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HomeMy WebLinkAbout1996-0102 REG MINMINUTES FOR THE REGULAR MEETING ASHLAND CITY COUNCIL January 2, 1996 CALLED TO ORDER Mayor Golden called the meeting to order at 7:00 p.m., Civic Center Council Chambers. ROLL CALL Councilors Laws, Reid, Hauck, Hagen, Wheeldon and Thompson were present. Mayor collected responses from Council regarding setting new time for Study Session, it was agreed that the Study Sessions time would be changed to 4 p.m. on the third Wednesday of each month. MAYOR'S "STATE OF THE CITY" ADDRESS Mayor Golden read Ashland State of the City Address for 1996. (Copy filed with minutes) APPROVAL OF MINUTES The nfinutes of the Regnlar meeting of December 19, 1995 were approved. SPECIAL AGENDA ITEM 1. Reqnest by Councilor Thompson to re-adopt resolution on population control. The request to re-adopt resolution by Councilor Thompson was made with the intention of re-enforcing this matter and to create national dialog. Councilor Laws felt that the matter was very important, but intends on voting against all resolutions that are not on matters of which the City has direct control and jurisdiction. Councilors Thon~pson/Hagen m/s to approve re-adoption of Resolution 96-05. Discussion: Mayor Golden commented that popnlation was not the problem, but how we rise onr resonrces. Roll Call vote: Reid, Hanck, Hagen, Wheeldon and Thompson; YES. Laws NO. Motion passed 5-1. CONSENT AGENDA 2. 3. 4. Minutes of Boards, Commissions and Committees. Monthly departmental reports - November and December, 1995. City Administrator's Monthly Report for December, 1995. Confirmation of Mayor's appointment of Vava V. Bailey to the Historic Commission for a term ending April 30, 1998· Councilors Hauck/Hagen m/s to approve Consent Agenda. Voice vote all AYES. Motion passed. PUBLIC HEARINGS 1. Reqnest for an amendment to Chapter 18.24.030.K.7 and 18.28.030.J.7 of the Land Use Ordinance involving Jackson County Health Department requirements for traveller's accommodations. Planning Director John McLaughlin explained that the proposal is to modify the current requirement to reflect the procedures followed by the Jackson County Health Department. Councilor Reid questioned whether she should declare a conflict of interest because she has ownership of a two unit or less lodging. City Attorney Nolte felt that Reid could participate in the discussion only because this was a legislative matter annending an existing ordinance. McLaughlin clarified for Councilor Wheeldon that at the time this ordinance was adopted, the City was one of the first to allow traveler accommodations in residential zones. Because of this there was no current standards for how inspection processes worked by Jackson County, so the City adopted their own. Now that Jackson County Health does have current standards, this proposed amendment would follow their procedures. He stated that according to Brett Thomas, Jackson County Health inspector, the reason that two or less units are exempted is only if they are included within the same house, not in a separate detached unit. PUBLIC HEARING: OPEN 7:35 p.m. Gary Moore/668 N. Main/Owner of Morical House Bed & Breakfast, President of Ashland area Bed & Breakfast Association. Stated there was a national trend to upgrade the standards of the B&B industry. Believes that because Ashland is the capital of B&B's, what is done here will set a trend in other areas. States that there should be consist health standards set regardless of the size. Suggests that the Ashland try to convince County to change their standards rather than Ashland changing to the County's standards. Bruce Halverson/295 Idaho Sl/Owner of Romeo Bed & Breakfast/Spoke of the technical differences in County law and the proposed ordinance on how the number of units are addressed. Related several incidents of unkempt B&B's in regards to public health and safety. Feels that two or less units should meet the same standards as larger B&B's. PUBLIC HEARING: CLOSED 8:05 p.m. Councilor Reid clarified that the County does inspect if there is food being served regardless of the size of the lodging. If you have a lodging business that does not serve food and your lodging unit is two or less units than you would not be within the County arena. She stated that Ashland has a Bed & Breakfast ordinance and if you have a lodging business with only one unit and you do not serve food, the business would still fall in the Bed & Breakfast ordinance for the City of Ashland but according to the County it would not be required for an inspection. It was understood that larger units are inspected on an annual basis and all units that serve food are inspected on an annual basis. County is not equipped to handle two or less units for lodging business who do not provide food. It was determined that those businesses required to be licensed by the County will be inspected on an annual basis, but for those lodging businesses that are not required to be licensed by the County will not be required by a City Ordinance to an annual inspection. Councilor Wheeldon questioned whether at the time that a City Business license is obtained or renewed that then the City could require an inspection. McLaughlin questioned how much the City wants to get into the health regulation business. He stated that the City checks appropriate zones and uses, not the day to day inspections. The health inspection process is industry specific and not a land use issue. He recommends that we leave the health inspection process up to the health inspection jurisdiction which is Jackson County and the City handle the land use issues. Councilors Thompson/Hagen m/s to place ordinance on agenda for lsl reading. Roll Call vole: Thompson, Hagen, Laws, YES; Wheeldon and Hauck, NO; Reid abstain due to conflicl of inlerest. Motion passed 3-2. PUBLIC FORUM Barbara Bean/510 Terrace/Spoke regarding the Jackson County Exception Process. Voiced concern as to whether the City should be doing anything about it. Felt that there may questions and concern by Council and wanted to be available for any answers she could provide. Presented Council with some written background on exception process for Land Use Laws. Councilor Laws intbrmed Ms. Bean that the Council had met with the County Commissioners and raised their concerns regarding following current Land Use Laws. that the Commissioners are aware of the Council's position. Feels Council was reminded that four years ago there was testimony made before the Commissioners that helped achieve some goals. It was felt that the City had been successful in getting the point across to the County regarding land use. It was agreed that it is appropriate for staff to prepare letters for joint comments with Council in responding to notices on area concerns. 3 Susan Hunt/220 Nutley/Presented letter from the downstream members of the Strawberry- Westwood Neighborhood Committee. It states that they can no longer participate in the meetings of the Planning Department and developers because they have never been provided with essential pertinent information. Stated that there was no detailed information about fire impacts, erosion potential and other environmental concerns. It requested that Council direct the Planning Department to provide the Committee with the necessary information. Planning Director McLaughlin stated that there were/'our neighborhood planning projects and a different approach had been taken with each one. He states that the Strawberry- Westwood project path had not been one of the most successful paths taken. They were trying to reach a consensus on what level of development would be acceptable for the neighborhood. When that decision was reached, then prepare some traffic studies that would reflect that level of development. The group was not able to agree on a level of development and the group broke down. There was difference of opinion on how the decision was to be made. He reminded Council that this is a new approach and there is no current detail process on how to do a neighborhood plan. Councilor Wheeldon felt there needs to be some study as to how the Council wants staff to spend their time and what is the relationship between staff and citizen input. She believes there is a way to approach this where there are parameters. It was determined that standardizing neighborhood planning is important. Council instructed McLaughlin to provide requested int'ormation to Hunt. UNFINISHED BUSINESS 1. Election of lhree (3) members of Budget Committee for terms ending December 3 i, 1998. Three positions on the Citizen's Budget Committee expire December 31, 1995. Martin Levine and Regina Stepahin have requested reappointment. Council reviewed submitted letters and resun~es for applications received from Dick Trout and A! Bodin for the vacant third position. Councilors Laws/Hauck m/s Io approve reappointment of Levine and Stepahin to the Budget Committee. Voice vote: all AYES. Motion passed. Councilors Wheeldon/Reid m/s to approve Trout to the vacant position on the Budget Committee. Roll Call vote: Laws, Reid, Wheeldon and Thompson, YES. Hauck and Hagen, NO. Molion passed 4-2. Councilor Laws commented that the Council needs to take a positive roll in recruiting applicants for the Budget Comnaittee. ORDINANCES. RESOLUTIONS AND CONTRACTS: 1. First reading by title only of "An Ordinance Amending Chapters 6.12, 6.16, 6.28 and 6.32 of the Ashland Municipal Code to Standardize Permit Procedures for Business Licenses; Amending Chapter 6.24 to Conform Regulation of Peddlers to Existing Law and Deleting Chapter 6.08 Pertaining to Dance Hall Licenses and Chapter 6.20 Pertaining to Places of Anmsement." Councilor Reid questioned the section on pawnbrokers, it was clarified that processing fee would now be collected through the City Recorder, which is standard for all other licenses. It was clarified for Councilor Wheeldon that Dance/Music Halls would be covered under land use and be required to be licensed. Concern regarding liability would still be covered under building capacity and other such matters. City Attorney Nolte noted that the ordinance sent out in the Council packet may have had incorrect wording on page 14, section 13C. It should read; "Upon receipt of such application, the police chief shall make such investigation of the applicant's. . ." Councilors Hagen/Reid m/s to approve first reading and move to second reading. Roll Call vote: Thompson, Reid, Hauck, Wheeldon, Hagen and Laws YES. Motion passed. Reading of "A Resolutiou nrging Congress to support. financial aid and edncational loans for students of higher education." Councilors Hauck/Reid m/s to approve Resohflion #96-04. Roll Call vote: Reid, Thompson, Wheeldon. Hauck and Hagen, YES. Laws, NO. Motion passed 5-1. Councilor Reid commented on a phone call from Conhie Alexander, Dean of Financial Aid. She pointed out that 70% of the higher education students use financial aid, that the direct loan program which is now in effect has saved the tax payers millions of dollars. The federal government is working directly with the colleges and money is being saved because the taxpayers are not paying as much money on these student loans as they were when they were exclusively loans through banks. Reading by title ouly of "A Resolulion setting a public hearing for assessments to be charged against lots within the Strawberry Lane Sanitary Sewer Local hnprovement District No. 68.; Railroad Village Subdivision Improvement Project No. 92-24 District No. 69; Oak Knoll Golf Conrse Parking Lot Improvement Project No. 94-19 Dish'ict No. 73". 5 Councilors Hauck/Hagen m/s to approve Resolutions//96-01;//96-02 and//96-03. Roll Call vote: Hauck, Hagen, Reid, Wheeldon, Laws and Thompson YES. Motion passed. OTHER BUSINESS FROM COUNCIL MEMBERS Councilor Reid directed shaft' to draft a letter on behalf of the Council to Governor Kitzhaber supporting the repeal of the SB 35 in the February 1996 legislative session. Councilor Reid voiced concern regarding the sidewalks on Hwy. 66 and the continued erosion. She requested that there be some sidewalk repairs. It was agreed that this could be discussed at the Wednesday Study Session as City Administrator Ahnquist would be able to update them better at that time. It was also requested that an update on the Oak Street LID be done at that time also. Councilor Hauck reminded Council that it was time for r~ppointment of Council liaisons. Councilor Thompson requested questionnaires from Council dealing with Regional Planning. Councilor Wheeldon commented on the wondertX~l job the Chamber did in promoting the downtown area during the holidays. ADJO~NMENT Meetiug was adjourned at 9:10 p.m. Barbara Christensen, Recorder Iden, Mayor 6 Ashland State of the City Address January 1996 This begins my eight year as mayor of this glorious city and this will be my eight delivery of the State of the City. I recall having to prepare and give my first as a newly elected city official in 1989 without a clue as to the state of the city, really. I knew what I hoped to accomplish during my time in office, I knew what prompted my run. But the day to day comings and goings of each department has been something that I have come to know in a way that is only possible as someone who has the privilege to serve in a position of leadership. Although departments take stock throughout the year and give periodic updates as to their stasis, it is often difficult for the public to get a clear idea of all that occurs. The State of the City is my opportunity to share with all of you a quick overview of what has happened and how those events may influence our city and lives. Each of our departments have remarkable highlights that I will touch upon. However, once again, the citizens of Ashland have played a major role in directing the leadership of our community. The most dramatic change to come about in city government in many years was the result of the entire community coming together to address the increasing problem of street people acting out without regard for the rights of others. This resulted in increased apprehension by residents, merchants and visitors alike. From a concerted effort by the Chamber, neighborhoods, police and other city staff came the adoption of certain ordinances designed to minimize the problems, the creation of the uniformed Senior Police and the expansion of the Central Area Patrol program. In addition, the City instituted means to assist those who were truly in need and who were not homeless by choice. This was an emotionally charged, sensitive issue that resulted in a noticeable improvement in our downtown core and adjoining neighborhoods. The Retired Senior Police Unit in our Police Department placed on the street approximately 25 uniformed members who volunteer their time in patrolling the downtown area. They also provide courier runs to the County, crowd control in parades, vacation house checks and other duties. Because of their dedication and service to the city, the police department is able to have more uniformed police officers available for citizens in need while still providing the wide array of services that Ashlanders have grown to expect. Also in our police department, under the leadership of Chief Gary Brown, we received the 1995 Soroptimist Award for advancing the Status of Women. The department was selected from amongst all private, governmental and non-profit organizations in our community. This is extremely rare due to the traditional male dominated law enforcement profession. The department's work force is now 45% women. We've doubled the number of our female officers and promoted two to key management positions. As an aside, this past year, we fielded (by random) a police patrol shift comprised of a Sergeant Watch Commander, 3 patrol officers, a reserve officer and a public safety dispatcher -- all women... we believe a first in the nation. This prompted a recent E-Mail from Brent Jensen, an officer in the ranks who begins: "Let it not go unnoticed that the Ashland Police Department registered another landmark occasion when the entire swing shift of November 25, 1995 was staffed by men. Yes, duplicating a similar gender-based feat of some months past..." In Public Works, we happily welcomed Paula Brown to the team, on loan from the Rogue Valley Council of Government, and sadly said good-bye to Steve Hall. The most remarkable achievement in that department, came as a result of a decision finally being made on the Wastewater Treatment Plant Upgrade. In 1995, after seven plus years of deliberation, we submitted to DEQ a Final Facili.ties Plan which included a wetlands pilot program. At the other end of the system our Water Treatment Plant underwent a major upgrade. We anticipate completion around April of 1996. Ironically the upgrade occurred following one of the wettest winters on record creating limitations on our ability to produce treated water, even though the dam was full. The Ashland Parks Department under the direction of the citizen elected Ashland Parks Commission and Ken Michelson had a number of important events. This year they assumed operations of the golf course, acquired the Hald property (Scenic Hill) for the Open Space program and acquired property Mountain Avenue for a thirty plus acre active park. The Parks Department was also responsible for brush clearing and fire mitigation projects in the 100 plus acre Siskiyou Mountain Park. Within our Community Development and Conservation Department a remodel and efficiency project was completed and the permin process streamlined. Conservation operated a program in conjunction with the Ashland School District which was recognized by the Federal Department of Energy for a national award. The program was designed to assist in tracking resource use in an effort to reduce costs. This year we will implement the same program with the Chamber of Commerce and Oregon Department of Energy to work with chamber business members to help set up a resource tracking/accounting computer system to assist with overall cost reduction. Also within Community Development and Conservation two new commissions were created: The Affordable Housing Commission, which came out of an ad hoc committee, and the Conservation Commission, which came out of the Recycling Task Force. The Conservation Commission encompasses much more than the recycling task force in that it looks a all of our resource management. A third committee was also formulated, The Citizens Communications Committee, and their charge will be to find new avenues for government to get and receive information from the community. Finance Department, headed up by Jill Turner, seemingly moves from one state or national award to another. This year Finance also took on an additional committee. The Audit Committee, which for years had not met, was finally reinstated under the persistent call of a citizen, Jack Nicholson. In December we received the first report from Audit Committee Chair, Marry Levine. In 1995 we sadly said good-bye to another department head, AI Williams. While AI did not want special public recognition at the time he left, I must take a moment to thank him for Pete Lovrovich. Pete came to work for the city under AI Williams, then served as the interim director of the Electric Department. In 1995, Pete was appointed department head and has been a shining star ever since. His attention to detail and consumer relations has not gone unnoticed by Ashland citizens and is greatly appreciated by this body. Pete not only works well with our citizens, he also has a loyal, devoted and hard working crew under him. He has been a wonderful addition to our superior management team. In addition to Pete coming formally on board, 1995 also marked the dedication of the Mountain Avenue Substation. The addition of the substation will mean more reliable delivery of power to Ashland residents, especially in times of great demand. It also pulls load off of existing power lines for an over all reduction of EMF fall-off. In 1995 a committee of 30 including the City Administrator, City Attorney, Assistant Administrator, selected medical staff, hospital personnel, foundation members, members of the Board of Trustees, and I began talks of distancing the Ashland Community Hospital from the City of Ashland. Although these talks were rough at first, the entire group worked toward solutions where concerns of all those affected would be met. While we are still in the midst of the corporate restructuring, it so far, has been an enormously gratifying experience. Our goal is to do what will best protect the hospital in this dramatically volatile medical arena, maintain the quality jobs offered there to this community, and to continue the high- quality of care for those who use the facility. For most of 1995 the Ashland Fire Department quietly went about its business. They participated in the Beer Creek Watershed Analysis with the USFS to ensure the water quality, forest health and vitality of the Ashland watershed. They actively participated in the management activities to ensure fire protection objectives are met. They established wildfire fuels reduction budget and set up the management umbrella and organizational effort for moving forward on a massive fuels reduction program for the 1000 acres of city owned forested lands. However, the most dramatic news of 1995 came when Ashland Fire Department thought it lost the option to acquire the Ambulance Service Area that was for sale by Ashland Life Support. As the number one item of the AFD strategic plan, it was a blow not only to the Fire Department but also to the taxpayers of Ashland, who for years has been subsidizing the private ambulance firm with a public ambulance service. The Fire Department personnel, headed up by Chief Keith Woodley, Assistant Chief Don Paul, and Union Representative Walt Anders, called upon the elected officials and staff to assist in anyway they could. Through a concerted effort by everyone the ASA was turned over to the city today, January 2. I do not believe that this would have come about if the Ashland Fire Department had anyone other than Woodley, Paul, and Anders in leadership positions. I do not believe that this could have come about if the Ashland Fire Department did not have the support of the citizens. And I do not believe this would have come about if the Ashland Fire Department did not provide the best of Emergency Services to the citizens of Ashland. While the AFD might feel that this is a blessing for their department, I think I speak for the rest of the council and administration in saying this is a blessing for the citizens of this community. This acquisition will pay for itself many times over in savings to the taxpayer in the years to come. Well done. Although I have spent the last thirty minutes presenting our highlights, the State of the City really does not lend itself to acknowledging the management staff that works with the council: Brian Almquist, Paul Nolte, Peggy Christensen and Barbara Christensen. Each of these individuals alternately help to rudder and fuel the ship along with the City Council. We couldn't do as much as we do without their guidance, support and honesty. They, along with the Council, help to make the goals of this community come true. Because of the partnership between staff, elected officials and the community the State of the City has never been better. Happy New Year