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HomeMy WebLinkAbout1995-0207 REG MINMINUTES FOR THE REGULAR MEETING ASHLAND CITY COUNCIL February 7, 1995 CALLED TO ORDER Meeting was called order at 7:00 p.m. in the Civic Center Council Chambers by Mayor Catherine Golden. ROLL CALL Councilors Laws, Reid, Hauck, Hagen, Thompson were present. Winthrop was absent. Councillor APPROVAL OF MINUTES The minutes of the Regular meeting of January 17, 1995 and Special meeting of January 25, 1995 were accepted as presented. SPECIAL PRESENTATIONS & AWARDS 1. Presentation of "Building Official of the Year" award to Mike Broomfield (award presented by Dave Bassett, Medford Building Official, on behalf of Oregon Building Officials' Association). Mayor's proclamation recognizing February 14, 1995 as the 751h anniversary of the League of Women Voters. CONSENT AGENDA 1. Minutes of Boards, Commissions and Committees. 2. Monthly departmental reports. 3. City Administrator's Monthly Report - January, 1995. 4. Timetable for upcoming vacancies on City Boards, Commissions, and Committees for 1995-96. 5. Confirmation of Mayor's appointment of Robert L. Asher to Forest Lands Commission for a term expiring April 30, 1997. 6. Authorization for Mayor and Recorder to sign deed with Oregon State Transportation Division for right-of-way for Hwy. 66/Crowson Road realignment. 7. Set public hearing for February 21 on request by Youthworks for utilization of 1/2 acre of land at southwest corner of Garfield and East Main Street. 8. Memorandum from Finance Director regarding proposed public hearing for February 21 on sewer rates. Councillor Reid requested that Item #7 be moved to New Business. Councilors Laws/Reid m/s approval of items//1,2 and//4--8. Voice vote all AYES. Motion passed. Clarification of representation by Friends of Ashland concerning contributions by the City of $2500 for "Vision Planning" symposium. John Fields-President of Friends of Ashland, P.O. Box 3010, spoke on Who is "Friends of Ashland"? Addressed questions and issues related to this organization and the proposed Vision Planning Conference. Stated that F.O.A. is committed to communications and is sincere in the effort of pro-activity as a way of demonstrating and showing of appreciation to elected officials. Community spirit and expansion of ownership regarding the conference, consensus building and bringing citizen opinion makers together is some of the goals of Friends of Ashland. Friends of Ashland have received endorsements from Jackson County Homebuilders Assoc., Ashland Board of Realtors, Ashland Chamber of Commerce, Rogue Valley Civic League and invite City of Ashland to join in the endorsement of Friends of Ashland. F.O.A. requests approval that the City of Ashland contribute $2500.00 for the Vision Planning conference. Councillor Reid requested clarification on request of contribution and ways in which the City of Ashland could contribute in-kind without spending the money directly. Mr. Fields stated that the request for contribution could be through in-kind services which would add up to a contribution of $2500.00. There was discussion by Mayor and Council of the possibility of including the brochure for the conference in our utility mailing. Councillor Thompson stated his support in assisting in this conference and felt it represented all citizens rather than a few. q~e~/J~/de~ze/z4. ~~e/ :'~p495' OPEN DISCUSSION: Bob Sullivan, P.O. Box 749 (letter submitted and read by Mayor); Opposed funding by the City for the Friends of Ashland conference. Stated that it would benefit the planning process best if they worked within the planning process and planning department of the City. Joe Eckart, 108 Bush Street; stated his support of F.O.A. felt that this is an independent citizens effort to communicate with each other. He would like to see Council get involved with F.O.A. and achieve a plan which implemented the existing comprehensive plan. He.felt that the F.O.A. would provide a team effort. Councillor Hagen stated that he attended a session at the League of Cities conference on Vision Planning and that this is an accepted practice by more and more cities. Hagen had spoke to F.O.A. in regards to how all planning would legally have to be implemented in the comprehensive plan for the city. Mayor cautioned Friends of Ashland in regards to the verbiage referring to elected officials and city government as not being "citizens". Commented on how committees and commissions are formed out of citizen concerns and felt that F.O.A. gives the impression that previous Vision planning by the city had not been implemented which is not true. Council and Mayor directed staff to contribute $250 for electronic voting use, in-kind assistance by staff for insertion and mailint, of Vision Conference brochure. additional mailing labels as needed with a $2.000.00 cap on total amount of contribution. Staff was directed to complete request by Council with as little expense as possible, if costs were to exceed $2,000.00 approval by Council would be required. Decision on process for selection of preferred alternative for Sewage Treatment Plant upgrade and appointment of Ad Hoc Conunittee. City Administrator Brian Almquist stated at a previous meeting it was suggested that a representative from the community be appointed to work with the Department of Public Works on selecting an alternative to be presented to the Council. Public Works Director Steve Hall presented update on alternatives. Year round discharge update information will be available next week. Memorandum of Agreement with Oregon Department of Environment was returned with no changes, it has been signed and sent back for their signature. Councilor Laws suggests that the Council not form a Ad Hoc Committee that the policy makers should be the ones to make the recommendations and suggests setting a meeting for discussion of these recommendations by the Council for making a decision on the alternative plan. Kirk Evans, 229 Vaness, Voiced his opposition to the dosing of Public Hearing regarding formation of an Ad Hoc Committee. Mr. Evans was informed by Council that the Public Hearing had not been closed regarding this issue, but only that a Ad Hoc Committee was not going to be formed. Councilors Laws/Hauck.m/s approval for advertisement and setting of a meeting for discussion regarding Sewage Treatment Plant upgrade be placed on March 7, 1995 agenda. Voice vote all AYES. Motion passed. 5 NEW AND MISCELLANEOUS BUSINESS 1. Request by Councillor Hagen of proposed letter to State Highway Division regarding !eft-turn lane project at North Main and Maple Streets. Councilor Hagen presented to Council a draft with six points of concern regarding the Oregon Department of Transportation proposal for construction at Maple Street. He stated that he had been in contact with Franks Stevens at the District office and Joan Simons who is the project leader with concern relating to pedestrian safety and requested improved communication of O.D.O.T. in this project. Public Discussion open: Jim Hibbert, 267 Oak, Stated his long term problems with N. Main and Maple Street. He felt the city could jeopardize this project if the state is put in a position regarding our concerns and may stop the project. Councilor Hagen felt that the current design would encourage faster speed and no protection. Susan Downs, 563 N Main,Submitted a letter to the Council with her concerns regarding the proposed street widening and requested Council to obstruct this project. She shared her experiences in dealing with trauma victims from accidents at this intersection. She also felt that a landmark tree should be preserved along with the safety of citizens. Pam Barlow, Department of Public Works, reported that she had spoke with O.D.O.T. with concerns that if there were any additional opposition to this project it could be setback due to cutbacks in the department. She requested council to consider impact of further delays. Councilor Reid questioned whether there had been discussion regarding community funding for traffic light. Public Works Director Steve Hall reported that this project was within the O.D.O.T. jurisdiction and State Highway. Patrick Aleman, 135 Cooligde, Questioned what the cities alternatives would be if the concerns submitted to O.D.O.T. were turned down. Mayor stated that if the City of Ashland did not match the funds that the State required, the project would end. It was confirmed by Steve Hall that the City does have a signed agreement with the State that states we would match funds, these funds are divided between the Street Fund and Hospital Fund. Th,.. Mayor folt that it would bc possible to bc rclea:,cd ~om the agt,.~ment if the City requested. ~ _ ~4to.~.a/ 7 Request by Councillor Winthrop that Council clarify intent of his motion made at the January 17 meeting regarding the Clinton/Ann Streets LID. Brief discussion by Council regarding clarification of motion. Council felt motion 3. Item #7 moved from Consent Agenda regarding setting public heating on request by YouthWorks for utilization of 1/2 acre of !and southwest corner of Garfield and East Main Street. Councillor Hagen felt there should be more discussion before the public hearing. Councilor Reid felt this issue was moving too quickly and felt more notification to the community was needed. Requested that the city post a sign in the neighborhood along with the normal advertising of public hearings. Councilor Laws noted that this was a big project and that the council should get all input before making a decision. Council requested that there be a public hearing on March 7, 1995 which would allow neighbors to get together for discussion. ORDINANCES, RESOLUTIONS & CONTRACT 1. Authorization for Mayor and Recorder to sign agreement with Jackson County for extension of Bear Creek Greenway. Councilors Hauck/Hagen m/s approval for Mayor and Recorder to sign agreement with Jackson County. Roll Call vote: Thompson, Hagen, Hauck, Reid, Laws YES. Motion passed. Authorization for City Administrator to sign agreement with Oregon Department of Transportation for fund exchange in connection with East Main widening project. Councillor Thompson requested clarification by Public Works Director Steve Hall. Councilors Reid/Laws approval for City Administrator to sign agreement with Oregon Department of Transportation. Roll Call vote: Hagen, Hauck, Reid, Laws, Thompson YES. Motion passed. 9 7. Councillor Thompson commented on the format of the past ~,oal setting, session. Would request that future sessions be more structured and able to get to goals quicker. Mayor commented that she was not unhappy with the goal setting session and that the C--cnan~l needs to trust the process. 8. Councillor Thompsons voiced concern on need o'~~fpro~ra ~ requested future discussion regarding need and strategy. ADJOURNMENT Meeting was adjourned at 9:52 p.m. Barbara Christensen, Recorder Catherine M. Golden, Mayor 11 Pi~ (.)C ! ,A ,~ i A T! ( ) N WIII:,RIL,\~, ]~'I~IIRI ',RY 14. !or)5, MAI,~KS TIll.: 75'i'11 A.~NIVI!I,LW~RY ()1' TIll! ]?(')I..;NI)IN(',; (.)1' 'l'l!i. ]..I.A(~I j! ()J. WOMI'N VO'!'IH~,S ()1" 'l'lll~ (;NIII.I) S'I'A i'ES; WHEREAS, THE LEAGUE OF WOMEN VOTERS, FOUNDED IN 1920, HAS WORKED FOR 75 YEARS TO BE A VOICE FOR CITIZENS AND A FORCE FOR CHANGE; WHEREAS, THE LEAGUE OF WOMEN VOTERS HAS PROVIDED NONPARTISAN INFORMATION ON CANDIDATES AND ON ISSUES FOR ELECTIONS, ENCOURAGED VOTER REGISTRATION AND INFORMED VOTING, AND HELPED GENERATIONS OF VOTERS UNDERSTAND THE STRUCTURE AND FUNCTION OF GOVERNMENT; AND WHEREAS, THE LEAGUE OF WOMEN VOTERS OF ASHLAND WAS ESTABLISHED IN 1963 TO THis SAME END; BE IT RESOLVED THAT THE CITY OF ASHLAND: i. RECOGNIZES THE CONTRIBUTIONS MADE BY THE LEAGUE OF WOMEN VOTERS OF THE UNITED STATES THE PAST 75 YEARS; 2. EXTENDS HEARTIEST CONGRATULATIONS TO THE MEMBERS OF THIS ORGANIZATION ON THE OCCASION OF THIS ANNIVERSARY; 3. OFFERS BEST WISHES FOR THE CONTINUED SUCCESS OF THE % LEAGUE OF WOMEN VOTERS IN THE FUTURE. PASSED AND ADOPTED THIS 7TH DAY OF FEBRUARY, .1995. BARBARA CHRISTENSEN, RECORDER CATHERINE M. GOLDEN, MAYOR teague of: wornen! ue¢ s oI: ashtanOi. i,. o.'neSOn P.O. Box 1296 Ashland. Qf,~/n 9~2v0o r Go l den: the League of Women Voters would appreciate a proclamation from you as we celebrate the 75th anniversary of the League 3f Women Voters. We will be having a gala dinner on March ~, 1995, at the Ashland Hills inn. We wou]d be honored to ~ave you present the proclamation to us at that time, if ~::>ossible. WHEREAS February 14, 1995, marks the 75th Anniversary of the ~ounding of the League of Women Voters of the United States; WHEREAS the League of Women Boters, founded in 1920, has worked for 75 years to be a voice for citizens and a force for change; WHEREAS the League of Women Voters has provided nonpartisan ~nformation on candidates and on issues for elections, encouraged voter registration and informed voting, and helped generations of voters understand the structure and function of government; and WHEREAS the League of Women Voters of Ashland was established 'in 1963 to this same end; BE iT RESOLVED THAT THE MAYOR OF THE CITY OF ASHLAND ~ Recognizes the contributions made by the League of Women Voters of the United States the past 75 years; Extends heartiest congratulations to the members of this organization on the occasion of this anniversary; :~.. Offers best wishes for the continued success of the League in the future. BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that the Chief C]erk be directed to :ransmit copies of this resolution to Becky Cain, President of LWVUS, 1730 M St. NW, Washington, D.C. 20036 and to Susan ~'ay]or, Pres'~dent, LWV of Ashland, P.O.Box 1296, Ashland, OR q7520. '~ank you very much for your consideration of this procl amat i on ~88-3654. / / If you have any questions, please call me at