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HomeMy WebLinkAbout1987-0407 REG MINMINUTES OF THE REGULAR MEETING ASHLAND CITY COUNCIL April 7, 1987 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. Elerath, Reid, Bennett, Acklin, Laws and Arnold were present. APPROVAL OF MINUTES Acklin moved to approve the minutes of the regular meeting of March 17, 1987; Reid seconded the motion which passed unanimously on voice vote. COMMUNICATIONS, PETITIONS & REMONSTRANCES: Tree City U.S.A. Proclamation Forester Tim Keith, of the State Forestry Department, presented the "Tree City U.S.A." plaque to the City along with the Tree City Flag. He then explained the requirements a city must meet in order to be so designated and noted that this is the second year Ashland has been named a "Tree City U.S.A.". Mayor Medaris read the proclamation proclaiming the week of April 5-11 as "ARBOR WEEK" in Ashland, and presented same to Mr. Keith. Michael Cady was introduced as Chairman of the Street Tree Commission in Ashland, and thanked for his efforts. The Mayor made note of the activities in Ashland during "ARBOR WEEK". International Week Mayor Medaris read and presented a proclamation Proc- lamation designating the week of April 20-24 as "INTERNATIONAL WEEK IN ASHLAND". Bob Bennett, the Foreign Student Advisor at S.O.S.C., and Ali Feizi, President of the International Club at S.O.S.C. accepted the proclamation. Mr. Feizi thanked the City for its support of the foreign students at S.O.S.C. Northwest Power Planning Council A letter was read from the Northwest Power Planning Council concerning a board meeting which will be held in Ashland on June 10 and 11, 1987. Reid invited the councilors to attend and noted she is the Chairperson of the Energy Advisory Committee for the League of Oregon Cities this year. For information only, no action taken. 4/7/87 P. 1 Regular eting Ashland City Council 4/7/87 P. 2 Traffic Safety Commission Recommendation Purchase of Bldgs. at Ashland Airport City Administrator Almquist read a memo from the Traffic Safety Commission requesting that parking be prohibited on the south side of Glenwood Drive from Beach Street to a point 437 feet easterly of Beach Street. On a question from Elerath as to the width of the street, Public Works Director Alsing stated it was too narrow for emergency vehicles with parking on both sides. Reid moved to request formal documenta- tion from City Attorney Salter for presentation at the next meeting; Bennett seconded, passed unani- mously on voice vote. City Administrator read a memo from the Ashland Air- port Commission concerning the purchase of buildings at the airport. Public Works Director Alsing explained that, in order for the Airport to be self- supporting, it would be necessary for the City to own the buildings and other income-producing structures, which is also discussed in the Airport Master Plan. On question from Elerath as to whether the FBO would make less profit if the City made more, Alsing noted this possibility had been explained in the proposal packets sent to interested persons, and the main- tenance hanger would be included. Acklin said the Budget Committee and City Council had been looking for a way to make the airport self-supporting over the years, and moved to authorize Staff to give the current Lessee 90 days notification of the City's intention to exercise their option to purchase the 60 x 100 foot maintenance hangar and two ten-unit hangars. Arnold seconded the motion, which passed unanimously on voice vote. NEW & MISCELLANEOUS BUSINESS: Set Public Hearing Budget Officer Nelson submitted a request to hold a on Budget Public Hearing on the Budget on May 26, 1987, at 7:30 P.M. Mayor Medaris stated that the budget is balanced and there being no objections, the public hearing was set for the date and time noted. Mayor's Appointments Mayor Medaris requested approval of the appointment of Suzanne Warner to the Street Tree Commission, Gary Mallicoat to the Traffic Safety Commission, and Linda Katzen to the Economic Development Commission. Laws moved to ratify the appointments; Bennett seconded and the motion passed unanimously on voice vote. 4/7/87 P. 2 Regula~ eting Ashland City Council 4/7/87 P. 3 Financial Commentary Historic Preserva- tion Funding PUBLIC FORUM ORDINANCES, RESOLUTIONS & CONTRACTS Planting/removal of Trees Downtown Parking District Laws moved to accept the monthly financial commentary and place it on file; Arnold seconded the motion, it passed unanimously on voice vote. Dr. Ralph Wehinger's presentation on Historic Preser- vation Funding for local districts was placed later on the agenda until he arrived at the meeting. Catherine Golden, 886 Oak Street, is a member of the Budget Committee and voiced dissatisfaction with the way the Budget Committee handled the funding of two fire fighter positions. Rich Hansen, 1390 Tolman Creek Rd., spoke about the fact that the voters had turned down the proposed increase in the Hotel/Motel Tax; yet Arnold is now proposing an increase to 8%. Don Rist, 310 Bridge Street, distributed a legal opinion on the use of Bancroft Bonding for the golf course expansion and asked that it be made part of the public record. City Attorney Salter noted the law allows Bancroft Bonds to be used to improve streets outside the City with County participation. Bob Brodeur, 1801 Siskiyou Boulevard, was not in favor of increases in the hotel/motel tax. Second reading by title only was given an ordinance amending Sec. 13.16.030 of the Ashland Municipal Code concerning the planting and removal of trees in public rights of way. Elerath expressed concern about having to obtain a permit to remove a dead tree. Michael Cady, Chairman of the Street Tree Commission, explained it was necessary to ensure that the tree was dead. Laws reiterated saying the pur- pose is to also ensure the tree is replaced. Laws moved to adopt the ordinance, Arnold seconded. The motion passed with Reid, Bennett, Acklin, Laws and Arnold, AYES; Elerath NAY. (Ref. Ord. ~2418) This item was postponed until the next meeting. 4/7/87 P. 3 Regular ~"~eting Ashland City Council 4/7/87 P. 4 Serial Levy for Police & Fire Svcs. City Attorney Salter contacted the Dept. of Revenue and explained that there are questions concerning the proposed levies which need to be answered. Laws moved to table this item until further information is received. Bennett seconded the motion. On a question from Reid as to whether tabling the motion would prevent people in the audience from speaking, Laws said it might be more effective to wait until the public hearing. Mayor Medaris then opened the meeting for public comment. Salter noted the motion should be withdrawn if a discussion was to be held. Laws moved to withdraw previous motion; Bennett seconded. Cliff Moran, 1193 Siskiyou Blvd., mentioned the Bud- get Committee's reversal of their March 30th decision to not place the serial levies on the ballot. He requested the Council to budget monies they receive and not keep coming back to the business people for revenues. Sharon Thormahlen, 80 Hargadine Street, said she had spent many hours getting further information on the proposed Hotel/Motel tax increase of 2%. Laws responded, saying this was an informal proposal which had not been placed on the agenda and the public would be notified when it is. Howard Wagner, 2520 Ashland Street, requested that the Fire & Police protection issue be given back to the Budget Committee. He feels there are funds available in the budget for this protection, and if funds cannot be found, other services should be trimmed. Laws stated he feels the Ashland Fire Department renders adequate fire protection without the addi- tion of two fire fighter positions, and when compared to other cities, Ashland is very adequately staffed in this department. Mayor Medaris explained that tabling this item would give staff time to get additional information. The public forum was closed at this time. 4/7/87 P. 4 Regular Meeting Ashland City Council 4/7/87 P. 5 Serial Levy for Police & Fire Svcs. (Continued) Hersey Street Reconstruction Canvass of Votes OTHER BUSINESS FROM COUNCIL MEMBERS EXECUTIVE SESSION HISTORIC PRESERVA- TION FUNDING Acklin responded to comments from the audience by inviting citizen input during the budget process and stating that very few citizens participate during that important time. Laws moved to table the matter of the tax levy inde- finitely, Acklin seconded the motion which passed unanimously on voice vote. A resolution was read concerning authorizing the execution of an agreement with the Oregon State High- way Division for the proposed reconstruction of Hersey Street, from N. Main to Water Street, under the F.A.U.S. program. Acklin moved to adopt the resolution, Bennett seconded, all AYES on voice vote. (Ref. Reso. 087-08) A resolution was read declaring the canvass of votes at the special election held in and for the City of Ashland on March 31, 1987. Arnold moved to adopt the resolution, Laws seconded. Passed unanimously on voice vote. (Ref. Reso. 087-09) Reid expressed concern about the tabling of the serial levy and how the two fire fighter positions might be funded if not placed on the ballot. Arnold requested staff to obtain information from the Fire Department Staff on their personnel deployment plan. The meeting adjourned to the Executive Session at 8:51 P.M. and reconvened at 9:05 P.M. Laws moved to place on the agenda the matter of authorizing the Mayor and City Recorder to sign docu- ment deeding the proposed golf course land back to Mr. and Mrs. Toney. The motion was seconded by Acklin; all AYES on voice vote. Dr. Ralph Wehinger explained the proposed changes in the Southern Oregon Historical Society's funding system whereby citizens of local outlying communities would be more involved in selecting and implementing 4/7/87 P. 5 Regular "qeting Ashland City Council 4/7/87 P. 6 Historic Preservation Funding (Continued) historic programs in their communities. Wehinger noted that the Jackson County Commissioners had re- quested the SOHS to develop a plan for returning tax revenues to local historic districts. Acklin said she had contacted the Southern Oregon Historical Society and learned that Ashland might not fare so well under the proposed formula and she feels Wehinger should be working with their Board of Direc- tors. Arnold stated the issue should be postponed until a member of the SOHS could be present. Reid mentioned that the satellite museum in the Swedenburg House would not be affected because of a long-term contract with SOSC. ADJOURNMENT The meeting adjourned at 9:17 P.M. City Recorder L. Gordon Medaris Mayor 4/7/87 P. 6