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HomeMy WebLinkAbout1975-0617 REG MINROLL CALL COUNCIL MINUTES DEPARTMENTAL REPORTS BOARD & COMMISSION MINUTES WRANGLERETTE REQUEST PUBLIC FORUM KUEST BUILDING CITY ATTORNEY STATUS MINUTES OF THE REGULAR MEETING ASHLAND CITY COUNCIL JUNE 17, 1975 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. Laws moved for approval of the minutes of the regular meeting of June 3rd and the adjourned meeting of June 5th. McDowell seconded, and motion carried on voice vote. McCannon moved to accept and place on file all the departmental reports submitted with agenda. Hoffarth seconded, and passed unanimously on voice vote. McDowell moved for acceptance of the minutes of the Traffic Commission of May 21st and the minutes of the Hospital Board of May 16th. Laws seconded, and motion passed unanimously on voice vote. Administrator Almquist read letters from Kathryn Van Dijk, President of Ashland Wranglerettes, requesting permission to use the parking lot at corner of Winburn and Nutley for horse riding concession on July 4th, saying they planned to lead the horses up Nutley, left on Granite, and then turn around and follow same route back. Her letter reported approval by the Fourth of July Committee and the Park Commission. In answer tc question by Hoffarth, Attorney Salter said our general liability insurance should cover any liability we may have. On question from Mayor Prickett, Police Chief Hays said Winburr and Nutley will be closed to traffic, but felt the increased traffic on Granite Street would be a problem. After some dis- cussion of alternative routes, McCannon moved to grant permis- sion with the understanding that the Wranglerettes work with the Fourth of July Comaittee and the Police Department to get a safe route. Hoffarth seconded, and passed unanimously on roll call vote. No one spoke from audience, but McCannon raised the question of the legality of the City accounting department doing the Parks bookkeeping in view of the City Charter provision that "the Park Commission shall have control and management of all park funds." Salter said there is no problem if only the book. keeping function is transferred to City Hall. Allen reported that he, McCannon and Almquist met with Fred Kuest, the owner of the building at 27-1/2 North Main in which office space is currently being rented, to discuss proposed remodeling and increase of rents. Allen reported that they did not feel we could afford to pay increased rents, that the offices do not need further improvement, and that the size and space needs of the Planning and Building Departments are now indefinite, and recommended we continue with present lease for the remainder of the year. Hoffarth reported on the committee study of the feasibility of hiring a full-time City attorney. He said Mayor Prickett, Attorney Salter and Administrator Almquist met with him to review the present costs of attorneys and the comparison with Minu~" of the Regular Meeting Ashl~ City Council June 17, ] Pa% CITY ATTORNEY STATUS (continued) other cities using full-time attorneys as compiled by Salter. He reported it was their decision that we are now operating on the best basis, that the cost of a full-time attorney, secre- tary and law library would be prohibitive, but suggested that the feasibility be reviewed occasionally. He said it was also the feeling of the Committee that in cases which require attorneys other than our City attorney, we try to use local attorneys whenever possible. PARK FINANCES Almquist read a letter from R. J. Bennett, Chairman of Parks and Recreation Commission, requesting a 90-day extension of the $20,000 loan from the City. Mayor Prickett asked Finance Director Nelson to report on the financial status of the Park. Nelson advised the Council that he was not performing an audit, but pursuant to discussion with Chairman Bennett, arrangements have been made for an ll-months' audit to begin next week by Tishhauser, Bubb & Company. Nelson said he had not yet had time to study the Capital Improvements and B.O.R. projects, but said he had reviewed 356 bills and the payroll liability, which indicated a total estimated liability as of June 30th in the amount of $67,270, including $20,000 loan to City and $288 in accrued interest on the loan, and that they currently have a bank balance of $10,397, thus leaving an estimated deficit of $56,873. The total liability breaks down as follows Accounts payable Payroll taxes June Payroll Loan from City Total Liability $18,601 19,381 9,000 20,288 $67,270 Nelson said some of the accounts payable go back as far as December, 1974, and unpaid payroll taxes go back to January, 1975. McCannon asked if the delinquent payroll taxes resulted from negligence or a shortage of money. Park Commission Chairman Bennett replied that they wanted an answer to that question, too, but that this information came to light while Parks Di- rector McGuire was on a leave of absence, and he has not yet returned. Mayor Prickett said the ordinance to adopt the budget comes later in the agenda, but he felt the budget needs more study, but that the loan should be extended. Hoffarth said during the budget sessions the committee was aware of the probable need to extend the loan, but felt its extension should be deferred unti the budget is studied some more. The mayor ordered the exten- sion of loan to be deferred. AGREEMENT OAK KNOLL The mayor said the proposed modification of the agreement for utility services at Oak Knoll should be deferred to another meeting for additional information. PUBLIC HEARING - BUDGET Nelson said the failure of the tax override at the polls on June 3rd perhaps calls for reduction of street maintenance and resurfacing items, but the Council has the authority, under Minu~ of the Regular Meeting Ashl City Council June 17, 1~75 P 3 PUBLIC HEARING - BUDGET (continued) State law, to re-appropriate as it wishes. The mayor opened the public hearing on the budget. Raymond Weed, 1163 N. Main, noted that the contingency funds have been greatly enlarged over last year and the street department cut drastically, and charged there was an attempt to influence the voters with the threat of reduced maintenance. Mayor Prickett explained that last year's budget was adopted after salary negotiations had been settled, and therefore contingency funds were relatively low, but at this point salary negotiations have not been completed, and therefore contingency funds are high in order to have funds for salary increases. Laws and Prickett both explained that the ballot title specifically called for the proposed tax override to fund street surfacing and main- tenance, and could not be spent for any other purposes, and that the budget committee felt that if this proposal were defeated by the voters, it indicated approval of a reduction ir street resurfacing and maintenance. McCannon pointed out that for the present, because of a lack of funds, we can reduce ex- penditures on streets, but in the future a present lack of maintenance will cost us more. Public hearing closed by Mayor. ORDINANCE SEWER RATES A second reading by title only of an ordinance amending Ord. 1775 and Chapter 14.08 of the Municipal code relative to sewer charges was read by Almquist. McCannon moved to adopt the ordinance; seconded by Hoffarth and passed unanimously on roll call vote. ORDINANCE UTILITY DISCOUNTS Almquist gave the second reading by title only of an ordinance amending Ord. 1766 relative to utility discounts for senior citizens. McCannon moved for adoption of the ordinance. McDowell seconded, and motion passed unanimously on roll call vote. ORDINANCE SUBDIVISION EXT. STREETS Almquist gave second reading by title only of an ordinance amending Ord. 1318 and Title 17 of the Municipal Code relative to streets abutting subdivisions. Hoffarth moved for adoption; seconded by Ragland and passed unanimously on roll call vote. ORDINANCE S~BDIVISION UTILITIES A second reading by title only of an ordinance amending Ord. 1745 and Municipal Code Section 17.28.050 relative to costs of underground utilities in subdivisions was read by Almquist. McCannon moved for adoption of the ordinance. Laws seconded, and motion passed with Laws, McDowell, Ragland and McCannon in favor and Allen and Hoffarth opposed. ORDINANCE BUDGET Mayor Prickett suggested postponing the first reading of the ordinance to adopt the budget until changes can be made in the budget. Hoffarth moved that the adoption of the budget be postponed to June 24, 1975, at 7:30 p.m. for an adjourned meeting, and that a joint meeting of the Budget Committee, City Council and Parks Commission be called for 1:30 p.m. on June 24, 1975, and to defer approval of loan extension until the adjourned meeting. Ragland seconded, and passed unani- mously on roll call vote. Min~ · of the Regular Meeting June 17, ~975 Ashl City Council ~ 4 SMOKING BAN ADJOURNMENT Allen moved to place an item on the agenda. McDowell seconded and motion passed on voice vote. Allen then moved for a smok- ing ban in Council Chambers to take effect immediately. McDowell seconded and motion carried on roll call vote with Allen, McCannon~ Laws and McDowell in favor; Hoffarth and Ragland opposed. At 8:15 p.m. the meeting was adjourned to 7:30 p.m. June 24, 1975. 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