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HomeMy WebLinkAbout1983-1206 REG MINMINUTES OF THE REGULAR MEETING ASHLAND CITY COUNCIL December 6, 1983 PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE & ROLL CALL APPROVAL OF MINUTES HELMAN ST. IMPROVEMENTS Mayor Medaris led the Pledge of Allegiance and called the meeting to order at 7:30 P.M. on the above date in the Council Chambers at the Civic Center. Present were Howard, Reid, Dale, Acklin, Laws and Smith. City Administrator Almquist requested that minutes of the regular meeting of November 22, 1983 be corrected on page two, second to last pp to say that "Laws suggested that the Administrative Sub- committee be given the opportunity to review and lodge objections if any" (rather than the Budget Committee). Acklin moved for approval of the minutes of the November 22 regular meeting as corrected and also the executive sessions before and after the regular meeting; Smith seconded the motion which passed unanimous- ly on voice vote. The City Administrator read the memo from Director of Public Works Alsing and reviewed the history of Helman Street relative to the oil mat improvement made years ago. Almquist said two petitions had been presented for asphalt paving of 1700 feet (approx.) in the amount of $20 and S25 signed by 99.39% of the involved prop- erty owners. Almquist explained that the $20 maximum cost per foot was signed with the proposal that the City pick up the differ- ence between that amount and the actual costs which would amount to around $17,000. Almquist noted that the estimate made at this point is good only until the end of December. Greg Williams of 744 Helman said he read Alsing's history and said it is biased and disagreed with Alsing's comments in point 3 on page 1 adding that Dr. Reynolds had not promised to agree to sign for paving. Williams also disagreed with Alsing's report saying that Dr. Rey- nolds would agree to installation of curb and gutter. Williams said the City had substantially contributed to the paving of Oak Street and that Oak has prohibited truck traffic which spilled over onto Helman further damaging the already pot-holed surface. Williams said without the support of the School District the petit- ion for $25 per front foot will be dead and added that Helman not only serves the school but is the entrance to the largest subdiv- ision in the City. Williams said that his parents and Dr. Reynolds deeded land to the City when the street was straightened out and asked for no compensation. John Englehardt, 50 W. Nevada said that he didn't think there was enough support for the $25 cost so he started the $20 petition to get full support. He said that the street will be ripped up get- ting the new sewer line installed so feels the $20 figure is fair. Dr. Jack Reynolds, 505 Helman, said he has nothing to gain by the paving of Helman and would rather have the potholes to slow the traffic down. Reynolds added that he realizes the work needs to be done. Reynolds said the sub-standard Oak Street paving has created abnormal truck use on Helman and this is the reason he fs -.........continued 12/6/83 P.1 Regular ~eeting Ashland City Council 12/6/83 P. 2 HELMAN ST. cent. ROGUE VALLEY TRANSIT DIST. SHELTER PROPOSAL of the opinion that the City should help. Reynolds also urged the City to bring Oak Street up to standard so that it can carry the truck traffic. Almquist gave the history of the City's involvement in the improvement of Oak Street saying it was paved 25 feet wide down the center with no curbe and gutter. He added that Conklin (former Councilman) worked out a plan where the City, County and property owners would share in the cost of improvements and because it was substandard that a 20,000 lb. load limit be imposed. A property owner at 520 Helman expressed concern for the school children going to Helman School saying there are no sidewalks or crosswalks and that the new pavement would bring more traffic and she would like to see pavement which would result in less traffic. John Fields, 440 Helman, said he is concerned where there is a sharp turn in the street saying that if traffic goes over 15 or 20 miles per hour it will be dangerous and he would like to see speedbumps to discourage speeding. On Smithts question as to what the City's options are as far as funding the partial amount, Almquist said that possibly Federal Revenue Sharing monies could be used. Laws said he would like to see the funding made available so the project can start in the Spring with the people supporting most of the cost. Laws said the money should come out of the Contingency fund. Reid said this would be a good time to provide for a bike path, crossing guards and cross-walks for the protection of the school children. Reid added that dust control resulting in the project will be a health benefit to children and adults alike. Almquist said that recom- mendations should come from the Bike Committee and Traffic Safety Committee as suggested by Reid. Almquist read the Resolution calling for a public hearing on December 20, 1983 and Acklin moved to adopt; Howard seconded the motion which passed unanimous- ly on roll call vote. City Attorney Salter noted that ten years ago the oil mat on Helman cost was $2.49 per foot paid for by property owners. A request to erect acrylic shelters at four locations in Ashland was reviewed and Sherm Flogstad of RVTD was on hand to further discuss the proposal. Dale questioned the proposal saying that the shelters would not lend to the historic/aesthetic environment of Ashland. Council discussed this point and agreed that the Historic Commission should have had the opportunity to review the proposal and recommend to Council. It was noted that the Historic Commission would be meeting on Wednesday, December 7th. Flogstad said that his whole order is going in for the shelters and is anxious to get approval. Howard moved to approve four shelters; Smith seconded the motion. Laws moved to approve to refer to Historic Commission and if they objec~ to bring the matter back for discussion at the December 20 meeting. Reid seconded the motion. On the amended motion Reid, Dale, Acklin, Laws and Smith voted YES. Howard opposed. 12/6/83 P. 2 Regular M~eeting Ashland City Council 12/6/83 P. 3 STREET CUT REQUEST UTILITY PAYMENT POLICY A memo from the Director of Public Works was read relative to a request from C.P. National to cut pavement at 788 Iowa to install 25 feet of 6" steel pipe. Laws moved for approval; Acklin seconded the motion which passed unanimously on voice vote. The City Administrator reviewed a memo with his comments relative to a request by the Chamber of Conmerce that extension for pay- ment of utility bills be considered for the business community. Almquist noted his recoF~endation is to add five days to the present due date and that an ordinance be drawn to implement the recommendation. Almquist then read a letter from the Chamber requesting that a longer period of time be used and suggested twenty-five days from the date of issue. Reid recalled a meeting in which it was suggested that time limit be extended six months ago and now urged that Council consider change at this time. Acklin felt the five day extension discussed is sufficient. Almquist noted that giving five more days for payment would bring the Cityts operation into an average range for Utilities (Municipal). Elliott Reinert said the Board action on the recommendation was unanimous among the membership and said the past-due notice policy results in bad credit ratings for the customers - mainly the businesses who write checks once a month. Dennis Sweet recalled problems he has had with the past-due notices noting that his utility bill is one of eighty accounts and that all of his checks are made out at once and that when his office staff was away he was red-tagged and then yellow-tagged. He asked that the office be more sensitive before threatening turn-offs. Walt Anders Jr., 23 Wilson Road said his father who has an auto repair business was ~agged due to a computer error and was never apologized to for the humiliation and inconvenience. Anders added that utility person should be more sensitive when he reviews the problem in the presence of customers. Laws said that he would be willing to apologize. Laws said that if the personnel is allowed to make a judgment the City could well lose money as a result of sad stories and said that every year the City writes off a long list of uncollectible bills from people who pleaded for compassion and then moved with no notice to the City. Laws pointed out that the delay in forcing payment only makes the ultimate bill larger. Reid said the cost of collection should be considered and a longer extension would help personnel who have the complaints at the counter. Ed Chapman of Laurel Street critized the collection policy saying that the City informs the tenants of possible shut-offs and questioned the ethics and legality of that action. Mayor Medaris said that the tenants have a right to know if they are going to be turned off. Greg Willjams said that he runs his business in a totally different fashion than he does his home and that the residential bill is taken care of at once rather than office staff who waits for all of the bills to come in. Acklin reiterated her feeling that the City can't afford to wait thirty days before sending out a past-due notice. ...... continued 12/6/83 P. 3 Re~ul.ar ~eting Ashland City Council 12/6/83 ~: 4 UTILITY PA~4ENT POLICY NEW & MISCELLANEOUS BUSINESS Airport Work Funding Low Income Weatherization CPAC Amendments Shapiro Proposed Annex. After further discussion Smith moved to extend first past-due notice by 10 days; Acklin seconded the motion which passed unanimously on roll call vote. A request from the Director of Public Works to utilize Airport Funds for bank protection and channel restoration work and and further funding to hire extra help for channel clearing in the future was considered. Acklin moved to authorize expenditure and Smith seconded. Smith expressed concern that the blackberries not be completely cut back to ensure that habitat be maintained. On voice vote the motion passed unanimously. A memo from Energy Coordinator Wanderscheid was reviewed request- ing an additional appropriation of $1,500 which resulted in a BPA buy-back policy change. Laws moved to approve; Reid seconded the motion which passed unanimously on voice vote. Proposed amendments relative to Citizen Involvement were reviewed in a memo from the Planning Division and Planning Director Freg- onese reported that the Citizens Planning Advisory Commhave been frustrated in its efforts due to lack of a quorum and explain- ed that most of the work is done by a core group of regulars and that the proposal to bring the membership from 16 to 12 members with 5 to make a quorum would help its activites. Fregonese said that their work is very important as a citizen voice but that in recent months other conm~issions have been formed taking some of the workload off CPAC. After discussion as to the role of CPAC, Acklin moved that we bring back an ordinance includ- ing proposed changes with the exception of Sec. 2.27.040(B) and allow for 2 non attendance or two of four meetings as cause for loss of membership; Smith seconded the motion which passed unanimously on voice vote. Laws moved to set a public hearing on the revisions for January 3, 1984 at 7:30 P.M; Acklin seconded the motion. Dale critized the proposed revisions as they relate to satellite dish antennae and solar collectors, saying that the section dealing with the satellite dishes does not reflect action of the Council when the ordinance was requested to be drawn up by Planning. Laws suggested that any problems be worked out during the public hearing process. On voice vote the motion passed unanimously. A recorm~endation from Planning Commission for approval of pro- posed Shapiro Annexation was considered and Almquist was asked to read an Ordinance setting a public hearing for January 17, 1984 at 7:30. Having given first reading of the ordinance, Howard moved to second reading; Smith seconded and the motion passed unanimously on roll call vote. 12/6/83 P. 4 Regular Meeting Ashland City Council 11/6/83 P. 5 Thormahlen Zone Change Request A recommendation for a public hearing to consider proposed Zone Change from the Planning Commission was considered and Acklin moved to set public hearing for December 20, 1983 at 7:30 P.M.; Dale seconded the motion which passed without opposition on voice vote. PUBLIC FORUM No response from the audience. ORDINANCES, RESOLUTIONS & CONTRACTS Greenway Annex Ordinance Second reading was given by title only of an Ordinance setting a public hearing on a proposed annexation and withdrawal of property from Fire Dist. No. 5 and Acklin moved to adopt; Reid seconded the motion which passed unanimously on roll call vote. Electric Meter Location A memorandum from Electric Director Williams was read relative to location of electric meters on new homes and rewires and Almquist gave first reading on an ordinance to implement the proposal. Laws moved to second reading; Smith seconded. Dale requested that wording be amended to apply to corner lots and Council agreed to defer for such modification. OTHER BUSINESS FROM MEMBERS Councilmember Smith reported that the Traffic & Safety Commiss- ion would like to bring the issue of traffic on Walker to Hwy 66. Smith said a petition with 67 signatures were submitted at the last T & S Commission meeting and that removal of all traffic on the East side by posting of signs for "no parking between 8 A.M. & 5 P.M.". Smith said a public hearing has been set for Decem- ber 14. Smith said that bike paths to Hunter Park interest should be stimulated and Laws asked what the status of the Bikepath through the college is at this time and said he is fearful that we will lose the funding should we not implement plans. Almquist said that he has met with the representative of the department in charge of funding and that the money is still available. Mayor Medaris said he is working with the College on development of the South campus complex and that Iowa Street and proposed bikepath will be dealt with at that time PUBLIC SAFETY REPORT Director of Public Safety Vic Lively updated Council on progress made by the new department saying that problems have developed which are not insurmountable and that they are being worked out. PRESS CONFERENCE ADJOURNMENT Nan Franklin City Recorder Michael Scho]l of the Tidings asked for clarification on the action taken relative to the Bus Shelter proposal and was told that Council approved the request contingent on approval by Historic Commission and if they disapprove that the subject will be again be taken up at the next regular meeting. The meeting adjourned at 10:00 P.M. L. Gordon Medaris Mayor 12/6/83 P.5