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HomeMy WebLinkAbout1986-1216 REG MINMINUTES OF THE RECUL%R MEETING AStILAND CITY COUNCIL December 16, 1986 ROLL CALL SUPER GOOD CENTS ~ARD APPROVAL OF MINUTES PUBLIC HEARING Sign Code (Neon) Moving of Buildings Mayor Medaris led the Pledge of Allegiance and called the mcet~ ing to order at 7:30 P.M~ on the above date in the Council Chambers at Civic Canter. Tha Mayor presented Energy Conservation Coordinator Wanderscheid with an award received from the Bonneville Power Administration for the Super Good Cents Performance program and noted the marketing success in implementing recently constructed homes with all-electric energy. The Mayor noted that this award was one of six recently given the City for various accomplishments, most of which were conservation oriented. Acktin moved to approve minutes of the regular meeting of December 2, 1986; Reid seconded the motion which passed unanimously on voice vote. Planning Director Fregonese reviewed proposed amendments to the sign code and noted the Planning Commissiou had held a public hearing and which minutes are attached to the memo° Fregonese said that an inventory of neon signs within the City affected by the ordinance is included and that the Planning Commission adopted an amendment which continues to prohibit neon signs but does allow them to be used as decorative treat- ment in stores where theyappear at least ten feet from a window where the sign would be visible from a public right-of-way. Fregonese said that many of the illegal signs were removed or brought into conformance. The Mayor opened the public hearing and in the absence of comment from the audience, closed the public hearing and returned the matter to Council Bennett seconded the motion which passed unanimously on roll call vote~ Planning Director Fregonese reviewed the proposed ordinance regulating building movers to protect public property and to coordinate all phases of the moving of buildings calling for permits, inspection fees, plans filed, premoving confer- ence, use of dollies and damages to City property. Fregon- ese noted that the Tree Conm~ission asked that two amendments be added to the ordinance. The public hearing was opened. George Profitt, 1159 ~ra Mar, Medford, complained that the $5,000 bond required in the ordinance would create a problem in that he already has insurance and bonds and would add to his expense of doing bus~ness. Profitt said that a long period of time could ensue before his money was returned after the moving job. Laws expressed concern for the house/building mover saying that it wouldn't be difficult to collect damages should they occur and that the ordinance would hold any damage to a minimum. Arnold said that he 12/16/86 Po 1 ular !~eeting Ashia~d CityCo~ncii iZ{/~6 ~L2 Housemoving ord~ cont~ Liquor License Request Gil's Thriftway Cesar's Fine Mexican Food Adoption of long-range budget Electric Rate Forecast would vote against taking the performance bond/cash deposit out of tbe ordinance saying that it isn't a prohibitive amount. Charlie Lewis of Medford said that he has a company which finances some moving projects and said the $5,000 would create a hardship. Lewis said that as far as the tree trim- ming is concerned that people become emotional over trees but should expect some tri~sing when they are in the right-of-way. The public hearing was closed and Council discussed the need for a time limitation on how long the Building Official would have to review the request and agreed to call for a thirty day time limit. A memo was reviewed from the Ashland Tree Commission relative to consultation with the Tree Commission regarding tree trimming and adding the requirement to 15.08.060. The ordinance was read with the changes Council agreed to and Reid moved to second reading; Bennett seconded the motion which passed unanimously on roll call vote. A liquor license application for change of ownership for Gil's Thriftway was considered and the Police Department recommended approval° Bennett moved to approve application; Acklin seconded the motion which passed unanimously on voice vote. A change of ownership application was considered and with the recommendation for approval from the Police Department, Laws so moved; Bennett seconded the motion which passed unanimously on voice vote~ The long-range budget required for purposes of State Revenue Sharing was reviewed by Council as outlined by the Director of Finance and Laws moved to approve; Arnold seconded the motion which passed unanimously on voice vote. The Electric Rate forecast required by State law was reviewed and the City Administrator noted the forecast is based on projected raises in BPA rates of approximately 13% for whole- sale rates and citing the need to raise the retail rates by 8.8% Almquist added that should the anticipated raises in BPA rates come in lower, the increases will be adjusted accordingly. Fred Wilkin, 515 Maple Way criticized the plan to raise rates by 8.8% in June saying it would be better to wait until the increase comes in October to then charge the 13% expected. Wilkin said the raises in utilities create a hardship on the low and middle class customer and there should be no need for a parity with Pacific Power & Light° Wilkin said there should be an indepth study on this proposal by Fair Share and said that to rely on utilities to be used for the General Fund rather than property taxes is wrong. Almquist said the Budget Committee will be reviewing the matter and make the decision° Almquist went on 12/,~/86 P2 ~ul. ar Meeting Ashlaad City Council Electric Rate Forecast continued PUBLIC FORUM ORDINANCES, RESOLUTIONS & CONTRACTS Transfer of Approp. Special election Transient Occ~ ~ax Crater Lake Lodge to describe the uniqueness of the Ashland tax-base noting that the tax exempt educational and non-profits make up 39% of the tax roll and with their exemption, the burden falls on 61% of the property owners° Laws explained that if the rates are increased 8% in June it would have less impact than waiting for October and then raising the rates to the anticipated t3%~ A1 Willstatter said that an assumption is being made that the other utility is going up to 13% and we may not be in parity after all. Gerald Keminsky, 375 Tudor expressed concern that rates are being increased during a glut of energy and Almquist explained that Bonneville is working to move the power out of this region and that Bonneville's budget will be scrutinized and that Almquist will make a strong protest before the Public Power Council and noted that Bonneville has allowed us to appear before budget hear- ings where in the past this wasn't a practice of Bonneville. Reid said it should be kept in mind that the rates include maintenance of the power plants and that down the line we may be looking at another shortage of power. Reid said that oil resources are being used since the costs are down° Almquist assured Council and the audience that he would protest vigorously~ The public forum section of the meeting was opened, and in the absence of comment from the audience, was closed. A resolution transferring appropriations within funds was read and Laws moved to adopt; Acklin seconded the motion which passed unanimously on roll call vote° (Res. 86-50) A resolution amending a resolution relative to a special elec- tion on proposed Transient Occupancy Tax with respect to polling places was read and Acklin moved to adopt; Bennett seconded the motion which passed unanimously on roll call vote° (Res. 86-49) A resolution supporting the preservation of Crater Lake Lodge for lodging and dining purposes as proposed by the Historic Commission was read and Laws movded to adopt; Reid seconded the motion~ Elerath questioned the section citing the costs and and noted the spread of 4 million dollars. Elerath therefore asked that that section of the resolution be deleted and Laws so amended; Elerath seconded the motion which passed unanimously on voice vote. On the vote of the original motion and striking the sixth "Whereas" relative to costs, the motion passed unani- mously on roll call vote~ (Res. 86-48) OTHER BUSINESS Reid noted that the memo received from the League of Women Voters as it relates to the Golf Course and would like to have them answered. Acklin said the Golf Course Committee will address the question which haven't already been answered° WATERSHED Director of Public Works Alsing invited Councilmembers to be at the Watershed to see sluicing project. Nan E. Franklin, City Recorder L. Gordon Medaris, Mayor 1~//~/86 P.3