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HomeMy WebLinkAbout1980-0304 REG MINMINUTES OF THE REGULAR MEETING ASHLAND CITY COUNCIL March 4, 1980 ROLL CALL RESERVE OFFICER OATH APPROVAL OF MINUTES PUBLIC HEARING Supplemental Budget Hospital Fund MINUTES OF BOARDS KATZ APPEAL SPEED CONTROL REMONSTRANCE ON STREET ASSESSMENT PUBLIC FORUM LITHIA PARK RESTORATION Mayor Prickett led the Pledge of Allegiance and called the meeting to order at 7:30 p.m., on the above date in the Council Chambers of City Hall. Phelps, Ragland, Medaris and Laws were present. Sims arrived at 7:35 p.m. and Hamilton was absent. Mayor Prickerr conducted the swearing in of seven police reserve officers and expressed appreciation for their service and urged them to encourage others to serve in a like manner. Laws moved to approve minutes of the regular meeting of February 19, 1980 and Ragland seconded the motion which passed on voice vote with all Ayes. Mayor Prickett reviewed a memorandum from the Hospital Administrator and opened the public hearing. There were no comments from the audience and no questions of Strowbridge, Hospital Administrator, and the public hearing was closed and Prickett said there would be a Resolution later in the agenda. Medaris moved to accept minutes of boards, committees and cormmissions and Ragland seconded. Motion passed unanimously on roll call vote. Public hearing date set for March 18, 1980 at 7:30 p.m. A letter was presented from the State Speed Control Board with an attached exhibit showing the speed criteria and locations. After read- ing the letter the City Administrator said the Traffic Safety Commiss- ion recommended approval to Council. There was no objection and no action was necessary. Almquist read a memorandum reviewing the letter written by Mr. & Mrs. Martin Guge of 2989 Diane Street remonstrating against an assessment levied against their property for street improvements. It was noted that the Guges had protested against the proposal and that their age and financial situation make it a burden on them. Almquist said that there could be relief on grounds of an administrative error which would not be appropriate and not requested in this case. Ragland moved to accept letter and place on file; Phelps seconded. On roll call, all YES. Mayor Prickett announced the resignation of Dr. Marcus Woods from the Band Board and read a letter of appreciation to him. Prickett asked consideration for Woods' replacement to be Robert Sharp. Also for con- sideration Prickett submitted names of Acklin, Rogers and Green for reappointment to Citizens Planning Advisory Committee. For appointment to CPAC Prickett gave the names of Leanna Walker, Ben Rybicki and Juli Schwartz and told Council all of the above would appear on the agenda for the next regular meeting. Jean Crawford, Chairman of Parks & Recreation Commission reported that at their last meeting on the previous Thursday the Commission unanimously agreed to request that City Council consider placing on the primary ballot a proposal which would earmark 25% of the proceeds of the Hotel/ Motel tax for the restoration of Lithia Park. Crawford reviewed the 2/4/80 P8. i Regular M~eting Ashland City Council 3/4/80 P. ~ LITHIA PARK con~. rationale that Lithia Park is actually a regional park and is used by tourists for the most part and should not be the responsibility of the citizens of Ashland beyond what is already charged via taxes. The Mayor agreed with the need and rationale but explained that the Hotel/ Motel tax is a general fund item and with its transfer by proposal it would become immediately necessary to replace it with monies from another source which ultimately would come out of the pocket of the same people Crawford's proposal was trying to protect, the Ashland property owner. The impact by the tourist industry was illustrated by Crawford by the need for the additional expense of $6,800 for seasonal help in the parks. Councilman Laws moved to place the Lithia Park issue on the agenda; Ragland seconded the motion passed unanimously on roll call vote. Laws said the hotel/motel tax is beginning to look like a "slush fund" for the community judging by recent proposals and said it is a revenue collected like any other resource for provision of services by the City to preclude the need to raise taxes, electric rates etc. Mayor agreed and said that we also get gas tax/liquor tax etc. and its no different than the hotel/motel tax resource. Commissioner Pinhock expressed concern for the survival of the park and said the Council is the only body who can levy a tax to cure the problem and she would hope that this request is remembered. Prickett suggested possibility of raising the hotel/motel tax. Laws agreed but said it still would be im- proper to earmark that particular tax and that the whole need should be considered during budget hearings instead of treating on an emergency basis. Ragland said he was surprised that the Chamber had reached the number of signatures needed for an initiative and that perhaps more people are interested in meeting local needs out of the electric funds. Ragland added that he would rather see 25% of the motel tax go into the park than he would to promote tourism as planned by the Chamber. Ragland moved that this be placed on the ballot - calling for 25% of hotel/motel tax for park (Lithia) restoration; Phelps seconded. Laws said the proposal would be irresponsible. Medaris said he believed the City fathers knew what they were doing when they drafted the Charter which gives the ability of the Parks to raise the taxes for restoration. Medaris said he cannot support the motion. Sims said that Lithia Park may be the biggest asset of Ashland and feels it is not only a need to restore but an ongoing expense which should be looked at through the budget process rather than proposed effort. Sims added that he felt the local citizens would stand behind the needs as expressed by the Parks Commission and commended the commissioners for their patient efforts to find ways to do what they have been commissioned to do. Sims said he could not support placing the matter on the ballot. A resident on Granite Street spoke in favor of the proposal saying he is surprised that motel tax monies were not earmarked from the beginning to pick up the use factor of the park. Mayor Prickett said those monies are being used for many services generated by tourists including fire and police protection etc. Prickerr said he understood what was being said about the residents of Ashland and their burden. Sims said the public might support the proposal if it is placed on the November ballot through bonding. On motion to approve placing the request on the ballot, Phelps, Sims, Medaris and Laws voted against the motion. Ragland voted in favor. The motion failed. 3/4/80 P. 2 Regular Mgeting Ashland City Council 3/4/80~P. 3 PUBLIC FORUM cont. Property Owner/Agent land-use application Chamber of Commerce Initiative Resolution Request 701 Grant AUDITOR SELECTION T.I.D. Litigation Bikeway Const. Grant Councilman Phelps requested that in the future where absentee property owners are making application for various land-use provisions that this fact be shown on the application face. Phelps expressed concern upon learning that the application for annexation by B. D. Greene was actu- ally on behalf of out-of-state owners. Mayor directed Planner Fregonese to carry out request. Laws moved to place the resolution for initiative as the last item on agenda; Ragland seconded and the motion passed unanimously on roll call vote. City Administrator Almquist requested that request for 701 Grant be placed on the New & Miscellaneous Business section of the agenda. Laws so moved; Ragland seconded and on roll call, all YES. Auditors Tischhauser, Burns and Taylor were present at the meeting to field questions posed by Council on the proposals submitted to the City to do the yearly audit on request of Mayor Prickett. Each of the gentlemen explained how he arrived at the cost figure submitted and as to how they would take care of unanticipated problems without coming back for more money. Taylor went into detail about research done at Rogue Valley Memorial Hospital in order to familiarize himself with the accounting/auditing procedures necessary in hospital administration and said he felt comfortable and equal to the task. Tischhauser who has been doing the City's audit for some twenty years said that should the audit actually cost less than his proposal he would refund such amount. Burns told of having extensive experience in hospital accounting/auditinl with Beverly Enterprises in southern California and also was familiar with compliance of Hill-Burton through work at Siskiyou General Hospital On question regarding deadline of hospital audit, Burns said he would start the audit the previous April and time deadline would not be a problem. During the discussion Medaris said he supports retention of Tischhauser saying he would like to see the money stay in Ashland. Laws moved to accept Burns proposal and to authorize Mayor and Recorder signatures; Sims seconded and on roll call, Phelps, Sims, Ragland and Laws voted YES. Medaris opposed. Laws moved to authorize City Attorney Salter to proceed with litigation on the T.I.D. problem as outlined in memo; Phelps seconded and on roll call, all YES. A letter from the Oregon Highway Division on Federal Grant Program for Bicycles and "Bicycle Consideration in Urban Areas" was considered and Alsing's request to apply for grant reviewed. Ragland gave his support to the request. Sims mentioned that there is going to be a bike ex- pedition in the City of Eugene to demonstrate the use of their bike path links of some 60 miles and that people from Jackson County will be bussing there on Friday, March 21st and have invited Ashland representa tires to join them. Sims suggested that three people be authorized to make the trip and explained that it will be a tour on bikes which will be provided. Sims said he had talked to Don Stathos who urged that grants be applied for and that they can be withdrawn if decision is changed. Ragland moved to apply; Phelps seconded and on roll call motion passed unanimously. Sims move to authorize 3 persons to make trip to Eugene; Ragland seconded and on roll call, all YES. 3/4/80 P. 3 Regular M~_eting Ashland City Council 3/4/80 P. 4 PHYSICAL FITNESS PROGRAM FIRE DEPARTMENT OPEN BURNING BAN BUDGET COMMITTEE MEETING VISTA ST. VACATION Chief LeeRoy King reviewed proposed Physical Fitness Program as out- lined in his letter and emphasized need by reporting that although the Fire Department pays 21% of the SAIF premium it also get credit for 73% of the claims. King introduced A1 Fusco of the Fitness Center where the activity is scheduled to take place if approved. Charting of the participants was discussed and Dave Harlecher, training officer for the Fire Department outlined the objectives. Mayor Prickett strongly recommended Council to support proposal and then evaluate the results in a few months. Almquist noted that last years claims added up to $6300 and added his voice as a recommendation along with the Mayor's. Ragland moved to approve cost of $840 for the months of March through June; Medaris seconded. On question as to who would be using present equipment, King explained that it will be used on Sundays when the Fitness Center is closed. Laws asked Chief Lively if he has plans for such a program and was told that the schedule of police officers differs in that they are on an 8 hour day and also his men have individual fitness programs on their own at this time. Lively also noted that his people can use the fire department equipment which is also their equipment. King assured Council that he is committing himself to a dietary program to support his recommendation. Almquist said that two fatal heart attacks had cost the City $86,000 each and perhaps such incidents could have been avoided with programmed control as is being proposed. On roll call vote motion passed unanimously. A memorandum from Councilman Sims requesting consideration on banning burning during the nine months of the year (excepting March, April and May) and approval to direct Staff to draw up ordinance was heard. Council agreed that ban should be year-around and Mayor suggested a burning permit still be required. Chief King said the fire department gets weather report on wind direction etc. and controls permits accord- ingly. Mayor Prickett said that because of recent legislation by local municipalities that the County should heed the actions and pre- pare County-wide control as the only really effective vehicle for the air pollution in the Valley. Laws suggested that research be done to find other methods of disposal of leaves, slash etc. to preclude the need and/or temptation to burn them. Mayor recommended that a process be looked into whereby leaves could be disposed of and con- sidered volunteer help and use of City trucks as alternative. On motion to draw up burning ban ordinance passed unanimously on roll call vote. Set for March 20, 1980. A recommendation concerning the vacation of a portion of Vista Street was read from Director of Public Works Alsing and April 1, 1980 was set for public hearing at 7:30 p.m. Phelps brought up the possibility of lawsuits by property owners in area of erosion recalling the suit filed in the past by Cornelius under similar circumstances. 3/4/80 P. 4 ReBular Meeting Aghl~nd Ei~y ~n,,nn~l 3/4/80 P. 5 IRRIGATION CHARGES PW WORK SCHEDULE TRAFFIC RECOMMENDATIONS 701 PLANNING GRANT ORDINANCES, RESOLUTIONS AND CONTRACTS Economic Development Position Class. Ord. A memorandum from the City Administrator was considered recommending a flat rate to Southern Oregon State College and Oak Knoll Enterprise and Laws moved to approve; Ragland seconded. Mayor Prickett requested that a letter be directed to local representatives and Governor's office to point out the lack of conservation by the method of proving up the need for water or loss of rights in the absence of such proof every five years. Prickett said that should a neighboring municipal- ity do the same thing by drawing down to protect their rights we may find our method of proving up has created an unnecessary water short- age. Sims discussed the T.I.D. situation when herbicides are used and suggested we allow water to drain when used before it is routed into our domestic water and Alsing said that we are notified of herbicidal use in advance and we do allow sufficient drainage. On motion to lower irrigation rates to flat fee on roll call passed unanimously. Laws moved to direct staff that letter be prepared to say the method of reserving water rates is undesirable way; Ragland seconded and on roll call passed unanimously. A memorandum from the Director of Public Works relative to change of work schedule and need for relief of fund shortage was considered and Almquist recommended the shortage come from Water Dept. conting- ency. Ragland moved that Resolution be brought back transferring appropriations; Phelps seconded and on roll call, all YES. Recommendations from the Traffic Safety Commission were considered as outlined in their memo dated February 29 and Laws moved request be approved; Phelps seconded and on roll call, all YES. Planner Fregonese reviewed his memorandum relative to $6,000 funding available to local governments by 701 Grant, and recommended that the grant be applied for to get some necessary planning work done on a Downtown Area Plan. Fregonese added that funding of this nature would have no more strings than an EDA or EPA grant. Almquist noted that we would be applying for the entire amount allocated to Jackson/Joseph- ine Counties. Phelps moved to approve request to apply for grant; Ragland seconded and on roll call, all YES. Mayor asked Councilman Laws what happened in RVCOG in response to the letter outlining eight problem areas which Ashland didn't submit and Laws explained that because of the short notice cities were given that it was decided to reconsider the plan at this time. Mayor Prickerr also noted that others had been notified of nominations for a recently formed Economic Development Commission in the County and that Ashland had not been invited to submit names for consideration. Second reading by title only was given an ordinance establishing an Economic Development Commission and Laws moved for adoption. Ragland seconded the motion and on roll call, all YES. Second reading by title only was given an ordinance amending the Position Classification Plan and Medaris moved for adoption; Ragland seconded the motion which passed unanimously on roll call vote. 3/4/80 P. 5 Regular ~ting Ashland City Council 3/4/8Q ~. 6 STREET EXCAVATION PERMIT Second reading by title only was given an ordinance establishing a fee for street excavation permits. Phelps moved for adoption; Ragland seconded and on roll call, all YES. PUBLIC RECREATION COMM. First reading was given an ordinance amending Cahpter 2.16 of the Municipal Code relative to the Public Recreation Commission. Medaris moved to second reading. Sims seconded and the motion passed unani- mously on roll call vote. RESOLUTION TRANSFERRING APPROPRIATIONS A resolution was read transferring appropriations within funds and Laws moved for adoption; Phelps seconded and on roll call, all YES. RESOLUTION - INITIATIVE A resolution was read calling for a special election on the 20th of May, 1980, calling for an amendment and revision of the 1899 Charter of the City of Ashland and Sims moved for adoption; Medaris seconded the motion which passed unanimously on roll call vote. HOSPITAL FUND RESOLUTION A resolution was read amending the budget and making appropriations for a supplemental budget - Hospital Fund. Medaris moved for adopt- ion; Ragland seconded and the motion carried without opposition on roll call vote. ADJORNMENT The metting adjourned at 10:30 p.m. Nan E. Franklin City Recorder Mayor (Acting) ih