HomeMy WebLinkAbout1975-0415 REG MIN~11 Call
Approval of Minutes
Bikeway Committee
Lawsuits
Hardesty et al,
Scannell, Bourne,
Higgins
Siskiyou Rest Area
Leroy C. Eller
Ashland Jayaces
Carnival Request
MINUTES FOR THE REGULAR MEETING
ASHLAND CITY COUNCIL
April 15, 1975
Mayor Prickerr led the Pledge of Allegiance and called the meeting
to'order at 7:30 in the Council Chambers on the above date. All membez
were present with the exception of Ragland.
McDowell moved that the minutes for the regular meeting of April 1,
be approved and placed on file; Hoffarth seconded and motion passed
without opposition on voice vote.
Allen moved that minutes for the Bikeway Committee meetings of
March 27, 1975 and April 3, 1975 be accepted and placed on file;
McDowell seconded and motion passed unanimously on voice vote.
City Administrator Almquist presented four notices of claims against
the City. McCannon moved that cls~ (one through five) be denied an~
passed on to insurance carrier; Laws seconded and on roll call, all
A letter from Oregon State Highway ~epartment was read by City Adminis-
trator Almquist requesting permission to make connection to the City
sewer line located at Green Springs Mi~hway and I-5 (Clover Lane) at
an estimated cost of $85,000. Earl C. Purdy, Resident Engineer for
the Highway Department offered to arbiter questions cn the proposed
connect and explained that the presem~ subsurface system for sewage
was creating problems at the Rest Are~.. Allen asked if all alterna-
tives were explored and wondered if f~ere might be a less ex~emsive
solution. On Laws question as to wha% the State would do should Count!
deny the request, Purdy said the facility would have to be closed.
Laws asked the Director of Public Worls if the sewer treatxnent plant
could handle the additional effluent and Alsing said it would cause na
problem. Hoffarth criticized Council policy in denying request to
resident of Clay Street to connect to City sewer line. City Adminis-
trator Almquist explained that requests for connects to existing bullz-
ings can still be approved where the setter line runs along property
line. McCannon moved request be accepted and placed on file; Allen
seconded and on roll call passed unanimously. (Agreement later in
Agenda.)
Letter from Leroy C. Eller offering strip of land to City was read
along with memorandum from Director of Public Works Alsing recommendin_
acceptance of land should the City ever improve the street (Fox St.) az
some future date. Laws moved acceptance of land; McDowal! seconded a~i
Mayor directed City Administrator Almquist to draw up necessary instru-
ments for execution. On roll call, all YES.
City Administrator Almquist read a letter from Ashland Jaycees request-
ing approval to bringing of a carnival type show to Ashland, the pro-
ceeds to be used to help defray expenses of their annual Fourti~ of
pageant. The City Administrator said the location ~ou!d be on the
Leo Zupan property adjacent to Bi-Mart and tl~at the event meets
the approval of both o~ners. On question from McCannon as tc w~ether
the requested waiver of license fee had been granted in the past,
the City Administrator said it had in cases requested by non-profit
and charitable organizations. Allen moved to approve, iloffarth sec-
onded. Almquist askad that all permits be secured from electrical an~
building departments. On roll call, all YES,
Regul 'eeting Ashland City Council PaF~-two
Public Forum
Councilman McCannon asked Council to place an item on the agenda relauiv~
to adjustment on income qualifications for Senior Citizen Discounts on
utilities and so moved; Laws seconded and on roll call, all YES.
Cynthia Lo~d who is a member of the Comprehensive Planning Committee,
asked how much it costs the City to clean storm sewers. Mayor Prickerr
asked Mrs. Lord to refer question to Director of Public Works Alsing
at his office.
Monthly Financial
Commentary
Finance Director Nelson was asked by the Mayor if he had additional com-
ment and in the absence of additional information, the report was
accepted by Council.
Budget Hearings
Authorization for the calling of budget hearings was requested by
Finance Director Nelson; Allen so moved. McDowell seconded and on
roll call, passed unanimously.
Interest Rate Adjustment
Memorandum from City Administrator was reviewed in which Almquist said
interest rates on time deposit money is now averaging 5.75 per cent,
and suggested that the interest rate on the interfund loan to the Parl~
& Recreation Department be reduced frem 8 per cent to 5.75 per cent
for the current 90-day period. McCannon moved that recommendation be
accepted; Allen seconded and on roll call, all YES.
Wastewater Treatment
Plant Plaque
City Administrator Almquist read memorandum listing the names o~ three
Councils one of which was to be'placed ~, a plaque at the wastewater
treatment plant. Allen recommended that the Council (group one) who
had initiated the project with the request for authorization from the
electorate be honored and so moved; seconded by Laws and passed unani-
mously on roll call vote. (Mayor Charles H. McKeen, Councilmen Con]c!in~
McCannon, Roberrs, Roble, Soderberg and Willstatter).
Appeal of Planning Commis- Before the Public Hearing on the Delsman appeal of Planning Com~mission
sion - Minor Land Part. decision to deny application for minor land partition, City Attorney
Applicant - Delsman Salter explained background of request and appeal. Salter said that
applicant had applied for a minor land partition to divide a lot con-
sisting of 16,071 square feet into two equal parcels of approximately
8,000 square feet, property being located on corner of Park and Mohawk
Streets. The City Attorney stated that provisions outlined iu ].7.0~.~
of the subdivision ordinance talks about lots and their sizes and ca!Is
for them to be no less than 100 feet in depth and if certain conditions
make it necessary,.lots can be no less than 80 feet in depth. Salter
said that 17.32.040 (C) calls for a public.hearing in the case of an
appeal for Council to overrule Plaaning Coxmnission decision and that
the disposition of the appeal will be final and Council should determine
whether the existing conditions make it mandatory to have lots less in
depth. Salter explained that if Council takes no action, then the
Planning Commission's decision will stand, and that if decision i~
overruled then Planning Commission must provide negative findings of
fact.
At this point Mayor Prickett opeued the public hearing asking fcr
comments from the audience.
Pg. 2 4/~5/75
P~blio Hearing
Joe Platko, Repres-
enting applicant
Joe Platko of Red Arrow Realty sa~d it is not necessary to have lots
a minimum of 100 foot depth and illustrated the point be citing
lots on the same street consisting ~f only 86 feet in depth and that
the two houses on the lots represent about $100,000 in value. P!atko
said that hie lots would be 95 feet in depth.
Glenn Franklin of 19~4 Mohawk who lives next door to the lot in questic
said that all of the lots in the subdivision are about the same size
and that this was his main reason for locating there. Franklin sub-.
mitted a letter frem Wayne Breeze of 1938 Mowhawk who was ill and also
in opposition to the minor land partition.
Wayne Wiley, 1911 Crestview, ~o lives directly above the Delsman
property, opposed stating that the partition would cause a diminishing
value of the property in the area.
W. H. Taylor, 1191 Park Street, stated he bought in the area because
of the size of the lot and feels the partition would place an impositiG
on the area and opposes curtleg lot size.
Mr. & Mrs. Fred Pratt of 1930 Crestvie~ opposed proposal saying they
would object to anything which would lessen the value of the property.
Mrs. Patricia Cole o£ 1159 Park Street spoke ~n opposition to the
partition and included her husband as being against th~ proposal.
Platko said he had spoken to the County Assessor on the property va]u~
of adjoining and other lots in the area and was assured that such
partition would not dev~lue property and said in some instances smaller
landscaped lots would be more valuable than larger lotq with weeds.
Liquor License
Application 7-11 Store
Delsraan wondered if the miner land partition should be handled by
staff or whether it is in the jurisdiction of the Planning Commission
or Council and said it appears to be a legal matter. Planning Technic-
ian Himes said there was confusion as to whether the Zoning Ordinance
or Subdivision Ordinance or both should be applied to proposal. Sa!ter
said he was looking at the Subdivision Ordinance which was in effect at
the time of application. Council agreed to accept ruling cf the Plan-
ning Commission.
Recorder Butler presented Council with a liquor license application
from Southlaud Corporation - parent company of 7-11 Stores, Chief Hays
on question frcm Mayor Prickett, said that he does not investigate out
of State corporate applications for licenses as applicants are investi-
gated by State Co~nmission. David L. Greene, real estate representative
for 7-1! said that a market survey is being done and that the company
has an option on land at this point. Hoffarth moved that request he
approved; Laws seconded and on roll call, passe~ unanimously,
Page 3 4/15/75
R.e~ul_ar Meeting Ashland City Council Page._fji~:~_
keport on Jackson County
Association of Cities
Raquest for cutting of
Winburn Way - P & R.
Chamberof Commerce
Waste Receptacle Request
Ordinances, Resolutions &
Contracts
Ord. No. 1184
Electric Rate 0rd.
Councilman Laws reported that ha had artended the'newly organized Agaoci,
ation of Cities meeting and that the Transit District legislation was
discussed relative to its impact on the cities of Jackson County. Laws
then moved that Council authorize the Mayor and alternate delegate to
the Council of Governments also represent the City at meetings of the
organization as song as it is active; Hoffarth seconded and on roll call
motion passed unanimously.
City Administrator Almquist read a letter from the Parks & Recreation
Department requesting permission to c~t into Granite St. for the
installation of pipe needed to activate irrigation system in the upper
park. McCannon moved for approval; McDowell seconded. On roll call,
all YES.
Gordon Kolgate, Chairman of the Chamber's Retail Trades Committee
presented a request for funding for trash receptacles to be built by
the shop class at Ashland 11igh School and distributed to various loca-
tions in downtown Ashland. A mock-up of the receptacle was on display.
Holgate stressed the urgency of funding because of the short time the
students will have to fabricate the it~ before school lets out fo~
the summer. The cost of the receptacles would be $22.50 e~ch without
liners. Ashland Sanitary Service agreed to pick up the trash and to
maintain the receptacles free of charge. Mayor Prickett suggested that
if the Council was willing that monies be taken from revenue sharing.
McCannon moved to authorize the Chamber to order trash containers as
reeuested to be funded from Revenue Sharing. Laws suggested that two
additional containers be orded as spares to which McCannon agreed e~d
included suggestion in motion, McDowell seconded the motion to order
twenty two containers. On roll call~ Allen and Hoffarth asked permissjc
to abstain but said they would have supported funding if they were votir
and the vote was unanimous with McCannon, Laws and MoDewell voting YES.
City Administrator Almquist gave second reading by title only of an
ordinance amending Ordinance No. 1184 by repealing Sections 14.],6.01~
and 14.16.020 of the Ashland Municipal Code: adding new Sections
14.16.010 through 14.16.025 inclusive: and declaring an emergency.
McDowell moved for adoption seconded by Laws. On roll call, all YES.
Second reading by title onl7 was given by the City Admin~strstor of
ordinance amending Ordinance No. 1673 as amended, and Sections 14.16.~
through 14.16.070 of the Ashland Municipal Code; amending Ordinance
No. 1757 and Sections 14.12.030, 14.12.050 and 14.12.060 of the Aah-
land Municipal Code; and declaring an emergency.
Fred Pratt of 1930 Crestview went on record as opposing proposed e!ectr~
rate increase stating it is an ~erican commodity and should be low cc~t
item and its use be encouraged instead of supporting foreign interests
in oil and gas. Pratt said he can understand the need of the City fez
more money but that he would prefer to have his property tax ~o u~ so
that cost would be income tax deductible.
Charles Lucas of 565 Altamont complained about the rate increase saying
that all-electric homes had been sold as low cost and with the increase
in rate those consumers will be discriminated against.
Pg. 4 4/~5/75
~egu]=r Meeting Ashland City Council P~e five
Electric rate cent.
Soderberg Resolution
Conklin Resolution
Human Resource Res.
I-5 Rest Area Sewer
Connect Agreement
McCannon moved for adeption of ordinance; seconded by Laws and passed
on roll ca].l with only Hoffarth in opposition.
McCannon then added his proposal to Ordinance No. 1766 which would rai~
income levels o~ senior citizens for purpose of determining e]igibilit~
for discounts on utilities (see attached), recommended that Mayor
appoint a cor~nittce of throe consisting of the director of the Senior
Center and two council members who are on the Senior Center Advisory
Board to investigate associated eligibility problems. From the audienc~
A1 Willstatter said hardship cases are not confined to the elderly and
felt proposal discriminatory, Murray Gardner said the City is creatin[
a tax which is not deductible through electric rate raise. Pratt agre~
with both Gardner and McCannon and asked that City employees relinquisP
their 25% utility discount and suggested that that the ordinance incluc
a clause to stat£ "for those with the ability to pay".
McCannon asked that his proposal be put in the form of a motion to whic
Allen objected as being presented without time for Council consi~eratic
before the meeting. McCannon withdre~.~ motion and asked that ~em be
placed on agenda for the next regular meeting. Mayor Prickart so
ordered.
A Resolution conunendlng farmer Councilwoman Audrey H. Sealerberg fo;~ her
service to the City was read by City Administrator Altoquiet. McCanncln
moved fo~ adoption, seconded by Allen and passed unanimously on ro!]
call vote.
City Administrator Almqujst read Resolution conm~edding former Counci!ma
3ames L. Conklin for service to City of Ashland. MoDewell moved for
adoption; second by Laws and passed unanimously on roll call vote.
A Resolution creating a Humart Resources Committee was read by the City
Administrator. La~;s supported the resolution by stating that the: City
would be in a bett,!r position to secure it's fair share of funding for
human needs, that recreation programs and Multi-service center might
come under committee for considerargon and that once research is done
recommendations can be brought to Council by Janua~ 1, 1976 - suffici-
ently in advance of budget planning. Allen questioned need for
stating be felt the function should be one strictly on the county
level and that problems should be considered as they develop ~:~thcr
seeking them out. Laws said it may well be that we do not ~ant to c.,
involved but committee would make it possible should the City d,~c'ide
a role it might want to play. ?,icDowell moved for adoption; McCannon
seconded and on roll call, McDowell, McCannon, Hoffarth,' and Laws voted
YES. Allen opposed.
City Administrator A!mquist read the agreement for sewer connection fez
1-5 Rest Area betwee,.~. the City and Oregon State Highway Divisioa.
Allen and }{offarth agreed that the City is catering to the State of
Oregon while denying connection to residents of the Ashland area and
said that alternatives hac; Dot been explored as admitted by Resident
Engineer Purdy of the Highway Department. McCannox~ moved to accept
agreement; Laws seconded and explained the only i~npact connect ~youl~?
have on the City ,.could be daily input which could be handled. On
roll call McCannon, Laws and McDowell voted YES. Hoffarth and ~lj.{,~x~
P~,.. 5 4/15/75
_P_.~_~L~]=_ar~ Meetin~ .... Ashland C~ty Council Pa~_e_J_ixl.'
Waste Treatment
Area Planning
City Administrator Almquist read a resolution indicating intent to
join with other genera] purpose units of local government in the
Rogus Valley Area to develop and implement a plan res,~lt~ng in a
coordinated waste treatment management system. McCannon moved for
adoption; seconded by McDowell and passed unanilmously by roll c~!l
vot e.
Water Commitlee
Appointments
Mayoz Prickett appointed the follo~,:ing as members of the Wa[er
Ad~iso~7 Con~mittee: ~,;Tilliam Purdom, Frank MacGrew, Harvey Seeley,
Gary Fries and Walt Hcffbuhr. McCannon moved for approvat; Allen
seconded and on roll call all YES.
Water & Sewer Rate
Study Committee
Appointments
Councilrash Ragland was appointed as Chairman add Counci]x~an McCannon
to make up committee to study water and sewer rates by the Mayor who
recommended that conmitt~e submit findings to budget connnittee for
working out rate structure.
Adjournment
Mayor adjourned meeting at 10:23 p.m.
~ M."~u?feir
Gary L. rickett
Mayor