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HomeMy WebLinkAbout1986-1015 ADJOURNEDMinutes of the Adjourned Meeting Ashland City Council October 15, 1986 Roll Call Proposed Golf Course Expantion Property Mayor Medaris called the meeting to order at 7:30 p.m. and led the pledge of allegiance on the above date in the Council Chambers. On roll call Elerath, Reid, Bennett, Acklin and Arnold were present. Mayor Medaris reported that the Golf Course Committee will be working on a proposal to be submitted at a later date. He said the committee members include Councilor Acklin, Ken Mickelsen, Parks Director, Lee Howard, Gary Nelson, Michael Gibbs, Gary Jones, Mayor Medaris and staff, Almquist, Nelson, and City Attorney Salter. Reid said she would like to see a larger committee and suggested each councilor recommend a member. Reid questioned if there would be public meetings and if there would be notification in the paper of meeting dates, allowing the public to ask questions of the committee. Arnold said this is a City Committee and the Public Meeting law will apply. Laws said the meetings should be open for input and questions but does not recommend a larger committee. It was agreed that meeting times will be published. City Attorney Salter said the Council must decide what action they wish to take on the land purchase since the referendum petition has been filed and therefore must go to a vote of the people. Salter reported that there has been a proposal from the seller on possible purchase of the property this year. Salter reviewed the conditions, to purchase approximately 65 acres from Mr. & Mrs. Toney, to be held for the expansion of the Oak Knoll Golf Course. The terms are $320,000.00, to be paid at the close of escrow, and into a joint savings account bearing the names of the Purchaser and the Sellers, so that the money may only be withdrawn on the signature of all the parties. The account is to bear interest, with the first $5,000 to be paid to the Sellers in any event, and the balance to be held until the outcome of the election on March 31, 1987, concerning the increase in the hotel/motel tax. If the election fails so that the tax is imposed, then upon certain events, the funds will be paid over to the Sellers. If the election fails so as to repeal the increase in the hotel/ motel tax, then the funds will be paid over to the Purchaser, except for the first $5,000, and the transaction will be recinded. Elerath questioned risks the City might be taking with this proposal and Salter said he had suggested Toney speak with a tax attorney on the matter. Minutes of the Adjourned Meeting Page 2 Acklin said she is comfortable with the proposal, Mr. Toney is satisfied and there is nothing to lose. Reid said the City could lose the $5~000 and questioned if the City had owned land in the past for golf course expansion and if other Citie's have used bonds to expand their golf course. Almquist said the City has not owned land prior for expansion to his knowledge and Lake Oswego has used bonds for their golf course expansion. Bennett said the land is there and purchasable and feels the City would be shortsighted if they did not go ahead. Laws moved to accept offer and commit to purchase as outlined by Salter; Arnold seconded. Howard Wagner, 2520 Ashland St. recapped things that have happened on the issue and said the Ashland Lodging Association want an 18 hole golf course but feels it is unfair to put the total cost of the purchase of the land on the back of one industry. Wagner said the referendum petition had been filed the prior day and the Association wants to work with the Council and are requesting fair- ness in decision. Wagner suggested adding a $1.15 users fee on a round of golf to pay for the purchase of land. Jean Cauvin, 2525 Ashland St. asked Council to listen to their requests and find a fairer way. Laws said it would not be coming down on one segment of the community, the tourist would be paying for the purchase of the land and the development would come from fee increases. He said the expansion is an Economic Development engine and will bring people to our town. He said it is fair to have the community pay part~and the tourist pay part. An unidentified bed/breakfast owner said he does not feel the golf course will bring even one person to his inn in the winter months when business is bad and said he would rather see the increase go to the Chamber to promote the off season. He said the issue has gone to far, we're in a lose situation and feels we will not have a expanded golf course if the vote goes down. Peter Zukis, Oak Knoll Men's Club, agreed that business is poor now but reports that the golf crowded. tourist course is Reid said she proposed an increase in hotel/motel tax in the past for the expansion of recreation and it fell on deaf ears. She said the golf course was not her highest priority at this time, and she could not support. Minutes of the Adjourned Meeting Page Roll call vote on motion: Bennett, Acklin, Laws, Arnold, YES: Reid, NO. Elerath excused from voting due to not attending meeting when issue discussed. Laws said there will be a clear plan and questions will be answered before election date. Meeting adjourned at 8:20 p.m. Nan E. F~anklin City Recorder L. Gordon Medaris Mayor