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HomeMy WebLinkAbout1989-0905 REG MINMINUTES OF THE REGULAR MEETING ASHLAND CITY COUNCIL SEPTEMBER 5, 1989 PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE Mayor Catherine Golden led the Pledge of Allegiance and called the meeting to order at 7:30 P.M. on the above date in the Council Chambers. Donovan, Williams, Acklin, Winthrop and Arnold were present. Reid was absent. APPROVAL OF MINUTES Mayor Golden noted the incorrect spelling of Tom Olbrich's name on page two of the August 15, 1989 minutes; and on page three the spokesperson from PACT was Ken Hagen. Winthrop corrected the spelling of Mr. Weiss' name in the first paragraph of page two of the August 29th minutes. The minutes of the Executive Session and Regular Meeting of August 15 and the Adjourned Meeting of August 29 were approved as amended. SPECIAL PRESENTATIONS, PROCLAMATIONS & AWARDS None. CONSENT AGENDA 1) League of Oregon Cities legislative briefing on September 19, 1989. 2) Notification by Water Department of emergency leak repair on newly-paved portion of Morada Lane. 3) Mayor's appointments of the following individuals to the Cable Access Commission: Jim Ragland, Allen Sandler, Suzi Aufderheide, Dr. Mark Chilcoat, Dr. Arnold Abrams, and Jim Watson. Williams moved to approve the Consent Agenda, Donovan seconded and the motion carried on voice vote. PUBLIC HEARINGS Continuation of Public Hearing on Wightman Street Improvement Public Works Director Steve Hall reviewed the assessment options considered by the parties in a meeting on September 5th. Neal and Beckie Kinzie and the representatives from SOSC reached an agreement whereby the assessments will be made by "Area to Wightman". Staff recommends constructing the sidewalk on the east side of Wightman from East Main to the railroad tracks using the same method of assessment, and installing on-street bicycle lanes. The public hearing was opened and there was no response. Arnold moved to approve Staff's recommendations, Acklin seconded and the motion passed unanimously on roll call vote. -1- UNFINISHED BUSINESS Proposed EEO/AA Policy The Hospital's policy is included in the agenda packet, and the Parks Commission will adopt the City's policy. Winthrop asked that in Section V, F-1 and F-4 the words "may" be changed to "shall". It was agreed to add the words "To the extent feasible" to the first sentence of Section V, C-7. On a question from Golden, City Admin. Almquist said non-union employees may take any grievance they may have with the Personnel Director (the EEO/AA officer) directly to the Administrator. A resolution was read adopting the EEO/AA Policy. Arnold moved to approve same; Donovan seconded and the motion passed unanimously on roll call vote. (Reso. No. 89-35) Terrace Street Traffic Report This report was postponed at the request of the Terrace Street neighbors who had originally requested it. NEW & MISCELLANEOUS BUSINESS Wrights Creek Drive Construction A letter was received from residents of Wrights Creek Drive concerning alleged construction discrepancies in the Benjamin Court project. Arnold said the only action the Council can take is to request an interpretation of the Solar Access Ordinance. Winthrop asked for an explanation of the changes to the plan and Planning Dir. Fregonese said the culvert issue is an engineer's decision and was not discussed by the Planning Commission. He said the roadway location was adjusted within the right-of-way to improve the sewer flow and save two trees. Mayor Golden asked for a legal opinion from the City Attorney and Arnold requested that the plan changes be addressed in same. No further action taken. Proposed Open Burning Ban Energy Conservation Coordinator Dick Wanderscheid reviewed his memo on this subject and asked the Council for direction. Golden received a letter from Hal Cloer regarding the burning of cut brush. Arnold reported that the Ashland Ranger District is also concerned with being able to burn brush which is cut in the watershed. Winthrop thinks the County's proposed ordinance, which bans open burning from November through February and on days the ventilation index is below 400, is a good idea. Fire Chief King suggested working with Ashland Sanitary to have debris picked up several times a year. Donovan suggested the Recycling Committee should look at providing composting centers in addition to recycling depots. Acklin moved to request Staff to Open Burning Ban (Continued) prepare an ordinance including recommendations from the Open Burning Committee, and establish a public hearing date. Arnold seconded the motion. Williams likes the County's proposal. On a request from Williams, Wanderscheid agreed to provide summaries of the Open Burning Committee's meetings. Request from John & Marilyn Briggs A letter was received from John & Marilyn Briggs, 590 Glenview Drive, requesting permission to use City streets for a logging truck to remove dead trees from their property which is adjacent to the watershed. Arnold moved to approve the request with the condition that Police Chief Lively approve the route and be notified of the date and time of the operation. Acklin requested that the Briggs notify their neighbors. Donovan seconded the motion which passed unanimously on voice vote. Harqadine Cemetery A memo was received from City Attorney Salter requesting authorization to acquire the Hargadine Cemetery by condemnation. He said the City can maintain the cemetery without acquiring legal title. On a question from Arnold, Salter said House Bill 3017, Section 4, gives the City the authority to budget monies for maintenance. Acklin feels no further action is necessary unless Salter encounters a problem in the City Charter. Schneider Museum Request A letter was received from Austin Brayfield, Schneider Museum of Art, requesting $1,000 to help in bringing the International Art Show for the End of World Hunger to Ashland in April of 1990. Arnold requested that this item be added to the Budget Committee's agenda for their meeting at the end of the month, and Brayfield be notified of the meeting and Council's request for further information. Open Space Land Acquisition Proqram A letter was read from the Ashland Parks Commission requesting that Council place four measures on the November 7th ballot regarding an Open Space Land Acquisition Program. The four proposals were read. Donovan declared a conflict of interest and said he would speak as a citizen on the Food & Beverage Tax proposal. On a question from Acklin, Winthrop said a charter amendment is neccessary to assure the citizens that the land acquired will remain in the open space program. Thomas Pyle, Chair of the Parks Commission, said they are asking the Council to allow the citizens to vote on the program and time is of the essence because land is going for development. -3- Open Space Program The public hearing was opened. Richard Ernst, 975 Walker, is against the funding methods. Marilyn Briggs, 590 Glenview Dr., needs more information before making a decision. Pyle said education will be provided in the next two months, prior to the election. On a comment from Marsha McNamara, 1007 Ashland St., Donovan said the entire program hasn't been put together, too much emphasis is being put on the time issue and suggested this can be delayed until March. He will agree to the charter amendment being placed on the ballot, but alternative funding sources should be researched. Acklin feels that a conceptual plan should be published. Williams and Winthrop agreed. Arnold said the conceptual plan is good and the charter amendment should be on the ballot. Gene Casternovia, 36 S. Second, thinks the people should vote on whether they want the plan, then come up with the funding mechanism. Mavis Cloutier, 904 Beswick Way, feels a smaller plan would be acceptable. Myra Erwin supports the charter amendment. Acklin feels other groups should be heard from. Arnold won't vote to put funding on the ballot, Winthrop is not prepared to do so either. Williams said same. Hal Cloer, 1036 Prospect, feels funding should not come from special groups. Mike Bingham, 129 5th St., is opposed to the food and beverage tax; and feels the program should be offered to the voters in three phases: trail systems, active parks, and neighborhood parks. Richard Smith is opposed to the food and beverage tax. Brent Thompson, 582 Allison, agrees with charter amendment. Pyle asked that Council vote on items one and two and set a public hearing for the 19th. The Parks Commission will meet to consider alternative funding sources. Williams wants a conceptual plan before voting on item number two, the authorization to issue bonds. Arnold said the charter amendment is necessary but the bond issue item won't be ready for a public hearing on the 19th. Acklin moved to request City Attorney Salter to prepare a charter amendment to be included on the November 7 ballot. Williams seconded the motion which passed unanimously on roll call vote. PUBLIC FORUM No response. ORDINANCES, RESOLUTIONS & CONTRACTS It was agreed to change the order of the remainder of the agenda. Alarm Systems Almquist suggested this item be postponed in order to publish first reading of the ordinance. All agreed. Councilor Winthrop left at 10:40 P.M. -4- Mountain Avenue Parking A request was received from SOSC to provide parking on the East side of Mountain Ave. between Henry and Ashland St. because of construction projects on the campus. Public Works Dir. Hall said the Traffic Safety Commission approved of the proposal. Almquist said telephone calls were received from Katherine Hoffbuhr, Geraldine Parker and Ray Skibby opposing the proposal. Williams said Walt Hoffbuhr was not aware the change is temporary, but is concerned with bike safety. Acklin said one concern is with ice and snow and suggested parking be as far away from the intersection as possible. Hall said 25 feet can be provided. A resolution was read providing parking on the East side of Mountain Ave. between Ashland and Henry Streets through June of 1990. Arnold moved to adopt same, Acklin seconded and the motion passed unanimously on roll call vote. (Reso. No. 89-36) Findings of Planning Action No. 89-071 Williams moved to adopt the City Council's Findings, Conclusions and Orders on P.A. #89-071, a conditional use permit on Hersey Street. Arnold seconded and the motion passed unanimously on roll call vote. Acklin moved to continue the meeting one-half hour. and the motion carried on voice vote. Williams seconded Polystyrene Foam Ban Ordinance Second reading by title only of an ordinance banning certain polystyrene foam products. Acklin moved to adopt same, Donovan seconded and the motion passed unanimously on roll call vote. 253o) (Ord. Hitt Road and Strawberry Lane Vacation Second reading by title only of an ordinance vacating a portion of Hitt Road and Strawberry Lane. Williams moved to adopt the ordinance, Acklin seconded and the motion passed unanimously on roll call vote. (Ord. 2531) Wightman Street Improvement First reading of an ordinance ordering the improvement of Wightman Street from E. Main to Quincy Streets. Williams moved to second reading, Acklin seconded and the motion passed unanimously on roll call vote. Foreclosing Assessment Liens - Lithia Homes Acklin moved to adopt a resolution foreclosing assessment liens on Lithia Homes Inc. and Mark Cooper. Arnold seconded and the motion passed unanimously on roll call vote. (Reso. No. 89-37) -5- OTHER BUSINESS FROM COUNCIL MEMBER8 Mayor Golden noted a letter to the editor from David Fadden regarding declaring the City a "drug-free workplace". Arnold feels a "drug-free workplace" is and should be encouraged, but Council should take no formal action. Acklin suggested that the City get involved in a project being formulated for a "Get Smart Ashland" theme. Golden noted the LOC legislative action information meeting in Medford on September 19th. ADJOURNMENT The meeting adjourned at 11:20 P.M. Nan E. Frankl in City Recorder/~c>~-~.,_6> Catherine M.' ~olden ...... Mayor -6-