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HomeMy WebLinkAbout1989-0919 REG MINMINUTES OF THE REGULAR MEETING ASHLAND CITY COUNCIL SEPTEMBER 19, 1989 PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE Mayor Catherine Golden led the Pledge of Allegiance and called the meeting to order at 7:45 P.M. on the above date in the Council Chambers. Donovan, Reid, Acklin, Winthrop and Arnold were present. Williams was absent. APPROVAL OF MINUTES Councilor Donovan amended the fourth line of the last paragraph of page three to read as follows: "Donovan declared a conflict of interest and said he would not participate in the discussion and vote on the proposed food and beverage tax, and if he spoke on that subject he would do so as a citizen". The minutes of the regular meeting of September 5, 1989 were approved as amended. CONSENT AGENDA Donovan moved to accept and place on file items one and two of the consent agenda, those being: 1) Memo from City Attorney concerning definition of structure for application to solar access ordinance; and 2) Information from Hal Cloer from open spaces workshop held in February of 1989. Winthrop seconded and the motion carried on voice vote. On a question from Donovan, John Fregonese explained the reasoning for the proposed square foot limitation on accessory structures. Acklin moved to set the public hearings as noted below, Winthrop seconded and the motion passed unanimously on roll call vote: a. Amendments to Land Use Code - November 7, 1989 b. Adoption of Official Floodplain Map - October 3, 1989 c. Annexation and Zone Change (Airport) - November 21, 1989 d. Zone Change and Comp. Plan Map Change (N. Mountain) - Nov. 21, 1989 e. Annexation and Zone Change (Adroit) - November 7, 1989 4) Financial commentary as of June 30, 1989 - Mayor Golden asked for information on the impact to the general fund and the voters if the police levy were to be a rolled back into the general fund. Acklin moved to place the report on file, Arnold seconded and the motion passed on voice vote. Item IX. 2. Recycling Depot/Information Center Update was moved up at Mayor Golden's request. Ken Hagen of P.A.C.T. said the Water Street site was perceived to be the best location for this type of center. Regular Meeting - Ashland City Council - September 19, 1989 - Page One Recycling Depot It is screened by trees on the creek bank and bordered by the railroad tracks which are 20 feet above the site. Greenery will screen Water Street, and half of the yard will remain City storage. On a question from Reid, Dawn Clark, Goodwill Industries, said their recycling division is separate from the donated articles section so they won't be collecting household items from this site. SPECIAL PRESENTATIONS, PROCLAMATIONS & AWARD8 GFOA Award for Excellence in Financial Reporting John Jalali presented the above award to Finance Director Jill Turner and said of the 80,000 units of government in the U.S., only 1,000 - 1,200 are presented this award each year. Turner presented awards to Supervising Accountant Karen Huckins, Pat Caldwell, and Gerry Burns, CPA and his assistant Susan Scottow. Public Power Week Proclamation A proclamation was read designating the week of October 16 - 22, 1989 as Public Power Week in Ashland. PUBLIC HEARINGS Appeal of P.A. 89-095 - Site Review on Hersey Street - (Mahar) Planning Director Fregonese said the Planning Commission approved Plan A and the landscaping plan has been approved by that commission and the Tree Commission. Staff recommends that the break-away access on Hersey be eliminated. On a question from Golden, he said in areas of mixed usage its better for traffic to use a collector street, and Williamson Way should be reserved for commercial use. Paul Mace, appellant, is concerned that a secondary access to Williamson Way will present safety and security problems to area businesses. Ray Kistler, architect, explained the reasoning behind the proposed location of the Hersey Street access. Bruce Abeloe, architect, is concerned about truck traffic turning into the development on Williamson Way. The public hearing was opened. Dave Sebrell, 271 N. Mountain, is concerned that people will park in front of the break-away gate on Williamson Way. Lisa Sebrell, 271 N. Mountain, feels major traffic problems will be created with the proposed access on Hersey Street. Sarah Slagle, 482 Lynn Street, is concerned with traffic problems and that the property is not being used as it should be. Jill Murphey, 492 Lynn St., read a letter from Mark Murphey and said he likes Plan A. She approves of the additional access onto Williamson Way. Mary Wasmund, 439 E. Hersey, expressed concern about drainage with only half of the street being built. Public Works Director Hall said the Regular Meeting - Ashland City Council - September 19, 1989 - Page 2 Appeal of P.A. 89-095 (Continued) street will slope toward the project and water will drain off. Ron Thurner, 1170 Bellview, endorsed the idea of two full accesses, is opposed to break-away gates and vehicles being directed through the area of the High School on Mountain. Marie Morehead, 310 N. Mountain, asked that dust be controlled during construction. The public hearing was closed. Reid supports Plan A which was approved by the Planning Commission. She said the adjacent neighborhoods will be safer with increased traffic, and the residents of the apartments deserve to have two accesses. Winthrop prefers the plan which includes bollards at Williamson Way. Acklin said the newest plan protects the E-1 land. She moved to uphold the appeal and adopt the Planning Commission's Findings, Conclusions and Orders with the added conditions of bollards at Williamson Way and the bike access onto Hersey Street. Winthrop seconded the motion. Fregonese suggested adding a condition that the City retain the right to remove the bollards should problems arise. The motion failed on roll call vote as follows: Acklin and Winthrop, YES; Arnold, Donovan and Reid, NO. Reid moved to deny the appeal and uphold the Planning Commissions decision including a limited control access agreement with respect to Williamson Way. Donovan seconded the motion which passed as follows on roll call vote: Winthrop, NO; Arnold, Donovan, Reid, and Acklin, YES. UNFINISHED BUSINESS Terrace Street Traffic Capacity Public Works Dir. Hall reviewed his revised memo dated September 18, 1989 concerning the Terrace Street traffic capacity. Acklin requested that the information be forwarded to the Planning Commission so they can look at the zoning in the area and report back to the Council. Beth Martin, 608 Terrace, read a letter from Jessie Fitch, 605 Terrace regarding traffic safety issues. Craig Martin, 608 Terrace, and Sandy Fletcher, 609 Terrace both expressed concern about bicycle safety. Jill Joos, 601 Terrace, said the homes to be built on Dean Royce's property should be included in Hall's report. NEW & MISCELLANEOUS BUSINESS Proposed Open Burning Ban Exemption A letter was received from Devon Strong, 5277 Colver Road, Talent, requesting an exemption to the proposed open burning ban ordinance for ceremonial fires at three sites in Ashland. Gary, a spokesman for the intertribal Indian group, said the fires are part of their religious ceremonies, and Congress passed a law in 1978 protecting these ceremonies (#95-341). Arnold encouraged Council to grant permits to the extent possible and said it is important to protect all genuine Regular Meeting - Ashland City Council - September 19, 1989 - Page 3 Ceremonial Fires (Continued) religious exercise. Fire Chief King said the site on North Main is surrounded by blackberries which are very volatile. He suggested talking with people in other communities to see how this issue is handled. Arnold asked that Winthrop, King, City Attorney Salter, and two citizens from the Indian group meet and come up with a proposal, and that every accommodation be made to allow the fires between now and the committee's report. Winthrop moved to continue the meeting for one-half hour and Acklin seconded. All agreed. George Fence said the Rogue Valley American Indian Cultural Center is trying to help Indians get back to old traditions. Drug Free Workplace Seminar Mayor Golden reported that the seminar will be held on October 24th from 8:00 - 12:00 at S.O.S.C. Donovan moved to approve her request to provide $350.00 to help sponsor the speaker. Reid seconded the motion and added, on Acklin's suggestion, that the banner fee should be waived. The motion carried on voice vote. Request for Street and Sidewalk Improvement Requirements Councilor Reid reviewed her memo requesting draft ordinances concerning 1) single lot developers being required to sign in favor of street improvements as a condition of issuance of a building permit; and 2) a minimum unobstructed sidewalk width requirement. Acklin moved to request staff to bring back the draft ordinances, Reid seconded and the motion carried on voice vote. PUBLIC FORUM Richard McKinny, a resident of the Railroad District, requested that the alley behind his house be left as open space and not be paved. Winthrop said Myra Erwin endorsed this. Reid said granite dust is very unhealthy to breath and air quality is a major concern. Maintenance costs are higher for unpaved alleys. Debbie Miller, 160 Normal, said pavement is hotter than dust and a moratorium on alley paving should be considered. C.P.A.C. will be asked to look at this issue. ORDINANCES, RESOLUTIONS & CONTRACTS Open Space Program A request was received from the Parks Commission to postpone placing the charter amendment creating an open space program on the ballot until March 1990. The Council agreed and instructed Staff to publish the plan in the Tribune and Daily Tidings. Regular Meeting - Ashland City Council - September 19, 1989 - Page 4 Wightman Street Improvement Second reading by title only of an ordinance ordering the improvement of Wightman Street from E. Main to Quincy Streets. Acklin moved to adopt same, Williams seconded and the motion passed unanimously on roll call vote. (Ord. # 2532 ) Donovan moved to continue the meeting another one-half hour. Acklin seconded and the motion carried on voice vote with Arnold dissenting. Alarm Systems First reading by title only of an ordinance amending the Municipal Code with respect to alarm systems. Winthrop moved to second reading, Reid seconded and the motion passed unanimously on roll call vote. ADJOURNMENT The meeting adjourned at 11:30 P.M. Karen Huckins Acting City Recorder Catherine M. Golden Mayor Regular Meeting - Ashland City Council - September 19, 1989 - Page 5