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HomeMy WebLinkAbout1986-0107 STATE OF THE CITYSTATE OF THE CITY JANUARY 1986 !O THE CITIZENS OF ASHCAN]7 IT IS ONCE AGAIN MY PRIVILEGE AND PLEASURE TO BRING YOU THE ANNUAL "STATE OF THE CITY" ADDRESS, I AM ESPECIALLY PLEASED TONIGHT BECAUSE ]955 WAS A VERY GOOD YEAR FOR THE CITIZENS OF ASHLAND -- THIS AFTER A Coop 984, TONIGHT'S ANNUAL REPORT CALLS BOTH FOR A REVIEW OF THE PROGRESS AND ACCOMPLISHMENTS WE HAVE MADE OVER THE PAST SEVERAL YEARS AND TO DEFINE BOTH SHORT AND LONG RANGE OBJECTIVES TO CONTINUE PROVIDING THE HIGHEST QUALITY SERVICES AT AN AFFORDABLE COST TO OUR CITIZENS, FIRST LET ME BRIEFLY REVIEW THE PAST FIVE YEARS, IN ~98~ I DEFINED IN ADDRESS- SiX CRITICAL NEEDS OF THE CITY AND RECOMMENDED PROMPT ACTION :NG THESE NEEDS, HERE ARE THE SIX ISSUES WITH A PROGRESS REPORT ON EACH: UPGRADING OF THE CITY WATER SYSTEM TO ELIMINATE THE LOSS OF MILLIONS OF GALLONS OF TREATED WATER ANNUALLY AND TO MAINTAIN ADEQUATE WATER PRESSURE FOR FIRE PROTECTION THROUGHOUT THE CITYj AND IN TURN PERMIT THE LIFTING OF THE WATER MORATORIUM IN THE SOUTHEASTERN PART OF THE CITY, PROGRESS; BOND ISSUE PASSED AND 2 MILLION GALLON - ALLEN ALSING WATER RESERVOIR COMPLETED IN APRIL 1985,' 2, INSTALLATION OF THE REEDER RESERVOIR GENERATOR TO PRODUCE 4 MILLION KWH ANNUALLY AND ADDITIONAL REVENUE FOR THE CITY, DEDICATED MAY 10~ ].985 WE ARE GENERATING ELECTRICITY FOR 2,Z¢ PER KW COMPARED TO OUR COST FROM B,P,A, OF 2,Q PER KW, ONCE THE HYDROGENERATOR BONDS ARE PAID WILL BE ONLY ~/~ PER KW - AND THIS SMALL EFFICIENT OFF~ OUR COST GENERATOR WILL SHOW AN ANNUAL PROFIT OF DEVELOPMENT AND AGGRESSIVE PROMOTION OF A CITY INDUSTRIAL PARK TO ATTRACT NEW INDUSTRY TO OUR CITY, PARK ESTABLISHED WITH THREE TENANTS, Q, CONSTRUCTION OF A NEW CITY WAREHOUSE AND GARAGE FACILITY AND A CITY YARD ON N, MOUNTAIN ADJACENT TO 'FItE CIVIC CENTER - COMPLETED, iMPLEMENTATION OF THE NEW MASTER TRANSPORTATION PLAN WHICH INCLUDES AN ON/OFF RAMP AF MOUNTAIN AVENUE & I-5, PROGRESS; PRELIMINARY TALKS WITH STATE OFFICIALS NOW UNDERWAY, -1- ADDRESS THE INCREASINGLY INTOLERABLE DOWNTOWN PARKING PROBLEM PROGRESS; ORDINANCE PASSED - EFFECTIVE JUNE }986 THIS WILL NOT SOLVE THE PROBLEM COMPLETELY BUT WILL PROVIDE }00 OR MORE DOWNTOWN PARKING SPACES DURING THE PEAK TOURIST SEASON, CHAIRMAN DON LAWS AND MEMBERS OF THE COMMITTEE ARE TO BE COMMENDED ON THEIR PRODUCTIVE WORK IN HELPING ALLEVIATE THIS SERIOUS PROBLEM, IT IS GRATIFYING THAT WE HAVE MET FIVE OF THE SIX OBJECTIVES LISTED iN J. gSJ WHICH HAVE SUBSTANTIALLY IMPROVED THE QUALITY OF LIFE FOR ALL OF C}UR CITIZENS, YES~ WE CAN BE THANKFUL WE LIVE IN ASHLAND~ HERE'S ONE GOOD REASON - WHILE OTHER COMMUNITIES ARE FACING SEVERE SERVICE REDUCTIONS, ASHLAND RESIDENTS AND BUSINESSES CONTINUE TO ENJOY ONE OF THE HIGHEST AND BROADEST LEVELS OF SERVICE IN THE STATE AT THE SAME TIME OUR CITY PROPERTY TAXES AND ANNUAL COSTS FOR ELECTRIC POWER ARE COMBINED, OUR CITY RANKS 48TH OUT OF 5} OREGON CITIES OVER 5~000 POPULATION AS BEING THE LEAST EXPENSIVE PLACE TO LIVE0 NOW LET ME TELL YOU OF SOME IMPORTANT ~985 ACCOMPLISHMENTS A VERY SIGNIFICANT EVENT HAPPENED ON APRIL ~6, WHEN THE CITY RECEIVED THE LONG-AWAITED CERTIFICATE OF COMPLIANCE OF ITS COMPREHENSIVE PLAN BY THE STATE LAND CONSERVATION AND DEVELOPMENT COMMISSION, THE COM- PREHENSIVE PLAN ASSURES THE CONTROLLED GROWTH OF ASHLAND FOR THE NEXT ~5 YEARS, WITH A REVIEW EVERY FIVE YEARS, WE EXTEND OUR DEEPEST APPRECIATION TO THE CITY COUNCIL~ STAFF, CITY COMMISSIONS AND COM- MITTEES AND ALL THE DEDICATED CITIZENS WHO SPENT COUNTLESS HOURS TO FORMULATE THIS SPLENDID ADMINISTRATIVE DOCUMENT FOR LAND-USE PLANNING, O AS OF MAY ~ ALL OF THE FLOOD RESTORATION BONDS ISSUED IN 1974 TO PROVIDE FUNDS TO RESTORE LITHIA PARK, AND ALL OF THE HOSPITAL BONDS iSSUED IN 1965 FOR THE CONSTRUCTION OF ASHLAND COMMUNITY HOSPITAL, HAD BEEN REDEEMED, THIS MEANS THE CITY OF ASHLAND NO LONGER HAS ANY PROPERTY TAX SUPPORTED DEBT AND IS NOT USING ANY OF OUR MORE THAN $~2 MILLION BONDING CAPACITY PERMITTED BY OREGON LAW, YOUR CITY HAS ZERO DEBT INSOFAR AS GENERAL OBLIGATION BONDS ARE CONCERNED, THE CITY'S REVENUE SUPPORTED BONDED DEBT TOTALS ONLY 4 MILLION DOLLARS[ LAST YEAR THE IMPROVEMENT AND CONSTRUCTION OF THE NORTH CAMPUS COMPLEX AT S,O,S,C, WAS COMPLETED, THROUGH THE COOPERATION OF THE CITY AND COLLEGE, A PLAN TO PAVE IOWA STREET BETWEEN WIGHTMAN AND WALKER; COMPLETE ~AVING OF WIGHTMAN TO S,P,R,R,; PAVE WALKER FROM THE JR, HIGH TO E, MAIN AND PAVE A PARKING LOT AT IOWA AND WIGHTMAN~ IN ADDITION A CONCESSION STAND AND PUBLIC RESTROOM FACILITIES WERE BUILT AND A BIKEPATH FROM EAST MAIN STREET ACROSS WIGHTMAN TO WALKER JR, HIGH SCHOOL THANKS TO THE EFFECTIVE DEDICATED EFFORTS OF A COMMITTEE COMPOSED OF COLLEGE AND CITY STAFF AND CITIZENS FROM THE COMMUNITY, WHICH WAS APPOINTED BY PRES, SICURO AND MYSELF, THIS PROJECT WAS COMPLETED ON SCHEDULE WITH COST SHARED BY CITY AND COLLEGE, TODAY THE NORTH CAMPUS COMPLEX IS A FINE, MODERN RECREATIONAL FACILITY OF SOFT BALL DIAMONDS AND PLAYING FIELDS WHICH WILL BE USED AND ENJOYED BY BOTH THE RESIDENTS OF ASHLAND AND STUDENTS AT S.O,S,C, FOR YEARS TO COME, SPEAKING OF S.O,S,C, WE WERE PLEASED THAT THE STATE BOARD OF HIGHER EDUCATION INCREASED FUNDING FOR STATE COLLEGES IN ~85 - WHICH PRO- VIDED MONIES FOR INCREASED SALARIES OF FACULTY MEMBERS - WHICH INCREASES WERE LONG OVERDUE. IT IS ENCOURAGING TO LEARN THAT S,O,S,C~S ENROLL- MENT IS UP 4,2% OVER LAST YEAR, THE COLLEGE NOW SERVES 8,269 STUDENTS IN BOTH CREDIT AND NON-CREDIT PROGRAMS, S,O,S,C, CONTINUES TO BE ONE OF OUR CITY'S GREATEST ASSETS BOTH EDUCATIONALLY AND ECONOMICALLY, THE SCHOOL'S PAYROLL OF 10 MILLION DOLLARS REPRESENTS THE COMMUNITY'S LARGEST SINGLE PAYROLL AND AN ANNUAL 70 MILLION DOLLAR IMPACT ON OUR COMMUNITY, I TOLD YOU EARLIER THAT THE LAST OF THE HOSPITAL CONSTRUCTION BONDS ISSUED 20 YEARS AGO HAD BEEN REDEEMED - LET ME GIVE YOU SOME ADDITIONAL FACTS REGARDING OUR FINE 55 BED CITY HOSPITAL - IT IS A VERY VITAL ASSET TO OUR CITY NOT ONLY AS A HIGH QUALITY MEDICAL FACILITY, BUT ECONOMICALLY AS WELL - WITH APPROXIMATELY 150 EMPLOYEES AND A 3 MILLION DOLLAR PAYROLL, IN 1985 THE OCCUPANCY RATE DROPPED TO 29% FROM 37% IN 1984, HOWEVER, ON THE POSITIVE SIDE, TOTAL OUT- PATIENT SERVICES INCREASED BY 22% WITH OUTPATIENT SURGERY SERVICES LEADING THE WAY WITH A 24,4% INCREASE, THE HOSPITAL ONCE AGAIN SHOWED A NET PROFIT IN '85 AND HAS ON DEPOSIT WITH THE CITY MONIES EQUAL TO TWO MONTHS OPERATING EXPENSE'AND $284]000 IN THE BUILDING FUND, THE HOSPITAL HAS A NET WORTH EXCEEDING 3 MILLION DOLLARS COMPARED TO $800j000 - TWELVE YEARS AGO, ASHLAND COMMUNITY HOSPITAL IS REFLECTING TIlE NATIONWIDE TREND OF INCREASED OUTPATIENT AND DECREASED INPATIENT SERVICES, WITH THE ADVENT TO DRGS (DIAGNOSIS RELATED GROUPS) AS THE MECHANISM FOR FINANCIAL REIMBURSEMENT THROUGH MEDICARE, THE HEALTH CARE DELIVERY SYSTEM OF THIS COUNTRY IS REVERTING FROM A STAGNANT INPATIENT CARE PROGRAM TO ONE OF OUTPATIENT INNOVATION, AS A RESULT OF THIS -3- TRENDING, ASHLAND COMMUNITY HOSPITAL FAIRED WELL SHOWING A SIGNIFICANT PROFIT FOR ALL OPERATIONS IN 1985, I AM CONFIDENT THAT UNDER THE DIRECTION OF OUR NEW HOSPITAL ADMINISTRATOR TOM MACK~ AND A VERY DEDICATED, CAPABLE BOARD OF DIRECTORS AND A FINE VERY PROFESSIONAL MEDICAL STAFF OF 30 PLUS PHYSICIANS AND SURGEONS THAT THE ASHLAND COMMUNITY HOSPITAL WILL CONTINUE TO PROVIDE QUALITY HEALTH CARE IN THE DECADE OF THE 80~S, NOW LET ME RELATE TO YOU SOME NOTABLE 1985 ACCOMPLISHMENTS BY EACH CITY DEPARTMENT: THANKS TO DIRECTOR BOB NELSON, HIS STAFF AND CITY RECORDER NAN FRANKLIN, THE FINANCE DEPARTMENT TURNED IN AN OUTSTANDING PERFORMANCE IN 1985, IN COOPERATION WITH CITY RECORDER NAN FRANKLIN, INCOME FROM THE INVESTMENT OF TEMPORARILY IDLE FUNDS REACHED A RECORD TOTAL OF $673,815, MOST OF THIS REVENUE WAS EARNED BY ESSENTIALLY NON-OPERATING FUNDS, SUCH AS CEMETERY TRUST, CAPITAL IMPROVEMENTS AND INSURANCE SERVICES, THE CITY SAVED $50~800 ON A PRESENT VALUE BASIS, BY ISSUING ADVANCE REFUND- ING BONDS AT A RATE LOWER THAN THAT OF THE ORIGINAL 1982 WATER SYSTEM IMPROVEMENT BONDS, ASHLAND IS ONE OF SEVEN AMERICAN CITIES REPRESENTED ON GOVERNMENTAL ACCOUNTING STANDARDS BOARD'S SMALL GOVERNMENTS TASK FORCE, ANOTHER CLEAN FINANCIAL REPORT WAS RECEIVED FROM THE INDEPENDENT AUDITORS, EVERY DOLLAR OF REVENUE RECEIVED AND EVER DOLLAR SPENT WAS ACCOUNTED FOR ACCORDING TO OREGON STATE LAW AND RECOMMENDED ACCOUNTING PROCEDURES, DEPARTMENT OF COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENT - THIS DEPARTMENT UNDER THE HIGHLY CAPABLE DIRECTION OF JOHN FREGONESE AND A DEDICATED STAFF HAD A VERY BUSY AND PRODUCTIVE }985, A, FIRSTj ACCOMPLISHMENTS OF THE PLANNING DIVISION: THERE WERE 106 PLANNING ACTIONS PROCESSED~ IN THE AREA OF LONG RANGE PLANNING~ WORK WAS COMPLETED ON SOLAR ACCESS REVISIONS~ REVISIONS TO THE PERFORMANCE STANDARDS ORDINANCE~ COMPLETION AND PUBLISHING OF THE SITE DESIGN AND USE GUIDE- LINES, DOWNTOWN PARKING STUDY, OREGON LOTTERY FUND GRANT APPLICATION AND THE BUTLER-PEROZZI FUNDRAISING AND RESTORATION, -4- THE BUILDING DIVISION WAS MORE ACTIVE THAN LAST YEAR, AS THE LOCAL ECONOMY RECOVERS FROM THE EFFECTS OF THE 80-82 RECESSION, A TOTAL OF 517 BUILDING PERMITS WERE ISSUED, AS THE DIVISION COLLECTED $75,000 IN FEES ON $6,8 MILLION DOLLARS WORTH OF CONSTRUCTION IN 1985, THIS YEAR ALSO SAW THE FIRST MANUFACTURED HOUSING DEVELOPMENT IN YEARS, ON TOLMAN CREEK ROAD, THE BUILDING DIVISION WAS RESPONSIBLE FOR IDENTIFYING AND CORRECTING FOUNDATION PROBLEMS BEFORE THE PROBLEM BECAME WIDESPREAD, THE CONSERVATION DIVISION IS THE ENVY OF OTHER UTILITIES, AND IN 1985 ROLLED UP A RECORD THAT WILL BE HARD TO EQUAL, IN THE SOLAR HOT WATER PILOT PROGRAM, ASHLAND IS THE SMALLEST UTILITY PARTICIPATING IN THE BPA REGION, WITH ]',6~F~OF-- THE ELIGIBLE HOUSHOLDS, WE GENERATED 302 OF THE INQUIRIES AND 56% OF THE SALES IN THE REGION OF SOLAR HOT WATER HEATERS'[~ NEEDLESS TO SAY, THE OTHER UTILITIES AND BPA ARE FLABBERGASTED AT OUR PER- FORMANCE, AND WOULD LIKE TO KNOW OUR SECRET, THE CONSERVATION DIVISION IS RESPONSIBILE FOR A BROAD-BASED BPA SPONSORED ENERGY PROGRAM INCLUDING WEATHERIZATION, SOLAR HOT WATER HEATING SYSTEMS, AND SUPER GOOP CENTS PROGRAM WHICH TRAINS LOCAL BUILDERS IN ENERGY CONSER ATION TECHNIQUES, THE CONSERVATION DIVISION HAS DEVELOPED A SUBSTATION LOAD COMPUTER MODEL, WHICH HAS BEEN USED TO MAXIMIZE THE FINANCIAL BENEFITS OF OUR HYDROGENERATOR, THE HOUSING REHABILITATION DIVISION WAS VERY BUSY OPERATING THE SECOND OF OUR LOAN PROGRAMS, THE FUNDING IS SCHEDULED TO RUN OUT DURING THIS YEAR BUT WE ARE HOPEFUL THAT ANOTHER GRANT MIGHT BE SECURED, TWELVE PROJECTS HAVE BEEN COMPLETED FOR A TOTAL OF $82,065'~OR LOW INCOME LOANS, FIFTEEN PROJECTS FOR A TOTAL OF $71,35 IN MODERATE INCOME LOANS AND FIFTY-SEVEN UNITS WERE COMPLETED LOANING $63,814, MOST OF THE HOMES WERE IN THE HISTORIC DISTRICT OWNED OR RENTED BY PERSONS WHOSE INCOME AVERAGED ONLY $11,000, NEEDED REHABILITATION BY A STATE GRANT, THE DIVISION ALSO OVERSAW A BADLY OF THE COMMUNITY CENTER WITH $55,000 FUNDED THE COMMUNITY CENTER OPERATION HAS JUST COMPLETED A FULL '{EAR OF ADMINISTRATION OF THE BUILDING EXCEEDING EXPENSES BY ALMOST $2,000 WHILE MAKING THE FACILITY AVAILABLE AT MODEST RENT FOR A BROAD RANGE OF COMMUNITY ACTIVITIES, -5- DIRECTOR JOHN FREGONESE AND STAFF MEMBERS DESERVE RECOGNITIO~ FOR A JOB WELL DONE IN 1985 - THE DEPARTMENT OF COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENT WITH IT'S 5 DIVISIONS PROVIDES MANY, VERY VALUABLE SERVICES TO OUR CITIZENS, ~ECTRIC UTIkITIES, THE CITY OF ASHLAND OWNS ONE OF THE BEST, IF NOT THE BEST SMALL MUNICIPAL ELECTRIC SYSTEMS IN ALL THE COUNTRY UNDER DIRECTOR AL WILLIAMS, ASSISTED BY RANDY STRINGER AND CREW, THE UTILITY IS CONTINUALLY UPDATED WITH NEW EFFICIENT TRANSFORMERS~ POWER LINES, POLES AND METERS TO PROVIDE SUFFICIENT AND CONTINUOUS POWER TO OUR CITY, WE SELDOM SUFFER AN OUTAGE DUE TO THE FAILURE OF OFASYSTEM - WHEN AN OUTAGE DOES OCCUR~ IT'S USUALLY DUE TO FAILURE OF LINES SUPPLYING OUR POWER, MOST IMPORTANTLY OUR ELECTRIC DEPARTMENT HAS AN OUTSTANDING SAFETY RECORD - 19 YEARS AND 9 MONTHS WITH NO ON THE JOB LOST TIME ACCIDENTS~ ~ PUBLIC WORKS DEPARTMENT PUBLIC WORKS ONCE AGAIN UNDER THE CAPABLE DIRECTION OF AL ALSING AND HIS STAFF, JIM OLSON, (ENGINEERING); EARL JACKSONj (STREET DIVISION) DENNIS BARNTS~ (WATER QUALITY) AND FI_EET MAINTENANCE TURNED IN A FINE PERFORMANCE IN 1985, SOME OF THEIR NOTABLE ACCOMPLISHMENTS ARE AS FOLLOWS: ENGINEERING DIVISION OBTAINED A GRANT FOR $225,000 AIRPORT IMPROVEMENT PROJECT AND THE ENGINEER- ~NG DEPARTMENT COMPLETED ALL DESIGN, LETTING CONTRACTS AND INSPECTION, T~tE PROJECT CONSISTED OF WIDENING THE RUNWAY TO 75 FEET~ LENGTHENING THE FAXIWAY TO THE END OF THE RUNWAY AND INSTALLATION OF A VISUAL APPROACH SLOPE [NDICATOR SYSTEM, DESIGNED AND CONTRACTED FOR SANITARY SEWER SYSTEM FOR FORDYCE STREET TO ALLEVIATE A CONDITION OF FAILING SEPTIC TANKS, DESIGNED AND ADMINISTERED THE IMPROVEMENT OF PORTIONS OF SIX CITY STREETS WiTH CURB, GUTTER AND PAVING, PLACE IN A STATEWIDE CONTEST STREET DIVISION I ONE STREET~ MORADA LANE,'RECEIVED THIRD FOR THE BEST CITY STREET PAVING JOB, C~3NSTRUCTED A NEW BIKEPATH FROM E, MAIN AND CALIFORNIA ST, ALONG THE RAIL- ROAD TRACT SOUTH ON WIGHTMEN TO IOWA AND ALONG IOWA TO WALKER EXTENDING BIKEPATH TO JR, HIGH SCHOOL, WALKER SCHOOL AND HUNTER PARK AREA, -6- STREET DIVISION (CONTINUED) CONSTRUCTED A NEW FUELING AREA FOR AUTO FUEL AIRCRAFT USERS AT THE MUNICIPAL AIRPORT, CONTINUED STREET RESURFACING PROGRAM WITH REVENUE SHARING FUNDS - SECTIONS OF FOUR STREETS WERE RESURFACEDj INCLUDING THE MAJOR PORTION OF ASHLAND ST, SNOW REMOVAL CAPABILITY WAS INCREASED BY THE ADDITION OF A MIDSIZED FOUR- WHEEL DRIVE TRUCK EQUIPPED WITH SNOWPLOW AND SANDER. FLEET MAINTENANCE DIVISION ADDITIONAL MAINTENANCE EQUIPMENT WAS ADDED AT THE EQUIPMENT MAINTENANCE SHOP FOR INCREASED EFFICIENCY. THIS DIVISION HANDLED 592 MAJOR AND MINOR WORK ORDERS FOR ALL CITY DEPARTMENTS DURING THE YEAR. WATER QUALITY DIVISION CONSTRUCTION WAS COMPLETED AT THE HILLVIEW PUMPING STATION. THIS ALLOWED ABANDONMENT OF FOUR TEMPORARY PUMP STATIONS IN THE SOUTHEAST SECTION OF THE CITY, A FWO MILLION GALLON WATER RESERVOIR AND ALLIED PIPING SYSTEM WERE COMPLETED IN THE SOUTHEAST SECTION OF THE CITY WHICH ALLOWED THE LIFTING OF A WATER MORATORIUM IN THAT AREA. THE WATER DIVISION TELEMETRY SYSTEM WAS EXPANDED TO INCLUDE WATER LEVEL READOUTS FROM THE EAST FORK AND HOSLER RESERVOIRS. THIS WILL AID IN EFFICIENT OPERATION OF THE HYDROELECTRIC GENERATOR. AS PREDICTED, THE NEW WAREHOUSE IS PROVING TO BE A HIGHLY EFFICIENT FACILITY F©R RECEIVING AND STORAGE OF EQUIPMENT AND SUPPLIES IN ADDITION TO VASTLY IMPROVED WORKING CONDITIONS FOR CITY EMPLOYEES. COMMENDATIONS ARE IN ORDER FOR WAREHOUSE SUPERINTENDENT MIKE BIONDI AND MARLO BLOUNT FOR A FINE JOB IN MEETING THEIR RESPONSIBILITIES. DEPARTMENT OF PUBLIC ~FET~ SINCE THE FORMATION OF THE DEPT. OF PUBLIC SAFETY HAS RECEIVED AN OVER-ABUNDANCE OF PUBLICITY, BOTH PRO AND CON, AS TO THE VALUE OF THE COMBINING OF THE MANAGEMENT OF THE POLICE AND FIRE DEPARTMENTS, AND SINCE THE BUDGET COMMITTEE AND COUNCIL WILL MAKE A FINAL DECISION LATER IN THE YEAR - I WISH TO STATE THAT I PERSONALLY APPROVE OF T!~E ORIGINAL CONCEPT OF ONE DEPARTMENT OF PUBLIC SAFETY - THE CITY CANNOT AND MUST NOT ALLOW THE CONTINUING ESCALATING COST OF PUBLIC SAFETY WHICH HAS REACHED $2,140,000[ -7- ~ ]~85 BOTH THE FIRE AND POLICE DEPT.S PROVIDED A HIGH QUALITY OF PUBLIC SAFETY TO THE CITIZENS OF ASHLAND - HERE ARE A FEW OF EACH DEPARTMENT'S ACCOMPLISHMENTS: TWE FIRE DIVISION HAS EXPERIENCED A 6~% INCREASE IN ALARMS THROUGH NOVEMBER OVER THE SAME PERIOD IN 1984, OUR LOSS RATIO TO VALUE AT RISK IS LESS THAN 1% WHILE THE AVERAGE RATIO IS 4 TO 8%, STRONG FIRE PREVENTION AND ENFORCE- MENT PROGRAM IS RESPONSIBLE FOR FEWER FIRES. SEVERAL OF OUR STUDENT FIREFIGHTERS GRADUATED THIS YEAR AND THEY HAVE BEEN REPLACED BY UNDERCLASSMEN WHO WILL BE WITH US FOR SEVERAL YEARS. THIS PROGRAI CAN BE HIGHLY COST-EFFECTIVE IN HELPING REDUCE THE COST OF PUBLIC SAFETY. THE COMMUNITY SERVICE VOLUNTEERS DONATED MANY HOURS TO PATROL THE ASHLAND WATERSHED DURING THE SUMMER MONTHS. THESE VOLUNTEERS LOCATED AND REPORTED A SERIOUS HAZARDOUS MATERIALS SPILL WITHIN THE WATERSHED AND THE QUICK CLEANUP SAVED FURTHER DAMAGE FROM THE CHEMICALS. THIS VOLUNTEER PROGRAM IS ANOTHER MEANS OF REDUCING THE MOUNTING COSTS OF PUBLIC SAFETY. THE FOLLOWING ARE CRIME STATISTICS FOR 1984 COMPARED TO 1985 FOR THE SAME PERIOD THROUGH NOVEMBER. PART ~ CRIMES WHICH INCLUDE MURDER, RAPE, ROBBERT~ AGGRAVATED A~SAULT~ BURGLARY, LARCENY, MOTOR VEHICLE THEFT AND ARSON) REPORTED IN ~985 INCREASED BY 5%, CASES CLEARED INCREASED FROM 2]3 IN 1984 TO 233 IN 1985. ?ART II OFFENSES WHICH INCLUDE ASSAULTS, FRAUD~ SEX OFFENSES~ VANDALISM, DRUG OFFENSES~ ETC. INCREASED BY 4,9% OVER 198% CASES CLEARED INCREASED ~ 133 CASES AND CLEARED RATES INCREASED TO 64, 9%, THE ABOVE FIGURES INDICATE THAT BOTH REPORTED OFFENSES AND NUMBER OF CASES CLEARED IS UP OVER THE SAME PERIOD BY ~% FOR THE YEAR OF 1985, EVEN THOUGH DURING THIS TIME 1,865 MANHOURS WERE LOST DUE ?O ILLNESS OR ACCIDENT~ IN ADDITION TO VACATION, HOLIDAY AND MILITARY LEAVE TAKEN DURING THIS 1~ MONTH PERIOD. THE COMMUNITY SERVICE VOLUNTEER PROGRAM DIRECTED BY JOHN D~ENTREMONT HAS PROVEN TO BE A VERY VALUABLE AND EFFICIENT PROGRAM. '[HIS PROGRAM TO DATE HAS 113 VOLUNTEERS REGISTERED AND A ~OTAL OF OVER SIX THOUSAND VOLUNTEER HOURS HAVE BEEN REPORTED THROUGH NQVEMBER OF 1985',' THE NATIONAL VOLUNTEER AGENCY IN WASHINGTON, D.C. RECOMMENDS USING AN HOURLY FIGURE OF $9.00 PER HOUR FOR VOLUNTEERS WHICH WOULD INDICATE THAT OUR VOLUNTEERS HAVE DONATED $57~000 TO THE CITIZENS OF ASHLAND. DIRECTOR VIC LIVELY~ CHIEF BERNARD~ CHIEF KING, STAFF AND EVERY P~)LiCE OFFICE AND FIREMAN MAY BE JUSTIFIABLY PROUD OF THEIR ACCOMPLISHMENTS AND PERFORMANCE IN 19~5. -8 -~' ~ENIOR PROGRA~ ALTHOUGH SUFFERING SEVERE BUDGET CUTS/CONTINUES TO MEET PROGRAM OBJECTIVES UNDER THE CAPABLE DIRECTION OF OUR NEW DIRECTOR BARBARA DUNLAP SUPPORTED BY A DEDICATED BOARD OF DIRECTORS, CURRENTLY, THE PROGRAM PROVIDES TRANSPORTATION TO MEALSITE, MEDICAL APPOINTMENTS, SHOPPING AND A MONTHLY TOUR OF SURROUNDING AREAS; INFORMATION AND REFERRAL, OUTREACH TO OLDER RESIDENTS TO ACQUAINT THEM WITH SERVICES AVAILABLE THROUGH THE PROGRAM AND THROUGH THOSE OF OTHER AGENCIES IN CACI<SON COUNTY; DOES ELIGIBILITY SCREENING AND TAKES APPLICATIONS FOR LOW INCOME ENERGY ASSISTANCE, CITY TAXI AND UTILITY DISCOUNTS AND PROVIDES F~ELATH SCREENING AND ASSISTS IN PUBLICATION OF MONTHLY NEWSLETTER AND CALENDAR, UNITS OF SERVICE AND NUMBER OF PERSONS SERVED ARE RECORDED DAILY THEREBY PROVIDING A MEANS TO MEASURE STATED OBJECTIVES WITH ACTUAL PERFORM- ANCE, DURING THE PAST YEAR~ MORE THAN ~500 OLDER RESIDENTS OF ASHLAND AND SURROUNDING AREA HAVE RECEIVED SERVICE THROUGH THIS PROGRAM, HOPEFULLY BY MY RELATING SOME OF EACH DEPARTMENTS ACCOMPLISHMENTS YOU WILL BE MORE AWARE OF THE EVERY DAY ACTIVITIES OF OUR CITY EMPLOYEES, SO MUCH FOR '85 LET'S LOOK TO THE FUTURE - STARTING WITH THE ECONOMY OF OUR CITY, IN ~985, ASHLAND CONTINUED TO BE BLESSED W~TH A STRONG ECONOMY, A NUMBER OF BUSINESS PEOPLE I~VE TALKED TO STATED THAT THEIR BUS!NESS LAST YEAR WAS AS GOOD OR BETTER THAN EVER, AND THEY ARE STILL K'F'TIMIST!C ABOUT C986, AND SO AM I'[ I PREDICT THAT ASHLAND'S ECONOMY WILL CONTINUE TO GROW AT A STRONG RATE IN 1986 - OPTIMISTIC BECAUSE '$~ WAS THE OREGON SHAKESPEAREAN FESTIVAL'S ~0TH ANNIVERSARY AND THEY HAD T~EIR GREATEST YEAR EVER, THE PUBLICITY ASHLAND RECEIVED FROM THE THEATRE CR[[!CS OF AMERICA'S MEETING IN ASHLAND AND THE RESULTANT POSITIVE REVIEWS OF 7HE 7HEATRE AND ASHLAND WRITTEN BY THESE JOURNALISTS FROM THROUGHOUT THE NATION; AND THE NBC "TODAY" SHOW JULY 8TH TOLD MILLIONS OF AMERICANS ABOUT THE BEAUTY OF ASHLAND AND OUR CULTURAL HERITAGE, THE LATEST REVIEW O~ ~SHLAND BY .THE SUNSET MAGAZINE (FOUND IN ALMOST EVERY HOME) WAS AN ADDITIONAL BOOST FOR TOURISM AS WELL AS ATTRACTING MORE RETIREES TO OUR COMMUNITY, ASHLAND'S ECONOMY HAS ENJOYED A SLOW, STEADY GROWTH OVER THE FAST FEW YEARS AND HOME CONSTRUCTION CONTINUES TO SHOW SIGNS OF INCREASED ACTIVITY IN NEW HOMES AS WELL AS RENOVATION OF OLDER HOMES AND BUILDINGS TC PRESERVE THE FLAVOR OF WHAT ASHLAND IS ALL ABOUT, LASTLY, THE EFFECTIVE PROMOTIONS BY THE VISITORS & CONVENTION BUREAU IS ATTRACTING MORE AND ~!ORE TOURISTS TO OUR CITY EACH YEAR, WITH THOUSANDS OF PEOPLE ENROUTE TO EXPO 86 IN VANCOUVER, BRITISH COLUMBIA VIA I-5 ASHLAND COULD ENJOY THE LARGEST TOURIST SEASON EVER, -9- ~(3 MUCH FOR THE ECONOMIC OUTLOOK - LET ME RELATE TO YOU SOME NEEDS AND t~,OBLEMS FACING OUR CITY IN ou:' · STARTING WITH THE FISCAL YEAR JULY 1986, WE WILL BE FACING A SHORTFALL OF $116,000 IN OUR CITY'S GENERAL FUND, THE PRIMARY REASON FOR THE SHORTFALL IS DUE TO NEGOTIATED COST-OF-LIVING INCREASES FOR OUR EMPLOYEE WHICH CONSTITUTE 75% OF OUR GENERAL FUND, COUPLED WITH THE FACT THAT WE ARE COMMITTED TO HOLDING ELECTRIC RATES AT THEIR PRESENT LEVEL, THIS MEANS THERE WILL BE NO GROWTH IN OUR UTILITY TAXES WHICH PRESENTLY CONSTITUTE OVER ]/2 OF OUR GENERAL FUND, THIS SHORTFALL WILL REQUIRE EITHER CUTS IN THE NUMBER OF EMPLOYEES OR NEW REVENUES TO MAINTAIN THE STATUS QUO, THIS PROBLEM WILL BE ADDRESSED BY THE CITIZENS BUDGET COMMITTEE THIS SPRING, THEIR TASK WILL BE TO EVALUATE THE VARIOUS ALTERNATIVES AFTER CONSIDERING PUBLIC TESTIMONY, ONE SUCH OPTION MAY BE A THREE-YEAR SERIAL LEVY TO MAINTAIN PUBLIC SAFETY STAFFING AT PRESENT LEVELS AS TO ADD BACK PERSONNEL AS PROPOSED BY THE TWO LABOR UNIONS REPRESENTING PUBLIC SAFETY EMPLOYEES, AS STATED EARLIER, I DO NOT FAVOR THE LATTER - WE CANNOT CONTINUE TO ALLOW THE ESCALATING COST OF PUBLIC SAFETY, ! THE UPGRADING OF THE CITY'S mATER~STEM MUST CONTINUE, THERE ARE MANY, MANY UNDERSIZED AND LEAKY PIPES THAT NEED REPLACING NOW, NEW TRANSMISSION LINES ARE NEEDED FOR BOTH THE NORTH AND SOUTH SECTIONS OF THE CITY, THE ADDITIONAL WATER WOULD NOT BE FOR "EXPANSION GROWTH" BUT WOULD PERMIT DEVELOPMENT OF LAND WITHIN THE CITY LIMITS THAT PROPERTY OWNERS HAVE BEEN PAYING TAXES ON FOR YEARS, THE NEW LINES WOULD ALSO SUPPLY ADEQUATE PRESSURE FOR FIRE PROTECTION TO PRESENT RESIDENCES, COMPLETION OF UPGRADING THE ENTIRE SYSTEM WILL NECESSITATE FUTURE BOND ISSUES TOTALLING $8'186,000, THESE BONDS WOULD PREFERABLY BE REVENUE BONDS NOT A TAX LEVY, TttE BUDGET COMMITTEE WILL BE ADDRESSING THIS HIGH PRIORITY OBJECTIVE IN THE MONTHS TO COME, · ANOTHER SERIOUS PROBLEM WHICH MUST BE ADDRESSED THIS YEAR IS THE FUND- ING OF SOCIAL SERVICES, WITH THE REAL POSSIBILITY OF REVENUE SHARING MONIES CUT BY CONGRESS~ THE SOCIAL SERVICE AGENCIE'S WILL BE IN SERIOUS FINANCIAL TROUBLE, WITH THE SHORTAGE WE WILL ALREADY HAVE IN THE CITY'S GENERAL FUND, THE BUDGET COMMITTEE WILL BE HARD PRESSED TO FIND ANY FUNDS FOR SOME OF THE MORE NEEDY AGENCIES, SO AS TO GIVE THE BUDGET COMMITTEE SOME HELP AND GUIDANCE IN ADDRESSING THIS PROBLEM I AM PREPARED TO APPOINT AN INDIGENT CARE/SOCIAL SERVICES COMMITTEE GHARGED WITH EVALUATING THIS PROBLEM AND GIVE ME A REPORT BY JUNE ~, [ WILLOFFICIALLY' APPOINT THIS COMMITTEE LATER TONIGHT, THIS REPORT OF CITY ACCOMPLISHMENTS WOULD NOT BE COMPLETE WITHOUT COMMENDING THE ASHLAND PARK COMMISSIONERS, DIRECTOR KEN MICKELSON AND STAFF FOR THE FINE JOB THEY DO EACH YEAR IN THE MAINTENANCE AND ENHANCEMENT OF THE BEAUTY OF LOVELY LITHIA PARK, THE REBUILDING OF THE SMALL INTIMATE JAPANESE GARDEN NOT ONLY ENHANCED THE BEAUTY OF THE PARK BUT PROVIDES A DELIGHTFUL SPOT THROUGH WHICH TO STROLL OR SIT AND MEDITATE, RESTORATION OF THE HISTORIC PEROZZI FOUNTAIN IS PROGRESSING NICELY WITH REDEDICATION CEREMONIES SCHEDULED LATER IN THE YEAR YES, LITHIA PARK IS TRULY AN INVALUABLE ASSET TO OUR COMMUNITY, IN CLOSING, LET ME EXPRESS MY SINCERE THANKS AND APPRECIATION 'FO MEMBERS OF THE CITY COUNCIL, CITY STAFF AND OVER lO0 CITIZENS WHO SERVE ON THE VARIOUS BOARDS, COMMITTEES AND COMMISS- IONS AND THE MANY OTHER VOLUNTEERS, FOR THEIR SUPPORT AND COOPERATION IN HELPING IMPROVE THE QUALITY OF LIFE FOR ALL THE CITIZENS OF ASHLAND, 1985 WAS A GOOD YEAR AND WE ARE COMMITTED TO MAKING 1986 AN EVEN BETTER YEAR SO AS TO MAKE ASHLAND AN EVEN GREATER PLACE IN WHICH TO LIVE, WORK AND INVEST, THANK YOU FOR YOUR ATTENTION AND VERY BEST WISHES FOR A MOST PROSPEROUS AND HAPPY 1986, L, GORDON MEDARIS