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HomeMy WebLinkAbout1985-1203 REG MINMINUTES OF THE REGULAR MEETING ASHLAND CITY COUNCIL December 3, 1985 ROLL CALL APPROVAL OF MINUTES PUBLIC HEARINGS Downtown Parking VACATION OF WEBSTER STREET Mayor Medaris led the Pledge of Allegiance and called the meeting to order at 7:30 P.M~, on the above date in the Council Chambers~ Present were Reid, Bennett, Laws and Smith~ Elerath and Acklin were absent. Reid asked that minutes be corrected relative to the Transportation Utility fees in the first paragraph on page two to state that Reid recommended that a broader base for the fees be based on school district to include more participation to support the proposal. Bennett moved to approve minutes of the regular meeting of November 19, 1985 as corrected; Smith seconded the motion which passed unanimously on voice vote~ The proposed ordinance establishing a Downtown Parking District was presented and the City Administrator read a letter from the Chamber of Commerce recommending implementation of the proposal and requesting that registration of vehicle licenses be removed and that City vehicles park away from downtown after business hours (5:30 p.m.l Almquist noted that the ordinance calls for a 1986 summer trial of the proposal and unless extended by Council action the life of the ordinance will expire. anithasked if the parking plan used in Bend was investigated and Fregon- ese said it had been researched and reviewed the plan saying they dontt experience congestion and parking problems in downtown Bend because of malls established along Hwy~ 97~ The public hearing was opened and Don Rist, 310 Bridge Street, asked for clarification on provision of spaces for real estate brokers and salesmen in excess of the number of private off-street parking provided by office saying there are 14 agentsin the office and four employees working upstairs in the title company and property management offices~ Almquist said permits will be provided as outlined in addition to what we would compute in individ- ual cases. Laura Parsons, 89 7th Street asked for clarification on Water/"B" Street parking lot funding and where excess monies would be used. Laws noted that the Water Street parking lot is the only proposal being considered at this time and excess funds would be used should other projects be feasible and land made available for parking purposes. The public hearing was closed at this point and Smith noted that since the need for names and license numbers h~s been removed from the ordin- ance, she is in favor o~ the measure and has had no criticisms at this point~ Ordinance was given first reading by title only and Smith moved lto second reading; Laws seconded and Bennett, Laws and Smith voted in favor and Reid opposed on roll call vote. Motion carried° The Mayor commended the committee for its efforts and noted this has been the first successful conclusion to the many committees on parking in the past years. The City Administrator reviewed the Cooperative Agreement with SOSC relative to streets in the development of the North Campus completion program. Almquist noted that a letter in opposing of the Webster St. vacation proposal was received from Sanford Goodman and made part of the record~ The public hearing was opened and A1 Willstatter .......... continued 12/3/85 P~ 1 gular Meeting Ashland City Council WEBSTER ST. P.H. continued AUBURN ST. P.H. 128 Central Street suggested that no more streets be vacated until SOSC honors commitments~ Don Rist, 310 Bridge Street noted that there are many children who use Stadium Street to go swimming and expressed con- cern for their safety. Reid asked Almquist if he knew of any commitments SOSC had not followed through with and Almquist related the history of the proposed perimeter road suggested before he came to the City and asked that Director of Public Works give details. Alsing said it was planned but that the Legislature would not approve the project for funding and the proposal was abandoned for that reason. Rod Stevens reviewed plans to use part of Stadium Street for future playing fields as well as Webster Street to E~ Main. The public hearing was closed. Smith said she wasn't happy to see the street closed because it will put children on busier streets because there will be no through streets in the area. First reading was given the ordinance and Bennett moved to second reading. Reid seconded. Laws declared a potential conflict of interest but said he would vote. On roll call vote the motion passed unanimously° The City Administrator noted that three prepaving agreements had been signed in favor of paving Auburn Street for 58~9%. Mayor Medaris opened the public hearing. Donald Kreitner, 155 Union Street, asked why the street is difficult to maintain and Public Works Director Alsing said it is difficult to maintain any unpaved street and that it is scheduled to be graded every year but sometimes the Street Dept. doesnit get to it. Kre~tner said the traffic is already fast in that area and with Auburn paved it will become heavier and faster° Kreitner asked what authority the City has to get streets paved and Almquist noted that he had received a letter asking that question and had replied and perhaps Kreitner hadn't receive'd the letter yet° Laws noted that it is in the economic interest of the City to have all streets paved and also that such improvements are outlined in the Comprehensive Plano Reid noted that Ashland has Federal Air Quality Guidelines and that granitic dust as found in Ashland is especially hazardous because it lodges in the lungs. Reid added that paving streets in Ashland makes sense because of health and also maintenance costs. As to traffic hazards, Smith invited residents of the area to bring problems to the Traffic Safety Commission for traffic control actions. The width of the street was discussed and Alsing said that several designs are being looked at~ Kay Kroman, 518 Auburn, presented a letter she had received two years ago agreeing to sign for paving in the future and said because of the language in the letter she had not realized she was commiting herself to paving. Kroman said she is opposed to the paving. Laws said he would check the language for clarity. Martin Thomas, 549 Auburn, said that six out of seven families contiguous to the paving project have young children and suggested that a 20' width be taken into considera- tion to allow for sidewalks. Reid agreed that sidewalks are important not only for the children but for the general walking public. Alsing said sidewalks could be arranged if off-street parking is allowed or parking bays installed. Josh Folick, 200 Gresham said he would like to see sidewalks on the street. The public hearing was closed and first reading given ordinance° Laws moved to second reading; Smith seconded the motion which passed unanimously on roll call vote. 12/3/85 p. 2 __j~eRular MeetinR Ashland City Council 12/3/85 P. ~ SHERIDAN ST. PUBLIC HEARING LOTTERY GRANT TRANSPORTATION PLAN STRUCTURE OR BLDG. DEFINITION REVIS~ HERSEY ST~ IMPR. INFRACTIONS vs MISDEMEANORS TRAFFIC SAFETY GRANT APPLICATION The City Administrator noted that there had been an error in the publica- tion of the public hearing and when it was replaced the legal notice did not meet the 10 day criteria for prescribed time° Reid noted that the cemetery frontage is being considered and asked that the ownership of the Redmond (Hargadine) Cemetery be researched for historic purposes° Almquist said the public hearing notice would be republished and another public hearing scheduled° All property owners were notified of delay. The City Administrator reviewed his memo outlining availability of "Infrastructure" grants and loans from certain proceeds of the Oregon Lottery for City projectso Almquist noted the Water Street parking lot project has been engineered with cost estimates and economic needs assessment report available and asked for authority to prepare a grant application for that purpose° Planning Director Fregonese reviewed the plans to improve the Water Street Parking Lot. Reid wondered if the stairs leading pedestrians up to "C" Street might not be dangerous because of the heavy one-way traffic° The public hearing was opened and there were no comments from the audience and hearing was closed. Smith moved to direct staff to prepare application for grant; Laws seconded the motion which passed unanimously on roll call vote. Public Hearing set for December 17, 1985 at 7:30 P.M. Public Hearing set for December 17, 1985 at 7:30 PoMo The City Administrator reviewed the proposed Hersey Street Paving pro- ject noting that sufficient signatures in favor of curb, gutter and paving had been received and that individual property owners would pay a maximum of $25.00 per front foot which would be used as the City's match for FAUS funds° A resolution of intention was read calling for a public hearing at 7:30 P.M. on December 17, 1986 and Laws moved to adopt; Smith seconded the motion which passed unanimously on roll call vote. The City Attorney reviewed his memo relative to reducing misdemeanors to infractions in the AMC to avoid jail terms for minor offenses° Reid noted she had spoken with the Judge on the matter of concealed weapons and Salter said there are exceptions and circumstances to warrant more serious charges. Smith moved that. City Attorney bring back an ordinance to amend the Code accordingly; Reid seconded the motion which passed without opposition on roll call vote. A memorandum from the Director of Public Works was read relative to application for a grant from the Oregon Traffic Safety Co ission to make specific accident and traffic information available/~e of the computer already in place with personnel to use it. Laws moved to approve; Smith seconded the motion which passed unanimously on voice vote. 12/3/86 P. 3 Regular Meeting Ashland City Council 12/3~L~5 P. 4 PUBLIC FORUM TRANSPORTATION UTILITY ORD~ COMMUNITY DEV~ BLOCK GRANT APP. WATER QUALITY UPDATE "C" ST. PARKING TI.~E LIMITS MOBILE HOME OCCUP. John Fisher-Smith reviewed the Delhi Declaration commiting a halt to the Nuclear Arms Race and invited Councilors to attend a ceremony at which time the 1985 Beyond War Award will be preeented on December 14 at 8 aom. at the KSYS studios° At this point the Public Forum was closed. Second reading by title only was given an ordinance establishing a transportation utility and Laws moved to adopt; Smith seconded the motion. City Administrator Almquist noted that he would like to include the matter in the Newsletter twice to inform public. On roll call the motion passed unanimously. Planning Director Fregonese reviewed the history of the Housing Rehab Program implemented since 1983 giving the number of rental units, low income and moderate income homes rehabilitated by use of the initial grant. Fregonese said the average grant award amounted to $5,000 with the homeowners match in the amount of $1,920 for those with an income of $11,000 or less per year~ Fregonese requested permission to reapply for grant in the amount of $500,000 saying it is the last grant he would expect for housing rehabilitation. Reid thanked Fregonese and Jane Davis for the excellent work. The public hearing was opened and since there was no co~mnent from the audience, the hearing was closed° Reid moved to approve application for grant; Bennett seconded the motion which passed unanimously on voice vote° Water Quality Coordinator Eric Dittmer from Rogue Valley Council of Governments showed slides and discussed the condition of the water in the Rogue Valley and showed corrective measures in problem areas. Dittmer expressed concern for the use of storm drains for washing paint, concrete and other materials that drain into our creeks and the Rogue River. Dittmer said that labels have been made for warnings on paint cans, and although all of the cans are not marked it has been a source of education to persons unaware of the seriousness of the matter° Dittmer said he routinely changes filters in some placeS and absorb- ant materials where oil spills occur and where fish are endangered~ Dittmer noted that one quart of oil can cause a slick all the way across a creek. Smith commended Dittmer for his work and said she often works with him as Greenway Coordinator. Second reading by title only was given an ordinance changing parking time limits on "C" Street between First & Second Streets and Laws moved to adopt; Smith seconded and the motion passed unanimously on roll call vote. Second reading by title only was given an ordinance relative to temporary occupancy of a mobile home and Smith moved to adopt; Bennett seconded the motion which passed unanimously on roll call vote~ 12/3/85 P. 4 ._~ Regular Meeting Ashland City Council 12/3/85 ~y 5 VEHICLE CODE CHAPTERS City Attorney Salter reviewed his memo explaining that the Oregon Vehicle Code has been rearranged and Chapter numbers changed and noted that if the Municipal Code is amended accordingly, the City will be able to enforce the Municipal Code patterned after the Oregon Vehicle Code° First reading was given an ordinance amending Section 11.04.010 of the AMC and declaring an emergency° Laws moved to second reading; Bennett seconded the motion which passed unanimously on roll call vote. PP&L ACQUISIT- ION CONDEMNATION PROCEEDINGS ORD The City Administrator reviewed the proposal to acquire certain PP&L customers within the City limits and noted that attempted negotiations had been futile so the condemnation proceedings will be started should Council so act° First reading was given an ordinance authorizing the commencement of condemnation proceedings and Smith moved to second reading; Laws seconded° Reid expressed concern that PP&L may not have had the opportunity to respond and Almquist noted that they had been given lots of time and had recently promised communication by December 1. Bennett said she would like to see Ashland get the customers but is concerned about legal fees~ The City Attorney said he has met with an attorney and were advised to condemn and that the attorney is a specialist in this type of law. Laws said Council needs to realize that legal proceedings are expensive but in the long run the money will be coming in once the initial legal costs have been paid° On roll call vote the motion passed without opposition° OTHER BUSINESS Reid thanked Bennett for Bikeway Committee minutes, Mayor Medaris said that the Bikeway Committee appointments had been left out of the News- letter advertising term endings and vacancies and said he would welcome any suggestions of persons to serve, The Tidings was asked to give some publicity to the issue~ A letter from Judge Drescher was read concerning people who fail to park within the lines in parking lots and asked that an ordinance be written for enforcement purposes, Matter will be placed on December 17 agenda for consideration° A letter from Windmill Inn (recently purchased from Ashland Hills) was read requesting a waiver of utility deposit and Laws moved to place on the agenda; Reid seconded the motion which passed unanimously on voice vote, The City Administrator asked to have the matter held over until the next meeting, an ~ranklin J N 2~ L~ Gordon Medaris City Recorder Mayor 12/3/85 Po 5