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HomeMy WebLinkAbout1988-0517 REG MINMINUTES OF THE REGULAR MEETING ASHLAND CITY COUNCIL May 17, 1988 ROLL CALL Mayor L. Gordon Medaris led the Pledge of Allegiance and called the meeting to order at 7:30 P.M. on the above date in the Council Chambers. Reid, Williams, Acklin, Laws and Arnold were present. Elerath was absent. APPROVAL OF MINUTES Williams asked that the minutes of the adjourned meeting of April 26, 1988 be corrected on page 7, the fifteenth sentence to read "... declared that Bev Lamb ..." instead of "Beth Lamb"; and Reid asked that the third to the last sentence in that paragraph be corrected to read "... and doesn't know if remedies exist for public services, ...". Acklin moved to approve the corrected minutes of the adjourned meeting of April 26, 1988 and the minutes of the regular meeting of May 3, 1988. Williams seconded the motion which passed unanimously on voice vote. MAYOR'S PRESENTATIONS: Safety Award - Electric Dept. Mayor Medaris presented a plaque to A1 Williams, Director of Electric Utilities, for 21 years no lost time accidents on the job. Birthday Greetings Margaret Dodge Margaret Dodge, one of the first women to serve.on the Ashland City Council, celebrated her 90th birthday this week, and will receive an acknowledgment from the Mayor, Council and City Staff wishing her a Happy Birthday. PUBLIC HEARINGS: 1988/89 Budget Mayor Medaris opened the public hearing. Robert Johnson, 955 N. Mountain Ave., asked about the funds shown in the Budget for the Forensics Lab. and was told they were from a grant received from State lottery funds for construction of roads, sewer and water lines to the site. There being no further comment, the public hearing was closed. Staff will bring an ordinance to be approved at the next Council meeting. COMMUNICATIONS, PETITIONS & REMONSTRANCES: Public Access A letter was read from Dr. Joseph Cox, President, Channel, Cable T.V. S.O.S.C., asking the City to exercise its option of implementing a public access channel as required by the franchise with Cooke Cablevision. It was suggested that the cable t.v. committee meet and 5/17/88 P. i R~,~]ar Meeting Ashland City Council 5/17/88 P. 2 COMMUNICATIONS, PETITIONS & REMONSTRANCES: (Continued) Public Access discuss the implications and details and bring a Channel report back to Council. Mayor Medaris and Councilor Acklin have names of people who would like to serve on an ad hoc committee. Nancy Ames said institutional use was discussed and wanted assurance that citizens will also have access. Administrator Almquist said that was Cox's intent and the entities mentioned in the letter will implement the program. It was agreed that the committee would come back with a report. Ashland Teen Ctr. Reduced Rental Fee A letter was read from the Ashland Teen Center requesting a reduced rental rate for use of City facilities. Planning Director Fregonese said the current rate is $5.00/hour with a ten percent discount for continuous users, or $4.50/hr. The City's cost is $150 - $160/month. He suggested a rate of $2.50/hr. on a year to year lease basis, with the same policy as the folkdancers concerning bumping. Arnold asked what the $160/month cost covers. Fregonese said 1/2 pays for maintenance and heat, and the other half pays the coordinator's salary and some office expenses. Robin Hulten, Board President, said they would like a 3-5 year lease, and knowing what the expenses are will make budgeting easier. She also asked for feedback on a proposed merger with Youthworks, Inc. and Mayor Medaris said it was the Board's decision. Williams agreed with Medaris, and also with the idea of a three-year lease. On a question from Acklin, Fregonese said the work on the building would go out to bid July 1st. Arnold said the Teen Center provides a valuable public service. City Attorney Salter said he does not see a problem with this subsidy. Acklin moved to set the fee at $2.50/hour and negotiate a three-year lease agreement and Arnold seconded the motion. Reid declared she is on the Teen Center Board of Directors. The motion passed unanimously on voice vote. Staff will prepare a lease for the next meeting. Golf Fee Increase Mayor Medaris said he would like this item referred to the Golf Committee and have them bring back a proposal to the City Council. No action necessary. UNFINISHED BUSINESS: Legal Opinion - Grants to Non-Prof. Corp. City Attorney Salter said his report is inconclusive. He requested Howard Rankin, a bonding attorney in Portland, to research the issue and give an opinion which Salter has not yet received. Salter feels the primary issue is personal liability of Council members when City monies are given to private non-profit corporations. Reid asked if Rankin was aware of the efforts to get matching funds from the State. Salter said yes. The Council agreed to wait for the opinion from Rankin. 5/17/88 P. 2 ~q~lar Meeting Ashland City Council 5/17/88 P. 3 UNFINISHED BUSINESS: Adopt Findings - Natural Hist. Mus. (Continued) Administrator Almquist noted revisions to the findings had been distributed, and the first sentence in the second to the last paragraph on page 6 should read "That the height limit of the buildings on the project shall not ...". The findings were read and Mayor Medaris complimented Staff on the document. Williams moved to adopt same and Acklin seconded the motion. Salter said only those who voted in favor previously could vote now. On roll call vote Williams, Acklin and Laws voted YES. NEW & MISCELLANEOUS BUSINESS: Vacancies - Airp. A memo was read from the Airport Commission concerning Commission an amendment to the ordinance whereby members absent from four or more meetings a year can be replaced. Arnold said he would like to see this applied to all City commissions. Acklin moved to have staff bring back an ordinance to make the requested change. Reid seconded the motion which passed unanimously on voice vote. Salter suggested stipulating "calendar year". Oil Mat Costs - N. Mountain Ave. Public Works Director Hall summarized his memo on the process and estimated costs of an oil mat on N. Mountain Ave. Maintenance costs are $8,500 a year and the estimate for an oil mat is $34,500. Laws has reservations about a street that will only last five years. Almquist said the estimated cost is about 1/3 of the available resurfacing funds this year. Reid feels this would solve a safety problem and provide a better by-pass to the downtown area. Tom Garson, resident of the area, said the critical area is where the dirt street and paved area meet and the curve should be corrected permanently. Acklin noted bus drivers are concerned with the curve. John Fregonese, a resident of the area, said with an oil mat the Planning Commission will allow partitions and site reviews in exchange for signing in favor of future paving. Williams asked about the possibility of people outside the City paying for improvements. Almquist said it might be difficult to get agreement from the County. On a question from Williams as to which section he was concerned with, Robert Johnson, 955 N. Mountain, said the small section on E. Nevada and all of Mountain. He reviewed the amount of taxes paid by the residents of that area and felt they should not have to pay for street improvements. Arnold would like more information on a City/County L.I.D., and says there may be more interest from people who drive the road than we are aware of. He would like to wait for the estimate on paving the 5/17/88 P. 3 ReQ~r Meeting Ashland City Council 5/17/88 P. 4 NEW & MISCELLANEOUS BUSINESS: (Continued) Oil Mat - Mt. Ave. curve. Marie Morehead, resident of Mountain Ave., said she spoke with County Commissioner Golden who thought the County might be interested in helping. Hall will bring back options on laying an oil mat and Staff will talk to the County about a joint project. Commercial Con- servation Program Energy Conservation Coordinator Dick Wanderscheid's memo was included in the packet but not read aloud. Laws moved to endorse the program, Reid seconded the motion which passed unanimously on voice vote. Pavement Cut - Willow St. A memo was read from James Olson, Asst. City Engineer, requesting permission to cut newly installed pavement on Willow Street. Williams moved to approved the request; Reid seconded the motion which passed unanimously on voice vote. R/W Purchase - Hersey St. FAUS Project A memo was read from Asst. City Engineer Olson requesting approval to purchase additional right-of- way on Hersey Street for $4,100 for the construction project on that street. On a question from Reid concerning sidewalks, Almquist said there will be a 4- foot granite walk on the North side and a bikelane on the South side. Laws moved to approve the purchase, Arnold seconded the motion which passed unanimously on voice vote. Quarterly Fin. Statement Reid moved to formerly receive and accept the statement and Acklin seconded the motion. It passed unanimously on voice vote. 15 Minute Pkg. Ben Franklin Svgs. A request for one 15-minute parking space for Benjamin Franklin Savings was read. The Traffic Safety Commission recommended it be approved, and Staff felt it should be considered in the Downtown Plan. Laws asked how this would be addressed in the Downtown Plan and Fregonese said they will first look at on-street parking efficiency and street limitations. Reid feels the request should be addressed now. Arnold said if it's approved now, more requests will be forthcoming. Laws moved to refer the request to the Downtown Plan, Arnold seconded the motion, which passed on voice vote as follows: Williams, Acklin, Laws and Arnold, YES; Reid, NO. Uncollectible Utility Bills A request was received from Finance Director Turner for permission to write-off $11,850.18 in uncollectible utility bills. City Administrator Almquist said the amount for the Mark Antony is from a previous owner and, it is proper to write off that amount. Arnold moved to approve the request, Williams seconded the motion which passed unanimously on voice vote. 5/17/88 P. 4 ~e__~-~r Meeting Ashland City Council 5/17/88 P. 5 NEW & MISCELLANEOUS BUSINESS: (Continued) Mayor's Appts. Arnold moved to approve the Mayor's appointments of John Seligman to the Bikeway Committee and Allen Alsing to the Airport Commission. Reid seconded the motion which passed unanimously on voice vote. Set P.H. - Building Moratorium in Floodplain It was agreed to set the public hearing on the adoption of a Moratorium on Construction in the Floodplain for June 7, 1988. No action necessary. PUBLIC FORUM There was no comment from the audience during the Public Forum section of the meeting. ORDINANCES, RESOLUTIONS & CONTRACTS: Disc Antennas First reading of an ordinance amending the Land-use Ordinance with respect to development standards for disc antennas. The first reading was advertised and copies provided to the Council prior to the meeting. Laws moved to second reading and Arnold seconded the motion. Reid said she received two phone calls from people who felt not enough changes had been made. The motion passed unanimously on roll call vote. Initiative & Referendum First reading of an ordinance amending the Municipal Code with respect to initiative and referendum laws. Councilor Laws asked if this appealed the ordinance whereby a petition could be placed on ballot for the next regular election. Salter said if that changes he will bring it back to the Council. Acklin moved to second reading, Arnold seconded the motion which passed unanimously on roll call vote. Energy Efficient Housing Standards Second reading by title only of an ordinance with respect to standards for energy-efficient housing. Arnold moved to adopt the ordinance, Acklin seconded the motion which passed unanimously on roll call vote. (Ref. Ord. ~2450) L.I.D. No. 58 Street Assessments Second reading by title only of an ordinance levying street assessments in L.I.D. No. 58. Laws moved to adopt the ordinance, Arnold seconded the motion which passed unanimously on roll call vote. (Ref. Ord. #2451) Vacate Irrigation Easement - Scenic Drive Second reading by title only of an ordinance vacating an irrigation easement at 320 Scenic Drive. Arnold moved to adopt the ordinance; Williams seconded the motion which passed unanimously on roll call vote. (Ref. Ord. ~2452) 5/17/88 P. 5 R_~g'~r Meeting Ashland City Council 5/17/88 P. 6 ORDINANCES, RESOLUTIONS & CONTRACTS: (Continued) Transfers of A resolution was read requesting transfers of Appropriations appropriations within funds. Arnold moved to adopt the resolution, Acklin seconded the motion which passed unanimously on roll call vote. (Reso. ~88-17) C.C.I.S. A resolution was read concerning membership in the City/County Insurance Services Trust. Almquist said the City is asking for competitive bids and the resolution may or may not be used, but a report will be forthcoming. Laws moved to adopt the resolution, Reid seconded the motion which passed unanimously on roll call vote. (Ref. Reso. #88-18) Criminal Justice Information Syst. A request was received to enter into an Inter-agency Service Contract with Jackson County for a Criminal Justice Information System. Arnold served on the committee and reported it is essentially the same as the contract SOJIC had with Jackson Co., but without the intermediary agency. He said the City needs to enter into a contract and this will be a decrease in costs. Laws moved to authorize the Mayor and City Recorder to sign the contract; Arnold seconded the motion which passed unanimously on roll call vote. I.B.E.W. Labor Contract Arnold moved to authorize the Mayor and City Recorder to sign a labor contract with the I.B.E.W. Local 659 for the period of July 1, 1988 to June 30, 1992. Almquist said this is the first four-year contract the City has had with that Union. Williams seconded the motion which passed unanimously on roll call vote. Automatic Aid Agree. Jackson Co. Fire Chief Lee Roy King explained that the program would allow the two agencies to work more closely than in the past, and there will be no increased cost. On a question from Reid concerning the Mutual Aid Agreement, King said it is still in effect. Arnold requested changing the word "manpower" to personnel and the word "He" to the words "That person" and made a motion to authorize the Mayor and City Recorder to sign the amended agreement. Reid seconded the motion which passed unanimously on roll call vote. ADJOURNMENT There being no further business from Council members, the meeting adjourned at 9:35 P.M. City Recorder L. Gordon Medaris Mayor 5/17/88 P. 6