Loading...
HomeMy WebLinkAbout1982-0518 REG MINMINUTES OF THE REGULAR MEETING ASHLAND .CITY COUNCIL May 18, 1982 ROLL CALL APPROVAL OF MINUTES PUBLIC HEARING N. MAIN ST. ALLEY PAVING Mayor Gordon Medaris led the Pledge of Allegiance and called the meeting to order at 7:30 p.m, on the above date in Civic Center Council Chambers. Howard. Dale, Acklin. Laws and Peterson were Dresent. Sims arrived moments late. Mayor Medaris thanked Council Chairman Don Laws for his assistance as Acting MAyor, to City Administrator Almquist and Bob Nelson for presenting a balanced budget with only increases in electric rates and sewers necessary and to all citizens for their cards. flowers and personal interest durin~ his recent hospitalization and convalescence. Laws moved to aDDrove minutes of the regular meetin~ of May 4. 1982: Acklin seconded the motion which passed unanimously on voice vote. The City Administrator reviewed the memorandum, summary of petition results and map showing affected properties. The Mayor opened the public hearing. Letters of support were by Mrs. Betty Bamforth and one from Roanne Lyall and Dorothy Walker of 142 North Main St. Almquist said that notices were sent out to property owners and that the public notice appeared in the newspaper. Beth Wilson spoke in opposition to the proposal as owner of Lot 1900 saying that children play in the alley and she would hate to see more traffic generated byethe improvement. Wilson said she has plans to sell the lot but is definitely a~ainst paving. George Bock spoke in ODDosi~ion and added the oDDosition Of the owner of Lot 1600, Mrs. R.!M.Liable. Bock said that Mrs. Liable is on a fixed income and not able to pay for improvements and further that she has no need of them~ Bock said he has seen her use the alley only a few times. Bock said that the burden being proposed to the owners of non- commercial property is unfair. Almquist noted that Liable would not have to pay for the improvements but could have a lien placed on her property which would not be due until sold. Bock said this wouldn't be a satisfactory arrangement and would still be an obliga- tion for something not needed or wanted. Betty Bamforth spoke on behalf of Roanne Lyall and said the alley is needed. Another letter was read from Mrs. Lyall and pictures of the alley shown. Joan Bock spoke saying that the commercial businesses benefit and can use the cost as a business expense where the individual private property owners (residences) would be obligated to pay for something they will not benfit from. Boc~ added that the cost from their part would be $1,000, the same proportion as the commercial owners. Council discussed a formula where the commercial owners would pay a greater proportion than the residential owners. Almquist said he would consider the Bed & Breakfast properties as seasonal businesses and should be charged accordingly. Council asked that Almquist break down the costs. Dale felt the businesses would be penalized by the higher proportion. Mark Ahalt, owner/manager of the Ashland Hostel said he had started the petition because he was put in the circumstance because of off-street not being available except behind the Hostel should the alley be paved. Ahalt said in cities where he has lived in the past'aile s were aved and cared for by the city. The public hearing was c~sed an~ Council discussed ..... continued 5/18/82 P. 1 Regular Me~ting Ashland City Council 5/18/82 P. 2 NORTH MAIN ST. ALLEY PUBLIC HEARING CONT. MINUTES OF BOARDS ETC. ROBERTSON APPEAL ON P.C.82-24 OLCC LETTER STATE HISTORIC DESIGNATION JACKSON/JOSEPHINE HLTH CCL. SIDEWALK REPAIRS 549 E. Main Dale felt that all property owners have the same opportunity to develop commercial property if they wish. Acklin said she had spoken to Mr.Oescherwho lives in Florida and that he does not oppose the paving but feels the equal share formula is inequitable. Almquist said if Council would like to work out a formula the public hearing would have to be readvertised and the ordinance brought back for second readipg at the next regular meeting. Howard moved that tax lots fronting on N. Main pay half again as much; Dale seconded the motion. On roll Caii vote Howard and Dale voted in favor. Sims, Acklin, Laws and Peterson opposed the 60/40% formula, and the motion failed. Laws moved that Staff come back with paperwork based on formula that Lots 700, 1300 and 1400 pay twice as much front footage costs; Sims seconded the motion which passed with Sims, Acklin, Laws and Peterson voting in favor; Howard and Dale opposed. Laws moved to accept and place on file minutes of boards, commiss- ions and committees as submitted; Acklin seconded the motion which passed unanimously on voice vote. Public Hearing date was set for June 1, 1982 at 7:30 P.M. in the Civic Center Council Chambers, For {nformation only - no action necessary. Letter and application files on Chappel-Swedenburg House and Nininger House nominated to the National Register of Historic PlaCes was submitted. Almquist said the Historic Commission had voted in favor of applications. Acklin moved staff write to the State Historic Preservation Office with Council approval; Peterson sec- onded the motion which passed unanimously on voice vote. Councillor Russell Dale was appointed to represent City Council at Jackson/Josephine Health Council. Peterson offered to fill in. Staff was asked to write a letter to Health Council of appointment. Almquist read a memorandum from Director of Public Works Alsing listing details as they relate to the sidewalk construction and allegations brought up by Frank Miller at that address. Roger Balbo, Engineer in charge of sidewalk rehabilitation program (City employee) was asked to review the circumstances. Balbo reviewed what essentially was contained in the letter and said every effort had been made to produce the best work possible with the least amount of damage to any property and the Contractor went to a great extent to get along with t Pe property owners. Balbo said the 'Contractor felt it necessary to replace part of the property's existing walk to make access to the house safer. Pictures were shown of the walk and adjacent landscaping. Balbo said the Con- tractor had agreed to replace certain flowers before the complaint was brought to Council. 5/18/82 P. 2 Regular M~ing Ashland City Council 5/18/82 P. 3 SIDEWALK VANDALISM STREET BANNER POLICY PLAYGROUND RESTRICTIONS ORD. REPEAL & BIKE RACKS Almquist read a memo from the Engineering Department citing serious vandalism problems as they relate to the sidewalk construction pro- gram. Roger Balbo has been in charge and related concern that Contractor has had to repair damaged sidewalks constantly since the Job started'over a year ago. Balbo stressed the need for public awareness relative to such problems and expressed disappointment that a letter written to the Daily Tidings citing the need for connnunity support was not acted on. Balho said that some of the vandalism was done by persons on the college level and that the damage became a serious and exasperating problem as well as costly. Mayor Medaris responded by suggesting the Contractor hire someone to monitor the concrete job while it is setting saying that it would be inexpensive compared to replacing cement. The Contractor said he was disappointed that nothing mor~ was done by the City to assure a reduction in vandalism. A memorandum was read from the City.Administrator citing problems with frequency of requests for banner installation and costs involv- ed on each occasion. Howard considered the th d alternative sug- gested and moved to prohibit all banners after July 31, 1982. The motion died for lack of a second. Laws moved to add wording to inc- Clude non-profit activities taking place in local community and that the suggested $125 be charged. Sims seconded. Peterson said she check to see what it costs Medford and learned that it was approximately $70 and wondered why it was so much lower. It was noted that the Public Works Department does it in Medford and that the HiRanger and electric wage scale would contribute to the higher cost along with the need to retie on occasion because of the wind. On roll call vote Laws, Sims, Peterson, Dale and Acklin voted in favor'of the motion. Howard opposed. The City Administrator read a memorandum he had received from Parks & Recreation.recommending repeal of Section 10.68.340 of the Ashland Municipal Code relative to playground restrictions. Chief Lively recommended repeal. Almquist with permission of Council gave a first reading of an ordinance repealing provisions pertain- ing to playground restrictions and Laws moved to second reading; Howard seconded the motion which passed unanimously on roll call vote. Ken Mickelson, Parks Director, explained that the Commission plans to erect bike racks on the parking strip across from the telephone booth at t he entrance to Lithia Park and asked for City's approval of the plan and request for financial assistance on the project. After Council discussion of the Park racks and the other ones planned across from Time Out on the Plaza, Laws moved to grant approval of plan for.bike racks but declines the financial assistance; Howard seconded the motion. Almquist was · directed to work out plans with Parks Director. On voice vote the motion passed with all AYES. 5/18?82 P. 3 TRAFFIC SAFETY COMMISSION RECOMMENDATIONS 1) Diagonal parking on west side 4th St. 2) Indiana St. Parking Prohibition MC GREW BROS SAWMILL PUBLIC FORUM City AHm~nist.rator Almquist read the memorandum requesting diagonal parking on the West side of 4th Street and noted attached petition signed by meTchants in the area. Howard moved to approve; Acklin seconded the motion which passed unanimously on voice vote. After discussing parking prohibition on West side of Indiana between Siskiyou Blvd and Madtone Street as recommended by the Traffic Safety Commission, Peterson moved for approval; Howard seconded the motion which passed unanimously on voice vote. A letter from McGrew Bros. Sawmill was read requesting return of $5,000 utility deposit and requested that Cromin Corp. be allowed to post untility deposit by performance bond in lieu of cash. City Attorney Salter said he feels it is a policy decision; that a perform- ance bond is impractical because it would cost more to collect than the amount posted. Salter ~dded that an alternative would be to apply to Bankruptcy Court. Bob Frank of 601 Terrace said they are simply asking for fairness and the deposit was paid after they filed Chapter 11 (Bankruptcy) and have paid weekly for the past 23 weeks. Frank said the business is in desperate need of the money. Frank 'said it doesn't seem reasonable that McGrew should have to sue the City to get it's deposit back. Howard moved to approve McGrew's deposit be returned but there was no second to the motion. On ques- tion of Tony Fielder (Cromin Corp.) as to whether they could come up with cash she said they would prefer the bond but would deposit in'cash if there were no alternative. Laws moved to direct Staff to return $5,000 if account is up to date; Peterson seconded the motion which passed unanimously on voice vote. After discussion of utility deposit on Cromin account, Almquist asked for Council policy and Sims moved that deposit be posted in the amount of one and one- half times the average weekly electric bill and that Cromin be billed on weekly basis; Laws seconded the motion which passed unanimously on voice vote. Laws thanked Salter for his efforts on the report and said he felt he had made the right decision. Sims expressed concern over the petition being circulated relative to a referendum on the wood burning ordinance and said wrong information iS being passed around in public. Specifically, Sims said that it is being said that people with wood stoves would not be able to use them. The Mayor agreed with the misinformation and said that there are many things being circulated which are not true at this time. Acting Mayor Laws took over for Meda~is who left the meeting at 9:30 P.M. Sims said that coverage of referendum items could be given at various meeting at schools etc. 5/18/82 P. 4 Regular. cing -~hland City Council 5/18/b 5 ORDINANCES, RESOLUTION & CONTRACTS ELECTRIC!ORDINANCE NORTH MAIN ALLEY PAVING POSITION CLASSIFICATION LID NO. 49 LAUREL ST. VACATION OF ALLEY SEWER USER CHARGES FINANCIAL MANAGEMENT RES. TRANSFER OF APPROP. SECURITY AGREEMENTS REFERENDUM ON ORGANIZA- TION ORDINANCE be A first reading was given an Ordinance amending Ordinance No. 2195 relative to electric service connection rates and declaring an emergency. Almquist noted that a Section 14.16.090 had been deleted inadvertently and this Ordinance will restore that language. Peterson moved to second reading; Acklin seconded and on roll call motion passed unanimously. Deferred to next regular meeting on motion of Peterson and second by Howard and motion carried with all AYES on voice vote.(Minute Order) Almquist gave first reading of an Ordinance amending Ordinance No. 1415, as amended, adopting a position classification plan for the City of Ashland. Howard moved to delete Section 3 and pass to second reading; Peterson seconded the motion which passed unanimous- ly on roll call vote. First reading was given an Ordinance authorizing the. issuance of City Improvement bonds in the matter of construction of curbs, pavin: sidewalks and water lines in what has been designated as Local Improvement District No. 49 and an unbonded assessment from District No. 48. Acklin moved to second reading; Howard seconded the motion which passed unanimously on roll call vote. Second reading by title only was given an Ordinance vacating an alley South of Laurel Street and Peterson moved to adopt; Acklin seconded the motion which passed unanimously on roll call vote. Second reading by title only was given an Ordinance relative to sewer user charges and Acklin moved to adopt; Peterson seconded the motion which passed unanimously on roll call vote. A Resolution was read authorizing funds to be used in the financial management of the City and Howard moved to adopt; Acklin seconded the motion which passed unanimously on roll call vote. A Resolution transferring appropriations within funds was read and Sims moved to adopt; Peterson seconded the motion which passed unanimously on roll call vote. A Resolution was read authorizing the City Administrator to enter into test security agreements and Peterson moved to adopt; Dale seconded the motion which passed unanimously on roll call vole. A Resolution setting a special election for June 29, 1982 concern- ing referendum filed on Organization Ordinance was read and Sims moved to approve; Acklin seconded the motion which passed unanimous- ly on roll call vote. Laws said the changes in the Ordinance will shown so the community may review them. Acklin said meetings will be set up at schools to answer questions. 5/18/82 Regular Mo~ting Ashland City Council 5/18/8~ D. 6 AIRPORT MASTER PLAN EASEMENT FOR IRRIGATION DEPARTMENTAL REPORTS LIAISON REPORTS NORTH INTERCHANGE MEETING ADJOURNMENT An Interagency Planning Coordination Agreement with Jackson County relative to the Airport Master Plan was reviewed and Sims moved to grant authority for the Mayor's signature; Acklin seconded the motion which passed unanimously on roll call vote. Peterson moved to grant authority for the Mayor and City Recorder to sign an easement agreement for irrigation purposes; Howard seconded the motion which passed unanimously on voice vote. Accepted and placed on file. Sims said he enjoyed lunch at the Womens' Civic Club and hoped the information relative to the water bond issue helped clarify the need for bond approval on this evening of the election. Almquist reminded Council that the Commissioners would be address- ing the North Interchange UGB issue at their meeting in the morning (Wednesday) at 9:30 A.M. Almquist noted he had heard from a representative of Southern Pacific Transportation Company and that crossing repairs should be done in the near future. The meeting was adjourned at 10:00 P.M. with a reminder of the County Commissioners joint meeting to be held on May 20th, Thurs- day at 7:30 P.M. in the Council Chambers of the Civic Center. Nan E. Franklin City Recorder Don Laws Acting Mayor