELEA to the south side of Ashland, but would like to study the changes prior to a first reading. Dahle clarified that the current motion retains the current ELEA language and only adds CAP East while allowing for a study session before changing the language altogether. Kaplan spoke about concerns regarding the area of the CAP East. He would like to see additional data and analysis in preparation for the study session discussion including violation data with geographic references with actual, persistent violations. Kaplan moved to amend the motion to direct staff before the Dec. 3rd meeting to bring back analysis of relevant data for supporting for design of CAP East in comparison with similar situations with CAP West. Motion to amend dies due to lack of second. Original motion restated. Further discussion occurred in support of the motion with the understanding that there is a decade's worth of data and that the expectation is that further analysis will be provided at the study session. Roll Call Vote: Councilor Hyatt, Bloom, DuQuenne, Hansen, Dahle, YES. Kaplan NO. Motion passed. Discussion on when to schedule a study session to review the ordinances. Hyatt, Bloom, Dahle, DuQuenne, would prefer the conversation be on the Dec. 2 study session, Kaplan and Hansen spoke in favor of February 3. Graham noted that this topic would be best served on a study session with no other topics. Hansen/Kaplan m/s to schedule a study session for this topic on February 3rd, 2025. Discussion: Council discussed options for ensuring this topic can move forward while giving it the time it needs for thorough review. Concerns expressed about the process being delayed. They would like the opportunity to look at the ordinances multiple times, continue conversations, study, reflect, define date types they want to see so the best solution can be crafted that is balanced for the community. Hyatt/Kaplan m/s to amend the motion to include an initial conversation on Dec. 2 study session to begin study of the proposed language presented in our packet with the follow up detailed conversation on February 3. Discussion: Hansen asked about the possibility of a brief discussion on the expansion of the current ELEA along with discussion on the proposed language updates. Cotta confirmed. Hyatt spoke that an initial conversation will address some of the major concerns and then they can work through the nuances. This path will give time to absorb the data from Police, Legal, and community stakeholders. Kaplan spoke in support of the amendment and council clarified the process of discussion on the 2"u, vote on the addition of Cap East on the 3'I-I and longer discussion in February. Roll Call Vote on amendment: Councilor Hyatt, Bloom, DuQuenne, Hansen, Dahle, Kaplan YES. Motion passed. Vote on original motion. City Council Business Meeting November 19, 2024 Page 3 of 6 Roll Call Vote: Councilor Hyatt, Bloom, DuQuenne, Hansen, Dahle, Kaplan YES. Motion passed. Hyatt/Hansen m/s to remove the first reading of items 3250 and 3249 pending resolution of conversations on Dec. 2 and Feb. 3. Discussion: Hyatt spoke that these ordinances are directly tied to the needed upcoming conversations. Roll Call Vote: Councilor DuQuenne, Kaplan, Dahle, Hansen, Hyatt, and Bloom. YES. Motion passed. Graham invited those who came to speak during public hearing to speak now. Toren M - spoke against exclusion zones Morehouse - spoke against the proposed ordinance Rohde- spoke against the proposed ordinance Felton- spoke against the ordinance and expansion of exclusion zones. Hartzell - spoke of the importance of due process, in favor of further study of related data, Marr- spoke in favor of inclusion by addressing homeless people as economically disadvantaged people that need help rather than being pushed away. Luisa Witt- spoke in favor of treating homeless residents as human beings that deserve a sense of belonging Neisewander- spoke of building relationships between homeless and housed communities d. First Reading - ORD 3244 Amending AMC 2.10 to Establish Uniform Policies and Operating Procedures for Advisory Committees and Commissions Public hearing open McGeary spoke of having made one minor word correction regarding the Management advisory committee. Kaplan asked for clarification in the second reading for how the attendance requirement applies to ex-officio committee members. Public hearing closed Hansen/Dahle m/s to approve First Reading of Ordinance #3244, "An Ordinance Amending AMC 2.10 to Establish Uniform Policies and Operating Procedures for Advisory Committees and Commissions" with the recommended modifications, and schedule Second Reading December 3, 2024. Discussion: Hansen and Dahle thanked committee members and staff. Roll Call Vote: Councilor DuQuenne, Hansen, Hyatt, Bloom, Kaplan, and Dahle. YES. Motion passed. IX. PUBLIC FORUM 15 Minutes - Public input or comment on City business not included on the agenda. Hill -Wagoner - spoke of the need to open the winter shelter as soon as possible. Scharen - spoke in favor of renovating the community building. City Council Business Meeting November 19, 2024 Page 4 of 6 Doolittle - spoke of the need for a homeless shelter. Cornell - spoke in favor of the Climate and Clean Air Package. Kay - spoke in favor of passing the Climate and Clean Air Package. Lawrence - spoke in favor of passing the request for electrification. Williams - spoke in favor of passing the Climate and Clean Air Package. Franco - spoke in favor of passing the Climate and Clean Air Package. Aguero - spoke in favor of passing the Climate and Clean Air Package Recess taken from 8:28 to 8:35. X. ORDINANCES, RESOLUTIONS AND CONTRACTS XI. UNFINISHED BUSINESS a. Homeless Services and Winter Shelter Update City Manager Sabrian Cotta gave an update that the Dusk to Dawn lawn is still operating at a cost of $2,500 per month or $30,000 annually for trash and porta-potty services which the City will continue to provide. The City is in discussion with Rogue Retreat so they can utilize Ashland's 13 pallet shelters at their site in Medford. Cotta poke that the City is in discussion with potential service providers and is actively searching for a severe winter shelter location prior to January 1, 2025, as the 2200 Ashland St. location has already been utilized this year per the 90-day fire code restriction. The City is working on a contract with a partner to provide shelter at that location for 90 days beginning January 1, 2025. DuQuenne expressed concern about exhausting the 90 days with continual use as there could be cold days after that. Kaplan asked about the capacity at 2200 Ashland St. and Cotta spoke that it can accommodate 14 people sleeping and shelter 14 additional other people awake per the fire code. Hyatt spoke in favor of taking up the conversation to direct staff to update the 2200 Ashland St. site to accommodate more than 28 people and explore funding options for doing so which may include using CDBG (Community Development Block Grant) funds. Hyatt/DuQuenne m/s to leverage CDBG funds, both current and the appropriate amount for the future to fix 2200 to make it a usable for the inclement weather sheltering that an existing codified ordinance says will be provided in time for when it is needed to shelter folks next year. Discussion: Hyatt spoke it is evident the building cannot do what is needed currently and that use of CDBG funds is the best way forward. DuQuenne agreed. Graham clarified with Hyatt this would be to start the conversation with input from Community Development Director Brandon Goldman on how to accomplish this with CDBG capital funds rather than its service funds. Bloom and Hansen spoke in favor of Hyatt's motion. Kaplan suggested moving the timeline for work to be done on the building before it is needed in the summer. Cotta and Goldman clarified what could be expected regarding the use of the CDBG federal funds to contract this kind of work. Cotta clarified further that available funds from this source would likely only be enough to bring the Severe Weather Shelter online. Hyatt confirmed that was the intent of the motion. Roll Call Vote: Councilor DuQuenne, Hansen, Hyatt, Bloom, Kaplan, and Dahle. YES. Motion passed. City Council Business Meeting November 19, 2024 Page 5 of 6 Council discussed the difference between the Emergency Severe Weather Shelter that is called based on the weather and a shelter that is used every night for 90 days. Caldwell- urged the Council to stand up the Severe Weather Shelter in accordance with City's Resolution 2022-33 for immediate needs. Richards - spoke in favor of immediate shelter for those in need. Graham clarified with Council that there will be further conversation for details regarding sheltering from January through March 2025. Council discussed how the severe weather shelter could be run and how many people it can house overnight. Direction given to staff to move forward with the current service provider contract with a strong request to serve a consistence group of people. X11. NEW BUSINESS b. SOHFA Storage Proposal Hyatt/Bloom m/s to direct staff to engage with SOHFA to execute the pilot program as outlined in the staff packet. Discussion: Cotta spoke about the proposal from SOHFA for the City to donate one of its pallet shelters to be housed in the parking lot next to the Dusk to Dawn lawn for a storage program to be managed by SOHFA and run by their volunteers. Helena Turner from SOHFA was present to answer any logistical questions. Cotta spoke that the City's proposal is for a six-month pilot and thanked Turner for bringing this forward. Turner explained how the program would work and how it has worked successfully in other communities. Reid - spoke in favor of this program. Kaplan would like a check -in part way through the pilot program Hyatt/Kaplan m/s to amend the motion to include a 3-month check in. Amendment Roll Call Vote: Councilor DuQuenne, Hansen, Hyatt, Bloom, Kaplan, and Dahle- YES. Motion passed. Main Motion Roll Call Vote: Councilor DuQuenne, Hansen, Hyatt, Bloom, Kaplan, and Dahle- YES. Motion passed. X111. CITY MANAGER REPORT XIV. OTHER BUSINESS FROM COUNCIL MEMBERS/REPORTS FROM COUNCIL LIAISONS XV. ADJOURNMENT Bloom/Hansen m/s to adjourn. All in favor. The meeting was adjourned at 9:37 p.m. Submitted by: MIA- A a I PlmA City Recorder Alissa Kolodzinski Attest: Mayor T nya Graham City Council Business Meeting November 19, 2024 Page 6 of 6 Ashland Police Department City of Ashland Legal Department Enhanced LEA November 19, 2024 ELEA in place since 2012 to address chronic negative behavior Muni court crim. convictions scattering rubbish Unnecessary noise Drinking in public Open Container Smoking MJ in public Dogs control and license Camping -NOT included Big Hole in the original (current) law -doesn't include Circuit Court matters CAP (West) Qualifying Convictions/Exp • 2023 105 violations led to nine expulsions • 2022 79 violations led to one expulsion • 2021 56 violations led to three expulsions • 2020 109 violations led to four expulsions • 2019 140violations led to eight expulsions • 2018 215 violations led to six expulsions • 2017 359 violations led to 15 expulsions a 2017 CFS CAP West -Downtown 2018 2919 2020 2021 2022 2023 sr A4 30 ^G 10 a A;_r ,4 r _ . . 1@01 18Q2 IR43 la34t1 19 ¢: 19Q2 15Q7 lq,4 2CQI 20Q2 20Q3 :Of}! 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