Loading...
HomeMy WebLinkAbout1969-0520 REG MINMINUTES FOR REGULAR MEETING ASHLAND CITY COUNCIL MAY 20, 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: City Administrator pointed out that a correction in the minutes should be made on page 3 under Ordinances, Resolutions & Contracts, Item 1. "Councilman Roberts requested that the Park Commission come back to the Council with a general plan showing locations of various areas which are to be sub-leased" should be included. It was moved by Roberts, seconded by Haines that the minutes of the May 6, 1969, Council meeting be accepted as corrected and placed on file. Motion carried unanimously. DEPARTMENTAL REPORTS: Councilman Haines pointed out a correction to be made in the Electric Department monthly report on page 3. Busch Motors should be changed to read Jim Busch Ford Sales. It was moved by Hianes, seconded by Willstatter that the departmental reports for the month of April be accepted as corrected and placed on file. Motion carried unanimously. STANDING COMMITTEE REPORTS: a. Finance & Property Committee - no report b. Streets & Traffic Committee - no report c. Public Service Committee - no report SPECIAL COMMITTEE REPORTS: Special report from the Development Commission delayed--to be presented later in meeting. COMMUNICATIONS: 1. City Administrator Boshears indicated staff had received two letters from the Ashland JayCees--one requesting a permit for a series of teenage dances; the other giving the proposed schedule for the dances. Item deferred until later in meeting pending arrival of Mr. Harry Hanson. Council Minutes May 20, 1969 Page Two 2. Planning Commission Minutes Of May 12, 1969 - City Administrator Boshears brought to Council's attention a recommendation from the Planning Commission to Council that a change be made in the appeals procedure of the Sign Ordinance: "Following the denial of a sign permit, the Planning Commission would review it only if the petitioner requested it." It was moved by Haines, seconded by O'Harra that Council direct the City Attorney to meet with the Planning Commission to draw up a proposed amendment to the Sign Ordinance to carry out recommendations of the Planning Commission. On roll call, carried unanimously. It was moved by Haines, seconded by O'Harra that the Planning Com- mission minutes of the May 12, 1969, meeting be accepted and placed on file. Moticln carried unanimously. At this time, Dr. E. C. McGill proposed to the Council that the Committee of 50 be reactivated for the purpose of providing a channel of communication with the public and providing means by which the Committee can report to the civic and community organizations as to future and current plans regarding City development, etc. Mayor McKeen voiced his complete agreement with the request. He indicated that he would present a list of committee members to be appointed at the next Council meeting on June 3, 1969. City Administrator Boshears pointed out that there are a few new community organizations which should be represented on the Committee of 50. SPECIAL AGENDA ITEMS: b. New & Miscellaneous Business: 1. Petition for curb, gutter and paving of Mary Jane Avenue--165 feet connecting with Mohawk Street - City Administrator Boshears pointed out that there are only two property owners involved. He indicated that this section of Mary Jane, if paved, would provide continuous paving from Mohawk Street on to Mary Jane, extending to Siskiyou Boulevard. The paving of Mohawk is scheduled for the 1969 paving season. He also said that it is staff's recommendation that the small section of curb, gutter and paving be included with the Mohawk Street paving this summer and that the property be assessed on the same basis as Mohawk Street. It was moved by Haines, seconded by Jones that the Council accept the petition~ and direct the City Attorney to prepare an ordinance setting a public hearing on the matter. On roll call, carried unanimously. c. Ordinances, Resolutions & Contracts: i. Ordinance certifying detiquent benefit assessments to County Assessor for collection - City Attorney Skerry read ordinance certifying to the County Assessor of Jackson County deliquent benefit assessments for collection in the amount of $2,219.70 affecting six separate parcels of property. It was moved by Cottle, seconded by O'Harra that the rules be suspended and ordinance passed Council Minutes May 20, 1969 Page Three to second reading by title only. On roll call, carried unanimously. Following second reading by title only, it was moved by Cottle, seconded by O'Harra that Ordinance No. 1604 be adopted. On roll call, carried unanimously. 2. Ordinance calling special election June tl, 1969 - City Attorney read ordinance calling for the special election on June 11 and setting ballot measure asking the people to authorize the City to exceed the 6 percent limitation on a tax levy by $171,484 in order to provide for continued operation of the General Fund. City Administrator Boshears pointed out that this is the recommendation of the Citizens Budget Committee. It was moved by O'Harra, seconded by Cottle that the rules be suspended and ordinance passed to second reading by title only. At this time, there was some discussion regarding the location of the polling places in Precinct No. 2. It was pointed out that these locations are designated by the County. Councilman Jones asked how much the special election will cost. The City Recorder indicated it would cost between $400 and $500. On roll call, 3-3 with Haines, Jones and Willstatter dissenting. Motion carried when Mayor McKeen voted in favor of motion. Following second reading by title only, it was moved by O'Harra, seconded by Cottle that Ordinance No. 1605 be adopted. Following some discussion, on roll call 3-3, with Haines, Jones and Willstatter dissenting. Motion carried when Mayor McKeen voted in favor of motion. SPECIAL COMMITTEE REPORTS: (continued) Development Coordinator Soderberg indicated there were two items referred to the Council from the Development Commission: (1) The Schoppert property has been offered on option for $80,000 in connection with the EDA project. Coordinator Soderberg pointed out that the money involved represents money strictly from EDA and the Shakespeare Festival. (2) Recommendation to the City Council to acquire Selby property currently under ownership of Lloyd Selby. The property is located on the corner of Granite Street and North Main Street. He indicated this property would be used for off-street parking--S13,000 is presently available for off-street purposes in the Parking Meter Fund. Following some discussion, it was moved by Jones, seconded by Roberts that the matter of the Selby property be referred to the Finance & Property Committee for study. On roll call, carried unanimously. Councilman Cottle, Chairman of the Finance & Property Committee, scheduled May 22, 1969, at 1:30 P.M. for a meeting of the Committee. Council Minutes May 20, 1969 Page Four Following some discussion regarding the Schoppert option, it was moved by Haines, seconded by Roberrs that the option be exercised. On roll call, carried unanimously. At this time, City Administrator Boshears called to the Council's attention the Finance Report for March 1969. The City Administrator brought to the Council's attention two letters included in the agendas--one from Mr. Robert McCoy and the other from Mr. Robert Jeter concerning the City's budget and the special election on April 30,1969. Cottle indicated that since these letters had already been published in the newspapers, he would move that they be accepted and placed on file. Motion seconded by Haines, On roll call, carried unanimously. At this time, City Administrator Boshears congratulated Mr. Allen A. Alsing, Director of Public Works and current Chairman of the Jackson County Association for Retarded Children for his efforts in hosting the state-wide convention for the organization. It was moved by Haines, seconded by Cottle that the Mayor be directed to write a letter of commendation to Mr. Alsing for this purpose. Motion carried unanimously. It was moved by Haines that the Mayor be directed to appoint a Councilman who with a member from the Ashland Public Library Board, be directed to meet with the County Court of Jackson County on such committees as that County Court shall establish to prepare plans to give the Ashland Public Library to Jackson County to be operated as a branch of the Jackson County Library. Motion seconded by Jones. Following considerable discussion, O'Harra moved to amend motion that the Library Board be the Council's representative to such committees to bring back its recommendations to the Council for consideration. Motion seconded by Roberts. On roll call on motion to amend, carried unanimously. Vote on amended motion that the Library Board be the Council's representative to attend such committees as the County Court shall establish to bring back its recommendations to the Council for consideration carried 5-1, with Roberts dissenting. COMMUNICATIONS: (continued) 1. Matter of Ashland JayCees' request for a permit to hold a series of teenage dances was continued at this time. Chief Hays indicated he had not yet had an opportunity to investigate the particular musical groups to be involved in the program. It was moved by O'Harra, seconded by Willstatter that Chief Hays make investigations and if he feels that everything is satisfactory, that Council give authority for the JayCees to hold the first scheduled dance (motion included waiver of bond). On roll call, carried unanimously. Council Minutes May 20, 1969 Page Five City Attorney Skerry presented a contract with the City of Ashland and Southern Oregon College providing for use of the college swimming pool in connection with the City's recreation program. The total charge is $1,500 or $50 per day for a six- week period. Following brief discussion, it was moved by Roberts, seconded by O'Harra that authorization be given for execution of the contract. On roll call, carried 5-1, with Willstatter passing. City Attorney brought up the matter of a petition regarding the abolishment of the Ashland Development Commission and the office of Development Coordinator. He indicated he had also received a letter from Attorney Gerald Scannel, who is representing the petitioners. The letter indicated that a special election is to be called for August 1, 1969, in order to give the voters an opportunity to decide whether or not they want a Development Commission, etc. Following reading of the ordinance by City Attorney Skerry, he indicated that he did not understand, if passed, what the legal ramifications are in the ordinance. He expressed concern that the ordinance would be confusing to the voters. Mr. Scannel spoke for a few minutes regarding the ordinance. He indicated he feels the people have a right to vote on the matter of money being spent for downtown redevelopment purposes. The Mayor pointed out that the Council must approve all expenditures in connection with the development projects. Considerable discussion followed regarding whether or not the ordinance would be clearly presented to the public. It was then moved by Cottle, seconded by O'Harra that the meeting be adjourned. On roll call, carried unanimously. There being no further business, the meeting was adjourned subject to the call of the Mayor. City Recorder 1cr