Loading...
HomeMy WebLinkAbout1987-0203 REG MINMINUTES OF THE REGULAR MEETING ASHLAND CITY COUNCIL February 3, 1987 ROLL CALL Mayor 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, Bennett, Acklin, Laws and Arnold were present. .APPROVAL OF MINUTES Arnold asked that the first sentence on page four of the minutes of the regular meeting of January 20, 1987 be corrected to read "affected" rather than "effected". Bennett moved to approve minutes of the executive session and regular meeting as corrected; Acklin seconded the motion which passed unanimously on voice vote. Pb~LIC HEARING Golf Course Expansion Planning Director Fregonese reviewed the memo from the Golf Course Committee dated January 20, 1987 as included in the agenda. Freg- onese said that the 1% increase in hotel/motel tax would pay off an intra-fund loan to purchase the property for the proposed expans- ion of the golf course at a cost of $320,000. Fregonese reviewed the payoff schedule at 1% increase of the H/M tax noting that the repayment would take place by 1998 if the 1% Drevails, and in 1995 should the increase be 3% per year. Fregonese went on to explain the bond costs for a period of 30 years and showing how in 1990 the first full year of course operation when the fees will cover all expenses and bond payment costs. Ken Mickelson, Parks & Recreation Director and member of the Golf Course Committee reported that statistics from the National Golf Foundation included the fact that an eighteen hole golf course needs 25,000 people to support it and that the Rogue Valley has a population of about 150,000 and it doesn't have an eighteen-hole municipal course. Mickelson said in talking to someone in South Dakota who was involv- ed in expansion of a golf course and experienced an increase of 30% play. Mickelson said that 40,000 rounds of play are expected and that more play is anticipated on the 18 hole course because golfers for the most part would prefer to play an 18-hole course than to play two nines. Mickelson said the course is now playing at capacity. Mickelson said that 99 season's tickets will be available for people who play on a frequent basis and would be reserved for residents of the City and then apened to the public. The public hearing was opened. Fred Wilken, 515 Maple Way, said he has played on golf courses from Shastina to Grants Pass and asked Councilors if they've heard of the financial troubles of municipal courses today as recently reported in the San Francisco Chronicle and said the only ones making money are the property owners, Wilken noted that Arnold Palmer's research showed the play would not be here and decided not to develop a course. Wilken said Cedar Links is a better course and that private individuals should take golf courses over° 2/3/87 P. 1 Re5ul~ Meeting Ashland City Council 2/3/87 Po 2 Howard Wagner, Manager of the Flagship Inn, asked what would happen if the proposed hotel/motel tax is defeated and the land could not be acquired and Acklin said the committee would have to go back to PUBLIC HEARING the drawing board. On question as to how many golfers are in Ash- Golf Course Expansion land, Wagner was told there are about 12%. Denise Miller, speaking for the League of Women Voters asked about irrigation and how the heavy use of water will affect the users downstream° The City Administrator said there are irrigation rights and that sprinkling will be done rather than flood irriga- tion used in the past. Acklin said the stream quality will improve with sprinkling as flood irrigation leaches all chemicals etco into the stream. Miller asked if Bancroft Bonding could be used outside the City and Almquist noted that the law provides for such a course of action with approval from Jackson County. On a questior as to whether those arrangements have been made, Almquist said that first the election results should be in and then proceed from there. Sharon Thormahlen, 80 Hargadine, said she had collected signatures for the Hotel/Motel tax referendum and that she would hope the ballot title will not have an ambiguous option for voting. Thorma- hlen also noted that the 12,000 rounds of golf during a distressed economy could be repeated in the near future. Sherman Gardner had questions as to how the proposal would affect the citizens of Ashland relative to property taxes and was told that the 6% limitation he had referred to is not related to Bancroft bonding. A1 Willstatter asked if the projections given are valid and wondered if the South Dakota golf course mentioned is close to other courses and asked for more information on how the course is managed. Gary Jones, 345 Kent Street, said he was involved in the Jackson Road Golf Course planned for Billings ranch property and that a feasibility study had been done showing that the community could support three 18-hole golf courses and people would come to Oak Knoll from all over the valley and Northern California. Jones said the problem with putting the Billings course together was the timing (1980-82) and the fact that they were asking $3,500 for memberships along with an additional $60 per month and at that time that was too much money to ask. Elerath asked Jones if he had heard of other courses being planned and he said he had heard talk but nothing concrete. Miller asked what would happen if the conservative estimates/worst scenario took place and was told by the City Administrator that the fees would be raised. Laws noted that if nothing else worked, the taxpayers could be asked for funds. Fregonese said that if no growth occurred at all there would be enough money for bonding payback but also that maintenance budget could be cut. Peter Zukis said that the course is overbooked now and to expand it would be a money-maker for the City. Craft agreed saying that he plays several times a week and the City would bring in revenue. 2/3/87 P. 2 {~uiar Meeting Ashland City CouDci! 2/3/87 P. 3 Golf Course Expansion continued At this point the Mayor closed the public hearing and said that this Council is responsible for furnishing recreation for its citizens and that a swimming pool, tennis courts, ball parks and bike paths have been made available at no cost to the people in tax monies. Acklin said the golf course committee has worked for four years on various proposals and feels this plan to fulfill the commission by Council as to what it asked it to do. Arnold said he is in favor and campaigned in~-~ of the land acquisition and that he wants a feasibility ~ecause of the City's posture in the proposal. Laws said he is pleased there will be a vote by the people on the proposal and that since the state of the economy at any given time cannot be determined, he said the advantages and disadvantages must be considered and then a decision reached. Laws said he is in favor of the proposal. Bennett said she is basicly in favor and the City's past experi- ence points to successful results and she feels this will be the same. Reid said she is waiting for conclusion of negotiations with Lessee Buddy Sullivan. Elerath said he is in favor of making the facility available° The Mayor said that the final decision will be made at the next regular meeting on February 17. UNFINISHED BUSINESS Susan Lane Impr. cont. The City Administrator noted he had just received a long letter from Ron Kramer et al relative to the street design of the proposed improvements of Susan Lane. It was decided that the matter should be placed on the next agenda to give Council suffinient time to study the five page letter. Financial Commentary Reid had questions on the monthly financial commentary as submitted by Director of Finance Nelson and it was suggested that she con- tact Nelson for explanation. MAYOR'S APPOINTMENTS PUBLIC FORUM Budget Committee Medaris appointed Steve Lunt to the Hospital Board and David Bern- ard to the Planning Commission. Bennett moved to approve appoint- ments; Acklin seconded the motion which passed unanimously on voice vote. Vicki Van Bravo, 855 B Street asked that Council reconsider recent appointments to the Budget Comm{ttee saying that the composition of the Budget Committee is out of balance because of only one business person represented at this time and ask that one appointment be rescinded to replace with business person. Laws said it would be embarrassin to reverse such a decision and said the next opening on the Coxv~n~ttee would lend such opportunity for that balance. The Public Forum closed at this point. ~ Regular ~'Leeting Ashland City Council 2/3/87 P. 4 ORDINANCES, RESOLUTIONS & CONTRACTS Second reading by title only was given an Ordinance electing to receive State Revenue Sharing and Arnold moved to adopt; Laws State Revo Sharing seconded the motion which passed unanimously on roll call vote. (Ref. Ord. 2413) Susan Lane Improve° McCaw Cablevision transfer of ownership Postponed to study new information. First reading was given an ordinance transfering ownership and assignment of rights to Cooke CableVision. Arnold moved to delete the second paragraph; Bennett seconded the motion and Council agreed. Arnold moved to second reading; Bennett seconded the motion which passed unanimously on roll call vote. Resolution calling for Special Election Postponed for conclusion of negotiations regarding equipment etc. with Lessee. Senior Program Grant A resolution increasing revenue estimates and authorizing expendi- ture of grant proceeds for the Senior Program was read and Bennett moved to adopt; Acklin seconded which passed unanimously on roll call vote. (Ref. Res. 87-01). Reeder Hydro A resolution accepting Construction of Reeder Gulch Hydro-Electric Project Contract No. 1 was read and Bennett moved to approve; Aeklin seconded the motion which passed unanimously on roll call vote. (Ref. Res. 87-02). OTHER BUSINESS Reid noted that Traffic.S~{%~ Commission Minutes and others have ubm~tte to Co cxl been s ' d un ' an in the case of Traffic Safety the actions of the Commission would be helpful for Council in making decisions. Director of Public Works Alsing said that because of the meeting time there is a lag and they don't get in until the following meeting. Bennett said she tries to report to Council on RVCOG meetings to give an overview of business taking place at those meetings. ADJOURNMENT The meeting adjourned at 9:30 P.M. Nan Eo Franklin L. Gordon Medaris City Recorder Mayor 2/3/87 P. 4