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HomeMy WebLinkAbout1983-0315 REG MINMINL~FES OF THE REGULAR MEETING ASHLAND CITY COUNCIL March 15, 1983 ROLL CALL & PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE APPROVAL OF MINUTES GRIMSHAW ASSESSMENT The meeting was called to order after the Pledge of Allegiance and all members were present with the exception of Councilman Laws. Acklin moved to approve minutes for the regular meeting of March 1, 1983; Smith seconded the motion which passed unanimously on voice vote. City Attorney Salter reviewed his memo relative to the legal status of delinquent assessments owed by Mrs. Edith Grimshaw and stated that Grimshaw has never paid her assessment even when she was emp- loyed and that the low interest rate apparently made it conducive to ignore the debt. Salter said when improvements are requested by petition from property owners it follows that ~ose property owners donate what land is necessary for the improvements. Salter said he was directed to initiate foreclosure on the delinquent account as the only possible means of getting the money. Asto Attorney Munsell's proposal to reduce the adjusted 13% interest rate back to 7%, Salter said it is much too late to reassess that cost among the other property assessment. Ms. Grimshaw said she was never told she would have to pay and that she was unfamiliar with this kind of transaction. Grimshaw said when she subdivided her land she paid one-half of the assessment at 7% and added that she had no money for four months of last year. On question by Mayor as to whether the City could have condemned the necessary portion of land Salter said that all special benefit assessment district petitions come from people who are going to benefit and for thirteen years Salter has been with the City he has never seen condemnation of land for such a purpose. Mayor said he understood the land was given willingly. Grimshaw said she did give the land and said they could have as much as necessary to do the work but was never told she had to pay. Grimshaw noted that she has people living in the house who hold a lease-option and would take up the assessments at the time of purchase. Dale asked Grimshaw if she agreed to the improvements and she said she did. On Dale's question as to how long a foreclosure would take Salter said it would take two months uncontested and possible seven or eight months should it be contested Acklin said had the assessments been paid all along it would be a different story. Dale suggested bringing the interest rate down to the current level of 8% and give Grimshaw to January 1985 at which time the monies would be due and payable or on the sale of the property whichever occurred first. Dale added if the purchaser is going to assume the assessment it wouldn't be paid off. If 9/10 of the assessment is collected then the new owner would pay at 8%. Dale explained his idea further by saying that the balance would be payable on sale of home and then the new owners could pay the 1 year's balance at 8%. Dale so moved; Reid seconded the motion which passed unanimously on voice vote. 3/15/83 P. 1 Regular Meeting Ashland City Council 3/15/83 P.2 LAND-USE ORDINANCE AMENDMENT - BLDG HEIGHTS MINICOMPUTER INDUSTRIAL DEVELOPMENT TRAFFIC SAFETY RECOMMEND- ATIONS - (3) CEMETERY ORDINANCE ODOE - Institutional build- ing audit grant SENIOR PROGRAM FUNDING (Congo Bob Smith) Councilwoman Acklin proposed that consideration be given an amend- ment to include the S.O. Zone in the thirty-five foot height limit which prevails elsewhere in the City. Dale agreed with the proposal saying that people should have had some input into the stadium pro- ject where their view was jeopardized etc. Acklinlmoved to direct staff to bring back amendment to ordinance which would limit height to thirty-five feet in S.O. Zone without a conditional use permit. Dale seconded the motion which passed unanimously on roll call vote. Deferred The findings of fact and agreement for the Industrial Park Develop- ment was discussed and Dale moved to authorize signature of Mayor and City Recorder on the agreement; Acklin seconded the motion which passed unanimously on voice vote. Dale moved to approve modified findings of fact for adoption; Acklin seconded the motion which passed unanimously on voice vote. Three recommendations were considered from the Traffic Safety Commission relating to the newly developed High School Park and Public Works Director showed the areas adjacent to the park where recommendations would be implemented. Howard moved to grant all three recommendations; Reid seconded the motion which passed unani- mously on voice vote. Mayor instructed staff to write a letter to the High School congratulating staff and students for their good work in developing the park. Information only - for future agenda. Conservation Director Wanderscheid reviewed his memo seeking author- ity to apply for Technical Assistance Study Grants for City build- ings under the BPA/ODOE Institutional Building Program saying his basic concern involves the Sewer Treatment Plant and Water Filtrat- ion Plant both of which need to be modified to become more energy efficient. Wanderscheid said that because of the complicated pump- ing system that an engineering firm would be sought should the Council approve the application. Wanderscheid discussed the plan saying that if the City didn't implement the recommendations and complete the work 50% of the study funding would have to be paid by the City but he didn't see such a danger. Wanderscheid said that Bob Strowbridge (Ashland Community Hospital Administrator) has someone capable of filling out the 65 page application. On a question from Dale as to whether other City buildings may be looked at Wanderscheid said that the Civic Center is energy-efficient and the new warehouse will be too. Smith moved to approve application; Dale seconded the motion which passed unanimously on voice vote. A memorandum from Senior Program Director Stein reported that at the last Senior Program Board Meeting the members voted to recom- mend Council approval to apply to Congressman Bob Smith for funds · ~,,...continued 3/]~/~ p 9 Regular Maeting ashland City Council 3/15/j3 P.3 SENIOR PROGRAM FUNDING cont. PUBLIC FORUM ORDINANCES, RESOLUTIONS & CONTRACTS Peterson Annexation Ord. Prim Street Assessment Taxicab Ordinance Bldg/Planning functions Transfer of Appropriations Audit Contract he plans to donate to senior centers in the 2nd Congressional Dist. Acklin moved to grant permission to apply for funds; Smith seconded the motion which passed unanimously on voice vote. Chief Lively reviewed the 911 situation and said they were having problems in the County Communications Center but that the City's system is solid and it may be expected in the future that Phoenix and Talent would come into our system along with Fire District #5. Lively explained all three entities would have to come in together because of the 535 prefix in their area. Lively said they will have to come to us if they are interested. Lively also said that his area includes lots of unincorporated territory and that he reminded the County he would like Ashland's share of that 911 tax money. Second reading was given an ordinance by title only correcting a legal description on the Peterson Annexation and Acktin moved for adoption; Smith seconded the motion which passed unanimously on roll call vote. Second reading by title only of an ordinance reducing the assess- ments in the Prim Street Assessment District. Second reading by title only was given an ordinance providing for ~he operation of taxicabs and amended excerpts were read in their entirety. Smith moved toadopt; Acklin seconded the motion which passed unanimously on roll call vote. Planning Director Fregonese answered questions on the proposed dep- artment changes and said he looked forward to having Building in the Community Development saying that it is necessary that the Planning, Building and Energy Conservation work closely together and it will save time and money to standardize record keeping etc. The ordinance was given first reading and Howard moved to second reading; Acklin seconded the motion which passed unanimously on roll call vote. A resolution transferring appropriations within a fund was read and Acklin moved for adoption, Smith seconded and the motion passed unanimously on roll call vote. The City Administrator said that the audit for 82/83 has already been approved but the auditors would like to know if Council wants to retain them and have them do the usual quarterly review. Alm- quist pointed out that they shouldn't be asked to do that unless the City plans to retain them. Discussion ensued as to how long Council had decided to keep auditors before making a change and it was brought out that Burns has audited since the 79-80 audit. Almquist recommended that the Audit Committee be asked for a recom- mendation and Council agreed to defer matter for that reason. 3/15/83 P. 3 Regular M~eting Ashland City Council 3/15/83 P.~ N.W. REGIONAL POWER CCL The City Administrator asked that Council peruse letter to N. W. Regional Power Council and report back to him relative to any modifications they may wish so that the letter may be sent on March 17. No action necessary. PRESS CONFERENCE No questions. ADJOURNMENT The meeting adjourned at 8:45 P.M. Nan E. Franklin L. Gordon Medaris City Recorder Mayor ih