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HomeMy WebLinkAbout2007-0904 Documents Submitted at Meeting 9/4/07 Members of the City Council, I do not stand before you tonight because I respect your time and that of all the other people gathered before you. As a former member of the Planning Commission I recall how the Commission and the planning staff once took pride in encouraging block parties throughout the city. Such events encourage community pride at a most local level and exhibit a level of neighborhood friendliness seldom sought nor witnessed in the large urban areas from which many of us used to call home. For the last 16 years we have closed off "B" Street during the last Sunday in August, from five to nine p.m. We serve smoked brisket and Ashland's Caldera amber. Neighbors and friends from throughout town show up with salads and deserts are made most welcome. The turnout is between 100 and 350, depending on the strength and direction of the prevailing winds. Local musicians are good enough to spice up the afternoon with some bluegrass and other floating, melodic melodies. Many generations mingle, giggle and munch. It is the talk of the neighborhood and a loud whisper throughout the whole town. Throughout the history of the event our only detractor has been a single department head, who disapproved of allowing a taxpayer to borrow out-of-service detour signs. You might find it difficult to believe, but in the past we have been told to design our own signs, disregarding all Federal and State guidelines. Had someone befell an accident, it would have been the City to suffer financially, as these were the directions from those on high. This year our application form bloated from two pages to seven and was laden with rules, regulations, suggestions and mandates. On the application it stated that "B" Street was an inappropriate location for a block party. It took the City only16 years to come to this misguided conclusion. Upon a cursory investigation, I learned that the only city department whose head has consistently stood against our press for uniform standards and co-operation now is in charge of the Block Party permit process. Accordingly a Block Party is no longer viewed as a neighborhood event, but singularly and only as a "street closure," something you would encounter as a developer hooks up his subdivision to sewer line running under a public street. Good for System Development Fees, bad for the spirit of the neighborhood. Planning, neighborhood involvement, local spirit and goodwill are all out the door as the priority of pavement prevails. Do we want to encourage or deter such events? It's really quite simple. Lance K. Pugh, 882 B Street, 601-5511 SAVE Ml ~1rttlJr4 Clo CITY ~FH~~~LD FUND h~ .1 20 AND ~ AshlGl d N. Main I n . Orego 97 (~OJl ,n 520 , 462.1441 Kuvt 14+t\ V\ > < T1\ '1 :i :.> V\ -:r ~ ~ o ;p ';>J ~ ~S~ ~>0 ~~ $ <. 7} 7J $ ~ _\ o <-. n ~ r r 0' ''('- _/~: ~:~i -z;.o S' A <0 <:::. 0 Z- (., ~~.r~'Z-~ -z..,A 'G:- 7-';7.- G' ~ ~ Jl Q"~ -z-V' ",.)7 ~ \J\ J;> ~ G\ ~ -~ s. ~- - / \\\ -l> ro t-.l I -{J =t Itq~t.}}/9~ -I >$ < c ~':G. -<OJ \\ t\\ r J> --\ 1\ ~ [tI s:: L ~ j r' I _\ ~~. c- ':5: J7 ?'O) ;'1 .J' "" 1"- <;-'" 2'" \\\ o .~ J (. / /..~ /F / c: ,// -~ It's like a play, but it is real life. as we go by ,the people in the play. over, it will be a happy ending. And the T-shirts say now, "We saved it." The'script is being written We hope that when it is all the t'i tIe rea 1 1 y w ill be, as The stage wa~ set about a year ago when Harbor Properties, a large private corporation based in Seattle that has owned the assets of Ski Ashland for the last eight years decided that they weren't making enough money and were going to sell. If they could not find a buyer by February 1, 1992, they would remove "their property" from our Mountain, leaving us with no ski area. A lot of people talked about it, but no one had a million dollars. Many people hoped someone that did would appreciate what a wonderful place Mt. Ashland Ski Area is and buy it. In October Brian Almquist, Ashland City Administrator called a public meeting that was held at Ashland Hills with the theme being what are we ~oing to do? There were subsequent smaller meetings, both public and interested individuals. Many ideas were discussed. private offexs were made to Harbor Properties, none of acceptable tp the parent corporation. private of Several which were Before we knew it, it was January and the February I deadline was staring us in the face. Worse yet there wasn't enough snow to open the Mountain. Many of us were depressed. Enter Stephen Jamieson, f 0 un din g vis ion a r y 0 f MA S A (M t. Ash I and Ski Are a, I n c . ) . I n an incredibly short period of time. Mr. Jamieson, a Medford attorney and skier. successfully negotiated an offer to Harbor Properties to purchase the ski area through a non-profit corporation to be funded by tax deductible donations. He then presented the plan to the Ash 1 and C i t y' Co u n c i Ion J an u a r y 2 1, 1 9 9 2 . The Co u n c i 1 de c ide d t 0 hold a special hearing on January 28. At the special hearing almost 40 people testified. Approximately 80% were in favor of the proposed agreement between the City and MASA whereby MASA would raise funds for purchase, donate the assets to the City, which in turn would lease back to MASA for operation. It is the intention of both MASA and the City' to model the lease agreement along the lines of the lease agreement with the Oregon Shakespeare Festival Association. Part of the consideration was that the City would have no liabilities involved with the Ski area and that there were sufficient assets to cover closing costs if it never snowed again. Because the Mountain has generated positive cash flow during Harbor Properties' 'tenure and because the City would acquire a well equipped physical plant debt free, the Council felt comfortable that Ci ty tax dollars would not be involved wi th the Ski Area buyout effort. Therefore the Counci 1 unanimously agreed to support the Community based public/private Save The Mountain effort. END OF ACT ONE -,1 / (I ACT TWO--IN PROGRESS Now we the skiers and citizens of the Rogue Valley and surrounding regions have been given the unique opportunity to buy our very own ski area. The only problem is, we have to pay for it. The SAVE THE MOUNTAIN office has been set up in the Corrununity Center Building, 59 Winburn Way. The phone number is 482-7441. The Mt. Ashland Fund has been establ ished at Ci ty Hall, 20 East Main, Ashland, Oregon 97520, to accept OUR tax-deductible contributions. We are pleased by the tremendous amount of interest shown 80 far. What we really need now is MONEY. The timing is less than perfect, considering our seasonal local economy. However, if we don't act now, we could 10s8 our Mountain forever. If everyone in the community gives what they can, it will work. ACT'THREE-THE TOWN HITH IT'S VERY OWN MOUNTAIN (To be written following successful completion of Act Two.) ) CA b t~ ( 1/ -' J -1c (~ ~V) /2> 1/1 ~ CO J~l.t h,tA Vj I 'iy by ,A'A rH<-E-EN f1I1Jl/c-/~AE-L \ Why should the community di<;J deep to contribute to Save Mt. Ashland? Because it .1s a COMMUNITY thing to do. Skiers especially should contribute because the mountain they save will be their own. Not only is this our last best hope but it is the way it should be done becausel 1. The ski area is in the watershed and clty ownership would give us more control over our water supply. 2. Local citizen ownership means we can have input in OUR local Mountain. 3. All "profits" will remain in the community wJlth community lnput as to what to do ~ith said "profits". 4. The economic impact of the Mountain, while difficult to pinpoint exactly, is millions of dollars annually. 5. Seasonal employment at Mt. Ashland balances with summer tourist related employment for many people. 6. Th~ very existence of the ski area is a recruiting tool for college students an~ staff, and other interesting people who like to ski. 7. If: the ski area closed, the road would probably not be plowed, severely limiting access for crOSB county skiers, tubers, and snowperson builders. 8. In-the middle of winter, Mt. Ashland is often the best, and sometimes the only, place to get in the sun and breathe fresh air. 9. Teaching your children to ski on the mountliin where you learned to ski is a very special experience. 10. SKIING IS FUN I I I I Despite opinIons to the contrary, Mt Ashland IS a viable ski area, both economically and as a place to ski. We have seen step by step Improvements made since 1978, the net result beinQ that the physical piant at Mt. Ashland Is in the best condition ever. Review of 'financial data provided by Ski Ashland shows that the Mountain has operated profitably for six of the last eight years, with two years where they made a lot of money and two years where they lost money. Eight year average positive cash flow is $141,500. The after-school ski program is a tremendous success with over 400 kids being able to ski at an affordable rate. If everyone in the community does their part to save the Mountain, It can be aone. So let's work to<;Jether to save our M~GIC MOUNTAIN. ;;; ~ -';/ ~5 ~I (//" (J~~~/.d-- I(/V Ronald E. Roth /\{ t fJ::(J}('~>t / ( Itc: /(~ ;, A/A: vP Kathleen MacMichael ';( f ~ The Chamber Times Ashland Chamber oj~ Commt?rCt? Vol. VII No. 9 MIXf.R March 12- 6:00 F,In. Mark Anton)l 9J SKI ASHLAND . NEEDS YOUR HELP Time is crucial for the MASA organizers to raise the required funds for the P\U- chase of Ski Ashland and your help is needed to make this purchase a reality. The Ashland Chamber of Commerce is and has always been very supportive of ) Mt. Ashland and its viability. Through- t out the years, we have supported the ex I '., pansion plans of Ski Ashland for th . future growth of winter business. Th .. Chamber has recently made a $4,00~ " contribution to MASA, has offered ;its f support in fundraising and organized a regional legislative cooperative effort' to gain financial support for MASA beyord the regional strategy request. We believe this leadership role to be an important time for the Chamber to have un- dertaken. Some quotes from Ron Roth and Kath- leen MacMichael's letter to the editor, we believe need to be repeated: "Why should the community dig deep to contribute to save Mt. Ash- land? Because it is a community thing to do Skiers especially should contribute because the mountain they save will be their own. "Nat only is this our last best hope but it is the way it should be done because: " -The ski area is in the watershed and city ownership would give 'us more control over llur water supply. "- Lllcal citizen ownership means we can have input in our local mountain. "--All "profits" will remain in the commuhtty with community input as ta what to do with said "profits." ! , f ' " -The economic impact of the mountain, while difficult to pinpoint exactly, is millions llt dollars an- nually. "-Seasonal employment at Mt. Ashland balances with summer tourist-related employment for many people. " -The very existence of the ski area is a recruiting tool for college students and staff, and other in- teresting people who like to ski. "- If the ski area dosed, the road would probably not be plowed, se- verely limiting access for cross- country skiers, tubers, and snow- person builders. "-In the middle of winter Mt. Ashland is often the best, and some- times the only, place to get in the sun and breathe fresh air. " -Teaching your children to ski on the mountain where you learned to ski is a very special experience. Marc h 1992 "-Skiing is fun' "Despite opinions to the contrary, Mt. Ashland is a viable ski area, both eco- nomically and as a plac~ to ski. We have seen step-by-step improvements made since 1978, the net result being that the physical plant at Mt. Ashland is in the best condition ever. "Review of financial data provided by Ski Ashland shows that the mountain has operated profitably for six of the last eight years, with two years where they made a lot of monev and two vears where they lost money. Eight-year ~aver- age positive cash flow is $141,500. "The after-school ski program is a tremendous success with over 400 kids being able to ski at an affordable rate. "If everyone in the community does their part to save the mountain, it can be done. So let's work together to save our magic mountain. March 1992 Calendar 3 12 noon - Visitors & Convention Bureau - Alex's Restaurant -- 33 N. Main St. 4 8 a.m. - Fourth of July - Mark Antony Motel - 212 E. Main 5t. 4 8:30 a.m. - Oregon Trail Meeting - Ashland Hills Inn - 2525 Ashland St. 4 S.C.O.R.E. - Call the Chamber far your free 1 hour appointment, 482-3486 6 8:30 a.m. - Greeters - Goodtimes Family Food & Fun - 1951 Hwy. 66 10 7:30 a.m. - Board of Directors - Mark Antony Hotel - 212 E. Main 11 S.C.O.R.E. - Call the Chamber for your free 1 hour appointment, 482-3486 12 6 p.m. - Mixer Cygnet Theatre at Mark Antony Hotel 7 p.m. - Play (Mark Antonv Hotel - 212 E. Main St) 13 8:30 e:..m. - Greeters - The Breadboard Restaurant - 744 N. Main. 17 St. Fatrick's Day! The Wearin' of the Green! 17 3 p.m. - Safety Committee Workshop - Mark Antony Hotel - 212 E. Main St. 17 S.C.O.R.E. - Call the Chamber for your free 1 hour appointment, 482-3486 20 8:30 a.m. - Greeters - Red's Threads -- 42 E. Main 24 S.C.O.R.E. - Call the Chamber for your free 1 hour appointment, 482-3486 27 8:30 a.m. - Greeters - Pear Blossom & Mark Antony Co.host at Mark Antony Hotel .- 212 E Main St. ~ ~ -....; ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ :c '"\"\ ~ Q..~~" (L ~ ~'-.a ~ 3=% ~ ~~ ~2'(b " ~ -''' _. ::5 0 ~ .::s 0- ~. s:: .~ ~ ,. ~ ~s ~:r! ~ An Open Letter To the Ashland City Council September 4, 2007 Greetings Councilors and Mayor, Concerning the city's relationship with the Mount Ashland Ski Association, I have a request for each of you, and that is 1. to clarify your goal and 2. to judge your actions by the results that have been achieved. The battle over Mt Ashland's ski expansion has been dragging on since at least 1992. That's when the community raised $1.6 million in donations to keep the ski area open and the city of Ashland agreed to be the holder of the special use permit, and lease the rights to Mt. Ashland Association. Is anybody happy with what's been achieved since then? Opponents say MAA won't compromise to safeguard the environment. The records show that the ski association has compromised numerous times over a long period of time. A Mail Tribune eclitorial dated November 18,1998 states that the center of the opposition, the Sierra Club "has appointed itself thE3 agent of obstruction, back tracking on its word quibbling over technicalities and filing appeals to prevent modest expansion plans." A copy is attached. This thing has dragged on too long, and you have to consider the costs and negative effects of constant battles, legal proceedings, and lack of progress on a non-profit community based ski area If the goal is to kill the ski area, then at this point you are probably happy with the lack of progress. If the goal the goal is to have a viable ski area with responsible stewardship of the environment, then we are losing. Sincerely, Suzanne Frey Ashland OPINION e MaiT Tribune, Wednesday, Nov. 18, 1998 JidUoI'Ja{Soard James Grad.y. S1na1etary, Publisher Robert L. Hunter, Editor Julie Wurth, Managing Editor Wm. H. Manny, Executive News Editor John N. Reid, Executive Editor Edit~riaIs Sierra Club's club I Environmental group picks nits in effort to block Mount Ashland The effort in 1992 to save Mount A~ was a stirring example of a commllfuty pulling together to make a difference. Faced with the threat that the ski hill would be closed, thousands of individuals joined with civic groups, businesses and government to raise $1.6 million to save the area. School children collected nickels and dimes, Rotary clubs raised more than a half-million .dollars and radio DJs campaigned to put the fund-raiser over the top. The result earned praise from all quarters and was hailed as evi- dence that community spirit still thrived, that people from all walks ofIife could eometogether for the common gOOf!. But it seems, as the new ski season and Christ- mas approach, that the Grineh lives.. 'I'-he-work: of thousands of .commmlity-mffided -citizens is jeopardized by ahandfulofenvironment.al-nay. sayers bent on picking every nit they can tindto delay and, they hope, destroy the dream. The Sierra Club - ah, how those words once seemed to hold such noble promise - has ap_ pointed itself the agent of obstruction, back- tracking on its word, quibbling over technicali- ties and filing appeals to prevent modest expan- sion plans of the ski area. The local chapter of the Sierra Club trrst weighed in against a new lift line, then, lastweek, filed an appeal of plans to expand the area's sewage treatment. In both cases, the arguments may have some remote technical merit, bUt ap- pear to fly in the face of common sense. The :lrguments are also diminished by the Sierra 21ub's duplicity in its deatings un the Mount Ashl?f\<oI.iss..l:l~J incIUdinL _____ . Reneging on a 1991 agreement. that, in exchange for not building on the south SIde oft he mountain, Ski Ashland would be allowed to ex- pand to the north and eas~. . . Floating a bogus enVIronmental Issue hy claiming that small seasonal creeks may .hold redband trout, a rare species. Experts qUIckly dismissed that claim, and the Sierra Club quietly let it slide-away. · Appealmgthenew cltairlift on a "~ecJ~nical- ity" while-as5\,Wi.ng the ~i area that It dId not ~ld the ~ {i} stop the expansion, but merely to.- clean. up the paperwork. Now S~erra Club members actively opposet;be -expanSIOn. The Sierra Club's c1.ai1ns against both the new skiruns and5ewagetf~ent plan are specious. The ski runs, they say.. will harm small strea.ms and wetlands. But Ski ~shland is developmg very specific plans to avoid whatever modest damage could Oe caused. to streams (actually rivulets of a foot or two in width) that are several feet beneath tlre snow w~n skiers are present. The sewage treatment plant, which would have to pass incredibly strict standards, would be in the Ashland watershed. Treated effluent wou:ld be of nem'iy drinking-water purity b~for~ being discharged into a drain field. The lIkelI- hood- that the treated water would then pass underground through mites of forest and pollute Ashland's drinltl>>g- source is beyond remote. ;., The Mount Ashland sId area has fulfiHed its ~omi&e to the ~on:mm~ity, foc\!sing on youth -'"-pr-6grams and lreepingtieket pnces aff<?~-dable, t;.,');'Q. remain viable, it must offer more SkU!lg op- ctlons fur chttdren, begiRners and old,er skiers. It ~:~ expand or it wilL slowly detenorate. .,-, The Sierra Club is doing this community a :.:j-eat disservice. In doing so, it does itself a -:~iee. By taking extre,me stands now, it may :1brfeit its future standing in debates on impor- : tant environmental issue&. "-.y~ t'l-!- Ashland City Council Date: 9-04-2007 Subject: Mt Ashland Association Dear Mr. Mayor and Members of the City Council; In my opinion the Mt. Ashland Association (MAA) is flying in the face of strong public opinion - witness the last election where those opposed to expansion were elected by majority votes. I believe MAA is en1boldened by the proposed expansion being financed entirely by donor funds - therefore no debt service --- no worries about running it as a business - hence no business plan. I reiterate from my last letter "it is public knowledge now that global heating is putting low elevation ski operations like Mount Ashland at risk." This could put Mt Ashland out of business as it has before. The IV1AA is skating on thin ice here having burned up 2 million in reserves fighting for expansIOn. In my opinion Mount Ashland's Ski operation should be geared to operate as long as global climate change permits. I believe that, rather than putting millions of dollars into the risky proposition of expansion - a politically unpopular direction - emphasis should be on making the existing area work most efficiently and profitably to serve the public for as long as possible. As I said in my last letter "There is a conflict of purpose between Winter Recreation represented by the MAA and City Water represented by the City Council. In my opinion Watershed values should trump Winter Recreation values. I ask the City Council to postpone the decision on the SUP until there is a ruling in the 9th Circuit Court. Since n1any interests of citizens of Ashland are at stake; and since MAA has been unwilling to meet the City half way; I therefore urge the Council to not give over the SUP giving away it's power as a stake holder. Thank you John and Dot Fisher-Sn1ith 945 Oak Street, Ashland ~~-~ ~~~~ Elisha Lewis - 8 30 Library-Memo #2 - County- CityServices.doc - - Page 1 CITY OF ASHLJ\ND Memo TO: FROM: DATE: RE: Danny Jordan, Jackson County Administrator Martha J. Bennett, City Administrator August 30, 2007 Augmented Services for Ashland Branch and Requests for Considerations As you and I discussed on the telephone on Tuesday and this morning. the City Council decided on Monday. August 27.2007 that they would like to collaborate with Jackson Count;. to augment the "base" Library services that Jackson COemty plans to provide through a contract with LSSI if the Ashland Local Option Levy (Measure 15-79) passes on Scptember 18. The City of Ashland understands that the County is negotiating Ivith I.SSI to provide the services outlined in their proposal. with fewer hours system wide than proposed. We are assuming that the LSSI services will include many of the clemcnts that the City of Ashland has identified as "minimum services" in the local option Icvy. such as: · Purchase of new materials comparable to the amount purchased by Jackson County in fV 2007 · The same magazine and newspaper subscriptions as prOlided by Jackson County at closure. · The same number of internet terminals and internet access as provided at closure. · Reference services Desired Additional Services In addition to the services that the County has proposed as identitied as base services. the City of Ashland woulcllike to finance several additional services through the County's services II ith LSSI. Specifically. the City wishes to purchase: · Additional hours to bring the number of hours that the Ashland Branch is open each week to 40 hours per week. The City has committed to 40 open hours in our ballot measure. On August 2 I. LSSI indicated that the cost of adding 16 additional open hours in Ashland each week is approximately $240.000. We arc considering an additional 8 hours (tor a total of 48). with a preliminary estimated cost of another $120.000. · Children's services equivalent to those provided prior to closure. It is my understanding that the "Babies in the Library" program will continue to be provided through a grant. and LSSI's proposal includes some discussion about provision ofChildren's services. The City would like to ensure that both the "story time" and the summer reading programs are provided in the Ashland branch. Can you please let me know whether the "base services" being negotiated by the County include these two programs" I I' not. I would appreciate it if LSSI could provide a cost estimate for adding those programs in Ashland. and the City requests that these programs be included a:; "Ashland- specitic" services in the contract. · A professional librarian. available to provide direct seniee to the public. during the 40 open hours. TIllS may bc already in the LSSI service plan. Ifit is not. then. as \Iith children's services. I'd appreciate a cost estimate from LSSI and that this would be included in the contract with LSSI. ADMINISTRATION 20 East Main Street Ashland. Oregon 97520 www.ashland.orus lei ')41.488.6002 fax 541488.5311 11 y 800 735.2900 !'A~ .- ... Elisha Lewis - 83007 Library-Memo #2 - County- CityServices.doc Page 2 Oesired Ashland-specific Contract Requirements The City of Ashland would like a couple of things. specific to thc service to Ashland, to be provided through the County's contract with LSSI. Specifically: · The City would like the contract with LSSI to comply \\ith the City's Living Wage law for employees at the Ashland branch. We recognize that there will be a minimal additional cost from this request. and we presume that additional cost will be paid by the City. This ordinance applies to employees working more than 1040 hours per year. I have attached a copy of the flyer we send to City contractors to describe the ordinance. Ifpossible, I need to know the additional cost that this request represents. · The City would like its ad-hoc library advisory committee to be able to provide input to LSSI on both th~ collection and on service issues that arise after the Ashland branch reopens. We'd like the contract to include that a manager working in the Jackson County system be available to attend Ashland ad-hoe committee meetings at least quarterly. · The City would like LSSlto give preference to hiring employees \vho previously worked for the Ashland Branch, rather thanjust guaranteeing them an interview. Desired overall Contract Issues The City Council also talked about some of the issues that the) arc gcnerally concerned about in the County's contract with LSSL and they would like to request that the County include the IClllowing prO\ isions: · Council requests that the meeting rooms at the Jackson County libraries continue to be available to citizen groups for use at no charge. · Council would like the contract to ensure that LSSI folkms the Oregon State Law that prohibits the records about what library patrols request. use, or check-out from the library from being disclosed. I know from our di~;eussions that this is an issue that you arc aware of · Council requests that Council wants to ensure that the County can terminate the contract with LSSI if a county-wide special district is formed and the governing body of that district determines that it would like to provide s'crvices with public employees. The Council also would like to sce thc eontract have termination clauses for the services at cach of the 15 branches, so that any community or group of communities that are dissatisfied with the contractual services can explore other options. · Council agrecs with you that the County's contract should not allow LSSI to use volunteers to supplant work that the County is paying for by contract. The Council hopes that the County will be able to encourage the use of volunteers and will also have contract provisions that reduce payments to I.SSI if volunteers take on contract-related work. · The City Council would like that any donations of materials to the library that are actually placed into the collection (as opposed to being given to the Friends groups for resale) remain in the branch library where they are donated. Countv/Citv Issues First. I am assuming that any enhanced services that the City of Ashland \\ants to purchase will be include as an addendum to the County's base contract with LSS!. I am also assuming that the City would reimburse the County for the direct costs of these services, and that we would formalize this arrangement with an ORS 190 agreement. adopted by both the City Counci I and the County Board. If this is not how the County would like to handle the City's desire to augment services, please let me know what you'd prefer. ADMINISTRATION 20 East Main Street Ashland, Oregon 97520 wwwashland.orus Tel 541-488-6002 Fax 541-488-5311 TTY 800-735-2900 !'A1I ._~ Elisha Lewis - 8 30 07 Library-Memo #2 - County- CityServicesdoc Page 3 Second, As you and I discussed on Tuesday, the City requests that thc County agree to a provision to allow the City to request transtCr of the library building to the City at the conclusion of the City's two year levy (if the levy passes on September 18). The Council would like to have City operation be one of the several alternatives that are discussed by the community. The City Council is forming an ad-hoc library advisory committee to study \\ays to ensure that there are adequate library services in the future. This task includes City participation in regional discussions about the long-term future of the system. The City Council recognizes that the City could request the transfer of the building at any time in thc tllture. The City is requesting it now because they arc committed to a robust discussion of all of the potential options. I f the County agrees to this "opt-out" clause, we understand that the County may want to include some provisions to account for building maintenance and that we will need to ncgotiate the exact terms of the transfer. the disposition of the collection. and the future relationship between Ashland and the County system if the City decides to exercise this option. [should also note that the City Council has strongly supported the county-wide library system and is committed to ensuring the benefits of that regional service to Ashland's citizens. [ know that you arc working on reopening an entire library system. not just Ashland's branch. [am grateful for the work you have done to support the City Council's desire to restore high quality library services in our community. I would appreciate your help in getting as much of this work done prior to September 18 as possible so we can provide as much information to our community's voters as possible. ADMINISTRATION 20 East Main Street Ash!and, Oregon 97520 www ash land or. us Tel 541-488-6002 Fax: 541-488-5311 TTY 800-735-2900 !'A~ .-.. Effect of Council's August 27, 2008 Decision on September 18,2007 Levy 9/4/2007 Estimated T;ax levy County Base (LSSI Need to Estimated to provide LEVY MINIMUM proposal) Augment cost (in cents) 40 open hours 24 hours 16 hours $240,000 14.12 "professional staff' Yes None $0 Existing public terminals Yes None $0 Newspaper and Mag Subscriptions Yes None $0 Access to materials Yes None $0 400 new books Yes None $0 Children's Programs Yes None $0 Reference Programs Yes None $0 Living Wage Mostly Library Pages $25,000 147 OPTIONAL ADDITIONS Additional Hours for 48 open hours (incl living wage) 8 more hours $125,000 735 Outreach program, funded by City estimate $60,000 3.53 City Contract monitoring estimate $15,000 088 TOTAL IF ALL OPTIONS ARE ADDED $465,000 27 Assumes Babies in Library still funded with grant funds City could opt to augment book budget LSSI book budget same as FY 2006-2007 County budget "Average" house at full levy $5589