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HomeMy WebLinkAbout1991-1119 REG MINMINUTES OF THE REGULAR MEETING ASHLAND CITY COUNCIL NOVEMBER 19, 1991 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, Reid, Williams, Acklin, Winthrop, and Arnold were present. APPROVAL OF MINUTES: The minutes of the Regular Meeting of November 5, 1991 were accepted as presented. SPECIAL PRESENTATIONS: Tree-Planting Grant. David Chasmar, Chair of the Street Tree Commission, explained the Small Business Admini- stration grant from the Oregon Dept. of Forestry which will be used to plant 50 street trees on N. Main between the S.P. Railroad trestle and Sheridan Street. The grant is for $4,527 to be matched by the City from the Street Division tree-planting funds, and the work put out for bid and awarded to local businesses. Chasmar commended the Tree Commission and especially the following members for their efforts in securing the grant: Nunes, Sada, Behrsin, Minder, Hormel, and Staff liaison, Robbin Smith. Winthrop moved to accept the grant and authorize expenditure of matching funds, Williams seconded, all AYES on voice vote. Donn Todt Recognition. Mayor Golden presented a Certificate of Appreciation to Donn in recognition of 10 years of service on the Street Tree Commission and the valuable expertise he lends to same. MIV/AIDS Proclamation. A proclamation was read declaring the Thanksgiving season as "AIDS AWARENESS IN JACKSON COUNTY". CONSENT AGENDA: Winthrop asked that item 4 be pulled for discussion. Reid moved to approve the remainder of the Consent Agenda as follows: 1) Minutes of Boards, Commissions & Committees; 2) Monthly Departmental Reports; 3) Mayor,s appointments to Transportation Planning Advisory Committee; 5) Memo from Dir. of Public Works regarding Ashland Pump Station spill; and 6) Memo from Dir. of Public Works concerning paving of Hersey Street. Reid thanked Public Wks. Dir. Hall for the information on the paving of Hersey Street. Arnold seconded, all AYES on voice vote. 4) Financial report for quarter ending September 30, 1991. On a question from Winthrop, Finance Dir. Turner explained that the Water Quality fund interest is paid twice a year and the principal is paid once. The first interest and annual principal payments were made September 1. Laws moved to approve Item #4, Williams seconded, all AYES on voice vote. PUBLIC HEARINGS: Off-street Parking Ord. Amendments (PA 91-102). Planning Dir. Fregonese reviewed the proposed changes to the Off- street parking ordinance and requested that Section 18.92,100 be deleted, and added discretionarily to the Site Review Ordinance. The public hearing was opened and there was no response. Reid asked that Section 18.92,055 concerning commercial buildings in the Historic District be retained, and expressed concern that Section 18.92.030 complies with the national handicap standards. Laws moved to direct staff to bring back a final ordinance, amended as follows: Section 18.92.055 retained, Section 18.92,100 deleted and added to Site Review Ordinance, amend Section 18.92.020 B. 3. "...General - one space for 350 square feet ..." and "...Furniture and appliances - one space per 750 square feet ..."; 5. "Medical and dental - one space per 350 Regular Meeting - Ashland City Council - November 19, 1991 - P. 1 Off-street Parking Ord. square feet..." and "General - one space per 450 square feet..."; and C. 1., second line "...employees on the largest shift or for each 700 square feet of ...". Section 18.92.030 will be amended to comply with the Americans for Disabilities Act standards. The remainder of the ordinance to remain as proposed. Arnold seconded the motion which passed unanimously on roll call vote. Sign Code Amendments (PA 91-127). Planning Dir. Fregonese reviewed the proposal to amend Section 18.96.020 23. and add Section 18.96,030 J. The public hearing was opened, there was no comment and it was closed. Williams and Reid felt the amendments were too restrictive. Acklin said reasonable criteria should be developed to regulate interior illuminated signs, not just ignore them. (e.g. blue light fascia band recently installed at Knights Inn Motel) Laws said the existing sign ordinance should be protected. Arnold moved to direct staff to prepare ordinances in compliance with the proposed changes, Winthrop seconded. The motion passed on roll call vote as follows: Winthrop, Arnold, Laws, YES; Reid, Williams, and Acklin, NO. Golden broke the tie with a YES vote. Adequate Public Facilities Requirement (PA 91-156). On a question from Acklin, City Admin. Almquist said adequate capacity of electricity can be measured on the computer system. The public hearing was opened, there was not comment and it was closed. Reid asked about including schools and Acklin suggested directing staff to work with the School Board to develop criteria for adequate school capacity. The ordinance was read and Laws moved same to second reading. Williams seconded and the motion passed on roll call vote with Reid dissenting. UNFINISHED BUSINESS: Reimbursement Policy. Reid told of her recent appointment to the League of Oregon Cities Board and expressed concern about running over the proposed allotted budget. Almquist noted a provision for Council approval for expenses over budget. Reid moved to adopt the policy, Williams seconded, all AYES on voice vote. NEW & MISCELLANEOUS BUSINESS: Demolition Permit - 531 Scenic. Winthrop moved to approve the permit with the condition that 1) the Historic Commission review the plans before the house is demolished, and 2) that the permit run with the property, not the owner. He then dropped the second condition of the motion which Reid seconded. The motion failed on roll call vote as follows: Acklin, Arnold, Laws, NO; Reid, Williams, and Winthrop, YES. Golden broke the tie with a NO vote. After a short discussion, Williams moved to reconsider the permit at a time convenient for the property owners, Winthrop seconded, all AYES on voice vote. Friends of Ashland Report. Mark Murphy, 492 Lynn St., reviewed the concerns expressed at the Town Hall meeting held by the Friends of Ashland, and offered two video cassettes of same for Councilors to view. Concerns included frustrations at not being taken seriously, report conclusions not being acted on, traffic problems connected to growth, losing quality of life and character of Ashland, lack of adequate city services, water conservation, inconsistent information, Regular Meeting - Ashland City Council - November 19, 1991 - P. 2 Friends of Ashland (Continued) etc. Draft ordinances to control large scale commercial developments were distributed to Councilors for their consideration. Golden said the Council is not communicating well with the public and a more concerted effort is needed, which is a perfect re-direction of CPAC. Laws said many changes are taking place which cannot be controlled and the challenge is to keep the city livable given these changes. He noted the review and revision of the Comprehensive Plan which included 2 years of public hearings and opportunities for citizens to participate. Susan Berryhill, 129 S. Laurel, said the Council gets bogged down with facts and doesn't hear the feelings, and should hold neighborhood meetings. Ron Thurner, 1170 Bellview, said information should be reviewed and responded to with action. Arnold thanked those who organized the Town Hall meeting and said the draft ordinances will be shared with the newly created POD Committee. Acklin noted many ordinance changes and programs which the Council has implemented over the past ten years which improve the quality of life in Ashland including: Sign Ordinance amendments, Tree Commission, Historic Commission landmarks list, Physical & Environmental Constraints Ordinance., Floodplain Ordinance, SDC's, forest interface planning, pedestrian amenities, street capacity standards, etc. Debbie Miller, 160 Normal, suggested using the cable access channel for better communication. Fire Department Staffing. Almquist recommended support of Fire Chief Woodley's proposal to phase out the six student firefighter positions and add one firefighter/medic to each of the three regular shifts. Laws moved to extend the meeting, Acklin seconded, all AY[S on voice vote. Reid moved to approve the proposal and Williams seconded. Arnold said the Affirmative Action program should be implemented with positions being widely advertised and women and minorities strongly considered. The motion passed unanimously on voice vote. Adopt Findings P.A. 91-099 (Lloyd Haines). Arnold moved to adopt same, Acklin seconded and the motion passed on roll call vote with Reid and Winthrop dissenting. Central Ave. Traffic Control. Public Works Dir. Hall asked that this be referred to the Traffic Safety Commission. Barbara Ross, 148 Central, who initiated the petition, expressed concerns about the large trucks which might cause vibrations and possibly damage old houses on that street. Acklin moved to refer the item to the Traffic Safety Commission, Winthrop seconded, all AYES on voice vote. PUBLIC FORUM: No comment. ORDINANCES, RESOLUTIONS & CONTRACTS: Unauthorized Camping. Almquist asked for postponement. Allison Sacash, 122 7th St., spoke against the proposed ordinance. No action taken. Laws moved to extend the meeting, Arnold seconded, all AYES on voice vote. Vacate portion of Lori Lane. Second reading by title only of an ordinance vacating a portion of Lori Lane. Winthrop moved to adopt same, Arnold seconded, all YES on roll call vote. (Ord. 2653) Regular Meeting - Ashland City Council - November 19, 1991 - P. 3 Public Easements. Second reading by title only of an ordinance amending Section 4.18.020 concerning vacation of public easements. Laws moved to adopt same, Winthrop seconded, all YES'on roll call vote. (Ord. 2654) Forest Interface Regulations. First reading by title only of an ordinance relative to regulations in the forest interface to prevent wildfires. (Copies furnished in accord with the Charter). Williams moved to second reading, Winthrop seconded, all YES on roll call vote. Conditional Use Permits Standards. First reading by title only of an ordinance concerning standards for conditional use permits. (Copies furnished in accord with the Charter) Williams moved to second reading and Reid seconded. Winthrop asked that the ordinance be tabled for two weeks in light of testimony from Friends of Ashland. The motion passed as follows on roll call vote: Laws, Reid, and Winthrop, NO; Williams, Acklin, and Arnold, YES; Golden broke the tie with a YES vote. Adequate Capacity of City Facilities. meeting. Ordinance read earlier in Amend Section 11.28.030 Re: Parking Fines. First reading of an ordinance deleting reference to parking fines from Section 11.28.030 of the Ashland Municipal Code. Laws moved to second reading, Winthrop seconded, all YES on roll call vote. Canvass of Vote. Resolution declaring the Canvass of the Vote of November 5, 1991 regarding G.O. Water Bonds. Winthrop moved to adopt same, Arnold seconded, all YES on roll call vote. (Reso. 91-43) Adopt Site Design and Use Guidelines. A resolution was read adopting the revised Site Design and Use Guidelines. Arnold moved to adopt same, Williams, seconded, all YES on roll call vote. (Reso. 91-44) Air Taxi Agreement. P.W. Admin. Asst. Pam Barlow asked that Council waive the on-site facilities standard, and allow Staff to negotiate the financial section. Williams moved to approve the agreement, Arnold seconded, all YES on roll call vote. OTHER BUSINESS FROM COUNCIL MEMBERS: None. ADJOURNMENT: The meeting adjourned at 11:45 P.M. Nan E. Frankl in City Recorder Catherine M. Golden Mayor Regular Meeting - Ashland City Council - November 19, 1991 - P. 4