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HomeMy WebLinkAbout1983-0816 REG MINMINUTES OF THE REGLrLARMEETING ASHLAND CITY COUNCIL August 16, 1983 PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE & ROLL CALL APPROVAL OF MINUTES SMOKING PROHIBITION ORD. SENIOR PROGRAM FUNDRAISING HISTORIC COMMISSION REPORT ON CITY HALL REFURBISHING 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 and Smith. Dale and Laws were absent. Acklin asked that correction be made on page 4, pp 2 indicating the city referred to as Roseburg and not Grants Pass, and moved that the minutes of the regular meeting of August 2 be approved as cor- rected; Smith seconded the motion which passed unanimously on voice vote. A letter from Jere Hudson, 395 Strawberry Lane, proposing an ordin- ance prohibiting smoking in public places was read and Hudson was asked to elaborate. Hudson said he has been in touch with the Police Department, Oregon Lung Association, Health Department and urged that Council support the new State law by adopting an ordin- ance for enforcement by the City. Hudson noted the Police Depart- ment feels there is a problem enforcing the State law because the District Attorney would not process it. The Mayor said that an ordinance wouldn't mean that the Police Department would be enforc- ing the law but that it would indicate that we stand behind the law philosophically. Smith noted that we have other ordinances on the books that are difficult to enforce and used the leash law as an example and went on to say that she would rather not take a negative position nor tell people how to run their business. Smith said she could not support an ordinance. Hudson said that if there is a law on the books such as the proposed ordinance it gives a citizen the right to see the law is enforced by simply advising the person in violation that there is a law and wouldn't necessarily expect to see the Police actively pursue enforcement. After further Council discussion Acklin moved to rely on State law and not adopt ordinance as proposed; Smith seconded the motion which passed with Smith and Acklin voting in favor and Reid opposing. A letter from Senior Program Director Stein was reviewed by the City Administrator outlining proposal to hire a temporary part time employee as the Resource Development Coordinator at $6.00 per hour for a 24 hour week. Almquist noted that the City would pay into EICA and SAIF but that health insurance and retirement would not be required and recommended the proposal posed by Stein. Smith thanked Stein and Almquist for their efforts and moved to grant approval to proceed; Acklin seconded the motion. ~yor Medaris asked Stein if the outreach program would be maintained this year at the same level and Stein said it would. On voice vote all AYES. Chairperson Deb Barker showed rendering of City Hall along with proposals to paint, renovate stairs, install awnings etc. and sub- mitted details of proposal for Council. The costs estimated for the work ran from a high of $9,336 to a low of $8,921 plus $1,096 for stair repairs and/or replacement. Smith moved to accept concept ......... continued 8/16/83 Regular M_D~eting Ashland City Council 8/16/83__F. 2 CITY HALL REFURB. cent. STRAWBERRY LANE WATER WATER/SEWER OVERCHARGES ADULT STUDENT HOUSING and asked that Commission work with the City Administrator and Budget Committee on implementation. Reid seconded the motion which passed without opposition on voice vote. The Mayor con~nended the Commission. City Administrator Almquist read a letter from Director of Public Works Alsing relative to a proposed pump station for the Strawberry Lane Area and a letter from R. W. Beck & Associates recommending that pumping stations at Orchard & Westwood Streets not be considered because of the low pressure at that location and adding that the long range solution recommended in the comprehensive water plan to install a 24 inch supply line to the west side would be their con- tinued recommendation. Chris Hald spoke to the issue as a property owner in the area saying that he can't understand the logic of allow- ing new connects on Wimer Street saying that further water use will siphon off more pressure from the Strawberry area and said that area should also be in the water moratorium and he considers this spot zoning. Hald asked what criteria is being used to allow water hook- ups on the other side. Almquist noted that the moratorium maps depicted two areas and that the Terrace Street water line will take care of Area B and will not take care of Area A (Strawberry area). Alsing noted that the Terrace Street line is just a temporary meas- ure. Acklin noted that last year a moratorium was considered for both areas but that future growth was planned for in last year's bond issue. Hald couldn't understand how the other hook-ups can be approved when its all on the same system. Alsing explained the water system and said the 24" proposed line will provide new press- ure to Area "A" and that established development is being looked at. Acklin recormnended that Hald meet with Alsing to see what can be worked out and familiarize himself with the system. Reid said if we continue to hook-up connects to Wimer Street and allow them to continue to use that water the people in the Strawberry area will be short changed. Acklin said Council has an obligation to come up with a solution to the problem in the moratorium area and Alsing's formula is being proposed to alleviate the situation. Acklin asked that Alsing get a price on the computer run to include the new proposal so that can be acted on if it is within the price range. Skoa said the data being generated by R. W. Beck doesn't clarify the criteria they are working with and suggested more data base be made available to them. Acklin said it may be premature to ask questions of the Engineers (Beck) and suggested property owners work with Alsing. Atsing asked that questions be made available to him so that he can prepare pr~or to meeting to save time. Alsing was asked to notify Council of meetingdatel. The City Administrator reviewed his memorandum relative to the water and sewer charges for ASH caused by a defective cable-type compound water meter at ASH on Siskiyou Blvd. and gave the chronological history of the overages and noted that he has been working with ASH representatives to work out a plan for credit or refund of overcharges. Almquist listed options for Council to consider and offered to answer any questions on the matter. ........ continued 8/16/83 P. 2 Regular Meeting Ashland City Council 8/16/83 P.3 ASH Overcharges CONSERVATION REPORT & BPA LONG TERM CONTRACT COMMERCIAL AUDIT PROGRAM GROWTH MANAGEMENT REPORT ON ANNEXATIONS Reid asked Almquist when he learned of the malfunction and error which had existed from December to July and Almquist said he learned after the ~esting was made on the equipment. Acklin said in the future she would hope that communications relative to overcharge or meter problems would be handled in~nediately. Smith agreed that the City should be sensitive to such problems. Acklin moved to accept recommendation for credit repayment over 24-30 months and Reid seconded the motion. Almquist said it took three weeks to compute error from an accounting standpoint and noted that the cable type meter is no longer used. Acklin asked if the company who made the defective meter available could be held responsible and Alsing explained that the meter had been installed ten or twelve years ago and operated in a fashion he had never seen before with both sides metering simultaneously. On voice vote the motion passed without opposition. Conservation Director Wanderscheid reviewed work being done to weat- herize low income homes and noted basic change in BPA's program which will require 15% of the cost to be picked up by the property owner. Wanderscheid gave status of program with ACCESS and because of budgetary difficulties and other program responsibilities of ACCESS said it would be faster and easier for the City to take care of the low income weatherization itself. Wanderschied said he will need between $500 and $1,000 to start the program by October and will need a transfer of appropriations for that amount should the Buy-back program monies be insufficient. Smith moved to approve proposal and to draw up papers for signature of Mayor. Almquist said he would bring back Resolution for the next meeting. Acklin seconded the motion which passed unanimously on voice vote. Conservation Director Wanderscheid reviewed changes in the Commercial Energy Conservation Service Program to bring it into line with Staw law as outlined in his memorandum of July 20, 1983 and Acklin moved that Wanderscheid go ahead with program amendments; Smith seconded the motion which passed unanimously on voice vote. Almquist reviewed the memo from the Growth Management Subcommittee on growth & annexation policies saying that City staff would have authority to expand a requested annexation for more orderly growth and consistent borders. Councilwoman Acklin who serves on the sub- committee outlined some of the plans saying that annexation fees would not be charged in the manner they have been but will be charged when the property owner requests utility services which will make the charge more equitable and timely. Acklin said before systems development charges are drawn up it is the Committee's desire to know how Council feels about the proposal before more work is done by the subcommittee. On question from Reid as to whether residential and commercial would get the same charges, Ackln said there would be a sliding fee scale which will determine charges by use. ............... continued 8/16/83 P. 3 _ ~ular M~eting Ashland City Council 8/16/8_l P. 4 _ GROWTH MGMT. REPORT cont. LIQUOR LICENSE REQUEST WATER STREET CLOSURE NUCLEAR FREE ZONE SIGNS ORDINANCES, RESOLUTIONS & CONTRACTS Pioneer St. Improvement East-West portion of Clover Lane and Subdiv. Improvement W of 1-5 Council agreed that a Charter Amendment should go on the 1984 Primary Ballot for Contract Annexation as recommended and Smith moved to instruct staff and committee to reconstruct annexation fees and bring back ordinance; Reid seconded the motion which passed unanimous- ly on voice vote. and street closure Acklin moved to place liquor license request for Rondo Lanes/on agenda; Smith seconded and motion passed without opposition on voice vote. Reid moved to approve; Acklin seconded and the motion passed unanimously on voice vote. Tom Doty requested that Water Street closure be allowed while a nineteen hour Muscular Dystrophy benefit takes place over the Labor Day weekend beginning at 3:00 pm on Sunday and continuing through the day on Monday until 5:00 p.m. Dory said he wouldn't need the "Beaver Slide" closed and that he would have the barricades manned. Acklin moved to approve street closure; Smith seconded the motion which passed unanimously on voice vote. Doty requested a noise per- mit but was told it wouldn't be necessary unless amplified music was planned. Don Skinner of Peace House requested approval for Nuclear Free Zone signs by Council before going to the State Highway Division for such installation. Mayor Medaris said Council doesn't have authority to erect the signs on a State highway. Skinner said he felt that the ordinance to approve had emanated from the citizens. Reid said it is a good idea and said staff should meet with the people at Peace House and work with them to approach the State that these signs are going along with State law. Reid moved to put on agenda; Smith seconded the motion which passed unanimously on voice vote. Reid moved to direct staff to work with Peace House to implement the requesl to erect three signs; Smith seconded the motion which passed without opposition on voice vote. Second reading by title only was given an ordinance ordering the improvement of Pioneer Street from Ashland Creek Easterly a distance Of 300 feet and Smith moved to adopt; Reid seconded the motion which passed unanimously on roll call vote. Second reading by title only was given an Ordinance ordering the improvement of the East-West portion of CloverLane and Subdivision Improvement located West of I-5 Freeway and South of Clover Lane. A1 Willstatter, 128 Central, asked Council if they are aware that citizens will be responsible in the event the Industrial Development property owners defaut. Acklin said she understands from legal counsel that the City would have first lien on that property and in the event she believes the property value would take care of this. .......... continued 8/]6/83 P.4 Regular~eting Ashland City Council 8/16/83 P. 5 INDUSTRIAL DEV. cont. Appt. of Pro-tem Judge Union St. Vacation Abandoned Refrigerators Don Rist asked how the Industrial Development differs from the YMCA and reminded Council that the City could not lend credit to a private corporation and the matter should be checked further before the City gets involved. City Attorney Salter said the situation is different in that it is perfectly legal for the Council to allow industrial uses and the City is not lending credit.on Bancrofting. Acklin said that McMinville has done this and she does not feel we are placing ourselves in that liability by making this arrangement. Acklin added that the Comprehensive Plan has a policy which asks Council to take this position. Don Rist said there is no test cases to see if this can be done. Smith said there should be a criteria but she feels comfortable with research which has been done on this project. Reid said she tried all week to learn how the City got involved in the City and reviewed the loss of option money the City had deposited on this property before the Economic Development Committee decided to form a corporation to promote the industrial development. Re~d said she was unable to trace the actions of EDC because minutes have not been kept of the meetings although they are mandated by ordinance to do so. Reid said she would want the criteria for such development applicable to all people in the community. Mayor Medaris agreed there should be minutes taken. Krebs said all that is being requested is for a L.I.D. for 647 feet and that property owner Ralls will pay for part of it as well as the Forest Service part which will be moving dirt in next week. Krebs said over 50% is already covered and people put the first hundred thousand dollars in that property. Krebs added that there 5~ acres yet to be developed and the contract holders don't think there is any risk. Rist as how the matter would be handled it there was a default and Almquist said it would be paid for from the General Fund and not from property taxes. Willstatter asked whether this option would be available to everyone and Acklin said she would only want to do this once and she doesn't have any problem with that. Krebs said he was asked by the City to form this group and he worked a year doing this. Smith moved to adopt; Acklin second- ed the motion and on roll call the motion passed unanimously. Second reading by title only was given an ordinance amending the municipal code with respect to the appointment of a Pro-tem Judge and Acklin moved to adopt; Smith seconded the motion which passed unani- mously on roll call vote. First reading was given an ordinance vacating a portion of Union St. between Auburn & Iowa Street and Almquist recommended holding at second reading until owners have signed consent to improve street with paving saying he had sent letters to that effect. Smith moved to second reading and to be held until signatures in favor of paving received; Acklin seconded the motion which passed unanimously on roll call vote. A memo was read from the Police Chief asking that the ordinance be updated to bring it into line with State law and Almquist gave first reading of the ordinance. Acklin moved to second reading; Smith seconded the motion which passed unanimously on roll call vote. ............ continued 8/16/83 P.5 Regular Meeting Ashland City Council 8/16/8~ P. 6 Parking Prohibition A resolution prohibiting parking on the East side of Wightman between Lee & Webster was read and Smith moved to adopt; Reid seconded the motion which passed unanimously on roll call vote. OTHER BUSINESS Reid reported that the American Legion had invited the Youth Task Force to share the A.L. building and that she went to inspect the building with Everett Murrell and found the building to be structur- ally unsound. Reid suggested that someone with experience in log buildings inspect the structure for safety and possible repair. Reid said that the American Legion Post plans to refurbish the building by painting and carpeting and feels money spent on cosmetics at this point would be lost and the priority would be repair. Almquist noted this was the reason for the short term lease and that Community Grant monies may help in the effort since it is a historic building. Almquist said he would talk to representatives of the American Legion. ADJOURNMENT At 10:00 P.M. the meeting adjourned to an adjourned meeting on August 23, 1983 at 7:30 P.M. in Civic Center Council Chambers relative to bid on Hydro-generator. Nan E. Franklin City Recorder L. Gordon Medaris Mayor