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HomeMy WebLinkAbout1995-1106 SPECIAL MINCITY OF ASttLAND Council Special Session November 6, 1995 Minutes Meeting called to order at 7:00 p.m. Attendance: Mayor Golden and Councilors Thompson, Hauck, Wheeldon and Hagen; Budget Committee Members Regina Stgpahin, Martin I.evine, Roy Bashaw and Care Hartzell. City ~dminislrator Almquist; City Recorder Christensen; Department Heads Lovrovict, Woodley, Brown and Turner; Staff members Harry., Yate,m, Sloeurn, Cartmill, Ackerman, Knox and Harvey; local media. DEPARTMENT OF COMMUNITY DEVF, LO~ STR ATI?.C-IC PI.ANNING PRF.~ENTATION Ry COMMUNITY nEVFJ/)PMENT: Planning Director John McLaughlin, Regional Affairs Conservation Manager Dick Wanderseheid, Energy Analyst Robbin Pearoe and Associate Planner/Housing Officer Kelly Madding. The Department of Community Development presented their mission ala~t which they believe is the most important part of their strategic planning and sets the tone for all they do. The mission statement for the Department of Community Development is to provide innovative, visionary, and quality pubHe service to Asldaud's citizens in an efficient and caring manner, while maintaining a dynamic, fun and enjoyable workplace. We shall maintoin and improve the many desirable qoolifie$ of Ashland, while helping our citl-en~ conserve our valuable tmources in the developmeat and redevelopmerit of our community.~ We further recognize that we are a dedicated and unique group of elf-motivated employees who are willing to go the extra mile and learn all sides of an issue as we assist and support all members of our community. Through our daily efforts in Community Development, we will continue to make Ashland a better place to Hve and work for all its citizem, 'now and in the future. It was explained that Community Developmeat is o}mpriaed of thn~ aeparate divisions: Building, Conservation and Planning. Each of tl~_se has a different focus, but all are related to t.~e future changes and development of our community. RIrII.BING: Provides 'full sexyice' plan checla and inspectiot~ ~ for coastruction, assira in imId~_n~ of the American with Disabilities Act amt service as s~ff support to the l~,,i~in[ Appeal~ Board. CONSERVATION: A multi-faceted program addressing a myriad of issues, including recycling, air quality, water conservation aad composfing. PLANNING: The Division is responsible for current pJ-^-;n~, or thai portkin of the proeeu dealing with active developmeat projects. They are also ~ble for the long- range or compre,heasive planaiag for the community. A new l~vel was added duriag 1994 wl~n the City became pan of the Community Developmeat Block Grant Program sad ~,uw,xt responsibility for the sdminis~ of those graat f-u_ads. The Division provides staff support for the Planning Commission, Historic Commission, Transportation Planning Advisory Commission, Street Tree Commission, Housing Commission and several ad-hoc committees. Analogy for the department was explained as providing a clear vision for the day to day operations. Theft long-range planning efforts is to keep the major issues from building up and overwhelming the departmeat in the future. They believe that if both ~ current and long-range portions of the program is not operating, neither will the City progress towards its de~red goals. ImproveAnent oppo~~ were pri~ as follows: 1 ) Analyze future phone sy m options and upgrades; 2) Develop better public informa~oa i, on'to~ts to explain oftea asked queit~n/; 3) Develop sU'ate~gy to improve communic~fioa; 4) Exp~s~or' and ~,~m of the computer systems; 5) Analyze problems aasociat~ with work flow and work systems; 6) Develop employee incentive program; 7) 0rg211iT~t]oi~ Of work schedules; 8) Improve off'w~Jwork space for Mike, Mark and Maria; 9) long term v. short term projects and 10) more defined time schedules. Explained Oregon Municipal Energy and Conservation Agency (OMECA) and how the program is reported. Preserving Conservation models is very important in preserving the Ashland coasezvation heritage. Not-_~d that the building fees would not increase as a result of Oregon legislature as was indicated in Section II, page 9 and there would not be additional funding available for the Building Division. ~ flF T11~ICIT88IO N *Diffenmt levels of complexity of issues facing the Commuaity Dev~t Depanzne~t amiitseXfects. *I-~w sWateW pz-,~i~g w~Ad fit into tlz budg~ process.*Rsducfioa and coasolida~m of csmw~Ueel amt ce~l,-i, iiens Is nsduce tiz ws~k load oa staff. *Urnlet tlz wm~.zintioa progrim ~ was ~;-cuss~on and ~ regarding recycled nmnnials. *Q. le~ed w~Ai~ thexe wai a sched~!~ for the P~i~n_~ ~t tO ~ with the public in geneal and contracton annually. *~g a base and contact with the gas company for Energy Conserve. Wandersheld confirmed that there is a working zlations~'p with the gas company, programs aimed at saving electricity is because it is paid by lkmneviAle Ioes agree that it is a good notsd tl~ 80~ of elsctrical i~mea in Ashlaad hav~ bsm weagmrized. *Cm'rent number of planning actions as comparst to past years. It may be that there is no differeac~ in numbers, but in the cxxnple~ty of the issues. *HOw tlz cut ia OMECA funds would affect the conservation ~t.*Creating better internal and external communication.*increase of requests by other cities for information on the City.*System to make sure that continuing education from conf~ etc. is past on to other *Barri~ Removal plan for the ci~ is sst at 20~ cotnp~nm each year for 5 years. *Incentive program for employs will be discussed by saaXegjc planning commi4Zee. *How long-range planning is parceled out for leadership and guidance. *It was agreed that citizen committee involvement is helpful. List of priorities by the Community Development Department is as follows: In DroC.~.~: *Transportation Element *Annexations *Recycliag Or<li,,pnce *Hm.tsing Commission *Bike Parking *Vacant Lands *Archeolefy-C, ml 5 *Fordyce $tn~ LID *Historic Ordinance *Citizen Involvement *Oak Street LID *CLG (Certified LocaJ Gov't) *New ! *Skiany Street St&ndaxds *Onz~e Start LID *Tzansixx'ta~o~ System *Peziodk: Review Meeting adjourned 8:55 p.m. Barban Christensen, City 4