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HomeMy WebLinkAbout1983-0607 REG MINMINUTES OF THE REGULAR MEETING ASHLAND CITY COUNCIL June 7, 1983 PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE LOMAX RETIREMENT APPROVAL OF MINUTES PUBLIC HEARING Appeal from Planning Commiss- ion decision on PA 83-23 (Harold Gentry, Applicant) The Mayor led the Pledge of Allegiance and called the meeting to order at 7:30 P.M., on the above date. Present were Howard, Reid, Acklin, Smith and Laws. Dale was absent. Warren Lomax was presented with mementos from the Police and Fire Departments honoring his retirement from twenty two years of volunteer work including manning the traffic and crowds at Shakespeare, drawing up the criteria for Civil Defense and serving as Director for the program and numerous other duties during his teaching career at local schools. Mayor Medaris presented Lomax with a Certificate of Appreciation and thanked him on behalf of the City for his faithful volunteer service over the years. Councilwoman Smith moved to approve minutes of the regular meet- ing of }~y 17, 1983; Reid seconded the motion which passed unani- mously on voice vote. A letter was read from Harold Gentry dated May 2, 1983, appealing the decision of the Planning Commission on Planning Action 83-23 denying minor land partition application. Findings, Staff Report, Minutes and Findings and Orders of the Planning Commission were made part of the record. Planning Director Fregonese showed a map of the area in question and reviewed the six points in the findings on which the P.C. based their denial noting that of particular concern was the water problem in the moratorium area and road improvement. Fregonese noted that the commitments made in the Gentry letter just read by Nelson were recently offered and had not been introduced at the time of the denial. Fregonese added that although some good could come from the development, he cautioned Council to be aware of the potential impact on the neighborhood. Gentry noted he has a sixty foot easement across Henry Kneebone's property and the sewer would go along that easement as would electric service. Gentry said there have been nine different subdivisions in the area over the last few years which have been served by dirt roads and sa~d that since the City cannot serve property with water, he will use wells until the City can supply him with water and asked that he just be allowed to use his property. Kneebone said that paving now would cost more than he cleared on all of that property he sold and that a sixty foot road was required at that time. Kneebone said the sixty foot easement referred to by Gentry has been dedicated to the City for a street and that he should not have to pay for paving of ~treet since the easement was for all of the acreage and if a street is put in there he would not be against it as long as there would be no cost to him. 6/7/83 P. i Regular Ma~_ting Ashland City Council 6/7/83 P. 2 GENTRY APPEAL continued Kneebone said that sewers are never going to work in that area say- ing that the water will sour in the summer and he said he isn't sure how long the type of road discussed would last. Gentry said he took the City Engineer up to the property and it would be done according to Class D County Road classifications and it could always be covered with asphalt over the top of it. Gentry said the Engineer said this Class D would be the best way to do the job. Fregonese recommended the eight points in the P.C. minutes be looked at. The public hearing was closed and Howard asked Fregonese what would happen if the eight conditions Planning Commission cited would be enforced subject to the approval of the Council and Freg- onese said it was their position to deny but added that some of those conditions have been alleviated with the new commitments offered by Gentry. Fregonese said that fire protection has been offered by water storage tank and paving all the way to Grandview and that if developed with five acre lots it could change the situation. Fregonese said that if the lots are developed with less than five acres the paving would not last more than three years. Acklin reported that she and Reid met with neighbors on Sunday morning and now feels hesitant about approving the project because she doesn't think it would result in orderly development in this area. Fregonese said that the road is good for ten years with good maintenance and low traffic but if you have more than five acre density you can't have this type of road. Fregonese warned Council that they would open a can of worms for Council and the Planning Commission. Reid said that she feels another Helman Street would be created and we have one-half acre zoning so we are not talking about 5 acre lots. Reid added that it is inapprop- riate to accept a lower standard for a street. Howard wondered if it would be possible to put a deed restriction that it would stay five acres and wondered if we could ask that road be kept to City standards rather than County standards. Fregonese said the cost would be prohibitive and Howard said that that would not be the City's problem. Smith wondered if the Planning Commission had addressed the loca- tion of the road and Fregonese said he went and looked at the proposed road site and agreed that it wasn't the best location. Fregonese told Council they have the opportunity to present new evidence. Howard wondered why this application be considered as a new one because of the additions. Fregonese suggested Council consider that a real solution to the problem might be a Local Imp- rovement District for sewers, streets etc,, and delay for a few weeks to see bow much interest such a proposal would generate in the neighborhood when costs can be put together for services. ....... continued 6/7/83 P. 2 Regular Meeting Ashland City Council 6/7/83 P. 3 PUBLIC HEARING cent. GENTRY APPEAL BENSON ANNEXATION NBU's/POSTAL SERVICE COMMUNITY GARDEN Fregonese said for a possible interim to the water problem there could be a pumping station installed but it would have to be pUt through the computer which would cost $500 for the information. Laws said he doesn't think we are ready to develop this area and said that Mr. Gentry is doing his best to overcome the obstac- les and has done some good thinking to make it possible but there are still a number of problems which need to be resolved. Laws moved to deny; Smith seconded the motion. Gentry said he has been turned down or postponed for four years and is running out of options saying taxes have raised to $1600 a year. Howard asked if it were to be left on the table to get input from the community and Acklin noted that the matter could die on the table if it were not acted upon in a certain number of days. Gentry agreed to waive the number of days. Laws agreed to withdraw his motion and Smith agreed to withdraw her second. Howard moved to table for 180 days; Smith seconded and the motion passed unanimously on voice vote. Public Hearing postponed to June 21, 1983. A letter was read from Daniel Stearns, Postal Service, requesting permission to install Neighborhood Box Units in residential areas and Stearns was present to answer questions Council might have. Stearns said it is his plan to convert the whole City's resident- ial areas to NBU's and wherever 80% are in agreement in an area the boxes will be installed. Stearns said of Howard's question on what heppens to the 20% who do not wish the group box concept, that individual residences may continue to have their mail delivered but added that should that resident move, then the residence would from that point on be serviced from NBU's. Stearns said that handicapped and elderly will continue to be served at their resi- dence and that most NBU's would be located net more than one-half block from their home/residence. After some discussion Smith moved to grant request with condition that the Postal Service (Stearns) work with staff and that final action will be taken by Council after review; Howard seconded the motion which passed with Smith, Howard and Laws voting in favor; Reid and Acklin opposed. A letter was read from John King, Garden Coordinator requesting use of City property now being used under the stewardship of Rain- bow Bridge for a community garden project. King reviewed plans where eight people would have gardens. Smith expressed concern relative to cars parking on the street and King said there is adequate room along the long driveway and all gardeners wouldn't necessarily be there at one time anyway. Smith continued by say- ing she is supportive of community gardens. Acklin moved to approve concept and that Rainbow Bridge and the Rounds be advised and agree to the project and that water provisions be paid for by the individuals sharing in costs; Reid seconded the motion. Laws said the Rounds needn't be notified and so amended the motion; Smith seconded the motion. King said the Rounds and Schecters are in agreement. Motion passed unanimously on voice vote. 6/7/83 P.3 __R~gular Meeting Ashland City Council 6/7/83 P. 4 KENSINGTON SUB./KATZ REQUEST WINBURN WAY CLOSURE Concert "Holiday in the Park" A letter was read from Larry Katz requesting permission to install a driveway off the end of Bristol Street paved section to serve Lot 1701 located in the Kensington Subdivision. Council consid- ered the request and Laws moved to postpone to next meeting and notify adjacent property owners for their input. Smith seconded the motion which passed unanimously on voice vote. A letter was read from First Baptist Church requesting closure of Winburn way on Friday, July 8th to sponsor a concert in Lithia Park. Howard wondered if the request had been cleared with the Parks Department or Police Department and in the absence of that informa- tion Council agreed to postpone the item until the next meeting. Howard recommended that Council consider a policy to automatically close Winburn Way when concerts are given and arrangements have been made by the Parks Commission. WINBURN WAY CLOSURE Fathers Day Race A letter from Geoffrey Stathos requesting closure of Winburn Way for a race on Fathers Day was read and Howard moved to grant request; Smith seconded the motion which passed unanimously on voice vote. FEDERAL JOBS BILL A memorandum from the City Administrator was read relative to the availability of funding under the Federal Jobs Bill and recommendin~ an adjourned meeting to work out details for application. Council agreed to meet at 4:00 P.M. on Friday, June lOth in the Conference Room to discuss Labor relations and then to Council Chambers to discuss other items on the Council agenda. HOSPITAL CONSTRUCTION FUNDS Postponed. LIQUOR LICENSE APPLICATION Laws moved to approve liquor licenses for Winchester Inn, Ashland Bakery and Cafe, Main Street Dell and Brothers Restaurant and Smith seconded the'motion. On voice vote the motion passed without opposition. WATER & SEWER CONNECT FEES A memorandum from Almquist was read outlining costs of such actual charges in order to keep the fees in line and an ordinance to adjust rates showing previous charges was attached for Council inspection. Council agreed to postpone discussion until the City Administrator would be present at the next regular meeting. AMERICAN LEGION LEASE A memo from the City Administrator was read recommending a lease renewal for a term of not to exceed 5 years and Reid moved to extend lease for 3 years and to include stipulation that should building be damaged or destroyed the City would not be liable for rebuilding to Legion's specs; Howard seconded the motion which passed unanimously on voice vote. TRAFFIC SAFETY RECOMMENDATIONS Howard moved to approve Traffic Commission~s recon~nendation that crosswalk be painted across Henry St. where it intersects Mountain Avenue and that same thing be done across Mountain Avenue in line with the south side of Henry St. Smith seconded the motion which passed unanimously on voice vote. 6/7/83 Page 4 Regular M~eeting Ashland City Council 6/7/83 P. 5 MISTLETOE ROAD PUBLIC FORUM ORDINANCES, RESOLUTIONS & CONTRACTS Tax Levy 83-84 St. Tree Commission Benson Annexation Transfer of Approp. Weatherization Program Incr. Revenues & Expend. State Highway Agreement FAA Grant Offer A memorandum from the City Administrator was read informing Council that the easement necessary for formation of an assess-~ ment district for improvements of Mistletoe Road was available from the Southern Pacific Transportation Company for a one time charge of $12,900. Howard moved to accept the offer and authoriz- ing the City Administrator to sign the easement offer. Smith seconded the motion. Fregonese said the permanent easement will give the right to improve but the City will not own the property. On voice vote the motion passed with all voting in favor. Jim Ruth of the Railroad Cafe expressed concern that his liquor license request was to be considered and was not on the agenda. City Recorder Franklin noted that the completed application had not been forwarded by the Police Department as yet. The Mayor said he would check on the progress of the application with the Chief of Police. Second reading was given an ordinance levying taxes by title only and Laws moved to adopt; Smith seconded the motion which passed unanimously on voice vote. Second reading by title only was given an ordinance establishing a Street Tree Commission and Smith moved to adopt; Laws seconded the motion. The Press was encouraged to advise citizens that applications will be accepted for positions on the Commission. On voice vote the motion passed unanimously. First reading was given an ordinance dispensing with an election relative to a proposed annexation located North of Crowson Road and West of I-5 Freeway and setting a public hearing date for June 21, 1983 at 7:30 P.M., and Laws moved to second reading; Acklin seconded the motion which passed unanimously on roll call vote. A Resolution transferring appropriations within funds was read and Acklin moved to adopt; Reid seconded the motion which passed unanimously on roll call vote. A Resolution increasing revenues and expenditures in connection with weatherization program was read and Laws moved for adoption; Smith seconded the motion which passed unanimously on roll call. A cover letter was read with an attached agreement from the High- way Division relative to work in connection with new traffic signals near the fire station was considered and the Mayor asked that further discussion be postponed until a Resolution is drawn up and considered at the next meeting. Postponed to Adjourned Meeting on Friday, June 10 at 4:00 P.M. 6/7/83 P. 5 Regular Mo_e~eting Ashland City Council 6/7/83 P. 6 ORDINANCES, RESOLUTIONS & CONTRACTS cont. National Weather Serv. OTHER BUSINESS PRESS CONFERENCE ADJOURNMENT Nan E. Franklin City Recorder A letter was read from the Department of Commerce and Agreement to operate as a weather observer was submitted for Brian L. Alm- quist, City Administrator, to sign. Acklin moved that Almquist sign Agreement; Reid seconded and the motion passed unanimously on voice vote. Mayor Medaris called attention to applications made available for representatives on the County Advisory Council and urged Council to consider applying. On question from ~rk Howard as to who qualifies to apply for Federal Job Bill, Fregonese said the only the City can submit application. The Council meeting adjourned to an Executive Session at 4:00 P.M. followed by an Adjourned Meeting on Friday, June 10, 1983. L. Gordon Medaris Mayor IH