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HomeMy WebLinkAbout1973-0821 REG MINROLL CALL: MAYOR'S APPOINTMENTS: APPROVAL OF MINUTES: DEPARTMENTAL REPORTS: PLANNING COM. MINUTES: PARtCS& REC. MINUTES: Pd~IERICAN LEGION LEASE: CAB FRANCHISE: R. W. Voris P.U.C. on RAILROAD CROSSING: MINUTES FOR THF REGULAR MEETING ASIILAND CITY COUNCIL August 21, 1973 The regular meeting was called to order by Mayor Fries at 7:30 ~.m. on the above date in the Council Chambers. Conklin, McCannon, Soderberg, Roble and Allen were present. Prickett was absent. Mayor Fries appointed the following to .serve on the Executive Committee of the Senior Citizens Forum: M.W. Kline, Chairman, Dr. Elma Willjams, I'ice-cbairman, Councilmen McCannon and Roble and Mrs. John Oshfield. HcCannon moved to approve appointments. Passed unanimously on voice vote. Roble moved to approve the minutes of the regular council meeting of August 7, 1973. On voice vote, passed unanimously. Conklin moved that departmental reports of July, 1973 be accepted and placed on file. On voice vote, all yes. McCannon moved that Planning Commission minutes of August 13, 1973 be accepted and placed on file. Passed unanimously on voice vote. Roble moved that the Parks & Recreation Commission minutes of the special meeting of August 1, 1973 be accepted and placed on file. On voice vote, passed unanimously. City Administrator Almquist presented a letter from M. W. Kline of the American Legion requesting that the lease on their clubUouse on Winburn Way be for a term of ten years from January 1, 1973, in accordance with an option offered in Ordinance #1163 of April, 1953. City Attorney Salter felt that because the Legion had expressed a desire to renew their lease prior to its expiration date of December 31, 1972, they had complied with the option clause of the lease. He further stated, in answer to a question by Conklin, that only one ten-year option was made available by Ordinance #1163. Conklin moved that the Mayor and Recorder be authorized to execute a ten-year lease with the American Legion. Approved unanimously on roll call vote. Almquist read a letter from R. W. Voris requesting renewal of the franchise for Ashland Lithia Cab Company on an indefinite basis and with the right to sell contingent on Council approval. Allen said he could understand that a franchise for a business which required a considerable capital expenditure should be for a longer term than one year, and suggested a minimum term of five years. Conklin agreed, but with a desire to provide for consideration of rate changes more often. Soderberg moved that a committee be appointed to study the issue. Mayor Fries appointed Councilmen Conklin and Roble to meet with Administrator Almquist and City Attorney Salter. Soderberg moved* to accept the appointments. On voice vote, approved unanimously. Administrator Almquist presented a letter from the P.U.C. which eXDlalned that House Bill 2339 would become effective October S, 1973.establishing a State Grade Crossing Frotection Fund, and that in future signalization of grade crossings, said Fund will bear 30% of the cost, the railroad will bear at least 50%, and the public authority involved will bear up to 20% of the installation cost, and that the railroad will bear the maintenance costs on existing and future signals. Almquist said the Walker crossing will be eligible for participation funding after October 5th. Soderberg moved that we make application for participation in funding of Walker crossing signals after October 5, 1973. On roll call vote, passed unanimously. BARTELT PRESENTATION TO R. ISAACS: F.A.S. ROADS: CITY COUNCIL MEETING.!...~..2 August 21~ 1973 DEQ MEETING: Mayor Fries called the Council's attentioa to a letter from the Department of Environmental Quality in which they announced they had evaluated the Ashland Creek drainage basin relative to Ashland's water supply and will meet with City officials at 4:00 on August 28th in Council Chambers. Mayor Fries read a letter from Mrs. Gladys Bartelt in which she expressed gratitude for flowers the city sent to "Bart's" funeral. Mayor Fries asked Richard Isaacs to come forward and accept a resolution passed by the Council on August 7, 1973, which commended Mr. Isaacs for his service to the city while manager of First National Bank in Ashland. Mr. Fries said their fathers ]lad artended high ~hool together in the 1890's in Medford. In accepting the resolution, Mr. Isaacs expressed pleasure at having had the oppor- tunity to serve the community and willingness to continue serving. Mayor Fries introduced H. S. Cox from Department of Transportation, william Cranford, State lli~hway Division engineer, and Bob Carstensen, Jackson County Public Works Director who came to brief the Council on proposed interchange at Eagle Mill Road. Cranford discussed the BCATS plan which began in 1965 with planning to 198S, and stressed that such a plan should be updated periodic- ally. Roble asked if there is any cost to the city in updating BCATS, to which Cranford replied in the negative. On question from McCannon, Cranford said updating takes about eight months to a year, but requires input from the city. Mayor Fries commented that the input will be that information gathered from the updating of our compresensive plan. Mr. Cox explained the State system of primary a~d secondary roads and said the FAS (Federal Aid, Secondary) roads are under the jurisdiction of the county who makes application to the Federal government for aid. He explained that not all applications are approved, but that the county is under a system of credits and already has so many commitments that the credits are all used at the present. He said there is little chance of funding for a new interchange now, but he felt that if we can arrange the financing, a permit for a new freeway interchange could be obtained. Mayor Fries and Councilman Conklin stressed that we cannot spend city or participating funds on roads outside of the city limits. On question from Conklin, Cox said we are not bound to the BCATS plan, that the plan can be changed. On questions from Soderberg and Almquist, Cox said on a survey for FAS roads the State will pay 80% and the City 20%, but if not FAS, the City will bear the full cost. Cox admitted that there are cases in which FAS specifica- tions require such expensive construction that the local government may gain economically by building its own road. Soderberg asked that the proposed survey include two routes and related greenways. Carstensen said the county has found instances Where they Tound it feasible to do their own road construction instead of working with FAS, and said they now have a deficit in credits and still have two more applications pending which were received prior to Ashland's request. Conklin said we could put the county in an impossible position, and moved to withdraw our request to Jackson County to designate two feeder routes to the interchange. On roll call vote, McCannon, Conklln and Roble voted yes, Allen and Soderberg voted no, and the motion was carried. S. O. CABLE: "911" SYSTEM: A report from th~ Southern Oregon Cable TV was presented by Almquist which stated they had completed construction on Granite Street, had extended lines on numerous other streets and had connected 181 new customers since January 1, 1973. Almquist stated that no further action was necessary. Police Chief Flays submitted a written report on the progress of the "911" Emergency Reporting Telephone Systems. Ne reported that the District 8 Law Enforcement Council felt it would not be feasible to implement the "911" System at.this time, but felt there was a need for a "two county radio net" for all police and sheriff's CITY COUNCIL HEETING ....... 3 August 21, 1973 departments, and that such a system can be implemented within a year at much less cost than that required by "911." Hays and Mayor Fries both stressed that larKe cities using the "911" System have found that only 40% of the calls received are actually emergencies, and that Ashland is too far from the center of the area to benefit by "911.'~ Hays explained that he and Fire Chief Bill Reed had signed endorsements to a "Central Dispatch" for an "Emergency Hedical Radio Frequency" to be used by ambulance and fire rescue units, but subsequent to that endorsement someone from the Comprehensive Health Planning Committee (a membe~ of COG) stated that said endorsements were in support of "911," which incorporated ti~c "Emergency Hedical Radio Frequency." This incor- poration constitutes a new concept, and therefore the District 8 Law Enforcement Council withdrew its support pendins further study. Soderberg asked to hear from Larry Chapman in the audience, but Mayor Fries said it was not a public hearing, and asked if the majority of the Council wanted to open it to public discussion. There being no affirmative answer, P4ayor Fries continued by calling for a report from Fire Chief Reed. Chief Reed also reported that because of the distance from the central dispatch area and for lack of budgeted funds, he felt the "911" System is not feasible now. On question from Soderberg, he said we are now bein~ contacted by other areas through a central telephone dispatch system. Soderberg requested that department heads keep the Council informed of t~appenings, especially those that are inter~overnmental. Hays said he is aware of how "911" relates to police work, but suggested that Cor~prehensive Health Plan brief Council on its progress. COMPREHENSIVE PLAN REPORT: DOWNTOWN BEAUTIFICATION Councilman Allen submitted a report and recommendation from the committee studying means to update the Ashland Comprehenseive Plan (see Exhibit "A"). On question from Conklin as to how long the new planner would be needed, Allen replied it may take a year to a year and a h~f, but the budget proposed by their committee was only for ~he remainder of 1973-74 fiscal year. Almquist said our present plannin~ technician salary is from P.E.P., but that the program will be phased out next year and that he hoped to add Mawson to the city payroll at that time. Conklin expressed concern over ~iring another high-priced man that would probably remain in a permanent position, and expressed preference for a consultant who would be released on completion of the work. Allen said if we must update our plan every five years at a cost of $40,000 or more~ we would be ahead to keep an extra planner on the staff, insuring Comprehensive Plan continuity, and let that planner also function in regular planning and capital improvement programs. McCannon stated that he felt the committee's proposal was feasible and this plan was a good compromise. Conklin asked if the committee arrived at a means of funding in future years. Allen replied they had not, but his per- sonal feeling was that the funding could be obtained, possibly through Revenue Sharing. Allen moved to adopt the recommendations of the committee. On roll call vote, Allen, Sodergerg, Roble, and McCannon voted yes, Conklin voted no, and motion passed. Administrator Almquist reported that since Council had authorized the city to be their own contractor, he hired a superintendent, R. L. Facet, ~nd advertised for bids on various phases of the downtown beautification project, but no bids were received. He said the street and water departments are committed to ott~er Drojects and are unable to do this project in its entirety, but that HUD will permit the city to proceed on contracts for time and material. Almquist stressed that if we proceed on time and materials contracts we are taking the risk that total costs may exceed the estimated CITY COUNCIL MEETING ....... 4 August 21, 1975 $90,000. tie said the city had guaranteed the property owners that their share of the cost would not exceed $4S,000 so any increase over estimated costs would be born by the city. Roble said it was a very worthwhile project and he was in favor of Almquist's pro- posal. Allen asked if it might also be considered that time and material contracts might actually save money, to which Almquist replied that it was possible but was not making any such prediction. Conklin was opposed to the concept of the city or the property owners taking a risk. Soderberg said the HUD grant is now available and is an advantage to the downtown property owners that will not be available at a later time, and moved that the Administrator proceed witb the project on time and material contracts, and keep the Council advised of the progress made. On roll call vote, motion passed with Allen, Soderberg~ Roble and McCannon voting yes and Conklin dissenting. TOPICS: Almquist reported that the TOPICS bids will be opened on September 27, 1973, and that the city should be prepared to advance S84,000 on that date. The State Ilighway Department has raised their esti- mated cost of the project, and therefore the city's share has been increased by $1S,800 from $68,200 to $84,000. tie suggested that the $1S,800 be borrowed from the General Fund and repaid within two years. The city will spend about $10,0OO in moving utilities and will be reimbursed, which can be used to partially repay the loan. Roble moved to accept the report and commit funds for the project. On roll call, Soderberg, Roble, McCannon and Conklin voted yes, Allen abstained, and motion passed. PLANNING COM. JOINT MEETING: LIQUOR LICENSES: Mayor Fries presented a memo from the Planning Commission requesting a joint study session to discuss proposed ordinances on Planned Unit Development and Site Design Review. Vince Oredson, speaking from the audience, said he has an application before the Commission now for a PUP and asked the Council to set a date. for the public hearing for the proposed ordinance. Mayor Fries set the date for the joint study session on September llth at 7:30 p.m. in the Council Chambers and the public hearing was tentatively put on the agenda for the Council meeting of September 18th. Mayor Fries reported that the Elks Club, Angeles Pizza, McDuff's, the Cheshire Cat Cheese Shop and Oak Tree Restaurant asked for Council recommendation for annual renewal of their liquor licenses. Conklin moved for approval of recommendation. Passed unanimously on roll call vote. CODIFICATION: City Attorney Salter reported that Book Publishing Co. has suggested some changes in our ordinances before they complete the codification, and have asked that the changes be s~bmitted by September 30, 1973. The ordinances which should have changes relate to general provi- sions and definitions, the right of inspection by city officials, penalty clauses, description of duties of finance department, city cemeteries, parking restrictions, repeal of an ordinance concerning excavating in the streets, and the adoption of future State laws. Mayor Fries postponed action on these items, and asked that noticc be published of these ordinances being considered at the next meet- ing of September 4th in order to conserve time. 1973 ALL-AMER. CITY AWARD: Mayor Fries presented a letter from the Chamber of Commerce request- ing city assistance in ma~ng application for the 1973 All-American City Award which is awarded by the American City magazine. McCannon's motion to approve the request was passed unanimously on roll call vote. TAYLOR STREET IMPROVEMENT: Almquist gave the second reading by title only of an ordinance ' authorizing and ordering the improvement of Taylor Street between Holly and Ashland Streets. Conklin moved to adopt the ordinance. On roll call vote, passed unanimously. CITY COUNCIL MEETING ....... S August 21, 1973 BICYCLE ORDINANCE: Almquist and Salter presented an ordinance amending the bicycle ordinance to provide for licensing of bicycles. Council members asked for a new section providing that current 1973 bicycle licenses would remain in effect until December 31, 1973, and the proposed ordinance was read with the inclusion of that section. Conklin moved to pass the ordinance to second reading. On roll call vote, passed unanimously. ANNEXATION FEES: City Attorney Salter explained that our present ordinance No. 1778 calls for annexation fees to be collected on all areas to be annexed, but recommended an amendment to that ordinance to delete the collection of annexation fees for public streets, highways and railroad rights-of-way. Administrator Almquist read the proposed ordinance, and McCannon moved to pass ordinance to second reading. Passed unanimously on roll call vote. TRAFFIC SIGNAL AGREEMENT: Almquist explained that the traffic signals at Pioneer and E. Main and Second Street and E. Main are obsolete and should be replaced in conjunction with the downtown beautification project. He said the total estimated cost of new signals in $29,000 and the State will pay half the cost, and that our $14,500 will consist of labor and equipment use. Conklin asked if the $14,S00 was included in the beautification project estimate of $90,000 and Almquist replied, "No." On question from Soderberg, Almquist said it will be our responsibility to maintain the signals, which we are doing on the present signals. Almquist then read the ordinance authorizing the Mayor and Recorder to enter into agreement with the State Highway Division. Allen moved to pass the ordinance to second reading. Motion passed with Allen, Soderberg, Roble and McCannon voting yes, and Conklin no. ASHLAND SENIOR FORU~I: Almquist read a resolution providing for the establishment of the "Ashland Senior Forum" and a city-funded Ashland Senior Center on Winburn Way and transferring $3,000 from General Fund operating contingency to Parks and Recreation to provide operating funds for the Forum. Motion by McCannon to adopt the resolution was passed unanimously. Mayor Fries then asked that the appointments he had made at the beginnihg of the meeting be reaffirmed along with the list of the other agency representatives to serve on the Forum (see Exhibit "B"). Conklin moved to affirm appointments, Passed unanimously on roll call vote. INTERFUND LOAN TOPICS: ANNOUNCEMENT: ADJOURNblENT: Almquist read a resolution authorizing an interfund loan from the General Fund to the Capital Improvement Fund, not to exceed $48,050 at five percent interest, and to be repaid no later than June 30, 1975, and that $15,800 be transferred from the Waste Water Treatment Plant to the TOPICS Project section of ~he Capital Improvement Fund. Conklin moved to adopt the resolution. On roll call, passed with Soderberg, Roble, McCannon and Conklin voting yes, and Allen abstaining. Almquist reported that he hoped to have a street excavation ordinance ready for consideration at the meeting of September 4th. On unanimous voice vote on motion by Conklin to adjourn, meeting adjourned at 10:35 p.m. Archie C. Fires, Mayor August 21, 1973 Honorable Mayor and City Council Comprehensive Plan Committee Recommendation on Updating of 1966 Comprehensive Plan On July 31, 1973 a joint meeting was held between the City Council and Planning Commission to discuss proposed methods of securing assistance to revise and update the 1966 Comprehensive Plan for the City of Ashland. As a result of that meeting, a committee was appointed by Mayor Archie C. Fries, with a specific charge to meet with Staff to investigate means of accomplishing this end. On August 2, 1973 the committee, composed of Councilmen Allen, Prickett, Roble and McCannon, and Commissioners Meyer, McDowell and Rountree, met to discuss alternative courses of action. After considerable discussion, it was the concensus of the committee, that it would not be desirable to expend the entire $24,000 appropriation on outside consultants, but to rely primarily on a combination of existing and/or added staff supple- mented by citizen committees with only very limited consulting assistance. It was also determined that another meeting be held with City Administrator Almquist to seek his recommendation prior to submitting a final recommenda- tion to the City Council. The committee met again on August 16, 1973 with City Administrator Almquist present. The advantages and disadvantages of using a consultant versus staff assistance were again explored. The primary advantage of staff help was seen as continuity in plan preparation and implementation, and the advantage of consulting assistance in the availability of expertise in specific problem areas. It was then moved, seconded and carried by the committee that the services of a full-time staff planner be secured at the earliest possible date, with qualifications to be determined by the City Administrator. This individual could hopefully be found in the local area, if available, but if not, recruitment would be geared to secure the most qualified individual possible. This planner would be divorced from the everyday planning administrative duties, devoting his full time and talents to the updating of the Compre- hensive Plan. Tke motion included that the City Administrator be per- mitted to secure the services of a consultant on an "as-needed" basis, within certain budgetary constraints. The recommended revised budget for the Planning Commission would be as follows: Honorable Mayor and City Council ...... 2 August 21, 1973 PLANNING DEPARTMENT Personal Services 111 Planning Technician - 15 City Planner - 23 (9 months) Secretary (1/4) Seasonal & Overtime 112 Total Materials & Services 301 309 401 402 403 423 43? 439 501 456 Employee Benefits Personal Services Office Supplies Technical Supplies Travel & Subsistence Dues & Subscriptions Telephone Postage Publication of Notices Consulting Services Rentals Contract Services (Chamber) Total bIaterials & Services Capital Outlay 604 Equipment Total Capital Outlay Present $ 9,132 1,434 250 10,816 2,000 $12,816 $ 950 500 50 200 100 500 24,000 2,250 Proposed $ 9,132 9,792 1,434 250 20,608 3~908 $24,516 $ 1,000 120 600 100 260 120 500 10,700 700 2,250 $28,550 $16,350 $ ...... $ 500 $ ...... $ 500 $41,366 $41,366 SS TOTAL PLANNING Respectful ly submitted, Gerald Allen Chairman ORGANIZATION RVCA b~ALS ON WHEELS SENIOR CITIZENS AAIB;T W0~'S CLUB ~1 VETERANS ~R~i AUXILIARY A~RICAN LEGION FISH RTA LOAVES ~ FISHES AMER. LEGION AUX. PARKS ~- REC. PARKS ~ REC. CITY COUNCIL CITY COUNCIL CITY COUNCIL Chairman Vice Chairman PROPOSED ASHLAND SENIOR FORUM NAME ~Mrs. Alma Williams Mrs. Ralph Crumme ~'Mrs. John ~shfield .~..,~ ". Mrs. Don Laws ~Mrs. William Mazurek "':"""- Mr. Roy M~%thews Mrs. William Bickford Mr. M. W. Kline ' Mrs. Ira Edwards Mrs. Ida Burns Mr. William Feele~ Mr. Kenneth Reid Mrs. Lela Garre~ Mr. Donald Dedrick Mr. George Findlay Mrs. Audrey Soderberg ~Mr. William Roble ~Mr. Roland McC~nnon EECUTIVE COXE.~TTE M~. M.W. E!ine Dr. Alma VTiiliams Roland L~cCannOn Mrs. John Oshfield Mr. William Roble PHONE NO. 482-5846 482-911B 482-8666 482-1845 482-1087 482-50S7 482-5395 482-9140 482-5961 482-1754 482-8145 482~9404 482~4474 482-4718 482~3598 482-2119 482-2581 4~2-825D ~82-9140 ~82-5846 ~82-B250 ~82-8666 ~8a-258~