HomeMy WebLinkAbout1974-0402 REG MINROLL CALL
Invocation
Approval of Minutes:
Parks ~ Recreation
Hospital Board
PUD Appeal
Shelter Home
Public Forum
Armory Committee
Street Paving
Charter Question
Flood Damage Funding
MINUTES FOR THE REGULAR MEETING
ASHLAND CITY COUNCIL
April 2, 1974
The regular meeting was called to order by Mayor Fries in the Council Chambers on
the above date at 7:30 p.m. Conklin, McCannon, Allen, Soderberg, Prickerr and Rob1
were present.
Invocation was given by Reverend Paul Hagadorn.
Mayor Fries asked for corrections of the minutes of the regular meeting of March 1[
and executive session of March 19, 1974. In the absence of corrections the minutes
stood approved and placed on file.
Prickerr moved that minutes of the Recreation Cormnission meeting of March 14, 1974
be accepted and placed on file. Conklin seconded and the minutes were unanimously
~ccepted on voice vote.
Roble moved that minutes of the Hospital Board for meeting of March 1S, 1974 be
accepted and placed on file. Unanimously passed on voice vote.
City Administrator Almquist read letter appealing decision of Planning Commission
on PUD (Oredson, applicant) signed by Harold C. Reger representing the "Home Owners
of Upper Tolman Creek Road, Morada Lane and Greenmeadows Way. Vince Oredson read
a prepared statement in which he outlined reasons for his decision to withdraw his
appeal from Planning Commission decision to delete proposed commercial store from
PUD plans and to abandon plans of developing the Planned Unit Development because
of unexpected opposition. Oredson said instead of the PUD that he is planning to
develop a subdivision made up of single family residences and asked that Council
consider annexation of 7.96 acres and place item on agenda. Oredson said he would
like to know if the Planning Commission approves of subdivision now so that time ar
money is not expanded in engineering previous to acceptance and wondered if the
Planning Commission could approve of a subdivision part of which extends outside
city limits. He asked that the rezoning hearing be postponed and placed on the
agenda at the same time as the annexation hearing. City Attorney Salter said that
the ordinance could be amended to provide how the subdivision would be annexed.
Soderberg moved that staff be instructed to draw ordinance calling for public hear-
ing on annexation of 7.96 acres and that Oredson handle Planning Commission proced-
ures. Conklin said that he cannot pass annexation at this time nor in the future
until "we get our house in order". On roll call, Soderberg, Roble and McCannon
voted YES: Conklin, Prickett and Allen opposed the motion. Mayor Fries broke the
tie by voting YES. Motion carried.
George Brown, director of the Jackson County Juvenile Department, Gary Burrell and
Mary Blankenship of Children's Services described their efforts to locate a house
for setting up a shelter home in Ashland which would pass building and safety code~
at a price they can afford and one which would be in the right zone. They asked
any recommendations the Council might have. Roble offered assistance by checking
out a home they might consider buying to appraise them of what it would take to
bring it up to code so they wouldn't run into impossible circumstances after havinI
made a purchase. Mayor Fries and Council supported the shelter home plan.
McCannon brought up the matter of reduced cab rates for senior citizens which he
had recommended during time rate raises were considered by Council for Lithia Cab
Company. Allen, who had chaired the committee said he understood that we were try.
ing to get information about systems other cities hav~ adopted on reduced rates fo:
senior citizens. City Administrator Almquist stated that he has contacted the
League of Oregon Cities and heard there are two cities using such a plan and that ]
is now awaiting information and will report when it is received.
Allen, Chairman of the Armory Committee, set April 30, 1974 for an inspection of
the facilities of the Grants Pass Armory and suggested that local legislators be
invited to join the tour. Capt. Miller of the Ashland Armory will head the group.
Mrs. Terry Prince asked about city's policy in paving. Public Works Director Alsi:
said we normally order street improvements if petitioned to do so by S0% of the
affected property owners.
Soderberg asked if staff had taken any action on question raised by League of Wome
voters relative to charter authority of the City to provide water for consumers
outside the city limits. City Attorney Salter said that he was awaiting the retur
of Attorney Frohnmayer presently on a trip, at which time attention will be turned
to the question.
On Prickett's question, Almqulst said he had not been notified on funding as yet
for restoration projects.
Reg,' Meeting Ashland City Council . ~Page two
Walker Ave. Crossing
Greenway Funding
Industrial Park
Social Gambling
Kuest Building
(office space)
Treatment Plant
Access Road
Zoning Adjustment
Committee
Comprehensive Plan
Soderberg asked what progress had been made with plans for the Walker Avenue rail-
road crossing. City Administrator Almquist said that it is in the hands of
Soderberg advised that Bear Creek Greenway had been granted funding and now sh~/~
would like to see the Ashland Greenway Committee reactivated and requested Council
recommendation on what should be done about the $3,000 figure for appraisal.
Mayor said the committee could continue its work. Soderberg said she would call
a meeting.
City Administrator Almquist said that Lininger had dlscu~sed a possible trade of
land a month before the matter came up with Workman showing an interest in the
City Industrial Park, and suggested that committee check with Lininger before pro-
ceeding. Roble, Chairman of the committee said that he, Salter, Soderberg, Conklir
Alsing and Workman had met out at the property and returned to City Hall where maps
were checked out. Alsing said that Workman is interested in five (5) plus acres
and will be making his decision on the property in a week or so. City Attorney
Salter, in order to avoid conflict, agreed to pay for services of any attorney
Council would like to recommend for the City since Workman is Salter's client.
Roble said the committee will be glad to act on the Lininger ,offer. Mayor Fries
asked that committee report back at the regular meeting of April 16, 1974.
Richard Cottle, attorney, on behalf of the Elks Club requested that an ordinance
like Ordinance No. 1802 be drawn t6 allow gambling in fraternal, charitable and
religious organizations, and that the thirty day clause be deleted from such ordin-
ance. Conklin moved that matter be discussed and that an ordinance be drawn such
as Ordinance No. 1802 with 30 day clause deleted. Soderberg seconded for discuss-
ion. Bd McKeown of 1673 Parker Street (partner in Omar's), said that he and his
partner had e'ntertained the idea of purchasihg a license to gamble but objected to
gambling being limited in the way proposed. Allen asked Chief Hays if he knew
of other cities who had done this and Chief Hays said he had no knowledge of any.
Betty Miller of the ~ledford Mail Tribune said that Butte Falls had passed an ordin-
ance allowing gambling. On roll call, passed unanimously.
City Administrator Almquist reported that he had checked on available office space
adjacent to that reserved for Building and Planning for the Engineering offices.
The space could be leased at $7S.00 per month. Almquist asked that Chief Hays
explain his plan. Proposal is to move the Finance Department upstairs, and to
expand the Police Department into that area. Prickerr moved that plan go forward;
Conklin seconded and the motion passed unanimously on roll call vote.
City Attorney Salter showed map of treatment plant area and explained that efflu-
ence is discharging into a dry creek bed as a result of the rechannelled creek due
to the recent flood and that we will have to look forward to a long period of
litigation over the road and suggested various alternatives available, and recom-
mended that a licensed appraiser be hired look the situation over, appraise the
surrounding properties and to come up with the most economical solution to the pro-
blem. The City Attorney stated further that under the circumstances it would be
necessary to adopt a resolution to get Court to condemn easement and convince jury
of the value. Conklin stated that Staff could determine.which is the best route tc
take and that only the immediate area need be appraised. On Roble's question as
to estimated cost, Salter said he would guess at around $S00. Prickett moved to
accept Attorney's recommendation, but also still interested in getting proposal fro
property owner. Conklin seconded. Passed unanimously on roll call vote.
City Administrator Almquist read memorandum from the Planning Commission recommend-
ing that the Economic and Downtown Development Committees be phased out and that
decisions previously made by the three member ZAC now come before the full Plan-
ning Commission. Soderberg said that in order to change any setdp in the Planning
Commission it would mean to rewrite the ordinance. Soderberg suggested that ordin-
ance be amended to follow recommendation to eliminate subcommittees. City Attorne)
Salter said the Planning Commission could hold public hearing amending zoning
ordinance. Conklin moved that staff draw necessary papers to repeal ordinance and
draft new ordinance. On roll call, passed unanimously.
Prickett asked for progress on Comprehensive Planjsuggested the committee get back
together to follow up plans. Allen, Chairman of the committee said that the posi-
tion of planning technician has been advertised in the trade publications and when
Mawson's present position has been filled, work will begin on the Comprehensive
Plan. Almquist said that two consultants had been interviewed relative to the
preliminary work to be done 9n limited basis and that he would report back later.
Meeting Ashland City Council .~Page thre~
Site Review
Adult Student Housing
Position Classification
Ordinance
Truck Ronte Ordinance
ADJOURNMENT
Conklin moved status of site review'ordinance be discussed. Roble seconded, 'on
roll call, passed unanimously. City Administrator Almquist advised that the Plan-
ning Commission had sent the Site Design Review ordinance'to Council a~d it was
rejected by a 4-2 vote and said that a joint meeting had been set up for Council
~ Planning Commissioners to discuss the problem. Since there were only three mem-
bers present from Planning Commission the issue was not taken up and a subsequent
meeting has not been called. Mayor Pries said it was unclear as to what a Site
Review Board was supposed to do.
Mayor Fries asked Council to authorize him or City Administrator Almquist to write
a letter to Internal Revenue to find out whether or not ASH is a non-profit organi;
ation and said that from what he had learned, ASH had no plan for lowering rents
if they do come off the tax rolls. Prickett said he thinks it is a much broader
problem and that we should be contacting the State Legislature and that ASH should
not be criticized for taking a legal option set down by the State Legislature.
said perhaps Housing & Urban Development should be contacted because ASH is
qualified under that program. Fries said that if ASH is granted exemption, then
the rest of us are going to have to pick up the tax loss. Fries suggested that
Hatfield and Packwood be contacted. tie further stated that rental income should
be sufficient to pay taxes. Prickett moved that Mayor or City Administrator write
appropriate letters and include all data on Adult Student Housing. Conklin sec-
onded. Soderberg said that in talking about taxes for school support, she objects
to constant discrimination relative to children and that she does not share in thi~
objection to children. Mayor Fries said he objects to paying school taxes for
parents who do not pay taxes. On roll call, motion passed unanimously.
City Administrator Almquist gave second reading by title only of an ordinance
amending Ordinance No. 1415 as amended by Ordinance Nos. 1713 & 1795, which adoptel
and created a position classification plan for the City of Ashland, and declarinR
an emergency. Prickett moved for adoption. McCannon seconded. On roll call,
Roble, McCannon, Prickett, Conklin and Allen voted YES. Soderberg opposed. biotiol
carried.
City Attorney Salter proposed an amendment to the truck route ordinance to clarify
it. City Administrator Almquist read Ordinance amending Ordinance No. lgll which
designated truck route within the City of Ashland. and declaring an emergency.
Conklin moved to pass to second readinc. On roll call, Soderberg opposed the
motion. All other members voted YES. Motion carried.
There being no further business, Mayor Fries adjourned the meeting at 9:25 p.m.