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HomeMy WebLinkAbout1973-1016 REG MINMINUTES FOR TIlE REGULAR MEETING ASItLAND CITY COUNCIL October 16, 1973 ROLL CALL APPROVAL OF MINUTES DEPARTMENTAL REFORTS CO~,~UNICATIONS, PET- ITIONS & REMONSTR. SOC Street Closure Planning Com. Minutes Hospital Bd. Minutes Park & Rec. Minutes Senior Forum Minutes The regular meeting was called to order by Council Chair- man Roble at 7:30 p.m. on the above date in the Council Chambers. Conklin, McCannon and Allen were present. Sod- erberg and Prickett arrived at 7:35 p.m. Mayor Fries was absent. Conklin moved that the minutes for the regular meeting of October 2, 1973 he accepted and placed on file. On voice vote, passed unanimously. Conklin moved to accept Departmental Reports and place on file. On voice vote, all YES. City Administrator Almquist read ~etition requesting en- largement of Lithia Park by the ciosure of Winburn Way from Nutley to Grauite Streets signed by one hundred sevenS,. Persons. Roble questioned City Attorney Salter as to iqhether at least four non-resident signatures on the first page are legal and was assured they were valid for a petit- ion. Allen suggested that Parks & Recreation Commission ,take the matter up and come back with a recommendation. Conklin said that this proposal has been coming up for years in both Parks & Recreation and the Streets ~ Traffic Com- mittee. Soderbcrg stated that when the proposal was heard before nearly every resident on Granite Street showed up in opposition because of the traffic problem and further that the senior citizen would be deprived of park enjoyment should access be cut off. James C. Sims of 237 B Street introduced himself as an attorney for the group known as "People for Parks" and was. speaking in the absence of John Darling, Chairman, who was out of town. Sims requested a public hearing on the matter for the purpose of showing plans whereby the handicapped and senior citizen would have open access to the park; emergency vehicles may have access to the upper park and to clear up original reasons it was turned down before. The Chair declared November 20, 1973 as date for public hearing at 7:30 p.m. City Administrator Almquist read request from SOC Security & Safety for'closure of Webster Street from Wightman to Stadium on October 19, 1973 from 6:30 p.m. to 12:M. Conkliu moved for approval. On roll call, passed unanimous- ly. McCannon moved that Planning Commission minutes for the October 8, 1973 meeting be accepted and placed om file. On roll call vote, passed unanimously. Conklin moved that IIospital Board minutes for meeting of September 28, 1973 be accepted and placed on file. On roll call vote, passed unanimously. Soderberg moved to accept and place on file the minutes of the Parks & Recreation meeting of September 13, 1973. McCannon moved that minutes for the Senior Forum meeting of October 8, 1973 be accepted aad placed on file. On roll call, all YES. · _Regular Meetin~ Ashland City Council PaRe 2 PUBLIC FOP, UM Armory Facility Fire Equip. stationed at Airport Street Paving Justice Center "All-America City" Li~hia Sprlngs ChriStmas Lighting John Bowman, 2801 Greensprings Highway asked to be h~,~rd relative to Item 2 of New & Miscellaneous Business. Request was granted. Chairnmn Roble commented on tile good work being done by new pavin~ machine. Soderberg stated that she had met informally with National Guard and learned that Governor McCall's 197S-76 budget calls for a new Armory in ~shland and suggested a location be considered in the Comprehensive Plan. Soderberg moved that L~ayor be directed to appoint a committee made up of Council members and citizens to meet with the National Guard to work out details of establishing Armory and said the Mayor conld appoint at a later date. On roll call, all YES. Roble said now that we have the new pumper for possible pur- chase we might well keep a truck at the airport which would house foam to be used for initial attack in the event of Mrp]anc accidents and that City Administrator Almquist and Fire Chief Reed research and submit a feasibility report. Prickerr moved that report be submitted in thirty days. On roll call vote, passed unanimously. Richard Skinner of 301 Kent Street spoke from the audience saying the paving jobs were done well but wondered what plans were regarding the paving of Nevada St., from Oak to Helman and said paving would relieve traffic at Helman School and railroad tracks. Roble as]'ed Alsing when he would be paving Oak & Helmmx and was told by Alsing that when the City acquired the land it was agreed not to pave for a certain Period of time an~ he would have to look up the date. Alsing said he didn't feel the time was up yet. Roble asked that question bc researched by Public Works Dir. On question froIn Soderberg as to the status of the Walker Avenue crossing City Administrator Almquist stated that he had not heard from Southern Pacific as yet. Council Chairman Roble asked City Administrator Almquist to bring Councjt up to date on Justice Center status. Alm- quist said that he and Rep. heigh Johnson will meet some- time in January at which time he would know more. Roble congratulated the committee for entering the "All- America City" coutest and noted Ashland did not make the finals. Prickerr reported that until the Greenways Committee can submit a plan for sewer disposal and also for use of the land, he would be in favor of continuing the lease to Parks & Recreation Commission. Prickett moved that Lithia Springs remain leased to Parks & Recreation Commission. On roll call, passed unanimously. Soderberg asked the City Admin-- istrator Almquist to notify Greenways Committee of decision. City Administrator Almquist gave a report on Christmas lighting in view of the energy crisis and recommended that Christmas decorations be used but not energized. Almquist cited the cost of installing and removing last year's Christmas decorations at a total of $2,372, aud Consumed energy equivalent to the amount used by twenty two homes for a period of one month. McCannon moved to accept Almquist's recommendation and decorate without ener- gizing. On roll call, all YES. McCannon then moved that Almquist ask the JAYCEES to change their yearly contest and te present a different award. On roll call, all YES. Prickett checked with City Attorney on legal responsibility of (lit), where volunteers are 5nvol~'ed in trimming tree in Plaza and City Attorney Salter said the City would not be responsible unlc. s',~ faulty conditions or equipment were inve]vcd. Soderberll inbred thai' problem be taken up wi lh Chanlbc. r of Colnml'rce for their sufU;estions. On roll call, passed unanimous]y, _R_e u~ar Meeting EW & MISC. BUSINESS Public Hearing Zone Change No. 41 Meister Request Ashland City Council Page 7 Public llearing was opened with City Administrator Almquis~ reading a Staff report a~id showing a map of the proposed Zone Change No. 41 for development of S0 unit mobile home park. (Staff Report attached). City Administrator Almquist also read a memorandum from the Planning Commission in which recommendation was for denial for specific reasons: (see Planning Commission memo attached). Almquist said not all of the subject land is shown as high density on the compre- hensive plan, however the majority of it is so shown. In addition, he explained that a comprehensive plan is not a hard and fast guide with f~rm boundaries, such as a zoning map, but is a more general statement of the desirable usage. Soderberg asked for costs of City service and was told that such costs had not been prepared. It was pointed out that the property is contiguous to the City. Mr. C. P. Westwood, an eng{neer from the firm of Marquess & Marquess representing the Applicant, explained that they are goin~ along with all the recon~endations of the Zoning Committee. He said they plan to reserve a ditch as a greenway and that vegetation would provide screening. Westwood said it was their intention to make this a S-Star Woodall Rating park, which is the most luxurious. There will be 4,000 square feet to each unit. All coaches are to be skirted with no tongues showing and carport or cabana must match coach and owners have 30 days to comply with outlined conditions. Westwood also pointed out that there ,would be storage areas for boats, campers and other recrea- tional vehicles. He stated they would participate in paving a portion of Telman Creek Road. On Councilman Roble's question to Public Works Director Alsing as to whether the sanitary sewer would take care of the units, he was assured by Mr. Alsing that it would. Westwood also said that Ashland was below the national average in mobile homes with only 24 per 1,000 single family dwellings. Major tax dollars will not be required as a result of this park as it is to be an "adults only" park. Further, they are willing to pay sewer and water rates as required by the City. In addition the Applicant is willing to pay to bring in what- ever size water line may be necessary for service to the park Gary Thompson, also of Marquess & Marquess, discussed in detail seven areas of the City which are zoned as either R-3 or C-1 and where mobile home parks could be built if conditional use permits were issued for the particular areas. However, in each case the property was found to not be suit- able due to detailed reasons involving steep and unpaved streets, poor access, incompatibility or that the areas in- volved were not of at least S acres as required by the City's Ordinances. Dick Meister said that it will be a deluxe park with exten- sive landscaping, a restriction of age of trailers and encouragement for double wide trailers. Meister said that local people are encouraging him to provide a nice place so that they can move into a mobile home park in the Ashland area without having to move elsewhere. No other persons from the Public spoke and no persons from the Public spoke against the application. Roble and McCannon said_that people had contacted them indicating a desire that a worthwhile mobile home park would be developed in the Ashland area, so that they could move into a mobile home without baring to leave this area. McCannon said that an extensive survey which had previously been taken by the City indicated a ]arf~e percentage of persons in favor of an attractive mobile home par]<. Soder- berg asked whether the park would he restricted to adults in tbe event of transfer of the property. City Attorney Salter said that an agreeli:ent conld bc drawn up to that. effect. The Applicant indicated .that he would be willing to enter into an agreenlent ;~nd the Public flearing was closed. Regular Meeting 'eister Request Cent. Ashland City Council Page 4 Prickett asked Public Works Director Alsing what the cos* to the City would be for the extension of the water line Alsing indicated that he did not have this information, but would acquire it for him. Police Officers Bar- gaining Unit Public Works & Cemetery Employee Bargaining Also made part of the Record and attached hereto is an aerial photograph of the property and a typical unit plan showing the proposed layout of the mobile home park, both of which exhibits were used by the representatives from the firm of Marquess & Marquess. Conklin moved Staff be instructed to prepare the necessary ordinance for zone change. On roll call, Roble, Prickett, Soderberg, Conklin and McCannon voted YES. Allen abstained. City Attorney Salter indicated that the Staff would proceed with the necessary documents so that a Public Hearing can be held on the question of annexation and withdrawal of the property from the Talent Rural Fire Protection District and also, the preparation of a proposed agreement between the applicant and the City governing the use of the land as a mobile home park. City Administrator Almquist said he had received a petition of interest from Police requesting that National Union of Police Officers be their bargaining agent. He said they had reached an impasse on inclusion of two posiBions and requested that Public Employees Relations Board make deter- mination as to whether police sergeants and clerks should be included in the bargaining unit. Soderberg moved that request be approved. On roll call, all YES. City Administrator Almquist also received petition from public works and cemetery employees to hold election to determine if Laborers Internation'al Union would be Bargain- ing Agent, and Recorder has posted notice of the request. Almquist said there was disagreement on exclusion of super- visory personnel aria requested permission to Lake ~he matter to Public Employees Relations Board for determinatBn. Prickett moved for approval. On roll call, passed unan- imously. Electrical Workers Bargaining Unit Bernard J. ~ Alice E. Pradel - Liquor Lic. ORDINANCES, RESOLUTIONS and CONTRACTS Sign Ordinance City AdministratQr Almquist explained that he had received petition indicating that international Brotherhood of Electrical Workers Local 6S9, Medford, be bargaining unit for electrical workers and that notice of proposed election was posted but election date has not been set. He asked that the matter be submitted to Public Employees Relations Board concerning certain supervisory positions for their determination. Prickett moved for approval of request. On roll call, passed unanimously. City Recorder Butler said he had request for renewal of Class R-A Liquor License snbmitted by Bernard J. & Alice E. Pradel for Chateaulin Resturaunt. On Roble's question, Chief [lays recommended approval. Conklin moved that request be granted. On roll call, all YES. City Attorney Salter reviewed and explained his recommend- ations relative to the proposed sign ordinance in order to make the ordinance more clear and acceptable, (see attached). Soderberg moved that second reading be continued and that Staff be directed to bring back a clean copy so that each question can he gone through. City Attorney Salter said that the ordinanc6 would have to go hack to first reading because of material changes but that if public notice were posted at least seven days prior to the next Council meet- ing of November 6th, the ordinance would not have to be read again. Sodcrberg wi thdrew her motion. Prickeli moved that City Attorney's recommendations be accepted and incorp- orated into the orjgina] draft of the ordinance. There Re~!ul~r Meeting Sin Ord. cent. Ashlaad City CounciJ , ~ ,~u .~__ being no second, Soderberg moved to accept suggested changes on Page 1. On roll call, passed unanimously. Sealerberg moved to accept changes on Page 2 of the memo with the exception of the last paragraph on the page. Bashaw, attorney for Ashland Business Council agreed with the change. On roll call, all YES. Soderberg said that in Item 8 of Prohibited S~gns on Page S of fourth draft of Sign Ordinance (see attached) there should be control in degree of brilliance on neon and exposed light bulbs b.ecause of traffic hazard and moved that danger factor of iliumin- ation be built into the ordinance. On roll call, Allen, Roble, Conklin, Prickerr and McCannon voted NO. Sealerberg voted YES. Conklin moved to accept Salter's suggestions on Page two and three of the memo to the end of first sentence, Prick- ett seconded the motion. Soderberg moved to amend motion that on Page two referring to Section S, Prohibited Signs, Item 8 be left in the ordinance to read "no exposed incand- escent bulb shall be permitted unless same is shielded so that the beam of light falls directly upon the sign." On roll call, Allen, Soderberg, McCannon and Prickerr voted YES. Conklan and Roble voted against the amendment. Prickerr moved to amend amended motion to allow Item 5 of Section S (No three-dimensional statue, caricature etc.) to remain in ordinance. On roll call, Allen, Soderberg, Roble, McCannon and Prickerr voted YES. Conklin voted against the amendment. David Davis of 880 Oak Street compared visual appearance signs to noise being forced upon neighborhoods and sup- ported the proposed sign ordinance for an~ esthetic control. Mr. Fred Taylor speaking on behalf of the Motel Association said that in the motel business neon signs are necessary and hoped ~he ordinan~ could be worked cut so that "we get along with it". Mrs. Barbara D~erker of ~]8 Lit Way,. said neon signs are out of character in the City of Ashland. Conklin's motion as twice amended passed unanimously on roll call vote. Prickerr moved to accept recommendation of City Attorney of five year period of abatement on billboards, recommendation on $200 value and two years and on suggested removal of portion of Section "e". Allen amended motion to delete all of Section "e". On roll call, Soderberg, Prickett and McCannon voted NO; Roble, Allen and Conklin voted YES. The amended motion failed to pass because of the tie vote in the absence of the Mayor. On original motion, passed unanimously on roll call vote. Pr~ckett moved to accept City Attorney Salter's recommend- ation relative to 13b of the ordinance as written on Page 4 of Salter's memo. On roll call, Soderberg, Allen, Roble, McCannon and Prickett voted YES. Conklin voted NO. Prick- ett moved to accept Salter's reco~mnendation on Page 4 of memo relative to Subsections "c" and "d". Soderberg said that in her opinion, rotating signs are nuisances. On roll call, all YES. Chairman Roble requested that new ordinance be presented at the next meeting. Robert Votes, on behalf of the Ashland Business Counc~i 1 thanked the Council for their work relative to the sign ordinance. Regular ,Meeting I ion Classific- ation Ordinance Load Limit Ordinance PUD Ordinance Lease Agreement on 1S00 GPM Pumpor Ashland City Council Page City Administrator Almquist gave second reading by title only on position classificafion. Conklin moved to adopt. John Bowman, 2801 Greensprings ttighway, of the Police Dept., objected to changing classification at this time because the police clerks would lose benefits they currently enjoy and cited a $i0,000 life insurance policy. Bowman asked that Public Employees Relations Board be allowed to make decision. City Administrator Almquist said he was aware of $10,000 "on the job" life insurance for police officers but was un- award that clerks were covered also. ida White, police clerk of 341 Tudor Street explained that if they are classified as stright clerical ~hey would lose benefits and said that the clerical work in the Police Department is more hazardous than typical clerical work in City Hall. On roll call vote on adoption of ordinance, all YES. Soderberg said she is in favor of consideratiou of special insurance because of the possibility of danger. Soderberg moved that Staff invest- igate insurance on reclassified personnel. On roll call, passed unanimously. Chairman Roble suggested an exception for emergency vehicles in proposed ordinance. City Administrator Almquist gave first reading of an Ordinance providing for a maximum load limit on certain streets in the City of Ashland, except emergency vehicles, providing for penalties and declaring an emergency. McCannon moved to second reading. On roll call vote, Soderberg, Allen, Roble, McCannon and Prickett voted YES. Conklin abstained. City Administrator Almquist gave first reading of PUD ordin- ance. Ordinance having been read in full earlier, only the changes were read. Prickett moved to second reading. On roll call, passed unanimously. City Administrator Almquist explained Lease-Rental Agreement on IS00 GPM i~umper with We~t~'~ Stat~s Fire Appar- atus Inc. On roll call, passed unanimously. Meeting adjourned at 11:40 p.m. Mayor