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HomeMy WebLinkAbout1981-0915 REG MINMINUTES OF THE REGULAR MEETING ASHLAND CITY COUNCIL September 15, 1981 ROLL CALL MINUTES APPROVAL PUBLIC HEARING Vacation of Mary Jane Having led the Pledge of Allegiance Mayor Medaris called the meeting to order at 7:30 p.m. in the City Hall Council Chambers on the above date. Present at the meeting were Howard, Sims, Acklin, Laws and Peterson. Absent was Dale. Laws moved to approve minutes of the regular meeting of September 1 and Sims seconded the motion which passed unanimously on voice vote. City Administrator Almquist read a memo from City Attorney Salter dated August 20, 1981, a memo from the Planning Commission dated August 13, 1981 and memos from himself and the Engineering Department all of which were made part of the record. Also submitted was the petition containing signatures of 100% of the abutting property owners and 78% of the surrounding property owners which also was made part of the record. Mayor Medaris opened the public hearing and there was no one in the audience who wished to speak at that moment. The Mayor closed the public hearing when immediately entered three interested parties two of whom indicated they wished to speak to the issue. The Mayor reopened the public hearing to accommodate the citizens/property owners and Jess Little spoke in favor of the proposed vacation of a portion of Mary Jane explaining it is only a 70 foot strip and the plan to lands- cape the unimproved street to enhance a swimming pool area jointly owned by adjacent neighbors. Little said the street dead ends into private property and creates a definite hazard because vehicles are not aware the street dead-ends. At Gray spoke saying he owns the property which borders the subject street and that he plans to put a gate across the road. Laws commented that the Urban Growth Boundary takes in that area and it could well be developed sometime in the future and change of ownership could well mean a change of plans. Laws said that the Plan- ning Department has apparently based their 5-1 decision against the proposal based on Comprehensive Plan criteria and he would abide by their decision in this instance. Sims said in this case he wo~ld agree with the applicants since they will be downgrading the value of their property for aesethic purposes and that the mini-complex they are working with would be in the framework of good environmental plan- ning. Director of Public Works Alsing said he would rather see Council give a long-term permission covenant as opposed to vacation of the un- improved street. Almquist recommended against the vacation proposal saying we should not oppose the Plannning Commission's decision. Sims said in this case all of the property owners have signed and if they do not wish to develop that should be their prerogative. Howard agreed and said should minds he changed, the neighbors would have to cooper- ate with arrangements at that time. Almquist cited the problem with Jacquelin Street because of similar circumstances. Peterson moved to give permission of fifteen to twenty years; Howard seconded the motion. Laws said he felt Council is making the wrong decision in view of the Planning Commission's decision and reiterated stance on Comprehensive Plan and suggested the matter be further studied by the Planning Comm- ission. Peterson withdrew her motion; Howard withdrew his second. 9/15/81 P. i Regular Meeting Ashland City Council 9/15/81 P. Z Vacation of Mary Jane Minutes of Boards Pioneer Closure ASHS Cross Ctry Meet Strawberry Lane Bancrofting Sewers Bluebird Park Liquor Licenses Sims moved to table and refer back to Planning Commission for further study of access of flag lots etc.; Peterson seconded the motion which passed unanimously on voice vote. Laws moved to accept minutes of various boards, commissions and comm- ittees and Peterson seconded the motion. Mayor Medaris asked Howard, as liaison to Historic Commission, to caution them about passing motions etc. when they have lost a quorum during the meeting. Howard said he would and on voice vote the motion to accept and place on file passed unanimously. A letter from Bob Julian, Ashland Senior High School Cross Country Coach was read requesting closure of Pioneer Street from Granite Street to Hargadine and the parking loop at the upper duck pond for three hours on October 3, 1981 and November 7, 1981. Council discussed the request and Chief Lively was asked if he had objections and he said the only problem would be to enforce closure. Acklin moved to ask the high school official to work with Alsing and Lively to have races and that street closures be granted if City has authority over area requested; Howard seconded. Laws suggested that school provide people to man the barricades and enforce the "no parking". Sims agreed and so moved to amend; Howard seconded and on voice vote, the motion passed unanimously. A request to form an assessment district for extension of a sanitary sewer main from frontage property owners on upper Strawberry Lane was read and petition signed by 61% of the property owners was sub- mitted. Almquist said that Bancrofting has historically been imple- mented for street improvements but that authority could be given for sewers as has been done in the Beswick Way instance. Peterson asked Almquist if this was a departure from traditional policy and Almquist explained that it was not but that the City is becoming increasingly concerned because it can no longer pay for the bonding internally. On question of water Alsing said that before water is granted for additional lots in the area should there be subdivisions or minor land partition~ the problem would have to be computerized by our Engineering firm. City Attorney Salter said the estimate of the improvements should be revised if we are going to the open market. Peterson moved that staff return with a resolution calling for a public hearing on the issue; Acklin seconded the motion which passed unanimously on voice vote. Almquist explained that John Connors asked that the item be deferred because he would be out of town but that it was placed on the agenda so the accompanying letter from the State Parks & Recreation Division could be read by Council. Item postponed. Liquor license applications for renewals on Casa Feliz, Laurel Tree and Shakespeare were considered and Laws moved for approval after receiving approval from Chief Lively and Acklin seconded the motion. Passed unanimously on voice vote. 9/i5/81 P. 2 ~4 Regular Meeting Ashland City Council ~/i91ol I. BONNEVILLE STUDY SESSION City Administrator asked that a Study Session be held to discuss Bonneville Power on Thursday, October 1, 1981 at 7:30 P.M. PUBLIC FORUM No response from the audience. Ratification of Settlement Helfrich/ Hardisty Lawsuit Airport Annexation William Carter, Attorney for the City of Ashland in dispute over ease- ment to Sewer Treatment Plant as a result of the 1974 flood reviewed the lawsuit on-going for the past seven years and gave conditions placed on the settlement. Carter read the Interlocutory Agreement and Sims moved for ratification of athe agreement and dismissal of pending court litigation; Laws seconded the motion which passed unani- mously on with Howard, Sims, Acklin, Laws and Peterson in favor. Second reading by title only was given an Ordinance setting a public hearing on the annexation of the Ashland Municipal Airport and Peter- son moved to adopt; Howard seconded and on roll call all YES. Deferred Payment Plan A Resolution setting a special election relative to referendum on Ordinance establishing a deferred payment plan for delinquent utility bills was read by title only and Sims moved for adoption; Laws seconded the motion which passed unanimously on roll call vote Departmental Reports The Mayor noted that Building revenues are down 47%. Mayor reported that he has been communicating with legislators in Washington D. C. relative to recent legislation in Congress to regulate Cable TV. Medaris said he would keep Council appraised of progress. Adjournment The meeting adjourned at 9:00 P.M. L. Gordon Medaris City Recorder Mayor