HomeMy WebLinkAbout1976-0924 SPECIALMINUTES OF SPECIAL MEETING
ASHLAND CITY COUNCIL
September 24, 1976
The City Council met at 1:00 p.m. on the above date in Council
Chambers in City Hall. Mayor Prickett and Councilmen Allen, Hoffarth,
Ragland, McCannon and Laws were present; Councilwoman McDowell was
absent°
Mayor Prickett opened the meeting and announced that the meeting
was beina held for the purpose of discussing property acquisition for
a proposed Justice Center and consideration of application for federal
grant for its construction. He said the motion which was passed at
the meeting on September 21, 1976, to offer $900 for an option to
purchase Twin Plunges for $120,000, made no provision for appropriation
of funds for the purchase, and no time period was set for acceptance
of the offer. Because of those unknown factors, no offer had been
written for presentation to Willstatters. The mayor went on to sal~
that because he had cast the tie-breaking vote to make the offer to
purchase, he now had the right to move for reconsideration of the
motion, and so moved. Laws seconded, and the motion passed unanimously
on roll call vote.
Mayor Pric]~ett said the 3-3 vote cast on the subject at the
previous meeting showed lack of support for the project, and he new
feels he should have voted "No" because of that lack, but at that
time he had felt .justification for his affirmative vote because of the
need for a Justice Center.
McCannon moved to withdraw the offer ao purchase. Laws seconded
the motion.
The mayor said he still feels strongly about construction of a
Justice Center, but its construction is of such major impact to the
community that it should not be undertaken unless supported by a
majority.
Hoffarth said he had voted against the motion to purchase because
he felt decisions were being made with ~oo much haste, and he would
not hastily support the acquisition of the Lithia Mill site either.
Ragland said the planned Justice Center has been generated over
the past ten years~ but he did not want to rush into a hasty purchase
either.
McCannon spoke of his many conversations with citizens, of whom
a majority expressed a preference for the Lithia Mill site, but felt
this to be such an important decision that it should be considered
by the full council, and moved to table. There was no second to the
motion. On roll call vote on the motion to withdraw the offer,
Hoffarth, Ragland, ~cCannon and Laws voted YES, Allen opposed.
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Ragland moved that the City of Ashland not proceed at this time
to acquire funding for a Justice Center. Allen seconded. Hoffarth
suggested that the Justice Center plan be prepared and given number
one priority so that the next time a grant is offered the City will
be prepared. Marilyn Briggs and Clark Snyder (in audience) asked
that plans not be dropped for construction of a Justice Center, and
both stated reasons that the Lithia Mill site is a good one.
Mayor Prickett said it is not his intention to drop all thought
of a Justice Center, and will reconvene the committee that studied
it three years ago. A1 Akins said he had served on that committee
and had talked with five others who were on the committee, and they
still feel a Justice Center is necessary.
Charlie Harris said the City cannot afford to spend $80,000 to
$120,000 for land, and that the facilities will not improve the Police
Department. Bush Hayden spoke for the need for adequate facilities,
and said with today's communication system a down-town location for
the Police Department is unnecessary.
Laws said the Lithia Mill site would not give as many points for
the acceptance of application for grant because the comprehensj.ve plan
does not allow for public buildings in that area, to which McCannon
argued that no more than five points could be lost on that basis.
Mike Mendiburu urged the Council to apply for a federal grant
for construction,-and questioned Administrator Almquist on time period
for submission of. application, to which Almquist replied that Congress
had not yet made the appropriation, and it may be vetoed by the
President, but if not, application will not be reviewed by Rogue Valley
Council of GovernI,~ents until October.
Ragland said he feels it wrong to hastily deviate from the
comprehensive plan. He said he is not opposed to the Lithia Mill site,
but if it is to be considered, the correct procedure of revising the
comprehensive plan should be undertaken.
McCannon spoke of people asking that congestion be moved out of
down town,~to which Allen replied that the police car congestion
cannot be that bad, but more building space is necessary for the police
and for City Hall, and spoke for further consideration of Twin Plunges
site because it fits into the comprehensive plan.
Ron Kelsoe spoke for consideration of the Lithia Mill site.
On question from Marilyn Brj. ggs regarding revision of the Comprehensive
Plan, City Attorney Salter said we have no written procedure for
amending that plan, but in the past we have done so by having public
hearings before the Planning Commission and the Council.
James C. Sims said there was speculation last February that plablic
works grants would become available, and the City should have started
preparation at that time and set priorities.
9/24/76 Pg. 2
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The motion that the City not proceed at this time to acquire
funding for a Justice Center passed on roll call vote with Ragland,
Laws, Allen and Hoffarth voting YES, McCannon opposed.
Meeting adjourned at 1:40 p.m.
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