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HomeMy WebLinkAbout1980-0527 ADJOURNEDMINUTES OF THE ADJOURNED MEETING ASHLAND CITY COUNCIL May 27, 1980 ROLL CALL CANVASS OF VOTE MARK ANTONY LICENSE PUBLIC HEARINGS General & Util Funds Federal Rev. Sharing Parents Anonymous Skills Bank Shakespearean Fest. Council Chairman Ragland led the Pledge of Allegiance and called the meeting to order on the above date at 7:30 P.M. in the Council Chambers Phelps, Ragland, Laws and Hamilton were present. Sims arrived at 8:00 P.M. Mayor Prickerr and Medaris were absent. Canvass of vote and Proclamation were read by the City Administrator indicating that Measure 51 was rejected and Measure 52 was passed by the voters of the City of Ashland. Laws moved for adoption of the Resolution and to authorize Acting Mayor Ragland to sign Proclamation; Hamilton seconded and on roll call, all YES. Liquor License for Mark Antony Hotel was considered and with the Police Department's approval Laws moved to approve application; Phelps seconde and on roll call passed unanimously. Acting Mayor Ragland opened public hearing and invited input on all ite City Administrator Almquist read a memo from Robert D. Nelson, Budget Officer indicating that transfer from General Fund Operating Conting- ency to Mayor & Council Dues was needed in the amount of $579 to cover dues to League of Oregon Cities & RVCOG and a like amount was suggested to be transrerred from Utility Services Operating Contingency to Utility Services Dues. The second item requested was that the capital outlay appropriations of Nater Division's 1980-81 budget be reduced by $6500 and July 1, 1980 Utilities Fund balance be reduced by $6500. Laws moved for approval of transfer; Phelps seconded and the motion passed unanimously on roll call vote.(No comments & public hearing clos Almquist read five proposed amendments to 1980-81 Budget relating to Federeal Revenue Sharing in a memo from Finance Director Nelson and noted that additional information would be coming in on #4 relative to Bikeways and no action would be necessary. Ragland opened the public hearing and with no response from the audience closed the public hearin Laws moved to approve four suggested changes; Phelps seconded the motis which passed unanimously on roll call vote. Almquist said that changes will be made before Resolution is adopted and there may be more changes A representative from Parents Anonymous reported their request for funds from Jackson County was cut 1/~ and now would request Council consideration to match contributions they would generate in the amount of up to $500. It was pointed out that their budget is $14,000 and unless they get public support there will be no alternative but to lose the only paid person who is secretary/coordinator of the program. Jim Cox representing the Skills Bank reported that request for $7,500 was denied but now asks consideration for request of $2,140 to cover debts incurred in the renovation of the old natural history museum. Cox pointed out that all of the labor was volunteer but the amount requested is for material only. Cox added that the building is being used by other community groups and feels it has been a contribution to the City. John Evey, Director of Resource Development of OSFA presented a letter to Council outlining needs to support request for the 1% beyond the basic 5% hotel/motel tax previously charged. Judy Patterson urged consideration of the request in view of the 48% of the citizens who expressed support by their vote. 5/27/SD P 1 PUBLIC HEARING cont. Spud Corliss asked John Evey if request being made is separate from the Chamber and was told it is separate but OSFA supports the need to have a Visitor & Convention Bureau. Corliss said that we are looking at only one-half of the picture and the request would be taking money which has already been appropriated, and that all requests should be consid- ered together. Russ Dale asked Ragland if the whole budget matter would be completed and adopted tonight and Ragland said this is the plan. Ragland said the appropriatness of where such funding would come from would have to be considered if approved but that the Budget'Committee felt that OSFA was asking for funding twice - once by Measure 51 and also the $25,000 request. Dale asked what funds could be charged and Finance Director Nelson said that three possible funds could be the General, Revenue Shar- ing and Utility Fund. Nelson urged that it not come out of General Fund because of its precarious balance and that operating costs will be con- sumed in labor negotiations. Nelson said that Revenue Sharing could be given a fresh look and said you might wish to charge some from the Utility Fund based on the use by tourists but recommended it not come out of the General Fund. Nelson said the Hotel/Motel Tax is one of the only revenues which has a revenue potential. Nelson said he didn't know how Council would feel about using electric utility funds but that $10,000 might be used from operating contingency. Evey reviewed list of items necessitating needs for promotion and he still feels that the Hotel/Motel tax is where OSFA should get their support. Almquist suggested an alternative of the Operating Contingency in the budget of $124,000 and said that even after salary increases are considered there will be about $60,000 in contingency for unseen emergency - not in with Capital Improvement (Emergency Fund). Almquist said that con- tributions to Chamber come from Utility Fund. Richard Green of 710 Elkader asked what sort of promotional tools the Festival plans to use and would revenue increase by $25,000 and when would they get funds. Ragland said it would depend first on whether the request is granted and which fund, saying that if Revenue Sharing was chosen then the monies would become available sometime in October if indeed Revenue Sharing comes at all and then would come in quarterly amounts. Evey said that estimated promotional materials would exceed $60,000 which is below their budget and would be glad to reveiw what is planned to bring people in. Evey said that plans are being made to go on the road with shows in order to keep going if the public is un- able to come here because of gasoline, inflation etc. On question as as to who pays forthe Ashland brochures, Elliott Reinert said the City contributed $2,200 for services rendered because the Chamber takes care of the mail etc. generated by requests the City would otherwise do. Reinert said he feels Chamber promotion should come from Hotel/ Motel tax but he respects the Administrator's wisdom with regard to realities facing us right now. Reinert added that at this time there are an additional 300 rooms being planned and this will be one of the places where the Hotel/Motel tax has potential growth and therefore makes it appropriate to spend some of that fund. Ragland closed the public hearing. Fred Binneweis said as a Budget Committee member he has had second thought on the budget process where street repair was budgeted and feels now that more funds should have gone to that need. 5/27/80 P. BUDGET cont. PUBLIC HEARING - Resolution adopting Budget Ordinance levying taxes Tourism Funding Alter- natives Binneweis said that it should.have a higher priority than bike path. O~ question by Phelps as to why he had not brought that matter up at the budget meetings, Binneweis said that the way the priorit{es were set he became confused. Ragland said he cannot support taking the monies from bike path funds saying the comp plan encourages the use of bikes and that the State of Oregon offered the City $49,000 which is about half of the budget'for the entire State and the funds couldn't go to another use. Richard Green expressed concern about the street maint- enance and suggest a study to get more efficience, speed etc. to get the most for our street repair dollars. On question as to how we let bids on paving, Alsing said that there are two companies who consistentl] bid the jobs from here in the valley. Ragland said that problems with street is mainly due to the fact that assessment districts must be formed for improvements and when the property owners/citizens were approached on the ballot about five years ago to get property taxes for repair of streets they responded with a "NO" vote. Public he~ing closed Laws said that to take monies from General Fund would have serious effect 'on City services and to take it from Hotel/Motel Tax for Shakes- peare would be to ignore voice of voters and if we were to look at Revenue Sharing there is nothing he wants to cut there and that he would feel very uncomfortable using Utility Fund after raising rates. Laws said he would be agreeable to looking to another way to bring rev- enue into the City but doesn't think we can look at tourist promotion to justify using any of the funds mentioned. Sims said we could con- sider later when Ragland presents a theory to Council. Phelps moved that $500 matching fund for Parents Anonymous be taken from Revenue Sharing funds; Laws seconded and on roll call Sims, Hamilton, Phelps and Laws voted YES. Ragland opposed. Phelps moved that $2,140 be earmarked for Skills Bank; Sims seconded and on roll call, all YES. Phelps moved to defer Shakespearean Festival item till later on after Ragland's presentation under New & Miscellaneous Business; Sims seconded and on roll call passed unanimously. Almquist read a Resolution adopting Annual Budget and making appropria- tions and Phelps moved to adopt; Hamilton seconded and on roll call, all YES. First reading was given an ordinance levying taxes for fiscal year 1980-81 and Laws moved to second reading; Phelps seconded and on roll call vote the motion passed unanimously. Ragland suggested that.as an alternative solution to the ability of the Chamber to maintain tourism that Council may want to consider asking that business license fees be doubled and that the Chamber poll the licensed businesses to get their reaction. Ragland said the fees genera- ted by the tax now amounts to $31,000 and would suggest that amount go to the Chamber this year for advertising and promotion program the first year and the entire doubled amount ($62,000) go to them the second and 5/27/80 P. 3 BUSINESS LICENSE FEE cont. third years. Ragland proposed that the fee would return to the old rate after three years unless the Council voted to extend the program. Ragland briefed Council on the history of the Economic Development Com- mission which was disolved in 1970 as being ineffective and the balanc~ of their budget was returned to the General Fund. Tom Reid said that the Chamber had discussed this concept and were in favor of it and tha~ an accounting can be made of what becomes of funds and a draft ordin- ance could be written providing for a quarterly review. Sims said it is important to hear from Chamber membership and said it would appear that we have a duplication in that 1/3 would be used for Shakespeare promotion and there should be a more professional way to handle it. Reinert said when they were thinking about Measure 51 and setting up a Visitors Bureau it was figured that it would cost about $35,000 to est- ablish it and approximately $15,000 out of the $50,000 expected would go to the Festival (of Hotel/Mote~ Tax). Phelps said it is clear that not all businesses are associated with tourism and that we have only looked at one segment of the community. Laws suggested that new ordin- ance specify purpose of proposal as being to promote tourism for the City of Ashland and secondly that plan be brought to Council each year as he didn't think it should be automatically going to any organizatior and that Chamber be required to submit plan as to how the money is to be used if they give part of it to Shakespeare. Evey said that even $62,000 is not beyond what will be needed for basic Visitors Bureau and he supports idea but doesn't think the idea can help support Shakespeare and reiterated that it should be put before the people that 1% of Hotel/Motel tax be used for OSFA. City Administrator Almquis offered to work with the Chamber and to come back to Council with report. Council agreed. HERSEY ST. IMPROVEMENT AUTOMATIC ASSISTANCE AGREEMENT - AFD ELECTRIC MATE INCREASE ORDINANCES, RESOLUTIONS & CONTRACTS A memo from the Director of Public Works was read reporti~ the improve ment of Hersey Street is now scheduled for bidding during the last quarter of 1980. Council requested that the City Administrator write a strong letter to the State Highway Division to get progress on the scheduling of this work to preclude problems with property owners who have been advised the work would be done this summer sometime. Laws moved to write State; Ragland seconded and on roll call, all YES. Fire Chief King reported work being done to bring the Automatic Assist- ance Agreement up to date and said the results of the coordination wou] give a solid back-up system and a stronger bold on the ISO Rating of #4 which we now have. King asked that one minor amendment be made to the agreement to include Ashland Dispatch Center. Hamilton moved to amend agreement by adding Ashland Dispatch Center; Phelps seconded and on roll call, all YES. City Administrator suggested a minute order to read meters on June 6th instead of June 2nd tb avoid controversy about effective date and Laws so moved; Phelps seconded and on roll call, all YES. Second reading by title only was given an Ordinance on issuance of burning permits and Hamilton moved to adopt; Phelps seconded and on roll call, all YES. 5/27/80 P. Adjourned items Reimbursements of Street Improvements Ord. Restricted Parking Electric Service reg. Building & Construction Nezla St. Vacation Improvement Bonds St. Imp. Dist. #44 & 45 Bus Parking Southern Oregon Skyways Proclamation Burglary Prevention New Items Ashland Sanitary Service Franchise Hospital Fund Gen. & Utility Funds Fund Statement Res. McGrew Lease ments/~nd e ps mgve~ to a opt; Laws seconded and on roll call, motion passed unanimously. Second reading by title only was given an Ordinance relative to restrict ed parking areas and Phelps moved to adopt; Hamilton seconded and the motion passed unanimously on roll call vote. Second reading was given by title only of an ordinance relative to electric service regulations and Laws moved to adopt; Phelps seconded and on roll call motion passed'unanimously. First reading by title only was given an Ordinance relative to Building and Construction and Laws moved to second reading; Phelps seconded and on roll call, all YES. First reading was given an Ordinance vacating an unopened portion of Nezla Street and Laws moved to second reading; Hamilton seconded and on roll call, all YES. First reading was given an Ordinance authorizing the issuance of improvement vonds in Street Improvement District Nos. 44 & 45 and Phelps moved to second reading; Hamilton seconded and on roll call, all YES. Resolution providing for commercial bus parking on S. Pioneer Street from February 2 to November 1 of each year was read and Phelps moved to adopt; Hamilton seconded and on roll call all YES. Phelps moved to authorize Mayor and City Recorder to sign airport lease as submitted and Hamilton seconded the motion which passed unanimously. A Proclamation declaring month of June as "Burglary Prevention Month" was read and Laws moved to approve; Phelps seconded and on roll call, all YES. Second reading by title only was given an Ordinance amending franchise with Ashland Sanitary Service, Inc. relative to notice requirements and Hamilton moved to adopt; Phelps seconded and on roll call, all YES. A Resolution transferring appropriations within a fund was read and Laws moved to adopt; Hamilton seconded and on roll call, all YES. A Resolution transferring appropriations within Funds was read and Laws moved to adopt; Phelps seconded and on roll call passed unanimously A Resolution was read requested by new Auditors to adopt a statement of purpose for each Fund and summarizing major resources and Hamilton moved to adopt; Laws seconded and the motion was passed with no opposition. McGrew Bros. Sawmill lease for storage area for building materials was presented and reviewed and Laws moved to authorize Mayor and Recorder to sign; Hamilton seconded and on roll call, all YES. 5/27/80 P. ! NPPA BD OF DIR. City Administrator Almquist reported that he had been appointed to be a member of the Board of Directors of Northwest Public Power Association and Laws moved to approve appointment for Almquist to accept; Phelps seconded the motion which passed unanimously on voice vote. Meeting adjourned at 10:10 P.M. City Recorder ih