Loading...
HomeMy WebLinkAbout1975-0902 REG MINMINUTES FOR THE REGULAR MEETING ASHLAND CITY COUNCIL September 2, 1975 ROLL CALL APPROVAL OF MINUTES PUBLIC HEARING PentecostalChurch Acting Mayor Roland McCannen led the Pledge of Allegian~ and called the meeting to order at 7:30 P.M., on the above date in the Council Chambers. Mayor Prickett was absent and Councilman Ragland arrived moments late. Laws moved that minutes of the regular meeting of August 19, 1975 and the ad]ourned meeting of ~ugust21, 1975 be approved and placed on file; McDowell seconded and on voice vote, motion passed unanimously. City Administrator Almquist read a memo from the Plan- ning Commission dated August 28, 1975 giving a final report on zoning requests by the Rentecosta'l Church of God. Almqutst submitted a letter from petitioners on appeal of Planning Commission's decision, Staff Report of July 11, 1975 relative to conditional use permit, sit eview and zone variance request and minutes of July 14 and July 25, 1975. Planning Technician Himes showed map and outlined request for zone variance and said he Planning Commission had approved ~ .... ~--ef .~Ide yard from fifteen ~o ~Eht fe~, reduction in rear yard set-Back from ten to eight feet: reduction between built ings from twenty-five to six feet; reduction of off- street parking spaces from eighteen to nine and showed location of proposed parking spaces. Himes showed slides showing building torn down since picture was taken and another scheduled to be demolished; elevations of the proposed annex and explained that the omission o] the driveway and replacing it with two one-way drives and one more parking space to ease the traffic movement. The .findings submitted for the record showed that use (1) not detrimental to the people in the neighborhood; (2) not detrimental to property in the neighborhood, an< (3) not detrimental to the general welfare of the City. The findings relative to the requested zone variance determined by the Planning Commission showed (1) except- ional circumstances; (2) that granting is necessary for preservation of property rights, and (3) granting of zone variance will not have adverse effect on people or property in the neighborhood. The public hearing was opened by Chairman McCannon. Eddie Sims of the Pen~costal Church stated that he coul~ see no reason for the public hearing after having been granted the request from the Planning Commission and wondered how many people live within three hundred feet of the church. Sims went on to say that the present structures on the site were tn run down condition and 9/2/75 Page one Regular Me~ting Ashland City Council Pa~o two Public Hearing cont. Penecostal Church Minutes of Boards, Connnissions & Committees Hardin & Nicholas Claim Stratton Water Request inadequate and the back building ~s necessary for their projects and goal~ and s~ated that each.tm~er of the congregation is a property owner inthis instance ~nd said that every effort is being made to upbuild and to preserve building as a historical site and to compliment the neighborhood by so doing. He also stated that provision was now being made for ten off- street parking spaces instead of the nine originally approved. James Weemes, Lyle Stanley, GeoI'ge Karnes and Geraldine Eders all spoke in favor of the request. John Murphy' owner of.132 6th SLypoke on behalf himself and the other twelve petitioners seeking reversal of Planning Commission's decision and stated that such approval of variances would open up the residential area to commercial zones and that the parking would be inadequate for the use, McCannon closed the public hearing. Hoffarth moved to deny appeal and to have Planning Commission decision stand; Laws seconded and on roll call vote motion passed unanimously. Laws moved to amend Planning Commission findings to fit plan of Exhibit "E"; Ragland seconded and on voice vote, all YES. McDowell moved to accept P.C. findings as amended; Hoffarth second and on roll call passed without opposition. Allen moved to accept minutes of Boards, Commissions and Committee McDowell seconded and on roll call, all YES. City Administrator Almqufst read letter from Allen Drescher attorney for Hardin & Nicholas notifying City of claim in the amount of $550.00 for alleged loss of a 1951 Ford pick-up engine lost or destroyed while in custody of City, and recommended that matter be referred to City Attorney Salter. Councilman Laws said from what information he had by speaking with Sims (in whose care the vehicle had been before impoundment) that there appeared to be a lack of communication between the Police Department and the defendent and asked for more facts on the matter. Sims related events leading up to the impoundmerit and subsequent loss and Chiel Hays responded with reports on the vehicle dating back to January Allen moved matter be referred to City Attorney. Hoffarth second~ the motion. On roll call, passed unanimously, A letter from A1 Stratton requesting a water connection outside the City limits at 3155 E. Main was read by Almquist. .Stratton said he has a house at that location at which the well has gone completely dry, and his renters are hauling water. He stated that a well drilling contractor drilled 400 feet without finding waterl and that two separate 'Water witchers" had explored the entire place without detecting water, He submitted the well driller's report as evidence of the dry hole. A~quist recommended a revie~ of the comprehensive plan water report before making a decision. Allen said this is an emergency as far as the occupants are con- cerned, and inasmuch as the owner has exhausted other methods of ' !' '"~ " "~ 9/2/75 Page two Regular Meeting Ashland City Council Page three Stratton hookup cont. Land Conservation & Dev. PUBLIC FORUM Signing. Recommendation Helen Wilson City & Lininger exchange of property Electric Rates Siskiyou view obstruction Park property donation Irving & Cynthia Lord obtaining water, and this is an existing house that formerly had itts own water supply, he moved that the connection be allowed if the owner pays all costs of piping the water. Hoffarth seconded, and motion passed unanimously on roll call vote, with Ragland asking that the record show the re~sons for allowing the connectio' and that this does not establish a policy of extending City water without adequate reasons. A memorandum from LCDC outling progress of commission in completin~ plans and awarding grants was submitted by City Administrator Alm- quist who noted that the memo is for information only and no actio~ is necessary. Helen Wilson of 1120 Fern Street complained that she was ticketed twice during a heavy snowstorm last Winter and recommended that if signing is not visible when snow is on the ground, there should be another method of alerting the motorist and critized Municipal Court Judge for upholding the violations imposed. McDowell said that the City and Liningors entered into an agre6~ent in which Liningers were to vacate Water Street property by June 1, 1975 and noted that construction has been stopped at the industrial site which they traded for and that they (Liningers) have still not vacated the Water Street property. McDowell asked that City Administrator Almquist look into the situation and report back to Council at the next regular meeting. Fred Pratt of Crestview questioned logic of bringing Ashland's electric rates in line with those of PP&L and wondered how at this point the City would know if it needs more money next year and suggested that electric rates be reduced to encourge more use of electricity. Laws said that matter would be coming up at next regular meeting and said that citizens would be invited to speak ~t that time. Paul Willis said that shrubbery in median stip along Siskiyou Blvd makes it impossible to see oncoming traffic from side streets and reconmended it be looked at. McCannon recormmended referral of matter to Traffic Conmission. Letters were read from Parks & Recreation, one'signed by the Tom Pyles and William Barrs and a letter from Mr. & Mrs. Newcomb recom-. mending acceptance of property proposed for donation from the Lordsi for the purpose of a park at Ashland & Glenwood Streets. A Warranty Deed drawn up by City Attorney Salter was submitted to Council for consideration. McCannom questioned continued use of land for neighborhood vegetable gardens and Mrs. Lord said that she would like to see the neighbors control it's usage but would initial "or" as suggested by Laws to make item No. 3 read "Except as stated in Number 1 above, the land conveyed to the Grantee shall be used by it only for park, open space, nature study pur- poses o~r for vegetable plots for neighbors." 9/2/75 PaRe three Regular Meeting Ashland City Council Page four Park property donation continued Cable TV Franchise Hotel/Motel Tax Report McDowell opposed to conditions set down in items 1 & 4 and said she felt the City should not be a landlord. Mrs. Lord said that it is her intent to protect the ~unds (tenants) for a period of time. Hoffarth suggested that tI~ere be implemented a clause to place a 5-year t~e limit on the house. Mrs. Lord agreed and said they would okay the modification. Laws moved to accept the deed with five year clause and amendment in wording as agreed to earlier. Ragland seconded. Laws withdrew his motion with Rag- land's approval to allow public ~ comment. Wayne Johnson of 1084 who lives across the street spoke in opposition citing the fact that he lives too close to the area, it is located too close to the college, there is not enough water pressure to accommodate gardening even now and that he would prefe seeing the property subdivided a~ the area cared for and felt suc improvement would enhance the area, raise the value of property and have the property left on t~e tax rolls. Laws agalnmoved to accept deed subject to inclusion of five year clause and change of wording agreed to; Ragland seconded and on roll call, all YES. McEannonrm~ved to instruct staff to prepare resolution to thank the Lords for their generous gift; McDowell seconded and on roll call, passed unanimously. CityAttorney Salter reported on CableTVFranchise and stated he felt it needed provision to extend service, regulate rates and that a p~ovision be included to receive complaints and that holde~ of franchise should provide City with detailed report of operatior Hoffarth asked City Administrator Almquist to correspond with nearby cities in Jackson County to check on their experiences relative to Cable TV. A report by City Administra[or Almquist as requested by Laws on August 19 was given relative to possible revenues which could be generated by implementing a Hotel/Motel tax in the City and sug- gested that the subcommittee of the Chamber 'of Commerce be asked to meet on the proposal. Almquist said that collection of tax would consume only a few hours a year and that there would be a possibility of $37,500 in revenues and suggested a conservative amount, or $30,000, be budgeted and that it could be implemented on January 1, 1976 should Council approve. Allen moved to refer to Chamber subcommittee; McDowell seconded. Allen withdrew motio~ with McDowell's consent to hear from audience. Fred Taylor of Valley Entrance Motel opposed any tax saying that the tourist is already contributing his share and that instead of looking for more revenues that the City should hold the line on spending. In Medford, Motel Owners Association, Chamber of Commerce and Council worked together to draft their ordinance, Taylor also said he is against rentals by student union and Colon, Inn on short term basis. Loren Berry of Colony Inn asked that he be allowed to be represented just like the motels if Council decides to pass ordinance. Allen restated his motion to refer 9/2/75 Page four R~U7 -.Meeting Ashland City Council P? ' five Hotel/Motel Tax cont. Building Department Question Traffic Report Financial Commentary Water Study Study Session Rentals to Transients City Hall Roof Repair proposal to Chamber subcommittee McDowell seconded. Laws felt that other interested people sho~,ld be invited to Join in the discussions representing business community, On roll call, all YE~ Hoffarth reported that he and Allen had met with the County Build- ing Inspector and recommended that because of the details involved a study session be called and suggested inviting the County Com- mission liaison, Building Appeals Board, Jackson County Homebullet Association and County Building Inspector Walwork. Local builders would also be invited to attend. Study session was set for 7:30 p.m. on Tuesday, September 9, 1975. A traffic control survey for alley behind the library was submittel by City Administrator Almquist who noted no action was necessary. A Monthly Financial Commentary by Director of Finance was submittef including details of June 30, 1975 cash balances and update on revenue projections for 1975-76. A letter from Harvey Seeley, Chairman of the Water Advisory Com- mittee was read outlining recommendations relative to the water quality project proposed through the 208 Grant Program was read by City Administrator Almquist who said there would be no cost to the City. The City Administrator read a letter from Jeff Gibbs, coordinator of the project, giving details of the Ashland Watershel to be Conducted by City of Ashland personnel and the Forest Servic, and to which Council, State & Federal Legislators and news media have been invited. The tour was set for Saturday, September 13 at 9:00 A.M. Almquist said that the Forest Service has allowed for one part-time employee to work on the water study, On motion by Ragland~ seconded by McDowell, and unanimous voice vote, Elmer Savikko was approved for Mayor's appointment to Water Resources Committee. Hoffarth moved for study session on appropriation of June 30, 1975 cash balances to be held on October 7, 1975 at 7:30 P.M. Ragland seconded. Laws moved to amend motion to 3:00 P.M. Allen seconded, Motion passed unanimously on roll call vote. McCannon moved to amend to limit discussion to 3 funds plus bond coupons. Laws seconded and on roll call, passed unanimously, Ragland said the budget committee should be invited to attend the study session on the building department evaluation. Memorandum from City Administrator Almquist was read relative to the rental of rooms by Colony Inn by the day to patrons of Shakes- peare in violation of the Zoning Ordinance. The City Administratoz recommended that the City Attorney's opinion be sought on the problem of Southern Oregon State College renting by the day or wee] and the complication that it is on State property. McCannon asked City Attorney Salter for opinion to be reported back to Council. Director of Finance requested that Cit~ Hall roof be repaired and estimated the cost between $2,500 and $3,000. Ragland moved for approval and asked that .bids be.brought ba&k to Council should Re~' '- Meeting Ashland City Council P .six Roof repair cont. Transient Occupancy Electric System Regulations Ordinance AdJourxnnent cost exceed $3,000. McDowell seconded and on roll call, all YES. Draft of proposed ordinance on transient occupancy tax was present ed by City Administrator Almquist who said there was no action necessary at this time. A memorandum was read relative to Electric Service Manual Amend- ments and proposed ordinance reviewed by City Administrator Alm- quist who then gave first reading of an ordinance amending Ordin- ance No. 1757 and Chapter 14.12 of the Ashland Municipal Code, establishing electric system regulations. Allen moved to table; Hoffarth seconded. On roll call Allen, Hoffarth and Ragland voted YES. McCannon, Laws and McDowell voted NO. Tie vote - failed to carry. Laws moved to delete Sections 2, 7 and 8; Ragland seconded On roll call, Ragland, McCannon, Laws and McDowell voted in support of the motion. Allen and Hoffarth opposed and the motion was carried. The City Administrator read the ordinance as amended Allen moved to amend Section 4 to state "unless the customer agree to provide at his own expense suitable equipment to reasonably limit such fluctuations," as in the case of hoist or elevator motors, welders, furnaces, compressors and other installations of like character, where the use of electricity is intermittent or subject to violent fluctuations. McD~well seconded and on roll call, passed unanimously. McDowell moved that ordinance be passed to second reading as amended; McCannon seconded and on roll call, all YES. Council decided that philosophy of electric rate increas{ be considered at budget hearing set for October 7, 1975 at 3:00 p.~ Hoffarth moved for adjournment; McDm~ell seconded and on voice vote passed unanimously and meeting adjourned at 11:05 p.m. C/City Recorder