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HomeMy WebLinkAbout1983-1122 REG MINMINUTES OF THE REGIS MEETING ASHLAND CITY COUNCIL November 22, 1983 PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE AND ROLL CALL PUBLIC HEARING Legislative Tax Relief Plan APPROVAL OF MINUTES HORSE & CARRIAGE RIDES Having led the Pledge of Allegiance ~yor Medaris called the meeting to order at 7:30 P.M. on the above date in the Civic Center Council Chambers. Reid, Dale, Acklin, Laws and Smith were present. Howard was absent. The City Administrator reviewed the tax relief package recently adopted by the Legislature which includes a sales tax combined with an expenditure limitation which limits growth in govern- ment to the growth of taxpayers ability to pay. Almquist noted that both the sales tax proposal and expenditure limitation must pass for either to be effective and recommended Council move to place on ballot. Mayor Medaris opened the public hearing and State Representative Kip Lombard briefed Council on the package proposal and gave history of its concept as a result of recent legislative action. Lombard said the package offers a significant option to run the government with monies other than property tax proceeds. Elliott Reinert of the Chamber asked about revenue generated by the tourist industry and was told by Lombard that it would amount to around $40,000,000. Shirley Graham representing the League of Women Voters urged that the issue be decided on at tbe polls. Since there were no other comments from the audience, ~edaris closed the public hearing and Laws moved to place on ballot and sign appropriate supportive documents; Smith seconded the motion which passed unanimously on voice vote. Acklin moved to approve minutes of the November 8, 1983 adjourned meeting; Smith seconded the motion which passed unanimously on voice vote. A letter from Gary Murrell requesting permission to operate a horse-drawn carriage on E. Main and "C" Streets during the Christmas holidays was read as were memos from the City Adminis- trator and Police Department outlining criteria and recommending approval based on the conditions. Council discussed the proposal Smith spoke in support of the idea as did Dale with Dale suggest- ing Mnrrell speak with the businesses before beginning the rides. Reid supported the concept saying it was successful in Jacksonville Laws shared reservations about the proposal saying it is dangerous and Ashland is different that Jacksonville trafficwise. Murrell told of experiences in the City of Portland and said he was given free rein there. Mayor Medaris agreed with concept but suggested that Murrell change route so that he crosses main arteries where there is a light. Council agreed to six conditions and asked the City Administrator to outline same for Murrell including 1) that no stops be made on E. Main or C Street and stop only on Plaza where designated; 2) that driver abide by ORS 483.457, Section (3) and by placing "Slow Moving Vehicle" sign on read of carriage; 3) that left lanes be used on both E. Main and "C" Sts; 4) that no stops be permitted along the route to unload or pick up passen- gers and that all loading and unloading be done on the Plaza. .......... continued 11/22/83 Regular Meeting Ashland City Council 11/22/83 P. 2 HORSE & CARRIAGE RIDES continuse WATER ST. PROPERTY LIQUOR LICENSE REQUEST Peppino's Restaurant B & G PROPERTIES LAND EXCHANGE CENTRAL SERVICES DEPT. GREENWAY ANNEXATION PROPOSAL 5) that a Certificate of Insurance be provided in the amount of $300,000 and that the City be named as an additional insured; 6) that the Chief of Police be given the authority to suspend or revoke the permit and license if serious traffic or safety problems are created. Acklin moved to grant request with conditions; Smith seconded the motion which passed Reid, Dale, Acklin and Smith voting in favor; Laws opposed and the motion carried. A letter from Attorney Skerry representing Ashland Sanitary Service offering $54,000.00 cash with certain conditions for the Water St. property was read as was an offer from Bagley Canning Company with a purchase price of full appraisal value of $57,000 of which $17,000 would be made as down payment and balance of $39,900 payable monthly at 12%. The offer contained the condition that one final payment be made at the end of three years and that option be reserved to pay off balance without penalty at any time during the 3 year period. Dale moved to accept Bagland Company's bid and directed City Attorney to draw up documents; Smith seconded the motion which passed unani- mously on voice vote. Councilman Dale as Chairman of the Real Estate Committee read a letter from the Ashland Board of Realtors requesting that listings of City property be placed in the hands of the president of the Board and that members benefit equally in the sale of said property. Laws moved to accept recommendation by Dale; Reid seconded the motion which passed unanimously on voice vote. A request for a change in license for Peppino's Restaurant for a Dis- penser Class C license and approved by the Police was read and Laws moved for approval; Reid seconded the motion which passed unani- mously on voice vote. Deferred to next regular meeting. A memo dated November 17, 1983 was read by Almquist relative to formation of a Central Services Department summarizing the depart- mental changes etc. and also referenced memo of October 19, 1983 outlining feasibility of the proposal was considered and Almquist recommended approval. Nelson said he checked with the Department of Revenue & Audit Division, Secretary of Sate and that neither opposed the concept. Nelson said it would ~ve a more clear picture of each department. Laws suggested that the Budget Committee/be given opportunity to review and lodge objections if any. Council agreed. A memo from the Planning Division was read noting unanimous approval in favor of annexation and zone change for 48 acres located north of Nevada and west of Oak Streets and Almquist noted there is an ordin- ance later on the agenda calling for a public hearing. il/22/83 p. 2 Re~ular.M__eeting Ashland City Council 11/22/83 P. 3 PUBLIC FORUM ORDINANCES, RESOLUTIONS & CONTRACTS Ordinance/Krebs Annex. Greenway Annex. Ordinance Bond Sinking Fund Res. Mutual Assistance Agreement OTHER BUSINESS Paul Marks cited problems he is having with the Police Dept. and courts relative to illegal signs for garage sales and permitting only two yard sales a year. Marks said it is a person~s constitu- tional right to dispose of his property and asked that Council consider the problem of having an ordinance which enforces same. Marks criticized the Police Department for allowing officers to sit in their vehicles to do paper work and to hide and cite motor- ists for speeding when a few miles over the limit with all con- ditions being good is no criteria for citations. Marks said that gasoline is being wasted while officers keep the motor running as they sit parked. In conclusion Marks noted vandalism in the Greenmeadows area and noted that all neighborhoods should be monitored for such things rather than waiting for speeders. Marks asked Council if it is his right to peruse the Municipal Code and noted he had been refused permission to see it. Marks continued saying that ordinances are antiquated and the code needs to be updated. Laws agreed that such sections exist and are not enforced and said that such housekeeping is expensive and is done on a regular basis. Laws also noted that the Municipal Code is available in public and SOSC libraries. Laws said the Budget Connnittee considered the cost and decided the monies could be spent in better ways. Laws noted that Council has no jurisdiction over Municipal Court or the Judge's opinions/actions. Laws said that having the officers in their vehicles visible to the public is better than staying in the office. Second reading by title only setting a public hearing on proposed annexation and withdrawal from Jackson County Fire Dist. No. 5 was read and Acklin moved for adoption; Smith seconded the motion which passed without opposition on roll call vote. First reading was given an ordinance setting a public hearing on a proposed annexation and withdrawal of property from F.D. #5 (Greenway) and Smith moved to second reading; Laws seconded the motion which passed unanimously on roll call vote. A Resolution establishing a bond sinking fund for the Hydroelectric project was read and Laws moved to adopt; Acklin seconded the motion which passed unanimously on roll call vote. A letter from the Fire Chief was read and Acklin moved to authorize the Mayor and Recorder to sign agreement; Smith seconded the motion which passed unanimously on roll call vote. Smith expressed concern relative to the Mark Antony Hotel and wondered if it would be appropriate for Council to support keeping the facility open saying it is good for the City. City Attorney Salter said he didn't know if support would have an effect on the bankruptcy procedure. John Fregonese (Planning Director) said that the principals should be made aware of the availability of connnunity block grants. Salter was directed to write a letter to debtors. 11/22/83 P.3 RegularsMeeting Ashland City Council 11/22/83 P. 4 OTHER BUSINESS cont. Reid noted that on page 5 of the Hospital Minutes liens on people's homes who owe money for care is being discussed and asked Salter if this is appropriate. Salter said liens would take legal action. Laws said he would like this type of criteria to come before Council for decision. Reid agreed this would be acceptable. ADJOURNMENT The City Administrator asked that the meeting be adjourned to Executive Session as provided under ORS Chapter 192 to consult with Legal Counsel concerning the rights and liabilities of the City regarding litigation or litigration likely to be filed. Council reserves the right to return to open session to take action if necessary. The meeting adjourned at 9:00 on motion of Laws; Smith seconded and the motion passed unanimously on voice vote. Nan E, Franklin City Recorder S Mayor ih 11/22/83 p. 4