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Home My WebLink About1992-0901 REG MINMINUTES OF THE REGULAR MEETING ASHLAND CITY COUNCIL SEPTEMBER 1, 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, Acklin, Winthrop, and Arnold were present. Williams was absent. APPROVAL OF MINUTES: Golden said the words "settling ponds" on page 2, paragraph one, line 12, should be replaced with "wetlands". The minutes of the Regular Meeting of August 18, 1992 were accepted as corrected. SPECIAL PRESENTATIONS & AWARDS: Mayor Golden read a proclamation designating September 12 - 19, 1992 as League of Women Voters Week in Ashland. Dennis Barnts, Water Quality Superintendent, gave an update on the water supply. On a question from Winthrop, Barnts said at Phase I of the curtailment ordinance, water will run out in approximately 90 days with the current drawdown. Winthrop suggested moving to Phase II earlier than projected if weather conditions do not change. CONSENT AGENDA: Winthrop moved approval of the following items: 1) Minutes of Boards, Commissions & Committees; 2) Monthly Departmental Reports; 3) City Administrator,s Monthly Report - August 1992 (will be available at next meeting); and 4) Memo from Fire Chief regarding Ashland Fire Dept.,s involvement in East Evans Creek Fire. Arnold seconded the motion which carried on voice vote. UNFINISHED BUSINESS: Sewage Treatment Plant Options. Golden reported that an extension until January 1, 1993 was received from D.E.Q., and John Holroyd, Brown & Caldwell, could not be present, but will attend the September 15 Council meeting. Correspondence was received from Holroyd in response to the wetlands issue, of which copies were distributed to the Council and are available for public inspection. Carl Oates, 776 Glendale Ave., submitted a letter for the record in support of a wetlands system of treatment. Gary Schrodt, 681 Liberty St., asked if any Councilors had been to Arcata to view their system. Richard Goff, 1974 Mohawk, said the Arcata system cannot meet the same standards being imposed on Ashland and Brown & Caldwell should be encouraged give the D.E.Q. authentication that Ashland cannot meet their requirements. Proposed Substation Design Considerations. Lou Driessen, B.P.A., gave a brief history of the site location process and said Site 3 is clean from contamination, and noted design aspects which would minimize to the extent possible the noise and visual impact to surrounding neighbors. Cate Hartzell, 881 E. Main St., expressed concern about the proximity of homes to the site. Dan Thomas, 8227 Highway 66, expressed the same concern as Hartzell, is opposed to condemnation of the land, and feels the Council should take an active role in Regular Meeting - Ashland City Council - September 1, 1992 - P. 1 Substation (Continued) determining the location of the substation. Jane Slater, 249 Wimer St., is concerned with health risks from EMF's and said Council should go on record as being opposed to the plan. Jay Taylor, 1586 Springbrook, Medford, said a PP&L substation in his neighborhood is much larger now than when it was originally constructed and has affected the development and salability of his property. Dan Harris, 2101 Dead Indian Rd., representing Jessie Hodgins said Hodgins agrees with the need for the substation but has plans to develop her property for affordable housing. Harris said the policies outlined in Resolution 91-15 are not being followed and asked that Council consider passing a resolution requesting BPA to consider another site. Nancy Spencer, 167 N. Mountain Ave., spoke against the location. Raney Strong, 1255 Munson Dr., asked that noise and health effects be considered. Richard Strong, 1255 Munson Dr., is concerned about EMF's and children, and property values. Elizabeth Hoffman, 1271 Munson Dr., said no one in the neighborhood was notified and home values will decrease. Marie Morehead, 310 N. Mountain Ave., said the creek behind the properties on N. Mountain is a class 3 which feeds into Bear Creek. Barbara Paller, 115 E. Nevada, is opposed to the proposed substation and will pursue legal action. Paul Doughty, 203 N. Mountain Ave., submitted a letter in opposition to the proposed site. Lou Driessen said the BPA considered existing homes and are proposing a buffer zone, they are against condemnation and will have the property appraised and make payment to the owner based on impacts, magnetic fields at the fenced boundary of the substation will be very low, and they found no potential impact on the creek. Reid noted that a third substation in the load center will reduce EMF levels in all areas. Winthrop said this is a difficult issue and he appreciates BPA's efforts in working with the community to find a safe site, and all sites were identified at an early stage in this two-year process. On a question from Winthrop, Driessen said two negative comments on Site 3 has been received by BPA, one of which was the property owner. Reid asked about the site review process and City Admin. Almquist said the property is in the County and the City has no authority. Arnold asked if a commitment to landscaping, berming, etc. can be put into written form, and Driessen said yes. A letter and conceptual landscape drawing from Peter & Amy Cipes, 521 N. Main, was submitted for the record. NEW & MISCELLANEOUS BUSINESS: Water Allocation Appeal. A memo was read from the City Administrator in which he explained the reason for denial of Dennis Cooper's request for increased water allocation at the Tolman Creek Park, 215 Tolman Creek Rd. Reid asked that the Building Inspector be requested to check the meter for appropriate sizing prior to making a decision. Dennis Cooper, 1983 Crestview, said the homes in the Park are standard sizes on normal size lots and should be allowed the 3600 cu. ft. allotted for single-family homes. Winthrop moved to postpone the decision for two weeks for a review from the building inspector, Reid seconded, all AYES on voice vote. Regular Meeting - Ashland City Council - September 1, 1992 - P. 2 Ashland Municipal Airport Management. A memo from the City Administrator was read concerning an interim airport manager. Jerry Insley, Chair of the Airport Commission, said previous proposals for FBO's were rejected for various reasons, the intent is to make the airport a paying proposition for the City, and the new proposals will be reviewed as quickly as possible. Arnold agreed that the airport should be a paying proposition. The Council will receive regular updates on Airport operations. E-l/C-1 Zones. Planning Dir. Fregonese reviewed the amendments contained in the agenda packet labeled Staff Report Addendum V, September 1, 1992. Amended wording for Section 18.40.030 G. and K. was submitted by City Attorney Nolte, and on Arnold's recommendation, Laws moved to eliminate the last sentence of subsection 1 c. concerning processing of fresh food. Reid seconded, all AYES on voice vote. Acklin moved to change Section 18.40,030 G. 2. to provide for the location of mechanical equipment to the side of the building with the least exposure to residential structures. Winthrop seconded, all AYES on voice vote. Acklin thanked Albina Brinton for her research concerning toxic odors. Laws moved to direct staff to prepare ordinances with the changes discussed. Winthrop seconded and the motion passed unanimously on roll call vote. Sewer Service Request. A request was received from Steve Morgan for authorization to hook up to city sewer to a lot outside the City limits, North of Wimer St. and West of Thornton Way. A question arose about the lot being contiguous to the City limits and the City Attorney said it is not. Acklin said an easement for septic should be obtained from a neighbor. Fire Chief Woodley said this lot is not protected by Ashland Fire Dept. and adequate water supply is a concern. Winthrop said it is not in the City's best interest to approve the hook up and moved to deny of the request. Laws seconded, all YES on roll call vote. PUBLIC FORUM: No comment. ORDINANCES, RESOLUTIONS & CONTRACTS: Downtown Parking District. Second reading by title only of an ordinance modifying the Downtown Parking District by amending A.M.C. Section 11.30.010. Arnold moved adoption of same, Acklin seconded and the motion passed on roll call vote with Reid dissenting. (Ord. 2684) Haz-Mat Contract. A memo was read from Fire Chief Woodley requesting authorization for the Mayor to sign a renewal agreement for the Regional Hazardous Materials Contract. Arnold so moved, Laws seconded, all YES on roll call vote. Mutual Aid Agreement - Fire Protection. A memo was read from the Fire Chief concerning a new mutual aid agreement which consolidates mutual assistance activities between the City of Ashland and other agencies within the Rogue Valley. Arnold moved to authorize the Mayor and Fire Regular Meeting - Ashland City Council - September 1, 1992 - P. 3 Chief to sign the agreement on behalf of the City, Laws seconded, all YES on roll call vote. OTHER BUSINESS FROM COUNCIL MEMBERS: None. ADJOURNMENT: The meeting adjourned at 10:10 P.M. Catherine M. Golden Mayor Nan E. ~rankl in City Recorder (d: \mts\9-1-92) Regular Meeting - Ashland City Council - September 1, 1992 - P. 4