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HomeMy WebLinkAbout1968-1112 REG MINMINUTES FOR REGULAR MEETING ASHLAND CITY COUNCIL November 12, 1968 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 Pro-Tem George Jones at 7:30 PoM. Councilmen Baker, Cottle, O'Harra, Roberts and Ward were present. Mayor Neill was absent. APPROVAL OF MINUTES: It was moved by Baker, seconded by Roberts that the minutes of the last regular meeting of October 15, 1968, be accepted and placed on fileo Motion carried unanimously. DEPARTMENT REPORTS: It was moved by Roberts, seconded by Baker that the departmental reports for the month of October be approved and placed on file. Motion carried unanimously. STANDING COMMITTEE REPORTS: Finance Committee - no report bt Property & Structures Committee - no report c. Public Pro~ection Committee - no report d, Streets & Traffic Committee Ward gave the following report of the Streets & Traffic Committee meeting of November 4, 1968: Request for stop sign at the intersection of Water Street southbound where it crosses Van Ness The City Administrator indicated that there has been one accident at the intersection during the first six months of 1968 and several near misses. It is felt that this problem is the basic result of the heavy equipment coming out from the sand and gravel plant. It was recommended by the Committee that the Council authorize the City staff to install a stop sign at the subject intersection° It was moved by Ward, seconded by O'Harra that the stop sign be installed~ Motion carried unanimously° Another matter reviewed by the Streets & Traffic Committee was the creation of a no parking area on South Mountain Avenue, in order to avoid a bottleneck situation that presently exists on the street° It was pointed out that some off-street parking does exist now, but it is difficult to accomodate all the cars. After further discussion, Ward suggested that the matter be continued to permit the Committee to investigate the problem further° ~ouncil Minutes Page 2 November 12, 1968 Time zone parking On East Main, C Street, Pioneer, First, Second and Third Streets - Ward indicated that requests have been received for limited time zones in these particular streets~ The Council reviewed a corrected copy of a map showing designated time zones. After further discussion, it was moved by Baker, seconded by Roberts that the recommendations of the Streets & Traffic Committee be implemented, including necessary ad]ustments made by the staff° Motion carried unanimously° Request to limit parking on Oregon Street between Indiana and Monroe Street to the south side of the street - Ward indicated that he and Councilman O'Barra had inspected the area in question and agree that a hazardous situation does exist° Therefore, it is the recommendation of the Committee that parking be limited to the south side of Oregon Street on that one block. It was moved by O'Harra, seconded by Baker that the recommendation be implemented~ Motion carried unanimously° Utilities Committee - no report COMMUNICATIONS: 1o Letter from Retail Trades Committee regarding Christmas decorations in downtown Ashland - The letter was read by City Administrator Boshears who indicated that the City had received six or seven offers from citizens to donate trees~ After some discussion, it was moved by O'Harra and seconded by Ward that the Christmas decorations be in place by December 2 and the lights turned on December 3 as requested in the letter from the Retail Trades Committee. Vote carried ~-1, with Cottle dissenting° 8:00 P,M. PUBLIC HEARING: Continuation of hearing on rezoning of Highway 66 and Tolman Creek Road property from industrial to commercial. Action was previously delayed on the matter in order to give the Council a chance to meet with the Planning Commission and Development Commission to discuss the rezoning. Following a brief presentation by Developer Dorance Hayes, City Attorney Skerry pointed out that one of the concerns of the matter is the fact that there are very few large tracks of land that would be adequate for the industrial purpose intended by Van Vleet and Associates. Discussion continued regarding conditional zoning and the effect the shopping center would have on the downtown. Following reading of ordinance by City Attorney Skerry, it was moved by B~ker, seconded by O'Harra that the rules be suspended and ordinance be passed to second reading by title only. Following second reading by title only , it was moved by Ward and seconded by Cottle that Ordinance No~ 1581 be adopted. On roll call, carried unanimously~ ~ouncil Minutes Page 3 November 12, 1968 8:15 PoM. PUBLIC HEARING: Curb, gutter and oil mat treatment on Helman Street near Nevada - City Administrator pointed out that the Council had requested that an ordinance be prepared providing for improvement of the street by the use of a special oil mat treatment. He also read a letter from Mr. and Mrs. Elaon Studebake~ and Mr o and Mrs. Jack Williams requesting curb, gutter and oil mat treatment on portions of Helman and Nevada Streets at the rate agreed upon, etc. Public Works Director Alsing gave an estimated rate of $2.80 per front foot; however, City Administrator Boshears indicated that the City is not prepared to give a guarantee of the cost at the present° It was suggested that prior to construction notices of property assessment of the specific amount be sent to the property owners. After further discussion, it was moved by Baker and seconded by Ward that the rules be suspended and ordinance passed to second reading by title only. Following second reading by title only, it was moved ~y Cottle and seconded by O'Harra that Oxdinance No~ !580 be adopted. On roll call, carried unanimously. SPECIAL AGENDA ITEMS: b. New & Miscellaneous Business: 1 Request that the Council consider establishing a sister city program with Guanajuato, Mexico - Mrs. Grace Tapp, assistant pro- fessor of Spanish and French at SOCkgave a detailed presentation of Guanajuato~ Assisting her with the presentation were Dr. Marvin Kocks, Professor Dennis Hannah and Curry Slaymaker, student repre- sentat~veo The Council viewed slides of the City of Guanajuato wh~le Mrs. Tapp pointed out the advantages of having Guanajuato as a sister city~ Mrs. Tapp indicated that she had contacted the Mayo~ of Guana]uato who said that he would be very happy to welcome a delegation from Ashland° In addition, Mrs. Tapp requested that the Council write a letter to the Mayor of Guanajuato designating the student group from Ashland as official representatives of the City of Ashland. After some discussion, it was moved by Cottle, seconded by Baker that the Mayor be requested to send a letter to Guana]uato on behalf of the City Council. Motion carried unani- mously~ a. Unfinished Business: Award of bids - two pickups for Public Works Department and one pickup for the Hospital - It was the recommendation of the Director of Finance, the Director of Public Works and the HOspital Adminis- trator that the bids be resubmitted. It was suggested that prices be chec~d with the State Procurement Service as well as other agencies. Finance Director Mohr proposed a savings of approximately $2,500 ~ the City purchases the pickups through the State° City Adminis- trator Boshears pointed out that the original reason for purchasing ~rom local dealers was to obtain repair service; however, the City · s doing most of its own repairs now. After further discussion, ~ouncil Minutes Page 4 November 12, 1968 it was moved by O'Harra, seconded by Cottle that City staff be authorized to investigate further and present new bids on the specifications already drawn on the subject vehicles. On roll call, carried unanimously. In addition, it was moved by Cottle and seconded by O'Harra that the specifications for the Electric Department pickup be included with the others. On roll call, carried unanimously. b~ New & Miscellaneous Business: (continued) 3~ Petition for curb, gutter and paving on Mohawk Street between Park and Mary Jane Streets, Terra from Mohawk north to existing paving and Linda Street from Mohawk north to existing paving - Item deferred until later date. 4o Canvass of ballots and Mayor's proclamation for certification of election results. Official record frem the County has not been received. 5. Liquor application renewals for the following establishments: Bohemian Club Buy-rite Cook's Reception Deb's Restaurant Elks Lithia Grocery Log Cabin Omar's Pioneer Safeway White House Ye Olde Pub New application - Southside Market All of the above applications have been investigated and are satisfactory. It was moved by Cottle and seconded by Roberrs that the applications be granted. Motion carried unanimously. 6. Application to Economic Development Administration for Shakespearean Festival Expansion Project - City Administrator Boshears indicated that City staff had previously requested permission to proceed with studying the project to see if an application would be feasible. City staff has met with EDA representatives from Seattle and Portland, who indicated that they felt that Ashland had a very strong project. The application has been prepared and it is being passed along to the Council with the Ashland Development Commission's recommendation to proceed. City Administrator Boshears continued to outline the project, indicating the assistance from EDA would enable us to do the entire development for less than what it would cost to build just the theatre alone without assistance. He requested that the CounCil pass a resolution authorizing submission of the application to EDA. Following detailed disucssion, it was moved by Cottle and seconded by Baker that the rules be suspended and resolution authorizing subm/x~sj~3n of the a~li~n be passe~ to second reading by title Council Minutes Page 5 November 12, 1968 onlyo On roll call, carried unanimously. Following second reading by title only, it was moved by O'Harra, seconded by Ward that the resolution be adopted. On roll call, carried unanimously° c~ Ordinances, Resolutions & Contracts: 1. Ordinance providing for issuance of street improvement bonds, District #33 and providing for the advertisement and sale of said bonds. Matter was deferred until later date. 2. Building code amendment allowing an expanded use of wood - Public Works Director Alsing indicated that several months ago there was a change in the building code which allowed wood trim. There was some question regarding the spacing of wood trim members. The matter was referred to the Building Appeals Board, which recommends some changes that would make the ordinance more workable for the downtown merchants. After brief discussion, it was moved by Roberts and seconded by Baker that the rules be suspended and ordinance amending city building code be passed to second reading by title onlyo On roll call, carried unanimously. Following second reading by title only, it was moved by O'Harra and seconded by Roberts that Ordinance No. 1582 be adopted. On roll call, carried unanimously~ At this time, Mro Glen Munsell, representing the Oak Knoll Corporation, requested that the Council approve the assignment of a lease for the city-owned golf course to the Oak Knoll CorBMAra4zi~no Mr~ Munsell indicated that the assignment o~ the lease to the-~Oak~ Knoll Corporation was necessary before the Corporation could request funds from the Small Business Administration to pay taxes. He further stated that the lease ~or the property was previously held by Oak Knoll Land Corporation, but had been assigned to the Oak Knoll Corporation in early 1968 by verbal consent of the City° After considerable discussion, it was moved by Baker, seconded by Ward that the transfer of assignment be approvedo Vote carried 4-2, with Jones and O'Harra dissenting. City Attorney Skerry presented the codification of City ordinances compiled by the League of Oregon Cities° He briefly reviewed the codification program with the Council. City Attorney Skerry also introduced the matter of a City complaint filed with the Public Utilities Commission regarding unsafe railroad crossing within the City limits° After brief discussion, it was moved by Cottle, seconded by Roberts that the City Attorney be instructed to dismiss the case. Motion carried unanimously. At this time, City Attorney Skerry presented a bill of $1,000 to the Council. He explained that this is the fee he is charging for the handling of a suit against the City of Ashland by the International Brotherhood of Electrical Workers° It was moved by Cottle, seconded by Roberts that the bill be paid° Motion carried unanimously. Council Minutes Page 6 November 12, 1968 City Administrator Boshears called to the Council's attention the Quarterly Report and the Bear Creek Area Transportation Study. There being no further business, the meeting was adjourned subject to the call of the Mayor. City Recorder lcr