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HomeMy WebLinkAbout1983-0621 REG MIN~ vv PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE & ROLL CALL Approval of Minutes PUBLIC HEARING Benson Annex. Proposal MINUTES OF THE REGULAR MEETING ASHLAND CITY COUNCIL June 21, 1983 Mayor Medaris called the meeting to order at 7:30 P.M. on the above date and Howard, Dale, Acklin, Laws and Smith were present. Councilwoman Smith asked that page three of the 6/7/83 minutes be corrected relative to the Community Garden item indicating that the present stewards of the involved property be notified only and not asked to agree with the proposal. Laws moved to approve minutes as corrected and also minutes of adjourned meeting and executive sess- ion of 6/10/83; Smith seconded the motion which passed with all AYES and voice vote. A memo from the Planning Department dated 6/17/83 was read and the letter along with Findings dated 4/13/83 (PC), Staff Report dated 4/13/83, and applicant's findings submitted by RCS Management were made part of the record. Planning Director Fregonese was asked to comment on the proposal and he noted that the Planning Commission felt that the City has the capacity to supply the area in question with services the costs of which would be the responsibility of the developer. Fregonese noted there are eight findings and 9 conditions attached to the proposal. Mayor Medaris opened the public hearing. Richard Stevens, representing Applicants Claude & Delores Benson noted that the Planning Commission had unanimously approved the application with eight findings and nine conditions and the area of most concern was the need for industrial land and whether or not it could be served with utilities in a timely fashion. Stevens said that due to evidence presented to that hearing the Planning Commission was satisfied that there wasn't an overabundance of industrial property for economic development needs and that a letter from Jensen & Associates, Engineers, outlined alternatives avail- able for extending water and sewers to the proposed annexation and to do so would make the proposal feasible. Stevens said that the Planning Commission recommended that the property be annexed; that the property be rezoned to industrial and employment district and they also approved the tentative subdivision plat to develop the property. Stevens said the conditions will have to be followed before the property is used as planned and submitted a letter from the Medford/Jackson County Economic Development signed by A. L. Gardner, Director and having read the letter asked that it be made part of the record. Stevens referred to the first item under Communications etc. which related to a request for the payment of annexation fees on the proposal be deferred until issuance of building permits and offered to field questions on that issue. Since there were no comments from the audience, the public hearing was closed. Howard asked Fregonese if Steven's outline goes along with criteria and if costs will be paid for by developer. Fregonese said it is assumed they'll Day the costs and it could be made a condition. Howard asked if there is a pressing of time and Stevens said they can't proceed with the proposal until there is action and then the plans, engineering etc. can be started. Stevens said the plan is to pay the costs for utilities. 6/21/83 P. 1 Regular Mee_..ting Ashland City Council 6/21/83 P. 2 Benson Annexation P,H. continued Howard said if the developers are not in a time crunch it may be to their advantage to give a policy-making committee an opportunity to complete it's work relative to annexations and be beneficial to the project. Stevens said he is aware that they will pick up the costs for extending the utilities and is hopeful that development in Oak Knoll may help in that effort and mentioned that Jensen is the engineer for both projects. Stevens said that if annexation is approved now it will be at least a year before the plat becomes final and engineering is done etc. and it will be at least two years before the property is on the market. On question from Smith as to whether the project would continue on if not annexed at this time Stevens said he would need assurance from Fregonese, legal counsel and Almquist that it would be annexed but without this assurance the project would have to stop. Laws said there would have to be a Charter Amendment before a contract annexation could be approved. Acklin expressed concern relative to the costs involved in the utilities and moving along with possible uncertainties ahead and said she is uncomfortable in the interim arrangement. City Attorney Salter asked that an agreement be made that developers would furnish utilities at their expense to preclude future owners to expect the services be installed at public expense basing his comment on the Strawberry Lane Water Moratorium instance. Fregonese was asked what he thought of the utilities agreement and he said that it is as close to contract annexation as possible without having a contract annexation and feels it is a viable plan for the developer and the City. Stevens suggested that the City have an agreement with the County on the interim policy to administer land use etc. Howard moved to direct Staff and Applicant to work out details for develop- ment of utilities and bring back agreement; Reid seconded the motion which passed unanimously. On question of Smith as to whether the project would be dependent upon new reservoir, Almquist said it is dependent on it and that the reservoir should be complete by the first of the year. PUBLIC HEARING Federal Jobs Bill Planning Director Fregonese reviewed the project impact as it would relate to low and moderate income housing rehabilitation and said most of the work would be done in the Historic District of the City and that a survey revealed that low interest loans would help people rehabilitate homes should such loans be made available. Fregonese said that a small number of people could afford to do the work with conventional loans. Fregonese noted that the Community Center would be used for rehabilitation offices called for in the grant agreement and noted that there would be sufficient room plus parking facilities On question of Reid as to whether that would take away public's meeting places, Fregonese said it wouldn't. The public hearing was opened and since there were no comments from the audience the public hearing was closed and Reid moved to authorize the Mayor to sign the grant application; Acklin seconded tbe motion which passed unanimously on voice vote. 6/21/83 P. 2 C0~I~{UNICATIONS, PETITIONS & REMONSTRANCES Benson Deferra] Requ~!st (Anne.',~atjon Fees) Siskiyou Properties Req- ReSt for pavement cat Duane Smith Vacation Request C & T Subd. Bcns~}n's reqljcst To defer annexation payments until building permits are rt, qnl~sted =I,~s submitted to Council and City Admiinistrator Aim- quis~ noted t]l~t if Council desires this could be made part of the co~tn~Tact with the, develt, pers. City A~-torney Saltcr agreed saying theft should tbi~; b~~ made part of the contract that it should be done no~.' a~ oppo~c,] to amending the contract la~er. Smith said that the requ~f;t is ~]j]~ that of the Industrical Park Annexation inentioncd in the lcttt,~ ~n that the project was on a non-profit bas~s as far as perthusa] pro'.~t ds co~ctcrnnd. Fregonese said that the Industrial Park ccu~]d ~-a~,~ profit hu~ it is genera]Iy a high-risk situation. Law~' ~c~]d he ~= reluctant to depart from policy by making another e>;c{pt[on s:vi~n:,; there :is ~ow adequate indnstrial prop~rty av~]oble an,:', ~'c:ther ~],,t: ::] 7~{~wj!~, for annexat-ion ft:{~ defers'a] b~: would to :~,o the [~;~:~: ~' d{-vt~],?c.v] wb]ch j s b,,ing worked on and ther~cfore pc, i ;, ,: ~r:ls :,,,~ i:z tl~, }],.,t-~c;.,,, Strc~i- c]evc'l~bl~muut and sai,~ the criterj was= ~i~;e,d o,~ [~,t~ ,[~;iljp ['t~r the Industrial Park Deferred payment: and such t'riterj;: ~,t~ll]d apply iu each case, Council disc~ussed the Itcx':;~'5 Srrc,2t p~opt, rtv a~t the action and the ~ayor said that the prol,:.~-ty w;~ l,r]~{.d hffgin and is not as well located as the Inch~st~ia Park ~}t, velr~l,:,:.,;nt site. L~ax,.,s said he doesn't thin]{ Conncil was doj:~ anyone a favc,~- pt't:~ionsly but was concerned with a special project. Ack]in agreed .a~d' said that the committee is looking at syste~s dev-- e]opme~t char[,~,:: raither than annexation fees for future policy and snch criteria ;h{~u!d prcc]nde the problem being discussed. Dale moved to de'n5 c~:quust; Acklin seconded the motion. Smith said it sb,3~ld be ]a~I,{d into further and Laws agreed saying that it is possible to co:,ie up with a more appropriate policy. Howard said he wot~]d prefer t{, table. Dale wjtbdrew her second and Howard moved to tab]e; Smil, b seconded the motion which passed unanimously with AYE S. Letter was rc~td from Duane Smith requesting pavement cut on Wiley Street in two places where reduction of lot size is being planned. Laws said he x~ould not be in favor of approving until final approval of subdivision and Fregonese said the subdivision has already been approved and the street wouldn't be cut until the sewers go in fur the project. Laws moved to approve on that condition; Howard seconded the motion which passed with no opposition on voice vote. A].nlquist read a memo from the Director of Public Works relative to vacatqon request for utility easements on C & T Subdivision to resubdivide lots and noted that although a vacation is necessary the petition is being signed by Smith and his partner and others are not involved. Laws moved to approve request; Howard seconded the motion ~hich passed unanimously on voice vote. 6/21/83 P. 3 _Regular Meeting Ashland City Council 6/21/83 P. 4 ~_~ Union St. Vacation Ashland Marathon Katz proposed driveway Bristol Street Audit Committee Recomm- endation to extend Audit contract with Gerald Burns City Hall Heating/AC equipment replacement Engineering Personnel Granite Street Water Bond Project bid A memo was read from Jim Otson, City Engineer Tech. and petition submitted for vacation of part of Union Street. Public Hearing was set for August 2, 1983. Letter was read from Erik Wallbank requesting that certain City streets be closed for Ashland Marathon to be run on October 30 along with a portion of Siskiyou Boulevard. Chief Lively said he would have no problem with closure but that State Highway Division would have to be involved for any closure of the State highway. Council was supportive of the marathon event and Reid moved to approve on condition that State Highway Division approval is received; Howard seconded the motion and suggested that Wallbank work with Elliott Reinert & Jim Beaver and if unsuccessful with State to come back with another plan. Council unanimously agreed. Almquist noted that at the last Council meeting he was instructed to contact adjoining property owners relative to driveway proposal for access to Katz property from unopened portion of Bristol Street and noted that Larry Jones opposes the proposal and that Jim Wright called also objecting to the driveway. Dale said he went up to the site and can see no other access available to Katz for use of his property and moved for approval on condition that driveway be paved to City standards and that Katz sign in favor of annexation; Howard seconded the motion which passed unanimously on voice vote. A memorandum from Finance Director Robert D. Nelson was reviewed with a recommendation by the Audit Committee that Burns & Updegrove be retain for the 1983-84 audit and that new requests for proposals be sent to auditors in January, 1984 for 1984-85 fiscal year. It was emphasized that there was no dissatisfaction with present audit firm. Laws moved to continue with Auditors; Smith seconded the motion which passed unanimously on voice vote. Letter from Marquess & Marquess was read relative to proposed replace- ment of heating/air conditioning unit at City Hall illustrating the costs and payback through Kwhr hour savings etc. Almquist recommended that the cost of approximately $6,000 be charged to next year's budget if Council approved. After some discussion as to how the unit would be paid for Council agreed they would want more figures and Howard moved to ask staff to get replacement figures; Reid seconded the motion which passed unanimously on voice vote. A memorandum from the Director of Public Works Alsing requesting additional Engineering personnel was considered and Almquist recom- mended that the additional person be paid through the Water Bond pro- ceeds & Assessment fund. Reid moved to approve request; Smith seconded the motion which passed unanimously on voice vote. A memorandum from the Director of Public Works was read indicating a problem with the lowest bidder in the Granite Street Water Bond ~roject in that he is not equipped to handle the installation calling .... continued 6/21/83 P. 4 Regular Meetin~ Ashland City Council 6/21/83 P. 5 Granite St. Water Project continued from page 4 Zone Change at NE corner of Mt. & Siskiyou PUBLIC FORUM ORDINANCES, RESOLUTIONS & CONTRACTS Water & Sewer Connects Ashland Watershed Ord. State Rev. Sharing Annexation & rezone of 48.32 acres - Greenway Emergency Jobs Act Transfer of Approp. Mgmt. & Conf. Employees OTHER BUS. FROM COUNCIL HOWARD RESIGNATION for 30" ductile iron pipe and Almquist said that the low bidder agreed to withdraw to allow the second bidder (Frischman Const. Co.)to accept project. Howard moved to award bid to Frischman; Reid seconded the motion which passed unanimously on voice vote. A memorandum from the Planning Department was read relative to PA 83-41 requesting zone change to Commercial for one parcel at NE corner of Mountain & Siskiyou. Public hearing was set for the regular meeting of July 5, 1983 at 7:30 P.M. No comments from the audience. First reading was given by title only of an ordinance adjusting water and sewer connection charges and Laws moved to second reading; Smith seconded the motion which passed unanimously on roll call vote. Deferred to next meeting. A Resolution establishing eligibility to receive State Revenue Shar- ing funds was read and Laws moved for adoption; Acklin seconded the motion which passed without opposition on roll call vote. A Resolution of Intention relative to the annexation and rezoning of 48.32 acres of City-owned land acquired for Greenway purposes in the vicinity of the Wastewater Treatment Plant was read and Smith moved for adoption; Laws seconded the motion which passed unanimously on roll call vote. A Resolution authorizing the filing of a grant application under the Emergency Jobs Act was read and Smith moved to adopt; Acklin seconded the motion which passed unanimously on roll call vote. Resolution transferring appropriations within funds was read and Acklin moved to adopt; Dale seconded the motion which passed unani- mously on roll call vote. A Resolution amending resolution relative to conditions of employ- ment for management and confidential employees was read and Laws moved to adopt; Acklin seconded the motion which passed unanimously on roll call vote. Councilman Howard announced his intention to become Swimming Pool Director for the summer and in order to avoid conflict submitted a letter of resignation. Mayor Medaris expressed appreciation for his City Service. Laws said he would like to see the position held open for 60 days since Howard will be~changing his position at that time so that he could be reappointed at that time. Council agreed. 6/21/83 P. 5 _Regular M~ting Ashland City Council 6/21/83 P. ~ OTHER BUS. FROM COUNCIL PRESS CONFERENCE Emergency Job Act PRESS CONFERENCE cont. ADJOURNMENT Mayor Medaris reminded Council that the Special Election will be next Tuesday, June 28 and urged members to encourage people to vote on the Hydro-electric Generator proposal. Laws suggested that fact sheets be handed out to people. It was noted that the League of Women Voters are out asking people to vote in the Special Election. On Mark Howard~s question as to reason for deferring Watershed Res- trictions Ordinance, Almquist said there is more work to do and more input needed from Forest Service, College, Ski Operation etc. Almquist reported monies may be available through the Emergency Jobs Act and although it is a long shot it would make funding avail- able for use in hydro project. Mark Howard asked what would happen if the funding came through and the bond issue passes and Almquist said there would be fewer bonds issued and it would have to be a "YES" vote on bonds even if grant is received. Howard asked Howard what the conflict is causing resignation and Howard explained that the City Charter says no elected official will have a contract with the City and this position would fall in this category as Director of Swimming Pool. The meeting adjourned at 9:30 P.M. Nan E. Franklin City Recorder ~7/~~ ~~.~ L. Gordon Medaris Mayor ih 6/21/83 p. 6