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HomeMy WebLinkAbout1972-0404 REG MINMINUTES OF THE REGULAR MEETING ASHLAND CITY COUNCIL APRIL 4, 1972 I. ROLL CALL: The regular meeting of the Ashland City Council was called to order at 7:30 p.m. in the Council Chambers, Ashland City Hall, by Mayor Charles McKeen. On roll call, Willstatter was absent; all others present. II. APPROVAL OF MINUTES: Conklin moved that the minutes of the regular meeting of March 21, 1972 be accepted and placed on file; Roberts seconded; on voice vote, passed unanimously. III. STANDING COB~ITTEE REPORTS: A. Public Service Committee: McCannen presented consideration of a possible public hearing to review complaints by patrons of the Ashland Cab Company. Conklin moved to disregard the complaints and allow the business to continue its present operation; Roble seconded for discussion. Roberts felt the complaints should be dealt with on an individual basis, and that there was nothing to gain by calling a public hearing. Soderberg thought the City should take a look at the license or franchise under which the company is operating and perhaps generate an alternate service. Further discussion ensued. City Administrator Almquist noted the company was operating not under a franchise but a perpetual business license which could be revoked. On roll call, passed with Soderberg dissenting. At this time, Roble questioned what action had been taken on the resolution presented by Mr. Akins for a study on police facilities. Almquist stated that the feasibility study being conducted by the local Law Enforcement Agency for a law enforcement center for Ashland would be available later in April, and felt it would be well to have this in hand before proceeding with formation of the suggested committee. Streets & Traffic Committee: 1. Soderberg reported that the proposed cost for the City on the TOPICS project on Siskiyou Boulevard between Wightman and Walker Avenues was greater than the City's ability to pay, and it was recommended to wait the three months until the new fiscal year to see what funding was available. Soderberg moved that the request from Wm. Sammons, 935 Siskiyou · to replace parking prohibitions on the westerly side of Mountain Avenue between Siskiyou & Iowa with 2-hour parking limitations be denied. It was felt that the volume of traffic and narrow street warranted theparking prohibitions. Conklin seconded; on voice vote, passed unanimously. Soderberg stated that a request had been received from a lady for street improvements at City cost in the Patterson-Phelps tract, approved in 1947. Director of Public Works Alsing noted -1- R~ r Meeting Ashland City Council April 4, III. IV. 3. (continued) that this was an old tract apparently overlooked in planning street improvements, but felt this would have been at cost to the developers (who could regain the expense in sale streets had not be ~ opened. Soderberg moved the City decline e the request; McCannon se'conded; on voice vote, passed unanimously. 4. Soderberg said there had been a problem with bicycles travelling on Siskiyou Boulevard, and was hazardous to both cars and the bicycle riders. Kathy Newcomb of the Leagv~ o~ Womcn Votcrs had taken a survey of residents on Siskiyou, the majority of whom did not object to the use of sidewalks. Soderberg stated that ramps would be created at intersections, and noted that additional funds might be available from the State. Soderberg then moved that the staff be instructed to prepare cost estimates and an application requesting 100% State funding for proposed bike paths from Pioneer to Indiana Streets along Siskiyou Blvd.; Conklin seconded; on voice vote, passed unanimously. 5. The City Administrator read a letter from the co-chairmen of the Friendship Committee; Soderberg moved that the Council honor their request and name the roadway through the Lithia Park Extension project "Guanajuato Way"; Roberts seconded; on roll call, passed unanimously. 6. It was recommended that the City request the County to designate Oak Street from the City limits to Eagle Mill Road as a secondary highway. (Soderberg noted there would be County funds available for street improvements. Also, should connecting routes become available from a third freeway interchange, other monies would be available.) She so moved that a letter be sent to the County making such a request; Conklin seconded; on voice vote, passed unanimously. 7. Soderberg moved that the City Council initiate improvement district proceedings on unpaved streets in areas where there is a public need to connect existing paved streets; Conklin seconded. It was noted that this would upgrade the City street system. Soderberg pointed out that, if 5~% of the front footage owners protested, the street would not be improved. On roll call, passed unanimously. COMMUNICATIONS: Oral from the Audience Concerning Business Not Included on the Agenda Dr. Marvin Kocks of the Friendship Committee thanked the Council for their action in naming "Guanajuato Way" as a gesture of friendship. Mr. Frank Davis of 67 Scenic Drive, former Cemetery Superintendent, gave some background information regarding budgeting and purchase of the Homes avenue property. Mr. Davis felt that, if the property were to be sold and put back on the tax rolls, the monies should go to the Cemetery Trust Fund. The Mayor thanked Mr. Davis for his comments, and Roberrs assured Mr. Davis that it was not the intent of the Council to be arbitrary in the matter and would give his comments consideration. -2- R~ _at Meeting Ashland City Council April 4, 1~ VI. COMMUNICATIONS: 1. Written Conklin moved that the minutes of the Economic Development Committee meeting of March 8, 1972 be accepted and placed on file; McCannon seconded; on voice vote, passed unanimously. Roble moved that a letter from Letha M. Bolser, 125 Lincoln, protesting the calling of a public hearing on the Ashland Cab Company be accepted and placed on file; Conklin seconded; on voice vote, passed unanimously. SPECIAL AGENDA ITEMS: A. Unfinished Business: None B. New & Miscellaneous Business: 1. Conklin moved that the first hearing of the Budget Committee be set for April 17, 1972 at 2:00 p.m. and that the staff be instructed to publish the required notices. Soderberg seconded; on voice vote, passed unanimously. 2. City Administrator Almquist presented background information and read a letter from Gilbert Reno requesting annexation of property situated at the northeast corner of Tolman Creek Road and Highway 66. He then presented plans submitted to the Council. Conklin stated he was only interested in the current plans for development, and did not want to annex property for which there were no definite plans. Mr. Reno pointed out this would result in a checkerboard affair. McCannon stated that the reason for hesitation by the Council to simply annex the total area was that the property would be annexed after being developed and therefore provide a greater tax base for the City. Roberts moved that the matter be referred to the Planning Commission, following the same guidelines established in the prior motel annexation; Soderberg seconded; on voice vote, passed unanimously. 3. The City Administrator read a letter of appeal from a decision of the Chief Building Inspector and City Administrator, requesting the removal of the figure of Colonel Sanders from the roof of Kentucky Fried Chicken at 1634 Ashland Street. Almquist then presented photos to the Council and read the definition of a sign. Richard Cottie, attorney for the appeal, argued that there should be a duly constituted Sign Review Board to review such things rather than delegated persons. Some discussion ensued. Conklin moved that the appeal be denied; McCannon seconded, stating he felt it was out of place. When the Mayor suggested this could be referred to another time, Cottie stated his client would be pleased to take down the figure in compliance with the Council's ruling, but th&ma~ter pointed out the need for a Sign review Board. On roll call~ passed unanimously to deny the appeal. -3- Car Meeting Ashland City Council April 4, 19 VI. B. 4. Conklin moved that the Council accept a report from the Planning Commission concerning the adoption of revised parking and loading standards and set a public hearing before the Council for April 18, 1972 at 8:00 p.m.; McCannon seconded; on roll call, passed unanimously. 5. Conklin moved that the report from the Planning Commission concerning the adoption of site development review procedures be sent back to the Planning Commission for further study, since he felt it was too restrictive. Roble seconded for discussion. McCannon and Soderberg noted that a public hearing would bring out any objections and thus provide guidelines for any changes by the Planning Commission. The motion and second were withdrawn. McCannon then moved that the report be accepted and a public hearing set for May 2, 1972 at 8:00 p.m.; Conklin seconded. Almquist noted that, since there might be considerable discussion for both this and the above ordinance, separate hearings should be held. On roll call, passed unanimously. 6. The Mayor appointed the City Administrator to the League of Oregon Cities 'Human Resources Advisory Committee'. Almquist then read a letter with background information. McCannon moved the appointment be approved, stating it was a compliment to the Administrator and the City; Soderberg seconded; on voice vote, passed unanimously. 7. City Administrator Almquist recommended that Tax Lot 800, 391E16AA on Glenwood Drive be acquired by the City of Ashland. He noted that the City could not force payment of street improvement assessments by the County, and recommended they be written off as a loss after sale of the property. McCannon moved that the recommendation be accepted and that the City purchase the property; Conklin seconded. On roll call, passed unanimously. Roberts then moved that the City Administrator be authorized to advertise the property and receive sealed bids for the sale of same; Soderberg seconded; on voice vote passed unanimously. Ordinances, Resolutions & Contracts: 1. Almquist gave the first reading of an Ordinance creating a Planning Commission, establishingsub-committees, providing for the appointment of members, fixing their term of office, establishing powers and duties of the commission and its sub- committees, and repealing Ordinances No. 1051, 1237, 1532 and all other ordinances in conflict herewith. McCannon moved to pass to a second reading; Conklin seconded. Soderberg confirmed that the entire Planning Commission would serve as the local Urban Renewal Agency; on roll call, passed unanimously. 2. The City Administrator read a resolution urging the retention of the Bureau of Governmental Research and Services at the University of Oregon. Soderberg moved to pass to a second -4- L .ar Meeting Ashland City Council April 4, VI. C. 2. (continued) reading by title only, under suspension of the rules; Conklin seconded; on roll call, passed unanimously. Almquist read by title; Conklin moved for adoption; McCannon seconded; on roll call, passed unanimously. 3. The City Administrator read a resolution supporting the Intergovernmental Fiscal Cooperation Act of 1971 (H.R. 11950) providing for general revenue sharing and urging its adoption. He then gave some detailed information on Ashland's share and methods of distribution. Some discussion ensued regarding details of the proposed bill, with some members of the Council objecting to supporting same without knowledge of any possible obligations. Almquist pointed out that the resolution simply supported the concept of general revenue sharing. The Council made changes in the resolution, deleting specific reference to tt.R. 11950 and its adoption. Almquist read the revised resolution; McCannon moved to pass to a second reading only under suspension of the rules. Soderberg seconded; on roll call, passed with Roberts dissenting (he felt it was more trouble than it was worth). Almquist read by title; Soderberg moved for adoption; Conklin seconded; on ro~ call, unanimoubJ 4. The City Administrator read a proposed agreement between McGrew Brothers Sawmill and the City of Ashland for furnishing additional electrical distribution facilities from a single delivery and metering point and gave background information. Conklin moved that the Mayor and Recorder be authorized to sign the agreement; Soderberg seconded; on roll call, unanimous. 5. Almquist read a proposed agreement between the City of Ashland and Crater National Bank for establishment of a Branch Utility Payment station. McCannon moved that the Mayor and Recorder be authorized to sign the agreement; Soderberg seconded; on roll call, passed unanimously. The City Administrator presented a request from Jackson County for temporary use of the Lithia Mill property in conjunction with National Guard junk auto disposal program; Conklin moved that the County be allowed this temporary use; Roberts seconded. Soderberg felt they should be commended for this effort; on voice vote, passed unanimously. /nck Conklin moved f0r;adjournme~t; business, the of the Mayor. Roble seconded. There being no further meeting was adjourned at 9:45 p.m., subject to the call Respectfully submitted, ~iJoseph M. Butler City Recorder