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HomeMy WebLinkAbout1990-0501 REG MINMINUTES OF THE REGULAR MEETING ASHLAND CITY COUNCIL MAY 1, 1990 ROLL CALL 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. APPROVAL OF MINUTES Golden said on page two in the first paragraph, the name Eric Siebrecht should be "Setterberg". The minutes of the April 17, 1990 meeting were approved as amended. SPECIAL PRESENTATIONS The Ashland High School Debate Team took the OSAA/U.S. Bank State Championship. Several members of the team were introduced and Eustacia Mahoney, co-captain, presented their award to Mayor Golden. Williams said Coach John Treadway deserves a lot of credit for the fine team at the High School. City Administrator Almquist gave the history of the Cable Access Channel which is a partnership between SOSC, the Hospital, and the City. He introduced the members of the Cable Access Committee, and Allan Sandler, Chair, presented the channel with a $1,000 donation from Sandler Institutional Films. Bob Rasmussen, U.S. Bank, presented Pat Webber with a $100 savings bond for designing the logo for the channel. Joe Cox, SOSC, and Jim Watson, A.C.H., thanked the committee, Brian Almquist and Tim Shove for their efforts in making the channel a reality. CONSENT AGENDA Monthly Financial Commentary for period ending March 31, 1990. Reid asked that a brief paragraph concerning the Parks Dept. and Hospital be included in future commentaries. She asked if monies are set aside for a third stage sewage treatment project, and Finance Director Turner said no. Winthrop moved to approve the consent agenda, Reid seconded, all AYES on voice vote. PUBLIC HEARINGS Parson's Pine Products Noise Variance A letter was read from James Parsons, Parsons' Pine Products, requesting a variance from the noise ordinance. A letter was received from Susan Brown, owner of property South of the facility, requesting that the variance be denied. Planning Director Fregonese said the Regular Meeting - Ashland City Council - May 1, 1990 - Page One Parsons' Pine (Continued) City noise standards are five decibels less than State standards. On a question from Arnold, Senior Planner McLaughlin said the Council can grant a variance for commercial and industrial uses. The public hearing was opened. Jerry Sivin, President of Parsons' Pine, said they can meet the State levels but not the City standards. On a question from Donovan, Sivin said work will begin when the variance is approved and would probably take a year to complete. Gwen Lee, 323 Helman, expressed concern about dust and noise pollution and requested that they operate within the law or relocate. Toni Gallo-Robbins said the facility was not in full operation when noise levels were taken, and asked Council to visit the site before approving the variance. There being no further comment from the audience, the public hearing was closed. Arnold asked about complaints and Fregonese said Dick Chambers, the Code Enforcement Officer will handle them from now on, and that the City's noise meter is DEQ/EPA certified. Acklin moved to invite the DEQ to work with Parsons, and to comply with the following standards: between 7:00 A.M. and 9:00 P.M., L50 - 50 dBA, L10 - 55 dBA, L1 - 65 dBA, and between 9:00 P-.M. and 7:00 A.M., adhere to City standards of L50 - 45 dBA, L10 - 50 dBA and L1 - 55 dBA. The motion included compliance within six months. Winthrop seconded. Arnold said the City should monitor the facility for compliance. On City Attorney Salter's recommendation, Acklin amended her motion to include that the Council finds that strict compliance with the ordinance will cause unusual or unreasonable hardship for the applicant. Winthrop amended his second, all AYES on voice vote. Councilor Reid suggested that construction start-up times on weekends should be later than 7:00 A.M. Acklin suggested 8:00 A.M. and Reid moved to direct staff to prepare an ordinance for the next Council meeting. Arnold seconded and the motion carried on voice vote. UNFINISHED BUSINESS Tolman Creek Annexation - Williams moved to adopt the Findings, Conclusions & Orders for Planning Action No. 90-030, request for annexation, zone change and site review for proposed community shopping center at Tolman Creek Road and Highway 66. Donovan seconded and the motion passed on roll call vote as follows: Donovan, Williams, Acklin, and Winthrop, YES; Reid and Arnold, NO. NEW & MISCELLANEOUS BUSINESS Sanitary Service Rate Increase - A letter was read from Bob Wenker and Gary Rigotti, Ashland Sanitary Service, requesting the Mayor appoint a Committee to study their proposed rate increase and 15-year franchise request. Donovan, Reid and Acklin were asked to serve on the Committee and Donovan suggested holding a study session. Lois Wenker, Ashland Sanitary, presented the Council with the new recycling bins and thanked them for helping to purchase same. Reid asked that their Engineering Firm, Sweet/Edwards/EMCON, Inc. prepare a short televised Regular Meeting - Ashland City Council - May 1, 1990 - Page Two Sanitary Service (Continued) presentation of their underground water quality study at the landfill. Williams moved to approve the committee appointments, Winthrop seconded, all AYES on voice vote. Council asked that they be notified of all meetings held by the committee. A short break was taken a 9:10 P.M. for cake and punch to celebrate the start-up of the cable access channel. Affordable Housing Report Councilor Winthrop gave the background for the report and thanked the Mayor and Council for their leadership in this issue. A public comment session was held by the Affordable Housing Committee on March 1st, and Winthrop said a long-term commitment is needed to guarantee housing affordability in Ashland. He introduced the Committee and thanked those individuals, Consultant Katie Thorsheim, and City staff for their efforts, and asked Council to adopt the plan and direct Staff to implement it and bring forward the concepts in the land-use process. Planning Dir. Fregonese explained the eight basic points contained in the report. Judy Kocmieroski, Rogue Valley Fair Share, commended the committee on the report, and said Fair Share would like the report to be adopted as a whole, that the County and other cities be encouraged to adopt similar programs, and that a community development corporation be created. She said the Committee on Church and Society, First United Methodist Church, voted to endorse the report and ask that it be adopted in its entirety. Patty Bishop told of her work at the Dunn House and emphasized the need for affordable housing. Matt Kocmieroski, American Association of Retired Persons, said the Ashland Chapter endorses the report and asked that it be adopted in its entirety. Barbara Sutton, Fair Share, expressed support. Toni Bergene, 169 N. Wightman, said the Ashland Chapter of the United Methodist Women supports the report and wants it adopted as policy for the City. Trudy Revoir, 725 Frances Lane, expressed support. Betty Kester, 1644 Parker, said a retirement community is needed for middle income seniors. Steve Hauck, 107 Lincoln, said the Friends of Ashland support the report as written and said the program should be long-term with a permanent housing officer and citizen involvement. Sandy Kuykendall, 385 Cherry Lane, feels density rollbacks will be passed on to consumers who buy more expensive houses in subdivisions. Laurie Terrall, 1094 B St., a member of the Committee, said a long-term commitment is necessary. Arnold thanked the Committee for their hard work and moved to adopt the report as submitted. Reid seconded, all AYES on voice vote. Joseph Page Request - C.U.P. Fee A letter was read from Joseph Page, 153 Oak St., requesting a reduction in a conditional use permit fee from $450 to $150, for expansion of a B&B at that address. Acklin moved to approve the request, Donovan seconded, all AYES on voice vote. Regular Meeting - Ashland City Council - May 1, 1990 - Page Three Proposed Merger with Jackson Co. Fire Dist. No. 5 A letter was read from Dan Marshall, Chief of Fire Dist. No. 5, requesting a feasibility study for the possible merger/consolidation with that fire district. Marshall said that he and Fire Chief King will review other departments which have been consolidated, and that a Task Force will be created to discuss and report their findings. Acklin moved to continue the meeting, Reid seconded, all AYES on voice vote. Arnold would like to discuss his concerns with the Board of Directors and staff of the departments prior to creation of a task force. Acklin moved to hold a meeting with the Board of Directors of Fire District No. 5, Winthrop seconded, All AYES on voice vote. PUBLIC FORUM - No comment. ORDINANCES, RESOLUTIONS & CONTRACTS PNB Franchise - Second reading by title only of an ordinance amending Ordinance No. 2474, granting a franchise to Pacific Northwest Bell Telephone Co. pursuant to HB 3000. Acklin moved to adopt same, Williams seconded and the motion passed unanimously on roll call vote. (Ord. #2575) Tolman Creek Road Annexation - First reading of an ordinance annexing a contiguous area to the City of Ashland and providing for an effective date. Donovan moved to second reading, Williams seconded and the motion passed on roll call vote as follows: Donovan, Williams, Acklin, and Winthrop, YES; Reid and Arnold, NO. First reading of an ordinance withdrawing recently annexed property from Jackson County Fire Dist. 5. Williams moved to second reading, Winthrop seconded and the motion passed on roll call vote with Reid and Arnold voting NO. First reading of an ordinance rezoning certain property from Jackson County F-5 to City of Ashland E-1. Acklin moved to second reading, Donovan seconded and the motion passed on roll call vote with Reid and Arnold voting NO. Natural Gas Utility User Tax - First reading of an ordinance concerning a 2% utility user tax on natural gas. Reid expressed concern about low income people who heat with gas. Golden would like to hold a public hearing. Acklin said this item was included in the budget and a public hearing should have been held at the Budget Subcommittee meeting. Chuck Gates, C.P. National, said this would increase the average bill by about 50¢ per month and will show as a separate line item on gas bills. Arnold said revenues from SOSC gas purchases should be pursued. The ordinance was read and Acklin moved to second reading. Williams seconded the motion including Arnold's recommendation concerning SOSC. The motion passed on roll call vote with Reid dissenting. Regular Meeting - Ashland City Council - May 1, 1990 - Page Four Electric Rate Schedules - City Admin. Almquist reviewed his memo explaining the revisions, and a resolution was read revising the Electric Rate Schedules. Acklin moved to adopt same, Williams seconded and the motion passed unanimously on roll call vote. (Reso. #90-17) Reid moved to extend the meeting for one-half hour, Winthrop seconded, all AYES on voice vote. Water Rate Schedules - Public Works Dir. Hall said rates have not been increased since 1984 and the proposed schedule includes a flat fee for actual water used. A resolution was read adopting the proposed water rate schedules. Arnold moved to adopt same, Donovan seconded and the motion passed unanimously on roll call vote. (Reso. #90-18) Set Public Hearing - Strawberry Lane Improvement - Hall said the road cannot be built to City standards, and Almquist said the improvement should be contingent on passage of the bond issue. Reid asked that square footage calculations be prepared for the public hearing. A resolution was read setting the public hearing for June 5th. Acklin moved to adopt same, Donovan seconded and the motion passed unanimously on roll call vote. (Reso. #90-19) Transfer of Appropriations - A Resolution was read transferring appropriations within funds. Williams moved to adopt, Acklin seconded, all YES on roll call vote. (Reso. #90-20) Nursing Home Week Proclamation - A proclamation was read declaring the week of May 13 - 19 as "NURSING HOME WEEK". Ouitclaim Deed - N. Mountain Ave. - Acklin moved to authorize the Mayor and City Recorder to sign a quitclaim deed for an abandoned City septic tank on N. Mountain Ave. Arnold seconded and the motion passed unanimously on voice vote. OTHER BUSINESS FROM COUNCIL MEMBERS Arnold said May 7 is Handicap Awareness Day. Winthrop thanked Council for adopting the Affordable Housing Report. Williams said May 15 is "Bike to Work and School Day". Donovan said regional meetings will be held regarding water resources in the Valley with an emphasis on conservation. ADJOURNMENT - The meeting adjourned at 11:58 P.M. Nan E. FranKlin City Recorder Catherine M. Golden Mayor Regular Meeting - Ashland City Council - May 1, 1990 - Page Five