HomeMy WebLinkAbout2000-0308_SS MINMINUTES FOR THE STUDY SESSION MEETING
ASHLAND CITY COUNCIL
March 8, 2000
Council Chambers, 1175 E Main
CALL TO ORDER:
Mayor Shaw called the meeting to order at 12:10 p.m.
IN ATTENDANCE: Councilors Laws, Reid, Hauck, Wheeldon and Fine were present. City Administrator Mike Freeman, Assistant City Administrator Greg Scoles, Director of Administrative Services
Dick Wanderscheid, Community Development Director John McLaughlin, Director of Electrical Utilities Pete Lovrovich, and Parks Director Ken Mickelsen were also present.
TOUR OF ASHLAND FIBER NETWORK (AFN) FACILITIES AND UPDATE ON THE AFN
Director of Electrical Utilities Pete Lovrovich provided current marketing information to those in attendance. He explained that all material for installation of service has been received
and indicated on a map the areas that are ready for service.
Director of Administrative Services Dick Wanderscheid briefly explained the marketing and customer service for AFN. City Administrator Mike Freeman explained that there is a separate
marketing plan for overground vs. underground installation. He stated that there will be no significant delay for underground installation.
Lovrovich stated that there are eight certified Interact Service Providers (ISPs) signed up at this time, and noted that this far exceeds the business plan. He explained that we are
also exceeding the business projection for high speed data (HSD) customers, such as SOU, the School District, the City and local businesses. He also noted that CATV Services began 2/1/00
and that everything was going very smoothly.
Attendees toured the AFN facility.
DISCUSSION OF OUTDOOR LIGHTING
Community Development Director John McLaughlin explained to council that the purpose of this discussion was to get direction from council, as this issued had previously been deferred
by council. Noted that this might involve a comprehensive lighting ordinance or something more limited in scope. McLaughlin explained the existing permit and inspection process for
lighting poles.
City Administrator Mike Freeman explained that there are a lot of things already on the plate for Community Development and sought to determine the council's priority on this issue.
Councilor Fine would like to determine the objective in forming a comprehensive lighting ordinance.
Laws noted that the Parks Department has already begun working on this issue. Suggested that it would be relatively easy to set guidelines for future permits. Retrofitting could be left
for future consideration.
Reid suggested that new businesses and developments would need to follow guidelines set by council. Shaw commented on selling guidelines that follow the same path as the sign ordinance,
with the requirement that new buildings or renovations would need to comply with the guidelines. Shaw suggested not giving this priority at this time, but noted that an ad hoe committee
could be appointed to address this.
Wheeldon asked for a definition of "light pollution," and suggested that this needs to be looked at more closely to raise people's awareness.
Lovrovich explained the process and steps that his department takes in minimizing light pollution. Hauck noted that the City of Phoenix, AZ began the process of minimizing light pollution
first with city lighting, street lights, etc., and then worked into the issue of light pollution outside city services.
Shaw requested: 1)that staff obtain examples of ordinances from other cities to be used as models; 2)that the city begin looking at the type of lights used for city projects; and 3)that
all new subdivisions come in under a standard to deal with light pollution. Shaw suggested that awareness of light pollution could be handled through educating people.
Reid stated that she was satisfied with the beginning that the Parks Department has made, and noted that them could be some stylistic issues involved if light pollution standards are
placed on new construction and subdivisions. Noted the concern with cougar sightings, and the response of many people putting in high intensity lights.
Fine requested that there not be any additional dark areas created by any proposed ordinance for light pollution, as them are public safety concerns. Hauck clarified that standards would
mean that more light was directed on the street to be illuminated and less directed into the sky, meaning that lessening the light pollution would actually improve the illumination
at street level.
Wheeldon agreed with Reid that the Parks Department draft is a good beginning. McLaughlin explained for Wheeldon that there is subjective language in the city ordinances now that deals
with direct illumination of residential properly. Wheeldon stated that she hoped council would be reasonable in the time expectation for when this proposed change in ordinances would
take place, in light of the Community Development workload.
Wheeldon noted that she did not want to hold up the Parks Department, and suggested that they are in the middle of a public process around lighting issues now. Mickelsen explained that
the memo provided to council was to clarify the focus and direction that the Parks Department is taking in regard to lighting in the Ashland Parks and Recreation System.
McLaughlin noted that the citywide light pollution issue has to do with preserving dark skies, while the Parks Department' s concerns are more specific and relative to the neighborhood
around the project. Suggested that it is valid that these two are separate, to ensure that the concerns of the neighborhood can be addressed.
McLaughlin noted that a good deal of work has been done by the Conservation Commission, and suggested that this can be pulled together into a report for the council.
Lovrovich stated that the city would probably need to begin purchasing different fixtures to comply with light pollution standards. Reid expressed concern with missing opportunities
to put in more efficient lights in developments that occur now, and suggested taking some provisional measures until a formal policy is in place.
Fine suggested that people be given as much choice as possible in the types of fixtures they can use. Reid asked that staff bring forth information in the interim to give people the
option to use more efficient lighting to protect dark skies. McLaughlin clarified that the city actually installs the lighting in developments, and stated that he had spoken with Lovrovich
about purchasing more efficient fixtures.
ADJOURNMENT
The meeting was adjourned at 1:20 p.m.
Submitted by Barbara Christensen, City Recorder/Treasurer
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City Council Study Session 03-08-2000