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HomeMy WebLinkAbout1969-0909 REG MINMINUTES FOR REGULAR MEETING ASHLAND CITY COUNCIL SEPTEMBER 9, 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. APPROVAL OF MINUTES: It was moved by Haines, seconded by Bailer that the minutes of the August 19, 1969, regular meeting, August 25 and 29, 1969, adjourned meetings be accepted and placed on file. Motion carried unanimously. DEPARTMENTAL REPORTS: None STANDING COMMITTEE REPORTS: a. Finance & Property Committee - Chairma~ O'Harra indicated that the Committee met on Friday, September 5, 1969, with Mr. Don Tingle and Finance Director Nelson to review the operation of the utility division of the Finance Department and the progress made by Mr. Tingle in the collection of delinquent utility bills. In regard to the problem of electric connect fee, Chairman O'Harra indicated that it was the unanimous recommendation of the committee that Council adopt an ordinance which repeals Ordinance #1184. Basically, the new ordinance would establish an electrical service connection fee of $2.50 for all new service connections to be charged, j.n addition to the normal fee which is a required one and one-half times the average bill. In the event of an emergency connection, the fee would be $7.50; and in the event of a reconnection when a service has been dis- connected because of non-payment, the fee would be $5 to re-establish service. After hours fee would be $10. At this time, City Attorney Skerry read ordinance amending Ordinance No. 1184 as amended which establishes rates for electrical services and rules and regulations to provide for a connect fee and increase the connection fee of disconnected service. There was considerable discussion regarding the con~ittee's recommendation of the emergency connection fee of $7.50 and the after hours connection fee of $10. It was decided that the committee's original decision was for a $10 emergency connection fee and a $15 after hours fee. City Attorney Skerry amended the ordinance to reflect these changes. It was moved by Haines, seconded by Bailer that the rules be suspended and ordinance passed to second reading by title only. There was brief discussion regarding the City's procedure for handling delinquent accounts. On roll call, carried unanimously. Following second reading by title only, it was moved by Haines, seconded by O'Harra that Ordinance NO. 1184 be adopted. On roll call, carried unanimously. At this time, Mayor McKeen made the following appointments to the committee established to work with the Finance & Property Committee in'the study of the sign ordinance: Jim Conklin, Dom Provost, Council Minutes' September 9, 1969 Page Two A1 Bamforth and Leigh Johnson. It was moved by O'Harra, seconded by Bailer that the recommendations from the Design Review Board to Council dated September 4, 1969, be referred to the new committee for study and recommendation. On roll call, carried unanimously. It was moved by Jones, seconded by O'Harra that the Finance & Property Committee investigate the matter of unpaid annexation charges in subdivisions in the City. On roll call, carried unanimously. b. Streets & Traffic Committee - No report c. Public Service Committee - No report COMMUNICATIONS: 1. Planning Commission Minutes of August 18, 1969, special meeting and September 8, 1969, regular meeting - There was some discussion regarding a request for vacation of part of Glenview Street from Otis H. Johnson, Jr., 286 Vista Street (Item #2 under Special Agenda Items in September 8 minutes). It was moved by Haines, seconded by Willstatter that Mr. Johnson's request be denied in con- currence with Planning Commission's decision. On roll call, carried unanimously. It was moved by Haines, seconded by Bailer that a public hearing be scheduled on September 23, 1969, at 8:30 p.m. on the matter of application for zone change from Lawrence & Hulda Jacobs, 2405 Siskiyou Boulevard. On roll call, carried unanimously. There was some discussion regarding the appeal procedure of the Planning Commission. It was then moved by Haines, seconded by Roberts that the minutes of the September. 8, 1969, regular meeting be accepted and placed on file. On roll call, carried unanimously. It was pointed out that the August 18, 1969, minutes were not yet available for review. At this time, Mayor McKeen made the following appointment to the Ashland Planning Co~nissiQn: Mrs. Neil McDowell. It was moved by Haines, seconded by Willstatter that the appointment be confirmed. On roll call, carried unanimously. SPECIAL AGENDA ITEMS: Unfinished Business: 1. Award of bids crushed rock - Street Department - City Administrator Boshears indicated that in a memo from Public Works Director Alsing indicating bids received from two bidders, Lininger, $4.95/cu. yd and Concrete Steel Corporation, $6/cu. yd. he recommended ~hat both bids be rejected and readvertised with a longer completion date or delivery date since the low bid is 24 percent higher than last year's prices. It was moved by Haines, seconded by Willstatter Council Minutes September 9, 1969 Page Three that the Public Works Director's recommendations be adopted. On roll call, carried unanimously. 2. Authorization for sale of used City equipment - City Adminis- trator Boshears reported that previously Council had given authori- zation for sale of five pieces of City equipment--3 pieces were sold for a total of $195.50 more than the minimum bids. No bids were received on two police cars and staff requests authorization to readvertise with no minimum bid on the vehicles. It was moved by O'Harra, seconded by Jones that staff be authorized to call for new bids with no minimum for the two police cars. On roll call, carried unanimously. New Business: 1. Call for bids - motor vehicles - City Administrator Boshears indicated that staff would like to call for bids on two police cars, two pickups and one engineering van through the State Purchasing Agent. It was pointed out that the dump truck referred to in the City Administrator's report will be bid locally. Considerable dis- cussion followed. It was moved by Haines, seconded by Willstatter that staff be authorized to advertise in the same manner as previously done for purchase of one dump truck (both locally and State). On roll call, carried unanimously. It was moved by O'Harra, seconded by Bailer that staff call for bids for two police cars from the State of Oregon. On roll call, carried unanimously. Following some discussion, it was Council's request that Public Works Director Alsing present a feasibility study of reading water meters every other month and what changes could be made in the vehicle requirements, etc. City Administrator Boshears pointed out that a similar study was made about a year ago and it was decided that the current method of reading meters was the most workable. It was moved by Haines, seconded by Willstatter that two pickups be included in the State bids. On roll call, carried unanimously. It was moved by Haines, seconded by O'Harra that the matter of calling for bids on a line truck for the Electric Department and a van for the Engineering Division be deferred until the next Council meeting. On roll call, carried unanimously. 2. Report on City of Ashland vs- Beall - City Attorney Skerry reported that the case involves suits that the Council authorized to be filed in 1966 against Beall Pipe and Tank Company, which furnished the City with pipe which was used in the Bellview area. The suit was brought because it was the City's position that the pipes were not adequately constructed. Since that time, Public Works Director Alsing has been working with engineers and conducting surveys to determine the extent of damage. The City authorized Mr. Skerry to employ an associate Council; Mr. Carl Deatherage has Council Minutes September 9, 1969 Page Four been working with Mr. Skerry on the case. The trial is set for September 18, 1969. The City is asking for a settlement of $136,000 for the pipe and replacement. Mr. Skerry explained that because it may be difficult to call a special Council meeting to discuss the settlement, he will present a resolution authorizing him to enter into a settlement with Beall Company. Mr. Skerry read the resolution authorizing. the attorneys for the City of Ashland to settle the action entitled the City of Ashland vs. Beall Pipe and Tank Corporation. It was moved by Bailer, seconded by Haines that the rules be suspended and resolution passedto second reading by title only. On roll call, carried unanimously. Following second reading by title only, it was moved by Willstatter, seconded by Haines that the resolution be adopted. On roll call, carried unanimously. At this time, City Attorney Skerry introduced an agreement from the attorney for Mr. and Mrs. Oaser for the temporary encroachment of a service station on C Street right of way. He requested that it be referred to the proper Council committee. Mayor McKeen referred the matter to the Streets & Traffic Committee for study and recommendation. Councilman Haines pointed out that the luncheon with Dr. James Sours, new President of Southern Oregon College, and the Council was a great success. He indicated that he hoped Council can continue to offer this kind of friendly greeting to other people who come to Ashland in the future. There being no further business, the meeting was adjourned subject to the call of the Mayor. City Recorder 1cr