HomeMy WebLinkAbout1974-0627 ADJOURNEDMINUTES OF ADJOURNED COUNCIL MEETING
June 27, 1974
ROLL CALL
ORDINANCE -
BUDGET
RESOLUTION -
PLANS REVIEW
LAW SUITS
MCNABB
IRRIGATION
An adjourned meeting of the Ashland City Council was called
to order by Mayor Fries at 4:00 ~.m. in the Council Chambers
of City Hall on the above date. Councilmen Allen, Roble,
McCannon, Prickett and Conklin were present. Councilwoman
Soderberg was absent.
City Administrator Almquist gave the second reading by title
only of an ordinance adopting the annual budget, making
appropriations, and levying taxes ~or 1974-75. McCannon
moved to adopt the ordinance, seconded by Conklin. Motion
passed on roll call vote with Roble, McCannon and Conklin
in favor, Allen and Prickett Opposed.
Almquist presented a resolution establishing a plans review
process for construction in mudslide prone areas, and ex-
plained this procedure is required in order to participate
in the National Flood Insurance program. Prickett moved
for adoption of the resolution, seconded by Roble, and
passed unanimously on roll call vote.
City Attorney Salter reported that three suits have been
filed against the City by Ponderosa Packers, Senior Inves-
ments, Inc., and Harold C. Hardesty. The suits Seek damages
for dumping refuse, allowing effluent to flow on plaintiffLs
property and for erosion. The suits are also for inverse
condemnation. salter doubted that the City has liability
on these charges, but said the City must defend itself. He
suggested that the City engage a law firm which specializes
in insurance work, and recommended the firm of Collins,
Ferris and Velure in Medford. Allen suggested the use of
a local attorney, to which Salter replied that this suit
has become an emotional and political subject in Ashland,
and an unbiased outside firm may have less difficulty.
Roble agreed with Allen, but said he felt it best to leave
the choice to our city attorney. Mayor Fries felt that
an outside firm would be beneficial to the City in this case.
McCannon moved to accept City Attorney Salter's recommen-
dation. Conklin seconded. Passed on roll call vote with
McCannon, Prickett and Conklin in favor and Allen and Roble
opposed.
Almquist asked approval of adding an item to the agenda.
Council approved by unanimous roll call vote on motion by
Prickett. Almquist reported that McNabb has been trying
to irrigate eight acres Of tomatoes by pumping water fEom
Bear Creek, but the silt plugged his pump~ and the tomatoes
are wilting, and McNabb is threatening to sue the City,
c~iiming it responsible because of dredging operation in~~
R~=r CrQek. Almquist suggested the City may be able to
help McNabb by renting a pump of a type that will pump
muddy water, but would not do so unless authorized by Council.
Prickett moved to authorize the city administrator to assist
McNabb within reason. Allen seconded, and passed unanim-
ously on roll call vote.
MIN'UTES
4
DOWNTOWN COSTS
ADJOURNMENT
ADJOURNED COUNCIL MEETING
June 27, 1974
Prickerr asked for approval of placing an item on the
agenda. Alle~ so moved, and passed unanimously on voice
vote. Prickett moved that staff d~termine the exact costs
of the downtown beautification project, not because he
was critical of what had been done - remembering that the
Council had authorized the work - but so that exact costs
~ould be known for present and future reference. Conklin
seconded. Allen suggested that also in future projects
using force account work, the cost of the force account
work be estimated. Passed unanimously on roll call vote.
Finance Director Nelson said that with the press of year-
end businesS, it may take a month to analyze all related
force account work, to which prickett replied that his
motion did not include a time schedule, and ha was willing
to wait for a month.
There being no further business, the ~eeting was adjourned
at 4:35 p.m.
City Recorder
Archie C. Fries
Mayor