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HomeMy WebLinkAbout1969-0715 REG MINMINUTES FOR REGULAR MEETING ASHLAND CITY COUNCIL JULY 15, 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. All Councilmen were present. At this time, Mayor McKeen appointed Director of Public Works Allen Alsing as Acting City Administrator during the absence of Gary B6shears. APPROVAL OF MINUTES: It was moved by Haines, seconded by Roberrs that the minutes for the July 1, 1969, regular meeting of the Council be accepted and placed on file. Motion carried unanimously. Mayor McKeen read proclamation stating that a special election was held on July 14 which submitted to the voters the authorization of $110,000 beyond the constitutional 6 percent limitation; and as a result of the canvass by the Mayor and Council, the measure was rejected-- 1,186 to 781. The canvass was made from an abstract of votes prepared and certified to by the City Recorder. DEPARTMENTAL REPORTS: It was moved by Haines, seconded by Willstatter that the departmental reports for the month of June be accepted and placed on file. Motion carried unanimously. STANDING CO~ITTEE REPORTS: a. Finance & Property Committee - No report b. Streets & Traffic Committee - No report c. Public Service Committee - No report SPECIAL COMMITTEE REPORTS: None CO~,~MUN I CAT I ON S: 1. Planning Commission Minutes of July 14, 1969 It was moved by Haines, seconded by Willstatter that the minutes of the Planning Commission meeting of July 14, 1969, be accepted and placed on file. Motion carried unanimously. Minutes of the special meeting of June 23, 1969,were also accepted and placed on file. Director of Public Works Alsing pointed out that the Planning Commission considered two zone change applications. One recommended for approval Council Minutes July 15, 1969 Page Two by Council was Zone Change No. 19A, Jacobs and Bounds, 2315 Siskiyou Boulevard. Following brief discussion, it was moved by Roberts, seconded by O'Harra that the matter be referred to the Finance &'Property Committee for study. At this time, it was pointed out that a public hearing date should be scheduled for the matter. Roberts withdrew his motion and O'Harra his second. On motion to accept minutes, carried unanimously. It was moved by O'Harra, seconded by Roberts that a public hearing be schedule~ for the zone change application matter at 8 P.M. on August 5, 1969. On roll cal~ carried unanimously. At this time, it was moved by Haines, seconded by Roberts that the minutes of the Ashland Design Review Board meeting of July 9, 1969, be accepted and placed on file. Motion carried unanimously. 2. Letter from Don Lewis concerning college planning. It was pointed out by Mayor McKeen that all Councilmen had received a copy of the letter. The Mayor requested that an early meeting be scheduled with the Finance & Property Committee and college officials regarding this subject. No action was taken. 3. Letter from Retail Trades Committee requesting permission to sponsor a sidewalk bazaar on August i and 2. It was moved by Haines, seconded by Willstatter that permission be granted. On roll call, carried unanimously. In the interim prior to the 8 p.m. public hearing, there was some discussion regarding the scheduling of only one Council meeting during the month of August. It was the general feeling of Council that the regular meeting be held on August 5 and a decision will be made at that time whether or not another Council meeting will be held that month. It was pointed out that in past years, the Council has met only once during August due to the many absences because of vacations. Cottle moved that the Mayor be directed to write a letter to the State Board of Higher Education asking to be placed on the agenda for the July 21, 1969, hearing with SOC officials in Ashland. The motion was seconded by Haines. It was decided that a copy of the letter should be transmitted to Representatives Newbry, Hart and Davis. On roll call, carried unanimously. SPECIAL AGENDA ITEMS: Unfinished Business: 1. 8:00 P.M. PUBLIC HEARING: 1969-70 Budget - It was moved by Cottle that the published budget for the City of Ashland for Fiscal Year 1969-70 on file in the City Recorder's Office be Council Minutes July 15, 1969 Page Three revised in the following particulars: (1) Increase in revenues through an increase in the utility rate schedules - transfer to General Fund $40,000 (includes increase in rates applicable to SOC use) (2) Contribution to General Fund from Hospital Board from unappropriated balance $22,000 (reserves) (3) Across the board reduction in salary increase from 6% to 5% - $6,800 (4) Eliminate 1 additional policeman and i additional $15,000 (5)' Deletion of new street lighting program - $7,000 fireman (6) Deletion from street resurfacing program - $10,400 At this time, it was decided that the Council would act on each item, rather than voting on them as a whole. It was moved by Cottle, seconded by O'Harra that the published budget on record be modified to show an increase in revenues to be obtained through an increase in electric utility rates be transferred to the General Fund in the amount of $40,000. Some discussion followed regarding the length of time it would take to make the utility rate adjustments. Jones pointed out that perhaps this matter should be discussed with the Budget Committee or a special meeting of the Council before any action is taken. Several members of the audience entered into the discussion, expressing views on utility rate adjustments. Matter continued following 8:15 public hearing. 2. 8:15 P.M. PUBLIC HEARING: Curb, gutter and paving of Glenwood Drive south of Ashland Street. City Attorney Skerry read ordinance ordering in curb, gutter and paving for Glenwood Drive. Director of Public Works Alsing indicated that the petition had been signed by 100 percent of the property owners involved with the exception of the County, who owns a small portion of land in the subject area and agreed to go along with the majority decision. He also pointed out that the paving would be done next summer. It was moved by Roberts, seconded by Willstatter that the rules be suspended and ordinance passed to second reading by title only. On roll call, carried unanimously. Following second reading by title only, it was moved by O'Harra, seconded by Haines that Ordinance No. 1614 be adopted. On roll call, carried unanimously. 8:00 P.M. PUBLIC HEARING: 1969-70 Budget continued On roll call on Cottle's motion regarding increased electric utility rates, carried 5-1, with Jones dissenting. Council Minutes July 15, 1969 Page Four It was moved by Cottle, seconded by Willstatter that the published budget on record for further modification in the revenue section of the General Fund be transferred from the Hospital Fund the sum of $22,000. Considerable discussion followed regarding alternate proposals. On roll call on motion to transfer $22,000 of unappropriated reserve to the General Fund, carried 5-1, with Haines dissenting. Cottle moved that the published budget reflect a salary increase across the board for City employees of 5 percent rather than the 6 percent as shown in the proposed budget. Motion seconded by Roberts. Jones requested that these changes be discussed in a meeting of the Budget Committee. He indicated he felt employees should receive the same amount of dollar increases. Considerable discussion followed, with several City employees expressing their concern over the "1 percent cut." Haines indicated he felt the 6 percent cost of living raise was certainly a minimum. He proposed that the salary be left with the 6 percent across the board increase for full-time employees and that the part-time employees not receive a 6 percent cost of living increase. He felt in the interest of maintaining efficiency and effectiveness of City government, that this increase should stand for full-time employees. Cottle questioned the possibility of not replacing the position of Engineering Aide, since that particular person recently terminated to accept a position with another City. Director of Public Works Alsing pointed out that the Engineering Aide has many responsibilities connected with inspection of street paving jobs. A temporary person would have to be hired for ~]is job if the Engineering Aide was not replaced. Mr. Alsing also pointed out that it would be much easier from the staff's standpoint if the Council asked that a certain amount of money be deleted from the Public Works ~und rather than eliminating the position. Following some discussion, Mr. Alsing indicated ~hat City Administrator Boshears phoned him shortly before the Council meeting and asked him to relay his feeling that the employees should receive the 6 percent cost of living increase. On roll call on motion to reduce cost of living increase from 6 percent to 5 percent, defeated 4-3, with Cottle, Roberts and Willstatter voting in favor and Haines, Jones, O'Harra and Mayor McKeen dissenting. O'Harra explained that he dissented because he anticipates that the same amount of money can be transferred into the General Fund from another area in the budget. It was moved by Cottle, seconded by Haines that the published budget be revised to eliminate the hiring of one additional policeman and one additional fireman. Considerable discussion followed. Chief Roble pointed out that both departments are inadequate in manpower and the Fire Department is deficient in equipment. He pointed out Council Minutes July 15, 1969 Page Five that the Fire Department dould not sufficiently handle a fire in the downtown area with the equipment it presently has. He also pointed out that dormitory fires could not be adequa'tely controlled. Vote on motion to eliminate one fireman and one policeman from proposed budget carried 5-1, with Jones dissenting. It was moved by Cottle, seconded by Willstatter that the published budget be revised to delete as an expendj_ture the proposed street lighting facilities - $5,000. On roll call, carried unanimously. It was moved by Cottle, seconded by O'Harra that from the published budget there be deleted a portion of the resurfacing of street pro- jects in the amount of $10,400. Considerable discussion followed. On roll call, carried 5-1, with Jones dissenting. It was moved by Haines, seconded by Willstatter that $500 for Council Study Session Luncheons and $1,500 for Council Travel and Subsistence be eliminated from the budget. On roll call, carried unanimously. It was moved by Jones that $14,000 which is being spent in subdivision costs be deleted from the proposed budget and that amount transferred to the General Fund. It was then moved by Haines that the residue of the Parking Meter Fund of $21,000 be transferred to the General Fund. His motion was declared out of order due to a motion on the floor. Following the restating of Jones' motion, Cottie explained the $14,000 subdivision costs and the phasing out of this cost by the City during this fiscal year. Jones' motion died for lack of a second. It was moved by Haines that the figure for estimated revenue for utilities be raised by the amount of $6,200. Motion seconded by Roberts. On roll call, carried 5-1, with Jones dissenting. At this time, there was a pause in the budget discussion as the City Attorney and Finance Director verified figures, etc. Following review of ordinance adopting the budget as proposed with the existing modifications made July 15, 1969, it was moved by ttaines, seconded by Roberts that the rules be suspended and ordinance passed to second reading by title only. On roll call, carried 5-1, with Jones dissenting. Jones pointed out he would vote no on the budget as 10ng as the $14,000 subdivision cost was included in the budget. Following second reading by title only, it was moved by O'Harra, seconded by Haines that Ordinance No. 1615 be adopted. On roll call, carried 5-1, with Jones dissenting. New & Miscellaneous Business: 1. Registration of signs proposal--presentation by Ashland Design Review Board - Dr. John Abernathy, Chairman, Design Review Board, presented a list of recommendations to Council for consideration. The recommendations are as follows: (1) Review involvement with Council Minute~ July 15, 1969 Page Six Public Service Committee up to Haines' amendment; (2) The Design Review Board unanimously opposes the Haines' amendment and suggests that instead of using the piecemeal approach, that a special study committee be appointed to study the problems and complaints that have been directed toward the present ordinance and recommend changes in the ordinance within 60 days; that Council and the study committee give serious consideration to the development of a variance amendment; (3) Presented a seven-step plan for the registering of signs. At this time, maps were presented illustrating the steps. Considerable discussion followed. It was then moved by Cottle, seconded by O'Harra that the report of the Design Review Board be accepted by Council and referred to the Finance & Property Committee, with the understanding that another committee be appointed to study the Board's recommendations. On roll call, carried unanimously. There was some discussion regarding the establishment of a special committee. Cottle suggested that there be at least one representative from the Development Commission, one from the Planning Commission, along with two or three non-affiliated members of the community. Ordinances, Resolutions & Contracts: 1. Amendment to Sign Ordinance--second reading - City Attorney Skerry read Dr. Haines' ordinance amending the Sign Ordinance by eliminating the amortization schedule. He pointed out that he had the consent of Dr. Haines to present the ordinance for a first reading again since his original ordinance required certain modifications in order to be in proper ordinance format. Following brief discussion, it was moved by Haines, seconded by Jones that the rules be suspended and ordinance passed to second readinq by title only. At this time, it was requested by Mr. Charles Lockridge that the Planning Conmission's letter to Council be read prior to call for the question. Public Works Director Alsing read letter indicating unanimous support for the Design Review Board's decision regarding Haines' amendment. At this time, several people in the audience spoke regarding the amendment to the sign ordinance. The majority opinion was in favor of the amendment to eliminate the amorti- zation scehdule. Several of the Councilmen indicated they would like an opportunity to review the entire ordinance before making any decision regarding the amendment. On roll call to adopt Haines' amendment, defeated 4-2, with O'Harra, Roberts, Willstatter and Cottle dissenting and Haines and Jones voting in favor. There being no further business, the meeting was adjourned subject to the call of the Mayor. 1cr City Recorder