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HomeMy WebLinkAbout1969-0304 REG MINMINUTES FOR REGULAR MEETING ASHLAND CITY COUNCIL March 4, 1969 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 at 7:30 P.M. All Councilmen were present. APPROVAL OF MINUTES: It was moved by Haines, seconded by O'Harra that the minutes of the last regular meeting of February 18, 1969, and the adjourned meetings of February 20 and 27, 1969, be accepted and placed on file. On roll call, carried unanimously. STANDING COMMITTEE REPORTS: a. Finance & Property Committee - No report Streets & Traffic Committee - Chairman Jones read report of Streets & Traffic Committee recommending approval of ordinance levying special benefit assessments for curb, gutter and paving, Street improvement District #34. The report also included Jones'personal recommendation that the City revise its present policy of averaging street improvement costs to provide for a street-by-street or individual petition charge to property owners. After some discussion, it was moved by Haines, seconded by O'Harra that the Streets & Traffic Committee Report and Councilman Jones' recommendations, which were included with the report, be accepted and placed on file. On roll call, carried unani- mously. After some discussion, it w~s moved by Haines, seconded by Roberts that City Attorney Skerry be authorized to file street assessment notices, setting March 25, 1969, as the deadline for receiving protests against the assessment. On roll call, carried 5-1, with Cottle dis- senting. c. Public Service Committee - No report SPECIAL COMMITTEE REPORTS: Councilman O'Harra indicated that he had attended the last regular meeting of the Hospital Board. He gave a brief summary of the meeting. Council Minutes -2- March 4, 1969 COMMUNICATIONS: 1. City Administrator Boshears read l~tter from Rathy Houck, Chairman, Ashland Citizens Housing Group, introducing the group to the Council. Kathy Houck; Rick Levine, VISTA volun- teer; and Margaret Fitzgerald, Community Action Center, were present at the meeting. Rick Levine gave a brief presentation outlining the group's goals and activities. He indicated that the group is planning two trips in the near future--one to Salem to view the redevelopment project, and the other to the Springfield and Eugene area to view old age and lease housing. He extended an invitation to the Councilmen to accompany the group on these trips. 2. City Administrator Boshears read letter from Donald E. Lewis, Dean of Administration, requesting that an appropriate committee be formed that would make it possible for discussion to begin on the problem of enclosing Palm Avenue between Ashland Street and Siskiyou Boulevard and Wisconsin Street in connection with future college construction plans. City Administrator Boshears pointed out that he and the Director of Public Works had been meeting with college administration regarding the problem of traffic in the college area. He further stated that the staff is quite concerned about solutions for (1) handling campus cars with an adequate street system from the Boulevard into the parking areas;(2) adequate arterial system for non-college people to get to town. City Administrator Boshears pointed out that the staff feels that since the college is creating the above problems, they should be primarily responsible for the funding of solutions. After some discussion, it was moved by Haines, seconded by Willstatter that Mr. Lewis be informed that the Council feels that Southern Oregon College must provide off-street parking in conformance with City Ordinance and no street alter- ations will be considered until the college has made necessary arrangements to pay for changes. City Administrator Boshears indicated that the State Highway bepartment is concerned about street closures around the college because of the creation of access problems onto the Boulevard. After considerable discussion regarding the Council's position on the matter of college funding of street alterations, Haines reworded his motion to read that staff be ~cd to work out the general philosophy of the Council's feelings in a resolution for submission to the Council. Seconded by Willstatter. On roll call, carried unanimously. The Council then voted to amend Haines' original motion. On roll c&~l, carried unanimously. Council Minutes -3- March 4 , 1969 SPECIAL AGENDA ITEMS: Unfinished Business: i. Adopt specifications and call for bids--Hospital 1969 Station Wagon. Following brief discussion, it was moved by Roberts, seconded by Haines that the City Administrator be authorized to adopt specifications and call for bids on the vehicle. On roll call, carried unanimously. 2. Council's response to Charter Revision Committee recommen- dations - Following some discussion, it was moved by Haines, seconded by O'Harra that the response to the Charter Revision Committee recommendations as prepared by Mayor McKeen be approved. On roll call, carried 5-1, with Jones dissenting. At this time, Mayor McKeen made the following appointments: Robert Bennett to replace Archie Fries on Parks & Recreation Cori~nission. Friendship City Committee (provide cultural exchange with Guanajuato, Mexico) Carol Anderson Father Brennen Bold Ellis Dave FOrtmiller Giadys Gardner Mildred Klum Marvin Kocks Bill Patton Jean Phelps Donal Rounds Bill Sammons Leo van Dijk Grace Tapp There was some discussion regarding Mr. Bennett's current m~mbership in County Parks & Recreation Commission. It was decided that his appointment be deferred pending investigation. ~ was moved by Haines, seconded by O'Harra that the appointments co the Friendship City Committee be confirmed. On roll call, carried unanimously. At this time, City Administrator Boshears indicated that a petition had been received from property owners on Beswick Way requesting curb, gutter and paving. Public Works Director Alsing indicated that 80 percent of the front footage property owners are in favor of this action. After brief discussion, it was moved by Haines, seconded by Willstatter that City Attorney Skerry be authorized to prepare an ordinance setting a public hearing on the matter. On roll call, carried unanimously. City Administrator Peshears read memorandum dated March 4, 1969, from City S~aff to the City Council regarding sign ordinance change proposed by Councilman Haines. The memo indicated that the change proposed by Haines would eliminate the words "com- bustible" and "surface or facing of either combustible" in Section 33--Projecting Signs. The effect of the change would Council Minutes -4- M~rch 4, 1969 be to eliminate wood signs from being used in Ashland. City Administrator Boshears explained the .s.taff's feeling that the proposed rewording would change the philosophy of"the ordinance rcgarding the use of wood. It would also require the changing of several sections of the ordinance. /~fter some discussion, it was moved by Cottle, seconded by O'Harra that the matter be referred to the Ashland Planning Commission for comments and then back to the Council for action. On roll call, carried unanimously. City Administrator Boshears called to the Councirs attention Ciuy Administrator's Report 1-69 and Financial Report of Januasy 31, 1969. City Administrator Boshears presented a resolution transferring appropriations within a fund. The transfers involved Xerox rental fee and purchase of desk for Municipal Court Clerk. It was moved by Cottle, seconded by Haines that rules be sus- pended and resolution passed to second reading by title only. On roll ca!l, carried 5-1, with O'Harra dissenting. Following second reading by title only, it was moved by Cottle, seconded by Ilaines that resolution be adopted. On roll call, carried 5-1, with O'Harra dissenting. · time, City Administrator Boshears introduced Mr. Denny fr m . ~'~oore o the League of Oregon Cities staff. Mr Moore explained uhau he is making a tour of various cities in the area. The ]~uLcpose of the field consultation program is to serve as a liaison behween the cities and the League of Oregon Cities offices. ~,~r. John Reid addressed the Council on the matter of his assign- ment of the Oak Knoll Golf Course lease. He indicated that his prospective buyers are still very interested in the golf course facility, but they are in no position to solve the immediate oroblem. Mr. Reid requested assurance that if he paid the taxes Ly Monday, MarCh 11, 1969, he would be assigned the lease. He pointed out that he would probably pay the taxes regardless of the Council's decision in order to protect his wife's interest; however, the lease would then be in good standing under the present operator, William Dawkins. Following some discussion, Mayor McKeen scheduled a adjourned ~ession to further study the matter on Thursday, March 6, 1969, at 1 P.M. March 11, 1969, at 1 P.M. was scheduled for a preliminary study session of the budget. There being no further business, the meeting was adjourned subject to the call of the Mayor. tcr City Recorder