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HomeMy WebLinkAbout2000-0104.REG.MIN MINUTES FOR THE REGULAR MEETING ASHLAND CITY COUNCIL January 4, 2000 Civic Center Council Chambers, 1175 E. Main Street PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE Mayor Shaw called the meeting to order at 7:00 p.m., in the Civic Center Council Chambers. ROLL CALL Councilors Laws, Reid, Hauck, }lanson, Wheeldon and Fine were present. MAYOR'S ANNUAL "STATE OF THE CITY" ADDRESS Mayor's statement attached as presented. APPROVAL OF MINUTES l'he minutes of the Regular meeting of December 2 I, 1999 were approved as presented. SPECIAL PRESENTATIONS & AWARDS INonc) CONSENT AGENDA Minutes of Boards, Commissions and Committees. Councilors Hauck/Wheeldon m/s to approve Consent Agenda. Voice Vote: All AYES. Motion passed. PUBLIC HEARINGS (None) PUBLIC FORUM David Bobb/27 N Main/Spoke regarding the two-hour limit for parking in the downtown area and how it affects thc downtown shoppers and businesses. He stated that there is a problem associated with commercial buildings being constructed without parking requirements and noted other areas that suffer due to parking restrictions. Bobb commented on the parking lots at Pioneer Street and Hargadine Street. He felt that there needs to be "hub" area which would allow an area for shuttles, bicycle lockers, and other facilities that would encourage multi modal transportation. He suggested working with the owner of Mark Anthony building to explore the possibility of additional parking and provide multipurpose use. Mayor Shaw responded that the reason Ihat there is no parking in a number of the downtown areas mentioned, is because it is zoned C I-D, with downtown overlay. Explained that where there is a downtown overlay, there are no parking requirements. The council suggested that the idea's presented by Mr. Bobb be forwarded to the groups that are working on this in the coming year. John Fields/845 Oak Street/Spoke regarding the "Natural Step Program," which is a scientific approach for trying to analyze issues of sustainability. Fields wanted to pass on to the council how important and helpful this program is. and how this process could be used in the construction of the new library building. The group requested that, -Where Green Becomes Mainstream," be recognized and encouraged. Alex Forrester/47 Union Street/Commented on the potential of individuals involved in this movement and noted that they had been working hard to find out how the Natural Step Program could be used in private businesses. He slated that there is potential for reducing overhead costs for the city. Barbara Ryberg/373 Vista/Announced that at the annual meeting fbr the Friends of Ashland Library, January 30, 2000 at 4:30 p.m., art critic Randy Greg would share his artistic experience and knowledge. Cate Hartzell/Called to the councils aRention, the method and set time frames of contracting, and how this is being handled. Asked if the council had any response to the questions that she had previously submitted and questioned how the council was enforcing the resolution that set policy for contracting services. Hartzell clarified for the council that the pattern of contracting spoke of in the report, was based on data provided in the report. City Council Meeting 1-04-2000 Page I of 3 Red commented on the difficulty of knowiug where to draw the line in regards to their role on approving contracts. She noted that some contracts are left in the hands of administration and staff; but that other contracts, such as the Wastcx~ater Treatment Plant. arc labored over at the council level. Reid stated that the information provided by I lartzell was appreciated and brought up some good questions. UNFINISHED BUSINESS I. Update on the Ashland Watershed Stewardship Alliance. Councilor Wheeldon reported that there will be stone kind of collaboration between the Forest Service and the community in management of the Ashland Watershed. She felt that it may be appropriate to begin to think about fi~rming a technical advisory body to work with the Forest Service in determining what would happen in the Ashland watershed. Council discussed the importance of including the technical expertise of our Forest Commission, along with other commuuity members. The importance o1' working with the Ashland Watershed Alliance was noted, and council discussed how to integrate this group with the advisory body. Council continued discussion on how this group should be fi>rmed, and the importance of forming a larger group, other than a seven-member committee. Wheeldon clarified that the reason for forming a group supported by the city, is because the relationship is between thc city and the forest service. She explained that it would be citizen representation, not necessarily city staff; that lorms this group. Wheeldon explained that the membership of the Alliance is very broad based, and that the Alliance could become a foundation board to support the activities of the proposed group. laws commented that he would prefer that this group not be an official city group, but that the Alliance appoints members of its group and then ask the city to appoint members, which could include the Forest Commission, to that group. Laws stated that if funding was needed, then specific proposals could be brought forward to the city. City Administrator Freeman clarified that the city spends $75,000-$ 100~000 a year, depending on what kinds of projects arc proposed. I:i~e Chief Kcith Woodley explained that the Forest Commission has not had an opportunity to review the draft comment and proposal by the Ashland Watershed Stewardship Alliance. Woodley questioned what the role of this group would be and acknowledged that there has been some very valuable information generated by the Alliance. }te explained that the Forest Commission has reviewed these findings and determined that it is a very good lense in which to view future city forest prqiects. Woodley uoted that some of the Forest Commission members are also Alliance members. tlauck reminded council that it is difficult to determine the make-up of this group until we know what the response Il-om the Forest Service. NEW AND MISCELLANEOUS BUSINESS I. Council meeting Look Ahead. City Administrator Mike Freeman noted the joint study session with Oregon Shakespeare Festival on January 6, 2000. 2. Council Election of Chair to City Council. Councilors Reid/Wheeldon m/s to nominate Councilor Steve Hauck for council president. Voice Vote: all AYES. Motion passed. 3. Council Election of Citizens' Budget Committee members. Council elected reappoimment of,lames Moore and appointment of Beverly Kenefick to the Citizen's Budget Committee 4. Discussion regarding National League of Cities membership. City Administrator Mike Freeman requested council to give direction as to their interest in continuing membership with National League of Cities. Council consensus that this is an organization that has provided valuable inl~)rmation and they would appreciate continued membership. 5. Adoption of Citizen Participation Plan. Ad~ninistrative Services Director Dick Wanderschied explained to the council that he had met with a couple of citizens who have submitted suggestions that he would like to consider including in the proposed plan. (ity Council Meeting 1-04-2000 Page 2 of 3 Wandcrschicd rccommcndcd postponing the adoption of the Citizen Participation Plan to allow time for revision. md stated that a revised plan x~ould be brought back to thc council. It was suggested that, if needed, council members could be available to meet with these citizens to hear their suggestions. 6. Adoption of Public Information, Communication and Marketing Plan. Admiuistrative Services Director Dick Wanderschied commented that the first plan was adopted in September 1998 and all items in that plan were accomplished Explained that there are four major goal areas and 44 specific activities contained in the plan, 13 of which come directly from the current City Strategic Plan. Wanderschied explained that one of the recommendations in the plan, is to provide better internal communication on what the city ~s doing. Brice Farwell/290 W Nevada/Suggested that under the item regarding random sampling of telephone surveying, thai this is not done by city stafi~ but by outside services. Secondly, Farwell suggested that "listserv" be clarified. Council discussed the need to group "Public Information." "Communication" and the "Marketing Plan." Council members commented on the perception of the community for marketing city services. Council clarified for staff that it is appropriate for the city to market the AFN and the golf course, but not appropriate to market things where the city is not competing with other entities. Council consensus that the "Marketing Plan" should be separated from the "Public Information and Communication Plan." Reid questioned how employee input is obtained and used when an outside consultant is used to make recommendations regarding their depamnent. Freeman explained that, you just ask for employee input. 7. Adoption of the 2000 - 2001 Ashland Strategic Plan. City Administrator Mike Freeman recapped the recommendation of adopting the strategic plan and noted the broad categories such as. Citizen Participation and Involvement, Environmental Resources, Housing, Economics Strategy, Pubbc Services. Transportation and Transit, Energy. Air and Water Conservation, Parks, Urbanization, Historical Sties, Regional Strategies, Financial Management, Social and Human Services, and Organizational Effectiveness. I'reeman noted that priority of gathering public input and developing additional methods to enhance citizen participation. Freeman pointed out that the document is available on the city's web site, and that the staff is doing their best to make more docnments available for public information. Laws explained that we have a Strategic Plan that is made up of several plans, which include the Comprehensive Plan, Communication, etc. and this is what sets forth the broad goals for the city over the long-term. Laws stated that the priorities that are set on annual basis are, which of these strategies are going to be worked on and emphasized in the coming year. Council consensus that the title should be changed to "2000-2001 Priorities for Strategic Plan." Councilors Wheeldon/Hanson m/s to approve 2000-2001 Strategic Plan Priorities. Roll Call Vote: Laws, Reid, Hauck, Hanson, Wheeldon and Fine, YES. Motion passed. ORDINANCES, RESOLUTIONS AND CONTRACTS (None) OTHER BUSINESS FROM COUNCIL MEMBERS Councilor Laws handed out to the council for their review of a draft amendment to community value's statement. ADJOURNMENT Meeting was adjourned at 8:35 p.m. Barbara Christensen, City Recorder C,/~ , ./~,,,i~~ Catherine M. Shaw, Mayor City Council Meeting b04-2000 Page 3 of 3 Ashland "State of the City" Address January 2000 Catherine M. Shaw Mayor This marks the 12th and last State of the City Address that I will deliver. I remember 1989, the first year I took office, when I was told I had to prepare a state of the city for the first council meeting. I had never heard of a state of the city address much less know what it might entail. And, being an outsider and newcomer to the political scene, I did not even know how to go about putting together such a document. At one point I was told that the outgoing mayor, Gordon Maderis, usually gave a multi-page state of the city that comprehensively covered every department and took about 30 minutes to present. However, after hours and hours at the word processor l had less than one page, which took me about 5minutes to read. I remember Susan Reid's comment following that delivery: "Wow, that was nice and short." Now, in preparation, 1 spend hours going over the 13 plus pages of information compiled by each department and look over volunteer boards and commissions for exemplary work and dedication that 1 may acknowledge. It's a time I really enjoy as I review the year. Many things have transpired over this last eleven years and while there are a few I would like to highlight, I would first like to state an absolute given in politics: What we as a governing body do is fleeting. There are no specific deeds we will do, programs that we initiate, dreams that we sec to reality, which will stick with any of us as individuals. This is also true of those within our community who champion a cause for the betterment of all. I koow that next year a new mayor will sit in this chair and my name and my efforts will be as distant as any of the efforts of the mayors pictured in the foyer. That is how it should be. Whether an elected official or community member, the privilege is in having the opportunity to serve in some small way, to see through visions important to this community. Once implemented, those dreams become part of the public domain. They become part of who we all arc as a community. Lest we forget, here is a partial list of community dreams and those who made great efforts to hclp them become a reality during this last decade, l've worked on some of these programs and found life-long friends along the way. · Community recycling & Hillside Development Standards: Ken Hagen · Open Space: Pat Adams · Air Quality: Bob Palzer · Cultural & Recreational Serial Levy: Midge Thieroff · Anti Sprawl & tight urban form: John Fregonese, Brent Thompson · Affordable Housing: Rob Winthrop, Steve Hauck · Multi-modal advocates: Carole Wheeldon, Joy Downey, Rees Jones · Preservation of Historic buildings and images: Kay Atwood, Jim Lewis, and Terry Skibby · Public Library Restoration: Barbara Ryberg · Water Conservation: Dick Wanderscheid & Ashland City Council · Wetland's Project: Gary Schrodt, Plato Doundoulakis · Saving Mt. Ashland: Ron Roth, Brian Almquist · Ashland Fiber Network: Pete Loverich, Jim Teece, Charlie LaNoose, and Mike Freeman Beyond these community programs the citizens of Ashland have a stellar city-work fome that is uniquely dedicated to customer service. Since 1989 I've had an opportunity to meet with nearly every city worke~some a number of times. In many instances these conversations led to changes within departments and were often invaluable in future selection of department heads. In fact, during my temps in office all but one department head has changed and it's been mteresting to see the shift of focus within each of the departments. Almost without exception our workforce is much happier than they were ten years ago and they have far more input into the decision-making process within their respective departments. Ashland City government strives to be a business with a heart. All profits are fed directly back into the community, contributing, in no small part, to our success. A few highlights of this year: · We began the North Mountain 30-acre park. · Ashland is currently providing high-speed Internet access to every school and school administrative office in the city. · We upgraded and implemented an entire financial software system that will not only expedite payroll but also give departments and citizens immediate, up-to-date accounts of all expenditures. · Citizens authorized construction ora $3.4 million fire station at Main and Siskiyou. · We took conservation to all new levels with the Solar Pioneer Program and received commitments from Southern Oregon University, the Oregon Shakespeare Festival and the US Post office to become institutional partners. · We became the first city in Oregon to provide a gay and lesbian registry · We created a Buildable Lands Inventory as a tool for maintaining a compact urban form · The citizens authorized a $5.96 million library restoration and expansion project · Ashland Downtown Commercial District was placed on the National Registry of Historic Places · The Ashland Community Land Trust was formed to create affordable housing opportunities Finally, and sadly, we also lost important leaders in our community this last decade: Rose Otte, Nancy Peterson, Isabel Sickles, Ken Hagen, Allen Adams, Steve Groveman, and Florence and Bill Schneider. Although we might one day forget just exactly how they enriched our community, they will live on in the gifts they left behind. As Mark Twain said: "Let us endeavor so to live that when we come to die even the undertaker will be sorry." Wise words for us all.