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HomeMy WebLinkAbout1992-0602 REG MINMINUTES OF THE REGULAR MEETING ASHLAND CITY COUNCIL JUNE 2, 1992 CALL TO ORDER: Mayor 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, Reid, Williams, Acklin, and Arnold were present. Winthrop was absent. APPROVAL OF MINUTES: The minutes of the Regular Meeting of May 19, 1992 were accepted as presented. SPECIAL PRESENTATIONS & AWARDS: Mayor Golden read a proclamation designating June 4, 1992 as ,,SENIOR DAY IN ASHLAND". CONSENT AGENDA: Laws asked that item 3 be pulled for discussion. Acklin moved to approve the remainder of the Consent Agenda as follows: 1. Minutes of Boards, Commissions & Committees; and 2) Liquor license for John D. & William P. Murphy, dba Oak Knoll Restaurant, 3070 Highway 66. A liquor license appplication for Albertsons, 2301 Ashland St., was placed on the agenda. Arnold seconded the motion which carried on voice vote. Item 3) Mayor,s Appointments to Street Tree Commission, Bicycle Commission, and Senior Program Board. Laws expressed concern about a couple being appointed to the Bicycle Commission and that diversity in views is necessary. Arnold said the Commission needs people who are not avid bicyclists. Acklin moved to approve the appointments, Arnold seconded, all AYES on voice vote. WATER SUPPLY REPORT: Acklin moved to place on agenda, Williams seconded, all AYES on voice vote. Public Works Dir. Hall said the water situation has become critical and requested that Council institute the first phase of the Water Curtailment Ordinance. Laws so moved, Reid seconded, all AYES on voice vote. It was agreed that restaurants, B&B's and hotels/motels will be asked to inform visitors of the shortage. PUBLIC HEARINGS: Designation of Wildland Fire Protection Areas. Fire Chief Woodley showed a video tape of the recent Oakland conflagration and said the existing wildland zone boundaries are inadequate.. Letters were sent to affected property owners concerning the proposal to assess those owners for fire protection by the Oregon Dept. of Forestry. Prior to initiating assessments, each property will be reviewed to see if it meets the Statute definition of wildlands and those that do not will be excluded from the proposed zone. Woodley received calls and letters from the following: LeRoy Keeney, 1129 Bellview, does not want to be included. Alexis Packer, 235 Nutley St., supports the proposal. Jim Maynard, 559 S. Mountain, does not wish his property to be included, and Woodley said it would not be. A letter was read from William Brubaker, 1100 Ivy Lane, in which he questioned the proposed boundaries of the zone, and recommended an alternate power supply be installed at pump stations. Cliff Liedtke, Oregon Dept. of Forestry, said wildland areas are defined as property with trees, brush, grassy areas and natural vegetation which carry Regular Meeting - Ashland City Council - June 2, 1992 - P. i Wildland Fire Protection Area (Continued) fires. On a question from Golden, Liedtke said the Department works with homeowners on fire prevention measures, and there is an appeal process for persons who do not wish to be included in the assessment area. Laws noted that the discussion tonight is regarding the proposed contract with O.D.F., not the boundaries of the affected area. The public hearing was opened and Harry Bartell, 365 Strawberry Lane, is in favor but feels the City should be involved in paying assessments. Woodley noted that the City pays approximately $1200/year for fire protection for city property. Barbara Jarvis, 1159 Emma, is in favor but feels the property owners should be notified of existing development standards for wildland areas. Allen Stollings, 715 Glenwood Dr., said its a City problem and the City should pay. Tom Barrow, 1010 Morton St., said its a city problem and the Ashland Loop Road area should be gated at night. Brad La Vine, 381 Granite, said other assessment alternatives should be considered. Dick Nighorn, 910 Park St., does not agree with the method of assessment and requested that this fire suppression issue be provided for in the City's budget. Dennis Arndt, 930 Beach, said this assessment method is discriminatory. Merle Mills, 34 Scenic Dr., is against the proposal. Richard Ernst, 975 Walker, spoke in favor and wants to be included. Dick Pischel, Roca St., has no problem with the cost of the protection but feels it should be included in the budget process. Marilyn Briggs, 590 Glenview, said City departments are not working together in fire prevention, and she'd rather pay for prevention measures. Judy Kennedy, 506 Granite St., spoke in favor and thanked the Fire Chief for his efforts. Myra Erwin, 300 Grandview, strongly supports the plan. Fred Benneweis, 1009 Oneida Circle, is in favor but feels city-sized lots should be assessed less than larger lots. Fran Orrock, 1030 Ivy Lane, submitted a letter for the record and said the whole City should pay assessments. A resident of Tamarack Place said the issue should be discussed with Jackson County residents who abut the wildland zone. Acklin noted that the Forest Management Plan addresses this issue. John Fox, 1927 Tamarack, does not object to the cost but feels its a City-wide problem. George Wooding, 1140 Bellview, expressed concern about lack of Forestry personnel/equipment if other areas had fires at the same time. Dennis DeBey, 1030 Ashland St., is in favor, but said mandatory guidelines for new and existing development are necessary. Betty Elerath, 840 Pinecrest Terrace, said the City shares costs for flood damage, parks, schools, RVTD, library, and band, and this is the whole City's problem. Vicky Sturdevant, Morton St., supports the proposal and does not feel the whole citizenry should pay for fire protection. Candy Wooding, 1140 Bellview, said she did not have adequate notice of the hearing and does not want to be included in the assessment area. Ann Sanborn, Park St., is pleased the issue is being addressed and would like to see evacuation plans prepared by residents of these areas. Ron Thurner, 1170 Bellview, is in favor of the concept but feels the City is moving too rapidly, and does not want to be in the assessment area. Steve Hall, 1007 Walker Ave., is in favor of the proposal and would be in favor of expanding the wildland area boundaries. Linda Friend, 325 Granite, spoke in favor of the proposal and would like Regular Meeting - Ashland City Council - June 2, 1992 - P. 2 Wildland Fire Protection Area (Continued) mandatory clean-up of properties. There being no further comment from the audience, the public hearing was closed. On a question from Williams, Liedtke said in the event of multiple fires, the Ashland Watershed would have a high priority. Acklin noted steps the City has taken to reduce wildfire possibility in interface areas i.e. down- zoning, creation of a woodland zone, and physical and environmental constraints ordinance. She said assessing property owners who do not meet the wildland criteria would possibly be subsidizing future development on the hillside. City Attorney Nolte said the legal description attached to the resolution describes all property on the map and the Forestry Dept. will identify properties therein which meet statute definition of wildlands. A resolution was read authorizing the Oregon Dept. of Forestry to identify all lands within the City limits which are defined under Oregon Statute as wildland, and provide fire patrol services to same. Arnold moved to adopt same, Acklin seconded, all YES on roll call vote. (Reso. 92-33) Forest Management Plan. Public Works Admin. Asst. Pam Barlow gave the background and thanked the following Advisory Committee members: Pat Acklin, Tim Bewley, Claude Curran, Myra Erwin, Ken Mickelsen, Wes Reynolds, Bill Robertson, and Mary Smelcer. The public hearing was opened and Charles Inman, 814 Hillview, said the plan is good but maps are inadequate and should show fuel breaks, roads, water courses and include the ski area. Richard Ernst, 975 Walker, emphasized the importance of keeping people out of high fire risk areas. Mary Smelcer, U.S. Forest Service, said the plan does a good job of dealing with key issues and urged the Council to adopt it and move forward with recommendations. The public hearing was closed. Barlow summarized the recommendations contained in the plan. Williams agreed that maps need improvement. Reid said Parks staff should be part of the managerial team. Reid moved adoption of the Plan, Laws seconded, all AYES on voice vote. Memorandum of Agreement (Lodging Association-City). Williams moved to place on agenda, Acklin seconded, all AYES on voice vote. Dennis Slattery, 303 Granite St., representing Chamber of Commerce said the agreement is a compromise and a way to avoid an initiative/referendum on the transient occupancy tax. Williams moved to authorize the Mayor and City Recorder to sign same, and Acklin seconded. Arnold is concerned about revenue shortfalls and feels this is bad public policy. Laws feels it would be worse if the issue was referred and there is a need for basic reform of the tax system. Reid declared that she is owner of a lodging business. The motion passed on roll call vote with Arnold voting NO. Urban Runoff Water Quality Program Plan. Public Wks. Dir. Hall told of Eric Dittmer's resignation from RVCOG to attend SOSC. He thanked Eric for all of the time and expertise lent to area agencies in water issues. The public hearing was opened and there was no comment. On a question from Reid, Dittmer said problems with Bear Creek are nutrient loading, lack of water and high temperatures. He commended Council, Regular Meeting - Ashland City Council - June 2, 1992 - P. 3 the City Administrator and Public Works Director on their awareness and knowledge of this complex issue, and for taking a lead in creating a solution. The resolution was read and Laws moved to adopt same. Acklin seconded, all YES on roll call vote. (Reso. 92-34) 1992-93 Budget Adoption. The public hearing was opened, no comment and it was closed. First reading of an ordinance levying taxes for the period of July 1, 1992, to and including June 30, 1993, such taxes in the sum of $2,479,735 upon all the real and personal property subject to assessment and levy within the corporate limits of the City of Ashland, Jackson County, Oregon. Arnold moved to second reading, Williams seconded, all YES on roll call vote. A resolution was read adopting the annual budget and making appropriations. Arnold moved to adopt same, Williams seconded, all YES on roll call vote. (Reso. 92- 32) Acklin moved to extend the meeting for 1/2 hour, Williams seconded, all AYES on voice vote. NEW & MISCELLANEOUS BUSINESS: Ad hoc Committee on Homeless Persons. Councilor Arnold reviewed his request as presented in agenda packet, and said there is a need for a comprehensive approach to meeting needs of the homeless and dealing with problems caused by this situation. All agreed that a committee is to be formed with Police Department staff support. Board of Ratio Review. A letter was received from the Jackson County Board of Commissioners concerning appointments to this Board to review property values. No action taken. Tolman Creek Rd. Improvement Project. Public Wks. Dir. Hall explained that the low bid on the project was received from L.T.M., Inc. at 20.5% over the engineer's estimate, due to lack of rock base under a portion of the roadway. He recommended that the district be assessed 10% of the overage and the City pay the other 10.5%. Laws moved to approve the award of the contract to L.T.M. and authorize expenditures from the 1991-92 and 1992-93 budget Assessment Construction Funds. Arnold seconded and the motion carried on voice vote with Williams abstaining. City Service Delivery Systems Input. A memo was received from Golden and Laws requesting establishment of an Idea Collection Committee (Golden, Laws, Budget Committee Chair Andre Allen or his designee) which will screen suggestions and forward same to the appropriate departments. It was agreed that Finance Dir. Turner will participate on the Committee, which will operate on a confidential basis. Acklin so moved, Reid seconded, all AYES on voice vote. Downtown Bus Depot. The Transportation Plan Advisory Committee is requesting authorization to pursue construction of a bus depot for use by private bus lines, TID, and taxi service with public restrooms and a sheltered waiting area. The proposal is to fund the shelters with state or federal grants and rent collected from bus lines. Acklin moved to approve, Arnold seconded, all AYES on voice vote. Regular Meeting - Ashland City Council - June 2, 1992 - P. 4 R.V.T.D. Grant. The T.P.A.C. request is for authorization for the Mayor to sign letters in support of R.V.T.D.'s proposal to construct seven new bus shelters, to lower fares in the Ashland City Limits for one year to promote ridership, and that the City contribute $1500 cash and another $2100 in in-kind services. Reid moved to approve the request, Acklin seconded, all AYES on voice vote. PUBLIC FORUM: No response. ORDINANCES, RESOLUTIONS & CONTRACTS: Grover Street Vacation. Second reading by title only of an ordinance vacating the unopened portion of Grover Street between N. Main and Sheridan Streets. Acklin moved to adopt same, Arnold seconded, all YES on roll call vote. (Ord. 2676) State Revenue Sharing. A resolution was read approving participation in State Revenue Sharing. Williams moved to adopt same, Laws seconded, all YES on roll call vote. (Reso. 92-28) Certify City Services. A resolution was read certifying City services for State-shared revenues. Laws moved adoption, Arnold seconded, all YES on roll call vote. (Reso. 92-29) Transfer of Appropriations. A resolution was read transferring appropriations within the 1991-92 budget. Acklin moved adoption, Arnold seconded, all YES on roll call vote. (Reso. 92-30) Oregon Energy Services. Contract renewal with Oregon Energy Services for low-income home heating assistance program. Reid moved to authorize Mayor and City Recorder to sign said contract. Williams seconded, all YES on roll call vote. OTHER BUSINESS FROM COUNCIL MEMBERS: Acklin moved to continue the meeting for 7.5 minutes, Laws seconded and the motion carried on voice vote with Arnold dissenting. Forest Management Plan. A resolution was read adopting same. Laws moved approval, Reid seconded, all YES on roll call vote. (Reso. 92- 31) Golden told of visit from representatives of Impact Packaging in Canada which makes meat trays from recycled newspapers which they are hoping provide to Albertsons. Reid asked that the Planning Departments priority project memo be placed on the next agenda. ADJOURNMENT: The meeting adjourned at 11:30 P.M. Nan E.~F~ranklin City Recorder Catherine M. Golden Mayor Regular Meeting - Ashland City Council - June 2, 1992 - P. 5 ( d: \mrs\6- 2 - 9? )