HomeMy WebLinkAbout1996-0702 REG MIN MINUTES FOR THE REGULAR MEETING
ASHLAND CITY COUNCIL
July 2, 1996
PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE
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.
APPROVAL OF MINUTES
The minutes of the Regular meeting of June 18, 1996 were approved as presented.
SPECIAL PRESENTATIONS AND AWARDS
1. Presentation by RVCOG on current regional planning efforts.
Presentation by John Eads and Mary Delamar-Schaefr on current regional planning efforts in
Southern Oregon. Asking council for participation and approval of Regional Planning Work
Plan. Plan was identified by 10 tasks; 1) Identify Key participants; 2) Solicit Participation
from Key Stakeholders; 3) Design "Visioning" process; 4) Foster Broad-Based Citizen
Participation; 5) Inventory Existing Relevant Data Bases; Compile GIS Data; 6) Midterm
Review of Phase 2 Work Plan; 7) Construct "Base Case: Scenario; 8) Refine Substantive
Issues on Rural and Urban Growth; 9) Develop Short and Long-Term Regional Goals and
10) Develop Work Program for Phase 3. Council was asked to designate a member for the
Steering Committee and to host an evening meeting.
Joe Eckhardt/108 Bush Streel/Emphasized his believe of citizen participation with the
Regional Planning.
CONSENT AGENDA
1. Minutes of boards, commissions, and committees.
2. Monthly departmental reports for June 1996.
3. City Administrator's monthly report for June 1996.
4. Memo from Wastewater Treatment Plant Upgrade Coordinator Paula Brown
regarding facilities plan approval and update on construction plans.
5. Liquor license approvals:
a. Quinn Courtright for restaurant at 29 N. Main Street (former Rebel's
Country Restaurant).
b. Cheryl W. Wolohon for Rogue River Pizza at 2321 Ashland Street #A.
c. Emil Glenn McMi!lian, Jr. dba/Beasy's on the Creek at 51 Water Street,
Suite 222.
6. Confirmation of Mayor as liaison to new Ashland Conununity Healthcare
Services Board of Directors.
Councilors Laws/Wheeldon m/s to approve consent agenda. Voice vote: all AYES.
Motion passed.
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7. Mayor appointment to Bicycle Commission of Austin Murphy.
Councilors Hauck/Hagen m/s to approve Consent Agenda item ~f7. Voice vote: all
AYES. Motion passed.
PUBLIC HEARINGS
1. Proposed alternate procedure for the sale of City surplus undersized and
undeveloped real property.
a. Approval of sale of 375 square feet on Fourth near A Street to Wallace
Cannon.
b. Approval of sale of 1380 square feet on Glenview at Vista Street to Rick S.
Bayouth.
City Administrator Brian Almquist explained to council the process and procedure for sale of
City surplus property.
PUBLIC HEARING OPEN: 7:45 p.m.
PUBLIC HEARING CLOSED: 7:45 p.m.
Councilors Hauck/Hagen m/s to approve proposed procedure for sale of City surplus
property. Roll Call vote: Reid, Hauck, Hagen, Wheeldon, Thompson and Laws; YES.
Motion passed.
Councilors Hagen/Reid to approve sale of 375 sq.ft. on Fourth near A Street to Wallace
Cannon. Voice vote: all AYES. Motion passed.
Councilors Hauck/Reid to approve sale of 1380 sq.ft. on Glenview at Vista Street to
Rick S. Bayouth. Voice Vote: all AYES. Motion passed.
PUBLIC FORUM
Joe Eckhardt/108 Bush Street/Spoke on progress of City Initiatives on behalf of Citizen
Right to Know group. The initiatives are a City Utility Commission and a City Cost
Commission made up of elected participants.
UNFINISHED BUSINESS
1. Presentation by Plato Doundalakis on stream protection along Bear Creek.
Presented proposed ordinance for the City of Ashland establishing setbacks from Class 1 and
Class 2 Streams. This ordinance would enhance in-stream water quality, reduce non-point
source pollution, preserve wildlife and native plant habitat and improve overall watershed
health. This type of ordinance has been proven to protect the resources of the state and the
co~nmunity with ~ninimal impact on development or property rights. Felt that now is when
the City must protect its own interests in the water quality of Bear Creek.
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It was suggested that modifications be made to the ordinance during an interim and requested
council direction to staff to work on these modifications.
Planning Director John McLaughlin reported that this ordinance falls into their time-line of
projects currently being worked developed. Felt that there are some modifications that need
to be done with the ordinance for additional protection in the community along with
education of property owners. Affirmed that Public Works Director would be involved in
this protection ordinance.
Council directed staff to work with Plato Doundalakis in modifying ordinance along with the
hillside development schedule, keeping in mind the citys particular needs for riparian
protection and stream side property owner education.
2. Proposed opening of alley east of Eureka Street.
Moved to July 16, 1996 council meeting.
NEW & MISCELLANEOUS BUSINESS
1. Approval of transfer of ownership of partial ownership of Ashland Sanitary
Service from Robert and Lois Wenker to Russ Chapman.
City Administrator Brian Almquist read letter from Ashland Sanitary & Recycling Services
regarding notification of transfer of ownership.
Bob Wenker spoke in regards to the service to the city and introduced Russ Chapman as the
new owner of Ashland Sanitary & Recycling Services.
Councilors Reid/Hagen m/s to approve transfer of ownership. Voice vote: all AYES.
Motion passed.
2. Report from Mayor Golden on result of survey to determine interest in
accelerating health and human service quarterly grant payments.
Director of Community Health Center, Peg Crowley presented report on result of survey
asking if accelerated funding would keep their services available to Ashland residents until a
new tax measure is submitted to the voters in September.
The result of the survey indicated that all agreed that a lump sum would keep the agency
operating with further results mixed.
Council discussed whether this acceleration of funding would keep the organizations going in
the future and whether funding would be available in the future. Explanation was made that
this was determined only on current level of funding for the organizations not future.
Councilors Reid/Hagen to approve acceleration funding for HHS agencies on a monthly
basis. Voice vote: all AYES; Councilor Hauck abstained. Motion passed.
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ORDINANCES. RESOLUTIONS AND CONTRACTS
1. Reading by title only of "A Resolution of the City of Ashland annexing a
contiguous area to the City of Ashland, Oregon and providing for an effective
date (Parker/Neuman Annexation)."
Councilors m/s to approve Resolution No. 96-31 . Roll Call vote: Laws, Reid, Hauck,
Hagen, Wheeldon, YES; Thompson, NO. Motion passed 5-1.
Reading by title only of "A Resolution authorizing the Mayor and City Recorder
to sign Contract Amendment No. 7 to Contract No. DE-MS79-{81}BP90432 for
purchase of surplus power."
City Administrator Brian Almquist and Dick Wanderschied explained that for the past several
months, staff has been negotiating with BPA and Pacificorp with the goal of purchasing a
portion of our energy needs at lower rates than BPA has announced for its priority firm (PF)
rate.
It is recommended that the City council authorize the Mayor and City Recorder to execute
Amendatory Agreement No. 7 with BPA, approving the purchase of 4 average megawaits of
surplus power during the months of October through March at a rate of 14.5 mills per
kilowatt hour; and that the staff be authorized to concurrently give notice to BPA of its intent
to return to a 100% Priority Firm rate status on October 1, 1998.
The Economic Impact will result in a 13.1% reduction in the PF portion of our load. These
new rates will go into effect on October 1, 1996. This is a slightly higher savings than was
projected in the 96-97 budget.
The contract negotiated for 10% of our load will allow purchase of 4 average megawaits
during the months of September through March. These rates will remain in effect for 15
~nonths and will result in an annualized savings of $166,200 after amortizing the "exit fee" of
$157,000 over the 5-year life of the contract.
BPA requires a 2-year notice in order to return to the PF rate for the 10% portion being
diversified. Staff is recommending that we concurrently give BPA notice of our intention to
return to the PF rate with each 15 month surplus power contract.
It is also suggested that beginning July 1, 1997, the Council consider placing one-half of any
projected savings from the surplus power purchase in a "Rate Stabilization Account". The
purpose of this account would be to levelize any savings in the surplus power market over
the next 5 years and also provide a hedge against a possible BPA rate increase in 2001.
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Estimated savings from Surplus Power Sales Contract (annualized);
Surplus Power Rate Savings $ 197,600
less Exit fee (prorated) < 31.400 >
Net Savings $ 166,200
Actual Savings for FY 1996-97
Surplus Power Rate Savings
less Exit fee
Net Savings
$ 197,600
< 157.000 >
$ 40,600
Projected total savings over the 5-year contract period could be in the range of $600,000 to
$800,000 depending on Surplus Power market conditions.
Wanderschied spoke regarding the constantly changing of rates from BPA and how complex
they are. Until the city has more experience with how the new rates are modeled, the city
should be very cautious. This will give the city more experience in the market and have a
better idea as to who the players are.
Almquist explained that in projecting for the next five years does indicate some adverse
effect on the general budget.
Councilors Reid/Hagen m/s to approve Resolution No. 96-32. Roll Call vote: Hauck,
Hagen, Wheeldon, Thompson, Laws and Reid; YES. Motion passed.
3. Reading by title only of "A Resolution amending the pay plan for Management
and Confidential employees for f'tscal year 1996-97."
City Administrator Brian Almquist explained that there are existing contracts with the City's
5 labor unions and this represents cost-of-living (CPI) adjustments effective July 1, 1996.
There is an exception in the Finance Director position whose salary range is adjusted upward
by one step.
Councilors Hauck/Reid m/s to approve Resolution No. 96-33.
Discussion: Councilor Thompson questioned in the future how COLA compared to the rate
of inflation. Comments were made on compensation survey city list. Thompson supported
all COLA increases other than the Executive Management with the exception of the increase
of salary for the Finance Director. Thompson voiced his feelings that those moving into our
area should be aware that compensation may be less but in lieu of compensation there are
many advantages to living in this community. Councilor Hauck questioned the ethics of
cutting out mid-management by giving less benefits.
Roll Call vote: Reid, Hauck, Wheeldon and Laws, YES; Thompson and Hagen; NO.
Motion passed 4-2.
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OTHER BUSINESS FROM COUNCIL MEMBERS
Councilor Wheeldon requested that the Space Needs issue be put on the next agenda.
Councilor Thompson reminded local press that the City's Capital Improvement Plan has been
released and Public Hearings will be taking place in the near future.
ADJOURNMENT
Meeting was adjourned at 9:41 p.m.
'Barbara Christensen, City Recorder/Treasurer ' Catherine M. Golden, Mayor
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