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HomeMy WebLinkAbout1992-0317 REG MINMINUTES OF THE REGULAR MEETING ASHLAND CITY COUNCIL MARCH 17, 1992 CALL TO ORDER: Mayor Catherine Golden called the meeting to order and led the Pledge of Allegiance at 7:30 P.M. on the above date in the Council Chambers. Laws, Acklin, Winthrop, and Arnold were present. Reid and Williams were absent. APPROVAL OF MINUTES: Councilor Winthrop asked that the minutes be amended to show his "NO" vote on the Chronic Parking Violators Ordinance. The minutes of the regular meeting of March 3, 1992 were approved as amended. CONSENT AGENDA: Arnold moved to approve as follows: 1) Minutes of Boards, Commissions & Committees; 2) Monthly Departmental Reports - February 1992; and 3) Monthly Report from City Administrator. Winthrop seconded and the motion carried on voice vote. PUBLIC HEARINGS: Amend Chapter 18.88 re: Density Bonuses for Affordable Housing. Planning Dir. Fregonese explained that density bonuses are difficult to achieve while maintaining cost effectiveness. The recommendation is to increase the maximum total density bonus for a subdivision application under the Performance Standards Option from 40% to 60%, and the maximum allowable bonus points for affordable housing from 25% to 35%. The public hearing was opened and Gary Brewer, 229 W. Hersey, spoke against the proposal noting the cumulative effect of higher densities in neighborhoods. On a question from Marilyn Briggs, 590 Glenview, Fregonese said only projects with affordable housing units can get 60% bonus density. Acklin moved to request staff to prepare implementing ordinances, Winthrop seconded, all YES on roll call vote. Open Burning Ordinance Amendment. Energy Conservation Coordinator Dick Wanderscheid said the amendment proposes to phase out open burning by May of 1994, and he has received many calls opposing this amendment. Winthrop read a letter from Carl and Virginia Vogel, 924 Bellview, opposing the amendment. The public hearing was opened, and Don Schofield, 465 Tucker, said the open burning windows should be more flexible and an air quality index established for Ashland. He feels the Fire Chief should have authority to allow open burning on days allowed by the ventilation index. Gary Brewer, 229 W. Hersey, agrees with Schofield. Marilyn Briggs, 590 Glenview, said burning should be allowed as air quality dictates. Arnold noted receipt of letters from ten individuals opposing the amendment. Jackie Reid, 1040 Clay, is opposed to the amendment. Ev Elerath, 840 Pinecrest Terr., is opposed. Dr. John Reynolds, 505 Helman St., spoke against the amendment. A1 Alsing, 970 Walker, speaking also for Tom Burnham and a neighbor, said there is no other reasonable alternative to burning. Richard Ernst, 975 Walker, spoke against and cited the lack of landfill space. Lowell Smith, 700 Terrace, said burning is necessary to keep forest interface areas clear, and he objects to Regular Meeting - Ashland City Council - March 17, 1992 - P. 1 Open Burning Ordinance (Continued) paying $15/day to burn. Chris Hald, 275 Cambridge St., spoke for a year-round burn season and thinks the fee should be $10 annually. Dr. Robert Palzer, 789 Indiana St., spoke in favor of the phasing out of open burning, citing health problems and smoke-related diseases. Rod Calvary, 889 Glendale, spoke against the amendment. There being no further comment from the audience, the public hearing was closed. Fire Chief Woodley said the existing ordinance is ambiguous and one proposed change is to not allow him to issue permits when the air quality index is below 400. Wanderscheid said the existing ordinance works well and he doesn't feel that burning should be allowed in November. Dr. Palzer explained how the ventilation index is measured. Acklin moved to adopt the alternate wording for Section 10.30,020.A, and include a two week extension to allow burning on good air quality days in the fall after the fire season, if necessary. Laws seconded. Winthrop recommended that the two weeks be allowed only until November 1. Acklin amended her motion, Laws amended his second and the motion passed unanimously on roll call vote. Golden asked that the $15.00/day permit fee be re-examined, and Laws said the ordinance allows the Fire Chief to set the fee, or waive it as he sees fit. Acklin noted portions of the upcoming Forest Management Plan which will need funding. NEW & MISCELLANEOUS BUSINESS: Oak Knoll Restaurant Sublease. William P. Murphy, 602 Scenic, is requesting Council approval to assume the sublease for the Oak Knoll Restaurant and Lounge now held by Kenneth Meirstin. Arnold moved to approve the request, Winthrop seconded, all AYES on voice vote. Ashland Airport F.B.O. Lease. Pam Barlow, Public Works Admin. Asst., said the Airport Commission is recommending that the lease with Ashland Air not be renewed and asked that staff be authorized to begin the request for proposal process. Winthrop, Liaison to that Commission, concurs. Bill Ostrander, 641 Siskiyou Blvd., is opposed to this action. Laws moved to accept the Commission recommendation to not renew the lease and authorize staff to begin the proposal process. Winthrop seconded, all AYES on voice vote. Winthrop recommended a restructure of the lease concerning the lessee/lessor relationship. Laws suggested staff and Airport Commission prepare a proposal for council consideration. PUBLIC FORUM: Cate Hartzell, 881 E. Main, asked that the City co- sponsor, via space in the utility newsletter, a presentation on E.M.F.'s by Bob Steward, E.W.E.B. Golden suggested School Board involvement and Laws that N.O.S.I.R. get involved. Winthrop moved to place the request on the agenda, Laws seconded, all AYES on voice vote. Winthrop moved to authorize use of space in the utility newsletter, Laws seconded, all AYES on voice vote. Regular Meeting - Ashland City Council - March 17, 1992 - P. 2 ORDINANCES, RESOLUTIONS & CONTRACTS: Tolman Signal L.I.D. Second reading by title only of an ordinance authorizing and ordering the improvement of the intersection of Ashland Street and Tolman Creek Road with installation of a traffic signal and authorizing assessments for the cost against benefitted properties. Laws moved to adopt same, Arnold seconded, all YES on roll call vote. (Ord. 2667) OTHER BUSINESS FROM COUNCIL MEMBERS: Golden noted a request from Susan Rubinyi-Anderson to invite Mayor from Sarlat, France to Ashland while in the United States in April/May. Anderson is hopeful that a Sister City relationship can be formed. Almquist noted receipt of the agreement from the Oregon Dept. of Transportation for participation in construction costs of the Tolman Creek Rd./Ashland St. signal installation. Laws moved to place same on agenda, Arnold seconded, all AYES on voice vote. Laws moved to authorize the Mayor and Recorder to sign same, Arnold seconded, all AYES on voice vote. Almquist updated Council on the Nevada St. substation noise problem. Acklin asked that staff and legal counsel review options and report back in executive session. ADJOURNMENT: The meeting adjourned at 10:00 P.M. Nan E. ~ranklin City Recorder Catherine M. Golden Mayor Regular Meeting - Ashland City Council - March 17, 1992 - P. 3