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Home My WebLink About1987-0901 REG MINMINUTES OF THE REGULAR MEETING ASHLAND CITY COUNCIL September 1, 1987 ROLL CALL Mayor L. Gordon Medaris was absent and Council Chairman Don Laws led the Pledge of Allegiance and called the meeting to order at 7:30 P.M. on the above date in the Council Chambers. Reid, Williams, Acklin, Laws and Arnold were present; Elerath was absent. MOMENT OF SILENCE Councilor Laws led in a moment of silence for Robert Bailer, a former City Councilman, who recently passed away. APPROVAL OF MINUTES Acklin moved to approve the minutes of the regular meeting of August 18, 1987; Arnold seconded the motion which passed unanimously on voice vote. COMMUNICATIONS, PETITIONS & REMONSTRANCES: Appeal of Planning A letter of appeal had been received from Robert Action #87-090 Fredinburg, 2275 Siskiyou Blvd., of a Planning Commission Action to allow a 62 unit apartment complex at Siskiyou Blvd. and Bellview Avenue (P.A. #87-090). A public hearing was set for September 15, 1987 at 7:30 P.M. in the Council Chambers. Rent Increases - Ashlander Apts. A letter was received from the tenants of the Ashlander Apartments concerning several recent rent increases. Sandra Lilligren, 2234 Siskiyou Blvd., #26, gave a brief history of the initial funding and building of the apartments and noted a 42% rent increase over the last two years. Laurie Terrall, 885 Clay Street ~132, told of the impacts on tenants and asked that the Council be aware of the housing crisis in Ashland. She also asked that a letter from the tenants to the City Council and news clippings concerning the owners loan from HUD be included in the record. Rich Rohde, 124 Ohio, and representative from Fair Share, spoke of Fair Share's concern for the tenants and asked Council to take a stand in support of them. Sharon Thormahlen, 80 Hargadine, told of her experiences as former owner of HUD housing and suggested issuance of building permits require input by City prior to owners opting out. The Council felt this issue was out of their jurisdiction but agreed to individually write letters of support for the tenants. Staff was requested to check into the alleged non- profit status of the owners of the Ashlander Apts. and will respond to the tenants with their findings. Acklin said the Planning Commission should be aware of HUD conditions on projects like this. Arnold thanked 9/1/87 P. 1 ~-'~lar Meeting Ashland City Council 9/1/87 P. ~ COMMUNICATIONS, PETITIONS & REMONSTRANCES: (Continued) Rent Increases the tenants for bringing this situation to Council's (Continued) attention, and Laws said to contact Councilors indivi- dually for letters of support. UNFINISP~RD BUSINESS: Trolley Buses A letter from Ron Salter stated if the City and R.V.T.D. could not agree on types of vehicles which could be used, an arbitrator could be appointed by the Governor to resolve the issue. Dennis Perkins, owner of Ashland Taxi Co., told of his concerns of the safety of the trolley and of duplication of services by the trolley and other R.V.ToD. buses. Acklin felt these issues should be taken to the Board of Directors of R.V.T.D. Williams felt no action should be taken by the Council, Acklin agreed. There was no further comment. NEW & MISCELLANEOUS BUSINESS: Model Conservation City Administrator Almquist briefly reviewed a memo Standards Sur- from Conservation Coordinator Dick Wanderscheid charge Policy regarding BPA's Model Conservation Standards Surcharge Policy. He explained that with the City's ongoing Super Good Cents program we would have no trouble meeting the conditions of the new surcharge policy. For information only, no Council action required. Appt. of Municipal Judge Pro-Tem A memorandum from Mayor Medaris was read requesting approval of his appointment of Pam Burkholder as Municipal Judge Pro-Tem, replacing David Orf who recently resigned. Reid moved to approve the appointment, Arnold seconded the motion which passed unanimously on voice vote. PUBLIC FORUM No response. ORDINANCES, RESOLUTIONS & CONTRACTS: Alley Vacation Councilor Laws explained that he and Councilor Williams off High St. had met with the property owners concerning their plans for a walkway in the alley. Sandra Slate, 342 High Street, told Council of she and Robert Sposato's plans to remove the curb on High Street (which City's concrete contractor will do) and hire a contractor to replace it in hopes of solving the erosion problem. The fence will be then be moved and a tree or landscaping planted at the bottom of the alley. Mrs. Slate said she had no objections to dedicating a 5- foot easement in the middle of the alley for a walkway. The Ordinance was read and Acklin moved to second reading. Reid seconded the motion which passed unanimously on roll call vote. 9/1/87 P. 2 Rr lar Meeting Ashland City Council 9/1/87 P, ~ ORDINANCES, RESOLUTIONS & CONT~ACTS: Amendments to Land-use Ord. (Continued) Ordinance was read amending the Land-use Ordinance concerning variances, site reviews and lot depth requirements in Residential Districts. Laws noted the language in Section 1, item C should have been changed to read "That proposed benefits will be greater than any negative impacts on the development of the adjacent uses and will further ..." as was proposed at the Aug. 18, 1987 council meetina. moved to Acklin second reading, Arnold seconded the motion which passed unanimously on roll call vote. Alley Named Woolen Way Resolution was read naming an alley off Nursery St. as Woolen Way, after early Ashland Pioneer Isaac Woolen. Arnold moved to adopt the resolution, Reid seconded the motion which passed unanimously on roll call vote. (Ref. Reso. #87-39) Protection of Rogue River A draft resolution from the Rogue Valley Council of Governments was read, concerning the protection of the Rogue River. The Council felt the wording was too restrictive and had concerns of how the City's sluicing program would be affected. Councilor Williams will report the concerns to RVCOG. No further action taken. Electric Rate Decrease A Resolution was read which reduces Ashland electric rates by 2% effective with meter readings taken on or after September 30, 1987. Fred Wilken, 515 Maple Way, asked why the rates had been raised four months ago and said citizens should have a more detailed explanation of this action. Councilor Laws said that, as a result of the rate increase in July, residents will be paying lower rates during winter months when bills are usually higher. Arnold moved to adopt the Resolution, Acklin seconded the motion which passed unanimously on roll call vote. (Ref. Reso. ~87-40) OTPwRR BUSINESS FROM COUNCIL MERS: Stairway - Pioneer Councilor Reid reported that the Parks & Recreation St. to Lithia Park Commission is looking into plans for a stairway from Playground Pioneer Street to the playground in Lithia Park. It was decided the issue should be referred to the Traffic Safety Commission to discuss the possibility of creating more traffic on Pioneer Street. Staff will pass this on to Ken Mickelsen, Director of Parks and Recreation. Abe Lincoln Statue Location Councilor Reid also said the Parks Commission is looking for input regarding the new location of the Abe Lincoln statue when it is repaired. 9/1/87 P. 3 F lar Meeting Ashland City Council 9/1/87 P. OT~.R BUSINESS FROM COUNCIL MEMBERS: Change of Liaison Appointments (Continued) Councilor Acklin requested a change in liaison appointments because of her new 1/2 time teaching job at Ashland Middle School. She has been working with the Hospital Board on their search for a new admini- strator and will no longer be able to attend noon meetings. She also thanked everyone for attending the Railroad Centennial Celebration. Energy Advisory Committee Mtg. Councilor Reid recently attended an Energy Advisory Committee meeting and talked with Norma Paulus, who she feels will be very helpful as Oregon's represen- tative on the Public Power Planning Council. ADJOURNMENT The meetinS adjourned at 8:50 P.M. Nan E. F~anklin City Recorder Don Laws, Council Chairman Acting Mayor 9/1/87 P. 4