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HomeMy WebLinkAbout1987-0804 REG MINMINUTES OF THE REGULAR MEETING ASHLAND CITY COUNCIL AUGUST 4, 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, Acklin, Laws and Arnold were present. APPROVAL OF MINUTES Acklin moved to approve the Minutes from July 21, 1987 as written and Arnold seconded. The motion passed unanimously on a voice vote. ELECTION OF COUNCIL MEMBER The Mayor gave the names of the four people up for nomination for Position No. 3 of the City Council: Tom Lavagnino, Doug Morrison, Paul Fisher and Greg Williams. Arnold nominated Dou9 Morrison and Laws nominated Greg Williams. Elerath moved to close the nomin- ation and Acklin seconded. The vote was unanimous to elect Greg Williams who then took the oath of office. ELECTION OF PARKS & REC. COMB{. Almquist read the letter from the Parks Commission Chairman recommending Julie Reynolds for appointment. There were no other nominations from the floor and Reid moved to close the nomination. Acklin seconded and the vote was unanimous to appoint Reynolds. At 7:42 P.M., the Mayor turned over the meeting to Chairman Laws. PUBLIC HEARING: Vacation of Alley on High Street A petition was presented dated June 15, 1987 of those neighbors in favor of vacating the alley and a memo dated June 19, 1987 from Jim Olson was read. A Public Notice was published and the property owners were sent a copy of that notice. Robert Sposato, 334 High Street, illustrated the danger of traffic on the alley to pedestrians. He explained the petition and recommended a pedestrian walkway, suggesting it be called the Jane Pollard Walkway (who was the previous owner of his house and is now deceased). Elerath brought up the issue of the hedge on Sposato's property and felt this was an effort to keep the hedge. Alsing agreed that the hedge was not legal now but they were waiting to see if the vacation of the alley was approved before doing anything about it. Sandra Shea Slate, 342 High, expressed a fear for children playing in the alley when a car would turn down on the loose granite. She also indicated there were no signs or speed limits set for that alley. 8/4/87 P. 1 Meeting Ashland City Council 8/4/87 P. 2 Public Hearing Vacation of Alley on High Street (continued) PUBLIC HEARING: Proposed Election - Water Bond Issue Larry Cooper, 346 High, is only interested in the issue of safety. He himself uses that alley for a shortcut even though it is dangerous, with or without the hedge, and felt there would be a small impact on the number of vehicles using that alley. The Public Hearing was closed. Reid asked if the alley was closed, would the City reserve the right to a utility easement and would Ashland be responsible for the maintenance. Alsing said the City should keep the utility easement and the issue of maintenance should be addressed. Salter explained the definition of vacation of an alley stating that the vacated property of the alley would be split among the adjacent property owners but the City could reserve part for a utility easement. Acklin asked if this alley was on the City's transportation plan and Fregonese responded no. The issue was before Planning Commission but no actions was taken. It was also never brought up at any Traffic Safety Commission meeting. Arnold felt the "right thing to do" is rely on what Sposato is presenting, rededicate the alley and turn it into a walkway, and definitely reserve the right to a utility easement. Acklin moved to vacate the alley and allow for the walkway reserving the right to an easement. Arnold suggested that the property owners be responsible for the walkway and make the vacation effective upon the development of the walkway. Reid reminded the property owners that once the alley was dedicated to them, their property would be reassessed and their taxes would be increased. Laws felt the City should return the property to the neighborhood and give them the responsi- bility of it but the City should reserve the right to set the standards and define the nature of improvements before rededication. Reid amended the motion as such and Acklin seconded. Elerath voted no and the rest of the Council voted yes to vacate the alley with the added conditions. Almquist reviewed his memo to Council dated July 16, 1987 reminding them they must act at this meeting. Alsing went over the specifics of the improvements referencing the Comprehensive Water Plan. Half of the projected major projects were completed and illustrated in red (over $100,000). The minor projects (19 completed out of 45, all under $100,000) come out of the gen- eral budget. Alsing stressed two reasons for the 8/4/87 P. 2 R~ ~ar Meeting Ashland City Council 8/4/87 P. 3 PUBLIC HEARING: Water Bond Moratorium MEMO FROM MUNI- CIPAL JUDGE REQUESTING ORDINANCE REQUEST TO SUBMIT GRANT REQUEST FOR LOTTERY FUNDS bonds: 1) since the area is under moratorium, a reservoir would be necessary to take care of future development; nothing should be developed until this line is built from Crowson Road to Ashland; 2) the line from Terrace thru the park and up Nutley is 60 years old and needs to be replaced. Elerath asked if all the land was within the city and Alsing confirmed. Reid stressed the importance of having adequate water for fire protection. Alsing stated that the City received a dedication of a piece of property which would negate the need for an easement and allow for a pedestrian walkway. Salter made it clear that if Council did not act now, they would have to come up with an alternate plan. The Public Hearing was opened and closed with no response. Almquist read the resolution and Arnold moved to adopt it. Acklin seconded and the motion was carried unani- mously on a roll call vote. (Ref. Reso. ~87-38) Reid wanted to know how this would affect the hearing impaired or ethnic groups and Laws said it would not affect them. Arnold agreed saying that would fall under assistance and not representation. Laws said he would like to see the City stay out of this and that we should not get into enforcing/not enforcing monopoly. Arnold moved to request staff to bring ordinance to implement the Municipal Judge's request and Acklin seconded. Acklin and Arnold voted yes and the rest voted no on a roll call vote. Fregonese stated that this was an informal request at this time and would apply formally for lottery funds for downtown parking acquisition and improvement when the downtown plan was adopted. Right now he was asking for Council support to send letter for future proposal. He sees a direct relationship between infrastructure and jobs downtown. Elerath asked how many projects were being asked for and would they be confused. Fregonese stated two projects were currently requested which gave them a better chance of at least getting one. Laws doesn't know how this fits in with the downtown plan. Arnold supports the request and moved to authorize it. Elerath seconded and the motion was carried unanimously on a voice vote. It was further requested by Reid that staff follow-up on the possible use of the Elks Lodge for parking and the issue of "Love Notes" from Police Patrol when checking parking violations. 8/4/87 P. 3 R~ ~ar Meeting Ashland City Council 8/4/87 P. 4 REQUEST FOR LIQUOR LICENSE BY LABURRITA MEMO FROM COUNCILLOR ARNOLD CONCERNING AMENDMENT TO LAND USE ORDINANCE 18.68.120 Arnold moved to approve the request and Elerath seconded. The motion was carried unanimously on a voice vote. Arnold's memo was read along with the suggested amendments. Elerath said the City could get involved in a trap regarding the definition of poles/towers/antennas. Acklin said you can't limit the height in one part of the ordinance and then state no restriction in another (18.68.120). Laws clarified that we aren't looking to take action tonight but to get ideas and suggestions. Zelfa Hutton, 69 6th St., stated that she had been in the office to get copies of Minutes from Council Meetings on January 3 and 17, 1984 (attached as Exhibit A & B), regarding mechanical equipment and satellite dishes. She pointed out that the ordinance allows as an outright permitted use parabolic antennas under 3 feet in diameter, not 6 as was the case with PNB. She felt Council was trying to "fix" something that happened in the past. Acklin stated they weren't here to "rehash" what happened two weeks ago but to correct the ordinance so that it wouldn't happen again. Arnold suggested that Planning guide Council along the way and Laws recommended it be turned over to the Planning Commission, have them review the ordinance, and reword it in such a way to alleviate a future problem. Gene Marigan, North Main St., is a ham radio operator and has a 34' wooden mast that in no way could be defined as a tower. An antenna is supported by some type of structure and a tower can support an antenna but they are all different. He suggested that the nomenclature be selected carefully when rewriting the ordinance. REPORT BY COUNCILLOR ACKLIN RE: S.P. DEPOT Acklin reported that Southern Pacific was consolidating and getting rid of some of their assets, one of which is the railroad depot. They are offering it to the City for $1.00 if we move it within one year. The Historic Commission was not interested but would get involved if it were made into a museum. Acklin suggested that we write to S.P. to express our interest, and then have a public meeting to see who else might be interested. Fregonese said he felt it was an offer hard to pass up but the City should keep in mind of the liability and monetary obligation of moving or demolishing it if we could not sell it. 8/4/87 P. 4 R ar Meeting Ashland City Council 8/4/87 P. ~ S.P. Depot PUBLIC FORUM SECOND READING BY TITLE OF ORDINANCE AUTHORIZING IMPROVE- MENT OF P~RSEY ST. SECOND READING BY TITLE OF ORDINANCE AUTHORIZING IMPROVE- ~RNTS ON WRIGHTS CREEK RESOLUTION AUTHOR- IZING FUNDS & ACCTG. METHODS FOR 1987-88 RESOLUTION AMENDING ELECTRIC RATE SCHEDULES 25 & 30 LEASE RENEWAL 27 1/2 N. MAIN OTHER BUSINESS Elerath suggested exploring the possibility of a land purchase along with the depot. It was recommended that staff begin negotiations with S.P. and Acklin continue research for interested parties. No response. Arnold moved to adopt the ordinance and Elerath seconded. Williams abstained be- cause he was not at the last public hearing and the motion was carried unanimously on a roll call vote. (Ref. Ord. ~2423) Acklin moved to adopt the ordinance and Arnold seconded. Williams abstained be- cause he was not at the last public hearing and the motion was carried unanimously on a roll call vote. (Ref. Ord. ~2422) Almquist read the resolution and Elerath suggested amending Exhibit "A", ~2, by deleting "human resources development or other" so that it would read, "...transferred for pur- poses designated..." Acklin moved to adopt the resolution as amended and Arnold seconded. The motion was carried unanimously on a roll call vote. (Ref. Reso. ~87-36) Almquist reviewed his memo and read the resolution. Arnold moved to adopt it and Acklin seconded. The motion was carried unani- mously on a roll call vote. (Ref. Reso. ~87-37) Arnold moved to approve the new lease and Elerath seconded. The motion was carried unanimously on a voice vote. It was brought up that Spud Corliss questioned items being brought up and action taken during this time that might violate the open meeting law. There was discussion about moving "Other Business" to the middle of the agenda but that people in the audience might have to wait longer. Arnold said it was put at the end of the meeting for that reason and it allows Council to take their time. Laws suggested that this time be used for information only and that no items requiring action, i.e., policy or money, be discussed. It was recommended that the Open Meeting Law be reviewed again. ~.l~e_~h. received a letter from Guanajuato requesting fire equipment and felt it should be answered as soon as possible. Suggested asking local service clubs to get involved and letters be written asking for their participation. Reid referenced the P & R Minutes to the June 29th meeting and would like to find out the cost of adding orthodontia to their insurance. 8/4/87 P. 5 OTHER BUSINESS ( Continued ) Regarding the drinking fountain on N. Main at Granite which was destroyed by a car and replaced with a new one, it was suggested that since it was the last of the historic fountains in the area, it be maintained and recognized as such with perhaps a plaque. ADJOURNMENT The meeting adjourned at 10:00 P.M. Nan E. Franklin Cit,V Recorder < Don Law's, Chairraah' Acting Mayor 8/4/87 P. 6