HomeMy WebLinkAbout1997-0805 Council Mtg MIN MINUTES FOR THE REGULAR MEETING
ASHLAND CITY COUNCIL
August 5, 1997
PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE:
Mayor Golden called the meeting to order at 7:05pm., Civic Center Council Chambers.
ROLL CALL
Councilors Laws, Reid, Hauck, Hagen, Wheeldon and DeBoer were present.
APPROVAL OF MINUTES:
The Regular meeting minutes of July 15, 1997 were approved as presented with the following
corrections: Page 11, fourth paragraph - August 29 should read August 5; Page 7, second paragraph -
...dirt streets are ,not impervious...; Page 7, second paragraph - ...the surface of the granitic soil, and
(instead of which) carried the... ;Page 10, third paragraph - Mayor Golden agreed with DeBoer, only
in that funding .... ; Page 2, Carole Wheeldon wished to point out that the letter was a suggestion, and
not the City's plan; Page 2, penultimate line, ...Hauck/Wheeldon m/s to approve Consent Agenda Item
No. 4 (not Item No. 5).
Mayor Golden announced that City Administrator Brian Almquist will be retiring in the next three
months. She added that following the council meeting an additional airing of the Press Conference
would be presented on RVTV.
SPECIAL PRESENTATIONS & AWARDS:
1. Presentation of Retirement Certificate and 25-year Service Award to Police Sergeant Craig
Hooper.
Mayor Golden praised Sgt. Craig Hooper for all the work he has performed during the past 25 years
for the Ashland Police Department, noting his involvement with the Ashland Booster Club and the
High School. His interests included golf, jogging, more golf, bird watching and woodworking. She
noted a tremendous turnout by the Ashland Police Department to be in attendance at the presentation
of his retirement plaque. She presented Craig Hooper with a retirement plaque and 25-year Service
Award. Craig Hooper thanked the Mayor and everyone who was there.
2. Proclamation declaring August 9, 1997 as "Classic American Aircraft - Ashland Station
Day" (Honoring Local Artist Wimam "Bill" Phimps).
Mayor Golden read aloud the Proclamation declaring August 9, 1997 as "Classic American Aircraft -
Ashland Station Day".
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CONSENT AGENDA:
1. Minutes of boards, commi.~$ions and committees.
2. Monthly Departmental Reports - July, 1~)7.
3. City Admini~rator's Monthly Report - July, 1~7.
4. Confirmation of Mayor's appointment of Scott Fleuter as Chief of Police.
5. Memorandum from Public Works Director on status of wetlands project.
The Mayor pulled Item No. 4 from the Consent Agenda so she could introduce Scott Fleuter as Chief
of Police.
Councilors Hauck/Laws m/s Consent Agenda items 1, 2, 3, and 5. Voice Vote: all AYES. Motion
passed.
The Mayor welcomed Scott Fleuter aboard noting his full head of hair. She said there were many
applicants but Scott Fleuter stood out above and beyond the other candidates.
Councilors Hagen/Hagen m/s the Mayor's appointment of Scott Fleuter as Chief of Police. Voice
Vote: all AYES. Motion passed.
PUBLIC HEARINGS (Testimony limited to 5 minutes per speaker. Ail hearings must conclude
by 9:30 p.m. or be continued to a subsequent meeting).
1. Proposed adoption of modified Hillside Development Standards.
(Comment by Mayor: Mayor Golden noted that the City of Nabari, Sapan had recently invited her
to attend a conference and because of a scheduling conffict John McLaughlin was sent in her place.
She commented that he did a fabulous job in his presentations on behalf of the City of Ashland).
Planning Director John McLaughlin pointed out the Hillside Development Standards proposal has been
in progress for a long time, with a lot of hard work by a technical advisory committee. He said the
ordinance lays out a new framework for regulating hillsides. It is comprehensive in its view of tree
protection, erosion control, drainage and aesthetic controls. He stressed there is a more balanced
approach of recognizing individual property rights in terms of design but giving encouragement to go
in the direction where the property owner recognizes their impact on the rest of the community. He
asked the council if they would like to address new or troublesome issues.
Mayor Golden asked for further clarification of the language on page 25 as to how it has been
changed.
Planning Director John McLaughlin pointed out that (e), on page 26 was the language causing the most
difficulty with roof forms and roof lines and gables pointing downhill. He indicated that they have
provided encouragement toward a different roof structure and a different roof line. He indicated the
remainder of the changes had been found to be acceptable.
Councilor Susan Reid expressed concerns regarding sloping and where a street is greeted with a garage
instead of a porch. She inquired as to a property owner who may possibly want to paint their house
white if they have a traditional colonial house.
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Planning Director John McLaughlin replied that this is a council decision but is an attempt to avoid
high contrast between the natural environment and homes, and to recognize that houses are located
in forested hillside areas.
Councilor Susan Reid said she would not be able to support the fact that property owners would not
be able to paint their house the color of their choice, and is in favor of maintaining a variety in
Ashland.
Councilor Hagen said he felt a specific color issue was involved because all of Ashland is able to see
it and that is the reason behind dealing with the aesthetic issues on the hillside. He supports this
especially as the wording states light or bright colors shall be avoided.
Councilor Carole Wheeldon questioned whether page 2, No. 4, is the same thing as it relates to 20%
of the total footprint, and asked if 300 square feet was the limit for 20%.
Planning Director John McLaughlin clarified that 20% is for an average sized home (approx 1,500
sq ft) and that a 300 sq ft addition would constitu~ development and be subject to preview.
Councilor Carole Wheeldon noted on page 3, (g) the Flood Insurance Study and inquired if the
floodplain has been changed from the studies.
Planning Director John McLaughlin clarified it could affect what is the floodway channel. The
floodplain corridor is defined as a much larger regulatory area than the FEMA floodplain.
Councilor Steven Hauck questioned omitting the last sentence on page 27(g) which reads that light or
bright colors shall be avoided, and instead word the sentence "colors are to be coordinated with the
predominant colors of the surrounding landscape to minimize contrast between the structure and the
natural environment." He asked John McLaughlin what the practical effect would be with different
wording.
Planning Director John McLaughlin replied that it would be very similar, but may allow some
flexibility in certain cases.
Councilor Susan Reid questioned that with regard to page 8(c)1, whether to fall under this ordinance
you would have to be on the map and have a slope of 25 percent or greater. She asked whether
properties with both sloping and fiat lots would have the same restrictions.
Planning Director John McLaughlin verified that houses with flat lots will have different restrictions.
Rick Vezie, a.~.6 Walker/Feels overall this is a good ordinance. He felt that on page 27(0, with
regard to the long poles, he would like the language to limit the size of decks that are supported with
vertical supports and limit the amount of the vertical supports. He would like to see an option to build
small supported decks for architectural reasons and more cost-effective outdoor living spaces.
Councilor Susan Reid would like the word "long~ pole supports defined as to length. She inquired
whether this could cause problems for someone developing/building a house.
Planning Director John McLaughlin stated there is no definition for 'long.'
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City Attorney Paul Nolte clarified that the heating authority has the final discretion to interpret the
ordinance so if there is a dispute and the hearing officer is not clearly wrong in defining what they
think "long" means, it will be resolved.
Marilyn Brlggs, $90 Glenview Drive/Indicated she would like to see another graph on page 4 to
clarify a 35% slope. She pointed out a typo on page 4,E1A that should read "The Plans contain the
following:" On page 21, 3 she wanted dbh inserted into the description of the height of the trees. On
page 26, d, she requested 35' be changed to 36' as developers work with multiples of 4 and 2, and
boards come in even lengths. On page 32, D with regard to an owner of a property being responsible
for erosion, she questioned why the owner should be responsible.
Mayor Golden stressed that she had concerns about erosion responsibility also but the language in thc
ordinance states it is due to failure or neglect of erosion control measures.
Marilyn Briggs questioned what happens when a developer abandons a project.
Councilor Susan Reid stated that the city has an ordinance which rates bonds and now subdividers are
demanded to have a bond that has a rating and can be collected upon in the case of abandonment. She
also stressed that quite a few houses are built individually and not necessarily by developers.
Cate ttartzell, 881 E. Main/Feels this is a great ordinance. She said extra safeguards have been
placed into the ordinance which will help with the integrity of the land, and aesthetics and color should
be retained in the process. She felt there was a fire risk with poles as people tend to store stuff under
their decks.
Public Hearing portion closed 8:10pm
Planning Director John McLaughlin indicated that excavation must be completed by October 31 or if
excavation is not completed, then erosion control measures must be placed before the rainy season
starts.
Councilor Carole Wheeldon felt the wording on page 17 regarding the bond issue would safeguard
against abandonment.
Planning Director John McLaughlin clarified to council that a building must be in the shaded portion
of the map, and have a slope of 25% or greater for the ordinance to be in effect, because there are
parts of the shaded area that are in fact fiat.
City Attorney Paul Nolte clarified that when the ordinance comes before the council again for first
reading council members who live in the shaded area should declare this prior to deliberating on the
language.
Councilor Don Laws stated he endorses this ordinance with the changes that Marilyn Briggs suggested.
He questioned who would make the judgment on the length of the poles and felt that making it the
responsibility of the hearing officer is a good solution. He doesn't feel that colors of properties should
be limited, although he is comfortable that houses on hillsides should blend in with the hillside and
not stand out. He feels there is room for interpretation for what blends in with the natural
background.
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Councilor Ken Hagen feels we should focus on the intent of what is trying to be accomplished with
the development standards and leave some discretion to the Planning Department and Planning
Commission.
Councilor Susan Reid feels people should be able to paint their houses what color they want, but she
would support softening the language with regard to color. She pointed out that there is a portion of
the Historic District in the shaded area with houses painted historically correct colors. She feels that
this could create a problem and an exception should be made for the Historic District.
Don Laws asked for an amendment to be brought back at a future meeting but to move ahead with the
ordinance.
Mayor Golden clarified certain changes to be made: 35 feet to be changed to 36 feet on page 26, and
added there is a disagreement on color among council. With regards to the Historic District, the
Mayor feels the City should not be the color police, with the most important factors being bulk and
size, erosion, tree protection, where the houses are built and how much built according to slope. She
feels that some aesthetics are appropriate but does not like the idea of stating colors. She added that
poles and decks were not addressed so council wishes to leave that the way it is. She said an
additional diagram will be added on page 4. With regards to erosion control, the owner will be
responsible as on page 32. The rest will remain as presented and will be brought back for a first
reading with the minor changes.
2. Adoption of Community Development Block Grant Action Plan.
Associate Planner Maria Harris explained that the Department of Housing & Urban Development
requires that entitlement communities such as Ashland submit a one-year use-of-funds Action Plan,
and that the City is required to adopt the plan, hold hearings, and then submit it to HUD. She said
this is to describe how the community is addressing the priorities of the city's consolidated plan, and
to receive the community development block grant funds that the city is allocated each year. She said
there was a Public Hearing on July 2, with a 30-day public comment period which was advertised,
and then tonight's hearing which are all Federal requirements. A flyer was also distributed to
approximately 20 local non-profit groups.
PUBLIC HEARING CLOSED AT 8:28pm
Councilors Reid/Hagen m/s to adopt Community Development Block Grant Action Plan.
DISCUSSION: Councilor Wheeldon said that because the ICCA is also receiving funding it is going
to allow them to develop another aspect of that organization.
Mayor Golden mentioned that people have been contacted to serve on the ICCA Committee which is
one of the requirements of the grant and asked if anyone wishes to serve to contact the City.
Councilor Susan Reid said she would be willing to serve on the committee if needed. Councilor
Carole Wheeldon is already listed on the committee.
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Councilor Alan DeBoer questioned how long the $228,000 allocated to the City of Ashland could be
carried over. Maria Harris clarified that as long as progress in being made on the two projects, the
Family Resource Center and the Lithia Springs House for Young Women, there is no strict time line.
Roll Call Vote: Councilors Hauck, Reid, DeBoer, Laws, Hagen and Wheeldon, YES. Motion
passed.
PUBLIC FORUM: Business from the audience not included on the agenda. (Limited to 5 minutes
per speaker and 15 minutes total.)
PUBLIC FORUM OPEN 8:33pm
Barbara Jarvis, 1159 Emma Street/Wanted to thank Mayor and Council for the time and energy
spent with regards to Ashland. Said that she has watched many community meetings while on travels
around the country and meetings are not too different elsewhere. She read excerpts from a book
entitled "The Good City and the Good Life" by Daniel Kemmis, Mayor of Missoula, Montana.
PUBLIC FORUM CLOSED AT 8:38pm
NEW & MISCELLANEOUS BUSINESS:
1. Petition for reconsideration of liquor license approved on July 15, 1997 for proposed
sports bar at 475 North Main Street.
Mayor Golden read aloud a letter received from Laura Williams, License Investigator, Oregon Liquor
Control Commission, regarding a Liquor License Application for "Dugout Sports Pub & Grill" at 474
East Main Street.
Harriet J. Maher, 438 N. Main/Addressed the inadequate parking of the diner stating that it currently
has 13 parking spaces which equates to 52 people maximum in the building. She said that as the
Diner is zoned E1 commercial they are allowed to have a sports bar. However, she feels there could
be as many as 25 ears looking for parking in 13 spaces and they will look to her establishment, the
Bayberry Inn, to park. She said that delivery trucks will interfere with the traffic on N. Main to Loft
Lane, and just does not feel a sports bar is appropriate for the area.
Jack Evans, 70 Coolidge Street/Wanted to speak to the City's involvement and notification
procedures regarding liquor licenses. He feels the Consent Agenda which includes applications for
liquor licenses should be on the published agenda, or any applications for liquor licenses should be
on another part of the agenda, and not under the Consent Agenda. He feels that the City of Ashland
should not rubber-stamp what the OLCC puts forth, and that the City should notify residents and
others.
Councilor Don Laws feels their concerns are legitimate. He said that as far as notification is
concerned, these items are placed on the Consent Agenda because no liquor license applications have
been contested for over a decade. He feels this is more of a zoning problem than a liquor licensing
problem.
Jack Evans questioned the fact that perhaps there are few inquiries regarding liquor license applications
because they are on the Consent Agenda, and this is not published.
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City Attorney Paul Nolte said the City currently has an ordinance in effect on how we investigate
applications for liquor licenses, and it is only when the Chief of Police recommends a denial that any
kind of notice is given for a Public Hearing. He said the ordinance can be changed and guidelines
adopted which have to go to the Liquor Commission for approval and consideration.
Councilor Don Laws feels there is no problem with the liquor license application process but that
notification should be given.
John McLaughlin clarified that with regards to zoning, an E1 zone allows eating and drinking
establishments as permitted uses and although that does not distinguish between an eating or drinking
establishment they are considered the same type of use, and one parking space per four seats is
required, lie clarified there has been no change in use to the diner, just a change in name.
Councilor Susan Reid asked if there is public access to Lori Lane from North Main.
Planning Director John McLaughlin clarified that this is a public right-of-way alley.
Councilor Don Laws would like a report back in six months or so to see if there is a problem with
parking for this particular establishment, and if the zoning ordinance needs to be amended.
Mayor Golden said there were two specific items that the neighbors had brought forward which need
to be accommodated. One is publication of the Consent Agenda, and the other is checking on the
parking situation to make sure parking is adequate.
2. Discussion of bid results on Central Ashland Multi-Use Path and alternative plans for
funding.
Finance Director Jill Turner explained the memo that was distributed to council. The project is about
$965,000 in total, of which $135,000 has been spent engineering the fight of way costs. She
explained that she and others went through the entire Street and Transportation budget to look at
different ways to deal with funding and the projects listed add up to the additional $190,000. The
Indiana/Siskiyou projects costs projected is $48,000 less than budget. The Roca Paradise Creek
storrndrain project was estimated at approximately $250,000 and they do not believe this will be
completed in the current fiscal year but will be carried over to the following fiscal year. She
explained that each year $30,000 is placed into the Local Improvement District as a match for
sidewalks and now an additional $50,000 has been added to that program. The funds are still sitting
there because the '95/'96 allocation has not been used. She explained that in reviewing the budget
it is tight, at about $3.7 million and has $990,000 worth of contingencies. She asked that the council
suggest an amended budget later to reflect the changes.
Mayor Golden said there is a letter from Senator Ron Wyden alerting the City to possible funds to
work with this project. The deadline for application is August 15 but these are Federal funds that
would work well with this project.
Councilor Ken Hagen inquired as to whether they had talked with ODOT about reducing the overhead.
Pam Barlow clarified they are working together with ODOT and these amounts will be adjusted to
reflect actual costs.
Councilor Carole Wheeldon asked for the fund exchange to be explained.
Pam Barlow explained these are the same types of funds that are used on the East Main project where
the Federal funds were bought out for 96 cents on the dollar, and this can then be used on city projects
without the burdens of Federal regulations.
Finance Director Jill Turner explained that this is a Federal tax that goes to the State level on which
application can be made every couple of years.
Councilor Carole Wheeldon inquired as to whether an addendum could be added to pay the fund back
next year.
Councilors Hagen/Reid in/s acceptance of bid for construction of the Railroad Bikepath. Voice
Vote aH AYES. Motion passed.
3. Request for sewer connection inside urban growth boundary at 252 Crowson Road
(applicant Karen Scott).
Public Works Director Paula Brown clarified this is for a sewer service connection, wherein Mrs.
Scott has asked for sewer service connection on Crowson Road. The City has the availability and she
meets the requirements of the ordinance within the Urban Growth Boundary but outside City Limits.
Councilors Hagen/Hauck m/s approval of the request for sewer service connection inside urban
growth boundary at 252 Crowson Road. Voice Vote all AYES. Motion passed.
ORDINANCES. RESOLUTIONS AND CONTRACTS:
1. Reading by title only of "An Ordinance Repealing The Sunset Clause for the Chronic
Nuisance (Party House) Ordinance."
Councilors Hagen/Laws m/s to approve second reading of "An Ordinance Repealing the Sunset
Clause for the Chronic Nuisance (Party House) Ordinance." Roll Call Vote: DeBoer, Laws,
Hauck, Hagen, Wheeldon and Reid, YES.
2. Second reading by title only of "An Ordinance Adding Chapter 11.54 to The AMC
Regulating The Use of Skateboards Within The City of Ashland and Repealing Section
11.16.130 of the AMC."
Mayor Golden explained there have been many letters written regarding skateboarders traveling on
steep streets in Ashland. She read aloud a letter from Patricia Duncan of Parkside Drive as this
addressed the concerns of many. The Mayor read that Ms. Duncan does not feel skateboards should
be allowed on streets or sidewalks, to which the Mayor clarified they are only allowed on sidewalks
under the present ordinance. With regard to skateboarding in the middle and both sides of the streets,
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the Mayor clarified that the new ordinance reads skateboarding must be on the fight side of the street.
With regard to racing, Ms. Duncan feels the ordinance addresses unsafe, dangerous and reckless
practices. With regard to Ms. Duncan's concerns on skateboarding at dusk, the Mayor clarified the
new ordinance regulates lighting on skateboarders which the current ordinance does not. With regards
to Ms. Duncan's concern about skateboarders skating on her lawn, the Mayor expressed that it is
prohibited to skate on private property without the explicit consent of the owner. The Mayor also
clarified that skateboarders would have to have permission to skate in shopping centers.
Ron Peck, 360 Pearl Street/Expressed concerns about skating being allowed on any street that is 25
mph or less which could be anywhere in the residential area. He fears there could be a large
congregation of skateboarders traveling down Pearl Street which is especially steep and desirable to
skateboarders. He is also concerned about possible damage to curbs.
Mayor Golden stated that this ordinance was not meant to provide recreation for skateboarders and
certainly not at the expense of homeowners.
Deborah Heatherstone, 2000 Tolman Creek Road/Wanted to clarify as to whether the penalty for
a third offense would be 90 days in jail or $1,000 which seemed senselessly harsh. She said it exceeds
the general penalty given to bicyclists.
Mayor Golden clarified that the increased penalties are only for the downtown area. She said that all
ages skateboard and not just children. The Mayor read aloud excerpts from the ordinance describing
the penalties.
Jan Janssen, 107 Sth Street/Spealdng as the Youth Diversion Officer for the Ashland Police
Department. Her main concern with the new skateboarding ordinance is the third portion of the
penalties downtown and that most of the kids she works with are arrested downtown. She said a $200
penalty for a 13 year-old is difficult to handle. With 40 hours of community service given to a child
in lieu of a fmc it is time consuming for her to track.
Mayor Golden reiterated that it is not the intent of the ordinance to send a 12 year-old to jail. She
stated that in the downtown area there are thousands of people roaming in and out of storefronts which
can create dangerous situations. The Mayor said the penalties increase each time because the City is
serious about the possible ramifications. She said in addition to the added penalties downtown the
entire city has opened up for skateboarding, and while it has been virtually illegal to skateboard
anywhere in the city, except on sidewalks, it is now acceptable and there is no excuse for kids or
adults to be skateboarding in the downtown.
Jan Janssen wanted to add she does not want kids to be found in contempt of court or failing to
comply because they cannot afford to pay a fine or serve time. Otherwise she has no problem with
the ordinance.
Cate Hartzell, 881 E. Main/She feels the ordinance needs more work although opening up the rest
of the city to skateboarding is a good thing. She does not believe there are appropriate places for the
skateboarders to skate. With regard to helmets, Ms. Hartzell does not feel this can be regulated
overnight. She feels more issues still need to be addressed and the City should back up on this
ordinance. She hopes that skateboarders will not be targeted in particular as drivers in some instances
are far more dangerous.
City
Reuben Davis, 8653 Wagner Creek, Talent/Has a business in downtown Ashland. He is afraid that
the City will treat kids in the downtown area worse than drunk drivers or people in possession of
drugs. He expressed that the penalties are outrageous and bordering on insane, although he feels it
is a good idea to increase fines in the downtown area. He feels the city is being progressive with this
ordinance and allowing kids to skateboard on the streets with helmets is a good idea. He said that for
skateboarders to use lights at night is a good idea. He feels the City should backtrack and redo this
ordinance to avoid greater problems than there are now with skateboarders.
Councilor Susan Reid stated that when a 14/15 year old bicyclist gets a serious traffic citation their
driving license can be withheld when they go to apply. She asked if the same thing could happen with
skateboarders. She also asked about what would happen with kids being sent to jail as Ashland does
not have a jail and would this in fact back the City into a comer.
Sgt. Mci Clements clarified that bicycles are covered under State law and the skateboarding ordinance
is a city ordinance so would not apply with regards to losing driving license privileges. He said that
he doubted that a juvenile could be lodged for 30 days in jail, although adults would be treated
differently. He said the skateboard committee tried to write an ordinance that would set some
regulations that could be enforced, and that the tradeoff for the enforcement, for instance, helmets,
riding to the right side of the street, would be areas opening up for them to travel and to ride
skateboards. It was not the general consensus of the group to write an ordinance to cover those who
wanted to use skateboards for tricks, but to write an ordinance for transportation needs.
Councilor Alan DeBoer feels more credit should be given to the judges as they certainly are not going
to put anyone under 17 years old in jail. He feels that community service at $10 an hour credit
instead of $5 an hour would make it easier to accomplish. He supports a 15 % grade change on a
percentage of streets.
Sgt. Mel Clements said that when a draft of the ordinance was completed copies of the ordinance were
delivered to each committee member with a request to contact him if there were concerns, but there
were no such requests from any committee members.
At lO:OOpm Councilor Wheeldon/Hagen m/s to extend City Council Meeting. Voice Vote all
AYES. Motion to extend City Council Meeting passed.
Sgt. Mel Clements said that it is difficult to enforce skateboarding rules outside the downtown area.
He added if there is a hazardous situation or a situation which interferes with traffic the police will
enforce at that point. He stressed that sometimes the only way to get some of the people to appear
in court is by confiscating their skateboards. He said that many of the people with tickets downtown
are multiple offenders. He also felt it a good idea to be able to distribute maps under the new
ordinance.
Councilor Carole Wheeldon addressed the issue of steep streets and that many people have written in
about this fact.
Sgt. Mel Clements said the general consensus at the committee meetings was to keep the ordinance
simple, so the steepness rating was not addressed in the ordinance. If skateboarders have the skill to
skateboard the steep streets then they may do so.
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Councilor Stephen Hauck asked if there would be a way to handle kids just riding up and down steep
streets for fun and not using their skateboards for transportation purposes.
Sgt. Mel Clements replied if it creates a noise violation it will be dealt with by asking the
skateboarders to move to another location.
Councilor Susan Reid addressed the issue of skateboarders colliding with someone backing out onto
the street. She voiced concerns about limited visibility with someone backing out of a driveway, and
a skateboarder being legal on the street.
Sgt. Mci Clements said that a right-of-way is always given to a pedestrian, a vehicle or a bicycle. A
skateboarder does not have the right-of-way.
Councilor Don Laws expressed concern that skateboarders coming downhill very fast would not be
able to stop quickly. He feels skateboarders will be far more dangerous than bicycles or automobiles
because of their inability to stop. He feels the ordinance is getting the City into a dangerous situation.
Councilor Ken Hagen questioned the issue of skateboarders wearing helmets.
Mayor Golden said that because most skateboarders do not carry any ID it was easier to state in the
ordinance that all skateboarders, and not just minors, should wear helmets.
City Administrator Brian Almquist read aloud the changes to the ordinance.
Councilors Hagen/Hauck m/s to approve 2nd reading of Ordinance 2804.
DISCUSSION FOLLOWED AMONG COUNCIL:
Councilor Alan DeBoer inquired as to inserting a 15% steepness clause in the ordinance.
Mayor Golden said that Mel Clements had voiced concerns about regulating such a steepness clause,
but it would not be hard to add this at a later date.
Councilor Ken Hagen feels identification should be made as to what streets are designated as to the
percentage of steepness and also that we should communicate to the skateboarders where they are
allowed to skate.
Councilor Don Laws expressed frustration with the inability to provide a safe environment for all users
of the streets as a result of skateboarders on the streets.
Councilor Susan Reid feels the issues should be dealt with now instead of moving ahead.
Roll Call Vote: Wheeldon, DeBoer, Hagen, Hauck, Laws, YES. Reid, NO. Motion passed.
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3. Reading by title only of "A Resolution Amending the Pay Plan for Management and
Confidential Employees for Fiscal Year 1997-98."
City Administrator Brian Almquist explained that Items 3 (Resolution Amending Pay Plan) and 4
(Ratification of Labor Contracts) are related. He explained that the Teamsters Union representing the
Police employees have ratified a tentative settlement with the city. A tentative settlement with the
IBEW representing the electrical workers, and a tentative 4-year agreement with the IBEW
representing technical and clerical workers has been reached. A four-year agreement has also been
reached with the Construction/Laborers Union representing all of the public works employees. He
confirmed the firefighters have asked for mediation services so this has reached an impasse.
Regarding the supervisory and confidential employees which includes the City Recorder and Municipal
Judge, Brian Almquist recommends a 3 % increase for fiscal years 1997 and 1998. He explained the
City Recorder and Municipal Judge are treated in a different manner under the Charter, which states
salary shall be tied to the average salary adjustment for other supervisory employees and department
heads. He stated that with cities of comparable size we are about where we should be with regard to
salaries. He said that in light of the addition of the ambulance service last fiscal year it would be
appropriate to raise the Fire Chief up one step which is 5 % to the same salary range as Police Chief,
and to raise the Assistant Chief and Police Captain by one step to put them on the same salary
schedule as the Fire EMS Coordinator.
Councilor Don Laws expressed a conflict of interest with regards to the supervisory employees.
Councilors Hauck/Hagen m/s to adopt Resolution #97-33. Roll Call Vote: Reid, Hagen,
Wheeldon, DeBoer, Hauck, YES. Laws abstained due to conflict of interest. Motion passed.
4. Ratification of labor contracts with Teamsters Local 229 (Police); Laborers Local 121
(Public Works); and IBEW Local 659 (Electrical Workers).
Councilor Steven Hauck indicated he would like to review the documents at a later date.
Councilors Hauck/Wheeldon m/s to ratify labor contracts with Team~ers Local 229, Laborers
Local 121, and IBEW Local 659. Roll Call Vote: Reid, Wheeldon, DeBoer, Hagen, Hauck, Laws,
YES. Motion passed.
OTHER BI~I$INES$ FROM COUNCIL MEMBERS
Councilor Susan Reid questioned the Historic Ordinance and whereabouts it is on the priority list for
the city, which is to be addressed at a later date.
ADJOURNMENT
Meeting was adjourned at 10:30pm.
F~-~n~s ~xecutive Secretary Catherine M. Golden, Mayor
City Couadl