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HomeMy WebLinkAbout1976-0817 REG MIN· MINUTES OF THE REGULAR MEETING ASHLAND CITY COUNCIL August 17, 1976 ROLL CALL APPROVAL OF MINUTES MINUTES OF BOARDS, COMMISS- IONS & COMMITTEES JACKSON COUNTY HOUSING AUTH. PUBLIC FORUM "208" Water Quality Council Chairman McCannon led the Pledge of Allegiance and called th~ meeting to order at 7:30 p.m. on the above date in the Council Cham- bers. Councilmembers Hoffarth, Laws and McDowell were present. Rag- land arrived at 7:35 p.m. Mayor Prickerr. was absent. McCannon asked for correction of minutes of the August 3 meeting on Page 5 relative to Band Committee to read '~cCannon reported that Dave Wight asked to be relieved as Band Director and that the com- mittee is working up criteria for replacing him." McDowell moved to accept as corrected; Hoffarth seconded and on VOice vote motion passed unanimously. Hoffarth moved to accept minutes of boards, commissions & committees. McDowell seconded and on voice vote, all YES. Don Pinnock, Commissioner for the Jackson County Housing Authority gave the background of the authority saying the operation has change< from a leasing and subleasing plan for housing to a private landlord. tenant agreement with the 75~ subsidy being picked up by the housin~ authority and before the program can be implemented it must be approved by the city in which the units will be subsidized. Pinnock said that some 300 applications are on file for rental assistance. Tipp M. Mahan~ Director, said fair market rent, includin~ total utilities is set by the housing authority who issues a rental certi- ficate to qualified rentera in the low and moderate income bracket. CommisSioner Larry Horton reported that he owns thirty-two units on Garfield and eighteen on Emerick which are being subsidized by HUD. Mahan said that 200 units can be covered by the program in J 'ckson County. Horton said that Ashland will probably have only 7 or 8 units. On Hoffarth's question as to why the City would have t' endorse the program, Pinnock explained that it is not an endorse- ment but Just permission and no other involvement for the City, A schedule of rental allowances was given reporting that $140.00 would be allowed for one bedroom with utilities included; $166.00 for ~o bedroom; $192.00 for 3 bedroom and $208.00 for four bedroom. McCan- non said he had received telephone calls saying that the program would be unfair competion with other rents And might bring undesir- able people into Ashland. Pinnock disagreed saying that no one would move to Ashland to get subsidized housing and that the majorit> of the renters would be senior citizens. Mahan reported that of the 178 units in the program, 42 are occupied by families of elderly. McDowell moved request be granted; Laws seconded, On roll call vote Laws, McDowell, McCannon and Ragland voted YES. Hoffarth opposed. A draft of a letter addressed to Environmental Protection Agency fro~ Rogue Valley Council of Governments relative to the 208 Water Quality Management Planning Program was read by the City Administrator who asked Director of Public Works Alsing forms two recommendations noted in his attached memo. Alsing said he would like to see the letter amended to reflect the actual $50,000 for the Montgomery con- tract plus a reasonable amount for overhead. Almquist said that the Regular Meeting P_sn~ana ~lcy ~oull~ P~olic Forum cont. first element calling for structural modifications should be amended to include the alternative of dredging and/or sluicing the Citv's water supply system. Laws suggested striking "structural" Senior Citizen Transport- ation problems Cable TV rates Historic Commission Ord. HcCannon re~orted that it has been concluded that one of the more serious problems among the senior citizens is that of transportation and recalled a meeting in 1973 which both he and City Administrator Almquist artended in Salem covered the subject and it was learned th~ that the City of Milton-Freewater which is about half of the size of Ashland had implemented a' subsidization plan by making a book of twelve tickets available every three months to each senior with the cost of $1.50 per round trip being picked up by the city. McCannon asked for further correspondence with Milton-Freewater, and asked for a committee of 2 councilmembers and Mrs. Mayo to investigate possibility of a similar program in Ashland for senior citizens. Moffarth reported that Southern Oregon CaBle TV is raising it's rates and alerted the CATV committee of such action. Council agreed that based on conclusions made at study session, the Historic Preservation Ordinance should be returned to the Historic Commission for modification. Ragland suggested that applications should be limited to property owners or commission; the word "anitqu- ity" deleted where unnecessary; time period which properties may be tied up limited to 60 days instead of 180 days; "impact statement" should be drafted by Commission rather than applicant who may be un- qualified to do so, and in the special district formation process ~rhere strict requirements may be ~mposed by a group of property owner in one area, consideration should be given to an automatic referral t the voters within that area for their approval or rejection of the requirements and/or district boundary. Laws moved to request that Historic Commission reconsider ordinance and revise it to include points outlined above; Ragland seconded and on roll call, all YES. PULLIC HEARING Administrative Reorganiza- tion - Adm. Services There were no comments from the audience. Councilman Hoffarth asked Director of Public Works Alsing if he had personally discussed the plan with the department heads and was told that he and Brian had discussed the program in depth and that he felt the program will help solve some internal problems. On Hoffarth's question as to the ability of the new general services supervisor in purchasing etc., Alsing said that the individual departments will hopefully assist in ~rfiting specifications and purchasing materials and equipment. Alm- quist agreed and said that one person in each department would work closely with the supervisor to determine quantities, spec writing and purchasing. He ~aid that this has been ODe Of the concerns of the division superintendents. Ragland mentioned that he and Budget mem- ber Kiernan had recommended to the water subcommittee that more of the power and purchasing be turned back to the department heads and concluded that purchasing should be done by each department. Laws said ideally you would need a balance between the department heads and the purchasing agent. On Hoffarth's question as to when recruit- ment would start for this person, Finance Director Nelson said it could be done throug~ attrition and that Council and Budget Committee authorization would be necessary. 8/17/76 Pg, 2 Admin. Reorganization Liability Insurance Request to cut streets by Cal-Pacific Utilities East Main Feeder Line Water & Hersey Sts. Minor Land Part. Ekau Agreement Liquor License Renewals Taxi Franchise Service Hours Modification Ord. Trans. of Appropriations Discussion continued relative to the need for Supervisory Accountant and it was decided that filling this position was not urgent. Alm- quist said it would be virtually impossible to break two men in at one time and that the General Services Superintendent should be placed first and the accounting supervisor at a later time. The public hear ing was closed by ActiHg Mayor McCannon. Almquist recommended that the report be accepted and placed on file and recruitment be started ~mmedlately. Laws moved adoption of report and authorization to recruit General Services Supervisor. McCannon seconded. On roll call all YES. Proposal for analysis of public liability risk insurance by Warren, McVeigh, Griffin & Huntington was discussed and Finance Director Nelson urged consideration because of escalated costs to cities and mentioned he had been introduced to the firm at a seminar on the subject. Hoffarth moved to enter into an agreement for analysis at a cost not to exceed $1,800; McDowell seconded. Laws asked if refer- ences had been checked and suggested this be done before entering int~ any contract. Ragland moved to amend motion to add "provided a favor. able report is received"; McDowell seconded and on roll call, all YES On original motion as amended, passed unanimously on roll call vote. Director of Public Works Alsing explained that the request for the cutting of two newly paved streets by the utility company was for emergency repairs which could not have been anticipated and recommend- ed permission be granted; McCannon so moved; second by Hoffarth and on roll call, passed unanimously. Progress report on E. Main electric feeder line was accepted and placed on file. No action necessary. City Administrator Almquist shc'~ed a map of the Ekau property at Water & Hersey Streets which hr ~ been offered by the property owner to the City in exchange for fo~Jiveness of an assessment balance in the amount of $1,810.27 and explained that it was necessary to go through a minor land partition and asked that authority be given Mayor and Recorder to sign the Minor Land Partition and Agreement between Mrs, Joseph Ekau and the City. McDowell moved to authorize; second by Laws and on roll call, all YES. Liquor license renewal applications for 1976-77; application for Package Beer & Wine License by Harold E. Johnson, 917 E. Main St; and an application for Seasonal Dispenser License for Chateaulin Restaurant were submitted and considered. McDowell moved for approva of applications for liquor license renewals and for the E. Main Groc- ery upon acceptance of fingerprint results; Ragland seconded and on roll call, all YES. List of applications attached for the record. Second reading by title only of an ordinance amending Ordinance No. 1746 modifying the taxi franchise to change provisions relative to hours of service was given. McDowell moved for adoption; second by Hoffarth and on roll call passed without opposition. A Resolution transferring appropriations within funds was read. McCannon moved for adoption; Hoffarth seconded. On roll call, allYE~ 8/17/76 Pg. 3 Regular_Meeting Ashland City Council 8/17/76 Pg. 4 Urban System Project Agreement COG/AREA AGENCY ON AGING Contractu~.l Services with John W, Bodilly, Consultant Agreement of Employment w/ C.A. Brian L. Almquist Council Liaison Cable TV Franchise Lawsuit Status/STP Almqutst explained the Urban System Project Agreement and said the project is to be funded 11% by the City, 11% by the State and balance of costs, or 78% to be provided by FAUS. McCannon mo ed to authorize Mayor and City Recorder to sign the document; McDowell seconded and on roll call, all YES. Laws asked if Guthrie Street is on FAUS, Alsing said that it was but that it couldn't be paved this year under the FAUS program. Alsing said that to include it on the FAUS program would have meant the elimination of parking from one side of the street. An agreement between Rogue Valley Council of Governments, Area Agency on Aging and Ashland Senior Citizen Drop-In Center was presented for $6,000 and the scope of work outlined in five items including assessment of Ashland Nutrition Program; dissemination of information relative to senior program discounts on utilities; income assessment update and development of a training program for volunteers and staff by September 30, 1976. Hoffarth moved to sign contract and then decided to withdraw motion and defer matter to next meeting; Co~nciI agreed. McDowell moved that Mayor and City Recorder be authorized to sign the addendum providing for extension of contract with John W. Bodilly, Consultant and increased compensation; McCannon seconded and on roll call, all YES. McCannon moved that City Recorder and Mayor be authorized to sign Addendem extending period of employment to September 1, 1979. Rag- land seconded and on roll call, all YES. McDowell reported that CATV is compiling telephone survey results a d wondered in what form Council wanted information and ~nether it i~ Council's intention for the committee to work on drafting a pro- posed franchise. McCannon said it was his understanding that the committee will make recommendations by way of a rough draft of the ordinance but would not negotiate with S.O. Cable T¢ Company. It was agreed that committee would draft ordinance and hopefully it will be ready by November for consideration by Council, McDowell requested that matter of lawsuit status be placed on agenda and Council agreed. On McDowell's question as to whether the various lawsuits being handled by Grant, Ferguson & Carter over the Sewer Treatment Plant Cases should be pushed for final decision. The ques- tion was not answered but Almquist reminded Council that nothing can be done with the Wade and Senior Investment property involved with the County until the cases are resolved. City Attorney Salter dis- cussed advisability of hurrying a suit. Economic Development Federal Funding/Public Works Bill (Law) City Administrator Almquist reported that two proposals were made for a Justice Center as applied for previously under LEAA and/or a water inter-tie from Talent Irrigation District to Sewer Treatment Plant through pre-application of federal grant as set up through Jackson County Overall Economic Development Committee. 8/17/76 Pg. 4 Regular Meeting Ashland City Council 8/17/76 pg. 5 Public Works Bill cont. Almquist reported a seminar would be held in San Francisco with E.D.A. and asked if he should attend in September. Council agreed that the City Adminis[rator should attend. According to Almquist the project would have to be started within 90 days of funding and that he felt this could be done. The land problem rests with the City involved, Almquist reported. There being no further business, the meeting adjourned at 9:40 P.M. Josep~ M. Butler City '~ecorder Mayor 8/17/76 Pg. 5