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HomeMy WebLinkAbout1988-1220 REG MINMINUTES OF THE REGULAR MEETING ASHLAND CITY COUNCIL DECEMBER 20, 1988 ROLL CALL APPROVAL OF MINUTES SPECIAL AGENDA ITEMS: Mayor's Annual Address Certificates of Appreciation Ben Tyran Albert Meyer Presentation of Plaques Councilor Laws Councilor Elerath Mayor Medaris L.O.C. Award Police Dept. Employees of the Year - 1988 Mayor L. Gordon Medaris called the meeting to order at 7:30 P.M. on the above date in the Council Chambers. Reverend B.J. Holland gave the invocation. Everyone stood for the Pledge of Allegiance. Elerath, Reid, Williams, Acklin, Laws and Arnold were present. Reid moved to approve the minutes of the regular meeting of December 6, 1988; Arnold seconded the motion which passed unanimously on voice vote. Mayor Medaris gave his Annual Address, high- lighting the City's accomplishments from 1978 to 1988. (A copy is attached to these minutes and made a part of the record) Mayor Medaris presented Benjamin Tyran with a certificate of appreciation for serving ten years as Chairman of the Economic Development Commission, and aiding in the successful develop- ment and strengthening of Ashland's economy. Albert C. Meyer received a certificate of appre- ciation for his guidance and financial support in the development of the Ashland Industrial Park, and other philanthropic service. Councilor Arnold presented Councilor Laws with a plaque from the Mayor and Council for 14 years of dedicated service on the City Council, eight of which he served as Council Chairman. Councilor Reid presented a plaque from the Mayor and Council to Councilor Elerath for serving four years as a dedicated Council member. Councilor Acklin presented Mayor Medaris with a plaque in appre- Ciation for his outstanding leadership while serving two years on the Planning Commission, two years on the City Council, and eight years as Mayor of Ashland. Mayor Medaris and Police Chief Lively presented a League of Oregon Cities Award to Frank D'Entremont for second place for an "Excellent Community Service" program. Police Chief Lively and Mayor Medaris presented awards to Police Officer Richard Walsh for Officer of the Year for 1988; to Jennifer Palafox for Dispatcher of the Year; and to Linda Kiernan for Employee of the Year. Mayor Medaris expressed appreciation to these employees for their efforts and dedication. 12/20/88 P. 1 Regular Meetinq Ashland City Council 12/20/88 P. 2 PUBLIC HEARINGS: Museum of Natural History Planning Director Fregonese explained that testimony should be limited to LUBA's requirement that the City show the proposed museum will be reasonably compatible with and have minimal impact on the surrounding neighborhood, i.e., the Forensics Lab, Armory and Ashland Middle School, considering architectural and aesthetic compatibility. He noted a letter received from the Friends of Ashland which requested the City to limit the number of visitors per year. He said this could be an amendment to C. #1 of the original conditions imposed by the City Council. City Administrator Almquist read into the record a letter from Joyce Ward, 349 E. Main St., Ashland, and reviewed the issues to be discussed during the public hearing. Fregonese said all Council members received full-scale drawings of the new proposal, which have been checked by Staff. The public hearing was opened and Ron Lamb, Scientific Advisor to the applicant, explained the modifications made to the proposed museum. Wes Reynolds, 2978 Barbara St., addressed compatibility with the neighboring buildings in operating characteristics, harmony in scale, bulk, coverage and density, and architectural features. Councilor Williams reported ex-parte contact with Ron Lamb, Ralph Wehinger and David Lane. Reid declared ex-parte contact with Lane; Acklin declared same with Wes Reynolds, Debbie Miller and David Lane. Laws declared ex-parte contacts with Lamb, Lane and various citizens. David Lane, 1700 E. Main St., expressed concern about the possible rapid growth of the museum, and if the new scaled-down plans should be considered a new project. He said the laboratory was not part of the original project, and is concerned with how the museum will affect development of the surrounding properties. Joseph Bova, 1423 E. Main St., is concerned with traffic counts and harmony with the rest of the residential neighborhood. Debbie Miller, 160 Normal Ave., urged the Council to consider limits on attendance to restrict the museum to a slow, steady growth. Ron Thurner, 1170 Bellview, commended the Council for setting daily limits on visitors. Jim Green, 900 Park St., feels the project is compatible with the area and Ashland, and is a natural expansion of SOSC. Ron Lamb said the lab was mentioned from the beginning of the project. There being no further testimony from the audience, the public hearing was closed. On a question from Laws concerning the purpose of the lab, Lamb said it will be used to develop d.n.a. fingerprinting and do standard analyses which need to meet State and Federal agency standards. It will complement the Fish & Wildlife Service and generate revenue. 12/20/88 P. 2 Regular Meeting Ashland City Council 12/20/88 P. 3 PUBLIC HEARINGS: Museum (Continued) Salter said opponent should have opportunity to rebut; and Lane said the figures on the exhibit space differ from what was presented in the original application; and they don't make sense. Lamb asked if all Councilors have declared ex- parte contacts. Arnold declared he has not talked with anyone. Elerath said he worked in labs and they are clean and regulated. Arnold said he voted against the original project because of the size and projected tourist counts, but feels the scaled-down project satisfies the concerns of the community. He moved to approve the applicant's findings and modify condition #1 in the original findings to change the number of visitors per day from 2,750 to 2,250. Acklin seconded the motion. Laws feels the proposed project is not much different than the surrounding neighborhood in terms of bulk, scale density, etc.; is an appropriate development of the area; and can meet the requirements of architectural and aesthetic compatibility. Elerath feels 2,250 visitors per day is too high but will accept that number. He moved to amend the third paragraph in Section B on page 3 of the applicant's findings to read: "The proposed Institute, the Middle School, the Forensics Lab and the Armory are similar in size as shown in Exhibits R-3 to R-10. The Institute is the largest in only two of the eight characteristics in Exhibit R-3." Acklin seconded. Arnold amended his original motion to include Elerath's amendment. The motion passed unanimously on roll call vote. COMMUNICATIONS, PETITIONS & REMONSTRANCES: Set Public Hg. A letter was received from Lee Hill, 523 Terrace P.A. #88-149 St., appealing a decision of the Planning Commis- sion denying P.A. #88-149, a minor land partition at 523 Terrace St. The public hearing was set for January 3, 1989 at 7:30 P.M. Audit Report FY 1987-88 Finance Director Turner noted changes in the Audit Report for fiscal year 1987-88. Jerry Burns, C.P.A., also explained changes being made in the document and gave his recommendations. Arnold moved to accept the Audit Report and Williams seconded the motion which passed unanimously on voice vote. NEW & MISCELLANEOUS BUSINE8S: Community Center A request was received from the Historic Nomination Commission to nominate the Community Center, 59 Winburn Way, to the National Register of Historic Places. The Council had no objection and Reid thanked George Kramer for doing a fine job in preparing the application. 12/20/88 P. 3 Regular Meeting Ashland City Council 12/20/88 P. 4 NEW & MISCELLANEOUS BUSINESS: (Continued) Set Public Hg. A public hearing was set for February 7, 1989, Landmarks List 7:30 P.M. on the adoption of the interim Ashland Heritage Landmarks List as requested by the Historic Commission. Woodsmoke Reduction Councilor Williams said he is comfortable with the Council of Governments resolution concerning woodsmoke reduction and recommended a similar resolution be adopted for Ashland. Elerath noted Ashland's policy to burn wood to heat water, and Fregonese said the references to woodburning will be taken out of the performance standards guidelines when the Land-use Ordinance is modified in January. Arnold moved to extend the meeting 1/2 hour, and Williams seconded the motion. All ayes on voice vote. Elerath said ordinances prohibiting smoke should be obtained and forwarded to the County. Acklin asked staff to obtain same and adapt to City, and feels a local solution should be found. Arnold moved to endorse the resolution; Acklin seconded the motion which passed as follows on voice vote. Elerath, NO; Reid, Williams, Acklin, Laws and Arnold, YES. Appointment to Nutrient Study Group Arnold moved to approve Williams appointment to the DEQ/Bear Creek nutrient study group; Elerath seconded the motion which passed unanimously on voice vote. 1989 Electric Rate Forecast No action is necessary on the City Administrator's 1989 Electric Rate Forecast. For information only. PUBLIC FORUM A1 Willstatter, 128 Central Ave., wished everyone a Happy Holiday. Ad-hoc Halloween Committee Acklin moved to place appointment of the ad hoc Halloween Committee on the agenda. Laws seconded the motion. Mayor Medaris requested approval of appointment of the following individuals to that committee: Dr. John Daggett, Steve Flynn, Terry Brimhall, Bob Johnson, Mike Rolar, Dennis Slattery, Susan Reid and Vic Lively. Laws moved to approve the request; Arnold seconded the motion which passed unanimously on voice vote. ORDINANCES, RESOLUTIONS & CONTRACTS: Transfer of Arnold moved to approve the resolution; Williams Appropriations seconded the motion which carried unanimously on roll call vote. (Reso. #88-53) 12/20/88 P. 4 Regular Meeting Ashland City Council 12/20/88 P. 5 OTHER BUSINESS FROM COUNCIL MEMBERS: Positively 4th St. Susan Reid reported that two more people signed complaints and received court dates concerning Positively Fourth Street's noise problem. She Christmas Decora- then thanked everyone including city crews and tions downtown shop owners for the beautiful Christmas decorations. ADJOURNMENT The meeting adjourned at 11:14 P.M. Karen Huckins Acting City Recorder Mayor 12/20/88 P. 5