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HomeMy WebLinkAbout1974-0319 REG MINROLL CALL Police ~ Fire Reports Approval of Minutes Departmental Reports Planning Commission Minutes Mar. 11, 1974 MINUTES FOR THE REGULAR MEETING ASHLAND CITY COUNCIL March 19, 1974 The regular meeting was called to order by Mayor Pries in the Council Chambers on the above date at 7:30 p,m. Conklln, McCannon, Allen, Soderberg and Roble were present. Prickett was absent. Roble moved that Police ~ Fire Department Annual Reports be accepted and placed on file and that each department be congratulated on same. On voice vote, all YES. In the absence of corrections, Mayor Fries approved minutes of the regular meeting of March 5, 1974 and adjourned meeting of March 12, 1974. Roble moved that departmental reports for the month of February be accepted and placed on file. On voice vote, motion passed unanimously. Roble moved that Planning Commission minutes for meeting of March 11, 1974 be accepted and placed on file. On voice vote, passed unanimously. Special Products Co. COG Transportation Committee Report COG Report PUBLIC FORUM Water Treatment Plant On behalf of a client, Jack Workman, owner of Special Products of Oregon, Attorney Salter requested that a price be quoted on three acres of land in the City's indus- trial park which Special Products would like to purchase for a building site for a new plant. Mayor Fries appointed Roble as Chairman, Soderberg and Conklin to look into the. matter and report back. McCannon moved for approval of appointments; Alle seconded. Motion passed unanimously on roll call vote. On question from Soderberg, Salter suggested City may want another attorney to check a sales contract if the transaction required it but that he would not be involved in setting the price and that Workman had been his client for some time. As member of the Council of Governments Highway Advisory Committee, Bob O'Harra reported on funding and priorities of the Oregon Transportation Commission saying that Ashland's projects listed in the priority and funding were: completion of Highway 66 from present construction into Sisklyou Blvd., and for grading, paving and signalization of Valley View Drive and Rogue Valley Highway intersection. He noted that time limit on Highway 66 project would have expired this year. Soder- berg asked O'Harra if there would be any funding for the City of Ashlandto which he stated he didn't have an answer. Roble moved that Staff contact State Highways in support of implementing TOPICS and widening of Highway 66. Soderberg seconded, unanimous approval on roll call vote. On Soderberg'~ question relative to boundary reconLmendation for primary or secondary roads, Pub lic Works Director Alsing said ' that his meeting with Carstenson and Commissioner O'Harra was cancelled due to the flood emergency and he planned on setting up another meeting. Mayor Fries set a study session for April 9, 1974 to consider the matter. Charlotte Abernathy, Executive Director of Council of Governments, outlined program COG could set up to serve member cities and asked for feed-back from Council on how it might serve Ashland better. She said that COG, to this point, has dealt mostly in land-use planning and is getting involved in water & sewer problems. Soderberg asked if COG is budgeted to cover cost of keeping Council informed with agenda, minutes and reports and that they arrive in sufficient time to respond or attend meetings. On Rob]e's question as to what COG's main function entails, Mayor Pries explained that an example would be that government could come into an area and fund whatever projects they wish whereas COG is in a po~ition to recommend priorities by representing area cities. Martha Phelps of 1383 Oregon Street asked to submit a survey on proposed city emble Mayor Fries invited her to participate when the item came up on the agenda later in the meeting. Ed Pentkowski of 436 Monte Vista Drive requested that Seefield Street from Sheridax to North Main be graded when the equipment is in the area. Public Works Director Alsing said he thought the grader had already been out there but apparently work h~ been done on another section of Seefield Street. Mayor Fries said that he and Conklin are worried about security at the water treat- ment plaut in that it is being left unattended from 11 p.m. to 7 a.m. Conklan movl that plant be manned on graveyard shift. McCannon seconded. Allen asked if the person had to be certified and Alsing said there was no necessity for certificatio] on security work and that he would look for a watchman type. Conklin stated that 1 have a certified man uow and suggested that he be put on the job. Soderberg noted that it would be the Supervisor's prerogative to choose his people. MotiOn passed unanimously on roll call vote. Regut-~r MeetinR Ashland City Council _.__ Page ~ _ Pioneer Building City Symbol Social Gambling Massage Parlor Request Sewer Access Road Litigation Report McCannon reported for Prickett on th~ findings relative to the proposed acquis'itien of the Pioneer Building for expansion of City Hall and stated that it was the con- sensus of the con~ittee that the $7S,000 would not be put into the b~ilding at this time and recommended shifting of office space within the present City Hall and leas. ing space in the Kuest Building be investigated. It was suggested that the Finance Department be moved upstairs to take over space in the present Building and Enginee~ ing offices; that the latter be moved to the Kuest Building where space has been rented and that the Police Department be expanded into present Finance Department quarters. McCannon moved that recommendations outlined be followed; Soderbcrg seconded tile motion. Roble asked permission to abstain because he had not been notified of the meeting. Allen also asked permission to abstain. Conklin, Soder- berg and McCannon voted YES and motion passed unanimously. McCannon said he assumed that Council members have each been deluged with calls relative to the proposed symbol of the City and moved to table the issue at this time. Motion died for lack of a second. Conklin moved for rejection of the offer; Roble seconded and expressed gratitude on behalf of the City to the Laufers who had designed tile logo. Soderberg said she had heard from numerous citizens who did not feel an affinity for the symbol and most of them felt that they could not identify themselves with the graphic design because they thought of Ashland as being more of a fragile type environment and the symbol seemed heavy. She further stated that she was in favor of adopting an insignia this centennial year, and that it should be the official emblem. Mayor Frees thanked the citizens who responded with such interest whether they were for or against the proposal. He expressed gratitude to the Laufers for their opinions and efforts. Several citizens spoke from the audience and in each instance protested. Martha Phelps presented results of survey she and Terry Johnston had taken fin their neighborhood, the results of which were negative. McCannon said he was going to vote "No" because he didn't think it shoul. be thrown out at this time. On roll call, Allen, Soderberg, Conklin and Roble vl,te YES; McCannon opposed and motion carried. City Administrator Almquist reported on amended Social Gambling House Bill 3327 and advised Council that the bill will become effective on May 6, 1974 and that it has emergency clause. He said that "Social ~ambling" can be authorized in the city by ordinance. Soderberg said that we have not had any indication of what people want nor have requests been received and moved that the matter be placed on the next agenda and if no request comes in, it can be tabled then. McCannon seconded. Roble said that social gambling Shoul~ be accepted especially in the case where scholarships are awarded as a result and showed a $6,100 donation for this purpose by the Elks Club. On roll call, Allen, Soderberg and McCannon voted YES. Roble and Conklin voted NO. Motion passed. City Administrator Almquist presented request for massage parlor operation and advised that such use is not among businesses mentioned in the Zoning Ordinance and that he would like direction from Council because massage parlors have created ~roblems in other cities and wanted the matter brought to Council's attention. Conklin said he felt the applicants were respectable and the business would be legitimate and sees no reason that this can not be put in C-1 Zone. McCannon state that although he had nothing against massage parlors as such, he was concerned that if we allow one that we may have more coming in. Allen said that the Planning Commission has designated uses and we have done this in the past. Soderberg moved that we refer to Planning Commission for zone designation and ask that they expedit the matter; McCannon seconded. Michael Rheades, applicant who lives at 2S9~ B St. introduced Ann Richards and said that he is interested in reclaiming the legitimate art of massage and agreed that the City should investigate whatever businesses whic would be located in the City. He said that he is now licensed under the Board of Health and that he will be joining the American Massage & Therapy Association. Cit Attorney Salter said it would be within the Council's power to determine if the massage parlor is or is not included in with barbershops and other personal service and then it would be an approvcd use. Soderberg withdrew her motion to send issue to Planning Commission; McCannon withdrew his second. Soderberg moved to allow massage studios in C-1 Zone providing cmployees are state licensed and business is regulated. McCannon seconded and the motion carried by unanimous roll call vote. City Attorney Salter submitted proposal (attached) relative to sewcr access road which he believes may solve the problem not only for the City but also that of Helfrich & Hardesty. }le said that they are asking that the Clty pay the attorney and survey fees 3n the amount of $S,000.00 but that Hardesty has not been contacted as yet in this regard. Salter recommended that litigation be continued. Attorney Scannell spoke from the audience and stated that attorney fees. & costs had been brought up at a much earlier date. Re r bleeting Ashland City Council Page Zone Change #42, Oredson Oredson Appeal Ordinance Nos. 1713 & 1795 Pos. Classification Study Session Post- ponement & Resched. Electric System Study Session State Bd. of Higher Education/Commiss- ioners Luncheon ADJOURNMENT Soderberg moved to set public hearing for April 2, 1974. Allen seconded. Soderberg: Allen, McCannon and Roble voted YES; Conklin opposed the motion on roll call vote. City Administrator Almquist read letter from Vincent L. Oredson appealing Planning Commission's decision to exclude commercial store in }his development plans. Allen moved for public hearing on April 2, 1974; Soderberg seconded the motion. On roll call, Allen, Soderberg, Roble and McCannon voted YES. Conklin voted NO. City Administrator Almquist gave first reading of an ordinance amending Ordinance No. 1415 as amended by Ordinance Nos. 1713 and 1795, which adopted and created a position classification plan for the City of Ashland, and declaring an emergency. Roble moved to pass to second reading; McCannon seconded, and motion carried with Allen, Roble, McCannon and Conklin voting YES and Soderberg voted NO on roll call. A study session scheduled for March 26, 1974 to deal with force account work post- poned until April 9, 1974 and to April 23, 1974 for study of sewer rates, because of the League of Oregon Cities Regional Meeting. Conklin moved to set study session for April 9, 1974 to discuss Electric System Study and five-year plan as presented by R. W. Beck & Associates, Consulting Electrical Engineers. Mayor Fries relayed invitation to Council from Dr. James Sours to meet with State Bd of Higher Education and Jackson County Commissioners on May 1~, 1974, for a luncheon meeting to be ]held at Southern Oregon College. Conklin moved for adjournment to executive session on employee negotiations at 9:30 p.m. C~/Rec~>rder Mayor Fries 1~{3NALD I. -qALTER March 14, 1974 MEMO RANDUM: TO: FROM: SUBJECT: The Mayor and Members of the Ashland City Council Ronald L. Salter, City Attorney Sewer Access Road and Related Problems Our File No. A-64 As you are all well aware there has been a prbblem with access to the City's sewage treatment plant for some time. In addition, the City has i~dicated that it is more than willing to discuss any proposal to settle these problems. However, such a proposal has not been forthcoming and thus, Messrs. Almquist, Alsing and myself have formulated a proposal which we believe would solve the problems of Messrs. Helfrich and Hardesty, as well as the problems of the City. This proposal is as follows: 1. The City would'abandon all access easements to its sewage treatment plant in exchange for ownership of a thirty (30) foot strip of land which would run generally on top of the presently owned twenty (20) foot sewer easement with an adequate curve so that the City could get large vehicles and equipment into its plant. 2. This would create an island of lands owned by M~. Hardesty of approximately one (1) acre and which would be South of this access road. This would be purchased by the City at its fair market value and would be of some benefit to the Cit~ in its municipal functions. 3. We understand that Mr. Helfrich desires a sewer connect for Ponderosa Packing. This subject we leave TO: The Mayor and Members of the Ashland City Council Page 2 ....... March 14, 1974 to the Council for its consideration and determination as a policy question. We merely wish to point out that if such a connection is granted, then it should be with the express understanding that the rates and fees may be substantial because of the E.P.A. Grant requirements. 4. The City would at its expense put Ashland Creek back in its original channel. This would remove the intrusion of the creek from Mr. Hardesty's land and would also make it possible for the effluent from the sewage treatment plant to again go directly into Ashland Creek. Before doing this the City would at its expense remove the rock and sand from the old channel and use this rock and sand to block off the new channel and build the new access road to the sewage treatment plant. In addition, we believe that there is no water connection problem because Mr. Hellrich does have the right to an additional 3/4 inch domestic water service connection. This is based on a written Agreement that was entered into at the time of the extension of the waterline down Oak Street. This proposal is submitted to the Council for its consideration and both myself and Messrs. Almquist, and Alsing will be glad to answer any questions you may have on this subject. City Attorney RLS:gm - 2 -