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HomeMy WebLinkAbout1995-0621 SS MIN MINUTES CITY COUNCIL STUDY SESSION SPECIAL MEETING ASHLAND CITY COUNCIL JUNE 21, 1995 Study session at 12:30 p.m. held Civic Center Council Chambers. Present were Mayor Golden, Councilors Winthrop, Hagen, Laws, Thompson, Reid, Hauck, City Administrator Almquist, City Attorney Nolte, Assistant City Administrator Christianson, City Recorder Christensen, Planning Director McLaughlin, Finance Director Turner, Fire Chief Woodley, Police Chief Brown, Public Works Engineer Jim Olson, WWTP Coordinator Paul Brown and local newspaper staff. GENERAL DISCUSSION by Council on the purpose of holding a third meeting and the timing of this meeting. Councilor Laws did not feel that the meeting would make it possible for citizens to attend. He used the City of Medford as an example as to how they discuss agenda items prior to their evening meeting and there is a general feeling by the citizens of secrecy by the Council members. He felt that there was danger of removing the process of deliberation in decisions for public business without coming to any conclusions. ~ ~Q Councilor Reid was in favor of having.emore meetingSduring the day, but keep the Public Hearings for the evening meetings. She felt that the Council could conduct some business during the study sessions and that these study sessions should be tried for a trial period of 3-6 months. Councilor Thompson felt that it would create an opportunity to interact with other bodies of government. Councilor Hagen was in favor of another evening meeting. Mayor Golden stated that there would be no city business during the study session meetings, but that the Council would deal with side bar issues only. WWTP COORDINATOR'S REPORT was presented by Paula Brown to Council. She handed out a schedule on the WWTP process for decision making which composed of two sections, one schedule for the coordinator and one for the Council's task. Outlined in the schedule for the WWTP coordinator was getting information on alternatives to the Council in order for a decision to be made. She will be determining the validity of all the information; going over with the Council their common themes; 1 going over the general understanding of where the City is at with the project and meeting with various entities. The schedule for the Council involves a decision to be made by August 15, and a facility plan to DEQ by October 1, 1995. A six hour study session was scheduled for July 31, 1995 beginning the decision process. It will begin at 2 p.m. until 5 p.m. and begin again for public input from 7 p.m. until 9 p.m. with an additional Public Hearing scheduled around the 7th or 8th of August. STAFF REPORTS were presented by Personnel on the Management Training project for the Public Works department. City Attorney Nolte presented a case of interest to the Council involving the Mayor of Tualatin who was accused of an ethics violation for Land Use Planning. In this case, the insurance company for the City would not cover the expenses for this case which was backed in decision by the Court of Appeals and Oregon Supreme Court. There was an exception that if the ethic violation was invalid, the City could reimburse the Mayor for expenses. Planning Director McLaughlin reported for Councilor Thompson that the inventory for vacant and under-developed land was in the process. Assistant Administrator Christianson reported that Cable access was working with the County on an intergovernmental agreement partnership. She stated that the City of Medford was not interested but that the County and Southern Oregon State College was interested. The City of Medford would act only as a contractee, but not a partner. Fire Chief Woodley reported that the Wildfire Reduction program was completed with an estimated cost of $1,800-$2,000 an acre. Because of the steepness of the slopes they couldn't use horses and were unable to chip due to the damage that could be caused to the slopes by the machinery. He reported that the program was a success and that the neighbors were very happy. Also noted was that fire season will start June 24, 1995 and that the new ordinance recently passed opening up the burning season would be revisited in October. SIDE BOARD ISSUES Council agreed to have the Conservation Commission address the possibility of a store front for selling "green products", e.g. energy-efficient lighting, phosphate-free detergents, etc. Councilor Thompson recommended and received consensus by Council 2 City Administrator Almquist will send a letter for next budget year regarding posting of all City entrances with signs declaring Ashland to be a "multi-model City". Councilor Thompson suggested taking this item to TPAC. Gary Schrodt was invited by Councilor Hagen to demonstrate the 3 dimensional model of the City. The intention is to market the final model for the use of the community. OTHER ISSUES FROM COUNCIL MEMBERS Discussion by Council regarding annexation criteria and how to proceed. Planning Director McLaughlin encouraged the Council to form a committee consisting of themselves and the Planning Commission. He felt a committee which was better versed on Planning issues would be able to move forward quicker or defer to the Planning Commission. He requested from Council that they be clear in what they want to happen or what they feel is wrong or needs corrected regarding annexation criteria. Council agreed to form a committee consisting of Councilors Don Laws, Brent Thompson, Planning Director John McLaughlin, Planning Commissioner Barbara Jarvis and City Attorney Paul Nolte. This committee would address all the viable alternatives and then present these alternatives to the Council for approval. JoeIH~bbe~t spoke regarding his ideas on conditions in which annexations exist. He suggest that there be no annexation of lands outside the city limits which exceed 5 acres without a vote by the citizens. Councilor Thompson volunteered to check further on this issue. Jack Blackburn spoke regarding his belief that annexations should not be "seduced" by affordable housing criteria. He felt that the criteria for affordable housing is too narrow for citizens and that they should be able to express their opinions. There was discussion by council with Mr. Blackburn explaining the Public Land Use laws and that State law governs how the public is able to express their opinions regarding land use issues. / Barbara Christensen, City Recorder Meeting adjourned at 1:55 p.m.