Loading...
HomeMy WebLinkAbout1986-0204 REG MINMINUTES OF THE REGULAR MEETING ASHLAND CITY COUNCIL February 4, 1986 ROI qi\] d~ ACKNOW7 !:DGE.~NT APP[(~VAL OF MINIrYES STATF II[STORIC NOMINATION ENDF RS BUILI)INC att ,'f llqY STPolET CLOSURE Mayor Medaris led the Pledge of Allegiance and called the meet- ing to order at 7:30 P.M., on the above date in the Council Chambers and Elerath, Reid, Bennett, Acklin, Laws and Smith were present. Mayor Medaris noted that as Architect for the Community Center building renovation, Joyce Ward had inadvertantly been left off the acknowledgement list and expressed gratitude for the fine contribution Ward had made as Architect on the project. Smith moved to approve minutes of the regular meeting of January 21, 1986; Bennett seconded the motion which passed unanimously on voice vote,, A letter was read from the State Historic Preservation Office relative to the nomination of the Enders Building to the Nat- ional Register of Historic Places and Almquist noted that the Council is getting the option of voting on the measure because the deadline would not permit it to pass to Historic Commission first. Laws expressed concern that if every historic building ~s placed on the register the impact on other taxpayers would eventually be a burden~ Reid contended that the freezing of taxes could work in City's favor should taxes be lowered~ Reid went on to say that the request should not be held up since there has been no advance notice that it would be questioned before tonight Laws said he has expressed concern on the same issue when other requests have been considered. Acklin agreed the request on the Enders Building should not be held up but that after the present inventory of historic buildings becomes avail- able and a report comes from Planning Director Fregonese the rationale can be reconsidered with the statistics in hand. Acklin moved to approve subject to the Historic Commissions approval and requested the results of the study and report on the subject; Bennett seconded the motiou. On voice vote all voted in favor with the exception of Elerath and the motion carried. A request by the 4th of July Committee requesting closure of E. Main St, and Siskiyou Blvd., from the Plaza to Mountain Avenue from 8 a.m. to ]2 noon; closure of the Plaza area and Winburn Way from 6 a.mo to 6 p.m. and authorization to call upon commercial towing companies to remove vehicles from the Plaza, Winburn Way and the City parking lots off Winburn Way during the bouts noted was considered and Smith moved for approval; Bennett seconded the motion which passed unanimously on voice vote~ 2/4/86 P. 1 ~:u~:r ' ~:~hlaad (it,' Counc~J 2/4/86 1% 2 ASHLAND SHOPPINC CENTER UTILITY ACCOIqgTS/EQUIP. SUPE :OOD CENTS AWARD M£ I ,,, / \BLEVISION REPORT [AL WASTE ;!OS ,'. laD. \iTOiNTMllNT A letter from Marion Krebs, owner of the Ashland Shopping Center requesting that the City take over the equipment and billing of tenants was read as was a memo from Director of Electric Utilities Williams which recommended approval of the request~ Almquist noted that the shopping center was one of two entities in the City which was grandfathered in when the City's policy was set to control all utilities and billing. Council discussed the issue of deposits and Almquist noted that most deposits of present tenants had already been returne~ and didn't see a problem with the request. On question of Laws as to whether the request would create a drop in revenue, Alm- quist said the installation is in good repair and the City would be recalibrating the meters at a later date which is routiae. Bennett moved to approve request; Elerath seconded the motion which passed unanimously on voice vote. A letter announcing the 1985 Super GOOD CENTS Program special recognition award to be presented Conservation Director Wander- scheid was read. Smith said she would like to see a story in the Daily Tidings on the award saying the Ashland Conservation Program has been unique and a leader in the West. Reid com- mended the Community Development Department and builders involved. A letter updating the joint effo[ts with Pacific Power, Pacific Northwest Bell and C P National/ ~ave drop boxes for customer convenience was read noting that when a contractor is decided on that boxes will be made in a few weeks and hopefully will be in place by the end of February. Laws asked the City Administator to consider the method for utility payments for the City and Almquist said he would report back on the proposal etc. For information only - no action necessary~ Director of Public Works Als£ng's memo relative to need for pretreatment regulations of industrial waste was read and Alslng said that although there is no industry at this time creating exotic waste products, the City would be in a posi- tion to give such service should the need arise in the future and an ordinance which would implement the pretreatment pro- cess would be helpful as a guideline. After Council discuss- ion Bennett moved to hold in abeyance; Reid seconded the motion. Acklin noted that she had made available an article wh:ich illustrates the usa of sludge in manufacturing certain products from the resource On voice vote the motion passed without oppositJon~ Mayor Medarls accepted the resignation of Dawn Tooker from the llospit'ffI Board and asked confirmation of the appointment of Frances Wiley noting she had almost 24 years of experience with the University of California Medical Center School of Nursing. On question of affiliation at the U.C.MoCo the }laver said she was in Administration of Nursing School. 2/4/86 P~ 2 HOSFIqAL BOARD 'JRAFFi,~ SAFETY RECO~EqENDA- '"IONS Reid asked the Mayor if someone on the Hospital Board had also been appointed to another committee and the Mayor explained that the ordinance creating the Hospital Board specifies that one member also be on the Audit Committee. Nmyor Medaris added that in the case of the appointment of Dick Reeve to both positions that Reeve has asked that he not represent the Board on the Audit Committee and that another recommendation for that position will be submitted shortly. The Mayor noted that Attorney Tom Howser had requested that he be appointed Judge Pro rem for February 14, 1986 only in order to perform a marriage ceremony for a friend and recommended approval~ Smith moved to approve; Laws seconded the motion which passed unanimously on voice vote. Almquist read a memo from the Traffic Safety Commission outlin- ing five recommendations. Recommendation No. 1 calling for the first two parking spaces on the south side of Siskiyou Blvd. easterly from Tolman Creek Road be designated as loading zones between the hours of 8:00 A.M. and 6:00 PoMo for vision ulearance purposes and for safety of school children was consldered~ Bennett moved to approve; Reid seconded the motion~ Smith said the present owner of the property was most cooperative having met with the TSC and the recommenda- tion will help until a traffic light is installed at that locatioo. Smith said that people picking up children were asked to do so below Tolman Creek Road rather than across the street to further safeguard the schoolchildren. On voice vote the motion passed unanimously. On recommendation to install yield signs on Scenic Drive where it enters Nutley, Laws moved to approve; Bennett seconded the motion which passed unanimously on voice vote. Parking on the northerly side of Auburn Street was recommended noting that the street serves only a few houses and is not a collector or arterial street was considered and Elerath moved to approve; Laws seconded the motion which passed unanimously on voice vote. The fourth recommendation was reduction of speed on E. Main Street between the railroad and Walker and it was noted there would be sufficient signing to alert drivers° Bennett moved to approve; Smith seconded the motion. It was noted that the area is not a heavy traffic area but Alsing noted that once the proposed Armory is installed, traffic will lncrease appreciably. On voice vote the motion passed with- out opposition. The last recommendation deale with the fact that the proposed traffic signals at Tolman Creek Road and SSskiyou and at Walker and Siskyou have been dropped from the State Uighway DivSsion's Six Year Plan. It was noted th:~t the program does include replacement of the traffic signal it WSghtman & Siskiyou and that replacement of the traffic sSgn~]a at Beach St. & Siskiyou are being considered. ....... continued 214186 S'rA' ii HWY 6 YR PLAN SN~}~ Shared Revenues L.I. } },o. 56 St. Tram, R:r of Appropriations C I .,rkers Comp. nTi{i; , -, Acklin noted that the Walker Avenue signal is very important. Reid said she would like to see a representative attend the public hearing with the State and the Mayor recommended that Eric Jorgenson, Principal of Bellview and a representative from the City attend to illustrate need° Elerath noted that the pedestrian crossings are difficult in that the person escorting the children across the sg~eets cannot be seen in advance like they can when station/~n the crosswalk in the street° Police Chief Bsrnard said he didn't know if it would be a good idea for the children to leave the curb into the street alone. Council agreed to bring materials to the State to urge action as they relate to the traffic signals deleted from the 6 Yr. program of the Highway Division. Second reading by title only was given an ordinance amending lien search fees and Laws moved to approve; Smith seconded the motion which passed unanimously on roll call vote. Second reading by title only was given an ordinance electing to receive State-shared revenues and Acklin moved to adopt; Smith seconded the motion which passed without opposition on roil cml vote. Second reading by title only was given an ordinance levying special benefit assessments in L.I.D. No. 56 and Smith moved to adopt; Acklin seconded the motion which passed unanimously on roll call vote. First reading was given an ordinance ordering the improvement of Sheridan Street from N~ Main to Walnut, and Walnut from Sheridan to Grant Streets and Laws moved to second reading; Bennett seconded the motion which passed unanimously on roil call vote. A resolution transferring appropriations within funds was read and Acklin moved to approve; Smith seconded and the motion passed unanimously on roil call vote. A resolution authorizing participation in the City/County C.~.$. Workers Compensation self-insured group was read and Reid moved to approve; Smith seconded the motion° Bennett said it would be nice for the Tidings to recognize the coveted safety recor~ of the Eleotric Department. On roll call the motion passed unanJmously~ Almquist asked that "and City Council" be added to item #2 in the resolution. ];he City Administrator reported he had a letter from Marjorie O'Harra requesting ti~at !he Bear Creek Greenway Foundation be ;1llowed to enclose inl7ormation on their funding efforts in the City's utility bills and asked for approval° Laws moved to 2/4/86 Po 4 : ,~_ Astzland 7:itv :~;~lncL] 2/4/86 OTHER C~S[NESS cont. put on agenda; Reid seconded the motion which passed unani- mously on voice voteo Laws moved to approve request; Reid seconded the motiono Acklin expressed concern that a pre- cedant be set and wondered how requests from other groups like United Way etco would be handled. Smith noted that the City historically has supported the Greenway both finan- cially and in concept and supported the request. Laws said Council could still consider requests on an individual basis. On voice vote the motion passed unanimously. Councilor Elerath expressed concern that the past-due utility notices seem to arrive on the heals of the original bill. A]mquist noted that the billing policies are controlled by ordinance. Eleratb noted that with the proposed sale of BPA problems could arise relative to rates etc. The Mayor said that the contract for the twenty year term would still be honored. Almquist said the chances of the sale of BPA are remote due to political clout in the Ways & Means Committee etc. Nan E. t'rqnk]in ~ty i~ ~ order At 8:45 P.M. the Mayor adjourned the meeting to an executive session under the authority of ORS Seco 192o660(1)(h) to con- sult w~th the City Attorney concerning litigation filed by A.C.L.U. relative to Ash]and's Occult Arts law. ~o ~ord~n ~da~s ~a¥or 2/4/86 p. 5