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HomeMy WebLinkAbout1986-0617 REG MINROLL CALL APPROVAL OF MINUTES PUBLIC HEARING "A" St. Improvements BPA OFFICIALS STATE HISTORIC PRESo DESIGNA- TION - 386 "B" Street MINUTES OF THE REGULAR M/EETING ASHLAND CITY COL~CIL June 17, 1986 Mayor Medaris led t~e Pledge of Allegiance and called the meet- ing to order at 7:35 P.M. in the Council Chambers on the above date° Reid, Bennett, Acklin and Arnold were present. Elerath and Laws were absent° The Mayor introduced Mro Bill Estes, Vice-Mayor of Camarillo, California who was visiting Ashland in the Eiderhostel Program. Bennett moved to approve minutes of the June 3, 1986; Acklin seconded the motion which passed unanimously on voice vote. The City Administrator reviewed the proposal for improvements of "f' Street and noted that the Southern Pacific Transportation Company owns 59.46% of the frontage and the City has not had any indication of interest in the improvements proposed. Almquist said that the improvements could be done if there is not a 2/3 remonstrance. Almquist said that the work would be done next summer (1987).. Sandra Wells spoke for her mother, Mrs. Alice Briery of 784 "A" Street saying she is opposed to the project for economic reasons. Allen Sandler said he intends to pick up Mrs. Briery's share of the cost of improvement. Jim Reel of Southern Pacific Transportation Company remonstrated against the proposal and noted his Company had not been notified. The City Attorney recommended that the public hearing be con- tinued so that necessary documents could be drawn up showing Sandler's offer to pay Briery's share of improvements. Reid so moved; Bennett seconded the motion which passed unanimously on voice vote. Mayor Medaris introduced George Guinett and Ladd Sutton of Bonneville Power Administration.who were visiting and who offered to field any question~ Council might have° The City Administrator reported on the property tax freeze impact resulting from Historical properties designated by the State Historic Preservation Office saying that the loss averages about $10,000 per year. Almquist noted ~b~t the loss of tax revenue impacts other property owners and/reconmnended that the matter be referred to the Historic Commission. Acklin noted she had read the report and shares the concerns of the Historic Commission and recommended further study to consider a criteria. Acklin said the application of the designation for 386 "B" Street should be recommended at this time and so moved; Reid seconded the mot- ion and said that the Enders Building application illustrates the need for the historic architecture to be retained and in this instance it has lost it's historic value because of added facades etc. Reid recommended that monies in property taxes which are forgiven by the designation should be used to retore the integrity of the home/building and there should be an agree- ment to that affect by the Historic Preservation office° Reid ~oted that Kramer's letter appeared to have been written as a member of the Historic Commission rather than the body. On voice vote the motion Dassed unanimously on aDplication. 6/]7/R6 P.] Regular Meeting Ashland City Council 6/17/86 P. 2 BRITT FESTIVAL BANNER REQUEST ALLEY VACATION REQUEST Eo OF HIGH STo AT SUSAN LN. HISTORIC COMMISSION REPORT (7th Street Vacation) PREEMPLOYMENT AGREEMENT CROSS-TRAINING HISTORIC COMMISSION REPORT RE TAX FREEZE The City Administrator read a letter from David Shaw of Britt Festival requesting waiver of banner policy calling for events being publicized by banner be local° Council discussed the request and agreed that the impact of the Britt Festival is not only in Jacksonville but the entire Valley and should be supported since many of its patrons also attend OSFA and spend time in Ashland. Bennett moved to approve request; Reid seconded the motion which passed unanimously on voice vote. A letter from Sandra Shea, 342 High Street, was read requesting vacation of an unimproved alley East of High Street at Susan Lane because the alley used by children walking to Briscoe School etco creates a danger to them by vehicular t~affic using the alley as a Short-cut to N. Main Street. Shea suggested closing the alley rather than vacating it and said she could not afford the $250 vacation fee and the proposal is not for her own benefit. The City Attorney said that the alley would have to be vacated and if the City acts on its own motion, the property owners abut- ting the alley would have to be agreeable. Alsing wondered if the alley could be closed and the right-of-way reserved for future street plans. Arnold said the vacation proceeding should be implemented with notification to abutting property owners° Acklin suggested owners be contacted by mail to see if they are interested in the proposal, Mayor Medaris and Council agreed to postpone until Staff receives input from neighborhood. A memo was read from the Histgric Commission relative to street vacation (portion of 7th St.) in the Railroad District and sug- gesting that a policy should be implemented which would create a narrow right-of-way to a uniform width to be no less than 47 feet. Also recommended was that vacation should be addressed on a street by street basis rather than by individual parcel° No action necessary. Council will wait for policy before proceeding on such requests. Acklin moved to instruct staff to remove preemployment agree- ments signed by Fire/~s~R~%efrom the file, Bennett seeonaea the motion which passed.unanimously on voice vote. A letter from George Kramer, Chairman of the Historic Commiss- ion was read relative to possible implications to the City because of requests for tax freezes on properties designated by the State Historic Preservation Office as eligible for the special assessment status° Almquist noted that SHPO had been asked to hold the Enders Building application at 250-300 E. Main continued 6/17/86 Po 2 te~ular Meeting Ashland City Council 6/17/86 P. 3 HISTORIC COMMISSION REPORT - TAX FREEZE continued HEALTH CARE NEEDS REPORT GOLF COURSE EXPANSION LIQUOR LICENSE APPLICATIONS and /Almquist noted that the Historic Commission had not recommended the Enders Building° Reid said she took exception to Kramer's letter saying that those people who come to Ashland to see Shakes- pearean plays are also interested in the environment and historic flavor of Ashland and that this preservation should be encouraged. Reid moved to place Enders Building application on agenda; Acklin seconded the motion which passed unanimously on voice vote° Reid moved to approve Enders building for tax benefit in the hope that monies would be used to restore the building° The motion died for lack of a second. Arnold asked that he be excused from voting because of his association with Drescher, part owner of the building. Mayor Medaria thanked Carolyn Johnson for her efforts as Chair and others and recommended that the Budget Committee, Health Care Committee and City Council meet in a study session and then have a public hearing° Reid recommended that a public hearing be held as Soon as possible° Medaris said it would be more appropriate to have the study session first. Acklin moved to pro- ceed with study session; Bennett seconded the motion. On roll call, Bennett and Acklin voted YES. Arnold and Reid voted NO and the Mayor broke the tie by voting in favor. The motion carried. Mayor Medaris reported that negotiations are continuing for the acquisition of the Toney land for the proposed expansion of Oak Knoll Golf Course. Medaris said that Buddy Sullivan is working toward securing the necessary financing of the improvements. Acklin moved to approve application of Valley View Vineyards on recommendation of Police Department; Arnold seconded the motion which passed unanimously on voice vote° The City Administrator noted that Siskiyou Vineyards=application did not appear on the agenda because of an incomplete back- ground check and Acklin moved to place on agenda; Arnold seconded the motion which passed unanimously on voice vote. Director of Public Safety Lively recommended approval contingent on accept- able conclusion of the background check° ArhSl~ moved to approve; ~nnettseconded. the motion which passed unanimously on voice vote. Director of Public Safety Lively suggested changing the liquor license application procedure by having Council consider only the questionable applicatior~which might be taken through the appeal process and Lively approve the rest° The Mayor asked that all new applications also come to Council to give the public opportunity for input. 6/17/86 Po 3 a~ular Meeting Ashland City Council 6/17/86 Po 4 RVCOG WQ REPORT Bennett reported on the Rogue Valley Council of Governments saying that the Water Quality Program is in jeopardy because of a lack of funding by some of the agency members and that input would be welcome on the future of the RVCOG. Council agreed that there is a definite need for the program and they would like to see it continue. The Mayor thanked Bennett for her efforts and timely reporting to Council. PUBLIC FORUM ORDINANCES, RESOLUTIONS & CONTRACTS Nursery St. Alley Second reading by title only was given an ordinance ordering the improvement of an alley running Northerly from Nursery Street and Acklin moved to adopt; Arnold seconded the motion which passed unanimously on roll call vote. Transfer of Appropriations A resolution transferring appropriations within funds was read and Bennett.moved to approve; Acklin seconded the motion which passed unan{mously on roll call vote. OTHER BUSINESS Bonneville Reid asked Guinett of Bonneville Power Administration if selling electricity to California and Arizona will be a continuous policy and said she hoped BPA wouldn't get locked into a growth pattern of that nature. Guinett said BPA has had difficulty selling surplus power and the result could have significant implications for the consumer in rate increases. Guinett said that the revenue must come in to handle the budget. Guinett said the Intertie rank policy protects Ashland by keeping it as a high priority. Reid asked Guinett about the need for the operation of the Power Planning Council and Guinett said that the agency is necessary in anticipating ~uture needs and study of resources which need to be maintained to meet demands. Of the budget, Guinett said it is a medium budget which has not escalated all that much. Guinett discussed the possibility of the sale of Bonneville and said it is very remote that such a sale would transpire. Reid expressed appreciation for the programs offered by Bonneville on behalf of the City of Ashland. Bikeway Committee Vacancy The Mayor noted that Richard Moore had resigned from the Bikeway Committee and accepted his resignation with regrets. Medaris asked that the vacancy be publicized by the newspapers and added that applications are needed for the Traffic Safety Commission. ADJOURNMENT The meeting adjourned at 9:00 P.M. Nan E. Franklin City Recorder Mayor 6/17/86 P. 4