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HomeMy WebLinkAbout1989-0815 REG MINMINUTES OF THE REGULAR MEETING ASHLAND CITY COUNCIL AUGUST 15, 1989 PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE Mayor Catherine Golden led the Pledge of Allegiance at 7:35 P.M. on the above date in the Council Chambers. Donovan, Reid, Williams, Acklin, Winthrop and Arnold were present. APPROVAL OF MINUTE8 Golden noted the misspelling of Golie Ostovar's name on page one in the first sentence of paragraph four. Acklin moved to approve the minutes of the regular meeting of August 1, 1989 as amended; Reid seconded the motion which carried on voice vote. CONSENT AGENDA 1. Liquor licence application for Ashland Hills Inn Gift Shop. 2. Appointments to Airport Commission - Rose Albachten and Linda Katzen. 3. File memo from Public Works Director on phosphate ban. 4. File memo from City Attorney regarding exactions and systems development charges. Donovan moved to adopt the consent agenda, Williams seconded and the motion carried on voice vote. PUBLIC HEARINGS Wightman Street Improvement Public Works Director Hall gave a staff report on the project which includes a 36' wide street from Quincy St. to East Main St. The estimated cost is approximately $84,000 or $40.50 per front foot. He said the Bikeway Commission recommends a ban on parking from Quincy to East Main St. with two bikepaths to avoid combining the use for pedestrians and bikes. The cost to extend the sidewalk from the railroad tracks to E. Main would be $6,125 which could be spread out in the L.I.D. or funded from the Street Division budget. Hall explained the options of assessments available to the City Council. The public hearing was opened. Neal Kinzie, 1380 E. Main St., suggested that the sidewalk be located on the side of Wightman opposite his property. He then read the letter he previously submitted to Council. On a question from Winthrop, Kinzie said he would be able to build 5 units on the property or seven if the house is torn down. Becki Kinzie showed the layout of their land and expressed concern about fruit trees which will need to be removed if Regular Meeting - Ashland City Council - August 15, 1989 - Page One Wightman Street Improvements (Continued) the sidewalk is constructed. Hall said the bikepath could easily go on either side of the street. Dick Bernard, 440 Terrace, said the College is agreeable to working with the Kinzies on a different formula for assessment. Fregonese said the sidewalk will be required when the Kinzie's develop their property. Arnold asked that Staff look at alternative assessment formulas and report back at the next meeting. Appeal of P.A. No. 89-071 and P.A. No. 89-095 - Mahar - Hersey St. The Mayor and City Council declared ex-parte' contacts and site visits. Planning Director Fregonese gave a staff report on the project and responded to concerns expressed by the appellants. Staff feels it is important to continue the extension of Williamson Way. He addressed issues of traffic counts and density, and pointed out locations on map of the remaining E-1 land in the City. Staff also feels that 5 acres with a 15% slope are not suitable for industrial development. The public hearing was opened. John Hassen, attorney for the applicant, said residential developments are permitted uses in E-1 zones; the Staff and Planning Commission found that the C.U.P. conforms to the criteria; this project will open up 23 additional acres of E-1 land; will help with the affordable housing problem; and there is a need for more R-2 and R-3 land in the city. Bruce Abeloe, architect, showed slides of other Pacific Trend developments. On a question from Donovan, he said a sewer line easement and the existence of Williams Way prevent using all of the flat land for industrial use. Dave Sebrell, 271 N. Mountain, discussed the consumption of E-1 lands. He is concerned with taxing city services, and feels a cottage industry zone would be a better buffer between residential and commercial areas. Bob Robertson, 710 Cardley, Medford, supports the project. Acklin moved to extend the public hearing to 10:00, Winthrop seconded the motion which carried on voice vote. Jack Blackburn, 805 Oak Street, feels Planning Commissioner Kennedy should be asked to resign in light of the issue of her vote on the project. Peter Jones, 512 Ann St., said earthwork can create smaller parcels, and this land should remain E-1. Bill Miller, real property consultant, urged approval of the project and feels the City should address the housing issue more aggressively. Christine Johnson, 803 N. Main #10, opposes the project and feels the employment land is necessary to create jobs for future adults. Mara Mikalis, 394 N. Main, opposes the project. She thinks Ashland has enough apartments now and should concentrate on bringing businesses here. Tom Albrecht, 1004 Verigan Way, said this land should be used for employment uses. David Lane, 1700 E. Main, said there is not a need for more apartments, there is a need for a stronger economic base. Jim DelaTorre, 148 E. Hersey, opposes the project. Donovan moved to Regular Meeting - Ashland City Council - August 15, 1989 - Page Two Appeal of P.A. 89-072 and 89-095 - Mahar Project (Continued) continue the public hearing to the next meeting. Williams seconded the motion which failed as follows on roll call vote: Donovan and Winthrop, YES; Reid, Williams, Acklin and Arnold, NO. Winthrop moved to continue the public hearing on August 29, 1989 at 7:30 P.M. Donovan seconded and the motion passed on a 4-2 roll call vote with Reid and Arnold voting NO. NEW & MISCELLANEOUS BUSINESS Northwest Ashland Water Moratorium Public Works Dir. Hall reviewed his memo concerning R.W. Beck's Water Study, Phase II, in which they will reevaluate the effects of new construction on moratorium boundary lines, look for a new source of water supply, and ways to improve the efficiency of the water filter plant. Winthrop feels that the voters won't vote for water bond issues without implementation of strong conservation measures. Almquist said the problem in northwest Ashland is water pressure and Hall explained that an old line with high pressure is serving that area, and reliability is a concern. Acklin reported that the Hospital Board is concerned with the reliability of the line also. Equal Opportunity/Affirmative Action Program A memo was read from Administrator Almquist which explained that Goal 9 of the City Council 1989-90 was to review and evaluate the City's affirmative action program. He asked Council for direction on inclusion of the Hospital and Parks Department in the City's plan. Jim Watson, CEO of Ashland Community Hospital, asked that Council continue to delegate these responsibilities to the Hospital Board. Arnold requested that a copy of their policy be provided to Council. Watson will provide the City's policy to the Hospital Board and report back if they have problems with it. Ken Mickelsen, Parks Director, said they will follow the City's policies but would like a person from his Department to act as their EEO/AAP officer. He will provide the necessary information to the Council. Reid asked if the continued public hearing and the study session on open space could be combined on the 29th. Donovan feels that the study session requires a separate meeting. Almquist and Mickelsen will work on setting up another date for that session. Arnold asked that adoption of the EEO/AAP resolution be postponed until information is provided from the Hospital and Parks. Possible Recycling Depot Locations Councilor Reid said recycling can be encouraged by providing depot sites and curbside service. Ken O'Toole, PACT, said many people are dissatisfied with the once a month curbside pickup, and the RVCOG Advisory Committee favors an information center as well as depots and Regular Meeting - Ashland City Council - August 15, 1989 - Page Three Recycling Depots is willing to help in the construction of such centers. On a question from Arnold, Donovan said the PSF Task Force should include this in their efforts as provided for in the ordinance. Brent Thompson, Planning Commission member, said people in apartments have a hard time using curbside service. The Planning Commission is beginning to require new apartment buildings to have separate dumpsters for recyclable materials. No action taken. Acklin moved to continue the meeting for one-half hour. Winthrop seconded the motion which carried on voice vote with Arnold voting NO. Ashland Creek Identity Crisis A memo was read from the Historic Commission in which they requested an official document or proclamation to notify business owners in the downtown area that the name is "Ashland Creek" not "Lithia Creek". Acklin suggested this information be included in the next issue of the Utility Newsletter. UNFINISHED BUSINESS Recycling Conference Councilor Reid reviewed her memo on the National League of Cities Recycling Conference in Seattle recently. She said peoples' throw- away habits need to be changed and an inverted rate schedule implemented to reward for recycling. No action taken. PUBLIC FORUM - No response. ORDINANCES, RESOLUTIONS & CONTRACTS Polystyrene Foam Ban Councilor Arnold suggested amending Section 9.20.030(2) the fourth line to read "products, nor sell polystyrene foam (PSF) products intended for use as disposable food containers, unless ...". That section was read as amended. Reid moved to second reading, Donovan seconded the motion which passed unanimously on roll call vote. Wightman Street Improvements First reading of the ordinance was postponed until September 5, 1989. Hitt Road and Strawberry Lane Vacation First reading of an ordinance vacating a portion of Hitt Road and Strawberry Lane to comply with the re-dedicated right-of-ways. Acklin moved the ordinance,to second reading. Winthrop seconded and the motion passed unanimously on roll call vote. Regular Meeting - Ashland City Council - August 15, 1989 - Page Four U.S. Sprint Franchise First reading of an ordinance granting a franchise to U.S. Sprint Communications Co. for fiber-optic cable and appurtenances in city streets. Acklin moved to second reading and Winthrop seconded. The motion passed unanimously on roll call vote. Management and Confidential Employees - Conditions of Employment This item was postponed to the September 5th meeting. Pacific Institute of Natural Sciences Grant Endorsement Ralph Wehinger, PINS, explained that joint City of Ashland/Jackson County endorsement is necessary for PINS to be considered for a Community Facilities Fund Grant from Oregon lottery monies. Reid moved to adopt the resolution, Winthrop seconded and the motion passed unanimously on roll call vote. (Reso. #89-34) OTHER BUSINESS FROM COUNCIL MEMBERS Access Proclamation A proclamation was received from Ben Benjamin, ACCESS, regarding The National Association of Community Action Agencies' Rededication Ceremony in Washington, D.C. on September 8, 1989, which was approved by the Council. National League of Cities Convention Councilor Reid expressed interest in attending the National League of Cities Conference in Atlanta. Winthrop suggested getting involved with that organization on a regular basis. ADJOURNMENT The meeting adjourned at 11:30 P.M. to a special meeting on August 29, 1989 at 7:30 P.M. Nan E. Frankl in City Recorder Catherine M. Golden Mayor Regular Meeting - Ashland City Council - August 15, 1989 - Page Five