HomeMy WebLinkAbout1975-0506 REG MINMINUTES FOR THE REGULAR MEETING
ASHLAND CITY COUNCIL
May 6, 1975
Roll Call
Approval of Minutes
Council
Planning Commission
Parks & Recreation
Airport Comnittee
Traffic Safety
Hospital Board
Appeal - Phillip W. &
Eleanor Smith
(CUP #164)
Senior Center Quarterly
Report
Parks & Rec. Report
Financial Commentary
Trespass Litigation
Public Forum
Mayor Prickett led the Pledge of Allegiance and called the meeting
to order at 7:30 p.m. in the Council Chambers on the above date.
All members were present.
McDowell moved that minutes for the regular meeting of April 15, and
the executive session of April 29, 1975 be approved and placed on
file; Hoffarth seconded and on voice vote, all YES.
Minutes for the Planning Commission meeting of April 14, 1975; Parks
& Recreation for April 10, 1975; Airport Committee for April 9, 1975;
Traffic Safety Commission for April 23, 1975 and Hospital Board for
April 18, 1975 were presented for acceptance. Hoffarth requested
that letter referred to in Hospital Minutes on page one from Nelson
to the Board of Directors be made available to Council. Mayor directed
City Administrator to comply with request. McDowell moved that minutes
for meetings be accepted and placed on file, Laws seconded and motion
passed unanimously on voice vote.
City Administrator read letter from Richard Cottle representing the
Smiths requesting that approval of CUP No. 164 be appealed and recor~nended
that Public Hearing be set for May 20, 1975 at 7:30 p.m. Mayor Prickett
so ordered and requested that such hearing be advertised aad necessary
notices be sent.
Senior Center report was presented. McCannon moved that report be acceFtc
and placed on file. Laws seconded and motion passed on voice vote, all YE
Monthly report from Parks & Recreation was submitted and Laws moved that
it be accepted and placed on file; second by Ragland and passed unanimous]
on voice vote.
Director of Finance Nelson's financial commentary for month ending
March 31, 1975 was submitted for acceptance. On question from Hoffarth
Finance Director Nelson stated that a series of interfund loans will be
necessary before ParksI& Recreation financial picture is totally stable
and mentioned a series of fiscal problems dating back to Hunter Park were
being worked out and offered to report financial status to Council should
it desire his analysis. Mayor accepted report as submitted and clarified
by Nelson.
City Administrator Almquist presented summons relative to trespass suit
which had previously been file end now had named one more defendant and
said no action was necessary.
A petition signed by nineteen individuals was presented by Ron Lamb of
288 Harrison who spoke on behalf of residents of area bordered by Herriser
Iowa, Idaho & Holly Streets and requested that Co~n~cil consider settin~
moratorium on construction of multiple units in the area mentioned abeve
which is zoned R-3:1-2 but which is essentially made up of single family
dwellings. Lamb continued by stating that although it is his understan,~ir
that purchase of property on corner of Holly & Harrison is unde~ay, be
Re~ulf-i ~eeting Ashland City Council
P~blic Forum cent.
Lamb-Harrison St.
Noise Permit Request
Swimming Pool
Student Awards Dinner
Mountain Ranch Sub-
division
not positive what the purchaser plans to build but appealed to Council to
take measures on behalf of the majority of property owners in area who
want t~e neighborhood to stay as it is by stopping minor land partitions
of the deep lots until the Comprehensive Plan is completed and added that
applicant (purchaser) for minor land partition meets all requirements of
the Planning Commission but feels Council has power to implement controls
to benefit desire of majority of people. Laws and Mayor Prickett agreed
that matter should come before Planning CsF~ission first and eventually
be sent to Council with recommendations should it be deemed necessary.
City Attorney Salter voiced substantial reservations on moratorium pro-
posal stating City would be taking away the value of a person's property
by not allowing him permitted use. Mrs. Ron Lamb said situation is unique
in that seller had no intent to sell to someone with plans to develop othe
than single family dwelling. Martin McKenzie who represented Starnes
(seller) said that there was a slip-up on listing of property which added
to the confusion. Lamb repeated that he felt that within the ri~ts and
responsibilities of the Council that a moratorium could be implemented by
weight of evidence as supported by petition presented Council consisting
of majority of property owners. Mayor Prickett stated that Council would
be adjourning to an adjourned meeting to he called for on Thursday, May 8
and that at that time consideration could be given matter allowing Council
to study problem in advance of meeting and to talk to Hampton who at pre-
sent is out of town. Council agreed matter be taken up on Thursday at
4:00 p.m.
Candice Stanton of Southern Oregon College requested a noise permit
for Spring Festival to be held from Monday, May 12 through Friday,
May 16 and asked that noise permit be allowed for ~y 13 between the
hours of 4:30 & 7:30 p.m., where rock band will perform in area between
Taylor and Student Union on campus. Allen moved to approve request;
Laws seconded and on roll call, all YES.
Councilman Hoffarth brought up need for swimming pool program in Ashland
and suggested that Ragland make an attempt to work out a program with
owners of Twin Plunges to offer a rea!i~tic price for swimming at their
facilities even if it would be necessary to subsidize program with Parks
Commission and that such plans be made expeditiously, Mayor so ordered.
McCannon, Chairman of Students Awards Dinner, announced that the annual
awards dinner will take place at Oak Knoll Restaurant on Monday, May 19
at 6: p.m. and asked that Council members respond to invitation to them
and respective spouse.
A letter from Harry A. Skerry, Jr., Attorney at Law representing developer
Vince Oredson was read by City Administrator Almquist who stated that the
new agreement drawn between subdividers and City is in accord with all
parties and recommended contract be approved. Mayor Prickerr advised
Skerry of his concern that the first agreement drafted and preseutcd to
Council had never been signed by either party and deplored the length of
time lapsing between agreemeats. Skerry apologized for time lag and
explained that he did not feel the City had been injured in any way due
to such time lapse. Skerry went on te say that the orderly phase concept
is covered in the new agreement to allcw for necessar~ bouding and that
the losping system of roads and utility systems have been provided for.
Skerry presented preliminary plat and master plan for Council consideratiG
with request to draft final ordinance taking off conditions with reference
to initial agreement. Skerry agreed that each unit will be controlled by
ordinances and regulations in effect at ti~a of development.
Mountain Ranch
continued
Oak Knoll Water
Senior Citizen Dis-
count - McCannon
McDowell moved that contract be approved as modified and that Mayor and
Recorder be authorized to execute same; Ragland seconded and motion passec
without opposition. Mayor directed City Attorney Salter to draft proper
ordinance for annexation with newly accepted terms and that mas~r plan an
preliminary plat plan be deferred until such ordinance is available for
presentation at the May 20 Council meeting.
Chairman Gerald Allen reported that the coamittee had met including Laws,
McDowe!l and Mayor Prickett and decided unanimously to recommend continua-.
tion of water and sewer service in Oak Knoll and in the absence of a
unanimous decision of recommendation for annexation, the committee turned
that problem over to full Council. Prickerr said that there are 250
water connects involved in the agreoment sad opened the matter for discuss
ion. City Administrator Almquist said tha~ the original agreement drawn
up in 1962 called for 250 hookups; that 118 were platted and that there
remains 132 to be connected. Allen said ttat the original agreement drawn
up with predecessors of B & G should be homored today. McCannon asked
if any question on right to sell water might come up to which City Attorne
Salter said that the "hold harmless" agreenent now being signed by owners
for new connects has made people aware of ~he problem but has caused one
sale to be lost and cautioned Council that if the "hold harmless" agreemen
is suspended, there could be serious litigation. Allen said he thinks
annexation should be accepted or rejected ms he could not see anything to
change the matter in the forseeable future~ Ragland disagreed and said
that the Comprehensive Plan when completedwill set guidelines relative
to growth and that Fire Station No. 2 now }eing considered among budget
cuts for closure would not be possible witl annexation of Oak Knoll.
Administrative Assistant Gibbs said that ~n cost/revenue study, an estim-
ate of about $1.3,000 was worked up on Oak~oll. Jim Wright, principal
representing Oak ~oll s~id he could not s~e why annexation would not
take care of the legality of selling water outside city limits. Allen
moved that Council accept recommendation ~at City accept water connects
part of the Agreement. Laws agreed with lagland that if Oak Knoll
is annexed, all control will be gone and P~gland explained that he planned
to vote "NO" but such action is not to tak~ the water away but to await
the Comprehensive Plan for direction. La,~ was concerned that if the agree
ment is not a legal conmitment made by the City, it is nonetheless a
moral obligation. Mayor Prickerr said tha~ all applications for wate~ in
undeveloped area should be subject to new agreement between the City and
B & G properties. Council agreed. Mayor ~ickett polled members in favor
of suspending the "hold harmless" clause a:d found all in favor except
Ragland. On Allen's motion to continue to furnish connects to the balance
of undeveloped property, all members voted YES with exception of Ragland.
Councilman McCannon presented proposal for senior citizen discounts raisjnr
the income level for el igibility and r~comnended that two Council members
work with Coordinator of the Senior Forum ~n qualifying applicants net
only by income but by circumstances creatix~ hardship situations and so
moved. Laws seconded. Murray Gardner of 2340 Ponderosa commended McCannor
for efforts but suggested that age should n~t necessarily be criteria for
eligibility and suggested since the ntilit%s funds are being used this way
that col].ege students and others be benef~iaries also, McCannon disagreec=
saying that the elderly have no capacity ~r raising their income,
R~egu~aEMeeting Ashland City Council
~-~nior Citizen Discount
Cont,
Public Hearing
Ordinance proposed
for filing fee re-
vision
Public Hearing
Ordinance proposed
for Home Occupation
section revision
Public Hearing
Subdivision Ord.
Vintage Inn - additional
name to liccnce
Bicycle Path Const.
Request for "stop"
signs at C & ~ird Sts.
Bi-centennial Report
Sewage Treatment Labora-
tory Equipment
Hoffarth moved McCanncn, Laws and the ~yor work with Director of Senic
Citizen Center on qualification of those eligible for discount; Laws
seconded the motion and on roll call, all YES.
Mayor Prickerr opened the Public Hearing on proposed ordinance for revis~c
of filing fee schedule for zone variances. There was no comment either fs
or against the proposed revision. McCannon moved to place ordinance on
agenda for May 20, 1975 for first reading; McDowell seconded and on roll
call, passed unanimously.
Mayor Prickett opened the Public Hearing on proposed ordinance revising th
Home Occupation section of Zoning Ordinance. There was no comment either
for or against the amendments. Laws moved to place proposed ordinance on
next agenda, May 20, 1975 for first reading; McDowell seconded and motion
passed unanimously on roll call vote.
Public Hearing was opened by Mayor Prickett on proposed amendments to the
Subdivision Ordinance relating to the improvement of abutting streets and
in the absence of comment either for or against from the audience, the May,
closed the public hearing. McD~ell moved that proposed ordinance be
placed on Agenda for first reading on May 20, 19751 seconded by Hoffarth
and passed with Ragland, McCannon, Hoffarth, McDowell and Laws voting in
favor; Allen opposing.
Application for the name of Michael T. Mahar to be added to the license
previously issued to Rosema~, Mahar DBA Vintage inn was presented by
City Administrator Almquist. McCannon moved for approval; McDowell second~
and on roll call, passed unanimously.
Request from Director of Public Works Alsing for the setting of a public
hearing date on proposed ~onstruction of bicycle path was presented by the
City Administrator. Laws moved that public hearing be set for May 20;
seconded by McDowell and passed unanimously on roll call vote.
Memorandum from Director of Public Works requesting that "stop" signs be
installed at C & Third Streets intersection as recommended by Traffic Safer
Commission was presented for consideration. Ragland moved for approval;
Allen seconded and on roll call vote the motion passed without opposition.
Mayor Prickett instructed City Administrator Alm~uist to predate the
necessary resolution for the next Agenda. It was .suggested by Mayor Prick-
ett that Public Works Director Alsing inquire as to the date the State High
way Division plans on repairing/resurfacing state-owned highways in the Cit
Alsing said the State is experiencing budget cutbacks but will attempt to
learn of their plans for highway repair.
~e report of the Bi-centennial Committee on designation of City of Ash]and
application was postponed until the May 20th meeting.
A memorandum relative to Sewage Treatment Plant laboratory equipment show-
ing an overage of $3,675 as originally submitted by B & B Contracting was
presented for consideration from Public Works Director Alsing who ourl~ed
various reasons for overage and listed cost breakdo~ on list of unfcrscen
additions in the expansion of the Sewage Treatment Plant. Alsing asked
Project Engineer Fries to explain need for nettier balance which was con-
sidered to be an "extra" in the list of lab equipment and Fries explained
that the equipment would pay for itself in time saved and accuracy in the
Re~ul~~' ~eting Ashland City Council ~see 5
Sewage Treatment Plant
Lab Equipment cont.
Audit Contract
Bi-centennial Committee
White Cane Day
Budget Copies
Adjournment
testing functions as it was roughly calculated to save about $1,600 per
year. On question from Allen, Alsing stated that a dollar amount was
allowed but that the original contract noted that this portion of the bid
could be let at a later date and could be accepted or rejected. Alsin~
said that the equipment could be rejected but said that we would probably
end of having to get it anyway. City Administrator Almquist said the cost
would be reimbursible. Hoffarth moved to purchase laboratory equipment;
Laws seconded. On roll call, all YES with exception of Allen who opposed.
Finance Director Nelsou presented audit contract with Tischhauser, Bubb
& Company for audit services for fiscal year ending June 30, 1975 for
a cost of around $5,600. Council agreed that results of the last audit
were slow in coming and Mayor asked Nelson reason for delay. Nelson said
the flood created an extra workload. On question from Hoffarth, Nelson
explained that to ask a new auditing firm would cost additional monies unt
it became familiar with accounting system here and that if a State auditor
were brought in the City would be charged travelling time amouDtin~ to fir
days for four worked and suggested that he ask Tischbauser, Bubb & Co~ to
make findings available at an earlier time. McCannon moved for acceptance
McDowell seconded and on roll call, all YE~.
Mayor Prickett appointed Glenn Gertson to ~rve on Bi-centennial Committee
Ragland moved for confirmation; McDowell s~conded and on voice vote,
motion carried unanimously.
Mayor Prickett said he had been requested ~o proclaim ~lite Cane Day and
that proclamation is not necessary.
Mayor Prickett directed Nelson to make ~op~es of the Budget available to
the library and Southern .Oregon State Coll~ge for perusal of the public.
At 1~07 p,m,~ the meeting adjourned to A~urned ~eeting on Thursday,
May 8th at 4:00 P.M.
Robert D. Nelson
Acting Recorder
~ary L. Pricke'tt
Mayor