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HomeMy WebLinkAbout1991-0305 REG MINMINUTES OF THE REGULAR MEETING ASHLAND CITY COUNCIL MARCH 5, 1991 CALL TO ORDER - Mayor Catherine Golden called the meeting to order and led the Pledge of Allegiance at 7:35 PM on the above date in the Council Chambers. Laws, Reid, Willjams, Acklin, Winthrop and Arnold were present. APPROVAL OF MINUTES - The Minutes of the regular meeting of February 19, 1991 were approved as presented. SPECIAL PRESENTATIONS & AWARDS - Chief Vic Lively congratulated the Municipal Court Clerk, Vicki Guy, as Employee of the Year, Barbara Hannson, with 15 years of dispatching experience, as Dispatcher of the Year, Janet Chilcoate as Officer of the Year (for the second time), and Michael Bianca, who was promoted to Sergeant effective today. CONSENT AGENDA - The Mayor asked that #2, Memo from Steve Hall regarding sewage spills, be called up. Acklin moved to approve #1 and Rob seconded. Golden asked Steve Hall to explain why there has been so many spills lately. Hall said it's not the Sewage Treatment Plant that has been giving the trouble but the pump station. On Jan. 3, because of high rain flows and a power outage, we lost about 2,000,000 gals., which was only 10% sewage and 90% water. Construction of the building to house the generator is in progress. It is in the 5-year capital improvement program to upgrade the pumps. It will be from 60-90 days before we will have that on line and functioning. Laws commented that we've had power outages before and never seemed to have this many spills. Hall said we have had spills in the past but they didn't get the notoriety because they were less in volume. Storm water getting into the system is compounding the problem as well as the high level of sewage. Winthrop noted in the case of the one caused by staff error, is there a signal in the telemetry system which can prevent this in the future? Hall said a signal is relayed to the Police Department. Winthrop moved to approved Item #2 and Laws seconded. Motion passed unanimously on roll call vote. PUBLIC HEARINGS Proposed adoption of the revised POPULATION ELEMENT of the Comp Plan. Fregonese presented the staff report saying all drafts have been approved by CPAC. Estimates are based on natural increases only, not affected by migration. Fregonese suggested changes to two policies: #1, add "if needed", and #7, delete the middle sentence. Reid said she didn't like keeping traveler's accommodations limited to one per 15 permanent City residents. Fregonese said after interviewing visitors, it was found that all tourists don't stay in Ashland, and some have friends/relatives with whom they stay. The preliminary 1990 Census population count was 16,192, the final - 16,234. Preliminary Portland State figure was 16,700, final was 16,500. He felt the estimates for 1990 are high and that 16,500 was believable. Reid referenced page V-13, emphasizing the quality of living aspect since the City is responsible for providing electricity. Golden was assured by Fregonese that natural resources were taken into consideration when calculating Policy 7. The Public Hearing was open and closed without comments. Winthrop said document was very well written. Page 9, last paragraph, Winthrop suggested an average daily population instead of annual. In the previous paragraph, he suggests using the word "unit" when referring to the number of beds. Regular Meeting - Ashland City Council - March 5, 1991 - P. 1 Regarding Policy 5, it was not clear what was meant by affirmative action. Fregonese explained that Ashland should be an advocate in employment opportunities and fair housing. Laws felt it obligates the City to equalize the number of hispanics with the county. Arnold suggested omitting the words "Jackson County" but keep in affirmative action. Laws recommended using the word "cultural" rather than "ethnic" background. All agreed. Winthrop felt this section should go into the economic section, Reid agreed. Reid read the Income Levels portion for the TV viewing audience. Laws commented on Income Levels saying Ashland is not a poor city, but we have a large population of the service sector (students and actors) that does not provide a living wage. Laws said public should deal with poverty by choice differently. Arnold recommended that the last two sentences in Policy 7 be stricken. The concept of limiting the tourist population is not something that he wants to do and will not impose. Fregonese suggested adding "if needed"' to Policy 1. Arnold said "... and use them, if needed" might be better. Golden noted that "if needed" would be added to the second sentence. Acklin moved to ask staff to bring back an ordinance implementing these changes, Reid seconded. Motion passed unanimously on roll call vote. Proposed adoption of the revised CONSERVATION ELEMENT of the Comp Plan. Dick Wanderscheid said he wrote this document two years ago and had to update it since then. The abnormal weather caused him to update the numbers. He preferred to call citizens customers and globally changed it except he missed one on page 107 The public hearing was opened and closed without comment. Reid was interested in unmetered electric use for street lights. Laws pointed out an error on page 5, which stated the City does not own any substations. Wanderscheid noted that it was, in fact, correct, that the City owns the kV main bus but not the substation. Williams moved that staff bring back an ordinance for adoption, Winthrop seconded. Motion passed unanimously on roll call vote. UNFINISHED BUSINESS Adoption of revised Findings, Conclusions & Orders on PA 90-218, Ed Houghton, Applicant. Fregonese noted that Section 4 is just testimony, no discussion. Section 5 has been organized and reworded to make stronger. The specific changes that Acting City Attorney Roy Bashaw suggested are in a memo on the table. Bashaw said if Council wants to find that the grade does not exceed 15% at centerline for any portion of the improved City street, and the street grade does not exceed 18% at the inside or outside curves for any portion of the improved City street, then they should do so. Acklin moved to withdraw previous approval of Findings and adopt the revised findings. Reid seconded and the motion passed with Williams abstaining because he was not at the Public Hearing and Arnold dissenting. Reconsideration of Budget Committee appointment for individual unable to serve. Golden said Glenda Galaba would be leaving town soon and could not serve a 3 year term. Winthrop nominated Ann Meredith, whose background is similar to Galaba's, Willlares nominated Gene Morris. Meredith won on a 4-3 vote. Reid, Winthrop, Arnold and Golden voted for Meredith. NEW & MISCELLANEOUS BUSINESS 1. Contract for Regional Haz-Mat Emergency Response Team - Postponed. 2. Medford Mayor's Youth Advisory Commission - Postponed Regular Meeting - Ashland City Council - March 5, 1991 - P. 2 3, Letter from Erik Wallbank requesting City to develop electromagnetic field standards. Golden met with Wallbank and Phil Clark and later had a discussion with Brian Almquist suggesting the possibility of bringing together a small group of citizens to form a committee which would set guidelines for electromagnetic field standards. She recommended Harry Hutton, Jim Sims, Kay Nollenberger, Gene Stringer, AI Williams, Erik Wallbank, Patti Acklin, and Phil Clark to accommodate concerns and needs of the neighborhood. Wallbank said he thought it was a great idea and will help in any way he can. Laws asked if Council rules require that they approve the ad hoc committee and the Mayor asked that it be sanctioned by Council. Laws moved to approve the recommended Committee and its members and Williams seconded, all ayes. Betty Camner, A Street, asked for Council's interpretation of what the Committee will do. Mayor said it would help mitigate health hazards to the citizens regardless of where the substation is located. Acklin explained that a set of policies would be set and a general philosophy established regarding the construction and siting of a new substation. Winthrop commented on a conference which he attended regarding EMF health effects. BPA is the only agency that has adopted the Valdez Principles. Ron Thurner noted that the proposed members are all in the proximity of the Railroad district. The Mayor disagreed. Standards that are developed should not focus on one district. Thurner then asked how the establishment of this committee will affect the decision of the location of the next substation, what was its time line and will decisions of the Committee and negotiations with S.P. go on simultaneously? Golden asked Almquist if 30 days was adequate? Almquist thought it was too short but agreed to go with it and extend the time if necessary. Laws said he wants to see a report from the Committee before making the decision on the location. Laws said BPA wants to work with community for siting and wants Council's interaction. Winthrop commented on the first paragraph of Wallbank's letter saying there is only a low association between the type of wiring configuration and cancer/leukemia patients. Two milligauss is premature and no threshold has been established. This doesn't work like chemical toxins. The workshop disagreed with the words "probable human carcinogens" (in the third paragraph) therefore should not be referred to as such. PUBLIC FORUM Mark Murphey said he took exception to Laws' comments that artists move to Ashland and choose to be poor. Actors are not a major contributor to that directive. Ron Thurner asked about the school capacity issue and new state standards for a moratorium and wanted to know if Council or City Attorney has adopted anything yet. Almquist said Thurner can pick up a copy of the memo at City Hall. ORDINANCES, RESOLUTIONS AND CONTRACTS Crowson Road Annexation - Second reading by title only of an ordinance of the City of Ashland annexing a contiguous area to the City of Ashland, Oregon and providing for an effective date. Laws moved to adopt and Arnold seconded, motion passed unanimously on roll call vote (Ord 2615). Crowson Road Annexation - Second reading by title only of an ordinance of the City of Ashland withdrawing recently annexed real property from Jackson Co. Fire District No. 5. Willjams moved to adopt and Winthrop seconded, motion passed unanimously on roll call vote (Ord 2616). Crowson Road Annexation - Second reading by title only of an ordinance of the City of Ashland rezoning certain property from RR-5 to R-I-10-P. Acklin moved to adopt and Williams seconded, motion passed unanimously on roll call vote (Ord 2617). Regular Meeting - Ashland City Council - March 5, 1991 - P. 3 Transportation Utility Fees - Second reading by title only of an ordinance amending Chapter 4.26 of the Municipal Code concerning Transportation Utility Fees. Acklin moved to adopt and Winthrop seconded, motion passed unanimously on roll call vote (Ord 2618). Secure Storage - Second reading by title only of an ordinance of the City of Ashland annexing a contiguous area of the City of Ashland and providing for an effective date. Willlares moved to adopt and Winthrop seconded, motion passed on roll call vote with Reid and Arnold dissenting (Ord 2619). Secure Storage - Second reading by title only of an ordinance of the City of Ashland withdrawing recently annexed real property from Jackson Co. Fire District No. 5. Acklin moved to adopt and Willlares seconded, motion passed on roll call vote with Reid and Arnold dissenting (Ord 2620). Secure Storage - Second reading by title only of an ordinance of the City of Ashland rezoning certain property from RR-5 to E-1. Willjams moved to adopt and Laws seconded, motion passed on roll call vote with Reid and Arnold dissenting (Ord 2621 ). Special Service Fees - Almquist said this would put all fees into one resolution. Willlares moved passage to second reading and Acklin seconded. Arnold had comments to delete section 6 which would require Police Chief to collect fees. Chief Lively agreed it cost the City money every time he had to hire on extra staff. Willlares amended the motion to delete Section 6 and Acklin seconded. Motion passed unanimously on roll call vote. Funding of Ashland Community Hospital - Resolution expressing the policy of the Ashland City Council on the funding of the Ashland Community Hospital. Almquist read the Resolution. Winthrop asked if this infringes upon the prerogative of Budget Committee? Almquist said that this is an expression of support for the Hospital and Council has the ultimate authority of the budget. Willlares move to second reading, Winthrop seconded, motion passed unanimously on roll call vote (Reso 91-05). County Public Library System - Resolution of the Ashland City Council expressing support for County Public Library System. Almquist read the Resolution. Acklin was responsible for putting this item on the agenda. Mayor said if this doesn't pass, the library will close. Willlares moved to second reading, Winthrop seconded. Reid said it's hard to tell people how to vote and wished it were worded a little differently. Laws agreed with Susan. Motion passed unanimously on roll call vote. Easement for US West - Easement for U.S. West Communications at Clay Street Park. Almquist read memo dated February 27, 1991 from Jim Olson. Winthrop moved to grant the easement and Acklin seconded, motion passed unanimously on roll call vote. Cooperative Signal Agreement - Almquist read a memo from Steve Hall dated February 21, 1991. Reid asked if this was related to the SOSC 90's plan. Almquist said no but they are on a parallel track. The existing signal is antiquated. Arnold moved to approve the agreement and authorize signatures, Acklin seconded, motion passed unanimously on roll call vote. OTHER BUSINESS FROM COUNCIL MEMBERS - Golden said $1750 is needed to fund an Open Space Study and she's hoping Council will approve the expenditure. Golden said it will not make the November ballot if they do not discuss it this evening. Acklin moved to put it on the agenda and Winthrop seconded, all ayes. Reid asked if proposal was put out to bid because she had concerns about using people from up north and not allowing local bidding. Because of nature of involvement, the Mayor felt it was better to bid outside. Williams asked if the City can fund that amount and Almquist confirmed. Acklin moved to approve a committee and allocate 1,750 to determine city's desire for Open Space, Winthrop seconded. Regular Meeting - Ashland City Council - March 5, 1991 - P. 4 Arnold said, with all due respect, a survey like this will not give us the information we want it to. He said this is a significant amount of money and we ought not spend it on this. Acklin said it may be necessary simply to meet a chord between two elected body officials. Laws agrees partly with Arnold saying it would be better to support a focus group rather than this study. The motion passed with Arnold and Laws dissenting. Reid noted she received a booklet on the Valdez Principals and Almquist has it in his office. Almquist said Jerry Barnes will be in town on Saturday, March 9th and wants to meet for breakfast with as many Council members as possible. When 8:00 AM was the time agreed to meet, all but Reid said they could make it. Laws asked Arnold about the possible solution to bike route on Siskiyou saying the newspaper article contradicted a solution. Arnold noted the state had not responded to his letter. Laws supports the proposal to make two 12 feet travel lanes and one 5 feet bike lane on both sides of Siskiyou. A reminder was given about the Study Session next Tuesday at 7:00 PM at Hunter Park Senior Center. ADJOURNMENT- The meeting adjourned at 9:45 PM. Nan E. Franklin City Recorder 'Catherine M. Golden Mayor Regular Meeting - Ashland City Council - March 5, 1991 - P. 5