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HomeMy WebLinkAbout1988-0705 REG MINMINUTES OF THE REGULAR MEETING ASHLAND CITY COUNCIL July 5, 1988 ROLL CALL APPROVAL OF MINUTES PUBLIC HEARINGS: Ashland Perf. Arts Center 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. Elerath, Reid, Williams, Acklin, Laws and Arnold were present. Mayor Medaris thanked Emile Cloutier, Chairman of the 4th of July Committee, for a successful parade and other festivities. He also welcomed Councilor Acklin back from her vacation in New York. Acklin noted the misspelling of her name in the first paragraph of page one of the June 21, 1988 minutes. Williams moved to approve the minutes as corrected; Acklin seconded the motion which passed unanimously on voice vote. City Attorney Salter referred to a letter from A.P.A.C. dated June 21, 1988, concerning their decline to offer the sale of the old armory building. Councilor Reid clarified that the hearing would not involve that issue, but other ways of support for A.P.A.C. Mayor Medaris opened the public hearing. Philip Lang, 109 1/2 Fourth Street, said Senator Hannon told him the State matching grant was not economic development monies but general revenue monies and the $27,000 budgeted for A.P.A.C. should be held in escrow until the matching $500,000 had been obtained. He said a feasibility study should be done and made available to the public, and feels A.P.A.C. creates no public benefit as stipulated in the legal opinion from Howard Rankin. Lang said the community should decide by a vote if a performing arts center is needed. Rose Otte, 439 Herbert St., member of the Board of Directors of A.P.A.C., gave a history of the establi- shment of A.P.A.C. and said the purchase of the armory by the City is not in the City's best interests. She asked that the City provide the $27,000 for seed money. The center has a summer arts program for children at the present time. 7/5/88 p. i Regular Meeting Ashland City Council 7/5/88 P. 2 P~LIC HEARINGS: A.P.A.C. (Continued) Bob Burmister, member of the Board, said the center was developed to serve local groups and provide dance space. He said the questions raised by Lang need to be addressed, and "feasibility" to be defined. The center is non-profit by charter and will operate year- round. Jack VanHee, 307 N. Main, said he and other members of the audience belong to a symphony and a large hall is needed to hold symphonies with large instruments. Ruth Wire, 1097 B St., directs Studio X, an experi- mental theatre and rents room from APAC. She said there is a need for space for small theatres with rents within their budgets. David Salisbury, 1833 Ashland Mine Rd., and director of training for the Britt Festival, feels the center could be an excellent resource for arts education. Emile Cloutier, 904 Beswick Way, a member of the Budget Committee, said a restriction was placed on the $27,000 allocation that it not be released until the matching funds were received from the State. J. Berry, 298 Palm Ave., acting manager of a small retail business, said APAC is delinquent in paying bills to merchants, and some are forced to send them to collection agencies. Mayor Medaris said the City is not responsible for the financial status of APAC. Tim Cusick, 167 Church St., Pres. of APAC, said the development of the center is complex and difficult, but if they owe something they want to pay it. He told of a feasibility study now in process which includes a five-year business plan. He said they have the support of local arts groups and preliminary studies have shown a performing arts center is needed in the valley, and a successful one should be in Ashland. Elerath asked about the matching funds, and Cusick said they are in jeopardy because last summer's fires and the need for prisons ravaged the budget. City support is needed to save the matching grant. On a question from Reid concerning seeking a lesser sum, Cusick said he believes with City support they can get the $500,000, but if they raise less, the match will be less. Fundraising efforts have brought in $50,000 in goods, services and cash. 7/5/88 P. 2 Regular Meeting Ashland City Council 7/5/88 P. 3 PUBLIC HEARINGS: A.P.A.C. (Continued) Donovan Gray, Talent, said the City of Grants Pass did a feasibility study on the performing arts and should be contacted. Bob Johnson, 955 N. Mountain, said the issue should be put to a vote of the people. Steve Jordan, 134 Church, consultant for A.P.A.C., said no City money has been used in this project. There being no further testimony from the audience, the public hearing was closed. Laws referred to the Ad-hoc Committee's recommenda- tions concerning negotiating with the State for downtown improvements, including the parking lot which could possibly be used as matching funds along with other improvements in that area which he asked Staff to identify; cooperating with the grant writer and providing information. Arnold feels the center will provide a public benefit and would like to release the $27,000 with the restriction placed on it by the Budget Committee, adopt the findings, and commit to parts two and three of the recommendation. He feels action should be taken without further legal advice. Williams would like to review the findings before making a decision. Feels City should pursue recommendations two and three also. Reid would like to postpone a decision until the next meeting. Acklin would like to go ahead with the parking lot using money from the Croman sale. All agreed the A.P.A.C. findings should be reviewed by Salter, and findings should be prepared showing the Oregon Shakespearean Festival as serving a public benefit. Both findings will be adopted at the next meeting if all is in order. INTRODUCTION OF SPECIAL VISITORS: Igor Mikhailov Tim Cusick, 167 Church St., introduced a visitor from Soviet Citizen the Soviet Union, Igor Mikhailov, who described Ashland as a beautiful place and thanked the citizens for the hospitality and opportunity to write about life in the U.S. PUBLIC HEARINGS: (Continued) Renaming of "C" A memo was read from City Administrator Almquist St. to Lithia Way reporting that the State Highway Division has no problem with renaming "C" Street. Planning Director Fregonese reported this action as being part of the 7/5/88 P. 3 Regular Meeting Ashland City Council 7/5/88 P. 4 PUBLIC HEARINGS: Renaming "C" St. (Continued) first phase of the Downtown Plan. He said the Planning Commission, Downtown Committee and Ashland Downtown Association agreed to the logic of renaming the street. On a question from Reid, Fregonese said no problems would be solved by dealing with this issue now instead of waiting for discussions of the Downtown Plan. Mayor Medaris opened the public hearing. Milton Bloombaum, 429 Taylor, just opened a business at 116 "C" Street, and asked that the renaming be delayed one year until he got established. Emile Cloutier said 12 businesses would be affected and it is reasonable to change the name now, because someone will be inconven- ienced whenever it is changed. Reso. Renaming Street The resolution was read. Arnold suggested the effect- ive date be set as November 1, 1988, and property owners notified. Acklin moved to adopt the resolution, Reid seconded the motion which passed unanimously on voice vote. (Ref. Reso. ~88-31) Ord. Amending Municipal Code re: Parking An ordinance amending the Municipal Code relative to restricted parking areas, and changing references to "C" Street, to Lithia Way, was read as amended in Section 5, line 4 to read: "effective November 1, 1988". Arnold moved the ordinance to second reading, Laws seconded the motion which passed unanimously on roll call vote. On a question from Elerath as to how this action effects deeds to properties, Salter said they would still be valid. COMMUNICATIONS, PETITIONS & REMONSTRANCES: Request for A letter was read from Ralph & Claire Farr, 73 Church Yellow Curb Street, requesting permission to paint either side of their driveway yellow. Laws asked how frequently cars park within three feet of each side of their driveway, and Mr. Farr said every day. Reid felt it was a reasonable request given the hazards of backing out. Acklin asked why the Traffic Safety Commission denied the request and what the policy is. Arnold, member of the Traffic Safety Commission, said the City needs to approve and paint yellow curbs to maintain control of this activity. Laws felt the problem here could be solved by a minute order and so moved. Reid seconded the motion which failed on voice vote as follows: Laws and Reid, YES; Elerath, Williams, Acklin and Arnold, NO. 7/5/88 P. 4 Regular Meeting Ashland City Council 7/5/88 P. 5 'COMMUNICATIONS, PETITIONS & REMONSTRANCES: (Continued) Yellow Curb Arnold said a consistent policy should be established to have no parking a certain number of feet on each side of driveways. Reid would like to go ahead with the Farr's problem now, and form a consistent policy. Laws thinks there would be a great cost to the City to do this. Williams would like to have a consistent policy. Arnold will take the Council's concerns to the Traffic Safety Commission and come back with their response. Traffic Signal Request - Walker and Siskiyou A letter was read from Walker School students request- ing a traffic signal at the corner of Walker Ave. and Siskiyou Blvd. Steve Hall, Public Works Dir., said the signal had not been included in the Six-Year Highway Program, but Jim Gix, Oregon State Highway Div., directed a study be done of the intersection to see if it meets State Highway criteria for funding. Hall said it will be reviewed again in two years. Elerath and Arnold agreed it was a dangerous inter- section and Arnold asked that a response be sent to the students. Mistletoe Rd. Paving A letter was received from Allen Walters, 400 Mistletoe Rd., concerning the condition of that road. A memo was read from City Administrator Almquist concerning prior efforts to get Mistletoe Road paved. Hall explained that the truck traffic is from freeway construction, and the estimate would now be 20% higher than the estimate attached to the memo. Walters thanked the City for leasing the facilities to the State Forestry Dept. He explained that trucks travel the road from 6:00 A.M. to 11:00 P.M. Acklin explained the petition process, concerning the need to have a 51% majority of property owners in favor of the improvements. No further action was taken. UNFINISHED BUSINESS: Release of Funds A memo was read from City Administration Almquist recommending releasing funds to health and human service agencies and to SOREDI, Ashland Chamber of Commerce, Visitors and Convention Bureau, and Arts Council, as appropriated in the 1988-89 Budget. Arnold so moved and Reid seconded the motion. It passed on voice vote as follows: Elerath, NO; Reid, Williams, Acklin, Laws and Arnold, YES. NEW & MISCELLANEOUS BUSINESS: Appts. to CPAC Mayor Medaris explained that representatives were chosen from different sections of the City. Reid asked about Leo Van Dijk, who lives outside the City, 7/5/88 P. 5 Regular Meeting Ashland City Council 7/5/88 P. 6 NEW & MISCELLANEOUS BUSINESS: (Continued) Appts. to CPAC and was told he represents people who live in the Urban Growth Boundary. Laws asked about the lack of women on the Committee, and Medaris said there were women applicants, but their sections of town were represented. Reid requested demographics of the neighborhoods. Acklin moved to approve the appoint- ments and Elerath seconded. The motion passed on voice vote as follows: Reid, NO; Elerath, Williams, Acklin, Laws and Arnold, YES. Acklin asked that the newspaper advertise that past members may continue to serve and women are welcome to apply. Tree Commission Appointments Laws moved to approve the appointment of Charles Howe and Keith Fish to the Street Tree Commission. Howe is replacing Suzanne Warner for a term ending December 31, 1989 and Fish replaces Joseph Vasilik for a term ending December 31, 1988. Acklin seconded the motion which passed unanimously on voice vote. Set Public Hg. Downtown Plan A request was received from Planning Dir. Fregonese that a public hearing be set for July 19, 1988 at 7:30 P.M. for adoption of the Ashland Downtown Plan. All agreed. Liquor License A request for approval of a liquor license application was received from Steve Brewster, d.b.a. Rogue River Brewing Co., 31-B Water Street. Arnold moved to approve the request, Acklin seconded the motion which passed unanimously on voice vote. Water Heater Load Management Prog. Dick Wanderscheid, Energy Conservation Coordinator, reviewed his memo dated June 27, 1988 (included in agenda packet) regarding a proposed water heater load management program through B.P.A. He requested authority to design a program to monitor some houses to see what the potential savings would be, and bring alternatives back to the Council. The program would be based on incentives and the City would share savings with customers. Elerath mentioned a system using two meters, and Wanderscheid said he would explore the costs of this type of system. Council gave approval for design of the monitoring program. PUBLIC FORUM No response. ORDINANCES, RESOLIFEIONS & CON~tACTS: Disc Antennas Second reading by title only of an ordinance concerning disc antennas. Arnold moved to approve the ordinance, Elerath seconded the motion which passed unanimously on roll call vote. (Ord. ~2457) 7/5/88 P. 6 Regular Meeting Ashland City Council 7/5/88 P. 7 ORDINANCES, RESOLUTIONS & CON~RACTS: (Continued) Initiative & Second reading by title only of an ordinance amending Referendum Laws the initiative and referendum laws, as amended. Arnold moved to approve the ordinance, Elerath seconded the motion. It passed unanimously on roll call vote. (Ord. ~2458) Ashland Mine Rd. Annex. (Smith) First reading of an ordinance setting a public hearing on an annexation on Ashland Mine Road near Norton Street (Smith Annexation). Acklin moved to second reading, Williams seconded the motion. Elerath asked where the property was located. P.W. Dir. Hall said a map will be provided and a better description of the property will be published in the public notice. The motion passed unanimously on roll call vote. Naming Alley Golden Spike Way A resolution was read naming an alley between 4th and 5th Streets as "Golden Spike Way". Laws moved to adopt the resolution, Arnold seconded the motion which passed unanimously on roll call vote. (Reso. No. 88- 30) L.I.D. No. 58 Impr. Bonds A resolution was read authorizing the issuance of improvement bonds in L.I.D. No. 58. Arnold moved to adopt the resolution and Acklin seconded the motion. Elerath asked that the fourth line in the first para- graph on page one be amended to read: "Improvement District No. 58 and Levy an assessment for special". He also requested the second to the last line in Section 1 be changed to read: "interest at the rate of 7.75% (seven and seventy five hundredths percent) per annum, interest" The motion passed unanimously on roll call vote. (Reso. No. 88-29) OTHER BUSINESS FROM COUNCIL MEMBERS: Report on Ashland Public Works Director Hall reported that limits for Creek fecal choliform and "E" choliform had been exceeded in Ashland Creek, primarily in the wading area. Reid moved to place the item on the agenda, Arnold seconded the motion which passed unanimously on voice vote. Hall said the Health Dept. would probably post an advisory. Salter said the City could be held liable if people are allowed to use water known to be unsafe and become sick as a result. Arnold said using the wading pool ought to be posted as prohibited as opposed to posting a warning. Williams moved to place signs prohibiting use of the wading area, Arnold seconded the motion which passed unanimously on voice vote. 7/5/88 P. 7 Regular Meeting Ashland City Council 7/5/88 P. 8 OTHER BUSINESS FROM COUNCIL MEMBERS: (Continued) Oregon Bicycle Willjams told of the Oregon Bicycle Advisory Committee Advisory Comm. meeting scheduled in Ashland on July 14 and 15. He Meeting asked that any input on bikeways be directed to Steve Hall. Williams will be leading a bike tour of Ashland from 1:30 - 3:30 on July 14th. Energy Advisory Mtg. Reid will attend an Energy Advisory Committee meeting in Couer D'Alene, Idaho on July llth. Anyone with input, please contact her. ADJOURNMENT The meeting adjourned at 10:20 P.M. · . 'a~nklin~ Nan E F City Recorder L. Gordon Medaris Mayor 7/5/88 P. 8