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HomeMy WebLinkAbout1993-0706 REG MINMINUTES OF THE REGULAR MEETING ASHLAND CITY COUNCIL JULY 6, 1993 CALL TO ORDER: Mayor Catherine Golden led the Pledge of Allegiance and called the meeting to order at 7:35 P.M. on the above date in the Council Chambers. Laws, Reid, Hauck, Acklin, Winthrop, and Arnold were present. APPROVAL OF MINUTES: The minutes of the Regular Meeting of June 15 and Special Meeting of June 29, 1993 were approved as presented. SPECIAL PRESENTATIONS & AWARDS: It was noted that the City received an award from the Governmental Finance Officers Association for excellence in Financial Reporting on the Annual Audit Report. CONSENT AGENDA: Golden asked that item 5 be removed for discussion. Winthrop moved to approve items 1 - 4 as follows: 1. Minutes of Boards, Commissions, and Committees. 2. Departmental Reports - June 1993. 3. City Administrator's Monthly Report - June 1993. 4. RVCOG Director's monthly briefing report. Hauck seconded, all AYES on voice vote. Concerning item 5. Authorization for Mayor and City Recorder to sign quitclaim deed for termination of drainage way and storm drain easements at Hersey and Oak Streets, Golden asked if this is a part of the Million Ditch and would impact irrigation users below this property. Planning Dir. McLaughlin said this is a separate drainage system and does not affect the irrigation ditch. Hauck moved to approve this item, Reid seconded, all AYES on voice vote. PUBLIC HEARINGS: l) Wastewater Treatment Plant. Public Works Dir. Hall received a copy of final program plan addendum to the facilities plan for the wastewater treatment plant upgrade. Staff concurs with the planned staged option which involves major improvements to the plant and a 25-acre constructed wetlands. Winthrop, as Council representative on this project, said the issue is trying to balance DEQ standards with realistic options. John Holroyd, Brown & Caldwell, said the two initial options included: 1) sending effluent to Medford, with a cost of $16 million involving demolition of the facilities or filling them with sand and extending the pipeline to the Bear Creek Valley Sanitary Authority's collection system near Phoenix; and 2) winter discharge to Bear Creek and summer spray irrigation (option 3A) involving upgrade and maintenance of the current facilities, with construction costs at approximately $18 million. John Davis, Woodward-Clyde, explained the difference in options and how their recommendation of alternative B1 which includes treatment plant upgrade and constructed wetlands and will all standards except phosphorous. The public hearing was opened and Richard Hart, Headwaters, said the research done by the Wetlands Coalition has been ]eft out of the document, and he is in favor of the 25-acre wetlands. Klaas Van de Pol, Wetlands Coalition, said if Alternative B1 is adopted it should be scrutinized with the help of the Wastewater Treatment Plant Foreman. He suggested a possible ban on garbage Regular Meeting - Ashland City Council - July 6, 1993 - P. 1 disposal systems, and said the wetlands should be built first in case DEQ finds that some of the proposed modifications are not necessary. Carl Oates, Wetlands Coalition, feels they were left out of the process. Winthrop said the Coalition deserves a lot of credit in trying to assist in this issue, and a decision will not be made at this meeting to allow time to review the latest information. Arnold said the public hearing should be kept open. Marc Prevost, RVCOG, distributed an interpretation of his discussion on July 6 with Carl Anuta, Northwest Environmental Defense Council (NEDC), regarding the staged option of B1. He feels it may be beneficial to meet with representatives of DEQ and NEDC at the same time. Laws agreed. Gary Schrodt, Wetlands Coalition, requested the following: that a committee be formed which includes all of the key players and citizens to meet on a regular basis; that repairs and sludge handling be shown separately by line item; that additional procurement of land be accomplished; and that the Ashland Wetlands Coalition be mentioned in the document. Cate Hartzell, 881 E. Main, urged the Council to keep the process open to gather information. A statement was read from Teri Coppedge, 2927 Barbara St., asking that large wetlands and less improvements to the treatment plant be considered. Robert Gearhart briefly explained how wetlands work, and offered to prepare calculations for a larger wetlands before the next meeting. Golden asked that comments be submitted to P.W. Dir. Hall prior to the next meeting. It was agreed to adjourn the meeting until 7:30 P.M. on Wednesday, July 14th in the Council Chambers. Sale of Property on Clay Street. City Administrator Almquist reviewed his memo included in the agenda packet concerning the Wingspread Mobile Park owner's interest in obtaining 1.6 acres of land adjacent to SPRR and West of Clay St. Reid said Clay Street needs pedestrian access, and a trade with the Park's owner should be researched. Almquist said an expansion of the Park will require a conditional use permit and conditions could include improvements on Clay, or the money could be earmarked for improvements. Laws agreed with Reid. Arnold agrees with dedicating the funds received for public access, but feels Clay St. may not have the highest priority. On a question from Acklin, City Attorney Nolte said an exchange of land may require a public hearing. The public hearing was opened and Mary Lou Gross said this is an ideal opportunity to require a play area for children in the Park. Acklin moved to postpone the issue and discuss it with the owners of Wingspread. She would like to get an analysis of how far the money would go in the neighborhood, and a refresher on public access priorities. Reid seconded the motion. Golden requested that Staff talk to the Parks Commission or Parks Director about a playground. Acklin noted that a conditional use permit for expansion could also require an open area. The motion carried on voice vote. UNFINISHED BUSINESS: Negotiated Settlement - Seitz (P.A. 92-057). McLaughlin said the disputed issues have hopefully been settled and the parties will present an amended land use application in August. NEW & MISCELLANEOUS BUSINESS: Oak Knoll Golf Course - Increase in Regular Meeting - Ashland City Council - July 6, 1993 - P. 2 Green Fees. A note was received from Gloria Tredway concerning lesser fees for junior players. A discussion was held concerning different rates for residents and non-residents. Carla LaFever, Hwy. 66, said rates should be the same for everyone. Dennis Slattery, 733 Twin Pines Circle, agreed with LaFever. Acklin moved to adopt the proposed rate increase, delete resident/non-resident differential, define a junior player as 18 years and under and charge the current adult rates of $6 and $10 for junior players. Hauck seconded, all AYES on voice vote. Downtown Vagrancy. Dennis Slattery, Chamber Board President, said the Chamber would like to offer assistance in coming up with positive solutions. Golden said the general consensus of the meeting is to post notices on each building to not give money to panhandlers, but buy vouchers for immediate needs, step up police patrol in the downtown area, and check back in a month for a status report. Jennifer Battaglia, Lithia Stationers, is concerned with the increase of panhandling, vagrancy, and vandalism. She would like to see the Parks Department organize and be a clearing house for youth in the summer, greater police presence in Lithia Park, a homeless shelter established, the homeless people doing community service work in exchange for services, and ordinances re: panhandling and camping. Margaret Schweitzer, an Interfaith Care Community volunteer, said all agencies should be coordinated, and homeless persons' needs have to be provided for or the problem will intensify. Michael Donovan, 1120 Beswick Way, said panhandling is harassment and a violation of privacy, an ordinance should be enacted to respond to those who intimidate residents and visitors, and that aggressive police enforcement is necessary. On a question from Hauck, Nolte said a Supreme Court decision prohibits ordinances which prohibit panhandling except in specific locations such as parks. Richard Hansen, Gold N Gems, agreed with Donovan, and submitted a letter for the record from H.E. Firth, 134 Nutley St., which included several suggestions on solving some of the problems downtown. Bruce Roberts, Gateway Real Estate, said potential customers are driven away by panhandlers. Susan Stedman, 1209 Ashland Mine Rd., asked that allowances be made for people selling legitimate wares in the park. Kevin Preister, Youth Transition Committee, submitted a proposed plan of action and said street people and business owners both should be contacted concerning needs/resources. Rhonda Lewis, 5 N. Main St., feels her rights are being violated and she has been threatened by these people. There is a need to do something now. Mary Lou Gross, Gateway Real Estate, said city sponsored activities is a good idea even though a large portion of these people choose to be homeless and travel a circuit. James Mathiasen, 551 Grandview Drive, is opposed to citing people who are trying to make a living. He requested that a $75,000 fund be set up for dealing with this situation. Arnold moved to continue the meeting, Winthrop seconded, all AYES on voice vote. Komac Tapp, 278 Idaho, said he knows many homeless people and asked that the Council show compassion. Winthrop said Ashland has the capacity and responsibility to deal with Regular Meeting - Ashland City Council - July 6, 1993 - P. 3 problems in our community, but not the whole West Coast. Hauck feels that most of the homeless people here are permanent, not seasonal transients. Arnold said the focus needs to be on how to deal with homelessness, and there are a number of people working on assisting the homeless, however passing ordinances which are unconstitutional does not make sense. Acklin left the meeting at 11:15 P.M. Police Chief Brown said police presence in the downtown as been increased, and bicycles and plain clothes officers are being used. He would like to work with the Chamber and encourage people not to give money to panhandlers. Comprehensive Mousing Affordability Strategy (CMAS). Arnold said a task force has been selected and the goal is to stay on the schedule included in the packet. Names of the Task Force members will be presented at the next meeting. Arnold moved to approve the process to date, Hauck seconded, all AYES on voice vote. Hauck moved to continue the meeting for 1/2 hour, Winthrop seconded, all AYES on voice vote. PUBLIC FORUM: Bud LaFever, Highway 66, owner of Rosie's Sweet Shop, expressed concern that some establishments which sell ice cream are taxed and some are not. Winthrop said one possibility is to amend the ordinance whereby quantities of less than one quart will not be taxed. George Thomas, Cafe Vanille, agreed with LaFever. Arnold moved to place the issue on the agenda, Hauck seconded, all AYES on voice vote. Hauck moved to instruct Staff to prepare an amendment to the ordinance, Winthrop seconded, all AYES on voice vote. ORDINANCES, RESOLUTIONS & CONTRACTS: Campfires. Second reading by title only of an ordinance amending A.M.C. Sections 10.30.005, 10.30.010 and 10.30.050 to permit campfires only in designated areas. Laws moved adoption, Hauck seconded, all YES on roll call vote. (Ord. 2717) Vehicle Impoundment. Second reading by title only of an ordinance amending Chapter 11.36 of the A.M.C. to permit impoundment of vehicles for law enforcement purposes and to provide for hearings. Hauck moved adoption, Winthrop seconded and the motion passed on roll call vote with Reid dissenting. (Ord. 2718) Levy Taxes. First reading by title only of an ordinance levying taxes for July 1, 1993 to June 30, 1994 in the sum of $2,619,485 on all real and personal property subject to assessment and levy within the corporate limits of the City of Ashland, Jackson Co., Oregon, and repealing Ord. No. 2715. Arnold moved to second reading, Hauck seconded, all YES on roll call vote. Second reading of same ordinance by title only. Arnold moved adoption, Hauck seconded, all YES on roll call vote. (Ord. 2719) Adopt Annual Budget. Reading by title only of a resolution adopting the annual budget, making appropriations, and repealing Reso. 93-24. Hauck moved adoption, Winthrop seconded, all YES on roll call vote. (Reso. 93-29) Regular Meeting - Ashland City Council - July 6, 1993 - P. 4 Electric Energy Curtailment. Dick Wanderscheid, Conservation Coordinator, said Ashland is one of first cities in the State to submit a plan and asked authorization to submit it. A resolution was read by title only establishing electric energy curtailment procedures in the City of Ashland and repealing Resolution No. 77-23. Arnold moved adoption, Reid seconded, all YES on roll call vote. (Reso. 93- 30) Tolman Creek Rd. Assessment Amendments. Reading by title only of an amendment to the assessment resolution levying special benefit assessments for the Tolman Creek Road improvement project. (LID #65) Arnold moved adoption, Hauck seconded and the motion passed on roll call vote with Reid dissenting. (Reso. 93-31) OTHER BUSINESS FROM COUNCIL MEMBERS: Hauck moved to place on the agenda the letter of intent discussed in executive session. Winthrop seconded the motion, which carried on voice vote. Hauck moved to direct staff to continue negotiations for the matter discussed in executive session. Winthrop seconded. Arnold requested that same be made public as soon as the letter of intent is signed. The motion passed unanimously on roll call vote. ADJOURNMENT: 7:30 P.M. The meeting adjourned at 11:45 P.M. to July 14, 1993 at Nan E. IFranklin City Recorder (d: ,mm\7-6-93) Catherine M. Golden Mayor Regular Meeting - Ashland City Council - July 6, 1993 - P. 5