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HomeMy WebLinkAbout1970-0217 REG MINMINUTES FOR REGULAR MEETING ASHLAND CITY COUNCIL FEBRUARY 17, 1970 The regular meeting of the City Council was held in the Council Chambers of the City Hall on the above date. The meeting was called to order by Mayor McKeen. All Councilmen were present. APPROVAL OF MINUTES: Councilman Willstatter requested that the minutes of February 3, 1970, be corrected as follows: Page 2, second paragraph, the sentence,"At this point, Mr. Willstatter voiced his objection to Mr. Lewis serving on the Citizens Budget Committee" should be corrected to read,"At this point, Mr. Willstatter voiced his objection to anyone in an administrative capacity serving in a negotiating position~ (from SOC) on the Citizens Budget Committee." It was moved by Haines~ secoDded by Willstatter that the minutes of February 3, 1970, be approved as corrected. Motion carried unanimously. DEPARTMENTAL REPORTS FOR THE MONTH OF JANUARY It was moved by Haines, seconded by Jones that the Departmental Reports for the month of January be accepted and placed on file. Motion carried unanimously. STANDING COM~IITTEE REPORTS: a. Finance & Property Committee - Chairman Bailer indicated the committee will be reporting on annexations and City Recorder's report on indebtedness at the next meeting. b. Public Service Committee - No report c. Streets & Traffic Committee - No report SPECIAL COMMITTEE REPORTS: 1. Charter Revision Committee - Chairman Audrey Hawk indicated copies of the revised, compiled and amended Charter we~ distri- buted to Council for study. She requested that, following approval by the Council, a ballot title be declared and the Charter then placed to the vote of the electors of the City of Ashland at the May Primary Election on May 26, 1970. Following some discussion~ it was the Council's decision to meet in a study session with members of the Charter Revision Committee and City staff to study the amended Charter. The date decided upon was Tuesday, February 24, 1970, at 2 p.m. There was some discussion regarding election of councilmen by position and at large. ~ouncil Minutes February 17, 1970 Page 2 2. Ashland Development Commission - Coordinator Soderberg pointed out that the Council requested at a prior meeting that it be given some advance notice for need of financing under the warrant system for project activities; he indicated that by the first of March, the City will be in a position requiring Council authorization to proceed under the warrant system until Payment No. 2 is received from the Economic Development Administration. It is anticipated that receipt of Payment No. 2 will be around June 1, 1970. Brief discussion followed. SPECIAL AGENDA ITEMS: Unfinished Business: 1. 8:00 P.M. PUBLIC HEARING: Vacation of Wisconsin Street and connecting alley - Public Works Director Alsing provided some background information on the matter. He pointed out the college has secured funds to. proceed with the widening of Mountain Avenue and has employed an engineering firm to do the design work. ConStruction will begin as soon as the spring term is over and will be completed this summer. The college has provided design of the bypass road and has requested funding of this road in the next biennium of the state legislature. At this time, City Attorney Skerry read ordinance vacating portion of Wisconsin and certain alley connecting to said street. Haines asked why this particular v~cation was necessary. Mr. Don Lewis, Dean of Administration, SOC, pointed out the new Music Building would be built in April; it is designed to'lie across Wisconsin Street and will rest on the back portion of the Swedenburg property. Haines expressed concern about a fire accessroad if Wisconsin were vacated. Mr. Lewis explained that the plans had been thoroughly reviewed by City staff and the Fire · Marshal and it has been determined that there would be adequate access to the area. He indicated Palm Street would remain open until next fall. Haines indicated he was dubious about committing the Council without knowing what the college's long-range plans for development are. Mr. Lewis pointed out that they had previously discussed SOC's long-range plans with Council. Dr. James Sours, President, SOC, explained that he was oresent at the particular meeting when SOC's development plans w~re discussed with Council. · Mr. Lewis indicated he had a news clipping regarding the October 8, 1969, meeting of the Council during which a report of the Streets & Traffic Committee was accepted by Council. That particular report contained six points, among which the closure of Wisconsin Street and related alley was included. it was moved by Bailer, seconded by Roberts that the rules be suspended and ordinance passed to second reading by title only. Willstatter ihdica·ted he would like to have more information on the matter before voting. City Administrator Boshears pointed out that Council had instrudted staff to negotiate with the college to try to work out some reasonable right-of-way for this access road. He had not understood that council wished to be involve~ in this detailed work. Considerable discussion followed. Council Minutes February 17, 1970 Page 3 Mr. Tommy Parker, 1067 Ashland Street, pointed out that Wisconsin Street has been used primarily as an alleyway to get to the two homes located along that street. Therefore, he could see no logical reason for the Council's delay on taking action on this matter. Mr. Leigh Johnson indicated that the street is of no particular use presently and it would be a "sl~p in the face" to the Fire Marshal and City staff i~ Council decides to delay the project because '~t has not had an opportunity to sufficiently review the plans." Mr. Jim Lee pointed out that, if a fire did occur in the area, chances are Palm Street would be used for access. have reviewed the plans and given their approval. subject Experts Haines indicated he has received no written report from the Fire Marshal giving his approval. He, therefore, does not have the vital information necessary before making a decision. City Administrator Boshears explained that staff would be happy to review the plans with Council if they so desired; however, staff was under the impression that it was to proceed with the details and present conclusion to Council for action. Some discussion followed. Mr. B. Jeter, 473 Mountain Avenue, requested that a "slow" sign be placed on Mountain Avenue after widening so residents could safely back out of their driveways. Mr. Don Lewis pointed out that in December of 1968 he presented Council with a letter requesting closure of Wisconsin Street. At that time, the proposal met with some opposition. Consequently, officials of Southern Oregon College and the City of Ashland have been meeting on a regular basis to try to find a solution to this problem. On roll call to pass ordinance to second reading by title only, carried 4-2, with Haines dissenting and Willstatter abstaining. Following second reading by title only, it was moved by Roberrs, seconded by Bailer that Ordinance No. 1642 be adopted. On roll call, carried 5-1, with Haines dissenting. 2. 8:30 P.M. PUBLIC HEARING: Vacation of portion of Quincy Street - Public Works Director Alsing explained that in 1906 this particular street was platted and monumented as the owner intended. However, when the deed was written, it contained an error of approximately 30 feet. He reported in recent years, the property has changed hands many times and the error has been noted but never corrected. Mr. Donald Pinnock, representing Developer Neil Mann indicated that Mr. Mann is building directly across. the street but has stopped construction temporarily pending Council Minutes February 17, 1970 Page 4 'results of the vacation question. Some discussion followed. It was decided by Council that action.on the matter would be taken at an adjourned Council meeting on Thursday, February 19, 1970, at 3 p.m. Mayor McKeen declared the public hearing closed. COMMUNICATIONS: 1. City Administrator Boshears read a letter from Mr. Robert Ridinger requesting permission to build on his lot at the corner of Oak Court Subdivision. Following some discussion, Mayor McKeen referred study of the matter to the Finance & Property COmmittee. 2. Planning Commission Minutes of February 9, 1970 - City Administrator Boshears indicated that the Planning Commission unanimously recommended approval of Zone Change Application No. 023, William Kerr, 655 Tolman Creek Road. It was moved by Haines, seconded by Willstatter that a public hearing be scheduled on the matter for March 3, 1970, at 8 p.m. On roll call, carried unanimously. It was moved by Haines, seconded by Bailer that the minutes of the February 9, 1970, Planning Commission meeting be accepted and placed on file. On roll call, carried unanimously. At this time, Chairman of the Planning Commission, Jim Busch, invited the..Council tc attend the Planning Commission meetings if they so desire. 3. Development Commission Minutes of January 23, 1970, regular meeting and January 30, 1970, special meeting - It was moved by Haines, seconded by Bailer that the minutes of the January 23, 1970, regular meeting and January 30, 1970, special meeting be placed on file. On roll call, carried unanimously. SPECIAL AGENDA ITEMS: (continued) Unfinished Business: 3. Pacific Northwest Bell Telephone Company request for public boott~ locations - City Administrator Boshears indicated the requested locations are as follows: (1) corner of C Street and South Pioneer; (2) near Library on Gresham; (3) in front of old Siskiyou Electric building on East Main Street; (4) in front of corner of Fortmiller's Department Store on East Main Street. Tl~e City Administrator recommended referral of this matter to the Development Commission for study. It was moved by Bailer, seconded by Haines that the matter be referred to the Development Commission. On roll call, carried unanimously. Council Minutes February 17, 1970 Page 5 It was moved by Haines, seconded by Dodge that Council the appointment of Elmer. Biegel to th~ Citizens Budget On roll call, carried unanimously. confirm Committee. Mayor McKeen indicated he had received a letter from the Library Board stating that Mr. Mel Barron has resigned from the Board because of ill health. The new appointment is Mr. Charles Coffin. The Mayor indicated that another appointment should also be confirmed on the Budget Committee. It was moved by Haines, seconded by Willstatter that Council reject the appointment of Mr. Don Lewis on the Citizens Budget Committee. Roberts again indicated he was thoroughly opposed to this action by Council. Mayor McKeen pointed out that Mr. Lewis has served the City for many years and is responsible for many good things in this com/nunity. The City Attorney has informed Council that there would be no conflict of interest involved in the appointment. On roll call on motion to reject the appointment, carried 4-2, with Roberts dissenting and Bailer abstaining. There was some discussion regarding a meeting with Mr. Don Lewis, Police Chief Hays and City Administrator Boshears regarding City/ co~!ege policing matters. Mr. Boshears indicated no definite conclusiohs were reached. It was merely a study session. Mr. Jim Lee asked how the Police Department was going to handle the Skiesta this year since the Jackson County Sheriffs Department did not plan to assist. Police Chief Hays indicated that the City may receive some assistance from the Sheriffs Department and the college has indicated their cooperation in the organization of the Skiesta weekend. Haines asked when the proposed Sign Ordinance would be brought to Council with recomnlendations from the Ashland Development Commission and Planning Commission. City Administrator Boshears pointed out that February 17, 1970, was the deadline for receipt of recommendations from these two commissions and a combined report would be presented to Council as soon as possible. There being no further business, the meeting was adjourned subject to the call of the Mayor. City Recorder lcr¸