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HomeMy WebLinkAbout1994-0802 REG MINMINUTES FOR THE REGULAR MEETING ASHLAND CITY COUNCIL August 2, 1994 CALLED TO ORDER The meeting was called to order at 7:14 p.m. in the Civic Center Council Chambers. ROLL CALL Councillors Laws, Reid, Hauck, Arnold, Winthrop and Arnold were present. APPROVAL OF MINUTES Councillor Winthrop amended the minutes of the Regular Meeting of July 19, 1994 to read: New and Miscellaneous Business, page 3, ¶2: Councillors Winthrop/Acklin m/s to allocate $2,500 for membership in new organization; $1,000 allocated to small business loan fund; write letter to Jackson County Commissioners to request City of Ashland be included on the new Board of Directors; and a letter to SOREDI to include statement of support for new organization and that more funds may be allocated in the future. Minutes were accepted as amended. Voice vote all AYES. PROCLAMATIONS & AWARDS 1. Acknowledgement of "Oregon Building Official of the Year" award by Michael Broomfield, Ashland Building Official. Mayor Golden presented the award to Mike Broomfield. 2. Proclamation of week of August 1420 as "Community Theatre Week" in Ashland. Councillors Arnold/Reid m/s to place Item 7 under ORDINANCES. RESOLUTIONS & CONTRACTS. Voice vote all AYES. Motion passed. Reading by title only of "A Resolution of the City Council of the City of Ashland authorizing issuance of water revenue bonds under the uniform revenue bond act. Councillors Arnold/Hauck m/s adoption of Resolution 94-49. Roll call vote: Laws, Reid, Hauck, Acklin, Winthrop, Arnold YES. Motion passed. CONSENT AGENDA 1. Minutes of Boards, Commi$ions and Committees. 2. Monthly departmental reports - May, June and July, 1994. 3. Monthly City Administrator's Report - July, 1994. 4. Ratification of 3-year labor contract with Team~ers' Local//223, representing Ashland police staff. 5. Letter from Oregon Audits Division, congratulating the City for receiving the GFOA Certificate of Achievements for Excellence in Financial Reporting. 6. Set public hearing on August 16, 1994 for adoption of storm drainage fees. 7. Authorization for Mayor and Recorder to sign boundary line adjustment at Mountain Avenue and B Street. 8. Liquor license application from Buddy Sullivan and Jim Shepperd dba\Oak Knoll Restaurant for a change of ownership liquor license for an establishment located at 3070 Highway 66, Ashland. (r:Minutcs\8-2-94.min - pg. 2) Councillors Acklin/Reid m/s to accept Consent Agenda with notice made of the GFOA award in Item #5. Councillor Reid asked that it be noted the Planning Commission minutes were for the June 14 meeting. Voice vote all AYES. Motion passed. PUBLIC HEARINGS (Must conclude by 9:00 p.m.) 1. To consider the sale of revenue bonds by the Oregon Municipal Electric Conservation Agency in the amount of $15 million with debt service to be paid by the Bonneville Power Administration. Conservation Manager Dick Wanderscheid reviewed the program with Council. This program has taken two years to bring to this stage. Program will give us one more year of funding for our conservation projects with increased funding coming to the City next year. Mayor opened public heating at 7:32 p.m. There was no testimony. Public heating was closed at 7:33 p.m. a, Reading by title only of "A Resolution of the City of Ashland authorizing the City Administrator to execute the Project Implementation Agreement with the Oregon Municipal Energy and Conservation Agency (OMECA) and approving OMECA's entering into the Conservation Project Agreement with the Bonneville Power Administrator (BPA). Councillors Laws/Winthrop m/s adoption of Resolution 94-50. Roll call vote: Laws, Reid, Hauck, Acklin, Winthrop, Arnold YES. Motion passed. Reading by title only of "A Resolution of the City of Ashland, Oregon authorizing the issuance of the Oregon Municipal Energy and Conservation Agency of its Conservation Revenue Bonds in an amount not to exceed $15,000,000 and related matters. Councillors Acklin/Winthrop m/s adoption of Resolution 94-51. Roll call vote: Laws, Reid, Hauck, Acklin, Winthrop, Arnold YES. Motion passed. PUBLIC FORUM: Business from the audience not included on the agenda (limited to 3 minutes per speaker and 15 minutes total). Alice Hardesty, 575 Dogwood Way, spoke to Council regarding fire prevention and water conservation. Her written statement was entered into the public record. Council responded that most of the items mentioned by her had been addressed and implemented by Council and city departments. Other items are being implemented through the Water Conservation program. Mrs. Hardesty requested her letter to Council be answered point by point. SPECIAL INTRODUCTION OF GUF~TS Mayor Golden introduced official visitors from the city of Nabari, Japan. Mayor of Nabari spoke to Council and thanked the City for their kind treatment during their visit. Chairperson of Municipal Assembly greeted City Council also. Nabaft officials presented gifts to Mayor and Council. UNFINISHED BUSINESS 1. Adoption of findings, conclusion and order on P.A. 94-056 for development located on Clark Avenue near Garden Way. Councillors Winthrop/Reid m/s adoption. Roll call vote: Laws, Reid, Hauck, Winthrop, Arnold YES; Acklin ABSTAIN. Motion passed. (r:Minutes\8-2-94.mia - pg. 3) NEW & MISCELLANEOUS BUSINESS 1. Letter from Larry Roven appealing decision of Ashland Parks & Recreation Commition banning dogs in city parks. Councillor Arnold stated there were no standards in place for an appeal of a ruling made by the Ashland Parks & Recreation Commission and requested Council consider establishing standards. Councillor Reid argued that Council had power to hear appeals and did not need to establish further standards nor was she willing to establish standards and then request Larry Roven to return under the newly-established standards. Councillor Laws requested that a public hearing be set for a future meeting whenever an appeal was received by Council. City Attorney Paul Nolte stated that the appeal before Council was not a legitimate appeal as the Parks & Recreation Commission had voted to maintain the Ordinance prohibiting dogs in any of the City parks and did not designate any areas within City parks where dogs may be allowed. Nolte stated Council could consider this a request for an Ordinance amendment which is within the powers of the Council. Larry Roven, 417 Normal Avenue, read his statement to Council requesting space be designated to allow dog owners to have more access to park land. Russ Silbiger, 564 Ray Lane, requested Council consider amending the Ordinance to allow dogs access to existing parks or request an area be designated for dogs within the parks land. Lynda Thompson, 515 Maple Way, requested Council consider amending the Ordinance to designate areas in existing parks or parks to be built that would allow dogs to run free while under the care of their owners. Dennis Jarvi, 117 High Street, requested better access be made available for dog owners to walk their dogs in the watershed area at the top of Lithia Park. He supports prohibiting dogs in the existing parks. Parks & Recreation Director Ken Mickelsen spoke to Council regarding parking necessities for the new swimming reservoir and the upper Granite Street area that abuts the watershed area. He stated that there was a dog trail established years ago in the upper area of Lithia Park, but it has since been turned into other use. Parking requirements and US Forest Service requirements for access and turn-around space near the watershed access area have forced some recon~gurations to take place along upper Granite and Glenview. Council chose to accept the request by Mr. Roven with no action being taken. Request by Councillor Laws that City co-sponsor 251h anniversary of Earth Day activities next April. Councillor Laws requested the City co-sponsor this event and suggested Councillor Acklin be designated City representative. Councillor Acklin accepted designation. Councillors Winthrop/Reid m/s approve co-sponsorship of Earth Day event next April with Pat Acklin designated as representative for the City and authorize waiving of banner fee of $125. Voice vote all AYES. Motion passed. Memorandum from Councillor Arnold regarding public consensus on Siskiyou Boulevard future. Councillor Arnold reviewed process used to gather information that establishes criteria and additional considerations for future plans of Siskiyou Boulevard from the public library to Walker Avenue. Consensus was reached after many public meetings which included meetings with neighbors and businesses along Boulevard. Councillors Laws/Reid m/s to continue meeting past 9:30 p.m. Voice vote all AYES. Motion passed. Council applauded process used for consensus building by Arnold. Arnold requested Council approve concept and recommend presentation to Oregon Department of Transportation for their study and implementation. Councillors Acklin/Reid m/s adoption of concept. Voice vote all AYES. ORDINANCES. RESOLUTIONS & CONTRACTS 1. First reading by title only of "An Ordinance adding Chapter 13.24 to the Ashland Municipal Code to establish standards for naming or renaming streets." Councillor Arnold stated Ordinance would not allow some names that might be desirable selections. Councillor Acklin stated she had some toponymy information that she would try to provide to the City Attorney prior to the next Council meeting to allow more selections to be available. No action was taken on the item. First reading by title only of "An Ordinance establishing conditions for the sale of water outside the city limits." Councillor Laws reviewed his request for the establishment of conditions for the sale of water outside the city limits. Cate Hartzell, 881 E. Main Street, stated stipulations of Ordinance had more to do with conditions after a decision regarding water sale had been made by Council. She would hope to see Ordinance that spoke to decision making based more on conditions of resource capacity. Councillor Acklin stated the intent of such an Ordinance would be to define standards to use existing resources. Councillor Arnold moved to extend meeting past 10:00 p.m. for 30 minutes. There was no second. Motion died. Councillor Reid stated she was not sure if she could support a request to sell water outside the Urban Growth Boundary (UGB) except in cases of fire protection or other similar situations. Councillor Hauck stated he had trouble supporting the Ordinance because it allowed sales outside the UGB. Mayor Golden requested Council consider long-range effects this Ordinance would have on future requests for water outside City limits and in the urban growth boundary. Mayor stated that up until one month ago, Council had power to sell water outside city limits and this Ordinance would only serve to establish precedents that may be difficult to deal with in the future. (r:Minutes\8-2-94.min - pg. 5) Councillors Winthrop/Hauck m/s to extend meeting to 10:30 p.m. Voice vote all AYES. Motion passed. Councillor Arnold disagreed with Ordinance as it is written stating City should not sell water outside city limits. Arnold stated Council is responsible to citizens of Ashland. Councillors Winthrop/Acklin m/s passage to second reading with additional language specifying consideration of limited resources. Roll call vote: Laws, Reid, Acklin YES; Arnold, Hauck NO. Motion passed. Mayor Golden advised Council she would exercise her veto power over passage of Ordinance. Councillor Arnold reminded Mayor that Ordinance would have to be voted on at second reading before veto could be exercised. Second reading by title only of "An Ordinance adding Section 15.04.110 to the Ashland Municipal Code to adopt Oregon park trailer installation standards, recreational vehicle accessory structure and accessory building standards and Oregon recreational vehicle siting standards; providing for the issuance of permits and the collection of fees. Councillors Arnold/Laws m/s adoption of Ordinance 2739. Roll call vote: Laws, Reid, Hauck, Acklin, Winthrop, Arnold YES. Motion passed. Second reading by title only of "An Ordinance adding Chapter 4.27 to the Ashland Municipal Code concerning the establishment of a storm drainage utility and storm drainage utility fees. Councillors Hauck/Laws m/s adoption of Ordinance 2740. Roll call vote: Laws, Reid, Hauck, Winthrop and Arnold YES; Acklin NO. Motion passed. , Reading by title only of "A Resolution dedicating property for park purposes pursuant to Article XIX, Section 3, of the City Charter (Siskiyou Mountain Park)". Councillors Hauck/Reid m/s adoption of Resolution 94-52. Roll call vote: Laws, Reid, Hauck, Acklin, Winthrop, Arnold YES. Motion passed. Reading by title only of "A Resolution of the City of Ashland requesting the Bonneville Power Administration to delay its tiered rate proposal for one year." Councillors Winthrop/Reid m/s adoption of Resolution 94-53. Roll call vote: Laws, Reid, Hauck, Acklin, Winthrop, Arnold YES. , Reading by title only of "A Resolution of the City Council of the City of Ashland authorizing issuance of water revenue bonds under the uniform revenue bond act. Resolution moved forward. OTHER BUSINESS FROM COUNCIL MEMBERS Councillor Winthrop suggested Council keep table arrangement as it was set up for the Study Session. Winthrop stated people speaking to Council seemed to be more comfortable with this set up. Councillor Hauck read a statement from Parks & Recreation Commission regarding water use restfictions for landscaping in City parks. This will reduce their water usage by 30%. (r:Minutcs\8-2-94.min-pg. 6) Councillor Hauck stated he voted against the Ordinance to allow water to be sold outside city limits because it made possible water sales to lots outside urban growth limits. Councillor Acklin stated she objected to being rushed or shouted down during Council meetings when Councillors may yet have a point to make. Mayor Golden stated it was a goal established during the Goal Setting Session to keep the meetings moving along. ADJOURNMENT Meeting was adjourned at 10:05 p.m. / ~ ..... 7{ /' . Nan E. F~in, R~rder Catherine M. Golden, Mayor (r:Minules\8-2-94.min - Pl. 7) OUTLINE OF ALICE HARDESTY'S STATEMENT TO THE ASHLAND CITY COUNCIL WITH RESPECT TO THE FIRE HAZARD AUGUST 16, 1994 I APPRECIATE THE THOUGHTFUL RESPONSE TO MY STATEMENT BUT I CAN SEE THAT THERE IS MUCH MORE TO BE DONE. I'm glad to see that the City is concerned. It is clear from the material in the response to my statement, from talking to Ashland residents and city employees, as well as from my own observations, that there is still much to be done. 2. FURTHER EFFORTS TOWARDS PURCHASE OF PROPERTY IN WILDFIRE ZONE It is gratifying to see that some property is being purchased, but it would enhance the City's safety to make these purchases more rapidly. FUEL REDUCTION PROGRAM NEEDS TO BE EXPANDED AND TO BECOME A PERMANENT PROGRAM The City has made some inroads, but there's a great deal more to be done. A. WATERSHED - Dead and dried vegetation needs to be cleared out of the watershed because of many decades of build-up. B. FOREST INTERFACE - The same goes for the forest interface. It is my understanding that the City owns or manages nearly 1500 acres in the forest and forest interface areas. C. CITY PROPERTY WITHIN CITY LIMITS - Numerous parcels need to be cleaned up, in addition to some road-side right-of-ways and "no- man's-lands." D. PRIVATE PROPERTY WITHIN CITY LIMITS - There is still no ordinance requiring owners of vacant properties to cut their dry grass [correction - this should read "clear out dead tree limbs and other desiccated vegetation"]. If the expense is too much for some, the City should consider providing assistance. 4. REDUCING RISK IN DEVELOPED AREAS IN THE FOREST INTERFACE A. NEW PROPERTIES - The City should speed-up the purchase of new properties and/or development rights. B. EXISTING PROPERTIES - The City should work with owners of existing properties to bring them into compliance with the new- properties code. This could include, for example, installing fire- resistant roofing and sprinklers, cleaning up fuels, and planting fire-resistant vegetation. 5. ENCOURAGING FIRE-SAFE PRACTICES THROUGHOUT THE CITY Because firebrands (burning embers) can travel distances up to a mile, residents in areas relatively near the wildfire zones should be discouraged from using flammable roofs and encouraged to use fire resistant vegetation. Homeowners associations should be required at least to allow composition roofs and should discourage the use of wood shakes. 6. PUBLIC EDUCATION The Ashland Fire Department has done some very good work with property owners in the forest interface, but people elsewhere in the city are also concerned. They need more information on evacuation procedures. For example, how many people know about turning off the gas when they evacuate? How many know where the turn-off place is and how to do it? What are the signals to evacuate? How can people help the Fire Department and not get in the way? 7. NEED FOR PERMANENT FUNDING SOURCES It is clear that present sources of funding are not sufficient or dependable. We need some sort of tax dedicated solely to fire prevention. Such funding could be from: A levy A real estate transfer tax Some other form of tax The funding source needs to be permanent because clean-up of all of these lands is an on-going project. If, for example, we've finished cleaning up City-owned property at the end of 5 years, it will be time to start over again. I have spoken to many Ashland residents about this issue and the overwhelming impression I get is that they would be willing to pay to ensure the safety and livability of their homes and their beautiful city.