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HomeMy WebLinkAbout1966-0315 REG MINASHLAND CITY COUNCIL REGULAR MEETING March 15, 1966 The regular council meeting of the City of Ashland was held in the Council Chambers of the City Hall on the above date. Mayor Pro-tem Richard C. Cottle called the meeting to order. Present were Councilmen Baker, Ward and Whitham. Absent were Councilmen Peters, Lewis and Mayor Richard L. Neill. APPROVAL OF MINUTES: It was moved by Baker, seconded by Whitham that the minutes of the last regular meeting of February 15 be accepted and placed on file. On roll call, carried unanimously. DEPARTMENT REPORTS: It was moved by Whitham, seconded by Ward that the monthly departmental reports be accepted and placed on file. On roll call, carried unanimously. COMMITTEE REPORTS: 1o Report from the Realty Committee regarding leasing of Industrial Park property. Chairman, George Ward indicated that the report was attached to the agenda. Councilman Ward stated that there is no ur- gency on this matter and moved that it be deferred until a later meet- ing. It was seconded by Whitham. On roll call, carried unanimously. 2. Report from Special Committee appointed at last regular council meeting regarding future policy on programs of fringe benefits for City employees. The report, which was attached to the agenda, made three recommendations: 1. That the plan presented on February 15 be rejected since consideration of only this proposal was restrictive and non- competitive; 2. That the City Administrator be instructed to decide what programs and benefits should be considered beneficial to City employeest Also to make periodic review of present fringe benefits to improve conditions of programs now in operation; 3. That a formal resolution be prepared for adoption which will identify the payroll deduotions which are legally required and other payroll deductions now in effect which are a result of previously authorized fringe benefits. It was moved by Ward, seconded by Baker that the recommendation of the Special Committee be accepted. On roll call, carried unanimously. COMMUNICATIONS: 1. From Planning Commission (a) Minutes of the last regular meeting. It was moved by Whitham, seconded by Ward that the minutes of the meeting of February 14 be accepted and placed on file. On roll call, carried unanimously. (b) Application for zone change - R-i:B-8 to R-3:2.4 and R-2 zone - Walnut, Chestnut, Luna Vista area. Mr. Zupan showed a more detailed plan of the area to the Council. It was moved by Baker, seconded by Whitham that a Public Hearing be set for 8:00 P.M., April 5. On roll call, carried unanimously. Council Minutes -2- March 15, 1966 2, Letter from Ashland Community Hospital requesting the City to loan them an amount of money which would allow them matching funds to qualify for construction of a proposed addition to the hospital. City Adminis- istrator Ayre indicated that there is a possibility tha~ the hospital will not have to borrow this money, but that in order to receive the matching funds, the money must be available in case. It was moved by Cottle, seconded by Whitham that the City Administrator be authorized to draft a letter of intent to loan $36,486.32 for the purpose as so stated above~ On roll call, carried unanimously. 3, Request for variance of Sign Ordinance ~ Signal Service Station - 145 North Ma~n Street ~con't.) City Administrator Ayre stated that the orlginal request was attached to the agenda. Mr. Doremus Scudder, representing the Federal Sign and Signal Corporation presented the proposed sign plans to the Council. After a lengthy discussion, City Attorney Skerry suggested that this matter be continued so he can check into it more thoroughly, as it may be a non-conforming use as well as sign variance. A motion to this effect was made by Baker and seconded by Cottle. On roll call, the motion was tied, with Whitham and Ward dissenting. Councilman Ward believed that the Council was infringing upon the rights of the property owner to improve his property. After some further discussion, another motion was made by Baker, seconded by Ward that the City Attorney be instructed to further study this matter and report back at the next regular council meeting. On roll call, carried unanimously, 8:00 P.M. Public Hearing - Proposed Increase in Sewer Service Charges - Mayor Pro-tem Cottle asked if there was anyone present who wanted to speak in opposition of the increased sewer service charges. Mr. Guy Randles wondered li the new charges would include all residential users as well as commercial~ City Administrator Ayre stated that the new charges would include residential, commercial and industrial. He said that the expected increase in charge for the residential user would be $.50 per month per person. Mr. Randles expressed the opinion that he didn't think the residential rates should be raised. City Administrator Ayre read the Ordinance proposing increased sewer charges, It was moved by Baker, seconded by Whitham that the first reading of said Ordinance be passed - second reading to be held at next regular council meeting, April 5 On roll call~ carried unanimously, COMMUNICATIONS: (con't.) 4. Reply from City request for continuation of vital statistics service in Ashland, It was moved by Ward, seconded by Whitham that the letters be accepted and placed on file. On roll call, carried unanimously. 5, Letter requesting vacation of alley on Laurel Street near Central. Allen Alsing, Director of Public Works stated that this request had been withdrawn. No action was taken. 6. Recommendation of "Committee of 50" regarding proposed Library Bond Issue. City Administrator Ayre indicated that the "Committee of 50" had met last Thursday evening, March 10. It was the recommendation of the Committee, by a vote of 15-2, that the bond issue be authorized as re- quested. Ayre stated that following the meeting, he received a letter Council Minutes -2- March 15, 1966 2. Letter from Ashland Community Hospital requesting the City to loan them an amount of money which would allow them matching funds to qualify for construction of a proposed addition to the hospital. City Adminis- istrator Ayre indicated that there is a possibility that the hospital will not have to borrow this money, but that in order to receive the matching funds, the money must be available in case. It was moved by Cottle, seconded by Whitham that the City Administrator be authorized to draft a letter of intent to loan $36,486.32 for the purpose as so stated above~ On roll call, carried unanimously. 3~ Request for variance of Sign Ordinance - Signal Service Station - 145 North Main Street {con't.) City Administrator Ayre stated that the original request was attached to the agenda. Mr. Doremus Scudder, representing the Federal Sign and Signal Corporation presented the proposed sign plans to the Council. After a lengthy discussion, City Attorney Skerry suggested that this matter be continued so he can check into it more thoroughly, as it may be a non-conforming use as well as sign variance. A motion to this effect was made by Baker and seconded by Cottle. On roll call, the motion was tied, with Whitham and Ward dissenting. Councilman Ward believed that the Council was infringing upon the rights of the property owner to improve his property. After some further discussion, another motion was made by Baker, seconded by Ward that the City Attorney be instructed to further study this matter and report back at the next regular council meeting. On roll call, carried unanimously. 8:00 P.M. Public Hearing - Proposed Increase in Sewer Service Charges - Mayor Pro-tem Cottle asked if there was anyone present who wanted to speak in opposition of the increased sewer service charges. Mr. Guy Randles wondered i~ the new charges would include all residential users as well as commercial. City Admlnistrator Ayre stated that the new charges would include residential, commercial and industrial. He said that the expected increase in charge for the residential user would be $.50 per month per person. Mr. Randles expressed the opinion that he didn't think the residential rates should be raised. City Administrator Ayre read the Ordinance proposing increased sewer charges, It was moved by Baker, seconded by Whitham that the first reading of said Ordinance be passed - second reading to be held at next regular council meeting, April 5 On roll call, carried unanimously. COMMUNICATIONS: (con't.) 4. Reply from City request for continuation of vital statistics service in Ashland. It was moved by Ward, seconded by Whitham that the letters be accepted and placed on file. On roll call, carried unanimously. 5, Letter requesting vacation of alley on Laurel Street near Central. Allen Alsing, Director of Public Works stated that this request had been withdrawn. No action was taken. 6. Recommendation of "Committee Of 50" regarding proposed Library Bond Issue. City Administrator Ayre indicated that the "Committee of 50" had met last Thursday evening, March 10. It was the recommendation of the Committee, by a vote of 15-2, that the bond issue be authorized as re- quested. Ayre stated that following the meeting, he received a letter Council Minutes -3- March 15, 1966 from the Chairman of the Board of Trustees, Mrs. Virginia Cotton, suggest- ing that the Bond Election date be set for the second week in June, allow- ing CH2M as much time as possible ~or a site recommendation. After further discussion by the Council, it was moved by Whitham, seconded by Baker to oppose authorizing a bond election at this time for the proposed new li- brary, On roll call, carried unanimously~ Appreciation was expressed by the Council to the Library Board and to the'~ommittee of 5g'for their recommendationst At this time, City Adm~nlstratoE Ayre indicated that there were a few communications which did not make the agenda. Ayre stated that a letter was received from W. A~ Dunham requesting to lease some property in the industrial park area for the purpose of a moulding mill. It was moved by Cottle, seconded by Wh~tham that this request be referred to the Realty Committee. On roll call~ carried unanimously. A letter from the Chamber of Comme~ce was received requesting that appropriate signs designating time limits be posted in areas where the meter heads have been removed with the Police Department and City Council Traffic Committee acting as judge of the locations and time limit in- involved. It was moved by Cottle, seconded by Bkaer that this letter be referred to the Public Works and Protection Committee. On roll call, carried unanimously. City Administrator Ayre presented a petition to close an alley in the VanNess Street and North Laurel Street area. It was moved by Whitham, seconded by Ward that the City Attorney be authorized to prepare an Ordinance vacating said alley, for the next regular council meeting. On roll call, carried unanimously. SPECIAL AGENDA ITEMS: 1. Request for authorization to adopt specifications and call for bids on a pick-up truck for the Electric Department. It was moved by Whitham seconded by Ward that the City Administrator be authorized to call for bids on the truck for the Electric Department on April 4. On roll call, carried unanimously, 2, Bid results of the All-City Comprehensive Liability Insurance Policy. City Administrator Ayre indicated that two bids were received, one from Wiley & Reinholdt in the amount of $5,919 and one from Farmers Insurance in the amount of $6,247.50. It was moved by Ward, seconded by Baker that the bid be awarded to Wiley & Reinholdt. On roll call, carried ~unanimously. 3. Revisions to term of lease with Oak Knoll Corporation. Mr. Bill Dawkins stated that the existing lease, which is for 52 years, must be revised to a maximum of 25 years with a possible 5 to 10 year extension. Following some d~scussion by the Council, a study session was suggested and the Council would adjourn subject to call. City Administrator Ayre received a letter from Stone and Arnold Con- struction for a proposed agreement with the City. Stone and Arnold agreed to pay the costs of having water and sewer trunk lines installed by contract and in exchange, we will not charge a connect fee. City Council Minutes March 15, 1966 will do all engineering and inspecL.ion on the project. After some dis- cussion, it was moved by Baker, seconded by Ward to accept the proposed agreement. On roll call, carried unanimously. At this time, City Attorney Skerry read an ordinance calling for a hearing at 8:15 on April 5 for curb, gutter and paving of the Cedar Homes Subdivision. It was moved by Ward, seconded by Baker that the rules be suspended and said OrdLnance passed to second reading by title only. On roll call, carried ~ln,animously. Following the second reading, it was moved by Ward, seconded by Baker that said Ordinance No. 1445 be adopted~ On roll call, ca~.~ied unanimously. There being no further business~ the Council unanimously agreed to adjourn subject to the call of the Mayor Pro-tem. Recorder SRE