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HomeMy WebLinkAbout1974-1001 REG MINMINUTES FOR THE P~';CULAR MEETING ASIILAND CITY COUNCIL October 1, 1974 INVOCATION ROLL CALL APPROVAL OF MiNUTF. S CO~_~L~jtCATIONS, PET- ITIONS & REMONSTRAN- CES ~ndergrcued Service Madrone & Monroe Invocation w~s given by Mayor Archie C. Fries followed by the Pledge of Allegiance to the Flag Mayor Fries called the regular meeting to order on the above date at 7:30 p.m. in the Council Chambers. Allen, Conkiln, Prickett, Soderberg, Roble and McCannon were present. Soderberg requested that minutes of the regular meeting of September 17, 1974 contain amended repprt (Exhibit "A") as submitted by the Parks & Recreation Department. ~tinutes stood approved as read. Prickett moved that a letter from Dan MacKay relative to reestablishment of museum be accepted add placed on file for future action. On voice vote, passed unaniraously. City Admisistrator A1FIquist presented petition signed by seventeen resid- ents of the vicinity of Madrene, Monroe and Leonard Streets petitioning for underground service. Mayor invited anyone interested to speak - there was no response from the addience. Prickett moved that matter be placed on file and if petitioners wish to pursue it that they go through the Public hearing process. Roble seconded and the motion passed unanimonsly on roll call vote. PL~LIC FORUM DCG COi{TROL No resp6~seI f~om the audience. Mayor Fries called a ten minute recess to move the meeting to Hillah Temple to accommodate large crowd. City Administrator read Mayor's proposal relative to dog control. Mayor Fries invited the audience to,speak and outlined ground rules. A~on~ those who spoke were Patricia Green~ 425 N. Laurel, Frank Cox, 34 Union Street, Lynn Abernathy, 755 Clay Street, Mrs. Don Messinger, 650 Oak Street, Dennis Rawis, 172 gutley, Fred ~oberts, 143 Nutley, Lesley Woodlug, 727 Par~ Diane Meyer, 1807 E. Main, K. C. MeNair, 380 Iaylor Street, M. Mills, 34 Scenic Drive, Sheldon R~o, 570 Taylor Street and Jeannie Delsman of 555 Fairview. ~e majority of the speakers supported enforcement of pres~nt ordinances as they stsnd. Many peeple felt that dogs under leash control should be allowed anywhere in the city ~nd mentioned an ~nconveniencc to tonrists, and residents who l~ve downtown. A special area in the paxk suggested for the purpose of walking dogs - preferably in the upDcr section. Several citizens felt the fines proposed were prohibitive a~d one person cited fines as be.f~g a burden on senior citizens on fixed Lynn Abcrnathy submitted proposals to amend present ordinance to allo,~ dogs in the park aud downtown on ].cash, to c~ntfact with County for c~nforce- ment Red to lower the fines for violation. Protection of owners was brouf.h~ up as ~ uect,~;sity for others ~han blind Ders(u~s. Sellers] people spoke in favor of Mayor's proposal brin~%tnp out the nu[~;:~nce of debris, dolt and geseral invasion of the dowutown and park areas. On,'~ citizen gpo['o fear of large clogs ~mc:tred for al,d said hc~r cbj!d doesa'r feel ~afe around the block. Dogs travclling iu packs and the danger to cit~zeus was up. t{.~e.g.plar Neeth',jLz_ Ashland Ctt UNFINISHED BUSINESS Dog Control cent. Prickett moved that the proposal be dropped at this time and referred to study session; Soderberg seconded. Allen requested that City Attoruey be present at session. Conklin asked that existing ordinances of other communities be made available for the meeting. McCannon said he is in faro of Mayor's proposal becanse $ survey made on community problems pointed tip a decided concern on dog control in the city. Study session was set for October 29, 1974~ with the County Dog Control and others to be invited. Mayor Fries called a t~n minute recess to return the meeting to City Hall. McCannon moved to appoint a committee made up of Council members and Parks Commissioners to study matter before October 29th meeting and to bring recommendations and findings at that time. Conklin seconded the motion and on roll call all members voted YES with exception of Prickett who opposed the motion. Mayor Fries appointed McCannon to head up the committe~ ~'with-~'Soderberg, Allen and Park Commissioners Bernard and Bennett, McCannon said public paytic~pation would be welcome at the study session. Oak Knoll Golf Course Flood Restoration Report Parks & Recreation joint meeting NEW & MISC. BUSINESS Liquor License Grandview Pump Station ORDINANCES, RESOLU- TIONS & CONTRACTS Mayor Fries deferred Items #2 & 3 on Unfinished Business due to the fore- going action. Prickett reported that the Committee on Oak Knoll Golf Course matter had unanimously recommended that Eugene Russell be asked to make an evaluation of the condition and maintenance problems at the golf course and that a fee was declined by Russell and the only cost to the city would be for motel, meals and transportation. Prickett moved that City Administrator Almquist be authorized to make necessary arrangements. Conklin seconded and on roll call vote, passed unanimously. Director of Finance Bob Nelson submitted report on Flood Restoration Fund and Flood Restoration Bond Fund projected cash flow as requested at a previous meeting. Report was accepted as submitted. City Administrator Almquist read a letter from Parks & Recreation reminding Council of a joint meeting planned for October 22, 1974 at 7:30 p.m. Recorder Butler submitted liquor license renewal for Rosemary Mahar,. Vint- age Inn, #5 Granite Street. On qUestiOD from Roble, Police ~ief Hays said he had no reason not to recommend approval. Roble moved for approval; seconded by Conklin and passed unanimously on roll call vote. Bid results on Grandview pump station were read by City Administrator Almqui:;t with B. D. Greene named low bidder. McCannon moved that bid be awarded to B. D. Greene; Soderberg seconded. Allen said that he hoped that receiving a b~d lower than budgeted amount might be a forecast of things to come. On roll call, all YES. Second reading by title ouly of an ordioance establishing the A~4~lan4 Traffic Safety Co~antss~on wag liven by City Administrator Almquist. Prlc~r': moved for adoption; Roble seconded and metion passed without opposition. 10tl/74 i'g. ,: .~q~![,,f_~L .hl. qe,![j~jl= Ash land (: J tv Connc i 1 __ _~:L~e .3 Water Service Connect Rates Sewer Service Connect Rates Connect Pol. icF Electric Rate Increase Proposal City Administrator Almqulst submitted memorandum relative to alternate methods of financing and said that the proposed policy could be included in the adoption of the ordinance about to be read on water service con- nects, and gave second reading by title on]y of an Ordinance amending Schedule l0 of Ordinance No. 1776 and Section 14.04.030 of the Ashland Municipal Code which prescribed the water service connection rates within the City limits; and declaring an emergency° Ccnkl~n moved to adopt; Prickett seconded. On roll call Allen, Soderberg and Roble voted NO. McCannon, Prickett and Conklin voted YES. Mayor Fries broke the tie with a YES vote. City Administrator Almquist gave second reading by title only of an ordinance ameuding Ordinance No. 1777 by adding a new Section 14.08.025 to the Ashland Municipal Code; amending subpart "A" of Section 14.08.030; repealing all sections in conflict herewith; and declaring an emergency. Conklin moved for adoption; McCannon seconded. On roll call McCannon, Prickerr and Conklin voted YES. Allen, Soderberg and Roble voted in opposition. Mayor Fries broke the tie vote By supporting the motion. Roble moved that policy (attached) as recomi:!e~ded by Stafi be adopted; Soderberg seconded and on roll call passed unanimously, City Administrator Almquist read a memorandum regarding proposed electrlc rate increases; outlined costs charged various colleges in Oregon; and asked Consultant Larry Horton to explain graph showing what percentage iacrease could could be anticipated in the various categories 6f consumers. Prickett noted that there had been a 20% increase in rates s~nce the inception of the contract, and recomnended that City maintain a margin and when inflationary prices go up, the margin would remain the same. On a suggested alternative of raising taxes as opposed to utility rate hikes, City Administrator Almquist explained that it had been City policy since 1916 to support the general fund from electric utility profit, and that this is the principal reason that the tax base is appreciably lower than in other Oregon cities. Conklin said he would agree if Ashland had a good property tax base, but until such time as we do, he would strongly recommend that we pass this ordinance for the reasons stated in the City Administrator's memorandum and hopefully by 1982 when the contract is up, the policy can be reassessed. Prickett asked that more information be made available and again proposed that our margin be fixed. Mayor Fries agreed with Conklin and said that the problem should be acted oD now because it will be magnified next year, and it is inevitable that tile City will have to come up with a new tax base. Allen asked that inform3tioa from PP&L be supplied Connell Prickett questioaed the use of utility profit: for the general fund without reducing property taxes. Fred Roberrs sug- gested that Council seek assistance of the Budget Con~tttce in a joint study session. Floyd Vogel said if PP&L had the electric system in Ashland that rates would already hdve gone np. 10/1/74 Pg. 3 Electric Rates Cent, Transfer of Appropria- tions - Multi-service Center Director Parks & Recreation interfund loan i;ational Union of Police Officers City Administrator gave f~rst readin[~ (copies provided in accord with Article X, Section 2 (c) of the Ashiapd City Chsrter) by title only of an ordinance amenJing Ordinance 1673 as amended, and Sections 14.16.030 through 14.16.070 of the Ash]and Municipal Code; amending Ordinance No. 1757 and Sections 14.12.030, 14.12.050 and 14,12.060 of the Municipal Code; and declaring an emergency. Conklin moved to pass to second reading; McCannon seconded for discussion. Rob]e said he felt we need an increase of some sort but the proposed rates were excessive. On roll call Conklin and McCannon voted FOR the measure with Soderberg, Roble, Allen and Pricket~ casting opposing votes. Prfckett asked that all projected costs be pre- sented by City Administrator Almquist and that City Attorney submit opinion. and that a meeting be held with the Budget Committee on Oct, 8th at 7:30 Conklin moved for denial of resolution transferring appropriations within funds for Director of Multi-service Center through November 30, 1974. Motion died for lack of a second. City Administrator Almquist read resolu- tion. Prlckett moved for adoption, seconded by SodetherS. On roll call Soderherg~ Prickett, Roble, McCannon and Allen voted YES. Conklin~stood in opposition. City Administrator Almquist read a reso].ution authorizing an interfund loan from the General Fund to the Parks & Recreation Fund. Prickett meve~ that resolution be adopted; Soderberg seconded and on roll call, all YES. City Administrator Almquist read Contract Addendum No. 1 between the City and Ashland City Police Officers Association (N.U.P.O. Local #843). Conk- lin moved for approval, Prickett seconded and on roll call motion passed unanimously. Recorder Mayor September 27, 1974 The Honorable Mayor and City Council Brian L. Almquist, City Administrator Financing of Water and Sewer Connections At the last meeting of the City Council, it was requested that the Staff prepare, for council consideration, an alternate method for financing water and sewer connect fees. The staff wishes to suggest the following policy: 1. In Subdivisions: In addition to allowing the subdivider to pay the amount specified in the proposed ordinance and as required in the subdivision or- dinance, it is suggested that the Council consider applications for Bancrofting [local Improvement Districts) for water and sewer improvements. Under this policy it is suggested that: a. The plans, specifications and survey work be provided by the subdivider to City standards. b. The City call for bids, award to the lowest responsible bidder, and provide inspection services during construction. c. That the assessments be levied against the individual lots upon completion of the project based upon actual costs. Due to the limited size of our crew and other responsibilities, it is not possible for City crews to involve themselves in seasonal subdivision work. 2. Existing Mains: It is suSgested that in addition to payment in full, the applicant for service be given the option of paying $100 downin the case of either water or sewer connections, with the balance financed by a 10 year interest bearing note with a mortgage for the unpaid portion. This would be similar to the procedure now followed for senior citi- zen assessment deferrals except that semi-annual payments would be made. 5. New Mains: It is suggested that in addition to allowing payment in full, that the applicant for service be given the option of a lO-year interest bearing note with a mortgage, or in the case of a group of property owners, the option of: a. Requesting the formation of an assessment district with plans and spots to be prepared by the City with work to be done by private contract and actual costs assessed, or; b. Formation of an assessment district with costs assessed based upon the fee schedule set forth in the ordinance with the work to be performed by City crews. In the case of subdivisions, it is advised that all other improve- ments (streets, storm sewers, grading, etc.) be provided by the subdivider. In this way, there is a sharing of sorts in the ven- ture, which lessens the possibility of the use of the public's credit to finance risky ventures. It is believed that the foregoing will stimulate subdivision activity and provide an alternate method for financing, which was heretofore not available.