Loading...
HomeMy WebLinkAbout1992-1201 REG MINMINUTES OF THE REGULAR MEETING ASHLAND CITY COUNCIL DECEMBER 1, 1992 CALL TO ORDER: Council Chair Pat Acklin 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, Williams, Winthrop and Arnold were present. Golden and Reid were absent. APPROVAL OF MINUTES: The minutes of the Regular Meeting of November 17, 1992 were accepted as presented. SPECIAL PRESENTATIONS & AWARDS: A Proclamation was read declaring January 9, 1993 as CHRISTMAS TREE RECYCLE DAY IN ASHLAND. Laws congratulated the Ashland High School Students in their recent accomplishments in volleyball, girls/boys cross country, football and debate. CONSENT AGENDA: City Admin. Almquist asked that a liquor license request for BLACK SHEEP, 51 M. MAIM ST., be added to agenda. Phil so moved, Winthrop seconded, all AYES on voice vote. Arnold moved to adopt the Consent Agenda with the addition noted above as follows: 1) Minutes of Boards, Commissions & Committees; 2) Report by Fire Chief on 1992 residential burning season; 3) Liquor license request by Ron Roth, Plaza Cafe, Williams seconded, all AYES on voice vote. PUBLIC HEARINGS: P.A. 92-121 Zone Change Request 150 N. Pioneer. Acklin read the statement outlining the format for land-use public hearings. Acting Planner McLaughlin said the Planning Commission denied the application. Photos submitted by the applicant were shown to Council. Receipt of a letter from Mrs. Frances Glockner Hirst, owner of property at 180 N. Pioneer, against the request was noted and entered into the record. The public hearing was opened and Stan Potocki, Applicant, said properties on all sides of this address are commercially zoned. He then reviewed pages 17-19 of the record, and said future plans for the property include the addition of 2-3 travellers accommodations units. He showed a video of properties in the area. Mayor Golden arrived at 8:00 P.M. Frank Spierings, 164 1/2 B St. is opposed to the zone change. There being no further comment from the audience, the public hearing was closed. Arnold moved to deny the application and adopt the Planning Commission Findings, Laws seconded, all YES on roll call vote. P.A. 92-109 Modify Off-street Parking Ordinance re: Covered Bicycle Parking. McLaughlin said this requirement is becoming routine and Section 18.92.040 C. should be amended to require that 50% of all required bicycle parking spaces should be sheltered from the weather and located in proximity to the uses they are intended to serve. The public hearing was opened and closed with no comment from the audience. Laws said he's certain that TPAC would agree with this amendment. Laws moved to direct staff to bring back an implementing ordinance, Winthrop seconded, all YES on roll call vote. Regular Meeting - Ashland City Council - November 3, 1992 - P. 1 NEW & MISCELLANEOUS BUSINESS: Open Space Funding - Parks Commission Proposal. Pat Adams, 580 Weller Lane, Chair of the Parks Commission, explained their proposal, which they wish to have placed on the March 23, 1993 Special Election ballot, as follows: a 1% Prepared Food & Beverage Tax, Systems Development Charges, and Private Donations and Tax Incentives. She said the Parks Tax Levy will be used to maintain and develop the acquired land so residents will also participate, and requested that only one proposal be placed on the ballot. Wes Reynolds, 1265 Munson Dr., Parks Commissioner, read excerpts from a letter received from Carol Browning, 485 Liberty, in support of the proposal. George Kramer, 386 N. Laurel, urged support of the proposal. Jean Crawford, 923 Harmony Lane, spoke in support. Mary Christine, 266 Fifth St., also supports the proposal. Betty Camner, 868 A St., spoke in support and read a letter from Richard McKinney, 117 8th St., also in support. Fred Binnewies, 1009 Oneida Circle, strongly supports the food and beverage tax proposal, and feels the Parks Commission should have authority to acquire land as well as develop it. Keith Chambers, 715 Pennsylvania, supports proposal and feels only one should be placed on ballot. Open Space Funding - Chamber of Commerce Proposal. Michael Donovan, 1120 Beswick Way, representing the Chamber and food and beverage industry, explained their proposal for the March 23, 1993 ballot as follows: .12 cent increase in the property tax base per $1,000 assessed valuation, Systems Development Charges, and $40.00 increase in the business license fee. Steve Sacks, 693 Roca St., supports proposal. Marilyn Bailey, 2978 Barbara St., Chamber Bd. Member, recommends approval. Michael Gibbs, 536 Ashland St., spoke against Parks proposal. Joni Smith, 220 Lupine, representing League of Women Voters, urged the Council to place only one proposal on the ballot and said the voters need assurance of a consensus among the parties. Michael Bingham, 129 5th St., is against Parks proposal. Herbert Sweeten, 240 1/2 Van Ness Ave., is against a tax. Tom Reid, 918 Walker Ave., said a sales tax is difficult to collect and remit and a burden on small business owners. He supports the Chamber's proposal. Bill Robertson, 2175 Tolman Creek Rd., supports Chamber proposal. Steve Morjig, 610 Chestnut, said citizens should pay for open space, not tourists. Larry Cooper, 346 High St., agreed. Brice Farwell, 290 W. Nevada, said only one proposal should be submitted for the ballot and an educational effort is necessary. Steve Zenos, 355 Grant St., is against the Chamber proposal due to the increased property tax element. Chris Finnie, 167 Lincoln, owner of two restaurants, said business is decreasing and more administrative costs will be a burden. Leo Hill, 1235 N. Mountain, supports Chamber proposal. Russ Silbiger, 562 Ray Lane, is against the 1% tax. Ken Mickelsen, Parks Director, said their data was obtained in the 1992 Survey of Buying Power. Acklin suggested directing Attorney Nolte to draft ballot language for both proposals to be voted on by Council on December 15 when full complement of Council is present. Arnold said both proposals should be presented to the voters. Winthrop said only one proposal should be on the ballot, and he's in favor of the Parks proposal. If this is Regular Meeting - Ashland City Council - November 3, 1992 - P. 2 defeated, the Chamber proposal can be submitted. Laws is concerned that if both proposals are on the ballot, they will both be defeated. Acklin does not support a 1% food and beverage tax. Williams would have no problem putting both proposals on the ballot. Acklin moved to direct the City Attorney to prepare ballot language for both proposals for the December 15th meeting, Laws seconded, all YES on roll call vote. Cabill Sewer Connect Request. Wayne Cahill, owner of 375 Tolman Creek Rd., is requesting connection to city sewer system for property outside the City limits. Almquist reviewed the conditions contained in his memo, and Acklin moved approval of the request with said conditions. Williams seconded and the motion passed unanimously on roll call vote. Wetlands Coalition Request - Technical Committee. Gary Schrodt, Wetlands Coalition, requested that Council approve formation of a technical committee comprised of representatives from DEQ, Dept. of Fish & Wildlife, Water Resources Dept., TID, City of Ashland, and Wetlands Coalition, to address problems and differences of agreement concerning various aspects of Bear Creek water resources, with the Rogue Valley Council of Governments facilitating and coordinating the committee. Arnold said the three State agencies have to be willing to participate, and Laws moved to invite them to do so and if they accept, authorize the Committee to be formed. Williams seconded and the motion carried on voice vote. Wetlands Coalition Request re: Garbage Disposals. at their request. Pulled from agenda PUBLIC FORUM: No response. ORDINANCES, RESOLUTIONS & CONTRACTS: Railroad Dist. Park L.I.D. Second reading by title only of an ordinance authorizing and ordering the improvement of a public park located immediately South of the Southern Pacific Railroad tracks between Sixth St. and Eighth St. in the Railroad District .... The amended sections were read concerning non-profit exemptions and payment deferrals. Williams moved adoption, Acklin seconded, all YES on roll call vote. (Ord. 2693) Alley Vacation. Second reading by title only of an ordinance vacating an alley off Sunnyview Drive. Acklin moved adoption, Arnold seconded, all YES on roll call vote. (Ord. 2694) Rezone Mahar Property. Second reading by title only of an ordinance rezoning certain property from City of Ashland E-1 to R-2 and R-1- 3.5P. Williams moved adoption, Acklin seconded, all YES on roll call vote. (Ord. 2695) Comp. Plan Map Amendment - Mahar Property. Second reading by title only of an Ordinance adopting an amendment to the Comp. Plan Map from Employment to Low-density Multi-family residential and Suburban Regular Meeting - Ashland City Council - November 3, 1992 - P. 3 Residential. Winthrop moved adoption, Williams seconded, all YES on roll call vote. (Ord. 2696) Sewer Rates. Finance Director Turner said present rates are inadequate for current expenditures, the fund balance is being drawn down and this trend needs reversing prior to going to the bond market for STP improvement bonds. Laws moved to extend the meeting for 1/2 hour, Acklin seconded and the motion carried with Winthrop dissenting. On a question from Golden, Hall said both the Sewer and Water Divisions are cutting back on expenditures. Acklin said the fund balances in water and sewer are a serious concern to the auditors. A Resolution adopting a sewer rate schedule pursuant to Section 14.08.035 of the Ashland Municipal Code was read by title only. Laws moved adoption, Arnold seconded and the motion passed on roll call vote as follows: Laws, Williams, Acklin, and Arnold, YES; Winthrop, NO. (Reso. 92-55) Water Rates. Arnold suggested that increasing rates in smaller increments over a longer period of time will lessen the impact. Arnold moved to extend the meeting for 1/2 hour, Laws seconded, all AYES on voice vote. Arnold moved to request Staff to prepare revised water rate increases as noted above, and submit data to show the affects of this revision. Williams seconded, all AYES on voice vote. Canvass of Vote. Reading by title only of a resolution Canvassing the Vote, and Mayor's Proclamation regarding election for public officers held on November 3, 1992. Arnold moved adoption, Acklin seconded, all YES on roll call vote. (Reso. 92-56) Reimburse Capital Expenditures. Reading by title only of a resolution of the City of Ashland, Oregon evidencing its intent to reimburse Capital expenditures. Arnold moved approval, Acklin seconded, all YES on roll call vote. (Reso. 92-57) Airport F.B.O. Lease. The Airport Commission is recommending Robert A. Skinner as F.B.O. Hall recommended an interfund loan for three years or hangar refinancing to cover the $9200 deficit. Arnold expressed concern about entering into a lease agreement where borrowing money will be necessary and Almquist explained that this will be capitalizing facilities and when hangars are paid off, a $20,000 cash flow will result. Hall suggested that Almquist enter into negotiations with Skinner and prepare a financial analysis for Council review. He also noted that the total Airport budget is $62,500 and an SOSC survey showed that the Airport brings in over $1,000,000 annually to the area's economy. Laws moved to accept Steve's suggestion, Winthrop seconded, all AYES on voice vote. Taylor Foundation Indemnification Agreement. Attorney Nolte said the Foundation donates large sums of money to the Parks Commission for various projects and wishes to be held harmless in the event of a lawsuit arising out of work done on the projects which they help to fund. Laws moved approval, Williams seconded, all AYES on voice vote. Regular Meeting - Ashland City Council - November 3, 1992 - P. 4 OTHER BUSINESS FROM COUNCIL MEMBERS: None. ADJOURNMENT: The meeting adjourned at 11:56 P.M. to Executive Session on December 8, 1992 at 7:30 P.M. in the Civic Center Conference Room, 1175 E. Main, to consider evaluations of the City Attorney and City Administrator. Nan E. ran~lin City Recorder Catherine M. Golden Mayor (d: \min\l 2-1-92) Regular Meeting - Ashland City Council - November 3, 1992 - P. 5