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HomeMy WebLinkAbout2001-0619_MINMINUTES FOR THE REGULAR MEETING ASHLAND CITY COUNCIL June 19, 2001 - 7:00 p.m. Civic Center Council Chambers, 1175 E. Main Street PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE Mayor DeBoer called the meeting to order at 7:00 p.m. in the Civic Center Council Chambers. ROLL CALL Councilors Reid, Hartzell, Hanson, Morrison were in attendance. Laws and Fine were absent. APPROVAL OF MINUTES Hartzell made a clarification to the "Other Business from Council Members" section of the June 5, 2001 minutes, page five, first paragraph, line one, changed to read, "Hartzell noted that proposals are expected for various committees . . ." Councilors Morrison/Hanson m/s to approve the Executive Session Minutes for May 15, 2001 and the City Council Meeting minutes for June 5, 2001 with the amendment. Voice Vote: all AYES. Motion passed. SPECIAL PRESENTATIONS & AWARDS 1. Mayor's award of plaque to Jim Olson for 30 years of service to the City of Ashland. Presentation by the Conservation Commission on current activities Dick Wanderschied introduced members of the Conservation Commission. Charles Bennett, Joanne Krippaehne, and Mort Smith gave a presentation on the commission's activities, including conservation, recycling, and green waste programs, as well as community education endeavors. 3. Proclamation of Sri Chinmoy Peach-Blossom City in conjunction with the Sri Chinmoy Oneness-Home Peace Run CONSENT AGENDA 1. Minutes of Boards, Commissions and Committees. 2. Confirmation of Mayor's appointment of Roberta Stebbins to the Audit Committee for a term to expire April 30, 2004. 3. Confirmation of Mayor's appointment of Douglas Morrison, M.D., and reappointments of Paul Nicholson and Daniel Jackson, DDE, to the Hospital Board for terms to expire June 30, 2005. 4. Ambulance License Renewal. 5. Liquor License Application for Franco & Jennifer Minniti dba Vineria Italia Wholesale Wine Distributors. 6. Modification of Encroachment Easement at 353 Hargadine Street (Cadbury Cottage). Councilors Morrison/Reid m/s to approve Consent Agenda. Voice Vote: all Ayes. Motion passed. Addition to the Consent Agenda - Confirmation of Mayor's appointment of Greg Williams to the Ad Hoc SDC Committee. Councilors Reid/Morrison m/s to approve confirmation. Voice Vote: All Ayes. Motion passed. PUBLIC HEARINGS (None) PUBLIC HEARING OPEN and CLOSED: 7:30 p.m. PUBLIC FORUM Alan Sandler/ 1260 Prospect/Gave the council a handout regarding the Air Space above the OSF Hargadine Parking Structure. He proposed building low-income housing in return for the space. Councilors Reid/Hartzell m/s to add this item to New and Miscellaneous Business. Voice Vote: All Ayes. Motion passed. UNFINISHED BUSINESS (None) NEW AND MISCELLANEOUS BUSINESS 1. Presentation by Citizens for a Healthy Ashland, an Ad Hoc Committee of Tobacco Free Jackson County. Ad Hoc Committee Chair Kaaren Borsting made a presentation regarding the development of an ordinance to limit youth access to tobacco and for the protection of workers from second-hand smoke. Ashland High School Nurse Practitioner Judy Blickenstaff spoke about the susceptibility of youth to tobacco addiction and the carcinogenic properties. She introduced three high school students, who spoke of their personal experiences with smoking, including the ease of purchase, addiction, and how the anti-tobacco program has influenced their lives. Michael Donovan, a restaurant owner who established a non-smoking policy seven years ago, stated that he preferred a statewide ordinance similar to California, but failing that, he felt the City should make the decision. It was his understanding that most restaurants in Ashland have already become non-smoking establishments, and speculated that most bars would balk at the idea. Morrison suggested adding this issue to a future Study Session to allow council to examine the issue and then give staff direction. He felt it was important for the City to create an ordinance, rather than the State. Council agreed to add a Study Session on August 1, 2001 to discuss the tobacco ordinance. Bonneville Power Administration Conservation Augmentation Contract. Wanderschied gave an update on the contract and reviewed conservation options. The City would receive $860,000 over a five-year period from BPA for conservation programs. Councilors Hartzell/Reid m/s to authorize the contract. Voice Vote: All Ayes. Motion passed. Bonneville Power Administration Rate Mitigation Agreement. Wanderschied noted that 33-million kilowatt hours (kWhs) must be reduced from current use over the next two years. There are two ways to reduce use: 1) conservation, alternatives for reducing electricity use (special light bulbs), and 2) curtailment, stopping use entirely (turning off streetlights). He was confident that the City could meet the reduction, but it would take the entire community--business, government, and citizens. BPA believes the rate increase would be approximately 99%, but if all municipalities engage in conservation efforts, the increase could be 75%. Wanderschied requested direction. Councilors Hanson/Reid m/s to authorize staff to execute the Rate Mitigation Agreement described herein. DISCUSSION: Wanderschied clarified that rates are based on rate design of increasing block rates. Morrison noted his concern regarding crime prevention with the use of fewer streetlights. Wanderschied stated that the Highway Department has noted that the City has gone above and beyond minimum standards for lighting. Voice Vote: all Ayes. 4. Discussion of Air Space over Shakespeare Parking Structure DeBoer made a recommendation to send the issue to the Housing Commission to develop a proposal. He suggested putting off any discussion for three months to allow the structure to be completed and to allow other planned building projects to begin. Hartzell and Reid were in agreement, as there are an overwhelming number of projects at this time. Sandler was referred to the Housing Commission, who will meet next on June 27, 2001. ORDINANCES, RESOLUTIONS AND CONTRACTS 1. Second reading by title only of "An Ordinance Levying Taxes for the Period of July 1, 2001 to and including June 30, 2002, such taxes in the sum of $7,078,000.00 upon all the Real and Personal Property subject to Assessment and Levy within the Corporate Limits of the City of Ashland, Jackson County, Oregon." Councilors Hanson/Morrison m/s to approve Ordinance 2870. Roll Call Vote: Reid, Morrison, and Hanson – Yes; Hartzell – No. Motion passed. 2. Reading by title only of "A Resolution Adopting a Parking Management Plan for the Hargadine Parking Facility and Establishing User Fees." Scoles explained the plan, including collection of user fees to pay the City's portion of the project. Many options are available for parking fees (varying rates for day, night, and weekends and the sale of parking permits). The structure would be "pay and display" technology. Three separate levels with individual access do not allow for collect at a manned booth. Employees within the structure would be used strictly for writing tickets. Colin Swales/461 Allison/Felt the council should wait until after the July 18, Study Session when the Transportation, Transit, and Parking Committee Report is presented. He felt that OSF should pay for the parking as they benefit greatly from the spaces, and suggested adding parking fees to theater tickets. He encouraged council to allow free parking. Hartzell requested a quarterly report from staff after the structure has been opened for use and an updated cost analysis, noting that the outline may not be entirely accurate. Scoles stated that handout was intended to outline how much the City would need to provide should the structure remain free parking. Council could wait for a year to receive an actual analysis. Scoles clarified that level two and three would be available immediately upon completion. OSF would retain level one for storage use until after the theater is completed. Morrison questioned opening the structure for free parking for a limited period of time, which would encourage citizens to park there. Scoles noted that several options are available. DeBoer noted that removing employee's personal vehicles from the streets would allow more space for others. He suggested charging employee’s a nominal fee for parking permits. DeBoer was opposed to charging for parking on the street. Swales noted an existing ordinance prohibiting parking by staff in the downtown area between May and September. This would preclude their parking in the structure. Hartzell suggested supplementing parking permits for staff. She was concerned with the wording of the resolution and suggested changing Section 3, last line, to read, "To the extent practicable, such fee adjustments shall be set to balance adequate revenues from the facility and to assure continued short-term access and high use of the facility." Councilors Reid/Hanson m/s to approve Resolution 2001-20 as amended. Roll Call Vote: Morrison, Reid, Hartzell, and Hanson - Yes. Motion passed. 3. Reading by title only of "A Resolution Endorsing Cascade-Siskiyou National Monument." Hartzell gave a short background of the project. Morrison noted that two public meetings have been held with a final meeting to be held on June 20, at the Bellevue Grange in Tolman Creek at 7:30 p.m. Citizens are encouraged to provide input, which would be utilized to send direction to Gayle Norton, Secretary of the Interior. Brian Almquist/128 Wimer/Brought the history of the project, including a Resolution passed by the City Council in 1985 endorsing the Soda Mountain Wilderness Area, which has become the Cascade-Siskiyou National Monument. Almquist supports of monument. Dave Willis offered testimonial support from Dr. Michael Parker, Department of Biology at Southern Oregon University; Dr. Pepper Trail, Rogue Valley Audubon Society Conservation Chair and Fish and Wildlife Service employee; and Dr. Steve Jessup, Department of Biology at Southern Oregon University and Native Plant Society of Oregon West-side Conservation Chair. DeBoer noted that he was hesitant in making decisions on issues outside the City. County Commissioners have set up a committee and public hearings have been planned. He preferred waiting until after the July 18, Study Session to make a decision, which would allow staff to gather more information. Councilors Reid/Hartzell m/s to approve Resolution 2001-19. DISCUSSION: Reid noted that various councils have shown their support of this issue in the past, and felt that approval was consistent. Hartzell felt that although the monument was outside city limits, inter-relationships between the city and outside influences are important. Hanson was not necessarily in favor and did not think the area would necessarily be protected anymore than it is now. Roll Call Vote: Hartzell, Morrison, and Reid – Yes; Hanson – No. Motion passed. OTHER BUSINESS FROM COUNCIL MEMBERS Scoles noted that the grand opening of the Wastewater Treatment Plant is scheduled for 5:30 p.m. on July 22. ADJOURNMENT Meeting was adjourned at 9:06 p.m. __________________________________ ____________________________________ Michelle Cole, Assistant to the City Recorder Alan DeBoer, Mayor Page 3 of 3 City Council Meeting 6-19-2001