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HomeMy WebLinkAbout1982-0921 REG MINMINUTES OF THE REGULAR MEETING ASHLAND CITY COUNCIL September 21, 1982 PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE COUNCIL ELECTION BID OPENING RESOLUTION AWARDING GEN- OBLIGATION BONDS PROPOSED VACATION OF WOODSON STREET Mayor Medaris reminded Council that last Friday was the 195th Anni- versary of the signing of the U.S. Constitution and asked that the members join him in rededication to those principles on which our country is founded. Medaris led the Pledge of Allegiance and called the meeting to order at 7:30 P.M. on the above date. Present were Laws, Acklin, Sims and Howard. Council Chairman Laws said that it is Council's plan to nominate a person experienced in City matters and who has been working on commissions and boards of the City to the position left vacant by Nancy Peterson until December 31, 1982, the completion of the term. Laws moved to nominate Carroll "Spud" Corliss. Acklin nominated Jim Hayes. H6ward moved nominations be closed; Sims seconded and the motion passed unanimously on voice vote. On vote for Hayes Acklin and Sims voted in favor. Howard and Laws voted NO. Mayor Medaris broke the tie with an opposing vote. On nomination of Corliss all members voted in favor. Medaris swore Corliss in and said he would be chairman of the B~keway_Committee and St, PEogram Board, BCATS and Bear Creek Greenway Committee. Corliss asked for permission to abstain when he feels he does not have enough informa- tion to vote on an issue. Director of Finance reported that U. S. Bank of Oregon was low bidder on General Obligation Bonds for Water System Improvements in the amount of $2,553, 938.80 at 10.80118% interest. Nelson noted that The Oregon Bank had submitted a bid for 10.853% interest and First Interstate Bank at 10.87218%. Nelson expressed appreci- ation for the bids. The City Administrator read the Resolution awarding General Obliga- tion B6nds and Acklin moved for adoption; Sims seconded the motion which passed unanimously on roll call vote. Medaris thanked Staff for their efforts. The proposed vacation of Woodson Street was reviewed by Almquist indicating that 83.2% of the property owners in the affected area had signed in favor. Mayor Medaris opened the pt~lic hearing. John Chmelir, 660 Thornton, spoke representing Jerry Mason et al and said that the only two property owners who hadn't signed initially have been located and signed in favor of the vacation. Chmelir asked that this be made part oF the record (White and Satoris). An adjoining owner spoke in favor of the project saying she has wanted this vacation for years and if the street were opened it would split her property to where it would be unsalea~lej'. Fregonese said the Planning CommissiOn had reviewed the proposal and found no problem at all. There were no comments in opposition to the vacation and the Mayor closed the public hearing. Howard moved to approve vacation; Laws seconded the motion which passed unanimously on voice vote. 9/21/82 p. 1 ~egular Meeting Ashland City Council 9/21/82 P. 2 COMMUNITY HOSP. EXPANSION LIBERTY ST. CLOSURE NORTH INTERCHANGE ZONING A letter from Hospital Administrator Strowbridge requesing approval to expand Hospital Radiology department to give more adequate space; improved workflow pattern and to upgrade the appearance of the now decadent unit. Strowbridge reviewed the need and stated the money has been budgeted in the amount of $75,000, the cost being $60,000 for the renovation, $5,750 for various fees and a small balance for unanticipated costs. Dr. Barton said the department is the most outmoded in the hospital and it's appear- ance is negative in a situation where anxious patients are exposed. Barton said that the patient is exposed to messy areas and that there is difficulty in conversing and consulting with their presence and they should not be exposed to this. After some discussion Sims moved to approve; Acklin seconded the motion. Laws expressed concern that aesthetics would be considered at a time when medical charges are skyrocketing and said he was uneasy about it. Barton said that in the past five years he has been in different areas and has never seen such a dilapidated unit and that they have the oldest X-ray machine in the valley. Barton said they are conservative but that this is a crucial expenditure and it has been needed for ten years. On roll call the motion passed unanimously. Promotions Director Jack Duggan representing Pacific International Enterprises requested street closure on Libert~ Street during filming during the period October 6 through October 13 intermitt- ently for a couple of days. Chief Lively recommended that clos- ure be for as brief a period as possible, but not to exceed thirty minutes each; that the Police/Fire dispatch center be given 24 hr. minimum notice of each day of planned closure; that two uniformed police officers be provided at company's expense on closure days, and that residents on and above the section of Liberty Street pro- posed for closure be notified either personally or by mail well in advance of the week of closure, advising them of plans for filming. Duggan said he would abide and said the only problem could be the weather but that he would follow up on the recommenda- tions. Howard moved to grant request with stipulations agreed upon; Sims seconded the motion which passed unanimously on voice vote. A letter from Curt Weaver was read representing three property owners in the North Ashland Interchange area requesting their property which is comprised of three acres in all to Interchange Commercial. Fregonese reviewed his memorandum recommending that Council's position of the zoning proposal is the same as was expressed to the County during the hearings in 1980 on the County Comprehensive Plan. Weaver showed maps of the lots south of the service station belonging to Dickey and Breeze and said the only conflict would be the Mencas property north of Bear Creek. Laws said he can endorse the zoning for the Dickey and Breeze properties but the Mencas property is so far from the others he would rather not include it at this time~ Acklin said she has no conflict of interest in spite of working for County Planning but objected Councilts plan to endorse the zoning before the County has their meeting on the 23rd of September, Laws moved that we communicate to the Board of Commissioners that we support the County recommendation and would not object to proposal; Acklin seconded and the motion passed unanimously on voice vote, ~egular Meeting Ashland City Council 9/21/82 3 CONTRACT ANNEXATION GRANGE CO-OP - TRUCK ROUTE PARKING COMMITTEE REPORT City Attorney reviewed his letter and said it occurred to him that the City cannot legally supply water to areas outside the City as brought to our attention ~everal years ago by the League of Women voters. Acklin expressed disappointment that she had read this in the newspaper after we had a public hearing, adoption of the contract annexation document etc. and wished this information had been brought up before making decisions. Laws said the information was brought to life in checking with the Charter and it would be his recommendation not to sign and consider making a Charter change which would permit contract annexation. Salter suggested that if the State statute was changed to assess at fair market value by agreement with the property owner. Laws said there are ballot measures up for election in November which may change things and there is no point to deal with it at this time. Laws said that he has serious thoughts as to whether we should approve the annexation because the policy has been that we do not annex land until thereiare firm plans for development. Laws added that it appears that/t~is particular case we are not to that point yet. Laws said that when someone has a piece of property they get an agreement with the person'wanting to develop it and there is usually a contingency that hinging on the annexa- tion of subject property. No action on contract annexation - ~rdinan e later on agenda but will be deferred for lack of legal escrxp~xon. The City Administrator reviewed the truck route problem and read a letter from Grange Co-op and said a representative is present for discussion/questions. Almquist said he would not recommend a set truck route. Laws said that the trucks would violate the ordinance and suggested that Almquist and Fregonese work toward a route and change the ordinance to a permit if we are not going to enforce the present ordinance. Laws said that he doesn't want to deter the business of the Grange but cause the least impact on the neighborhood. Gene Morris, 1300 Tolman Creek Road, who operates Oak St, Tank said that "A" Street has always been an industrial area and it has the only spur which is used by Ace Wood Products, Oak Steet Tank, Grange Co-op and the City Warehouse. Sims said that "A" Street must be protected from the problem because some of the trucks have airbrakes and disturb the neighbors by awaking them in the night or early morning hours. Acklin asked Almquist for the history behind the Ordinance. Sims suggested limiting restriction on certain hours. Ms. Calhoun spoke saying they live on 5th Street between "A" and "B" and she has produce trucks which come and go from her residence. Calhoun was assured that the ordinance provides that trucks can be used to go home if you are staying overnight. Laws said that if we designate certain streets for trucks then we will have trucks just passing through. Staff Has directed to bring back a proposal. City Administrator Almquist reviewed the Parking Study Connnittee Report giving Findings and Recommendations and commented on #7 which would call for a ticket being paid within 24 hours to be 9/21/82 p03 Regular M~ting Ashland City Council 9/~/82 4 PARKING COMMITTEE cont. DAM INSPECTION PROPOSAL AIRPORT COMMITTEE reduced to 50¢ to be deposited in the drop box on the Plaza saying that this reduction would cause the cost and revenue to be out of balance because of an on-going expenditure of $20,000 for salary etc. with the current revenue being $24,000. Almquist that it Is the City's desire to get the turn-over. He added that he has no problem with the other six recommendations and expressed apprecia- tion to Chairman Allen Drescher and the committee. The Mayor thanked the committee and said he has learned that the Chamber will be getting out information showing where parking lots are available and there is a plan to get out a map showing availability of parking to be distributed to motels, businesses etc. Parking spaces for compact cars was discussed and it was suggested that such a pattern be used at the Water Street lot. Almquist said that parking lot is inconvenient for tourists. Howard suggested that matter be referred to Traffic Safety Committee for recommenda- tion of 4 hr. parking on Hargadine and that the Theatre be notified and that employees of downtown businesses be encouraged to park elsewhere. Acklin said there is some debate as to whether the Traffic Safety Commission should concentrate on safety and traffic flow problems or storage of automobiles. Acklin said the compact car spaces could be addressed during repainting of the lots. Laws said there should be better signing. Terrell Barton, member of the committee said they are working on international type parking signs. On question from Laws as to whether a parking facility is being planned, Barton said they had a proposal but it was turned down by the merchants because of business climate. Barton said they are looking at revenue bonding as an alternative. The City Administrator reviewed a letter from R. W. Beck & Assoc. relative to the cost of Dam Safety Inspection Services as they relate to Reeder Gulch Hydroelectric Project and said that criteria from FERC License Exemption requires inspection by an independent Consultant. Laws brought up the fact that Bonneville said they don't plan to buy more power because they have surplus now and how would that effect the City. Almquist said it is a philosophical decision and that even if it costs 4¢ a kilowatt we can buy it cheaper - and on the other side we could generate our own clean power which would be amortized and then the cost of power will be practically nothing. In the interim it would be less expensive to buy from BPA Almquist said. Almquist said that Phase 1 would give us a good view of the actual safety of the dam also. Laws moved to authorize staff to call for proposals; Corliss seconded the motion which passed unanimously on voice vote. Mayor Medaris noted that Cliff Chaney resigned from his long service on the Airport Committee and appointed Ken Jones to take his place for the balance of his term (to 12/31/82). 9/21/82 P. 4 Regular Meeting Ashland City Council 9/21/82 RECONFIRMATION AUDIT COMM. CAMPING PROHIBITION IN WATERSHED PUBLIC FORUM Fire Prevention Week Pioneer/Winburn Closure Retails Trade Comm. ORDINANCES, RESOLUTIONS & CONTRACTS Sign Code Ordinance Mayor Medaris reconfirmed for following to serve on the Audit Com- mittee: Gary L. Prickett, Karen Smith, Richard Isaacs, James Rag- land, Mayor Medaris and City Adm. Almquist and Robert D. Nelson, Director of Finance as ex-officio members. Acklin asked the the reconfirmation be tabled until the next regular meeting and so moved; Laws seconded the motion which passed unanimously on voice vote. A memorandum was read from Director of Public Works Alsing relative to the U.S. Forest Services' edict prohibiting campfires and camping in the Watershed and recommended that the City do likewise to facili- tate enforcement because of the lack of property line markers. Laws moved to close Watershed to camping etc.; Howard seconded the motion which passed unanimously on voice vote. Mayor Medaris asked Fire Prevention Officer Robbins to review the procedures for Fire Prevention Week and read a Proclamation setting October 3-9, 1982 as "Fire Prevention Week". Bob Julian representing the High School asked p~rmission for closure of Pioneer Street to Winburn Way on October 2, 1982 from 11:00 A.M. to 2:00 P.M. for a track event. Julian said he expects 300 students to participate and that be will have people man the barricades and Lively approved the proposal. Laws moved to place on agend~; Acklin seconded the motion which passed without opposition on voice vote. which passed unanimously on voice vote. Laws moved for approval; Acklin seconded the motion which passed unanimously on roll call. A request for a noise permit for amplified band music on the parking lot of First Interstate Bank was considered for function being held on October 2, 1982 from 10:00 A.M. to 2:00 P.M. Acklin moved to place on agenda; Howard seconded the motion which passed unanimously on voice vote. Acklin moved for approval; Howard seconded and the motion passed unanimously on voice vote.. The City Administrator gave first reading of the amended sections of the Sign Code with respect to billboards and off-premise advertis- ing. Salter reviewed the legal suit now in Federal Court saying there is a chance that it will then go to the State Court and recommended that second reading be given the Ordinance at the meet- ing to be held on September 28 in order to resolve the matter before October 1. Willstatter, 128 Central, suggested that billboards be eliminated entirely and Laws said that "Free Speech" statutes would preclude this from happening. Howard moved to second reading and that the word "billboard" be added to the language in the first line of the second paragraph of the Ordinance after the word "that"; Acklin seconded the motion which passed with all YES on roll call vote. 9/21/82 P. ~ ~egular Meeting Ashland City Council 9/21/82 P.6 ORDINANCES, RESOLUTIONS & CONTRACTS cont. Sidewalk Repair LID No. 51 Authorization Rist Annexation Cogeneration Purchase Alcoholic beverages sale on Election Day B.P.A. Gra~t Offer State shared revenues elig. LIAISON REPORTS City Recorder First reading of an Ordinance relative to duty and liability of adjacent property owners to repair sidewalks, and declaring an emergency was given and Laws moved to second reading; Sims seconded the motion which passed unanimously on roll call vote. First reading was given an Ordinance authorizing the sale of City improvement bonds in L.I.D. No. 51 - Sidewalk repairs Citywide. Laws moved to second reading; Acklin seconded the motion which passed unanimously on roll call vote. Deferred for receipt of comprehensive legal descriptions. Second reading-was given by title only of an Ordinance adding a new electric rate schedule for the purchase of power from Cogenera- tion and small power production facilities and Sims moved to adopt; Corliss seconded the motion which passed unanimously on roll call vote. by title only Second reading was given/an Ordinance relating to the sale of alco- holic beverages on election day and Acklin moved to adopt; Sims seconded the motion which passed unanimously on roll call vote. A Resolution authorizing acceptance of a Grant offer from B.P.A. for Geothermal Resource Plan for the City of Ashland was read and Acklin moved to adopt; Laws seconded the motion which passed unani- mously on roll call vote. A Resolution certifying the City's eligibility to receive state- shared revenues under ORS 221.760 was read and Laws moved to adopt; Laws seconded the motion which passed unanimously on roll call vote. Almquist noted that packets were left for Council on Comprehensive Plan and Zoning Ordinance and suggested they be brought to the meeting on Tuesday, Sept. 28, 1982. Lee Howard noted that installation of new low sodium lights on ~he Boulevard is almost complete. Jim Sims said he would resign from Council due to extension of his law practice into California and his acceptance as Assistant Coach to the Crew Team (Skull) at UCLA. Sims said his resignation would become effective before the next Council meeting on the 28th of September. Council discussed method of replacing Sims and agreed to appoint someone after having publicized the opening in the commun- ity. The meeting adjour.ned at 10:30 P.M. to Nn adjourned meeting on September 28, 1982 to have a public hearing on the Comprehensive Plan and take up several other items. L. Gordon Medaris Mayor 9/21/82 P.