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HomeMy WebLinkAbout1988-0105 STATE CITY ADDRESS',ZDXfC)Hd iHEAii aN~f HD~ XO NOIZ~OD ~iIXSSXDDiIS ~HL EHfiSS~ OL S~XF'IVI GN~ XXi~ HIHH~ ~O X~HSI~SN~ a~fi~!H~NOO E~aO~ AN~M 'AN~M LVHL ~ZIS~HdM~ ~M LE'i 'S~N~HSI'Ia~ODD~ ~N~DI~tNDIS XN¥~ HfiO ~fiO~Y A~OI~IOH~S M~,l I ~HO~H~ I - DNI~IM GHO~ ~H~ - H~XZ SIHL XO HLOE HX~MXD~G NO DNILX~M 2H~ OS'I~ GN~f SS]~G~ AZlD ]H& XO 2~S 2AI~DXSNOO H&NXA2S AM SI '.SS~HGG~ X~ID ~HZ ~0 ~S. q~NN~ ~t{~ fiOS O~ LN2SHH~ OL ~O~qlAIHd GNY 8861 '~ K~enuep ilounoO X~lO p'uelMs~ !:'DfZST, LET Z'YE {]ZVE C}~EDiT !liFO THE COOPERATIVE AND EFFECTIVE CITY COUNCIL, A TRULY DEDICATED PROFESS]fONAL STAFF UNDER THE CAPABLE DIRECTION OF CITY ADMINISTRATOR BRIAN ALMOUIST; SECONDLY TO THE HUNDREDS OF LOYAL CIVIC-MINDED CITIZENS WHO SERVE SO UNSELFISHLY AND ~FFECTIVELY ON THE VARIOUS CITY BOARDS, COMMISSIONS AND COMMITTEES; AND LAST BUT CERTAINLY NOT LEAST, THE LOYAL SUPPORT OF MY WIFE RAMELLE! TO THE PEOPLE WHO WORK TOGETHER TO IMPROVE THE 9UALITY OF LIFE FOR ALL }UR CITIZENS, THANK YOU ONE AND ALL! b~OW TO GIVE YOU THE IMPORTANT CITY GOALS AND ACCOMPLISHMENTS WE HAVE n~TTAINED OVER THE PAST SEVEN YEARS WHICH WILL BENEFIT OUR CITIZENS FOR ~EARS TO COME. BONNEVILLE POWER CONTRACT ¥PON BEING SWORN IN AS MAYOR, JANUARY 6, 1981 I STATED IN MY INAUGURAL j.~DDRESS - AND I QUOTE - "BY FAR THE MOST SERIOUS PROBLEM FACING THE ~'ITY TODAY IS ~]2HE NEGOTIATION OF A NEW POWER CONTRACT WHICH WILL ALLOW "S TO CONTINUE SUPPORTING THE GENERAL FUND WITH ELECTRIC REVENUE. SINCE THE PRESENT CONTRACT WITH PP&L EXPIRES IN FEBRUARY OF 1982, IT IS '!FRY LIKELY THAT WE WILL HAVE A "SHORT FALL" OF ABOUT $186M IN OUR GENERAL FUND FOR ~2-83. IF WE HAVE TO CONTINUE TO PURCHASE POWER FROM ~P&L AT A NEW CONTRACT PRICE OF DOUBLE OR POSSIBLY MORE THE PRESENT PRICE OF 7 MiLS PER KWH, WE WILL NO LONGER BE ABLE TO SUPPORT THE 3ENERAL FUND WITH A MILLION DOLLARS A YEAR FROM OUR ELECTRIC REVENUE. YHiS WOULD PC~SSIBLY ~IECESSITATE THE CITY HAVING TO REDUCE POLICE, FIRE ,n. 2JD OTHER ESSENTIAL SERVICES NOW BEING SUPPORTED BY THE GENERAL FUND.-- "HOWEVER WITH THE PASSAGE OF THE NORTHWEST POWER BILL BY CONGRESS, WE ,¥RE HOPEFUL OF NEGOTIATING A FAVORABLE LONG-TERM CONTRACT WITH BONNEVILLE WHICH WILL ALLOW THE TRanSFER OF 1/3 OF THE ELECTRIC REVENUES TO THE GENERAL FUND". AFTER MONTHS OF NEGOTIATIONS, A TWENTY- -2- 'S,2=.R C,iiN'PRA:f=i? ~"':~ S!GNEkl} ~'~C"i"H ~3ONNiEvI!LLE AND ON FEBRUARY 27 ~ 19a E ]!TY OF ASIIZS~D STARTED RECEIVING POWER FROM BONNEVILLE AT A COST OF 1_i~4 NILS PER KWH. TH~KS TO THE NEW CONTRACT, ASHL~D~S ELECTRIC RATES ARE 1 !.~ BELOW PP&L'S RATES THE NEW CONTRACT ALSO ALLOWED THE 'iITY TO CONTINUE THE TRANSFER OF REVENUE ~NUALLY FROM THE ELECTRIC F'UND TO THE GENERAL FUND WITH THE AMOUNT TOTALING $1.6 MILLION IN 1986- .{{7. THANKS TO OUR ELECTRIC REVENUE ASHL~D'S CITY PROPERW T~ OF !12.!5 PER 1M ASSESSED VALUE IS THE SECOND LOWEST OF 51 CITIES IN OREGON WITH POPULATION OF 5M OR MORE. WHEN YOU COMBINE OUR ELECTRIC RATE ~D '~'}ROPERTY T~, ASHLSD RANKS 48 OUT OF THE 5i CITIES. YES, THE SIGNING '.;F THE NEW POWER CONTRACT WAS A MOST SIGNIFIC,~T ACCOMPLISHMENT THAT .:-SSURES SUPPORT AND STABILITY OF THE CITY' S GENERAL FUND REVENUE FOR (}LES AUDIT OF BUDGET ANO'rNER HIGHLY IMPORT2~T FIN~CIAL ACCOMPLISHMENT WAS THAT WE AGAIN PH!S YEAR RECEIVED ANOTHER FLAWLESS AUDIT REPORT ON OUR BUDGET, THE iiXTPH SINCE i'VE BEEN MAYOR. OUR !986-87 BUDGET IS $32,975,100 VS. ~'].6,455,768 IN '80-81. ALL REVENUE MONIES AND ALL EXPENDITURES HAVE }FEN DULY ACCOUNTED FOR tN ACCORD~CE WITH GENERALLY ACCEPTED AUDITING 5'PANDARDS AND STANDARDS FOR AUDITS OF OREGON MUNICIPAL CORPORATIONS, 'tHE CITIZENS ~qD TAXPAYERS OF ASHL~,tD MAY BE ASSURED THAT THEIR CITY '~'mPmCI~rS ARE CAPABLE OF HANDLING THEIR CITY'S REVENUES FIN~CE jIiiRECTOR I~OB NELSON !dqD STAFF ARE TO BE HIGHLY COMMENDED FOR THEIR EFFICIENCY, ACCURACY, AND FRUITFUL LABORS. R l SK M~qAGEMENT PROGR~ ...... At? SOME RISK, THE FINANCE DEPARTMENT, UNDER BOB NELSON'S SUPERVISION, B'PiGSuN A RETROSPECTIVE RATING PROGRAM FOR THE CITY'S WORKERS COMPENSATION iNSURANCE MORE TH~ EIGHT YEARS AGO, THIS ~D OTHER PROGRAMS OF iNSURSCE SERVICES HAVE BEEN EXTRAORDINARILY SUCCESSFUL. ABOUT $i MILLION WHICH OTHERWISE WOULD HAVE GONE TO INSUR~CE COMPANIES APE NOW DRAWING INTEREST IN THE INSURP~NCE SERVICES FUND. SOME OF THE !N~iCiEREST EAi~NINGS NOW S'~BSIL;iZE 'll'HL:', OPERATING DEPARTMENTS. ONE '?ROGR~;,G, COLLISXON SELF-,INSURANCE, IS NOW CONSIDERED FULLY FUNDED AND i,ffAY NEVER AGAIN REQUIRE PREMIUMS FROM OPERATING DEPARTMENTS. THE CITY ASHLAND ENDEAVORS TO REDUCE HUMAN SUFFERING KND PROTECT CITY-OWNED kSSETS IN THE MOST ECONOMICAL MANNER POSSIBLE. SAFETY, LOSS ~:~REVENTION, INSURANCE AND SELF-INSURANCE ARE AMONG THE TOOLS UTILIZED ACCOMPLISH THESE GOALS. Z~T THIS TIME LET ME SAY A FEW WORDS ABOUT BOB NELSON. AS MANY OF YOU KNOW~ BOB RETIRED DECEMBER 31 AFTER NEARLY 17 YEARS AS OUR CITY FINANCE EiRECTOR. BOB DID AN OUTSTANDING JOBAS[~NANCE DIRECTOR AND ESPECIALLY WZ~ THE RISK MANAGEMENT PROGRAM AS EVIDENCED BY THE NATIONAL RECOGNITION HE A~ND OUR CiTY RECEIVED DUE TO INNOVATIVE FINANCIAL PROCEDURE, ESPECIALLY OUR RiSK M~NAGEMENT PROGRAM. THANKS TO BOB, ASHLAND WAS AWARDED THE ~=ITERNATIONAL RISK & INSUR~zhNCE MANAGEMENT SOCIETY'S RESEARCH AWARD FOR '1986. BECAUSE OF BOB~S EXPERTISE IN THE RISK MANAGEMENT FIELD, HE WILL .~ONTINUE TO HELP HANDLE THIS PROGRAM FOR US. LET ME TAKE THIS OPPORTUNITY TO WELCOME JILL TURNER OUR NEW FINANCE DIRECTOR WHO COMES WELL QUALIFIED TO FILi, THE VACANCY' LEFT BY BOB'S DEPARTURE. NEW CIVIC CENTER NOW FROM CITY FIN3~CES TO CITY FACILITIES. ONE TRULY NOTABLE .~ICCOMPi, ISHMENT WAS THE CONSTRUCTION OF OUR NEW CIVIC CENTER IN WHICH WE .z:RE MEETING TONIGHT. DEDICATED IN 1982 THIS FINE FACILITY PROVIDED MUCH NEEDED NEW ADEQUATE COUNCIL CHAMBERS AND COURTROOM. THE OTHER ~'~2NG OF THE CENTER HOUSES OUR POLICE DEPARTMENT AND OUR "STATE OF THE APT" COMS,~UNICATIONS CENTER. THE $700M COST OF THIS FINE FACILITY WAS PAiD FOR BY REVENUE SHARING FUNDS, PART OF A CONTINUING CITY POLICY FOR iNVESTMENT OF REVENUE SHARING FUNDS iN CAPITAL IMPROVEMENTS, PROVIDING LONG-TEPg~ COST SAVINGS TO THE CITY. THIS NEW CIVIC CENTER SHOULD SERVE tHE CITIZENS OF ASHLAND WELL FOR THE NEXT 75 YEARS OR SO. iEP~ONOO~ EH~ ~H~eN~S anti E'I~OE~ 8~O ~O~ SEOi" ZalAOYd qllM HD/H}1 · N~als~Ha ~o NOI~DEHIG EHZL ~GNfi '~OIZYHOdHOS/NENdO~EA~G G~HS~ ~H~ GKT~ ctIHSHEC~fE~I S~M~'HAZ NEff I~Ntt!YHD H~aNf]. 'NO!SS/MZqC!j · N~M~O~A~G D!MONODE S,G~qHS~,, G~Hoa~H I E861 '~ iHY~NYS '~-I OZ ZN~D~f.CGY (&~H~T,S G,~IHSY) 99 AYMHDIH MH~d ~YIH&S~GNI aNYUZHS~'~ ZH~ aAagS OS~ G~OHS SZILI~ID~Z ZSZH~Z 'SgZ%~gX"g$ ZHjL O~ LSOD A~I~ID~ ~aO~ ~ S!HJ~ 'GH~R G~ ~DkzH~D 'ES~OHEEVM DNIG~qDNi 'H~N~D ~DIAH~S X~i!D M006$ MEN EH~ ~O NOi~D!GEG dlqY NO/,ZE~IgMOO EHj H~IM P86I NI G~HStq~MOOD~ SY~ JO~POtI~ LNENEAOH~ZMi ~VLigYD NO G~DIG~ S~M 'a~q~o ~ON Si ~I~iO~X ~Hi SV '~ELNXD ZLIN~i~MC, O GNtf~HS~ ~H~ '9NIG~Ifi~ ~H~ ~O HS~ ~H~, HO~ ~NtfN~G DNISV~HDNI ~H~ ~0 NOI~OD ~XH OHM S~XHgO GN~ SXiC~ ~OX X~Hfi~S NO ~OVTd MO0~ 9NIGTI~ ~O DIALS ,~O ~IOI~¥DIG~G 6~ ~ ~N~D Z~IN~MMOD ~H~ XO NOiLVDIGXGXH GNtf NOiZ~AON~H S~}% H~O O~ ~IDI~NX~ t~HDIH NXA, O~ S~H HOIHM LM~MHSIZdMODOV ~X~NXD KLIMf!P~OO '~N~M~D~6~ S~ 'TI~H ~AE~S O~ GN~.ZXE ~M ~ · S~ A~A ~H~ A~ ~N~f fiOA HSIM ~M - ~V fiOA }t~{H~ °SN~ZiS, iD HfiO A~IO HfiO ~0 A~IZI~YAIZ XH~ 9NIAOHdNI NI &HYH ~hrff~HOgB]i AHXA V SYH ~N~~HG S~OM Oi~fffi~ S,A~!O ~Hff, A~IZI~ ahr~' ~IHSHEG~Fi S,ZY OL GN~f~HS~ ~O SN~ZI~ID ~H~ q~ ~alAo~a oL S~NO M~N ~q~LSNI aNY 'S~Nlq NI~X AM~ ~DM~ aqO ~A~S ~D~ dNtf NMO~ ~O aN~ HiMON EHL NO ~iOAEESEiC l~IO ~I~N~ ~O 9NIa~'~Ddfi GH~MO~ SH~Z. A ~SYq ~HL NI ?SEHDOH~ COOt_: 'LID aNY S~NO~ 2}{!iS s~i.:ilD!NO .... A~'I AVERAGE OF 25~o USERS PER MONTH, HELD DANCES, {EPDrNGq RSiCEPTIONS~ GAHES MEETIN~S LUNCHEONS, DINNERS, ETC~ IN THIS ?OPULAR FACILtTY~ CITY ' S COMPREHENSIVE PLAN NOW TO TELL YOU OF ~qOTHER SIGNIFIC~T ACCOMPLISHMENT. THE CITY'S COMPREHENSIVE LAND USE PL~ IS TO OUR CITY'S LAND USE PLANNING PROCESS AS THE U.S. CONSTITUTION IS TO OUR NATION. ALL LAND USE PLANNING .:~CTIONS WITHIN OUR CITY MUST CONFORM TO GUIDELINES AND SPECIFICATIONS IN OUR CITY'S COMPREHENSIVE PLAN. AFTER M~Y WEEKS ~D NANY PUBLIC MEETINGS~ ASHLkND~S COMPREHENSIVE PL~ WAS COMPLETED IN 9S2 AND SENT TO I, CDC FOR AC~OWLEDGMENT. WE RECEIVED THE LCDC'S COMPLI~lqCE AC~OWLEDGMENT ON OCT. 7, 1983. A PERIODIC REVIEW ~D if=PDATE TO MEET NEW STATE LAWS AND NECESSARY CHANGES WILL BE DONE THIS Y'EAR THROUGH A SERIES OF MEETINGS BY CPAC, THE PL~NING CO~ISSION ~D CITY CO[INCiL, THiS iMPORTNqT DOCUMENT IS ~ EFFECTIVE PL~ FOR ORDERLY SROWTH iN OUR CITY FOR THE NEXT 20 YEARS. LET ME CO~END PLANNING 2.1RECTOR JOHN FREGONESE AND STAFF, MEMBERS OF C.P.A.C. (CITIZENS THE PLANNING COMMISSION, CITY COUNCIL ? L~NYNG ADVISORY CO[~TrTTE TM ....... E)AAND HUNDREDS OF CITIZENS FOR THEIR ~ARTICIPATION AND DEDICATION IN HELPING FOD~ULATE OUR COMPREHENSIVE !.fAN. U?HANK YOU ONE AND ALL~ ~"'~=RGY CONSERVATION iN MY CITY ADDRESS OF JAN. 4, 1983 -- IN ANNOUNCING THE SIGNING OF THE I,jEW 20-YEAR POWER CONTRACT WITH BONNEVILLE POWER I STATED "..THIS CONTRACT WILL NOT ONLY PROVIDE THE CITY WITH A RELIABLE SOURCE OF ELECTRIC ENERGY--BUT ALSO MAKES OUR CITY ELIGIBLE FOR PARTICIPATION IN Cq~NSERVATION AND WEATHERIZATION PROGRAM FUNDS WHICH WILL PAY LARGE Ck..STS ~D ENERGY SAVINGS DIVIDENDS FOR YEARS TO COME". A NEW CONSERVATION DEPARTMENT WAS FOXED ~D DICK W~DERSCHEID WAS APPOINTED THE CITY'S ENERGY CONSERVATION COORDINATOR. TH~KS TO THE FiNE PERFORManCE OF DICK AND STAFF, ASHLAND HAS GAINED NATIONAL ~D -9..- ST'ATE S~ECOGN!TiON AS THE LEADER IN ENERGY CONSERVATION. SINCE , ,.JHEN WE BEGAN OFFERING B.P.A. CONSERVATION PROGRAMS, 1300 ELECTRICALLY · IEATED HOMES HAVE BEEN WEATHERIZED UNDER B.P.Ao PROGRAM. OVER 1200 STREET LIGHTS HAVE BEEN CHANGED FROM MERCURY VAPOR TO HIGH PRESSURE SODIUM LIGHTS, WITH B.P.A. FUNDING UNDER THEIR STREET AND AREA LIGHTING PROGRAM, DURING1984-86 UNDER THE B.P.A. WATER HEATING MARKET TEST PILOT PROGRAM, REBATES OF $300.00 WERE PAID FOR INSTALLING 113 SOLAR OR HEAT PUMP WATER HEATERS. SINCE 1985 WHEN WE BEGAN OFFERING THE SUPER GOOD CENTS PROGRAM WE HAVE CERTIFIED 69 ENERGY EFFICIENT SUPER GOOD CENTS HOMES, AND HAVE ANOTHER 30 UNDER CONSTRUCTION. OUR PENETRATION RATE OF "5.6% IN 1986 WAS THE HIGHEST RATE AMONG UTILITIES OF OUR SIZE IN THE ~i. PoA. REGION OF OREGON, WASHINGTON, IDAHO AND MONTANA. EVER SINCE THE ENERGY CRISIS IN THE 70vS, CONSERVATION HAS BEEN THE itNAME OF THE GT~f~E" THANKS TO THE BONNEVILLE PROGRAMS WE HAVE SAVED !~D"~r~iY, MANY KWH OF ELECTRICITY AND THOUSANDS OF DOLLARS FOR OUR CUSTOMERS~ ALL CITIZENS OF ASHLAND, THANKS TO DICK WANDERSCHEID AND STAFF FOR A GOOD JOB---KEEP IT UP. i'LL TELL YOU OF ENERGY AWARDS WE'VE i..;DN LATER IN MY TALK. CO['~UNITY SERVICE VOLUNTEERS INITIATED BY THE POLICE DEPARTMENT IN JULY 1984, THE COMMUNITY SERVICE VqDLUNTEER PROGRAM, UNDER THE CAPABLE LEADERSHIP OF JOHN D'ENTREMONT, UON?INUES TO GROW, PROVIDING INVALUABLE ASSISTANCE TO THE POLICE IN THE ~REAS OF HOME SAFETY, SCHOOL SAFETY~ CIVIL DEFENSE, COMMUNICATIONS, AND O7FHER POLICE AND FIRE ACTIVITIES. THERE ARE 265 VOLUNTEERS, BOTH MEN & WOIdEN, PRESENTLY SIGNED UP, WITH 47-54 SERVING EACH MONTH GIVING OVER ANNUALLY ~.fZ,ZS00 HOURS, OR STATED ANOTHER WAY, 393.8 DAYSATO THIS VITAL PROGRAM. ~..ET ME EXPRESS OUR DEEPEST APPRECIATION TO JOHN D'ENTREMENT ~ND EACH OF i'HE VOLUNTEERS. -10-.- {OATH C~ZPUS COMPLEX !'-SOW WE TU~ TO AN ACCOMPLISHMENT WHICH IS A GOOD EXAMPLE OF THE FINE ITOWN & GOWN'~ RELATIONSHIP WHICH EXISTS BETWEEN OUR CITY AND S~O.SoCo iN 1985, THE PRESIDENT OF SOSC AT THAT TIME, NAT SIC~RO, AND I 2~PPOINTED A COMMITTEE MADE UP OF CZTIZENS FROM THE COMMUNITY, PARKS ~D RECREATION DEPARTMENT AND STAFF MEMBERS FROH THE CITY, COLLEGE AND SCHOOL 8CARD TO PLAN THE DEVELOPMENT OF THE NORTH CAHP~S COMPLEX FOR RECREATIONAL ACTIVITIES WHICH WOULD BE AVAILABLE TO THE CITIZENS OF THE CONHUNiTY AS WELL AS FOR COLLEGE USE~ AFTER AN INTENSE SCHEDULE OF wEEKLY M~ETINGS, A PLAN WAS FORMULATED WHICH ZNCLUDED: B~ILDING A CONCESSION STAND ~D RESTROQHS; DEVELOP OVER A DOZEN PLAYING FIELDS FOR SOFCSNLLAND SOCCER; CONSTR~CT A PAVED PARKING LOT AT WIGHTMAN AND i3WA~ EXTEND THE PAVEMENT ON WZGHTMAN FROM IOWA TO S.P.RoR.; PAVE IOWA FROM W!GHTMAN TO WALKER, PAVE WALKER FROM THE S.P.R.R. TO EAST MAIN AND A BiKEPATH FROM EAST MAIN ACROSS WIGHTMAN TO WALKER JR. HIGH SCHOOL. 'IHIS BEAUTIFUL RECREATION COMPLEX WAS DEDICATED BY PRES. SICURO AND I ON SEPT. 2, 1986 -- ~llD WILL BE ENJOYED BY OUR CITIZENS AND STUDENTS FOR YEARS TO COME! COMPUTERIZATION T.!DAY'S WORLD IS ONE OF COMPUTERS - OFTEN REFERRED TO AS "THE COMPUTER AGE". WHEN I WAS BORN THERE WEREN'T MANY, IF ANY, ADDING MACHINES, H~7CH LESS A COMPUTER! BUT TODAY COMPUTERS ARE A MUST TO OPERATE A SUCCESSFUI~ DID EFFICIENT BUSINESS. IN 1982 JOHN FREGONESE WAS GIVEN PERMISSION TO BUY A MINI-COMPUTER COSTING $6,000, TODAY EACH CITY E}NiPARTMENT HAS THEIR OWN COMPUTER AND UNDER THE CAPABLE SUPERVISION OF JOHN FREGONESE (JUST ONE OF HIS MANY RESPONSIBILITIES), YOUR CITY gOVERNMENT IS OPERATING MUCH MORE EFFICIENTLY THAT IT WAS SEVEN YEARS AGO. WE STILL HAVE MUCH WORK TO DO, SUCH AS TYING ALL THE COMPUTERS OF EACH DEPARTMENT TOGETHER SO MqY AND ALL NECESSARY CITY FACTS AND -11- ='!3.,E3'?.!={[S ~.S'[~'~ ~'~=' i.%Vi,"~iLAt~',!,E i}~'S'I'lkNTLY 'i['!-tE CiTY'S UP TO DATE COM}~ ':ROGRAP,ff !S S,}~Vi[NG TIi~E ia,SlD MONEY FOR TPfE CITIZENS OF ASHL~D -- AND .'2iLL 16E EVEN BETTER IN ~ 88. ':7!TY HALL RENOVATION ='~ITH THE COMPLETION OF THE CIVIC CENTER ~D THE POLICE. COUNCIL ~D COURT MOVED FROM CITY HALL DOWNTOWN, RENOVATION OF THAT OLD CROWDED ?AC!L!TY WAS PLANNED AND COMPLETED AT A COST OF LESS TH~ $50M. i< ENOVAT'I ON INCLUDED RE-ALLOCATION OF SPACE. THE PL~NING DEPT. MOVED FROM INADEQUATE ACCO~ODATIONS ACROSS THE PLAZA, ABOVE THE CHINESE i=ESTAURANT, i[NTO REFURBISHED SPACE VACATED BY THE POLICE. SPACE WAS }iROV!DED FOR EXPANSION OF TPIE FINiINCE AND ACCOUNTING DEPARTMENTS ,2CC[~PY'!}:~G THE OLI3 C]OU'i,~CiL CH~BERS. THE STAIRS LEADING TO THE SECOND 'f=LOOR ~{iERE REPAIRED, NEW AWNINGS WEI%E INSTALLED OUTSIDE ~D THE FXT~ER!OR WAS PAINTED, ~S!{!CH DID A LOT TO BRING OUT THE BEAUTY OF THE 'i. LD BUILDING. ~SHL~D COmmUNITY HOSPITAL b~'OlV TO DISCUSS A CONTINUING ACCOMPLISHMENT-- THE SUCCESSFUL OPERATION ~'~? A ~'~--BED MUNICIPAL HOSPITAL FOR OVER 22 YEARS' IN ADDITION TO lYlIC~VII]ING EXCELLENT MEDICAL CARE TO THE CITIZENS OF OUR CO~UNITY AT .~ ....~ EQUAL TO O2 ~ELOW THOSE OF OTHER HOSPITALS IN THE AREA~ A.C.H. C]N[~!~[.]ES TO BE A VALUABLE ECONOMIC ASSET TO OUR CITY. WITH ~:~2PROi<i~,~A~SEL¥ 150 E~iPLOYEES Z~ OVER A ~-MI~LION DOLLAR ~AYROLL. ~.~iT]{{ 'I~!-iE EVE}~-.CHA~GING TRE~S IN THE HEALTH CARE FIELD TODAY~ IT IS A ~iCAL SiFFICULT 2~19 CHALLENGING ENDEAVOR TO ~EE~ A SMALL MUNICIPAL i~><)SPITAL FINA~CIALL¥ SOLVENT. EVEN THOUGH A.C.H. WRITES OFF ~i?~F, OXIMATELY ~0M A MONTH FOR INDIGENT CARE, THE HOSPITAL HAS ALWAYS /{~.i~E~ EACH YEAR "IN THE ~LAC~" FOR OVER 22 YEARS~ THIS IS INDEED A ~OTABLE ACCOMPLISHMENT. I'M CONFIDENT THAT THROUGH THE EFFORTS OF A S~RONG DE~!CATE~ BOARD OF ~IRECTORS, WITH THE LEADERSHIP OF A MOST -12- 2AS';ABLE ADMINISTRATOR, jIM WATSON,, AND SUPPORTED BY A SPLENDID . ]AL active and associate STAFF OF 82APHYSICIANS .~D SURGEONS~ A.C.H. WILL CONTINUE TO MEET THE CHALLENGE OF FURNISHING THE HIGH QUALITY MEDICAL CARE OUR CO~UNITY NEEDS AND EXPECTS~ .,~,~v AWARDS THROUGH THE ATTAINMENT OF H~Y OF THESE ACCOHPLISHHENTS, ASHL~D HAS RECEIVED REGIONAL, STATE AND NATIONAL RECOGNITION RESULTING IN THE CITY RECEIVING A NUMBER OF AWARDS, SOME OF WHICH ARE: ASHL2%ND WAS DESIGNATED A "TREE CITY USA" -- 1984, '85 AND ~'!~EAGUE OF OREGON CITIES AWARDS '1982 - CITIES AWARDS PROGRAM '- OUTSTANDING ENERGY CONSERVATION PROGR~ SPECfAL AWARD ~1985 - CITIES AWARD PROGRAM - 1ST PLACE - SUCCESSFUL PROGRAM TO PROMOTE CiTY EMPLOYEE HEALTH & FITNESS '1:~86 - C~,i~,b AWARD PROGRAM - PLACE - RISK MANAGEMENT }~1987 - AWARD FOR EXCELLENCE COMPETITION - 2ND PLACE - COMPUTER AIDED DISPATCH SYSTEM 1984 - THE GOVEt~JOR'S ENERGY AWARD !986 - PUBLIC POWER COUNCIL'S "THE LITTLE ENGINE THAT COULD" HYDRO GENERATOR !986 - iNTERNATIONAL RISK & INSURANCE MANAGEMENT SOCIETY'S RESEARCH AWARD FOR !986 (CORPORATIONS LARGE AND SMALL, AS WELL AS GOVERNMENTS WERE ELIGIBLE) 1986 - OREGON DEPARTMENT OF ENERGY '-- ENERGY CONSERVATION ACHIEVEMENT AWARD ~86 - BoP.A.'S OUTSTANDING ACHIEVEMENT AWARD FOR THE SUPER GOOD CENTS PROGRAM WE APPRECIATE RECEIVING THESE AWARDS AND ARE GRATEFUL TO OUR EMPLOYEES .12lSD CITIZENS WHOSE DEDICATED EFFORTS EARNED THESE AWARDS FOR OUR CITY. i~ GOES WITHOUT SAYING THAT YOUR CITY GOVERNMENT HAS ESTABLISHED ASHLAND AS A "ROLE MODEL" AMONG OREGON CITIES - A CITY GOVERNMENT THAT SETS P~D ATTAINS REALISTIC GOALS WHICH IMPROVE THE QUALITY OF LIFE FOR ALL ITS CITIZENS. _A3'Fii.~L -- its A,T[l O?iNIC~J, :i'HH;GREATE:Bi'ACCOHPLISHMENT WE'VE ACHIE\' VER ~HE PAST 7 YEARS IS THAT ALL OF THE PROJECTS AND PROGRAMS THAT I~VE ,ISTED ?ONIGHT HAVE BEEN ACCOMPLISHED WITHOUT HAVING TO GO TO THE PEOPLE FOR A PROPERTY TAX LEVY! ALL THE BOND ISSUES AND OTHER DEBITS ARE BEING PAID OFF THROUGH REVENUES FROM SERVICES PROVIDED AND/OR OTHER RESOURCES. THE CITY OF ASHLAND HAS NO BONDED INDEBTEDNESS (BONDS BEING RETIRED BY PROPERTY TAX) - "A DEBT FREE CITY" - YET WITH A 10 MILLION DOLLAR TAX LIMITATION!! THERE MAY BE - BUT I DON'T KNOW OF ANY OTHER CiTY THAT CAN MAKE SUCH A STATEMENT. NOW - IN THE INTEREST OF SAVING TIME, RATHER THAN GIVE A DETAILED ACCOUNT OF EACH CITY DEPARTMENTS '87 ACTIVITIES, PLEASE ALLOW ME TO RECOGNIZE EACH DIRECTOR AND EXPRESS OUR APPRECIATION FOR ANOTHER FINE PERFORMANCE BY EACH DEPARTMENT IN 1987. I KNOW OUR CITY EMPLOYEES TO BE DEDICATED PEOPLE WHO TAKE PRIDE IN DOING EACH JOB WELL. iT IS A PLEASURE TO EXTEND TO: PUBLIC WORKS DIRECTOR AL ALSING~ STAFF AND EMPLOYEES ELECTRIC DEPARTMENT DIRECTOR AL WILLIANS AND EMPLOYEES PLkNNING DIRECTOR JOHN FREGONESE~ STAFF AND EMPLOYEES CONSERVATION COORDINATOR DICK WANDERSCHEID FINANCE DEPARTMENT - DIRECTOR BOB NELSON AND STAFF ACCOUNTING SUPERVISOR KAREN HUCKINS AND EMPLOYEES POLICE DEPARTMENT - CHIEF VIC LIVELY, STAFF AND EMPLOYEES FIRE DEPARTMENT - CHIEF LEE ROY KINGp STAFF AND EMPLOYEES SENIOR PROGRAM - BARBARA DUNLAP, DIRECTOR 7HANKS TO ALL FOR A ,JOB WELL DONE IN '87. BUTLER-PEROZZI FOUNTAIN :kNOTHER NOTEWORTHY ACHIEVEMENT IN 1987 WAS THE RESTORATION OF THE BUTLER-PEROZZI FOUNTAIN IN LITHIA PARK. THIS BEAUTIFUL HISTORIC ~RTISTIC LANDMARK WAS REDEDICATED ON JULY 4 BEFORE A HUGE CROWD OF ADMIRING CITIZENS. THE SAME ORIGINAL ITALIAN MARBLE WAS OBTAINED FROM iTALY FOR THE RESTORATION BY SCULPTOR JEFFREY BERNARD. THANKS TO JOHN FREGONESE AND MANY VOLUNTEERS, CONTRIBUTIONS TOTALING $ 35~000 WERE RECEIVED FROM THE PRIVATE SECTOR TO DEFRAY THE COST OF RESTORING THIS BEAUTIFUL FOUNTAIN - WHICH ADDS SO MUCH TO OUR BEAUTIFUL NATIONALLY KNOWN LITHIA PARK. iN SU~e~ARY, I HAVE LISTED 19 OUTSTANDING ACHIEVEMENTS YOUR CITY GOVEP~MENT HAS ATTAINED OVER THE PAST SEVEN YEARS WHICH HAVE IMPROVED ?HE QUALITY OF LIFE AESTHETICALLY~ ENViRONMENTALLY AND ECONOMICALLY FOR ~ OU~ ~iT!ZENS AND THEIR CHILDREN TO ENJOY FOR YEARS TO COME. AS STATED m~RLIER, MANY ~'Y PEOPLE GAVE OF THEIR TIME AND TALENTS TO HELP ATTAIN THESE ACHIEVEMENTS. A COOPERATIVE CITY COUNCIL, AN ~.FFECTIVE AND TRULY PROFESSIONAL CITY STAFF, CITY COMMITTEES, SONMiSSIONS, ETC. AND M~qY PRIVATE CITIZENS. THANK YOU ONE AND ALL. .f.:DU TOO CAN BE JUSTIFIABLY PROUD OF THE ACHIEVEMENTS WE'VE MADE OVER ?HE PAST SEVEN YEARS. N'(_;W LET ME REFER BRIEFLY TO MY EARLIER REMARKS ABOUT ASHLAND BEING A ~a'~'EBT FREE CITY~ ~ID TALKING ABOUT THE MILLION DOLLAR INSURANCE FUND. i, ET ME ASSURE YOU - ASHLAND IS NOT "FAT CITY". ASHLAND'S SOUND FINANCIAL POSTURE IS THE RESULT OF PRUDENT MANAGEMENT OF THE CITY'S FINANCIAL PLANNING IN ACCORDANCE AND COMPLIANCE WITH OREGON BUDGET LAWS 2.3 )GENERALLY ACCEPTED ACCOUNTING PROCEDURES. IN RECENT WEEKS, THERE HAVE BEEN ALLEGATIONS MADE BY SOME BUDGET COMMITTEE MEMBERS, THAT THE CiTY SHOULD EXPEND ITS SO-CALLED "RESERVES" AND YEAR-END FUND BALANCES FOR SUCH DIVERSE PURPOSES AS FUNDING HEALTH AND SOCIAL -].~-- li'.NiV.ECES, F] RE--FIGHTER% ;?,ALARIES AND ESPECIALLY FOR MODERNIZATI( WATER SYSTEM !N THE NORTHWEST SECTOR OF ASHLAND, mEW, IF ANY, PERSONS ADVOCATING THE USE OF THESE RESOURCES FOR SUCH oURPOSES HAVE ASKED THE FINANCE DEPARTMENT ABOUT LEGAL CONSTRAINTS, POSSIBLY SOME OBSERVERS IMAGINE THAT "IT IS JUST A MATTER OF 'URANSFERRING DOLLARS FROM ONE POCKET TO THE OTHER". IN SOME CASES, I'FHESE ALLEGATIONS MAY HAVE ARISEN FROM AN INNOCENT NAIVETE' ABOUT LEGAL :,NiD FISCAL CONSTRAINTS, UNDER EXISTING LAWS, POLICIES AND GENERALLY -~CCEPTED ACCOUNTING PRINCIPLES, AND IN SOME SITUATIONS THERE WAS A j~ENU!NE DESIRE T{i) SOLVE A PROBLEM FOR THE CITIZENS° iHAVE ALWAYS SAID THAT I THINK YOUR CITY GOVERNMENT HAS AN OBLIGATION FO TRY TO HELP THOSE CITIZENS WHO CAN'T HELP THEMSELVES - AND WE HAVE iONE THAT DURING THE ~R40 YEARS I WAS ON THE COUNCIL AND DURING MY SEVEN '~EARS AS MAYOR. HOWEVER~ WE SHOULD NOT AND MUST NOT PROVIDE FUNDING i!rC!N SPECIAL iNTEREST GROUPS OUT OF THE CITY'S GENERAL FUND REVENUE ,6HiCH IS TO SUPPORT THE POLICE AND FIRE DEPTS. AND OTHER ESSENTIAL .fliERVICES WHICH BENEFIT ALL THE CITIZENS° EROSION OF THE GENERAL FUND ~.f PROVIDING FUNDING TO SPECIAL INTEREST GROUPS COULD NECESSITATE 2'fiTTiNG BACK ON POLICE D~ID FIRE PROTECTION AND OTHER ESSENTIAL SERVICES 'tO ALL OUR CITIZENS. WE SHALL, CONTINUE OUR EFFORTS TO PROTECT THE INTEGRITY OF THE GENERAL FUND REVENUE. AS i STATED EARLIER, I PLAN TO BE YOUR FULL-TIME MAYOR FOR THE REST 0F THIS YEAR. i 'M LOOKING FORWARD TO THE PUBLIC MEETINGS SCHEDULED FOR P;~ESENTATION OF THE NEW DOWNTOWN PLAN. I AM VERY SUPPORTIVE OF FINDING f~..iLUTIONS TO THE PARKING PROBLEM AND TO CONTROL THE FLOW OF TRAFFIC, iN THE MEANWHILE I WILL CONTINUE (THE LORD WILLING) TO HOLD OPEN HOUSE AT THE MAYOR'S OFFICE THURSDAY MORNINGS FROM 9:30 - 11:30 FOR ~YONE W}iO WISHES TO DROP IN TO DISCUSS CITY BUSINESS OR JUST "CHAT A WHILE" APPOINTMENTS TO SEE ME AT OTHER TIMES MONDAY THROUGH FRIDAY C~ BE MADE THROUGH OUR SECRETARY. ji..l CiC,~ii~'-iG, iLliT ]"IE il-"~iiil~;ll}SOPH!ZE BRii~FL/fo iN MY OPINION, THE CI'i r;:Si!LAND iS ENTEP, ING "A GOLDEN AGE~'. THERE !S A SWELLING TIDE OF CIVIC }RIDE THROUGHOUT OUR COHMUN!TYo A GOOD EXAMPLE WAS ALL THE ACTIVITY IN )UR CITY' DURING THE CHRISTMAS SEASON~ DOWNTOWN ASHLAND HAS NEVER i~OOKED AS BEAUTIFUL AS IT DID THIS PAST CHRISTMAS. THE LARGE TREE ON CHE PLAZA, ~'HE LIGHTED TREES ALONG THE MAIN STREET, THE MERCHANT'S and new street decorations wINDOW DISPLAYS~- ALL WERE OUTSTANDINGLY BEAUTIFUL!! I'VE HAD NUMBERS 3F PEOPLE COIvLMENT ON HOW BEAUTIFUL ASHLAND WAS THIS YEAR - EVEN MORE !~EAUTIFUL TH,naN THE DECORATED PIONEER SQUARE IN PORTLAND! TO THE VCB :2HAMBER OF COM1MERCE, MERCHANTS AND ALL OTHERS WHO HELPED DECORATE OUR ,~I TY - ?HANK YOU, THANK YOU, THANK YOU. /-SHLAND ENJOYED ITS BEST YEAR EVER IN 1987 - MANY MERCHANTS AND i~ESTAURANTS 7eND OTHER BUSINESSES REPORTED HAVING THEIR BEST YEAR EVER. 'fiEF., O oS,F.A. HAD A RECORD SEASON - PLAYING TO THEIR LARGEST AUDIENCE F~E!,'-.. rIORE COURl'lSgIS VISI%PED OUR CITY TH~ EVER BEFORE. THE JULY 4TH AND HALLOWEEN CELEBRATIONS WERE THE GREATEST EVER. THE GOLDEN SPIKE iUEREMONY WAS ~ OUTSTANDING MEMORABLE EVENT. GROUND-BREAKING FOR THE ..~z,~, NATIONAL WiLD LIFE FORENSICS LABORATORY AND THE NEW NATIONAL GUARD ~.}~N'DR'~I WERE HISTORY MAKING EVENTS. iCES, 1987 WAS A VERY GOOD YEAR -- AND I SEE A GOLDEN FUTURE FOR OUR IY.c F!S}~ AND WILDLIFE SERVICE~S FORENSICS LABORATORY, NOW UNDER CINSTRUCTION, WITH DEDICATION SCHEDULED LATER THIS YE~, WILL PERFO~ SiIENT!FIC WORK INVOLVING RARE SD ENDANGERED SPECIES OF ANIMALS ~D S!iRDS. THIS NATIONAL LABORATORY WILL ATTRACT SCIENTISTS FROM AROUND iI!E WORLD. THE U~S. ALONG WITH 90 OTHER NATIONS OBSERVE TREATIES PROTECTING END~gGERED WILD LIFE SPECIES. IN ADDITION TO GAINING W{iRLDWIDE RECOGNITION FOR OUR CITY, THE FORENSICS LABORATORY WILL BE A N!'W VALUABLE ASSET TO OUR CITY'S ECONOMY. NEW NORTHWE:ST MUSEUM OF NATURAL ~]-il[STORY iS SCHEDULED FOR CONS~i ION '~EXT TO THE FORENSICS LAB ON THE SOSC CAMPUS. THIS FACILITY WOULD :kT'iCRACT THOi_iS.PuNDS OF TOURISTS Aiq'NUALLY - DURING 12 MONTHS OF THE YEAR OUR CITY. THE NEW PERFORMING ARTS CENTER HOLDS PROMISE OF FURTHER C. NHANCING THE ARTISTIC CULTURE OF OUR CITY AND CONTRIBUTE SUBSTANTIALLY THE ECONOMY° ASHLAND IS INDEED ENTERING A GOLDEN AGE - WHICH PROMISES: ECONOMIC STABILITY FOR THE BUSINESS SECTOR. iNCREASED CULTURAL ACHIEVEMENT IN THE ARTISTIC WORLD. INCREASED OPPORTUNITY FOR HIGHER OgALITY EDUCATION THROUGH THE PUBLIC SCHOOLS AND SOSC. IMPROVED LIVABILITY FOR CHILDREN, YOUNG PEOPLE.. FAMILIES AND SENIOR ,:7 1 'rY z ENS. i. ET US jOIN HANDS, WORKING TOGETHER AS WE ENTER ASHL~D'S GOLDEN AGE TO [...~4jOY THE UNIQUE AESTHETIC BEAUTY, THE CLEP~ ENVIRONMENT ~D ECONOMIC fTABiLITY OF OUR CITY - THE GREATEST PLACE IN ALL THE WORLD TO LIVE, ','.:ORK AND INVEST YOUR MONEY! 'f {ANK YOU FONi YOUR ATTENTION ~D PATIENCE,