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Home My WebLink AboutExhibits from Meeting January 18, 2005 To the Honorable l\1ayor, John Morrison and City Council of Ashland, I would like to go on record in opposition to the resolution which requires a waiver of2004 Statewide Measure 37 claims for property owners desiring to annex their properties to the City of Ashland. I believe that this is a land use issue that requires a public hearing. I also believe that this ordinance is discriminatory and violates the civil rights of property owners to exercise their constitu ional rights, specifically as it relates to Measure 37. ~ ~ Sixer. ' D~ G;eene January 17, 2005 Dear Mayor and Councilors, We are writing out of conCE~m for our entire neighborhood and the people who live here. We were shocked to hear that city planners now say homes bordering Russ Dale's "Falcon Heights" should not have the amount of sunlight that the city's solar ordinance normally gives to homes. Please fix the ordinance lto stop this unfairness. It's just wrong. This commercial development will be bad enough at two stories, because the buildings are so bulky and sit up so high. Building them to 30 or 40 feet high is out of place here. Falcon Heights should have some kind of buffer around it to protect neighboring homes on Williamson and Starfiower. it does not because the city didn!t require it. This developer has already hurt our neighborhood with the botched construction in Mountain Creek, which we all used to enjoy as something beautiful and natural. Now it looks like a disaster area. When we pass by it E~ach day, we shake our heads and wonder how the city could allow that to happen. Now we are wondering how the city could use the solar ordinance to protect some neighborhoods and not others, Bud and Sharon Marler 364 Starflower Lane, Ashland RUTII N. lYIILLER PI1ILIP C. Li\NG, LC8W 758 B Street · i\shland, Ore8on 97520 Residence 541 · 482-8659 Office!fEL'( 541 · 482-5387 January 18, 2004 Distributed to: Charter Review Committee City Council & Mayor City Attorney City Administrator At the last Council meeting I asked that you consider the problem of citizen participation. I was deeply gratified that at your goal setting meeting last week you made that the top priority goal. I wanted to remind you that excellent guidance is available from the Council generated committee reports. of: Memorandum of the City Ad Hoc Communication Committee - 10/31/96 (Draft; Public Information, Communication and Marketing Plan .adopted by Council on 9/15/98. Bill S~reet's suggestions at Council meeting. Tonight I want to recommend that you adopt .:a code of ethics for Ashland's elected and appoin.ted officials. Unfortunately, the Charter Review Committee has dumped the issue of adopting a code of ethics into the "miscellaneous" category. It is receiving no attention let alone not being made a priority for inclusion in the rmris:e.d charter. ORS 24L~ covers "fair practices and ethics". But it is narrow and limited. It specifies only afew;;blatant hehaviors as formally unethical. We need a code of ethics more comprehensive than that. We needn't look far for a perfect model - indeed a code that can easily be adopted whole and entire. I commEmd to you the City of Portland City Charter Chapter 1.03: Code of Ethics. It is comprehensive, straightforward.' It is.:wriltten in simple, declarative sentences every,ane.can"unders1;Zand and apply. This short, two-page cha~ter covers definitions, trust, objectivity, accountability and leadership. Beyond making rules and sanctions for ethical behavior, it constitutes a framework, and setts a tone for the best behavior of elected and appointed officials. I commE~nd it to your attention and request that its consideration be made a core issue in eharter revision. PHILIP C. LANG attachrrlent: City of Portland Charter-Chapter 1.03: Code of Ethics (2 pp.) Chapter 1.03 Code of Ethics Page 1 ot j portlandonline - home - subscribe - sign-in The City of Portland, Oregon lHome'(services iplendar"GpUblications'-,~Charter, Code & PoliciesasDivisions~~1 1 ..~: "~'/ { ($ ~ 1~:: u \ ~ ~ ;; ) 'l : ' ~ . ... . -: ,-~: I, ..,. ~ (' I ' . POL -., Government -., Elected Officials -., Auditor -., Charter, Code & Policies -., City Code & Charter -., Online Code & Charter -., Title 1 General Provision -., Chapter 1.03 Code of Ethics Chapter 1.03 4:ode of Ethics Table of Contents (Printable VE~rsion) -=-Note .1.03.010 Definitions. 1.03.020 Trust. 1.03.030 Objectivity. 1.03.040 Accountability. .1.03.050 Leadership. -Note (New Section added by Ord. No. 167619, May 4, 1994.) 1.03.010 Definitions. A. "City official" means any elected official, employee, appointee to a board or commission, or citizen volunteer authorized to act on behalf of the City of Portland, Oregon. B. "Ethics" means positive principles of conduct. Some ethical requirements are enforced by federal, state, or local law; others rely on training, or on individuals' desire to do the right thing. The provisions of this Chapter which are not elsewhere enforced by law shall be considered advisory only. 1.03.020 Trust. The purpose of City government is to serve the public. City officials treat their office as a public trust. A. The City's powers and resources are used for the benefit of the public rather than any official's personal benefit. B. City officials promote public respect by avoiding even the appearance of impropriety. c. Policymakers place long-term benefit to the public as a whole above all other considerations, including the concerns of important individuals and special interests. However, the public interest includes protecting the rights of under-represented minorities. D. Administrators implement policies in good faith as equitably and economically as possible, regardless of their personal views. E. Whistle-blowinl~ is appropriate on unlawful or improper actions. F. Citizens have a fair and equal opportunity to express their views to City officials. G. City officials do not give the appearance of impropriety or personal gain http://www.portlandonline.comlauditor/index.cfm? &c=2815 3 Code of Eth i cs ~searCh ! Chapter 1.03 ~ title 1 General Provision ~ .cb1l~r 1.01 Code Adoption Chapter 1.03 Code of Ethics Chapter 1.04 Corporate Seal c.haQler 1.06 Official Flag .chaR--t-er 1.07 Documentation of Rule~~olicL~ .chaRter 1. 08 Service of Notice 1/18/2005 Lnapter 1.Uj LOGe or .t.tnlcS page L ot j by accepting personal gifts. H. City officials devote City resources, including paid time, working supplies and capital assets, to benefit the public. I. Political campailJns are not conducted on City time or property. 1.03.030 Obje:ctivity. City officials' decisions are based on the merits of the issues. Judgment is independent and objective. A. City officials avoid financial conflict of interest and do not accept benefits from people requesting to affect decisions. B. If an individual officials financial or personal interests will be specifically affected by a decision, the official is to withdraw from participating in the decision. c. City officials avoid bias or favoritism, and respect cultural differences as part of decision-making. D. Intervention on behalf of constituents or friends is limited to assuring fairness of procedures, clarifying policies or improving service for citizens. 1.03.040 Acc(l.untability. Open government allows citizens to make informed judgments and to hold officials accountable. A. City officials exercise their authority with open meetings and public records. B. Officials who delegate responsibilities make sure the work is carried out efficiently and ethically. C. Campaigns for election allow the voters to make an informed choice on appropriate criteria. D. Each City employee and appointee is encouraged to improve City systems by identifying problems and proposing improvements. E. City government systems are self-monitoring, with procedures in place to promote appropriate actions. 1.03.050 Leadership. A. City officials obey all laws and regulations. B. City officials do not exploit loopholes. c. Leadership facilitates, rather than blocks, open discussion. D. Officials avoid discreditable personal conduct and are personally honest. E. All City bureaus and work teams are encouraged to develop detailed ethical standards, training, and enforcement. F. The City Auditor will publish a pamphlet containing explanations and examples of ethical principles. 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