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HomeMy WebLinkAbout1995-0307 REG MINMINUTES FOR THE REGULAR MEETING ASHLAND CITY COUNCIL March 7, 1995 MEETING CALLED TO ORDER Meeting was called to order at 7 p.m. in the Civic Center Council Chambers by Mayor Catherine Golden. ROLL CALL Councilors Winthrop, Thompson, Hagen, Reid, Laws and Hauck were present. APPROVAL OF MINUTES The minutes of the Regular meeting of February 21, 1995 were accepted as presented. SPECIAL PRESENTATIONS & AWARDS Presentation of Retirement and Service Certificate - A1 Williams, Electric Utility Director. Mayor Golden spoke in honor of and presented to A1 Williams, Electric Utility Director a Retirement and Service Certificate for 27 years of service and dedication to the City of Ashland. Distinguished Budget Presentation Award from GFOA (presented by JoAnn Stumpf, Finance Director, Grants Pass). Budget Award from the Government Finance Officers Association was presented to the City of Ashland for the seventh consecutive year. Presentation of Clean Air Award from the Oregon Department of Environmental Quality. Award presented to City of Ashland in appreciation for their continued effort to restore healthful air quality to your community. 4. Proclamation of March 4, 1995 as Girl Scout's "Be Your Best Day." Proclamation by Mayor Golden saluting the Girl Scouts of Southern Oregon by proclamation. CONSENT AGENDA 2. 3. 4. Minutes of Boards, Commissions and Committees. Departmental Reports for February, 1995. City Administrator's Monthly Report for February, 1995. Letter from ODOT, regarding letter from City Council on N. Main/Maple Project. Liquor license renewals for 1995-96. Confirmation of Mayor's appointment of Bill Emerson to the Historic Commission for the term ending April 30, 1996. Snow Report for February, 1995. Councilor Winthrop/Hagen m/s approval of consent agenda items #1-#7. Voice vote all AYES. Motion passed. PUBLIC HEARINGS 1. (Continuation) Resolution adopting Sewer Rates for 1995-97. Finance Director Jill Turner presented additional information as requested by council regarding the increasing of sewer rates. She explained that the difference in costs associated with treating commercial and residential waste is in the method of calculation determining cost. The total sewer budget is divided into three cost centers. These cost centers are flow, suspended solids (SS) and biological oxygen demand (BOD). Seventy percent of the costs are related to flow, and fifteen percent each to SS and BOD's. Flow is the measurement taken from customers meters and is known for all three customer classes. BOD and SS data is tracked daily at the waste water treatment plant. Using known factors and national averages you can calculate what the commercial customers use is. Turner presented three sewer rate schedules along with charts showing effect of increase to year 1999. Schedule A shows an equal 15% increase for all classes; Schedule B shows a slower phase in of the commercial rate inequities, Commercial 25%; Residential 11.50%; Multi-family 11.50% which would be an overall increase of 15.00%; Schedule C proposes increases by customer classification and an overall increase, Commercial 28.00%; Residential 10.00%; Multi-family 1.70% which would be an overall increase Of 13.07%. Turner answered what she considered the most asked question "What effect does the Food and Beverage Tax have?", she indicated it would be about $9.00 a month. Additional charts were presented indicating Commercial Sewer Bill Comparisons. Hauck noted on Schedule B and C and the original Option proposed to council, that the average is higher at the end of the chart for Schedule B than what it would be under Schedule C. Turner explained that what our goal is under the rate model is to eliminate the subsidies between classes in 3-5 years. She stated that the class that is paying too much initially is the multi-family and then residential and the beneficiary is the commercial class. There is very little difference between the multi-family and residential classification. Councilor Reid questioned the differences within a class. Seems to be a disappropriate amount on the smaller, individually occupied units compared to a larger occupied unit. Some ideas that had been presented to her by the public were presented for discussion; "Why not punish the people who are using phosphates?" and "Why not incorporate the reduction of phosphates so that would then reduce the cost of the sewer treatment plant?" Director Turner stated that the city does not have sewer meters, we have water meters. What actually goes into sewer from the water source is not a known quantity. This is why within our multi-family and residential the rate is based on the average winter water use, assuming there is no irrigation use during that time. Rate is based on the average of the customer class, average commercial water user uses 5,100 cubic feet per month year round average. Winter average for residential is 730 cubic feet, multi-family is 520 cubic feet. Turner states that there is no current method of measuring or knowing whether people have dishwashers, garbage disposal or whether there is use of phosphate or non-phosphate type detergents. 2 Councilor Winthrop questioned if there was a way that a double check could be provided on the validity of calculations imposed on commercial vs. residential. Questioned whether it was correct to use the National Averages and whether there couldn't be some calculations based on checks, samples etc. to show this is proportional to the subject sewer rates. Public Works Director, Steve Hall explained that the Residential Standard is used because it is very common. Residential use does not very that much throughout the United States. It is used as a common denominator because of this, and is used by all. Commercial flows and commercial strengths vary so much it is almost impossible to establish an average. The only way to establish an average is by measuring flow instantaneously taking samples to do the testing. Depending on the time of the day the chemical balance could be completely off and results would not be of any value. Councilor Winthrop questioned whether most municipalities arrive at their loading of residential and commercial rates by this approach. Winthrop also questioned whether staff was aware of any incentive programs for source control. Open Public Hearing: 7:43 p.m. Michael Bingham, 129 5th, His main concern was that he felt that the utility bills for commercial accounts are already well out of balance with utility bills in other cities under similar circumstances. Reported to council that he had called several business owners in McMinniville and compared their utility bill to current proposed sewer increase. He did not find any foundation for comparison in supporting the proposed sewer increase. Trevor Maun, 1520 Siskiyou Blvd, Representing small group of the lodging association, read a rebuttal to the sewer rates increase proposal. The rebuttal did not support the study done by Hilton, Frankopf and Hobson because they felt it was overshadowed by input from staff and management. He stated that it was time for the business community to join together and make the city of Ashland accountable to what they believe are mistakes in accounting and reason, in regards to the sewer rate increases. Ron Roth, 6950 Old 99 S, Submitted letter from Jim Moore. He fails to understand how council can raise rates when the costs are unknown and the DEQ phosphates measurement is in question. He presented an outlined plan which would reduce phosphates by 75%, the water discharged would be 3times as clean as what the Medford plant is discharging now. He suggested that the council table the sewer rate until the cost is known and take the Medford option out as one of the proposed options. He felt that to make a change in discharge of water other than where it is going now is going to affect the fish and irrigation users. He is scheduled to talk with Senator Lenn Hannon about the DEQ budget. He feels we may spend money when it is not necessary. Russ Silberger, 562 Ray Lane, Commented on the high increases proposed according to graphs presented. Would like more explanation on dramatic increases. Does not believe numbers are accurate. Jim Shute, 1347 Prospect, Thinks we can do a lot more in cleaning up phosphates. Questioned how much is going into our system. He felt we all had a responsibility to clean up Bear Creek. Questioned council on whether they had considered asking administration for additional monies diverted from the Budget, for the sewer plant, rather than raising sewer rates. Michael Gibbs, 536 Ashland St, President Chamber of Commerce. Stated that he does not feel the council should be in such a hurry to make a decision. Feels there are inequities in how businesses are classified. Zach Brombacher, 640 Tolman Crk Rd, Is not in favor of rate increases. He stated that he is one of few businesses that is consistently scrutinized by the DEQ. He questions how rates are set for businesses and suggested that his business be used as a credit in judging water quality. Michael Donovan, 1120 Beswick, Reported that he had looked over the study regarding the sewer rate increase. Does believe that all classes should be charged equally, but questions how you get to that point. He felt that the study leads you to a conclusion based on assumptions that can be challenged. He questions DEQ standards and feels the City should challenge DEQ with the standards that they have set. He asked the council to not impose fees without a known plan. Closed Public Hearing: 8:20 p.m. Financial Director Jill Turner explained that water use was on a monthly basis for commercial accounts and the average winter use, meaning the meter readings taken in the months of January, February and March for multi-family. Because of this it is unequal to compare, unless you are comparing average use. Mathematics is not a summation except for on the flow, it is weighted average and a percentage. Turner stated that you cannot take other funds from the city and use them for the sewer funds, because the sewer fund is an enterprise fund. It stands alone in that the fees and charges that go into the interfund, support the fees and charges for the service that is being provided. This is also true with the City water fund and electric fund. You do not try to cross subsidize across different entities. In addressing the urgency of making a decision, Turner explained that the city is trying to prepare financially to go to Bond Market. She stated that the Bond Market looks very favorable when using the rate study and ramping in rates. If this was put off another six months or was not done this year, to be at the same place next year you would need to increase more than 30%, and would 31% or 32% in total. Whole rate scenario was looked at and it was determined that rates do not have to be increased for current operation, but in two years the rates would need to be raised for operation at a much higher rate. Goal is to ramp in rates over time. On residential use within the commercial classification, she explained that there is one meter that serves residence and dining facilities and this has a very mixed usage. It is not a purely residential used meter. Stated that the cities policy toward customers that have mixed usage, is that they are classified as commercial customers. This is to their benefit in water rates but not in sewer rates, cannot differ between classes for water and sewer. 4 Councilor Reid questioned how commercial, residential and multi-family rates were figured. Turner explained that sewer is rated on the read that is used on a monthly basis, sewer rate varies from month to month. The multi-family and residential is based on the winter read for water usage, it is assumed that the water usage in the months of December, January, February or the meter readings taken in January, February and March is the amount of water that goes into the sewer system. Because during this time there is very little outside water use. Commercial pays on the water usage on a monthly basis. Turner did explain that there are some exceptions to this rule. If excess of your water use can be determined to be irrigation. Then you can base your commercial rates on the winter time average. Councilor Reid supported the paper presented by Ron Roth. Would like to try to meet the phosphates level on the long term and give more time to reduce the amount of phosphates going into our system. Mayor felt it important to stress that different types of businesses are charged differently according to use. Requested comments from staff in regards to the comparison study done by Michael Bingham with McMinniville. City Administrator, Brian Almquist, stated that both the city of McMinnville and Forest Grove have access to Grant County power and about half of their power supply comes at about 10mil per kilowatt hour. That is averaged in with their Bonneville power which allows them to have one of the cheapest electric rates in the state. They are also part owner in the Grant County Dam. Councilor Laws questioned what would happen if we suspend our policy started last year in ramping in the rates and wait until there are more definitive figures on cost, and at that time, ramp in the rates. He asked Turner if by doing this, would it affect our interest rates in the future, anymore than if it were done at this time when we sell our Bonds. Turner stated that she cannot say what affect it would have, but did believe if it did have an affect, it would be negative not positive. Explanation to the Bond Market would be required regarding why a plan was adopted but not followed. She felt that if the city wants to continue with the sewer treatment plant, then the financing plan would need to be continued along with the development plan. Councilor Winthrop addressed issues regarding reasonable cost associated with the sewage treatment plant and cheaper alternatives, looking at other subsidies from city operations to these costs and whether there has been justification on residential and commercial rate classes. Reminded council of the commitment of August 1 to give DEQ an answer regarding what our facility plan is. He felt that if we were to wait for a rate adjustment until we had a plan in place it would not be all that long. He also spoke of March 16 when the Budget Committee will be meeting to receive the budget. Felt that the council should be ready to consider types of cross funding that is not normally done because this is an unprecedented situation. Winthrop is not really satisfied with commercial/residential figures. Councilor Hauck questioned if this was put off for 5 months, assuming that nothing changes in regards to the estimate of cost, what would the effect be on rates. 5 Director Turner stated that it might change the last year, but without running the numbers is would be hard to figure. Councilor Hagen feels discussion of how much this rate increase should be is irrevalent. He feels it is time to give the Financial Director some certainty and give the Bond Market some certainty and go ahead with the plan to fund the sewer treatment plant. He does believe in questioning the regulations, especially the .08 milligrams per liter of phosphorus. He believes that the city is going to need to raise the money that will be generated by this years rate increase and next years rate increase. Councilor Winthrop reminded the council regarding signing the agreement with DEQ and making a commitment that we would not challenging the standards. He feels that a commitment was made in signing the contract and he is not prepared to tell DEQ these requirements are not valid. Council Hagen stated that substantial dollars are needed to be raised and the city has a debt that has been generated over 20 years and now it needs to be paid. Does not believe holding off on rate increases, the adjustments could be made in the last year. Mayor requested clarification regarding why DEQ should not be challenged and why money shouldn't be set aside for a debt that has been estimated as low as $10 million and as high as $34 million. If council is not willing to start setting the money aside, then why would they not be willing to challenge DEQ on their rates. Councilor Winthrop states that money is being set aside through the Food and Beverage Tax and rates have already been increased. He also feels it is appropriate to bring this issue before the budget committee to consider subsidizing some of this cost from general fund monies. Councilor Hagen motion to accept the sewer rate increase as presented in Option C. No second. Councilor Hauck/Hagen m/s to accept the sewer rate increase as presented in Option B. Roll Call vote Hagen YES, Thompson NO, Winthrop NO, Reid NO, Hauck YES, Laws NO. Motion denied 2-4. Discussion: Councilor Thompson requested clarification on Option B. Clarified that this increase would be 25% business, 11.50% multi-family and 11.50% single family residence. Councilors Laws/Winthrop m/s to delay new increase in sewer rates until after August 1, 1995. Roll Call vote Hagen NO, Thompson YES, Winthrop YES, Reid NO, Hauck NO, Laws YES, Mayor NO. Motion denied 3-4. Councilor Thompson motion to accept Option A. No second. Councilor Reid/Thompson m/s alter Option B dropping commercial rates to 15% leaving residential and multi-family the same for the year 1995. Roll Call vote Hagen YES, Thompson YES, Winthrop NO, Reid YES, Hauck YES, Laws NO. Motion passed 4-2. Proposed assessment to be charged against lots within the N. Mountain Avenue Sanitary Sewer District in the area north of Bear Creek; and Resolution levying the assessments. Public Works Director Steve Hall explained the resolution levying assessments within the N. Mountain Avenue Sanitary Sewer District north of Bear Creek. Final cost came in approximately 7% below what the preliminary assessment role was, assessment is under $5,000 per acre which was the assessment basis on the twelve parcels of land within the local improvement district totally approximately 63 acres. Because of the delay from the last council agenda, the levy of assessments were delayed two weeks and staff suggests that the city pick up the additional interest for that period of time since it was beyond the control of the property owners involved. Councilor Laws questioned how this tied into the long range plan for North Mountain. Director Hall explained that these sewer lines will serve the entire area. Public Hearing Open: 9:08 p.m. Public Hearing Closed: 9:08 p.m. Councilor Laws/Reid m/s approve adoption of resolution levying assessments in the amount of $313,802.53 for sewer improvements in LID No. 94-04. Roll Call vote Laws YES, Reid YES, Hauck YES, Hagen YES, Winthrop YES, Thompson YES. Motion passed. 3. Proposed Street Dedication Map for Fordyce Street. Mayor Golden read the Public Hearing format for Land Use Hearings, because this is land use, it falls under State guidelines and has very specific hearing criteria. Mayor called to order the Public Hearing regarding application #94-128, request for amendments to the City of Ashland Transportation plan map. Amendment involves the location future required street dedications (extensions) between Romeo Drive and Millpond Road, Evan Lane and Fordyce Street, Orchid Street and Kirk Land and Munson Drive and Kirk Lane. Planning Director John McLaughlin explained that the cities comprehensive plan has a policy on the transportation element which states that inter- connections between residential neighborhoods shall be encouraged for automobile, pedestrian and bike traffic but non local automobile traffic shall be discouraged through street design except for arterials, collectors and sub-collectors. Cul-de-sac or dead-end street designs shall be discouraged whenever an inter-connectional alternative exists. In all modified grid streets, patterns shall be encouraged for connecting new and existing neighborhoods during subdivisions, partitions and through the use of the street dedication map. Director McLaughlin explained that the planning department is trying to establish the remainder of the street network for the Fordyce neighborhood on our street dedication map to ensure the logical development of inter- connected street pattern. Map of the area was displayed presenting street patterns for this proposal. Mayor asked if any member of the council wishes to abstain, declare a conflict of interest or report any ex-party contact. 7 Councilor Thompson reported that he was on the planning commission that heard this request in November 1994. He stated that he did vote in favor on this issue. Councilor Reid reported that she had visited the site, walked the neighborhood and viewed a particular piece of property involved in the street dedication. Councilor Laws reported that he had visited the site involved. Councilor Hagen reported that he had visited the site involved. Open Public Hearing: 9:16 p.m. In favor: Wes Reynolds, 1265 Munson Drive, Likes the general idea, and that this is the most comprehensive proposal for how their neighborhood would develop. He would ask that the planning department delay the plan because he feels it is a piece meal decision. He does not want to deprive the neighborhood of a planning opportunity. In opposition: Dennis Hoffbuhr, 1062 E Jackson St Medford, representing Ashland Associates who have an option on tax lot 3700/391ElOBB. Voiced concern that the proposed drawings would become cast in stone, he feels there should be flexibility in design. Carolyn Eidman, 541 Fordyce, Expressed problems associated with her property in this proposal. She feels that the road would be very detrimental to her project. She has wanted to put up Solar buildings, but it has been a struggle with the Planning Department. Peter Drarh, 1280 Munson, He felt that the street dedication should be treated as a neighborhood plan. He states that the proposed street would make it very difficult and requests council to give neighborhood a chance to be a part of the planning. Cynthia Martin, 1355 E Main, Stated that the street would leave her property landlocked and would cut her property in two pieces. Proposed that they run the street out to Wightman and not cut her property into two pieces. Cythnia Parks, 1248 Munson, She felt that some property owners were being arbitrarily excluded from being disturbed by this proposal. Did not believe that the map indicated "real" situations. Dick Streng, 1255 Munson, Encourages community development and concerned with traffic in the neighborhood. Felt that if the connection is made there would be too much traffic. Closed Public Hearing: 9:30 p.m. Director McLaughlin addressed questions and concerns heard in Public Hearing. Does not believe that this effort would preclude the planning department from addressing the concerns of traffic calming. There is a possibility of Local Improvement District forming in about a year. City ordinance states that the staff supervisor or planning commission may modify the location of required street to account for practical difficulties implementing this ordinance as long as the general intent of providing safe transportation from one point to another is insured. The cities comprehensive plan policy states to discourage high speed thru- traffic through street design, but allow for inter-connected streets. The proposed design does meet this policy. Councilor Reid asked when the improvement of Fordyce would be formed and would property owners be notified. Director McLaughlin replied that the LID should happen in the coming year along with neighborhood meetings and possible construction in two years. As development occurs in the subdivision process happens, it will all be open for public involvement. He reported that the planning commission in the future will try to design a more clear vision that streets will continue if that is the intent. Mayor stated that what is being proposed is not any different than what the neighbors are requesting, she feels the neighbors want input on what the streets look like. Councilors Thompson/Hauck m/s to approve proposed street dedication map for Fordyce Street. Roll Call vote Laws YES, Thompson YES, Winthrop YES, Hauck YES, Reid YES, Hagen YES. Motion Passed. Discussion: Councilor Thompson stated that this section was annexed in 1985 and does feel that the planning is on the right track. Feels that we do need this transportation plan to get the neighborhood settled as far as planning application. He does feel the planning commission is more receptive to some variations and that we do need the transportation plan so there is an understanding by the neighborhood of what is planned. Request by Youthworks for use of one-half acre of City land at the corner of E. Main and Garfield for Ashland Youth Resources Center. Councilors Reid/Winthrop m/s approve request to postpone Public Hearing regarding request by Youthworks to 1st council meeting in April. Voice vote all AYES, Motions passed. Discussion: Public Hearing may not be requested again by Youthworks, but would instead get together as a working group to explore options. PUBLIC FORUM Business from the audience not included on the agenda (limited to 5 minutes per speaker and 15 minutes total). John W. Nicholson, 1575 Greenmeadows, Presented a resolution proposal to council requesting reactivation of the audit committee. Proposed resolution would revise Resolution No. 91-16. Some of the reasons he felt the audit committee should reactivate were 1) The council needs technical advice on audit management; 2) Council should reassert control over audit management 3) Present audits for Ashland meet minimum legal requirements but do not provide adequate safeguards; 4) Independent economy and efficiency audits should be routine procedures; 5) An effectual audit committee can enhance public confidence in the City's government; 6) Present financial reporting by the City is not timely and does not meet citizen needs; 7) Any municipality can get into financial trouble; 8) A strong audit committee should be viewed as a co-producer of solutions to accounting, auditing and financial problems. Mr. Nicholson delivered several petitions signed by citizens requesting council to consider this proposal. Councilor Winthrop does not believe in the characterization of the council as described by Mr. Nicholson. He questioned Mr. Nicholson on why he believed the audit committee ceased to function. Mr. Nicholson felt that the audit committee ceased to function because it did not get support from prior councils. He feels that with the new council it will get support and hopes that this form of financial control and management will be reactivated and made into an effective force. Councilor Reid suggested that this proposal be put on a future agenda, council agreed on the second meeting in April. UNFINISHED BUSINESS Mayor turned meeting over to Councilor Reid. Request by Councillor Thompson for Council support of recommendations on infill and affordability. Councilor Thompson presented letter to council asking for consideration of rezoning peripheral areas of the city or annexing anymore land. His letter proposed the ordinance modifications that would encourage infill and discourage sprawl. Councilor Hagen supports the concept presented but felt it needed more work. Councilor Laws felt that the objectives of anti-sprawl are laudable but stated that unless you have a problem you shouldn't be trying to solve it. He did not feel that Ashland had a sprawl problem. Suggested that Councilor Thompson is too far ahead in what the people of Ashland are ready for. Larry Medinger, 695 Mistletoe Road, Feels that the issue being discussed is more statewide. He felt there will be more direction from legislature on this issue and taking direction may not be city controlled. Agreed with suggestion that this proposal should go to Public Hearing and through an informational process. 10 Councilor Reid commented on the Visioning conference which should communicate what the community is asking for. Councilor Hauck gave direction to Councilor Thompson to design an ordinance revision and then take to planning commission for their recommendation on the revision, then submit it to council for action. Request by Mayor Golden for Council clarification of intent of Goal #2: "Commit to an ongoing matching grant program for LID sidewalk construction in existing neighborhoods, not to exceed $30,000 per year." Mayor was under the impression that in T-pack there is existing funds to be used for sidewalk repairs, placing sidewalk and infill where there are missing pieces. At the last T-pack meeting there was an impression made that this was the $30,000 which was spoken of at the goal setting session. She felt it necessary to clarify with all council members that they understood the $30,000 is to be set aside for Local Improvement Districts as new money. Councilor Laws understood that this money did not have to be all matching money, it could be used to pay the full amount on some unique pieces. Mayor Golden clarified that the intent of this money was for an incentive program to encourage neighbors. Councilor Hagen understood that a structure was going to be set up where this program would be published and neighborhoods would be made aware of this money and based on the number of neighborhoods that responded and the cost of their project money would then be allocated based on that. The percentage would be determined on the number of responses. Public Works Director Steve Hall suggested that staff present to the council for consideration in a month, some general comments. Report by Councillor Winthrop on recent meeting of National Association of Regional Councils of Government. Councilor Winthrop reported that the general feeling is, that while congress is very busy off-loading all programs they can to the State level, there is no interest in following through to bring programs down to local level. Feels council should be concerned and be more directly involved in lobbying both Federally and State. NEW AND MISCELLANEOUS BUSINESS 1. Letter from Coopers & Lybrand concerning accounting procedures at Municipal Court. Informational only, required no action by council. 11 Memo from the Airport Commission requesting delay of hangar lease lottery to explore options to fire sprinklers. Public Works Director Steve Hall presented memo from airport commission requesting to delay the process approved for a lottery to select individuals constructing 3 hangars at the Ashland Municipal Airport. Council agreed in consensus to approve delay of the approval process. ORDINANCES, RESOLUTIONS & CONTRACTS 1. First reading of "An Ordinance amending the Ashland Municipal Code, Land Use Ordinance, modifying front yard setbacks in the R- i District and encouraging porches." Councilors Hagen/Reid m/s approve of First reading of Ordinance amending Ashland Municipal Code, Land Use Ordinance, modifying from yard setbacks and move to second reading. Roll Call vote Hauck YES, Reid YES, Laws YES, Winthrop YES, Hagen YES, Thompson YES. Motion passed. Second reading by title only of "An Ordinance expanding the season for outdoor burning by amending Section 10.30.020 of the Ashland Municipal Code and declaring an emergency." Councilors Winthrop/Thompson m/s to approve second reading of An Ordinance expanding the season for outdoor burning. Roll call vote Thompson YES, Laws YES, Reid YES, Winthrop YES, Hauck NO, Hagen NO. Motion passed 4-2. Discussion: Councilor Thompson questioned why it was not considered to limiting it just to the wild fire zone. He felt that it should be considered. Councilor Laws agreed with Councilor Thompson. Councilor Hauck stated that there wasn't a big disagreement about the March extension, but felt the problem was with the winter month extension. On of the objections that he had heard was that when the ordinance was originally written, the interface was smaller geographically than now and administratively there would be problems because it is so much larger now. Mayor reminded council that the concern regarding the ordinance was in minimizing the fuel load in the interface area. The concern that citizens had was regarding the air shed and air quality. She felt that the ordinance as passed was a compromise, that in two years the council will revisit this ordinance because there is a more stronger, urgent need to get down the fuels in privately owned land. This will be done with three criteria, fire danger, air quality, ventilation and moisture content within the fuel that needs burned. Councilor Hauck asked if there was consensus by council that during the summer, leading up to the winter months, that there will be opportunity for an Ad Hoc committee to be put together to re-discuss this ordinance and work out concerns regarding the open burning. This would aim toward fire depression but also meeting air quality needs. Council agreed that this ordinance should be looked at again in the future. Councilor Winthrop/Thompson m/s to continue past 10 p.m. Voice vote all AYES. 12 Reading by title only of "A Resolution of intention to provide for improvements to the Oak Knoll Golf Course parking lot; authorizing and ordering the local improvements; assessing the cost against the property to be benefitted and creating the Oak Knoll Golf Course Parking Lot Local Improvement District". Councilors Reid/Hauck m/s to approve resolution of intention to provide for improvements to the Oak Knoll Golf Course parking lot Roll Call vote Hauck YES, Reid YES, Laws YES, Thompson YES, Winthrop YES, Hagen YES. Motion passed. OTHER BUSINESS FROM COUNCIL MEMBERS Councilor Hagen noted the recycling project happening with phone books. It was noted that Ashland Sanitary is taking catalogs and magazines starting April 15, 1995. Councilor Reid reported that the Oregon Department of Transportation will hold an open house to discuss the Maple Street intersection project on Thursday, March 23,from 5 p.m to 9 p.m. in the community center. Councilor Hagen reported that he and Administrator Brian Almquist will be traveling to Salem to meet with O.D.O.T. Councilor Laws commented on the white copy of the background paper drafted by Laws on the Wastewater Decisions for interested citizens. He circulated paper for council signature. Administrator Brian Almquist reminded council of the needed nominations for the Jim Ragland Citizen Award. ADJOURNMENT Meeting was adjourned at 10:30 p.m. Barbara Christensen, Recorder Don Laws, Acting Chairperson 13