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HomeMy WebLinkAbout1984-0703 REG MINMINUTES OF THE REGULAR MEETING ASHLAND CITY COUNCIL July 3, 1984 ROLL CALL APPROVAL OF MINUTES CABLE CAN TOURS PROPOSAL 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 Reid, Acklin, Smith, Dale and Laws. Smith noted on page 5 of the minutes she was recorded as having made the motion and seconding same on the issue of the Main Street Pub liquor license application. The minutes should have read "Acklin" seconded. Acklin noted that on page four relative to the Saturday Market report that she did not say she would meet with Parks & Rec- reation but she would leave it to the people involved. Smith moved to approve minutes as corrected; Dale seconded the motion which passed unanimously on voice vote. A letter from Stan Morkert of Classic Reproductions S. F. Cable Cars was read and the City Administrator suggested that the applicant give details of his plans relative to the type of services he plans so that Council will be able to deal with ordinances/guidelines. Morkert said he changed his plans to drop services for weddings etc. and to offer narrated historic tours of Ashland, Jacksonville and possibly Medford. Morkert said that scenic points of interest would be included with buildings and houses and that the tours would be regularly scheduled and there would be no pick-up or drop-offs within the tour so as not to conflict with taxi franchise. Morkert said there would be soft background music which would be interrupted for narration as called for at designated sites. The cost of business license, insurance and possible need for P.U.C. clearance was dis- cussed. Reid said she had calls from people living in Ashland and concern was expressed about how loud the speakers might be. Acklin said~he is satisfied with the current plan submitted and suggested the personal opinions on the proposal be discussed and see how it is effected by ordinance before she makes a commitment on her opinion. Perkins (Ashland Cab) said that violations of State law may be a problem if City approves the proposal and a need must be shown. Ed Chapman, 118 Pine Street, asked what application the cable car would have to the Rogue Valley transit should this application be approved. Salter said he sees no relationship between the two. Chap- man then asked how the taxi cab ordinance applies to the bus. Acklin noted that the taxi ordinance can be made available to the Board of the Transportation District and noted there is reference to buses in there. Salter asked Morkert how many people the cable car would seat and was told the it would accommodate 28 adults comfortably. Elliott Reinert (C of C) urged consideration be given the application based on interest in last felyears of having tours of historic places in the city and the demand has been demonstrated. Mary Ragland spoke to the issue saying there are plenty of tours through her historical house and that she would not like to have people looking into their home and creating a carnival-type atmosphere created by the proposal. Ragland added that the people living in this town should be considerel Laws said it is time to tap the thought wave on the subject and stated he doesn't think this is an appropriate vehicle to have in Ashland and it is not in keeping with small towns, with Shakespeare etc. ........ continued 7/3/84 P. 1 Regula~.M~¢~ing Ashland City Council 7/3/8~-~. 2 CABLE CAR PROPOSAL cont. WATER QUALITY REPORT AIR CONTAMINANT DISCHo WIMER ST. OPENING Reid said that the majority of the calls she has had have been against the Cable Cars and she wouldn't like to see the applicant spend more time and money on his effort should the consensus on Council be against the proposal. Dale agreed with problems expressed by Ragland and added that walking, running and bicycling have been encouraged as an alterna- tive to automobiles in Ashland and we have enough traffic problems already and opposed the concept. Laws moved to regretfully deny the request and Smith seconded the motion. Smith noted that when the horse & carriage proposal was considered that testimony supported the importance of retaining the small-town character in Ashland and that this proposal would move that character from the real to the artificial. On voice vote the motion to deny passed unanimously. Water Quality Coordinator Eric Dittmer summarized his annual report of activities and special projects as it relates to the Bear Creek Basin and showed slides of Bear Creek and its tributaries. Council discussed various problems and conditions brought up in the report and Dittmer reviewed them and thanked Council for support. Medaris thanks Dittmer for his work illustrated by improvement in Water Quality and offered support/assistance whenever he expressed the need. A letter from City of Eagle Point's Mayor was read expressing concern that DEQ is considering issuance of a modified Air Contaminang Dis- charge Permit for Biomass One Operating Company~s White City steam and electric generating facility which would allow a discharge of 742 tons of CO into the R.V. Airshed per year. Smith said she is as concerned as the City of Eagle Point and suggest a letter be sent to D.E.Q. Laws agreed and said that he understands that the particulant count is as high as the C.O. Acklin moved to send letter to D.E.Q. asking that a public hearing by held in the Rogue Valley to allow input on this matter; Reid seconded the motion which passed unanimously on voice vote. The City Administrator noted changes in the ~greement including the addition of language in item #9 to say "to the date that Wimer Street is actually opened" and addition of item 10 which was read and included in the agreement. Ron Bolstad again spoke as property owner adjoining tax lot 800 and noted he represented other property owners in the area and informed Council of a letter from the County Attorney to the Commissioners and noted that the matter will be on Thursday's (July 5) County Commissioner's agenda. Bolstad said he and neighbors are still confused as to how Pape Street is to be improved and asked that the agreement approval be deferred until more information is available on City/County coordination is clarified and County Attorney's letter can be reviewed. Reid asked John Chmelir, representing Duane Smith, to describe what is being proposed and noted in looking at a lot in that area she was informed by staff that the street would have to be develop- ed to City standards and asked if in this instances we are granting a variance for a substandard street to go in for some future development Chmelir said the agreement allows for a street constructed to Jackson County Road Standard "E" for service to 10 dwelling units or ten years from the date the oil mat is installed, whichever comes first. .......... continued 7/3/84 P. 2 Re8ulaE~{eeting Ashland City Council 7/t~84 P.] WIMER ST. OPENING cent. Laws said he supports the proposal and that the concept should be a City policy in similar circumstances. Acklin said the policy is already in motion in the Strawberry area. Almquist said he didn't think the concept could be applied city-wide but that the Planning Department should consider each proposal individually. Reid said the people in the area are concerned and wish to know the plans for devel- 6pment. Chmelir noted that tax lot 800 lies e~t~rely within the City and three dwellings are planned ~at this time. Reid said that approval would set a precedent so that anyone who wants to build three houses could put in a street to County Standard E and Council is allow- ing a variance. Chmelir said the road has been plotted and noted that they are putting the road in merely to open these lots up and abutting property owners will have the right to use the street. Chmelir said the area does not warrant a heavier duty street now and the planned development would not be enough to expend more money now. Reid said that this concept should be open to other people and Chmelir agreed it is a good idea. Chmelir said they extended Lupine Drive 90 ft. and 36' wide and it wasn't reasonable and that a better mechanism should be implemented. Almquist said that we won't see any development in that area without annexation process and water and sewer. Reid asked why the street wasn't planned when the M.L.P. was applied for so the neighbors could be notified. Chmelir said it is because they are planning to sell the lots and thinks the point is being belabored because Mr. Smith owns the property. Reid said she feels a reasonable way to resolve the question would be to go through the Planning Commiss- ion and if Smith sells off Council is improving property value by allow- ing the access with a substandard street. Acklin said she can under- stand why the property owner wants access to his property if he plans to sell it and she would want access. Acklin said the adjacent neigh- bors knew the property in back of them was City. Laws said it is a fair proposal and a policy should be developed to make it available all over the City and that there should be no fear about future develop- ment because the City is completely protected. Reid said Council should consider ramifications if Prop. 3 passess and as a result Local Improvement Districts are possib~in trouble. Reid asked action be put off until a standard policy is adopted. Chmelir said they are the first ones to ask For County permission and that previously people have done whatever they desire. Chuck Butler clarified his position by say- ing they are not against development of the property but the letter from the County Attorney to the County Commissioners recommends that lots be developed to City standards. Butler said they plan to appear at the Thursday County Commissioners meeting and ask that the roads be developed to City standards. Laws moved to approve agreement con- tingent upon City Attorney~s word that it is legal according to our ordinance and ask the Planning Commission to address policy on city standards in similar situations in future; Smith seconded and on voice vote Smith, Laws, Dale and Acklin voted in favor; Reid opposed and the motion carried. 7/3/84 P. 3 Re~ula_r. Meeting Ashland City Council 7/]~4 P.4 COUNCIL POSITION # 1 CITY RECORDER'S SALARY PLANNING COMMISSION AGENDAS PUBLISHED AIRPORT COMMITTEE REORGANIZATION PROPOSAL BPA INCENTIVE PROGRAM PUBLIC FOR~{ at 7:00 p.m. Council agreed on Monday, July 16th/for interviewing candidates for Council Position #1 so that appointment can be made at the regular meeting of City Council on July 17, 1984. The City Administrator read a letter from the City Recorder relative to her salary and reviewed his memo of June 21 recommending that the duties of the City Treasurer be separate from the salary for the position of City Recorder. Almquist said Salary Resolution 83-58 could be amended to reflect the $130 for City Treasurer effective July 1, 1984. Smith moved for approval of Recorder'aproposal to allow for $130.00 increase July 1, 1984 and another for $70 in January of 1985; Reed seconded the motion which passed unanimously on voice vote. A memo from Planning Director Fregonese was read in which he related a recommendation from Councilmember Smith that Planning Commission agenda for regular meetings be published in the Daily Tidings at a cost of approximately $2~0.00 for a period of six months. Laws moved to approve; Dale seconded the motion which passed unanimously on voice vote. A letter from Director of Public Works Alsing was read in which he recommended reorganization of the Airport Committee to bring it in line with the present needs of the City based on the importance of the operation of the City-owned airport. Attached to the memo was a draft ordinance to upgrade structure of Airport Committee. Acklin recommended approval of draft as liaison to Airport Conmittee and said the updated ordinance would enable the Committee to better smooth out problems at the Airport. A1 Willstatter supported the proposal saying that the Airport is an integral part of the community as well as a permanent facility. Laws moved to have ordinance brought back to next meeting; Smith seconded the motion which passed unanimously on voice vote. Energy Conservation Coordinator Wanderscheid reviewed the BPA Pilot Hot Water Incentive program offered by Bonneville Power Administration who chose twelve utilities to offer a high incentive of $300 to encourage property owners to install solar and heat pump facilities and reviewed equipment qualifications which call for existing residences to have electric water heaters as of May l, 1984 and new residences to have had an initial building permit issued after Jan. 1, 1984. Wanderscheid gave other criteria and recommended the proposal for approval by Council so the program may be started. Smith moved approval to pursue grant proposal; Laws seconded the motion which passed without opposition on voice vote. Elliott Reinerr requested permission to bring a three ring circus to Ashland. Reinert said it is the Ford Bros Circus from Texas and will appear August 9 to be staged at Brombacker's property on Telman Creek Road. Reinert said there will be two shows of the old fashioned type with no carnival or rides involved. Reinert said there will be parking available and the Chamber will be responsible for water, electricity, and cleanup etc. Reid moved for approval; Laws seconded the motion which passed unanimously on voice vote. 7/3/84 P.4 Regular Meeting Ashland City Council 7/3/R~ P. 5 PUBLIC FORUM continued Elliott Reinert submitted posters of the Bed & Breakfast facilities to Council and said they will be used for promotion and sold at the Chamber. ORDINANCES, RESOLU- TIONS & CONTRACTS Second reading by title only was given an ordinance adopting Transporta- tion Plan Map and Acklin moved for adoption; Smith seconded the motion which passed unanimously on roll call vote. SPECIAL ASSESSMENT LEVY ORDINANCE First reading was given an ordinance levying Special assessments in Ken- sington, and Ashland Business Park subdivisions and Smith moved to second reading; Dale seconded the motion which passed without opposition on roll call vote. OTHER BUSINESS Councilwoman Smith noted that she is appreciative of all the woxk the Elks Club has done in community but is disappointed that spikes are being used to keep the public out of their parking area. Director of Safety Lively said the Elks are having a problem in that they are tax exempt and can't jeopardize that position by allowing the public to use their property for parking purposes. Councilwoman Reid noted there was a letter from Mr. Nicholson in the packets regarding the "Son of 3" proposition and recommended that Council consider having a Study Session to discuss possible problems and to share information with the citizens in a couple of public forums. Tom Hall was introduced as a stand-in for Michelle LaBounty who has left the Mail Tribune to move to Seattle. Almquist said that LaBounty asked that he thank Council for their cooperation in the past. ADJOURNMENT Nan E. Franklin City Recorder The meeting adjourned at 10:10 P.M. L. Gordon Medaris Mayor ih 7/3/85 P. 5