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HomeMy WebLinkAbout1988-0719 REG MINMINUTES OF THE REGULAR MEETING ASHLAND CITY COUNCIL July 19, 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. All Councilors were present. Mayor Medaris commented on the Democratic Convention in Atlanta, and the growing role of women in politics. SPECIAL PRESENTATION: Mayor Medaris presented a Certificate of Appreciation to Robert Reinholdt for his efforts in establishing the City's State of the Art Communications Center for emergency services. Mr. Reinholdt said the City should be proud of its Police Department and their dedication and professionalism. Jodi McFall, City representative to Guanajuato for their "Presa de la Olla" festivities, gave a brief report on the activities they were involved in and the warm welcome she and Jennifer Donnelly received from the people of our Sister City. John Fregonese, Planning Director, told of his visit to Guanajuato and of the appreciation expressed by the citizens there for the water truck and fire fighting gear Ashland donated to their volunteer fire department. He presented the Mayor with a hand-lettered testimonial on parchment from the citizens, for our generosity and concern. The Mayor of Guanajuato had expressed concern for the continuing friendship between the two cities in light of the election of a new Mayor for Ashland. APPROVAL OF MINUTES: Acklin moved to approve the minutes of the regular meeting of July 5, 1988; Williams seconded the motion, which passed unanimously on voice vote. PUBLIC HEARINGS: John Fregonese, Planning Director, gave the background of the Ashland Downtown Plan which was prepared by the Planning Commission in conjunction with the Chamber of Commerce and the Ashland Downtown Association. Fregonese recommended the following concerning the Planning Commission modifications (included in agenda packet): a) #3 c,d,e, and f be adopted when the City forms the tax increment district. b) ~13 be included in phase 3 when the tax increment financing district is considered; and c) ~14, be included in phase 3 when the tax increment financing district is considered. The Downtown Association recommended a committee be formed to guide the City in selection of an architectural landscape firm. 7/19/88 P. 1 Regular Meeting Ashland City Council 7/19/88 P. 2 Fregonese showed slides of downtown Santa Barbara, which emphasizes pedestrian amenities. Reid asked about the Council's prior goal of paving Central Street in conjunction with development of the Newbry lot. Planning Director John Fregonese said it could be added in the final draft. Elerath expressed concern with the number of parking spaces needed, and asked if the plan would be open for consideration after Phase I. Fregonese replied that it is hard to know how many spaces are needed; and the Downtown Plan is a guideline which needs authorization from the Council for implementation. The Council can divert from the plan without modifying it. Mayor Medaris opened the public hearing. Michael Donavon, 1120 Beswick, and representative for the Chamber of Commerce and the Ashland Downtown Association said the plan is a visionary document which was prepared with a great deal of public input. He requested the City grant $300,000 as recommended for parking and pedestrian amenities. A $100,000 grant application has been submitted to the State Economic Development Commission. The Chamber and Ashland Downtown Association would like a Citizen's Advisory Committee to be appointed. On a question from Reid, Donovan said the Ashland Downtown Association has discussed a theatre ticket tax and hotel/motel tax. Fregonese said the Planning Commission is interested in the hotel/motel tax. Bill Patton, representative from O.S.F.A., explained that a tax on theatre tickets would damage their ability to raise funds elsewhere. There being no further comment from the audience, the public hearing was closed. Arnold declared he is a business owner downtown and would benefit from implementation of the plan. Williams declared the same. Arnold spoke against pay parking lots and said they will not serve to draw people to the downtown area. Reid spoke with Judge Drescher who received letters from people who would rather pay for parking than get a ticket. Williams and Acklin agreed with Arnold. Laws would like to take $16,875 from the existing 7/19/88 P. 2 Regular Meeting Ashland City Council 7/19/88 P. 3 hotel/motel tax as City contribution and said growth from tax could be used, and suggested that present formula be reviewed. Elerath said the City's purchase of lots for parking will be a donation. Acklin feels that people who live here should be considered first. Laws moved to drop the pay lots from the Downtown Plan; Arnold seconded the motion, which passed unamimously on voice vote. Laws moved to replace pay lots with existing hotel/motel tax on page 2 in the Chamber of Commerce amendments; Arnold seconded the motion, which passed unanimously on voice vote. Arnold didn't agree with item 3a) of the Planning Commission amendments which eliminates parking at North Main and Church Street; Reid agreed. Councilor Reid left the meeting at 8:45 P.M. Laws asked why that lot was deleted and Fregonese said the property owner has specific plans for the lot. Arnold moved to delete 3a) from Planning Commission amendments and Elerath seconded the motion. Fregonese said it will be placed on the list of lots to be purchased. The motion passed unanimously on voice vote. Arnold moved to delete #4, dealing with the same issue; Acklin seconded the motion, which passed unanimously on voice vote. Arnold made a motion to include in item 018 to prohibit sidewalk newsracks and include a provision for leasing built-in City-owned racks. Elerath said it should include vending machines and Williams said it could be included in an ordinance; Laws seconded the motion, which passed unanimously on voice vote. Arnold moved to add "in the Downtown Plan Area" to the previous motion; Acklin seconded. All ayes on voice vote. Concerning item 011 in the 4/8/88 Planning Commission amendments, Arnold said the zoning ordinance does not prohibit automotive oriented uses or gas stations on Lithia Way ("C" Street) and asked if it should be deleted. Fregonese said gas stations are a conditional use in that zone. 7/19/88 P. 3 Regular Meeting Ashland City Council 7/19/88 P. 4 Willjams likes the original wording of item #16 better than Planning Commission amendments. Acklin made changes so the paragraph reads: "Finally, the City should officially state that City Hall will remain in its present location for the immediate future. While as the City grows, some functions will have to be relocated, the continued presence of the municipal government ties it to the downtown, and therefore to the people. With the absence of a City Hall downtown, there is some danger that the downtown may lapse into a tourist amenity. The presence of a City Hall downtown provides at least these several important enhancements; it shows a committment to the downtown to work together on its problems and reinforces the downtown as the City Center, and continues a tradition begun by the first settlers." Acklin moved that changes be made, Arnold seconded on voice vote. Williams, Acklin, Laws, Arnold, Aye; Elerath, No. In the eighth line of paragraph 2 of 4/8/88 Planning Commission amendments, Arnold moved to delete the word "only"; Williams seconded the motion. All ayes on voice vote. Laws moved to adopt the Downtown Plan as amended by the Council and Planning Commission with recommend- ations of the Ashland Downtown Association and Chambers of Commerce. Williams seconded, all Ayes on a voice vote. On Item #12, Elerath moved that tax increment financing should not be identified as a "key" element, but a "possible" element. Arnold seconded the motion, which passed unanimously on voice vote. Mayor Medaris asked the press to publicize that a Committee will be appointed which will work with staff on funding Phase 1 and 2. Letters of interest should be sent to City Hall in the next few days. The Council thanked staff, the Planning Commission, and the Ashland Downtown Association for their time and efforts in the preparation of the plan. COM~rgNICATIONS, PETITIONS & REMONS~RANCES: Notification of a rate increase from Cooke Cablevision was noted. No action necessary. 7/19/88 P. 4 Regular Meeting Ashland City Council 7/19/88 P. 5 UNFINISHED BUSINESS: A memo from City Attorney Salter was read concerning City funding to O.S.F.A. and A.P.A.C. He explained that he reviewed the A.P.A.C. findings and prepared O.S.F.A. funding per Council's request. A letter from Howard Rankin dated 7/16/88 was read. A resolution concerning O.S.F.A. was read with changes suggested by Rankin. Arnold moved to adopt the resolution and Laws seconded the motion. Elerath was concerned with the accuracy of the number in the resolution. Laws said they were based on careful studies done by S.O.S.C. After some discussion, Acklin suggested Section 1, line 6 be changed to read: "continued economic growth..." Bill Patton, O.S.F.A. said this change is appropriate. The motion passed unanimously on roll call vote. (RESO.NO.88-32) The A.P.A.C. findings were read as amended by Rankin. Arnold moved to adopt same and Elerath seconded the motion. Acklin asked if adopting finding would mean the $27,000 would be released or if the Council believes they are true and will be submitted for judicial confirmation. Arnold said the latter. The motion passed unanimously on role call vote. Arnold moved to instruct the City Attorney to file a confirmation proceeding pursuant to O.R.S. 33.710 and 33.720 concerning the propriety of releasing money to A.P.A.C. which was previously budgetted by the Budget Commission. On a question from Laws, Salter said he would submit for approval of the concept and if that didn't work, it would be submitted for the specific appropriation; Laws seconded the motion, which passed unanimously on roll call vote. Salter said he would request suggestion for another attorney from A.P.A.C., and is open to suggestions from the Council. Arnold moved to release the $33,300 budget to O.S.F.A. pursuant to the resolution adopted previously; Williams seconded the motion, which passed unanimously on voice vote. NEW & MISCELLANEOUS BUSINESS: Laws moved to approve a liquor license request from Rebels Quicheville, 5 Granite Street; Acklin seconded the motion, which passed unanimously on voice vote. 7/19/88 P. 5 Regular Meeting Ashland City Council 7/19/88 P. 6 PUBLIC FORUM: Arnold moved to approve a liquor license request for a change of ownership for Bi-Mart, 2280 Highway 66; Williams seconded the motion, which passed unanimously on voice vote. Williams moved to place an ordinance on the agenda concerning setting a public hearing for the proposed annexation of property located near Highway 66 and Dead Indian Road. Acklin seconded the motion. Elerath asked staff if this was in the safety zone of the Airport and Public Works Director Hall said it would be researched. The motion passed unanimously on voice vote. The ordinance was read. Acklin moved to second the reading and Williams seconded the motion, which passed as follows on roll call vote: Elerath, NO; Williams, Acklin, Laws, and Arnold, YES. Mayor Medaris left the meeting at 9:50 P.M. Chairman Laws presided. Council A memo was read from Assistant City Engineer Jim Olson requesting vacation of an easement which is no longer needed by the City, involving tax lots 7803, 7804, and 7800 of assessors map #9BC. Acklin moved to approve the vacation and authorize the Mayor and City Recorder to sign an agreement; Willjams seconded the motion, which passed unanimously on voice vote. Council Chairman Laws openned the public forum section of the meeting. Mr. & Mrs. Vandervalle, 980 Tolman Creek Road, presented a petition from residents of Tolman Creek Road requesting Council action to abate the noise, pollution and hazards caused by trucks hauling material for freeway construction on the summit. A letter from David Zaslow, a business owner on Tolman Creek Road, was read. Arnold moved to place the issue on the agenda; Williams seconded the motion, which passed unanimously on voice vote. A lengthy discussion was held wherein complaints were heard, measures to abate by the project engineer were explained, and alternative routes discussed. On a question from Laws concerning controls, Police Chief Lively said there have been no violations of laws, and Council, by ordinance, has the authority to designate truck routes. 7/19/88 P. 6 Regular Meeting Ashland City Council 7/19/88 P. 7 The Project Engineer, Roger Cone, said they would provide a flag person at Bellview School. He said in 4 days the traffic will be cut in half and only empty trucks will be using Tolman Creek Road and a water truck will be dedicated to that road. After further discussion, Laws requested that Lively and Hall continue to work on the problem and act as contact persons. If an ordinance is violated, citizens should notify the proper agency. Arnold requested staff to look into the truck route ordinance concerning requiring trucks to use Highway 66 to Interstate 5 coming and going, and if Council has authority, to prohibit use of Tolman Creek Road. He requested staff bring a recommendation back to City Council. The public forum section of the meeting was closed. Director of Public Works Hall said Tolman Creek Road is a County road within the City limits and the the County controls the surface and City controls traffic. He recommended the City look into accepting jurisdiction. Laws requested that Hall confer with City Administrator Almquist. ORDINANCES, RESOLUTIONS, AND CON~RACTS: Ashland Mine Rd. Second reading by title only of an ordinance setting Annexation a public hearing on a proposed annexation on Ashland (Smith) Mine Road (Smith Annexation). On a question from Elerath as to the location, Hall said a map will be provided for the public hearing. Acklin moved to adopt, Arnold seconded the motion which passed as follows on roll call vote: Williams, Acklin, Laws and Arnold, YES; Elerath, NO. (ORD.NO.2459) Name Change "C" St. to Lithia Way Second reading of an ordinance amending the Municipal Code concerning parking restrictions with respect to changing the name of "C" Street to Lithia Way. Williams moved to adopt the ordinance, Elerath seconded the motion which apssed unanimously on roll call vote (ORD.NO.2460) OTHER BUSINESS FROM COUNCIL MEMBERS: Williams said he would not be at the July 17th meeting of R.U.C.O.G. and asked if someone else would attend. The meeting adjourned at 10:45 P.M. Nan Franklin City Recorder Mayor 7/19/88 P. 7