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HomeMy WebLinkAbout1984-0417 REG MINROLL CALL APPROVAL OF MINUTES PUBLIC HEA~ING Morada Lane Improvements COFR~IINICATIONS, PETITIONS & REMONSTRANCES Ashland Sanitary Service Request for increased fees MINUTES OF THE REGULAR MEETING ASHLAND CITY COUNCIL April 17, 1984 Mayor Medaris led the Pledge of Allegiance and called the meeting to order at 7:30 P.M., on the above date in the Civic Center Council Chambers. Present were Howard, Reid, Dale, Laws, Smith and Acklin. Smith moved to approve minutes of the regular meeting of April 3, 1984 as presented with corrections; Reid seconded the motion which passed unanimously on voice vote. Mayor Medaris stepped down because of a personal interest in the public hearing and asked that Council Chairman Laws take over the meeting. The City Administrator reviewed the proposed improvement of Morada Lane from Tolman Creek Road to Greenmeadows Way and formation of a Local Improvement District saying that 82.69% of the property owners had signed in favor. Almquist read a memo from Engineer Jim Olson noting that since the project will not be done until the summer of 1985 the estimates given when the petition was prepared in October 1983 may not Be valid due to increased costs when the project is started. Almquist said that should the costs exceed over 10% of the total estimated that the matter will be brought back to Council before proceeding with improvements. Laws opened the public hearing and Ron Albano, 2352 Morada Lane, spoke in favor of the project saying that traffic has increased with development above ~orada and that the dust is intolerable in the summer. Gordon Medaris, 2300 Morada Lane, agreed with Albano and said he had tried unsuccessfully to obtain enough signatures in the past to get the improvements made. Laws closed the public hear- ing and Smith moved that staff bring back an ordinance ordering improvements; Dale seconded the motion which passed unanimously on voice vote. The City Administrator read a memo relative to a request for an increase in rates by the Ashland Sanitary Service and reviewed Senate Bill 405 which passed in the last Legislature calling for availability of recycling opportunities and recommended that the committee recommended to be made up of three members of the Council to meet with Ashland Sanitary Service also review any changes which might be required by the Legislation to be made in the franch- ise. Almquist said the the City Administrator & City Attorney would act as ex officio members of the committee and that he would place a notice in the local newspaper of the proposed increase at least seven days prior to the May 1st Council meeting at which time the Committee will recommend to Council. Mayor Medaris appointed Councilmembers Reid, Laws and Howard and asked the City Administrat~ to set up the meeting date and notify committee et al. 4/17/84 P.f Regular Meeting Ashland City Council 4~/84 P. 2 Conservation Mgt. Serv. community attitude survey L~FINISHED BUSINESS Horse-drawn Carriage Committee Report Beardsley Graham was introduced by Planning Director Fregonese who noted that in addition to being a Solar Consultant at this time that he has been affiliated with Lockheed, Atomic Energy Commission, M.G.M. Broadcasting, H.B.O. and Assistant Director of Stanford Research Institute among other things. Graham reviewed a recent community attitude survey to research the impact of solar access provisions as written in Ashland's ordinance which has become a model across the country and pointed out that general energy quest- ions were asked residents of Ashland with comparisons to Northwest averages of other communities. Graham said 60% of the local respond- ents felt the energy situation serious compared to 52% in the North- west sample; 51% believed energy situation would get worse in the next decade compared to 38% in the-Northwest sample. Graham added that among the respondents in the Ashland sample 90% have done some- thing to conserve energy in the last two years compared to 93% in the Northwest sample. Graham said that Realtors are getting an education relative to conservation and are bound to make buyers and sellers aware of existing problems etc. as they relative to struct- ures. Graham also reviewed energy source preferences and the Ash- land respondents wanted more development of solar energy conserva- tion, wind, geothermal and hydropower in that order. The Mayor congratulated the Planning Department as did Councilmember Reid and Fregonese said they are working on a new draft and educational materials which will be made available to residents and developers. The City Administrator read a report from Chairperson Karen Smith recommending guidelines outlined as a result of an April 10 meeting with the conm~itee, Chamber of Commerce, owners of Ashland Taxi and both applicants for carriage permits. Three routes were submitted for consideration along with the number of permits set at two only, designated stand in Plaza question referred to Traffic Safety Com- mission, signs recommended to be limited to vehicle and that special events (weddings only) be covered over a six month period with 12 permits each to be valid for seven months with a review by the Committee at six months to determine problem. Almquist reviewed the insurance required as recommended by the committee. The discussion was opened to the public and Stu Watson, 128 S. Pioneer addressed problems of the proposed route known as "c" saying that traffic is a problem on Pioneer especially when busses are parked by the Black Swan Theatre making it virtually impossible for two cars to pass. Watson said as you go further up Pioneer the road which is already narrow, becomes more narrow and that it is rare that a driver heeds the 15 MPH criteria, and added that carriages would just complicate an already difficult situation. Watson questioned the advisability of connnercial enterprises invading residential neighborhoods. Wat- son concluded with the fact that he is not against horse-drawn carriages per se but would rather they used the first two routes - Winburn Way and Granite Street which are ~oth wider than Pioneer~ ........ continued 4/17/84 P. 2 Regula,- ' ~eting Ashland City Council 4/17/:"~,~.. 3 Horse-drawn Carriages continued Kay Atwood said Watson is a neighbor and she agrees with his remarks about traffic etc. and the dangers posed by the narrow street. Atwood said she does not object to the horse & carriage but that its use in Lithia Park and Shakespeare would affect the image of the town which has followed the Tudor architecture and Elizabethan theme to sustain the flavor developed. Bfll Patton, Executive Director of Shakespearean Festival said he doesn't object to the idea but that he was surprised that Pioneer Street had been part of the consideration and reiterated his con- cern about the heavy vehicular and foot traffic around the theatre with people being dropped off busses, back-stage tours. Patton cited the problem of possible refuse from the horses as jeopardiz- ing foot traffic where people are already dealing with a hilly terrain. Patton said the concept is ill-advised for the reasons which have been mentioned. Gary Murrell, 1795 Anderson Creek Rd., Talent, applicant said he agrees with some of the concerns mentioned but on the horse litter problem he commented that it happened only once in Jacksonville since he feeds his animals on schedule for this reason. Murrell said he is willing to give up the route which includes Pioneer St. and use the other two routes outlined in the memo. Murrell said he would want to be off the street by 6 or 6:30 P.M. Murrell addressed Atwood's concern about the realness of Ashland relative to the horses and carriages saying that they were a real part in the beginning of the City and a real part of the history here as depicted in pictures. On question of Laws as to why he would give up Pioneer Street Murrell said that was Kircher's route and that he structures rides for 15 minute periods and is happy with the park route for that reason. Candace Nelson-Kircher said she is not perfectly willing to give up the Pioneer route saying that her carriage fits in a normal pick-up truck and that it would take no more room than an ordinary automobile. Kircher added that she has a sanitary bag for the horse to preclude accidents. Smith asked Kirsher if she would be willing to compromise on the route and she said she would. Reid said this is only a six month trial and should there be problems would welcome input from the public. Reid said she lives on Granite and that a curve in the road could be dangerous when overhanging of vegetation impairs vision and added that the constrant stream of granite-hauling trucks will be more hazardous than any vehicles they may have on Pioneer Street. Laws asked Kirscher how she would get back to the Plaza after leaving people off at Shakespeare and she said she would go down through the park because of the one-way traffic back to the Plaza. Kitsher noted that she has not been in the business before but that she was employed by someone who operated 15 carriages in Kansas City and with the incredible amount of traffic there found no real problem with it. Smith asked Kirscher if her horse is trained on the street and she said it is. Laws opposed the plan saying that he can't imagine the problems which would be caused Regular Meeting Ashland City Council 4/17/8~4 Horse & Carriages cont. FAUS ~p Handicapped Parking on West side of S. Mountain at H.S. Street Resurfactng P.U.C. Energy Conservation stance with the carriages getting mixed up with traffic through the Park and suggested the Committee and Dept. of Public Safety get together after 30 days to review impact. Smith disagreed saying that she thinks the carriages will be a charming addition to the community and add pleasure even to the people who live here. Smith said she is in favor of the six month trial period as being fair to the applicants. Dale agreed with some of the concerns but noted that on a recent trip to New York City carriages were in use and there couldn't be a more congested and that he didn't think they would cause any major problem here. Howard suggested that if Pioneer Street were used that coming back the other way would be better than the park route. Howard suggested limiting the hours of operation so they would go before they are ready for the evening performances. Reid suggested dropping people off on Hargadine and parking there if necessary. Smith suggested dropping the "c" route and going with the two fixed routes to eliminate the confus- ion. After further discussion of hours limitation, Howard withdrew that recommendation and Smith moved to approve routes "a" and "b" and include recommendations in memo; Dale seconded the motion which passed with Howard, Reid, Dale, Acklin and Smith voting in favor; Laws opposed and the motion carried. Director of Public Works showed the map depicting FAUS system and Planning Director Fregonese said that it is in line with the Comprehensive Plan. Laws moved to authorize the signature of the Mayor and Recorder; Smith seconded the motion which passed unanimously on voice vote. A memorandum recommending establishment of Handicapped Parking zones on West side of So. Mountain Avenue at Ashland Senior High School from the Traffic Safety Commission was considered and Dale moved that staff bring back a resolution at next meeting to establish; Smith seconded the motion which passed without opposition on voice,vote. A memo listing streets proposed for resurfacing with 1984-85 Rev- enue Sharing funds was submitted to Council with no action needed. Planning Director Fregonese noted that a P.U.C. staff paper has a few things that are negative to the interests of the City of Ash- land and he would like to see testimony given with the City Attor- ney preparing same to protect our program. A resolution was read and Smith moved for adoption; Acklin seconded the motion. Laws recommended that humanitarian aspects be emphasized for people who cannot help their circumstances even if it costs governing bodies money just to keep the people's costs down. Beardsley Smith noted that a dollar saved on a power bill is a dollar which will be spent in the community. On roll call vote the motion passed unanimously. 4/17/84 P. 4 .,~i,, ............ s l~sf~tan~n b3_Ey uounc~_/ 4/17/84 5 Improvement of section of Nevada Street July 4th Bicycle Race PUBLIC ~ORUM A memo from the Director of Public Works was read relative to a petition received for improvement of a small section of Nevada Street east of Helman Street and it was noted the work is for two lots owned by John Williams. Council discussed the possibil- ity of doing other small sections at the same time and Howard asked to defer to give staff time to work with options. Acklin said we are supposed to make an effort to reduce' dust. Council agreed to defer. A request from Siskiyou Wheelmen for permission to hold a bicycle race on July 4th was read and Howard recommended approval; Reid seconded the motion which passed unanimously on voice vote. Director of Public Works Alsing noted that he had inquiries from several people expressing concern about the progress at Lithie Homes Subdivision and that he and Planning Director Fregonese have been discussing what steps to take to ensure that the pro- ject is prepared for the winter. Alsing said that he had made recommendations to the developer and had them hand delivered by the police department on December 15 and has had no response to that letter. On question by Howard as to whether there has been a time schedule made up Alsing said he has thought about what should be done and mentioned that the engineering must be started in order to catch up with the project by October ~. Reid said that Cooper has been shredding up vegetation and asked if this would affect erosion possibilities. Smith moved to put on agenda; Acklin seconded the motion which passed unanimously on voice vote. Howard moved that staff make an on-site inspection and report back to the next meeting, Smith seconded the motion which passed without opposition on voice vote. Planning Commissioner Mike Slattery addressed Council relative to a decision the Planning Commission had made the previous week relative to an application for a drive-up window by management of Taco Bell and said he felt the decision had been in error in that it had been based on the wrong criteria and without the necessary input from the Planning Department. Slat~ery said the vote was CO ro S tt 4-3 and based on criteria other than a p blem. la ery said he had talked to Gary Grimes and was curious as to why no one had talked to DEQ. Slattery said that CPAC had recommended rejection but that Taco Bell had met all of the criteria. Slattery said that a special study done in 1980 caused the removal of Ashland from the pollution zone and the decision made should not stand under the circumstances. Mayor Medaris said the decisioz will stand unless it is appealed to the Council. Acklin said that it was her understand/~t people with expertise on the subject were to have been invited to these meetings. Acklin said that perhaps the reasoning was to deny until policy is developed on the subject. Laws suggested that Slattery look to the appeal pro- cess rather than addressing Council. Mayor Medaris said that Ash- does not have a carbon monoxide problem. 4/17/84 P. 5 ular Meeting BLIC FO~.oM cont. Venting Request Noise Permit Ordinance Police Annual Report ~shland City Council 4/17/84 P. 6 Leo Howse submitted a proposal to operate a vending cart on the streets/Park etc. of Ashland and showed his wares asking that his request be considered at the May 1 Council meeting. The Mayor noted ,. that at the present time there is an ordinance against vending and suggested a committee be appointed to review the request and report back to Council. Mayor Medaris said that the committee be appointed to review the request and report backto Council. Mayor Medaris three members a r C ee Councilman Laws asked that the City Administrator draw up an ordin- ance which would allow Almquist to make decision on noise permits. Public Safety Director Lively noted that the annual report had been placed on the tables for Mayor and Councilmembers. RDINANCES, RESOLUTIONS & ONTRACTS State Revenue Funds S.W. Hills Rezone S.W. Hills Rezone (Area 1) Sewer User Charges Sewer Rate Schedule Water Rate Schedule Agreement/Senior Citizens Bus (Fed. Dept. Transp.) Second reading by title only was given an ordinance electing to receive State Revenue Sharing Funds and Laws moved to adopt; Acklin seconded the motion which passed without opposition on roll call vote. First reading was given an ordinance rezoning area bounded gener- ally by South Mountain Avenue from Ashland Street to the South City limits; thence West to Lithia Park; thence North to the extension of Ashland Street thence East to South Mountain Avenue and Howard moved to second reading; Smith seconded the motion which passed unanimously on roll call vote. First reading was given an ordinance adopting an amendment to the Ashland Comprehensive Plan for B.W. Hills Rezone - Area 1 and Acklin moved to second reading; Dale seconded the motion which passed with- out opposition on roll call vote. First reading was given an ordinance amending Section 14.08.035 of AMC with respect to sewer user charges and Almquist noted that sewer and water rate schedules will be changed to resolution form to eliminate the constant changes in the Code. Dale moved to second reading; Laws seconded the motion which passed unanimously on roll call vote. A resolution to adopt sewer rate schedule effective June 1, 1984 was read and Almquist noted it was recommended by the Budget Com- mittee. Almquist then reviewed the old/new rates. Acklin moved for adoption; Smith seconded the motion which passed unanimously on roll call vote. A resolution adopting water rate schedules effective June 1, 1984 was read and Smith moved for adoption; Dale seconded the motion which passed unanimously on roll call vote. A me~norandum from the City Administrator was read and agreement reviewed with the Labor Protection Warranty Assurance which calls for criteria which would agree that no employees would not be displaced because of acceptance of grant for bus acquisition. Acklin moved that Mayor and Recorder sign;' Laws seconded the motion which passed unanimously on roll call vote. 6 Communications Workshop PRESS CONFERENCE ADJOURNMENT Councilmember Howard reported that he had received information from Jim Hughes on the availability of a conmunications workshop and said if Council is interested it might look into hearing Hughes' presentation. On Scholl's question as to who would serve on the Vending Committee, Mayor Medaris said that Howard, Acklin and Laws would make up the Council's representation and that the would get others from the Chamber etc. The meeting adjourned at 10:00 P.M. Nan E. Franklin City Recorder L. Gordon Medaris Mayor 4/17/84 P. 7