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HomeMy WebLinkAbout1988-1116 REG MINMINUTES OF THE REGULAR MEETING ASHLAND CITY COUNCIL November 16, 1988 ROLL CALL MAYOR'S PRESENTATIONS: Certificate of Appreciation to Hans Boldt L.O.C. Safety Award Geography Week Proclamation APPROVAL OF MINUTES PUBLIC HEARINGS: Downtown District L.I.D. Mayor L. Gordon Medaris led the Pledge of Allegianc 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. Police Chief Lively told of an incident wherein Hans Boldt assisted two police officers in subduing a violent person on September 12, 1988. Mayor Medaris presented Mr. Boldt with a certifi- cate of appreciation for helping to maintain law and order in Ashland. Mayor Medaris read a safety award the City received at the recent League of Oregon Cities Conference. He expressed appreciation to all employees for safe work habits. A proclamation was read designating the week of November 13-19, 1988 as "GEOGRAPHY AWARENESS WEEK". Acklin moved to approve the minutes of the regular meeting of November 1, 1988; Elerath seconded the motion which passed unanimously on voice vote. John Fregonese, Community Development Dir., explained the history of the Downtown Plan. It was formally adopted in July of 1988 and the main source of funding will be by Local Improvement District. The intent is to purchase land and construct three parking lots providing 100+ parking spaces; repair sidewalks and corner planters; and establish pedestrian centers in each block. He told of increased business in the downtown area and explained the funding plan. Staff recommends several additions and deletions to the improvement district. Mayor Medaris opened the public hearing. Bud Wilkerson, 785 Palmer, spoke for the Trinity Episcopal Church, saying they should be dropped from the district because parking is only used on Sundays. Keith Garrett, 479 Courtney, spoke for the Elks Lodge. He said they provide adequate parking for members and don't feel the Lodge will benefit. A letter of opposition was submitted for the record. Vic Abatino, 2045 E. Main, tax lot 9BB 6000, is not opposed to the plan but feels every case should be dealt with separately. Ron Salter, 94 Third St., owns property on Second St. 11/16/88 P. i Reqular Meeting Ashland City Council 11/16/88 P. 2 PUBLIC HEARINGS: (Continued) Downtown District South of East Main St., and feels the project will enhance the property value. He also has a business at 94 Third St. and said that property will not become tourist oriented. Roy Wiltse, 56 Church St., owner of tax lot 9BB 5401, feels there is plenty of parking; he spoke against the district. Barry Peckham, 40 Granite St., spoke against including apartments and Fregonese recommended dropping tax lots 8200 and 7000 from the plan. Laura Bach, a renter at 125 N. Main also spoke against including apartments in the district. Gary Morris asked that 117 N. Main be removed from the list. Steve Casternovia supports the district but feels lots which do not generate revenue should be excluded. Don Evans, 321 Clay, spoke for Doris Morgan, owner of tax lot 9BD 3700, and asked that her lot be excluded. David Grant, 353 Hargadine, supports the plan but is concerned with how the assessments were made. He thinks square footage of the buildings should be used instead of lot footage. Michael Sanford, 113 High St., said feels those who don't provide off-street parking are being subsidized by those who do. Karl Oeser, 87 Third St., said he won't be benefitted by the assessments to his lot. Charles Pryor said 449 E. Main does not benefit from the district. Larry Meyers, Manager of Copeland Lumber, spoke in favor of the district but not the method of assessment. John Warren, owner of Bards Inn, spoke in favor of the district but feels single-family residences should be excluded. Gina Carruthers, 163 N. Pioneer is in favor of the plan for businesses but not residences. Leo Zupan, broker, spoke in favor of the plan. Jim Hibbert, 263 Oak St., supports the plan. Ron Chaddock, owner of tax lot 9BB 8600, supports the plan and opportunity to increase property value. Andy Bobbett, 175 N. Pioneer, feels his residence should be excluded. There being no further testimony from the audience the public hearing was closed. Fregonese said property owners who spoke against the project represented 15.77% of the total. After a lengthy discussion regarding which properties should be included, Laws moved to delete the Trinity Episcopal Church, tax lot 9BD 3600, from the district, Williams seconded the motion which passed unanimously on voice vote. Laws moved to delete tax lots 8200 and 7000, on Granite Street; Reid seconded the motion which passed unanimously on voice vote. Laws moved to delete the Scripter lot, tax lot 9BB 900, from the district; Arnold seconded the motion which passed 11/16/88 P. 2 Reqular Meeting Ashland City Council 11/16/88 P. 3 PUBLIC HEARINGS: (Continued) Downtown District unanimously on voice vote. Laws moved to delete three houses on N. Main St., tax lots 9BB 3900, 4400 and 4500 from the district; Acklin seconded the motion which passed unanimously on voice vote. Laws moved to not exclude property in the C-1-D zones. Reid seconded the motion which passed unanimously on voice vote. Arnold moved to continue the public hearing and send notices to people in the three areas which staff suggested adding to the district, those being tax lots 9BD 1400, 1500, 1600 and 1700; 9BA 8800 and 8900; and 9BA 11800, 11900, 12000. Williams .pa seconded the motion, which failed as follows on roll call vote: Elerath, Williams and Arnold, YES; Reid, Acklin and Laws, NO. Mayor Medaris broke the tie with a NO vote. The ordinance authorizing and ordering various improvements in the Downtown District was read. Laws moved to second reading and Arnold seconded the motion. Laws moved to amend the motion to specify a limit of $875,000 in assessments in the ordinance. Arnold seconded the motion which passed on unanimously on roll call vote. Elerath said he is against the method being used to make the assessments. The ordinance was passed to second reading on roll call vote as follows: Elerath, NO; Reid, Williams, Acklin, Laws and Arnold, YES. NEW & MISCELLANEOUS BUSINESS: Liquor License A request for approval of a liquor license application was received from Jack & Larry Katz dba Katzmen Club, 1667 Siskiyou Blvd. Arnold moved to approve same; Acklin seconded the motion which passed unanimously on voice vote. Quarterly Financial Commentary Williams moved to accept and place on file the Quarterly Financial Commentary received from Finance Director Jill Turner for the period ending September 30, 1988. Arnold seconded the motion which passed unanimously on voice vote. Bluebird Park Land Exchange Postponed. Sidewalk Discussion City Attorney Salter will prepare information for the next regular meeting. Halloween Committee A memo was read from Councilor Acklin suggesting appointment of an ad hoc committee to discuss future plans and policies concerning Halloween. She recommended the following persons be appointed: Dr. John Daggett, Steve Flynn, Terry Brimhall, Bob Johnson and Susan Reid. Reid feels a businessperson from the downtown area, possibly a bar owner should be involved. Appointments will be made at the next meeting. Regular Meetinq Ashland City Council 11/16/88 P. 4 NEW & MISCELLAMEOUS BUSINESS: (Continued) Appointment to Acklin moved to approve the Mayor's appointment of Downtown Plan Adv. Joelle Manning Graves to the Downtown Plan Committee Advisory Committee. The motion passed unanimously on voice vote. PUBLIC FORUM: Liquor License Approval Robert Butler and Dale Peters are opening a business at 1700 Ashland Street. Their request is for approval of the liquor license application contingent upon a satisfactory background investi- gation. Police Chief Lively approved of the request. Acklin moved to place the item on the agenda; Williams seconded the motion which passed unanimously on voice vote. Elerath moved to grant the request; Arnold seconded the motion which passed unanimously on voice vote. Mayor Medaris left the meeting at 10:00 P.M. Council Chair Laws presided. T.I.D. Easement Scenic Drive John Fox asked the City to relinquish a TID ease- ment on property located at 320 Scenic Dr. The City Engineer recommended approval. Reid moved to place the item on the agenda; Acklin seconded the motion which passed unanimously on voice vote. City Attorney Salter explained that the City does not use the easement. Arnold moved to authorize the Mayor and City Recorder to sign a quitclaim deed to relinquish the easement; Williams seconded the motion which passed unanimously on roll call vote. There being no further business from the audience, the public forum was closed. ORDINANCE, RESOLUTION8 & CONTRACTS: Vacating Easement First reading of an ordinance vacating an easement off Glenview Drive. Acklin moved to second reading; Williams seconded the motion which passed unanimously on roll call vote. Sleeping in Motor Vehicles on Public Streets Williams said he is concerned about people sleeping in R.V.'s and cars on City streets for long periods of time, and the intent of the ordinance is to control this action. Arnold feels there will be problems in administering the ordinance as it is written and asked that it be delayed until the next meeting. All agreed. Transfer of Appropriations A resolution was read transferring appropriations within the 1988-89 budget. Arnold moved to adopt same; Elerath seconded the motion which passed unanimously on roll call vote. (Reso. #88-51) 11/~6/ss P. 4 Regular Meeting Ashland City Council 11/16/88 P. 5 OTHER BUSINE88 FROM COUNCIL MEMBERS: Pinecrest Terr. Councilor Elerath showed pictures of the Pinecrest Terrace area, and expressed concern about the deep cuts in the ravines. Fregonese explained the erosion control plan and said each house needs one parking space within 200 feet. Martin Luther King Day Celebration Councilor Arnold asked to discuss the City's participation in celebrations of Martin Luther King's birthday. Reid moved to place the item on the agenda and Arnold seconded the motion. It passed on voice vote with Councilor Elerath being the only dissenting vote. Arnold explained the event and said the City would probably be asked to donate an in-kind contribution such as waiving the fee for a banner. Williams moved to postpone the item until the next meeting and Laws seconded. The vote was tied and it was decided to postpone the item. City Administrator Almquist noted a letter on Council tables from Lloyd Haines concerning acquisition of downtown parking facilities, and said it will be on the next agenda. The Communi- cations Survey prepared by Mark Gibbons will also be on the December 6, 1988 agenda. ADJOURNMENT The meeting adjourned at 10:25 P.M. City Recorder L. Gordon Medaris Mayor 11/16/88 P. 5