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HomeMy WebLinkAbout1974-0219 REG MINROLL CALL APPROVAL OF MINUTES MAYOR'S APPTS. COMMUNICATIONS PUBLIC FORUM LOGGING REQUEST Mt. Fir Lumber Holding Cell MEW ~ MISC. BUS. Fallon Overtime MINUTES FOR THE REGULAR MEETING ASHLAND CITY COUNCIL February 19, 1974 The regular meeting was called to order by Mayor Frles at 7:30 p.m., in the Council Chambers on the above date. Conklin, McCannon, Roble, Soderber~. Allen and Prlckett were present. Mayor Fries appointed Nelson to act as Recorder in absence of Joe Butler. City Attorney Salter requested that second for motion ~n Special Election be recorded in minutes of the regular meeting of February S, 1974. Prickart moved that minutes be so corrected. Conklin seconded. On voice vote, passed unanimously. Mayor Fries appointed Herb Colby to the Friendship Committee to replace A1 Schwab and Gerald Barnes to the Building Appeals Board to replace Bill Brown. Prickerr moved appointments be approved. On voice vote, passed unanimously. Soderberg moved that Planning Commission minutes for meeting of February 11, 1974 be accepted and placed on file. On voice vote, all YES. Prickett mentioned the possibility of a serious accident and damage to automobiles because of deep ruts in city streets and suggested chuck holes be filled as soon as possible. Public Works Director Alsing said that the bulk of the work in the Street Department at this time is repairing such problem spots and that it will be just a question of time until they are repaired. Soderberg reported for the council committee on logging activities relative to a request submitted by Mountain Fir Lumber Company and said the committee had met their represent- atives, Boise Cascade and state and federal forestry people and that it was the consensus of the co~mlttee that the request be denied. She said she felt that some agreement could be made to safeguard the citizens of Ashland'and the logging firm could go about their business, saying that they would take a bond out for possible damage to city streets, that they would not ~ravel the streets during the school year and that although she con- sidered Walker the best route, she said she would like t~ see the decision left to the discretion of the Council. Allen said that he and Conklin agreed that the logging people were taking the easiest' way out and it was Council's r~sponsibility to concentrate on taking care of the city's problems and suggested that Mountain Fir explore the idea of going through the Boise Cascade property, and that if they could find no alternative plan perhaps they could come back with something acceptable on which an agreement could be made.. Allen pointed out the fact that there are just as many children on the streets during vacation. Conklin moved that City Attorney Salter be instructed to prepare an ordinance to prohibit through-traffic on city streets other than federal aid streets and highways and placing of a load limit of 20,000 pounds. Mr. Paul Lauch, division forester for the lumber company said he estimates between 50,000 and 100,000 feet of dead timber must be removed to reduce fire danger and possible infestation of the bark beetle, that thinning of salvageable trees and removal of debris must be done but the job would not be a profitable venture to make the building of roads feasible. He said he would be willing to take just two trips a day and spread the job over a longer period of time. Chief Hays suggested that an enforcement scale be used if company is allowed to operate. Lauch said terrain, by using an alternate route through Boise Cascade, would make road building economically prohibitive. Mayor Fries expressed concern over a possible serious erosion problem if we extend the roads out of the City and cited damage done to Hamilton Creek as a result of erosion and debris in recent flood, and further suggested Council change some of the rights of way and to get together with the County to prevent such damage in the future. On roll call to deny r~que~t, Conklin, Allen, Prickerr and Roble voted in favor. Soderberg and McCannon opposed. Police Chief Hays said that his recommendation is the same as originally proposed on the lodging of prisoners in Jackson County Jail. Hays said that if a cell could be improv- ised for wome~ he would need two more clerks and in the long runthe expense would be greater than the county jail plan. Roble moved that Chief Hays' recommendation to lodge prisoners in Jackson County Jail be adopted. 0n r011 call, passed unanimously. city Administrator Almquist read letter wherein he recommended that Water Quality Super- intendent Fallon be paid overtime for time he worked to restore Ashland's water supply during recent flooding. Soderberg asked if all others had been paid overtime to which the City Administrator answered in the affirmative. ~ayor Fries recommended that Council give authority to he or the City Administrator to write a letter of thanks to all those who aided in fighting the flood. Con~]in moved that authority be given. On voice vote, all YES. Re~ula~-~eting Ashland City Council ~ 2 Water Quality Div. Program Priorities Executive Session Request RESOLUTIONS Transfer Appropria- tions Adjournment ' City Administrator Almquist asked for assistance in establishing work program priorities in the Water Quality Division due to the shift of men from programmed major construction projects to flood damage restoration work. He listed major projects as Grandview Sewage Left Station, Pipeline to Crowson Reservoir - which would involve a 3 or 4 man crew and backhoe, New Water fi Sewer Mains ~ Appurtenances, Sewer Rehabilitation and Inspection and Water ~ Sewer Connection. City Administrator Almquist went on to say that prior commitments also include maj or sewer lines in connection with the TOPICS proj oct and the Bikeway Project. He said that extra help would be needed for jobs not contracted out. Prickerr said "we should not hire extra help when we are in a tight budget". Alm- quist said that we are postponing all other work to a future budget year and we will have an inflated budget in Water Quality. Public Works Director Alsing explained that we are trying to get some of these items put over until after this budget year. Soder- berg said that with the high rate of unemployment in the valley, that we should be able to hire good people to help. City Administrator Almquist said that the type of work referred to like tapping water and sewers would take skilled help. Soderberg suggested that unskilled people be hired to integrate into large crews. Conklin said he concurrs with Prickett relative to hiring extra help and cautioned against hiring just to spend money. Prickerr said he would like a copy of the City Administrator's report and to table matter until the next meeting so that decisions can be made in a more logical manner. Prickerr moved to table until meeting of February 21, 1974. Soderberg said she would liketo see it tabled until the March S meeting to have more time for study. Prlckett amended his motion to table until meeting of March S, 1974. On roll call, passed unanimously. City Administrator Almquist requested an executive session on February 21, 1974 at 6:30 p.m., for the purpose of discussing the authority of persons designated to carry on labor negotiations for the City. Soderbprg moved to grant request. On roll call, passed unanimously. City Administrator Almquist read a memorandum from Finance Director Nelson citing need for transfers of appropriations. He then read the Re~olution Transferring Appropriationf Within Funds, Soderbe~g moved to adopt, Prickett seconded and asked if there were any new developments relative to Scannell litigation. Almquist said that Council should determine at next meeting when you wish to meet with Scannell. On roll call, all YES. Roble moved for adjournment to February 21, 1974 at 7:30 p.m., Conklin seconded and motion passed unanimously. Acting City Recorder ~ayor