Loading...
HomeMy WebLinkAbout1986-0715 REG MINMINUTES OF THE REGULAR MiETING ASHLAND CITY COUNCIL July 15, 1986 ROLL CALL APPROVAL OF MINUTES SAFETY AWARD - ELECTRIC DEPARTMENT Mayor Medaris led the Pledge of Allegiance and called the meet- to order at 7:30 P.M. in the Council Chambers on the above date. Elerath, Bennett, Acklin, Laws and Arnold were present. Reid was absent. Arnold moved to approve minutes of the executive session and regular meeting of July 1, 1986; Elerath seconded the motion. which passed unanimously on voice vote. Joe Miller of Oregon Workers Compensation presented a safety award to the City Electric Department for twenty years without a time-loss accident. Rick Seymour, Director of S.A,I.F. presented a special award to Albert Williams, Director of the Electric Utilities saying that it is rare that such a commemda- tion is given for twenty years of an unblemished safety record in a hazardous operation. David Barlow, S.A.I.F. Branch Manager also presented a special award for safety. The Mayor and Williams accepted the awards and the Mayor conn~ented on the insurance break for the City because of the accident experience. Williams thanked all of the members of the Electric Department present at the meeting as well as the Mayor, Council and Adminis- tration for their part in making the accident-free record possibl~ Former employee Ed Pentkowski recommended that the plaques be placed in the Service Center. PUBLIC HEARING "A" Street Improvements Riparian Habitat Allan Sandlet noted he has signed the agreement for the one property owner against the improvements because of the financial impact and is paying that share of the assessment. The public hearing was opened and Sandler said he favors developing that part of town with improvements where his movie studio is located. The City Administrator noted that the Southern Pacific Transporta. tion Company has gone on record opposing the project and that their representation does not bring the remonstrance up to the necessary 2/3 majority. There being no further comment, the public hearing was closed. After discussing the State law which provides that the City can proceed when the public benefits from a proposal Arnold moved to instruct staff to bring back ordinance implementing proposal. Laws asked the City Attorney if he should abstain having missed the first public hearing on the matter and Salter recommended he not vote on the issue. On voice vote the motion passed with all AYES except Laws who abstained. A letter was read from Jeff LaLande recommending that an area adjacent to 1040 E. Main Street be designated as a riparian habitat for use of birds and small mammals which utilize the marsh. Almquist recommended that the request be referred to the Planning Commission to coordinate with the review of the Compre- hensive Plan. Arnold moved to refer to the Planning Commission; Bennett seconded the motion which passed unanimously on voice vote. 7/15/86 P. 1 Regular Meeting Ashland City Council 7/1/~86 P.2 STATE BALLET OF OR. Community Center Use Liability Insurance Planning Director Fregonese reviewed the City~s takeover of the Community Center building for the use of different groups in the City and said it now generates between $8,500 to 9,000 per year and the State Ballet is the largest user of that facil- ity at this time. On Arnold~s question as to whether the Center is ever available, Fregonese said there are times during the day it isn't being used and for some groups it is necessary to to use the space before work etc. Fregonese noted it is not used on a regular basis on the weekends to allow its use for special occasions. Jim Taylor, representing State Ballet said the 108 hours of time in July and August are being requested rent free because the newly organized ballet group does not charge for the Monday night performances and the costs of putting on the popular art form make it difficult to pay for the many hours needed by the group. Taylor said that Eric Hyrst has given much of his time to give private lessons and professionalize the Ballet with the idea of developing it into an ongoing cultural asset to the community much as OFSA started out. On BennettIs question as to whether the Arts Council and others have been approached for assistance, Taylor said they continually seek funding and are looking for a small grant. Diane Hyrst reviewed the need for more rehearsal time and said that if the building is not scheduled they would like to be able to use it. Hyrst noted the Ballet has lost time in the event of elections being held in the building and reiterated the need for company rehearsals. Dr. Rob Winthrop spoke in support of the Ballet urging Council to consider the request and act favorably because of their budget constraints. Winthrop said that the Ballet is a major cultural focus in the community and that the Monday night performances are popular especially since Shakespeare is dark that night. Acklin said she has been an advocate of the arts but feels that a precedent could be set and there are so many other art groups who need space it might just create prob- lems. Acklin said she would rather help the Ballet's financial plight in other ways and assured the Ballet supporters she is serious in her offer. Atmquist noted the Budget reflects the $9,000 revenue source from the Community Center. Willstatter suggested the Ballet work with Shakespeare for use of their facilities on Monday nights when they are dark. Fregonese said the Ballet could use the non-reserved time but they would have to give up the time should other groups need the space. Acklin moved to deny; Bennett seconded the motion which passed unani- mously on voice vote. A memo was reviewed from the Director of Finance noting that an increase in liability insurance would be 57% and proposed a plan of action to provide for Self-insurance. Council agreed with proposal outlined in the memo. No action necessary. 2 Regntar ~eeting Ashland City Council 7/15/~6_P. 3 HIGH ST. ALLEY CONSERVATION STANDARDS PUBLIC FORUM The City Administrator reported the results of the survey taken regarding the proposed closure or vacation of the alley located East of High Street at Susan Lene saying that of the opinions received, 10 were in favor and 9 opposed. Almquist said that those in opposition were very strong in their objection and recommended that Council not proceed with the proposal but emphasized the need to either trim or remove abutting hedges for vision clearance. Laws moved that the proposal be tabled indefinitely and instructed staff to take action to improve visibility; Arnold seconded the mtoion which passed unanimously on voice vote. Energy Conservation DirectDr Wonderscheid reviewed the proposal outlined in his memo to establish a criteria whereby new homes using electric utilities as their major source of heating would be required by ordinance to use the Model Conservation Standards to be qualified for a hookup to the City's electric utilities. Wanderscheid recommended that a public hearing be held to allow input by builders, BPA and other interested parties and possibly get an Attorney General's Opinion on the legality of the pro- posal. Wanderscheid said there is strong support in town and reviewed the statistics gathered from a survey taken in the City which showed 95% agreeing with need for energy efficient homes, etc. Wanderscheid said he really doesn't anticipate any formid- able opposition because of the fact that most homes are already being built with energy efficient options. Elerath noted that the Comprehensive Plan supported the use of natural gas for heating and now electric is being pushed. Wanderscheid said the Comprehensive Plan was drawn up during the energy crunch in 1980 and since there is now a glut of electric energy, the Comp Plan will be modified to reflect that situation when it is given its five year review. Wanderscheid noted that State Rep. Nancy Peterson was present and would represent the City in securing an Attorney General's opinion through the legislative process. The costs of anticipated litigation were discussed and Wanderscheid reported that B.P.A. would b~ willing to pick up some costs. Acklin favored requesting the A.G.'s opinion and Laws disagreed saying that if the opinion turn out to be negative it would have a negative reaction on the effort and it wouldn't be accepted in the event of a court procedure anyhow, Elerath moved to table and the motion died for lack of a second. Laws moved to hold a public hearing and further pursue the question of early adopt- ion of the code as presented and Bennett seconded the motion. On roll call vote Bennett, Acklin, Laws and Arnold voted in favor. Elerath opposed. Arnold moved to get the Attorney General's opinion and solicit Peterson's assistance; Bennett seconded the motion which passed with Elerath, Bennett, Acklin and Arnold voting YES and Laws opposing on roll call vote. A1 Willstatter noted there was no call for a second on the motion to table and Laws noted there was time for a second and the motion died for lack of same. The Public Forum was closed. 7/15/86 P. 3 , Regular Meeting Ashland City Council 7/15/86~,F. 4 TRAFFIC SAFETY COMM. Second reading by title only was given an ordinance increasing the membership on the Traffic Safety Commission from 5 to 7 voting members and Laws moved to adopt; Acklin seconded the motion which passed with Bennett, Acklin, Laws and Arnold voting YES. Elerath vote~against the measure. MANAGEMENT PAY PLAN A resolution was read adopting an amended pay plan for Manage- ment and confidential employees. Elerath said he would be more comfortable if the present rate schedule was available to decide on the resolution. The City Administrator said the proposal represents a cost of living raise across the board and noted that the cost of living rate is based on the union contracts. Almquist added that there are approximately twenty persons in the management class and there is no merit schedule aside from the resolution being submitted. On Arnold~s question as to why this isn't considered at budget time, Almquist said that at that time the City is in negotiations with the Unions and the final results are not available sometimes for months. Laws moved to adopt; Acklin seconded the motion which passed with Bennett, Acklin, Laws and Arnold voting YES. Elerath opposed. LOW-INCOME HOUSING A resolution supporting an application by Rogue Valley Manor for low-cost housing project in Ashland was read and Brian McLemore representing Rogue Valley Manor who proposes to apply for H.U.D. funding for elderly low-income persons was in the audience to answer questions. McLemore said that the loans are for a 40 year period and that rents would be predicated on the income scale and that utilities would also be subsidized for the tenants. Arnold moved to adopt; Elerath seconded the motion and asked if there were any "strings" so as not to place the City in a comprom- ising position. McElmore said he is only askin~g~upport of need and would meetI the City building code and follow guidelines set by the Federal government. On motion to support Elerath, Bennett, Acklin, Laws and Arnold voted in favor. OTHER BUSINESS Arnold urged that Council schedule joint meeting with the Historic Commission at which time people from the State will be present. The City Administrator reminded Council of the tour with the Forest Service on July 25 with a bag lunch. Also the City Administrator noted that Don Goddard of the North- west Power Council would be hosted at a luncheon at the Back Porch Barbecue on Thursday, July 24. ADJOURNMENT Nan E. Franklin City Recorder The meeting adjourned at 9:25 P.M. to executive session as authorized under AMC 1.92.660(1)(h) and reconvened into open session at 9:32. The meeting then adjourned at 9:33 P.M. ~L. Gordon Medaris Mayor 7/15/86 p. 4