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HomeMy WebLinkAbout1987-0818 REG MINMINUTES OF THE REGULAR MEETING ASHLAND CITY COUNCIL August 18, 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, Williams, Acklin, Laws and Arnold were present. APPROVAL OF MINUTES Elerath asked that Sentence 14 under "OTHER BUSINESS" be revised to show that Council had received the letter from the volunteer fire department in Guanajuato requesting fire equipment; and Council agreed that a letter should go out from the Mayor to local service clubs asking for assistance in the matter. Acklin moved to approve the minutes of the Regular Meeting of August 4, 1987 as amended; Reid seconded the motion which passed unanimously on voice vote. PUBLIC HEARING: Amendments to Land-use Ord. Planning Director John Fregonese gave the background and explanation of the proposed amendments to Chapter 18 of the Ashland Municipal Code, Land-use Ordinance. Councilor Laws suggested the wording of Planning Action 87-065, changes to Section 18.100.020 of the Land-use Code concerning negative impacts on adjacent uses, be amended to say that the proposed benefits will be greater than any negative impact. The public hearing was opened and closed, with no response from the audience. Elerath said the changes were good and moved to accept them with the wording changes proposed by Councilor Laws; Williams seconded the motion which passed unanimously on voice vote. An ordinance will be prepared for the next meeting. COMMUNICATIONS, PETITIONS & REMONSTRANCES: Croman Corp. A letter from Croman Corporation was read expressing Purchase of Propty. their interest in purchasing property on Mistletoe Mistletoe Road Road which they currently lease from the City. B.L. Kaufman, Croman Corp., told of plans to modernize the mill and said financing would be more easily obtained if land was owned instead of leased. On question from Arnold as to estimated cost of project, Kaufman said approximately three million dollars, and explained that no new jobs would be created, outside of the construction work. Kaufman also requested an extension of the lease should the sale not go through. City Attorney Ron Salter explained a public hearing is required by law in order to dispose of public property, at which time an appraisal of the property would be required. Laws moved to instruct staff to 8/18/87 P. 1 R~ ~lar Meeting Ashland City Council 8/18/87 P ~ COMMUNICATIONS, PETITIONS & REMONSTRANCES: Property Purch. Mistletoe Road (Continued) obtain evidence of the value of said property; Reid seconded the motion and asked if jobs would be lost as a result of the modernization, to which Kaufman replied that jobs would not be lost, but they will be able to make more lumber. The motion passed unani- mously on voice vote. Liquor License Application A memo was read which reported four years of delinquent property taxes owing on premises at 1474 Siskiyou, the site of The Bushes. Scott R. Bushnell, Lessee of the property, applied for liquor license which was recommended for approval by the Police Dept. Staff recommended the approval be tabled until property taxes were current. Acklin moved to approve liquor license application on the condition that the taxes were paid. Laws seconded the motion which passed unanimously on voice vote. Paving Cut Request Lit Way/Parker St. A letter from Carolyn and David Salisbury, 1716 Parker Street, was read requesting permission to cut pavement on either Parker St. or Lit Way for utility hookup, both of which are under paving moratorium until 1991 and August of 1988 respectively. Public Works Director Alsing explained that at the time of the Parker Street paving, the Salisbury's were not interested in developing the second lot. Arnold asked what harm would be done by waiting until August of 1988 to cut pavement on Lit Way, to which Mrs. Salisbury replied that the buyer would probably back out of the sale. Laws moved to grant the request; Reid seconded the motion which passed on voice vote as follows: Reid, Williams, Acklin and Laws, YES; Elerath and Arnold, NO. UNFINISHED BUSINESS: Non-laywers in Municipal Court City Attorney Salter reported that State Law gives the Municipal Judge right to decide if non-lawyers should be allowed to represent defendants in Municipal Court. No action necessary by Council. NEW & MISCELLANEOUS BUSINESS: Monthly Financial City Administrator Almquist reported that this is the Commentary final commentary for the 1986-87 fiscal year. Arnold moved to accept and place on file; Acklin seconded the motion which passed unanimously on voice vote. Finance Director Bob Nelson was commended for doing a fine job on the commentary. 8/18/87 P. 2 bar Meeting Ashland City Council 8/18/87 P ~ NEW & MISCELLANEOUS BUSINESS: (Continued) B.P.A. Rate Incr. Almquist briefly reviewed a letter from Bonneville Power Administration concerning their rate raise of 7.7%. The City has over-realized $92,000 over the past three months because BPA did not raise their rates as high as was projected. Almquist recommended a 2% across the board electric rate decrease for all classifications in the current Electric Rate Schedule, to be effective October 1, 1987. A proposed rate schedule will be prepared for the next meeting. Water Bond Re- payment Options A memo was read concerning repayment options on the proposed water bond. City Administrator Almquist reviewed the three options and his recommendation of using $81,000 of the June 30 fund balance surplus in the Water Quality Fund, and adjusting water rates by 6%. The latter would result in an increase in average residential water bills of about $.89-$1.07/per month. Almquist pointed out that the 2% decrease in electric rates would reduce utility bills by approximately the same amount. A brief discussion was held concerning areas to be benefitted by the new reservoir which will serve the northwest area of town, currently under water moratorium. Reid moved to accept Almquist's recommendation; Acklin seconded the motion which passed unanimously on voice vote. Naming of Alley Off Nursery St. A memo from the Ashland Historic Commission was read suggesting names for an alley off Nursery Street. The three names, Conway Alley, North School Way and Woolen Way each hold historic significance for that particular area. Reid expressed interest in asking the Historic Commission for assistance in the future on such issues, and moved to adopt the name "Woolen Way". Laws seconded the motion and it passed unanimously on voice vote. PUBLIC FORUM: Ashland Taxi Co. Re: RVTD Cable Car Dennis Perkins, Ashland Taxi Co., expressed concern about the cable car the Rogue Valley Transit District is using for service on Siskiyou Boulevard. He started a hotel/motel shuttle service about two years ago which runs all year long, and is concerned the cable car will have an adverse affect on this service. Mr. Perkins also expressed concern about the safety of passengers on the cable car. After a discussion about the City's right to control the configuration of R.V.T.D.'s buses, Laws asked that City Attorney Salter research the legal authority of the City, find what the intent of R.V.T.D. is concerning the bus, and submit a report for the next meeting. There being no further comment from the audience, the public forum section of the meeting was closed. 8/18/87 P. 3 ~ ~ar Meeting Ashland City Council 8/18/87 P ORDINANCES, RESOLUTIONS & CONTRACTS: Alley Vacation An ordinance vacating a portion of the alley between off High Street High Street and North Main Street was read. Arnold moved to pass to second reading and Laws seconded the motion. After considerable discussion concerning the walkway plans and if they would be carried through, it was decided that Williams and Laws will talk with the property owners and bring back a report. Arnold withdrew the motion and Laws seconded. The first reading of the ordinance was delayed until the matter could be settled. Hangar Purchase at Municipal Airp. A memo was read concerning a plan for purchasing open, closed and maintenance hangars at the Ashland Municipal Airport for a purchase price of $126,075.00. The FBO lease agreement provides for the FBO to collect and administer hangar rental fees, retaining 20% of same and returning 80% to the City. Rental fees will return approximately $18,000 annually to the City. Arnold moved to purchase the hangars for the price stated and authorize the Mayor and City Recorder to sign a contract with Southern Oregon Skyways. Laws seconded the motion which passed unanimously on voice vote. OTHER BUSINESS FROM COUNCIL MEMBERS: Gold Spike Mayor Medaris gave a brief reminder of the upcoming Ceremony and Golden Spike Ceremony at 5th & "A" Streets on August Forensics Lab. 26, 5:30 P.M. and the groundbreaking ceremony for the Groundbreaking Forensics Lab on August 27, at 10:45 a.m. Energy Advisory Comm. Meeting Councilor Reid asked the Council to contact her with any ideas they might wish her to take to the Energy Advisory Commission meeting she will be attending on August 28th. ADJOURNMRNT The meeting adjourned at 9:05 P.M. Nan E. Franklin City Recorder L. Gordon Medaris Mayor 8/18/87 P. 4