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HomeMy WebLinkAbout1986-0916 REG MINMINUTES OF THE REGULAR MEETING ASHLAND CITY COUNCIL September 16, 1986 ROLL CALL APPROVAL OF MINUTES PUBLIC HEARING ASHLAND CITIZENS TRIBUNAL GRANITE ST. CLOSURE Mayor Medaris noted that on September 17th the 199th anniver- sary of the signing of the U.S. Constitution will be marked and invited the audience to join in the recitation of the Pledge of Allegiance. On roll call Reid, Bennett, Acklin, Laws and Arnold were present. Elerath was absent. Reid moved to approve minutes of the regular meeting of September 2, 1986; Bennett seconded the motion which passed unanimously on voice vote. The continued public hearing regarding a request for annexa- tion, subdivision and zone change for 16.7 acres located North of Crowson Road was reviewed by Director of Planning Fregonese who ~ub~tt~ a memo dated September 16th from him- self and asked that it be made part of the record. Fregonese explained that the original plan to use water from a line that runs between Croman Corp. and Oak Knoll was no longer an option due to commitment of that source due to development in the area. Fregonese noted the request includes approval of development in phases with the first phase to be served by septic tanks subject to approval by Jackson County and sewer lines will be installed in phase one for eventual connection to sewer service. Richard Stevens, representing Applicant Claude Benson explained the use of septic tanks as opposed to holding tanks which require maintenance and reviewed plans for water in cooperation with B & G Properties who plan to develop further and who have been required to provide water lines for that purpose. The public hearing was opened and there being no comment either pro or con, was closed. Laws moved to approve the annexation, subdivision, and variance, and instr- uct staff to prepare the necessary findings, ordinance and annexation agreements; Arnold seconded the motion which pass- ed unanimously on voice vote. Robert Macknovski reviewed his letter relative to proposing formation of an Ashland Citizens Tribunal to conduct a public information survey relative to citizens knowledge of nuclear weapons. Macknovski outlined his affiliations with peace groups and asked for Council support. Janelle Ryan, 52~ E. Main Street expressed concern over possession and use of nuclear arms and asked for cooperation from Council on the matter. The Mayor said that Macknovski and Ryan are welcome to conduct a survey of the citizenry. No action was taken. A letter was read from the Ashland High Cross Country Coach who was present in the audience. Julian noted that 500 run- ners are expected to participate in the yearly event. Reid moved to approve; Bennett seconded the motion which passed without opposition on voice vote. 9/16/86 P. 3 Re~ular~J~e. eting Ashland City Council 9/16_186 P.2 HERSEY ST. IMPROVEMENTS The City Administrator reviewed a memo he had written rela- tive to proposed improvement of Hersey Street from N. Main Street to Water Street initiated by petition and pre-signed agreements representing 51% of the affected property owners. Almquist noted that with the commitment of property owners the City can apply for funding through FAUS which would make it possible for the City to guarantee a cost not to exceed $25.00 per front foot for the paving of Hersey Street. Almquist noted that there had been 41.65% in opposition at the public hearing held on December 17, 1985. Almquist stated that at a recent meeting of the staff and property owners (September 4, 1986) the Director of Public Works had pre- sented a design approved by the State Highway Division and at that time a few of the property owners disapproved of the bikeway asking that it be deleted from the project and A1- sing indicated that the bikeway is part of the City's overall bikeway system/plan. Alsing showed a map illustrating the configuration of the proposed improvements. Terry Brimhall representing Jim Parsons said the City promised to stake the right-of-way and then call another meeting after that time but the meeting was never called. Brimhall contradicted the statistics showing 51% in favor saying that a recent survey showed 52.8% against the proposal. Brimhall said th%tParsons Pine is in favor of what the majority of the people want but wants to know how everyone voted on the project. Almquist noted that three people have signed the petition in opposi- tion after having signed agreements in favor of future imp- rovements when Planning actions have been approved. Almquist read the minutes of the Council meeting of the public hearing on December 17, 1985. Fred Roberts spoke saying he is not now in favor of paving nor ever has been but would not oppose if the majority are in favor. He said he would want to know the 51% indicates a legitimate majority. Acklin asked Reberts if he considered a prior signed agreement in favor of future improvement valid and Roberts agreed it is valid but dislikes the policy. Laws said the property owner has received a right to develop property and with it comes an obligation to improve the streets when the time comes and added he thinks it is a good policy. Laws said it is the City's policy to improve City streets whenever it is possible to get 51% in favor but it can be done with 1/3 in favor or the absence of 33 1/3 remonstrance. Laws said the Federal funds are avail- able and the City can legally go ahead with the proposal. Brimhall said the FAUS money is not available at this time and Alsing explained that the property owner's support, design and entire proposal must be submitted with the application for the funds before monies are available. Alsing said if they are not available the matter will be returned to Council for further consideration. Toni Robbins of 312 Helman St. opposed the plan and had signed in favor because of approval of a Planning action. Rob Robbins, 312 Helman said that they had signed in favor of paving to get a Day-care Center permit but that his people don't use Hersey street but Helman. Robbins noted that his home is on the corner of Hersey & Helman. Laws moved to postpone for notification of property owners and place on next agenda. Reid seconded the motion which passed unanimously on voice vote. 9/16/86 P. 2 TRANSIENT OCCUPANCY TAX To accommodate the many interested persons in the audience, the Mayor moved the second reading by title only of an ordin- ance increasing the transient occupancy tax ahead on the agenda. Almqutst gave second reading by title only of an 'ordinance increasing the transient occupancy tax to seven (7) percent. George Foster spoke in favor of the proposal say- ing that Ashland deserves to compete with other cities for tourist trade and noted when he travelled in business he can't remember being concerned with room tax. Foster said the City has everything else and should have an 18-hole golf course. Peter Zukis of Oak Knoll Men's Club asked for some- one to let him know why they wouldn't want an 18-hole golf course in Ashland and no one responded. Jean Cauvin,.,repres- enting the Accommodations group and owner of Windmill's Ash- land Hills Inn said that the Ashland Lodging Association is in favor of the golf course but against the method of paying for it through the hotel/motel tax. Cauvin asked that two weeks be allowed to explain the plan to lodging people and perhaps to offer ideas for developing a course by other means. Jim Beaver said that the accommodations people are trying to come up with a variable plan which would change the tax struct- ure to a seasonal formula saying that he would like to work out a more palitable solution. Bill Yeoman, 6500 Highway 66 said the off-season is a big concern but that the motel owners should be able to put a marketing package together. Levy said he has seen no cost, plan or total expense and asked why this is not availableo He asked that two weeks be given to study the proposal. The City Administrator said that there has been involvement for many years and that the lease- holder Sullivan has had a golf course Architect Powers to draw design and estimated cost of $375,000 was submitted which Almquist said appears to be low and that $50,000 a hole would be more realistic for a total cost of around $500,000~ Almquist said that revenue bonds could be used for financing the development of the course which would be paid by the users of the course and Bancroft Bonds could be used should Buddy Sullivan wish to sell the balance of time on his lease which has eight years to run° Acklin said the Council at this point must act on acquiring the land which is the only land adjacent to the present course and is avail- able at this time° Lee Howard, 90 Ridge Road said the City is confronting a great opportunity to purchase the land at this time and when it is paid for over the next five to seven years the motel tax can be reverted to the 6%. Sharon Thorma- halen said she doesn't enjoy collecting the tax from her guests now and doesn't wish to explain it as a tax for other than serviceso Thormahlen said that earlier a tax hike was suggested to benefit a Health Service and now golf is the reason. Acklin said that Council has resisted many special interest groups recommendations to raise the motel tax in the past but this proposal will benefit the lodging industry. 9/16/86 P~ ~ Regular ~f~eting Ashland City Council 9/1~.86 P.4. TRANSIENT OCCUPANCY TAX Continued Don Pohlmann, 790 Acorn Circle, said he has golf course figures in mind and has been involved with Mr. Sullivan and the golf course architect ~reparing the plan. In con- nection with the exchange of property proposal, Pohlmann said that Mr. Powers prepared costs of those factors at an estimated $375,000. Pohlmann said he realizes that the motel people are concerned about the tax but showed brochures used by the Chamber of Commerce that show pictures of the golf course and/or advertise its availability to draw tourists. Pohtmann said he plays golf all year on a daily basis and feels the eighteen hole course will keep the golfers moving rather than being stacked up and making a long play for only nine holes. Pohlmann noted at a recent convention of 200 people that they went to Shastina for their tournament at a tremend- ous loss of business in Ashland including the golf course. Pohlmann said he tried to play golf last Saturday but there was no time available so he did a survey on golfers asking them how they feel about a motel tax and found no opposition to the tax but enthusiasm about the possibility of an 18-hole course. Wayne Sorsoli, 765 Cambridge, spoke in support as a golfer saying he spends $50.00 a month playing now and will spend more should an 18-hole course be developed. Sorsoli urged that City involve itself in the project since it sup- ports other types of recreation here in Ashland including tennis, baseball, swimming etc. Ken Mickelson said that about eighty years ago a controvery was underway regarding acquisit- ion of additional land for expansion of Lithia Park and with the wisdom of the people leaning toward the proposal/~sulted in development of one of the most beautiful parks in the world. Mickelson said the City needs recreation areas and said there should be ways the tourist can help pay for it. Howard Wagner of the Flagship Inn said they do advertise the golf course and he is not against expansion of the golf course but is concerned about the finances of it saying there should be other waysto have tourists pay their fair share. Wagner said the costs should be spread between all businesses it is going to help. Reid suggested a study session on the issue since the next regular meeting is three weeks away which would give staff time to come up with a written proposal to show the people with figures. Reid said she would like to know if Revenue Bonds can be used to purchase land. Reid also questioned access and the possibility of buying Mr. Sullivan out etc. and said the citizens have a right to understand the whole concept. Reid said the idea of the golf course is appealing but more information is needed. Bennett said she would like to pursue a study relative to pro rata per- centages and explore workable solutions. Acklin said she does not think it is a good idea to wait and that the figures are available to look at. Acklin said she doesn't feel the 8% in the summer and 4% tax in the winter to be workable but 9/16/'86 Regular M~eting Ashland City Council 9/16~ P.5 TRANSIENT OCCUPANCY TAX Continued ASHLAND SENIOR PROGRAM TRANSPORTATION STP CONSERVATION UPDATED SEWER SYSTEM STUDY offered to work with Wagner and other motel people for a acceptable solution. Acklin said Council has resisted add- ing to the motel tax and motel owners need only to look at the past record to confirm that. Acklin said it is time to act on the proposal. Arnold said he would like to see some- thing worked out to lessen the dispute but that it is time to act to secure the available land which will have a long term impact on the conmunity and doesn't think the difference of 1% will have a detrimental affect on the motel business. Arnold moved to adopt; Acklin seconded the motion. Reid dis- closed that she is in the lodging accomodations business and will receive monies relative to the business. On roll call Bennett, Acklin, Laws and Arnold voting in favor. Reid opposed and the motion carried. A memo from Ashland Senior Program Director Dunlap was read relative to funding for Special Transportation for the Elderly and Handicapped and showing distribution of monies from cigarette tax and other funding i.e. Rogue Valley Transit District. The Senior Program's proposal to apply for fund- ing would expand the Taxi Subsidy Program by reducing the age requirement to 60 or over; remove income as a means test; include handicapped over age 18; provide funding to Ashland Taxi to bring insurance coverage to compliance with RVTD application requirement etc. Dunlap reviewed the application process and said it would be applied for on a yearly basis to supplement the existing transportation program. Laws moved to authorize signatures; Acklin seconded the motion. Larry Hyland of Southern Oregon Citizens for Independent Liv- ing said he put in a proposal to handle severely handicapped people and wondered about people under eighteen years old in the program. Mavis Cloutier said that most handicapped people under that age are in an educational setting where transporta- tion is provided. Hyland asked about taxi fees where the lift is used and Dennis Perkins reviewed the schedule where people are moved from their homes to the special transport and ratas from curb to curb. On voice vote the motion passed without opposition. Postponed until return of Councilor Elerath. Steve Simonson, Asst. V.P., CRS Sirrine, presented the Updated Sewerage System Study Report covering manhole overflows, STP flows which create problems upsetting balance of system and other problem areas and said a computer program has been created which can be amended in the future. On question of Reid relative to water treatment, Simonson said that the study included collection only. Simonson said the Ashland Creek Pumping Station needs to be expanded and include an emergency generator. Alsing complimented Simonson on the thorough job and t~ Mayor and Council also thanked him. 9/16/86 p. 5 Regular ~eting Ashland City Council 9/16/~§.P. 6 _ SEWERAGE STUDY cont. ASHLAND POWERHOUSE WORKERS COMP. MANUAL RATES PUBLIC FORUM ORDINANCES Hersey St. Improvements Alarms Systems OTHER BUSINESS FROM MEMBERS ADJOURNMENT Laws asked Simonson if he anticipated that we would be press- ured into a tertiary system. Alsing said that the plant is now adequate and has extra capacity and standards were set when the STP was expanded. The City Administrator reviewed the proposal to submit nomina- tion for Ashland Powerhouse to the National Register of Histor- ic Places and authorization to pay approximately $1,225 for research to be done by Historian Kay Atwood. Acklin moved to approve; Reid seconded the motion which passed unanimously on voice vote. Submitted for information only. No comments from the audience. First reading of an ordinance ordering the improvement of Hersey Street postponed until public meeting can be held after notification of property owners. First reading was given an ordinance amending Chapter 4.32 of the Municipal Code with respect to Alarm Systems and Special Police Service Fees and Bennett moved to second read- ing; Laws seconded and the motion passed unanimously on roll call vote. Reid asked about the ordinance relative to Nonconforming Uses and Almquist said that it would be read in the first meeting of October because of time needed to notice it. Reid asked that Bob Nelson give update for Central Services. The meeting adjourned at 10:45 P.M. Nan E. Franklin City Recorder Mayor 9/16/86 P. 6