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HomeMy WebLinkAbout1987-0707 REG MINMINUTES OF THE REGULAR MEETING ASHLAND CITY COUNCIL July 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. Bennett, Acklin, Laws and Arnold were present. Elerath arrived seconds after the roll call. Reid was absent. PRESENTATION FROM ASHLAND TEEN CTR. Patti Busse, Ashland Teen Center, thanked the Council for their continuing support and presented a certifi- cate of appreciation to the City. APPROVAL OF MINUTES Acklin moved to approve the minutes of the regular meeting of June 16, 1987. Bennett seconded the motion which passed unanimously on voice vote. PUBLIC HEARING: Hersey St. Impr. Water to Oak St. City Administrator Almquist explained that a public hearing was held previously on the improvement of Hersey Street between North Main and Water Streets, but in order to receive F.A.U.S. funds the City will need to include the section from Water Street to Oak Street in the project. The property owners have signed 55% in favor, with a guaranteed assessment of $25.00 per front foot. The required bridge over Ashland Creek will make the project more expensive for the City. The public hearing was opened. Fred Roberts, 143 Nutley Street, asked if the extension of the project would affect his building on Hersey St. and Director of Public Works Alsing stated it would have an affect, and the City would work with him on this aspect. On a question from Mr. Roberts as to how the bridge construction would be funded, Almquist answered it may be possible to get gas tax monies. Bennett moved to instruct staff to bring back an ordinance ordering the improvements, Acklin seconded the motion which passed unanimously on voice vote. COMMUNICATIONS, PETITIONS & REMONSTRANCES: Oregon Comeback Dr. Ralph Wehinger and Jim Massey, both of the Jackson Committee County Economic Development Council's Technical Advisory Committee, explained ~he Committee's efforts in identifying a strategy for application for economic development monies, pursuant to House Bill 3011. Forensics Lab On a question from Mayor Medaris as to when the groundbreaking for the new Forensics Lab would take place, Dr. Wehinger said possibly the first part of September. 7~7/87 P. 1 ~e 'lar Meeting Ashland City Council 7/7/87 P. ~ COMMUNICATIONS, PETITIONS & REMONSTRANCES: Winburn Way Pavement Cut Request (Continued) Everett Swain, Surveyor, spoke on behalf of his client, W.C. Alleman, requesting permission to cut pavement under moratorium on Winburn Way for sewer line and manhole installation. Acklin asked if the owner had been notified prior to the overlay of Winburn, and Alsing said possibly not because his property fronts on Granite Street. Laws moved to grant the request with condition that boring be done if possible; Acklin seconded the motion which passed on voice vote. Bennett, Acklin, Laws and Arnold, AYES, Elerath, NO. High St. Alley Vacation - Set P.H. Robert Sposato, 334 High Street, was present and said August 4, 1987 was convenient for him, as a date on which to hold the public hearing. He briefly showed the Council a drawing of the proposed plans for the alley. Acklin moved to set the public hearing for August 4, Laws seconded the motion which passed unanimously on voice vote. Parks Commission Procedure to Fill Vacancy A letter from the Ashland Parks & Recreation Commission was read concerning their procedure to fill a vacancy on the Commission, left by the resignation of Gary Nelson. Arnold moved to approve the procedure, Bennett seconded, all AYES on voice vote. UNFINISHED BUSINESS: Chip Sealing (Diane & Barbara Streets) A memo from Public Works Director Alsing was read concerning the chip-sealing program. Arnold said the problems on Barbara and Diane Streets should be dealt with now and a plan and deadline established. Arnold asked if quality of work on Laurel and Oak Streets was same as on Diane and Barbara Sts. Alsing said Diane is fine but Barbara needs traffic load to turn rock and work it into asphalt. Jerry Glossop, Street Division Foreman, explained that Diane needs traffic load and the oil needs to remain at constant tempera- ture for rock to settle in. Arnold asked if property owners present would like to speak. Jack James, 2999 Barbara St., said if the oil was bad the chip seal would never set up and suggested grading i~ o££. Wilbur Hart, 2797 Diane St., reviewed his letter to Council of June 24, asking why a relatively new street was chip-sealed instead of one in worse condition, what the City was going to do about it, and what the time frame would be. Alsing explained the process works best when used on a seven-year old street, prior to the start of deterioration. Mark Ahalt, 2970 Diane St., said this street only serves 16 residences and age of the street should not be the only criteria. Peter Messenger, 2959 Diane St., felt property owners should have been made aware of the nature of the paving prior to being done, and agreed that a solution was necessary, especially on Barbara Street. Alsing said supplier's representative looked at streets and said oil had been applied too heavily. 7/7/87 P. 2 Meeting Ashland City Council 7/7/87 P. ~ UNFINISHED BUSINESS: Chip Sealing (Cont'd.) (Continued) Council instructed staff to prepare report for next meeting concerning a reasonable time frame for the street to set up. City Attorney Salter suggested locating someone knowledgeable to decide if the oil was bad and how the street could be fixed. NEW & MISCELLANEOUS BUSINESS: Monthly Financial Laws moved to accept and place on file and Acklin Commentary seconded the motion, all AYES on voice vote. Land-use Ordinance Amend., Set P.H. Almquist recommended the public hearing be set for August 18, 1987 instead of August 4. Arnold so moved, Acklin seconded the motion which passed unanimously on voice vote. Wrights Creek Dr. Impr. - Set P.H. A Resolution setting a public hearing for July 21, 1987 was moved up on the agenda and read. Laws made a motion to adopt same and Arnold seconded the motion. Elerath left room at 8:55 P.M. Remainder of Council voted YES on roll call vote. (Ref. Reso. No. 87-29) Emergency Pvmt. Cut A letter from the Water Quality Division was read notifying Council of an emergency cut of new pavement made at 600 Ashland Street to repair water leak. No action necessary. Elerath returned at 8:58 P.M. Hangar Purchase Ashland Airport This item was deferred to the next meeting. PUBLIC FORUM: Request for Letter Recommendation Lance Pugh, Ashland Performing Arts Center, told of matching funds grant of $500,000 the Center had received, and the Center is now applying for $500,000 grant from the Regional Economic Development Council. He requested a formal letter of recommendation/support from the Council, who agreed to support the Center. A letter will be prepared over the Mayor's signature with a resolution to follow. ORDINANCES, RESOLUTIONS & CONTRACTS: Property Taxes First reading of an Ordinance levying property taxes from July 1, 1987 to and including June 30, 1988 was held. Bennett moved to second reading and Acklin seconded the motion. Elerath voiced objection to taxing people for police and fire services while providing money in budget for private organizations. Laws felt it was a matter of difference in priorities and the tax levies were for expansion of police and fire services, not funding basic services. Acklin said the levies provided approximately twice the funds as was given to private organizations. On roll call vote, Elerath, NO; Bennett, Acklin, Laws and Arnold, YES. 7/7/87 P. 3 Re~'~lar Meeting Ashland City Council 7/7/87 P. ~ ORDINANCES, RESOLUTIONS & CONTRACTS: (Continued) F.A.A. Grant Offer Almquist outlined the grant offer of $50,000 from the F.A.A. which was to be used to reconstruct the hangar taxiways and replace the airport beacon. This amount is 90% of the cost to do the project. The Resolution accepting the grant was read, Acklin moved to adopt and Elerath seconded the motion. All AYES on roll call vote. (Ref. Reso. No. 87-30) Economic Dev. Districts This item was deferred until Liz Shelby from the Jackson County Economic Development Council is able to attend meeting and further explain how the Oregon Comeback program and proposed Jackson-Josephine County Economic Development District will tie in. No action taken. Abstract of Vote Police & Fire Serial Levies A Resolution declaring the canvass of the vote at the special election for Police and Fire Serial Levies on June 30, 1987 was read. Laws moved to adopt same, Elerath seconded the motion which passed unanimously on roll call vote. (Ref. Reso. No. 87-31) OTHER BUSINESS FROM COUNCIL MEMBERS: Glenwood Drive A memo from Public Works Director Alsing was read Parking requesting amendment of Resolution No. 87-12 which prohibits parking on the South side of Glenwood Drive. Property owners requested the change. Acklin moved to place item on the agenda, Bennett seconded the motion which passed unanimously on voice vote. The Resolution, providing for the prohibition of parking on the North side and amending Resolution No. 87-12, was read. Laws made a motion to adopt; Bennett seconded the motion which passed unanimously on roll call vote. (Ref. Reso. No. 87-32) Request from Guanajuato Almquist referred to a letter from the Volunteer Fire Department of Guanajuato, requesting assistance from Ashland in obtaining equipment and protective clothing, and reported that Lee Roy King, Fire Chief, is looking into it. Elerath and Mayor Medaris voiced support of this assistance. Cable TV Rate Increase A letter from McCaw Cablevision was distributed to council which is notification of a rate increase for their services. No action necessary, information only. Ashland Community Hospital A discussion was held on a resolution prepared by Councilor Arnold concerning the Council's responsi- bilities toward the administration of Ashland Community Hospital, with emphasis on Council's involvement in the selection of a new Hospital Administrator. The Mayor advised Council that a letter was forthcoming from Walt Hoffbuhr, President 7/7/87 P. 4 Meeting Ashland City Council 7/7/87 P. ~ OTHER BUSINESS FROM COUNCIL MEMBERS: (Continued) A.C.H. (Cont'd.) of the Hospital Board of Directors, concerning the appointment of Robert Strowbridge as Interim Administrator until a replacement for Tom Mack, who recently resigned, could be found. It was agreed that the Hospital Board is doing a good job of running the Hospital and Council would like to show their interest and support. Acklin is ex-officio member of the Board representing the Council. City Attorney Salter said Cit~.,Ordinance provides for the Council to confirm appointment of an administrator. Laws and Acklin felt No. 2 of the proposed resolution should be deleted. Staff will bring the resolution back to the next meeting with the deletion of item No. 2. S.O.J.I.C. Update Arnold gave a brief report on the activities of the Southern Oregon Justice Information Council and told of a new program which will be set up on Jackson County's computers, and charged on a cost basis. He further explained it should be an improvement in the system and in a year should make better information available at lesser cost. Elerath asked for a written report of the Council's activities. Arnold will provide same. Ashland Library Acklin relayed a message from Bob Wilson, Ashland Library, that the new Library Director would be on hand Thursday evening, at the Library, to get acquainted. Tidings Reporter Chris Frisella, reporter at the Ashland Daily Tidings, announced this as the last Council meeting he will be covering for Ashland. Chris is moving to Anchorage, Alaska to work on a newspaper there. The Council thanked Chris for his excellent coverage of their activities and the City in general, and wished him the best of luck in his new position. ADJOURNMENT The meeting adjourned at 9:55 P.M. Nan E. F~anklin city Recorder L. Gordon Medaris Mayor 7/7/87 P. 5